Classic British Flight Sim

Hi Chaps

I'm thinking of delving back into throttle quads again but don't want anything too complicated or expensive. The Saitek Pro Flight throttle quad looks like it might fit the bill. Do any of you have one and if so, what do you think?

Cheers
DaveB

I have two, one with the ps/2 connection and a usb connection one. they are OK, i cannot compair to any other throttle quads though. One thing i have noticed is the difference in callibration between the two units (likely need recalibration), I have them set up as Spoiler, throttle 1-4 and flaps. For instance im flying a 4 engined aircraft throttles 3+4 sometimes seem to be a little higher than 1+2. I have mine set up through FSUIPC and have found also that sometimes the mappings go haywire and i just have to reset them again. Ive have heard somewhere that you shouldnt overtighten the grips as it can shread the screw.

The movement seems a bit rough, not smooth like for instance the Warthog throttles or X-52. I also have the buttons set up for engine start and fuel cut off (theres no single engine shutdown command )
Obviously if your looking at second hand (fleabay) then just check if it comes usb or ps/2 connection as i dont think any would work without usb unless you have their yoke's?

Hi Chris

Thanks for that I looked at one of these a long time ago and my first thoughts were of how flimsy it seemed. Still.. for the money, I guess you get what you pay for. As I said above, I'm not looking for anything as complex as the Warthog or CH Pro. I had a CH Pro years ago and never got it setup exactly how I wanted it.. ended up giving it away as it had been sat gathering dust for too long Looking online, Curry's/PC World (shudder) are selling them for a penny or so under £50.. post free or I can collect from store (I have one about 4.5miles away) which is the cheapest I've seen!

Tks for your input.. much appreciated
ATB
DaveB

Likewise. I have two of them, both USB. They are connected thru a powered hub to the PC. The only issue is that They would only satisfactorily be programmed via FSUIPC. the second (and it did not seem to matter which way round they were plugged in) would never give the full range of movement as Prop and Mixture levers if programmed in FSX only. There are a multitude of extra programmable buttons as a bonus. At the moment I am experimenting with programming them using LUA/LINDA with mixed results - It is worth stating I don't really understand what I am doing there as I have yet to read the manuals.
I quite like them. If you are going to secure them to the desktop edge using the clamps provided, they need quite a bit of depth. I didn't use the clamps and have used Velcro and stuck them directly onto the desktop which seems quite satisfactory for the mo.

At the moment I have them set up as a twin. The first two lever on the first Quad are throttles, the third is set up as a Spoiler. The second hub first lever is redundant at the moment (cannot think what to program it as_ the 2nd and 3rd are Prop and Mixture respectively.
The first lever on the first quad is also reverse thrust after the detent.
None of the buttons are programmed yet ( Only had them 2 weeks)

Thanks Alex

TBH.. the most successful arrangement I had with my CH Pro was as a twin piston. Flying the Dove in FS9 was a dream Any other arrangement.. multi prop(4) or multi engine(4) was a pain in the arris.. getting the engines sync'd was a nightmare though it has to be said.. this aspect is probably no less real than in a real aircraft. Worst was probably turbo props.. twins or otherwise Moving past the indent to reverse is something that never worked for me despite many attempts

You mention prop pitch.. this is something I'm looking to utilise but it will be a case of one lever for all props. I may not even use one as a throttle.. the circular switch on my Sidewinder will do for that Really.. I want one lever

Cheers Alex
ATB
DaveB

I just ditched my Saitek one recently, having used it for about 3 years. The potentiometers don't last, and they are made specifically for this throttle quadrant, so you can't get spares to fit.

They are fairly easy to clean (just look on YouTube for a demonstration) but after a while they give more hassle than they are worth. I suppose for the price, 3 years use is not bad.

I've built my own, now.

Rgr that JD

ATB
DaveB