Best under $150 joystick for KSP

[kBob]

I know this has been asked before...I've read the old threads...but thought I'd solicit some current opinions. My old joystick, alas, hasn't had drivers since like Windows XP. I've seen some interesting joystick throttle combos. I was a big flightsim fan started way back in the Bruce Artwick days up to FSX and much prefer joysticks to keyboard/mouse...I'm hoping to start building space planes soon, but even for things like moving a Kerbal around I suspect a joystick would be easier for me.

Main requirements:

1. Precision (nothing more useless than a sloppy joystick).

2. Twist axis (I can't use pedals).

3. Some sort of throttle and enough buttons so I don't need the keyboard while using it.

4. Hopefully won't fall apart for a few years.

[katateochi]

I've been pretty happy with a Mad Catz Cyborg F.L.Y 5. It was less than £30; has a solid stick (with twist), 4 thumb buttons (+trigger), a hat, 7+ more buttons on the base and a twin throttle. tbh thou I SUCK at atmo flying in KSP with a joystick and prefer to fly with keys, but I using it a lot for maneuvers in space. It's a joy for docking.

It might not be up to scratch for someone who's used to using really high grade sticks for flightsims but I like it and it was a lot less than $150!

[Peter KG6LSE]

Logitech Extreme 3D Pro Joystick solid stick and It works like a champ . I only had to do one tweak . and that was invert throttle .

[Tripzter]

I am also running the extreme 3d pro. I havnet used it with ksp however love it for war thunder.

[Cydonian Monk]

I'll third the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro. It's somewhere around $35-$40, and hits every category you mentioned. Seems durable, too.

[lammatt]

i am not sure if joystick is really a good choice of input for this game when it comes to landing and docking.

[helaeon]

I've been using an xbox gamepad and it works great with the right control scheme. I'm using the MadCatz MLG pad right now (I also play Hawken with a game pad so a nice one is beneficial). Plus it has swappable sticks so if you don't like that style get another!

Works awesome for space planes, cupcake style dropships, rockets, landers... only thing I wish I could get it to do in a way that I like is EVA. That seems to not work right but I think it's my control mapping not the game pad concept itself.

In tandem with a keyboard it works well as the pad sits nicely tucked away while you do stuff on the keyboard (like EVA), then can pick it back up quickly as the pad itself doesn't need a desk to rest on to work!

[kBob]

I hadn't really thought about a pad, last one I tried years ago was less than stellar, but I'm sure they are better now. I might try both, one can always use the extra buttons. Part of my problem is I have to do computing while lying down...I loved my original Logitech force feed back stick (the second version was bad had a weak motor) it was sturdy, stayed where you put it, and would still work if drivers were available.

I'll check the ones mentioned here out. A lot of votes for the Logitech, I'm kind of off Logitech had some problems (not working and poor design) with their stuff in recent years but maybe they are still making a good stick.

Hmm the Logitech is $27 at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Extreme-Joystick-Silver-Black/dp/B00009OY9U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1391671639&sr=8-1&keywords=Logitech+Extreme+3D+Pro right now, at that price seems worth a try. Then if I decide I don't like it well at least I still have money left over to try something else.

Though the Mad Catz http://www.amazon.com/Mad-Catz-F-L-Y-5-Stick-PC/dp/B001EYU1VO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1391671916&sr=8-1&keywords=Mad+Catz+Cyborg+F.L.Y+5 at $60 weighs about 3 times as much which may sway me as having it stay in place is important too. Have to think on this.

[kBob]

Why it put this this in the space lounge? It is about joysticks specifically for the KSP program, it is NOT OFF TOPIC!

[Nuke]

ch fighterstick. comes with a throttle wheel and hardware trim controls. best spring tension i have ever seen in a stick (not to strong not to weak, very linear), 3 4-way hats 1 8-way hat 4 buttons, best mapping software on the plannet. made in the usa. can be had on ebay for around $100. well worth the money. will last a long time (they even sell replacement parts). no twist axis, but i cant use one of those.

if you also get the throttle you can use the little thumbstick as a rudder. has the same number of buttons and hats as the fighterstick. they can be merged into a single stick if you need to.

Edited February 6, 2014 by Nuke

[Ravenchant]

You also can't go wrong with the Cyborg Evo. It was 40€ three or so years ago, so you should be able to get it for less. While it does have a twist axis for rudder and not pedals, its throttle control is great and besides, it looks futuristic enough for spaceplanes

And if you have money to spare: http://www.tones.be/thumbnails/x52-4a96835f50f68-jpg-ea11cb3d912234ce57aac882d27cf22c.jpg

[kBob]

I will check out those two. The CH does have some good reviews on amazon, but not sure I could get used to the lack of rudder twist.

Now I'm also looking at 3d mouse...decisions decisions.

[Peter KG6LSE]

i am not sure if joystick is really a good choice of input for this game when it comes to landing and docking.

Really ?

If you use the Hat as the translation and the trigger as forward and the thumb as back you can with a single hand dock a craft ..

[Nuke]

I will check out those two. The CH does have some good reviews on amazon, but not sure I could get used to the lack of rudder twist.

Now I'm also looking at 3d mouse...decisions decisions.

i bought my throttle, stick and pedals all in one pass. me personally i never liked twist handles. its a clever way to throw another axis on a stick, but i find it usually throws off accuracy of the other axes when you use the twist handle. when i was still using a saitek x52(the early version with all the bugs) before i got the ch gear, i kept the twist lock on. its more personal preference than anything. of course i can use pedals rather proficiently too.

[kBob]

Nuke: I'd actually prefer pedals but because of a bad back I have to use my computer lying down (i.e. sitting hurts) so pedals won't work for me.

Peter: Exactly it's that one handed control I really want.

[DiamondHawk427]

I use a Thrustmaster T-flight Hotas X and it works nicely, and it is about $65

[vasco]

I also use XBOX controller, the number of axes makes it a better choice than standard joystick, especially for docking.

[robopilot99]

I got a Logitech 3D pro as well. I'm quite happy with it. It has everything you want and way under $150.

[Slam_Jones]

Another Logitech 3D Pro here, as well. Unforntunately, it's several years old at this point, and constantly gives me phantom input when I have it plugged in.

Sooo take good care of yours, or it will end up like mine...

[zekes]

Logitech Extreme 3d Pro, I've had one for 3 years it works perfectly still, best $30 joystick I ever bought.

[Whizzkid]

Used to use an old saitek cyborg evo for ksp and fsx, but it got worn out and creaky, so I bought a black widow joystick for about £20 - £30 which works excellently, once set up correctly.

[Willbl3pic]

I'm going to soon have the Saitek X-55. £125 or so...

[Mad Rocket Scientist]

Logitech Extreme 3D Pro Joystick. It's what I'm using right now. I bought it pretty recently, it's easy to get used to it.

[DuoDex]

I should probably get one. I keep looking at super-cheap options but never get around to ordering.

Any suggestions? ($40 is probably too much).

[Lord Aurelius]

I have a Thrustmaster HOTAS X and it works fine (whenever I get around to actually setting it up anyways, it takes up quite a bit of space on my already crowded desk). It's the cheapest non-sketchy option I've seen for a full function stick with throttle (which is why I got it). It's $40 right now.

http://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-T-Flight-Hotas-Flight-Playstation-3/dp/B001CXYMFS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1442024901&sr=8-1&keywords=thrustmaster+hotas