Saitek Yoke - Gotten Any Better?

[LTCSZ]

Hi: I am considering the Saitek Yoke/Throttle combination to use in FSX...However, I have read horror stories about the initial production of this product...Folks having to return it three or four times to get one that worked, etc...Has anyone purchased one recently who could comment? Has the quality improved? I hate the thought of getting into the "pack it up and return it" cycle! Thanks for the opinions.

Steve in Kansas

[pointy31]

Hey Steve, I too am in the market for a yoke, and I was leaning toward the Saitek Pro. I only flew once with a yoke, a CH model, on a friends computer, so I would be very curious to see what the others think...

[IanP]

The problem was a faulty firmware that caused spurious random button presses. It was never "disastrous", just annoying (really quite annoying, to be fair). I returned mine - to Saitek, rather than a distributor - and it was flashed and returned to me. I've not seen a single random button press since.

On the other hand, the throttle quadrant with the Saitek is a lot better than that with the CH (longer throw, positionable and not hidden behind the yoke itself) and the yoke shaft is metal, rather than the CH's easily-warped plastic. I know a lot of people with now useless CH yokes because the shafts have bent until they constantly jam.

The CH was by far the best for years, but they've handed on the crown now and that mess they've released to replace it, I'm afraid, doesn't address any of the more serious issues with the design. Instead, it has added more things to break/go wrong/get in the way.

Ian P.

[spotlope]

I'm on my first Saitek yoke, and have yet to have a problem with it. (knocks on wood)

[Warrant]

I have the yoke and throttle set, and the rudder pedals, and the switch set. No complaints here. Besides the switch set all is programmable and adjustable. Very content with the set. Worth every penny! (or eurocent).

But there is one you need to keep in mind, which is going to prevent trouble: If you have multiple Saitek Pro flight products attached to your computer, make sure there are not that many other USB devices (specially the ones that drag power) hooked simultaniously. That causes errors and strange responses, or even total failure of the device untill you unhook a device first.

merry Christmas everybody!

[modelr]

Warrant, use a POWERED USB hub! will eliminate your problems. I have five of them hooked to my outfit, all full, no problems.

[gigabyte]

I have had good luck with the Saitek hardware, my pieces are well made and have been trouble free. I have never been thrilled with the software support, they have upgraded the profiler twice now and did not provide any way to convert old profiles so users had to start fresh. They just released a beta last week (almost 2 years late) that is fully compatible with Vista (well it is suposed to be but I am not sure yet???) If you do go for the Saitek gear make sure you add FSUPC (Registered version) to your bag of tricks, it solves all the programing problems you would have with the Saitek profiler and frankly is possibly the best money you could spend in a FS Addon - and no I do not sell or have any association with the creator of that addon, it is just plain To Notch!

[Gdavis101]

I bought one when it was first released, Saitek quickly sent me another one. I like the yoke and throttle combo and the ability to add more throttle units makes it even better.

[pointy31]

I am gonna order the Saitek Pro yoke Friday. Wifey has blessed the purchase so I have no excuses. Thanks for the input, and Merry Christmas to you all...

Mike

[Piglet]

I got my Saitek Yoke about a week ago. So far no troubles, it feels solid, and the throttles are better than the CH small levers(which can break off!)

[pointy31]

I ordered mine about an hour ago...

[BPbobafett1982]

Mines sitting under the tree as I write this. Just a little while longer...

Just in time for Tim's newest release!

[gmark]

I've had my yoke and twin throttles for at least a year and have had no problems. The mountings are as solid as a rock and quite ingenious (flexible). I program directly through FSX and do not use the profiler. But I believe the best approach is through FSUIPC - I just haven't gotten around to it yet.

Graham

[IanP]

I've programmed mine through both FS and FSUIPC - it's currently a mixture between the two, but primarily through FS. FSUIPC is very useful for setting reverse detents on my little array of throttle quads now, though, and has allowed me to assign a lever to the gear and a flaps lever.

Ian P.

[HighGround22]

Initially, I had the CH yoke (with the dinky little throttle quad on top) and CH pedals. I found the engine quad to be less than ideal, and then there were the ugly "spring noises" that emanated from the yoke housing, when making turns!

The CH pedals were far too close together for my big feet, and it was always difficult finding that "sweet" neutral spot with neither left- nor right-input.

So after a strong recommendation from someone whose opinions I respect, I got the Saitek yoke with its accompanying throttle quad, plus their rudder pedals. I've had them for around a year now, and I couldn't be happier with the lot!

The yoke has ample buttons and switches, and it just feels good and solid. No extraneous noises, or hitches, either! It feels as good and tight today as it did when I got it (Consider: I fly "low and slow", "bug-smashing" flights for around five hours per day).

The throttle quad is just miles ahead! As astutely stated by someone above, it has a nice, long 90-degree rotation, so there's lots of fine control. And the "Reverse" detents make operating reverse thrust a dream on a turbo-prop or jet (Okay, the Nardi, as well.)! Oh, and the extra six switch positions on the quad sure come-in handy, too.

The pedals are likewise marvelous -- for me. They're higher off the ground, and they have a nice, wide stance. And with the adjustment wheel between them, I can dial-in just exactly the amount of resistance I want. Oh yeah . . . and the "sweet" spot is sure "sweet"!! Now there's no wondering whether I'm inadvertently inputting any rudder when I want to neutralize the controls.

So overall, I can only echo my chum's enthusiastic thumbs up, from a year ago! If my computer gear was burnt-up or was stolen, I'd order new Saitek gear the next day without thinking twice!

-Jon
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