Click the Star up ^ here to subscribe to the thread. This is as much a chat thread about Joystick news as it is about being a guide. If you have questions, someone here can probably help. This is an old guide, but I'll summarize my recommendations for early 2018 Thrustmaster T16000m FCS HOTAS or dual-stick T16000m for a minimum legit starter setup. Beyond that, I recommend getting into VKB or VIRPIL for high-end stuff. There are other options like dual-stick Warthogs, but due to the lack of analog hat on the Warthog throttle I can't recommend it for 2018. I'm keeping the rest here for reference, but joystick manufacturers have woken up and new products are coming out. 2018 TL;DR - Get a Thrustmaster T16000m FCS HOTAS. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Introduction This thread is intended to help answer the basic question of "What Joystick or HOTAS should I get?" This is not an all-inclusive list, but rather is intended to be a SELECT list of fan favorites that are known to be good. This list has been collected by fans over the months I've been researching Star Citizen controls and typically has at least half a dozen fans recommending it. Also, I am told that in the EU prices are likely higher on some things. Gamepads, Mouse and Keyboards This thread is not intended to cover Gamepads, Mice and keyboards. You can, however use a mouse in addition to an off-handed joystick (and even pedals) but I won't be delving very deep into these things. First up, the $50 and under budget series. The cheapest is the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro. This joystick has a good reputation for being cheap but durable. Next up, and a huge favorite is the Thrustmaster T16000m joystick. It has very accurate Hall Effect sensors, the same style the top tier Thrustmaster uses, but at an affordable price. Additionally, it is one of the few AMBIDEXTROUS joysticks and can easily be setup in a pair for Dual stick control. I highly recommend looking at this stick over the "brother" T.Flight HOTAS X because of its precision and flexibility. Dual-stick is very solid for 6dof control and imho this is the best on the market right now for this, at least for a lefty joystick. It has twist which can be used for roll, or on a lefty joystick as strafe up/down or even forward/back depending on your preference. Also, paired with the CH Products Pro Throttle you have a high-performance 6dof HOTAS for a low cost. Its' weaknesses are questionable looks, cheap button feel and lack of hats and easily-reachable buttons. But for the price, the Thrustmaster T16000m joystick is a huge value and should not be overlooked. I will mention the Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS and the Mad Catz F.L.Y.5 here. I don't recommend either, but some fans like them. I feel the T16000m is a better value in both quality of sensors, accuracy, lack of deadzones and functionality. But, since people mention them from time to time I have included them so you can research these for yourself if you like. Moving up to the $50 to $200 range The CH Products joysticks are classics. They're a bit more plain compared to others, but they are known to be bulletproof and feature-rich. The CH Products Flightstick Pro is the aged veteran of days gone by, but the second AMBIDEXTROUS stick which can be paired with another CH stick in a Dual stick control scheme. The CH Products Combatstick is the Middle ranged stick with more buttons and less switches than the Fighterstick. The CH Products Fighterstick is the top tier CH stick with a massive amount of buttons, switches and hats. All CH sticks also have their own throttle knob on the base, as well as a trim for X and Y axis. CH also has a Pro Throttle and Pro Pedals to complete the HOTAS system (hands on throttle and stick) One nice thing about the CH Products Pro Throttle is that it has an analog thumb-stick that acts like a mini-joystick, which makes it excellent for ANALOG STRAFING (strafing left/right/up/down), where most other throttles rely on hats that lack the ability to give subtle inputs. A full HOTAS or Dual-stick setup will cost around, or even under $300 for everything. Next is the older Saitek X52 and X52 Pro HOTAS systems. These combine both Throttle and Stick into one combination and are the least expensive of the serious HOTAS rigs. Many love them for their value, and even modify them to overcome some of their weaknesses. The X52 line has twist rudder support, but it also locks for use with their flight pedals. The Pro Flight Rudder Pedals and the Pro Flight COMBAT Rudder pedals</a> I recommend the X52 Pro over the X52. It is better quality and does not have as many issues as the cheap X52 does. Last, and my favorite from Saitek is the new Saitek X-55. At around $200 this HOTAS setup packs a ton of input controls into this controller. This controller had some early quality issues that seem to have been resolved, and is highly recommended for someone who wants a good but no-nonsense setup. While the Saitek software is not as robust as CH or Thrustmaster TARGET software, it has all the basics covered and is very popular with a lot of fans posting their configs in the forums. Now, the $300 and up club Now, at a big step up in price.. The Thrustmaster Warthog series offers both a HOTAS set, or a solo Joystick system. The Thrustmaster Warthog Joystick alone is around $300, where the Thrustmaster Warthog HOTAS setup is around $450. If you want just the throttle, Thrustmaster recently started selling Warthog throttle individually as well. Both systems offer Hall effect sensors, all metal construction, and more bells and whistles than you may ever know what to do with. Designed for a realistic emulation of the A-10 Warthog plane, it may have more controls than you'll use for Star Citizen but it does look very slick. These sticks offer high precision with a stiff, strong spring control. This stick is not for those wanting a light touch control (go CH), but you may be able to modify it if you are set on this setup. The VKB Fat Black Mamba joystick is an all-metal joystick from a small European (Russian?) company, and has become popular in the forums among many of the high end joystick users for its all-metal gimbal and quality construction. The MFG Crosswind Rudder Pedals are custom made pedals of very high quality, and are high-end, limited-run rudder pedals. The Slaw rudder pedals</a> are also custom, high quality and limited production rudder pedals.