Joysticks and Gamepads

Featuring nearly everything you could possibly want in a flight stick, yet costing considerably less than its competition from CH Products and Thrustmaster, the Saitek X52 Pro Flight Control System (*Est. $150) is hands-down the reviewers’ favorite. The stick itself is made from durable black metal components, a marked improvement over its predecessor, the Saitek X52 Flight Control System (*Est. $100), which used plastic parts. Touted for its precise control and superior comfort, the stick also comes with a throttle, which allows for additional realism and more control over the power of your simulated aircraft. The throttle itself has a multi-function display, a favorite feature among reviewers, which displays critical game-specific information. The multitude of buttons, controls, and switches across the stick and the throttle are completely programmable, but don’t expect any help here from Saitek; the only complaint by reviewers about this controller is its lack of documentation.

Although the Saitek Cyborg Evo Force is less realistic and accurate than its more expensive sibling, the X52 Pro, it does have force feedback and the flexibility to switch orientation for left-handed gamers. Reviewers… love this affordable flight stick, recommending it for gamers who want to enhance their flight experience but aren’t seeking the utmost realism in flight simulation. A wireless version of the controller is also available, but that model does not have force feedback.

With 900-degree wheel rotation, a six-speed gear shifter and a clutch, the Logitech G25 Racing Wheel is the hands-down favorite PC steering wheel among reviewers. Although other manufacturers try to pack in this many… features for a lower price, reviewers say only the G25 can withstand hours of abuse from high-speed racing and provide ultra-realistic force feedback. The G25 is programmable and compatible with Sony’s Playstation 2 and 3.

With the Cyborg Rumble Pad, Saitek builds upon the highly successful model established by controllers for the Xbox 360 and adds helpful features like a flippable D-pad and analog stick so you can emulate the layout of an… Xbox or Playstation controller. You can configure the controllers for first-person shooters with the touch of a button, save layout profiles for multiple games and desensitize buttons to maximize your accuracy. Although gamers accustomed to the Xbox 360 controller might want to stick with it as their PC controller, most everyone else should find Saitek’s gamepad a worthy addition to their PC gaming gear.