Mad Catz Pro Flight Cessna Gaming Yoke

Let me go ahead and start out by saying i'm a real world private pilot who has experience in a Cessna 152, 172, and a Piper Warrior (like 2 hours). I've been doing flight simulator since FS 2004 came out, I bought it at GameStop when it was new. Since then I've used that, FSX, P3D, and i'm even starting to use X-Plane 10. I've had the CH Yoke (not the eclipse), Saitek Pro Flight, and now the Cessna Pro flight from Saitek. Honestly, the CH yoke feels like a toy, it has a lot of flex in the actual yoke, not so smooth movements and doesn't even go 180* of movement; don't get me started on the built in trim and throttle. The Saitek pro flight is a huge improvement over the CH and the stainless steel shaft makes a huge improvement on fluid of movement and the built in timer comes in handy with instrument navigation practice. Still, it has some flex in the yoke and still doesn't give you the REAL feel of a yoke. Then comes this beauty... I honestly didn't have super high expectations of this yoke because i've had the other saitek one and i knew it wasn't breathtaking. Wow was i wrong, off the bat, the base and shaft of this yoke feel the exact same as the Pro flight one (with the clock) but the yoke itself makes the biggest difference in the world. First, the plastic and metal construction of it feels like the real cessna yoke. I also appreciate the location of pivot on the yoke, its not a huge deal to someone who's never flown a Cessna, but once you get used to the way it turns, this is very easy to use after that. Its a nice touch. The few push buttons on it feel good and have a nice click, unfortunately the 4 way "hat" switch under the 8 way hat on the left handle feels kinda keep and has a lot of play ( i use it for elevator and rudder trim) and on the right the other 2 way hat switches are about the same. A lot of play but do have a click. Theres a 3 mode switch that could come in handy, i've never used it. The throttle is the same as the saitek pro flight and works and looks awesome. Its not the push throttle we all know and love but it'll do. Overall, for $200, this was a great investment, its worth the quality in my opinion and i'm a broke college student. I'm currently debating on getting the Saitek Cessna Rudder Pedals (thats next on the list).

I'm not a pilot and I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night. I started out originally with Bruce Artwick's first flight simulator - that 10x10 grid that moved around on the Apple ][ Integer, 5" P38 phospher screen. Bruce mailed it to me from Chicago on cassette tape. I bought every one of Bruce's flight simulator products until he sold everything to Microsoft. After that, well, I bought most of the Microsoft flight simulator products too. I hadn't flown Flight Simulator for a few years, but remembered how much fun I had. I decided to splurge and buy this yoke and throttle quadrant (and yet another version of Flight Simulator). Now I REALLY like flying Flight Simulator. It is solid, not cheap or flimsy. It responds smoothly and positively. It doesn't stick. It has programmable buttons and switches which allow me to customize it just the way I want. I simply installed the drivers, plugged it in, and it worked. I had no technology problems (32bit Vista). It sure makes playing Flight Simulator much more fun. I can't imagine going back to using the keyboard to fly.

I'm just a few days into using this along with the Pro Pedals and for now I'm not happy (I have no problem changing this review if things turn around). Combined with the pedals it was a significant investment for me. I'm using this with MS FSX v2 on Win 7 64. Here it goes: #1. I need to start with the fact that Saitek phone support is only open from 5am to 1pm pacific time. Really? #2. Saitek has shut down any new users on their forum because of spam!(See above REALLY!) #3. The config files for MS FSX and the Yoke/Throttle don't work effectively. The throttle (basic right?) on goes to 75% power and reverse doesn't work at all. The brakes programmed for button 1 don't work. I could go on but as you can see no fully working throttle and no working brakes or reverse thrust can make for a few disappointing flights! Most buttons are unprogrammed all together. #4. Sensitivity between the yoke and the rudder pedals see way off. #5. The yoke sticks in spots. I will try and search for solutions but.... sorry .... wtf! There needs to be a FSX software config as well as a significant profile config update. If I don't like the button sequence, I'll change it but give me something. I am extremely disappointed with this product and a company with those support hours and lack of forum administration doesn't seem very interested in support. Frustrating, especially at these price points. Again, I'll update this if there are changes.

Just OK. Although it is a $200 item, it is really entry level and aimed for the casual user. At the price point it is obviously plastic and not metal. For a decent, good quality yoke you are looking at $1,000 and then $400-600 for the throttle quadrant. Which BTW I highly recommend a product by Virtual-Fly called Yoko the Yoke. But it is an entirely different price point and can not be compared as an apples to apples to this. Unless you are a serious flight "simmer" you are not spending that kind of money, so this Saitek model fills a void. I found the yoke not very smooth and would not calibrate right. When to neutral it would show a slightly different number on the axis each time. I ended up returning it and going back to the trusty $40 joystick. In order for you to program the throttle so the levers create reverse thrust when you pull them down, you need to download and install a program called either FSUIPC or SPAD. If you are using add-on aircraft and switching them on a regular basis, it can be a pain to set up profiles and have all the Saitek equipment working for each. If you only fly one particular aircraft then the Saitek set-up can be a little simpler.

This is the better of the Pro Flight Yokes available from Madcatz. The construction is far better and there is little or no deadzone. I genuinely like the feel and the buttons are well made. Adds considerable realism to the flight simulator I use. Just wish it had Vibration or force feedback on it. I built my own and message me if you want to know how.

Got it yesterday. Setup is very easy. I mount it on the wheel stand pro with other panels from Saitek. Work great and feels right. It's must have for anyone preparing for the PPL and/or really wants to enjoy flight simulation. It's icing on the case when I got it on sale for $159+tax! :)

Io ho win7 Pro 64bit e non ho avuto alcun problema con l'istallazione dei driver. In pochi minuti si monta e si installa: nel giro di 10 minuti ho addirittura potuto testarlo con FS X Gold ed ha funzionato al primo colpo senza alcuna configurazione preventiva necessaria. Il servizio di spedizione e consegna del prodotto da parte di Amazon è stato eccezionale!!

Excelente mando para sentir la experiencia de volar un avión, se apega al mando real. Se puede configurar e integrar con otros productos de la misma marca de manera fácil.

Je cherchais un joystick, pour louer à flight simulator X, et je ne suis pas déçu, très bon produit, qui permet une immersion total dans la simulation. Très facile à programmer avec le cd inclus, et encore plus simple sous Windows 7, puis qu'il installe les pilote luis même. Une mise en place aussi simple, le seul hic (si s'en est un) c'est qu'il est un peut encombrant, mais ça c'est un détail. A recommander à tout les fan de simulation, et les autres