Thrustmaster T16000M FCS Flight Pack (Compatible with PC)

I just wanted to leave a review for this as there currently aren't very many. This is part review for this stick, and part comparison of it between other sticks. For reference, I've extensively used the following sticks: Saitek X52 and X52 pro, Logitech 3D Extreme Pro, old FCS, Warthog, and now this. Also, I play pretty much every type of flight game, including DCS, IL-2 back in the day, SWG back in the day, E:D, and SC. So with that out of the way, this is my favorite stick. It feels weird to say that when I own a warthog, and the build quality and general feel is definitely better on the warthog. The button layout is also much better on the hog. However, once you factor in the price difference and the twist axis, this stick is my daily driver. Another big advantage this stick has over the hog, to me, is the lighter springs. The hog is great for flying an old warplane or something that's really slow, but not so great when dogfighting in a space sim, or when needing to do really precise movements. I just overall find this stick to be easier to use for space sims in general. The new model doesn't seem like a massive upgrade from the old one. I'm not sure what's up with the orange coloring, but I digress. The main difference is that the buttons on the base now have textured markings (which is a life saver in VR or if you just don't want to be looking down), most of the buttons now are textured and more ergonomical, and it seems that the spring makes a lot less noise and is of slightly higher quality. Although that could just be because it's new and my old FCS is old. One thing to note, expanding on textured buttons, is that if you are playing in VR, the warthog throttle is actually a pretty terrible experience. The switches are all over the place and you won't have any way to see them. I hope that all sticks in the future follow the trend of having unique textures on the buttons, so you can feel your way around what you're doing. Definitely a major plus if you're playing in VR. If you're new to Thrustmaster in general, another thing to note is that the T.A.R.G.E.T. scripting software is second to none as far as allowing you to get really in depth with customizing how you want your stick to act, as well as how it's programmed. It's not exactly user-friendly, but you can do pretty much anything you want with it. This stick's biggest weakness is the lack of buttons on the handle. There are plenty on the base, but I really find myself just wanting more on the handle. I picked up two of the cougar MFD's, and find those easier to use than the buttons on the base. Still, next time around, get some more buttons on this thing's handle Thrustmaster. I really wish that this stick and the warthog could make a baby. I'd love to have the metal sticks with the great button layouts, while also having the ability to use it ambidextrously, having a twist axis, and having the lightweight handling that this one does. Unfortunately, that's not really an option. So given that, this stick is my recommendation. The warthog is technically superior, but this stick offers more than enough bang for the buck, and I'm actually probably going to sell my hog soon since it doesn't have a twist axis. The extra handle buttons on the hog are really nice, but the lack of a twist axis just makes it almost useless in a space sim. And you can make up for a lack of buttons with VoiceAttack. The bottom line is that whether you're a new pilot or a seasoned veteran, this stick can do it all pretty well. I've been flying in PC games since I was a kid, and I've used a lot of sticks. This one is my favorite. I think you'd be hard pressed to prove that a warthog is going to give any real-world combat advantage, so the only reason I see to fork over the extra cash is if you really want that metal handle (which does feel nice...). My current setup is using two of these, two MFD's, and a throttle on my left side. I have rudder pedals, but I have no need for them with this setup. The two sticks provide full 6DOF freedom in space sims, and the throttle still allows me to fly regular planes (or long haul flights in space sims) without awkwardly trying to use two sticks. Then the MFD's fill the need for a near infinite amount of buttons. You can slap all of that on a board with some velcro, sit in an office chair, and rival the setups of the biggest and baddest simpits out there for less than what you'd pay for just a warthog stick in some places. Just buy two of these and you won't regret it, seriously. That's my .02, hopefully it helps someone. Happy flying, o7

I bought this joystick as a replacement for my very old Logitech Extreme #D Pro, which got very imprecise. The new joystick was very easy to hook up and configure with MSFS 2024, and gives me precise control over my aircraft. Haven't had any issues thus far.

Thrustmaster TWCS Throttle – Great While It Lasts, But Sensors Have a Shelf Life 4/5 Stars This is my third Thrustmaster TWCS Throttle. Yes, third. Why do I keep coming back like a lovesick pilot? Because when it works, it’s a dream—especially for space sims like Elite Dangerous, my personal obsession. It’s likely just as stellar for other sims, too. Let’s start with the good. Don’t let the all-plastic build fool you (those side metal rods are just for show, like a spaceship’s hood ornament). What it lacks in ruggedness, it makes up for in ergonomics and control options. The layout is a space captain’s delight: a main throttle, a left/right slider for lateral thrusters, three thumb nubs, a hyperspace/supercruise thumb button, and two front finger buttons with an up/down switch (perfect for throttle tweaks in my setup). Pair these with Voice Attack macros, and you’re triggering complex sequences like a pro. The top thumb nub offers 8-way control, while the middle and bottom ones give 4-way options—assign them to whatever your heart desires. Everything’s placed so intuitively, I don’t need to fumble or peek at the controls, unlike some clunky real-hardware replicas out there. Paired with a Thrustmaster joystick for my right hand, it’s a tight, immersive setup that makes me feel like I’m commanding a starship. Now, the bad news. The sensors are the Achilles’ heel. My first two units clocked about 1,000 hours before tapping out. The little rubber finger joystick (used for head-look in my case) is usually the first to go, followed by the main throttle, which starts sending signals even when parked at zero—like it’s itching to blast off without me. The left/right throttle slider isn’t as smooth as I’d like, feeling more like an on/off switch than a gradual curve, but it’s manageable. The main throttle’s glide isn’t as buttery as the brochure brags, either, but it gets the job done. Then there’s the dial wheel on the left—a feature that sounds cool (like a radio dial) but flops hard. On all three units I’ve owned, it’s been a glorified on/off button. Turn it a smidge, and it’s either full signal or nothing, no matter how much I tweak calibration or hunt for firmware fixes. It’s a small gripe, but it’s annoying when a feature just doesn’t work as advertised. Overall, I love this throttle for its ergonomic brilliance and control versatility, especially for Elite Dangerous. It’s a fantastic companion to a Thrustmaster joystick—until the sensors inevitably call it quits. If Thrustmaster could beef up the sensor longevity to outlast 1,000 hours, I’d be docking at their station for life. For now, it’s a solid buy if you’re okay with eventual replacements and a wonky dial wheel. Just don’t expect it to survive a galactic marathon.

Yikes I went through 4 of the X-52, 3 of the X-52 Pro, and 2 of the X-56 Pro - - - THEY ALL FAILED!!! Dead switches, dead logic boards - they all died within a few days of my gentle, mild use!!! I even tried a brand new Warthog and it failed programming brand spanking new out of the box - that too returned the next day... I was getting mad / sad, as my trusty X-45 was getting a bit old and stiff. I refurbed it a bit and now it's much better, still a great backup, but... Ok, so I thought, maybe I don't need higher-end, so I tried this offering from Thrustmaster. IT WORKS!! No programming needed, even for Elite Dangerous, my fave game. You can simply assign button combinations to do every, and I mean EVERY FUNCTION in Elite Dangerous - I never have to use the keyboard at all. Ok, there are no lit buttons but they have braille-like nibs on the buttons and I have learned to use them without looking. There are enough hats on the Throttle to do all the Interface Mode interactions, up down left right tab left tab right back next page prev page you can set them all!!!! I still use a gaming mouse for the non-ship stuff like FSS and manipulating the galaxy maps and free cameras but in theory all that could be done on the analog hat too. The feel and the buttons are quite nice and after two weeks I am tickled pink that this system works great. I even You-toobed a video on how to take them down for improvements, such as the Throttle now is re-lubed and smooth as glass - its really great as while I am playing E:D I often make very subtle and smooth throttle changes. If you are careful, you will not void the warranty doing this - the things are made well and are durable enough to handle this. The feel of all the buttons is just fine and all the hats work nice and precise. I have come to love the Twist Yaw and use it to get good hit ratios in E:D. I have zero complaints about this product and if you think you need a higher end model - good luck because they will let you down HARD. If these other models had worked, I would have kept one and not been making this review. But if I had to review it in that circumstance, this model would maybe only get 4 stars, has it does come across as a bit "toy-ish" - but I have to give it a full 5 stars because it made me happy because IT WORKS!!!

what's not to love about these sticks. They are very sturdy, extremely responsive in game and have 32 buttons that can be mapped out to any key you want. I found them easy to customize in star citizen. They make flying so much more fun and they give you a level of control, you can't get from a keyboard and mouse. If you are looking for a starter set of sticks that won't break the bank these are it. I've tried a cheaper set and it only lasted a few days. These ones are very sturdy and well built. I expect them to last for a long time. They are setup one for each hand when you get them although it comes with the adapters so you can change them around and have two right or two left handed ones, if you wanted to share with someone instead of using two sticks at once. I will say there is a little bit of a learning curve going from keyboard and mouse to joysticks. That said, it doesn't take long to get used to them and all the buttons. They are so customizable, you don't have to use anything else while in flight mode. I don't recommend for running around on foot but they weren't meant for that. I do however, recommend them for flying.

I have a lot of things to say about this incredible piece of equipment, but here's a TLDR for people who want a quick glance at multiple reviews: it's one of the cheapest flight control sets you can find on the market that still delivers high quality performance to any game you choose, however it must be noted that the controls can easily move around if you push or pull too hard and that right-handed people will naturally feel better with the controls. Now, let's start with all of the negatives just so everyone is aware. 1. Firstly, the material that the set is composed of is relatively cheap plastic. This doesn't detract from the feel of it (at least in my opinion), as the handles have nice grips to assist you (the yoke actually has a rubber siding for your comfort, which I love). Because of this, it's not exactly the heaviest thing in the world, so you can imagine what it might be like jumping into an FA-18 Super Hornet and absolutely sending it into a steep turn. If you can't, I'll put it this way: the controls will fly, not you. They don't fall off the table, but they may raise up a little bit and disorient you. Also, the rudder pedals function the same way. Make sure you are not pushing or pulling down on them too hard or they will end up moving (and in my case that's bad because I have a foot-rest bar from one end of the bottom of my desk to the other, and you can put two and two together). Wear shoes when you're using the rudders for maximum comfort and performance. A solution to this entire problem could be to buy some clamps for the desk and floor, but I have yet to do that since the issue isn't big enough for me to throw away more money. 2. The throttle and yoke combo is made for right-handed people, so if you are left-handed like me, be mindful that holding the controls the way you'd prefer may not feel exceptional. That in no way means it isn't comfortable, however my hands begin to ache a tiny bit after long hours of gameplay because of the unnatural angle they're positioned at. This only happens after extremely long sessions, though, and all things considered, holding the controls still feels nice the wrong way. If you easily get carpal tunnel or other hand aches, be mindful of this, please. 3. Last but not least, make sure you are wary of the fact that if you're in a game and need to use your mouse for something, the controls may disconnect and require that you press a button to recalibrate them. This sometimes puts me into an immediately steep climb in Microsoft Flight Simulator and thus either a stall or an annoying gain in altitude. This issue can be avoided by retaining the position your controls were in when you paused, however, if that doesn't work, be prepared to immediately readjust your controls. Now it's time to explain how much butt this thing kicks. 1. The controls are SUPER realistic. The throttle, yoke, and rudder pedals make you feel like you are genuinely in control of a full-blown aircraft. Not much else to say on that. 2. There are tons of buttons to suit your needs. The yoke has multiple buttons on its top, and a plethora of buttons on its base. The throttle has numerous, quirky-looking buttons behind the throttle itself. While the rudder pedals don't have buttons, they don't need any. That wouldn't make much sense. The brakes and movement capabilities of them are super intricate! 3. The controls are incredibly easy to set up, but make sure you have enough USB slots. I did not, so I purchased a dongle with four USB ports so that I could connect everything at once and make my setup literally plug-and-play. Note, however, that the rudder has a specific, ethernet-looking cord that you may not have a slot for in your computer. I believe it can connect to the throttle, but I haven't seen the slot for it so don't quote me on that. I went ahead and purchased an adapter for the rudder pedals so that everything was able to go into a USB port. It's a little extra money that you might not want to spend, but I chose convenience over price and I do not regret it in the slightest. 4. For the last major plus side to this set, it feels comfortable. I'm a left-handed person, and you already know this thing is right-handed, so there is a little bit of a discrepancy in my review. However, nothing can take away from how comfortable the set feels when you're in the cockpit of an aircraft. The yoke is made extremely well for how cheap it probably is, the throttle allows your hand to rest nicely while flying, and the rudder pedals are sturdy, meaning they won't move around unless you push a little hard (it's also harder to rudder in the air, but be careful so as to not accidentally press them mid-air, or your aircraft may do things it was never meant to do. I'm so pleased with this set, and it was one of my bigger purchases for my own entertainment. So far, nothing has genuinely let me down. A few nitpicks here and there, but that is almost completely overshadowed once you actually get into the air. There's so much more I could say that I loved about the controls, but that would make my review applicable for a Harvard essay. I highly recommend this product to anyone interested in playing an aviation-based game because of its affordability and feel. Hope you found this review helpful. Throttle on!

My initial impression was very badly mistaken. This is not a nicely featured mid-range HOTAS. It's a tragic symphony of misdesign and pretense. The throttle wasn't dead right out of the box but it didn't last long either. I was under my desk setting up cable control points and managed to knock it off my deak... my bad. But, hang on a sec. I've knock my cell phone off the same desk from the same hieght probably a dozen times without damage. What could be so delicate about this thing that it died so easily? I opened it up. There's one PC board in there smaller than the one in my cell phone. What I don't see is anything cracked or in any sort of disorder. While I don't keep an inspection microscope handy, I do have a 10x jeweler's loope. Even using this I had a time finding the problem... There is a tiny little inductor... basically a coil of super thin wire wrapped around a tiny little bit of something, looks like black plastic, and it is only soldered to the tiny little contact pad on one side. Unless someone has a microsoldering rework station lying around this is way beyond a quick hit with a soldering iron and fixed... not gonna happen. Let's look at how useful it was before it stopped working. Three 4-way hats on the thumb station with one button at the bottom of the control group... Not a horrible layout. The actuation axis of two of the hats are just a bit clumsy. ...and that's where the good news ends. a mouse hat under the index finger position works okay... feels fragile though. A two position toggle in station 2 seems to have decent enough function for forward/reverse thrust for the throttle controller... why it worked so inconsistently in actual use will have to remain a mystery. Two buttons at stations 3 and 4 work well enough. A 2-D paddle spans across all of this and isn't quite as ungainly and awkward at it seems. and a pinky wheel at the end actually had a feel like it was durrible. Unless you remove your hand entirely to do something on the keyboard, it doesn't present a problem. Everything has good tactile recognition surfaces so it only takes a moment to sort your hand back into position blindfolded. So... The throttle unit, aside from being a lighyweight piece of cheap plastic worked pretty well... while it worked. And now, the joystick. One trigger switch... works okay. Feels like a two staged trigger but it has no two stage function. One 8-way hat. Out of every feature in both pieces this is the least wrong. It works, works well and its placement and orientation to the egonomics of the human hand are decently comfortable. One secondary trigger... so badly placed that you can count on actuating it accidentally while using the 8-way hat. Two additional buttons in the thumb station that are functional. 12 buttons on the base that shouldn't even be there. They can't be used without taking your hands off the controls. That makes them completely useless... Even the number of teats on a boar hog have relevence for the number of hogs in a litter. This isn't a boar hog. It's a chicken. Then there's a slider as well. Not just badly placed, but it doesn't function properly. It's plastic junk that was stuck on as an afterthought in a useless location. but what about the basic joystick functions... Yaw, pitch, roll... I was testing it out in a dogfight with a meh NPC. In yaw-into-roll death spiral I pulled up on the stick and heard something snap. It didn't come appart in my hand and it didn't stop working but It made a noise that betrays fragility... I don't buy fragile... I don't buy anything that even might be fragile. When I bought this I got a 4 year warranty thingy with it. I haven't bothered. I do not want it back fixed. I do not want this thing back as designed, on its best day.

UPDATE: I am keeping the Hotas as I bought 2 Vesa clamps and added to my chair. Bumble from Youtube has a fantastic tutorial on how to mount. Made an additional step by fabricating some PlexiGlas mounting panels, screwed into platform and adhered each unit by Velcro to panels. You know what's better than having these at 13...having them at 46! Remapped gamepad and Hotas to a Custom Binding and was able to input ALL buttons / funcitons in. Mainly using gamepad for map / SRV as it feels more natural. Definatelty an awesome product...will update if unit degrades over normal use. I absolutely love this controller for Elite Dangerous! Not sure what other flight sims are out, but would like to try on X3 and Microsoft Flight X. All the buttons, toggles, and switches were used and had a pre-programmed setting. Elite is great / intuitave with a controller...it was better with this Hotas (not sure about the SRV...read one person's review that stated he used Hotas for flying and controller for SRV - I could see myself mirroring this). It did take some getting used to, and I am still not at the same proficiency as a controller. Remember boosting into a station was when you first played Elite...yeah that will happen again. The flight stick was good with a large number of buttons, but felt like other flight sticks I used in the past. I loved the throttle, slap paddles, and analog on the throttle portion - this unit added the most immersion to the game as it allowed for multiple articulating inputs to happening simutensiously. Same can be done with the controller, but when inputting the same actions using the Hotas it felt more alive (left hand was controlling throttle, left pinky / middle finger was the rudder, left index looking around with analog, right hand on flight stick, with right thumb on power allocation). Unfortunately I will need to return the unit for now as I found out I still have a few old shoulder / neck injuries and using this for too long causes aggrevation if placed on the desk. I will prepare a chair with Hotas mounts in preperation of re-purchasing this sometime in 2019 and let the good times roll. Hats off to a good product, wish your company the best! Trust me, I'm an engineer. Writing this review with the unit boxed up behind me feels like I'm saying good bye to an old friend : (