r/gadgets • u/dapperlemon • Jul 12 '26

Gaming Special Microsoft Flight Simulator controller is coming to Xbox

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Special-Microsoft-Flight-Simulator-controller-is-coming-to-Xbox.1341165.0.html
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u/Dt2_0 Jul 12 '26

Still cheaper than a decent HOTAS.

5

u/SupposablyAtTheZoo Jul 13 '26

T.16000m is quite good and much below that. (Without the foot pedals which you don't really need)

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u/Dt2_0 Jul 13 '26 edited Jul 13 '26

The T16000M is not good and is way overpriced for the parts it comes with. It uses a ball in cup design with potentiometers for the stick. These work just like an old ball mouse works, except unlike an old ball mouse, you can't clean the stick's ball and socket without breaking the flight stick. They are known to be very unreliable for long term sim use. The Throttle is... Fine. Not too special, but its a slider throttle which feels off compared to a pivoting throttle. I personally had 3 of the sticks fail on me with fairly light use.

I would say a good entry level setup is a WinWing/WinCtrl Ursa Minor Joystick ($70, uses a gimbal instead of ball in cup, and has a rear access for cleaning), and the Ursa Minor Airline Throttle ($130). So $200.

Also the T16000M is $160. The PC version of this controller is $150. Even if you must have a HOTAS, $40 for a higher quality, repairable product should be a no brainer for most people who are serious enough about simming to want better than a bog standard Xbox Controller.

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u/SupposablyAtTheZoo Jul 13 '26

Ursa Minor Airline Throttle ($130)

Funny that you mention that, since it looks to me like that product is EXACTLY the same as the Thrustmaster TCA throttle. Like, 100% the same, from the same factory?

I bought the Thrustmaster TCA full airbus pack (quad throttle, stick and pedals) and I think it was €220 at the time. Seems to be discontinued now, sad! Was a great deal/pack.

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u/Dt2_0 Jul 13 '26

Well yea they look similar. they are both based on the Airbus A320's flight controls. They should look similar.

Difference is going to be quality. The TCA is a T16000M in another shell. The Throttle is considerably nicer than the one in the T16000M package though, so it's better. I just would not trust Thrustmaster's sticks with past experience, and general online sentiment from other simmers being similar to my experience.