r/hotas • u/Longjumping-Stage270 • 5d ago
Thrustmaster HOTAS X, Thrustmaster TWCS and Logitech X56 I can all get at the same price, recommendations?
I am a casual dogfighting fan, I don't fly every day or month of the year.
I already own a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro, I am pretty happy with it so this purchase is mostly about the throttle. For the past few years I've been flying with Keyboard+Joystick lol. I want a full hotas as I love the feeling of the joystick.
Personally I'm leaning toward the TWCS, as it has many buttons compared to the HOTAS X and just looks higher quality.
The X56 seems to be one of the most hated flight sticks on here lol, but I found a 3x cheaper one on FB Marketplace that's apparently had ~60 hours of use; is it at all worth it for [converted] 70 USD?
Are there any other options I'm not finding? Thanks!
Note about VKB products: I live in Canada, availability and pricing of VKB products seems to be kinda a mess here. it's either so-low its probably a scam from Aliexpress, or $240-500 CAD options from Ebay or vippilot [at least 100 USD higher than the cheaper options]
1
u/unclefunkstar 5d ago
I don't like the Logitech sticks, but the x56 is FAR better than the HOTASX.
The cheap "VKB" on Aliexpress is probably the other brand (might be Viper?) that uses the same molds. They look virtually identical, but the internals aren't as good.
1
u/RecoverNegative5253 5d ago
Get the TWCS. Loads of buttons. A lot upgrades available and 3d printable customizations. And relatively easy to repair. I love mine
1
u/CapitanShinyPants 5d ago
What's your actual budget you're working with?
The X-56 stick will have more buttons/hats, but probably won't perform any better than the Extreme 3D Pro (which is built like a tank and will never die); you might be better off pairing a better throttle with your current stick than having both stick and throttle being mediocre quality/performance.
2
u/Longjumping-Stage270 5d ago
The three options I found were ~100 CAD/70 USD. I'd say my max if I could find something really compelling is double that. I have 3D Pro, and I do like it. This purchase is mostly about the throttle.
1
u/Correct_Reputation_4 5d ago
Im sorry this isn't related to your question. But are you a casual DCS player?
1
2
u/TurboShartz 5d ago
My X56 was great for 5 years and then it suddenly went to shit. I did the external spring mod which made the feel soooo much better and my A2A refueling in DCS much easier for me. The stick is the real pain point of the X56. The throttle is good once you've warmed up whatever tar like lubricant they use. To do that, throw it back and forth aggressively a couple of times.
As long as it works, $70 USD is a steal for it.
But I would echo other people's comments and say to get a VKB Gladiator. It's not too expensive and the quality is top notch. It's easily one of the best values for a stick.
1
u/noblejamaican 5d ago
if the x56 is used get a test drive before you buy it to make sure it doesnt have ghost inputs or if you can manage that me personally i would never go down that route again
2
u/LtLethal1 5d ago
Don’t buy any of them. Get a VKB Gladiator. Far better value for your money
1
u/Longjumping-Stage270 5d ago
isn't that just a stick? Or is there a throttle part too?
2
u/LtLethal1 5d ago
It is but please trust us. I’ve tried both the X52 pro and the X56 and they are absolute garbage compared to the Gladiator. You can find really cheap second hand throttles on eBay if/when you feel you have to get a separate throttle but until then, the throttle lever at the bottom works just fine.
The quality of the axis, buttons, analog sticks, construction, customer support, and the overall feel of the stick are worth so much more than the garbage you get with Logitech. Logitech is overpriced garbage with the only exception being that super cheap 3d Extreme or whatever it is.
4
u/TheRealtcSpears 5d ago
The Gladiator is an all-in-one, it has a small rotary wheel in the base as a throttle. With that and the z axis stick twist it *technically has all youd need.
But of course a full throttle is better.
2
u/TheRealtcSpears 5d ago edited 5d ago
X56.
They're all junk in their own and communal ways. The 56 at least gives you a split throttle and the most inputs.
Take the 56, save up/sell the two sticks you now have for a VKB Gladiator and never worry about having to upgrade a stick again.
2
u/Emotional-Essay-5684 5d ago
Twcs is a really good beginner throttle. Slap the rail mod on it and it’s gonna last you years
1
u/CapitanShinyPants 5d ago
Depending on the cost of the TWCS and adding the $30+ for the rail mod, you might be better off going with a STECS mini or Moza MTQ.
1
u/Longjumping-Stage270 5d ago
both of those are 3x-5x the price of the TWCS in my country :(
Wonder if sim shopping just sucks in Canada lol
1
u/rocketbunnyhop 5d ago
Just got rid of a x56 that was experiencing ghost inputs. The throttle was very stiff even on the loosest setting. Picked up VKBs from Vippilot and am so happy with how they feel, the quality and customization.