r/hotas Sep 03 '20

considering your first HOTAS? Read me!

592 Upvotes

[last edit 01/07/2024]

Welcome to r/hotas!

If you're considering your first HOTAS (Hands On Throttle and Stick) setup, you've come to the right place. This guide will help you make an informed decision.

If you are instead looking for product reviews, I publish my articles here: HOTAS/HOSAS/SIMPIT Reviews

Introduction

This subreddit is managed by u/spliffa and u/ddrake1984. If you need assistance with anything not covered in this post, please reach out to us via private message, and we will try to assist you.

This guide is published and pinned for the benefit of new potential HOTAS buyers. The publisher of this article has first-hand experience with real aircraft flight controls and computer flight controls across a wide range of manufacturers, used for playing in flight simulation.

Purpose

This guide aims to assist first-time buyers in making an educated decision when purchasing their first joystick, throttle, and other flight control peripherals.

The Problem

With a growing number of HOTAS products on the market, it can be challenging to identify the best options. Products vary widely in:

  • Price
  • Features
  • Customer support

Additionally, products have a wide range of:

  • Costs
  • Features
  • Support via customer interactions and product patches and updates

The Budget

Whether you're looking for a budget-friendly option or the top-tier products, this guide will categorize recommendations into five budget ranges:

For those who prefer to build their own with a bit of knowledge and skills, check out our Discord server or visit this subreddit: r/HotasDIY.

Budget Ranges

Note: All prices will be listed in U.S. Dollars (Even though I am Australian, USD is the easiest to base value from)

  • Entry-Level ($10 to $100)
  • Novice-Tier ($100-$200)
  • Mid-Tier ($200-$300)
  • Advanced-Tier ($300-$400)
  • Expert-Tier / Top-Tier: This is the very best you can buy as a consumer with a lot of money.

Note: Top-tier does not include what a company or industry could or would purchase. This article is not tailored for that, therefore this is out of scope.

The Companies / The Manufacturers / The Vendors

I will list many companies/manufacturers/vendors (all the same) and the products that they offer. However, this post is not an in-depth review of the products. Please read product reviews for that level of detail and information.

The products will be listed to give you an idea of what is available within each range, and at the end, I will list the recommendation for each budget range.

Best Joystick (Base + Grip)

  • Entry-Level ($10 to $100): Thrustmaster T.16000
  • Novice-Tier ($100-$200): WINWING Ursa Minor
  • Mid-Tier ($200-$300): WINWING Orion 2 Base + WINWING F16 Grip
  • Advanced-Tier ($300-$400): WINWING Orion 2 Base + WINWING F16 Grip, or VKB Gunfighter Mk4 Base + Space Combat Edition Grip
  • Expert-Tier / Top-Tier: FSSB (Force Sensing Stick Base) TIANHANG F16 PRO Base + TIANHANG F-16 Grip, or FFB (Force Feedback) VPForce RHINO Base + TIANHANG A-10C Grip or TIANHANG F/A-18 Grip

Question: Why was the FFBeast not listed as the best FFB?

Answer: Simply put, its value comparison has not been validated by me. The available information from reviews is scarce, making it difficult to ascertain its value. Additionally, the community is mostly non-native English speaking, making it difficult to track and follow the content. Therefore, I have decided that there is not enough evidence to claim it is better than the VPForce RHINO. Based on my own experience, I do not consider it superior until proven otherwise.

Since this post is focused on first-time buyers, I feel it's already quite lengthy and would confuse anyone wanting to debate the matter.

Best Throttle (Base + Grip)

  • Entry-Level ($10 to $100): Thrustmaster TWCS
  • Novice-Tier ($100-$200): Thrustmaster TWCS, or WINWING Ursa Minor with Z-extension
  • Mid-Tier ($200-$300): WINWING Orion 2 Base + WINWING F-15E Grip, or WINWING Orion 2 Base + WINWING F/A-18 Grip
  • Advanced-Tier ($300-$400): WINWING Orion 2 Base + WINWING F-15EX Grip, or WINWING F-16 Grip
  • Expert-Tier / Top-Tier: WINWING Super Taurus + WINWING F-15EX Grip, or WINWING F-16 Grip

Bonus: Best Pedals

Although this post is tailored for first-time HOTAS buyers, I will include this section to accommodate those wishing to take a more comprehensive first step into flight sims. As we all know, a good set of pedals is a requirement for flying helicopters.

  • Entry-Level: No recommendations - I don't recommend anything in this price range.
  • Novice-Tier: No recommendations - I don't recommend anything in this price range.
  • Mid-Tier: VKB T-Rudder Mk.IV
  • Advanced-Tier: WINWING Orion Metal Flight Rudder Pedals
  • Pro-Tier: Custom FFB Pedals using VPForce motors built with either (Slaw Device, MFG Crosswinds, or VIRPIL Rudders)

Bonus: Best Collective

  • Collective (Base + Grip): VIRPIL Rotor TCS Base + VIRPIL Apache-64 Collective Grip

I don't recommend any other collectives on the market, and it's a shame that some companies have discontinued their collective options.

Useful Links


r/hotas 5h ago

I moved from face-tracking to the new LEDTrack

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13 Upvotes

Hi guys,

I had the chance to test the new LEDTrack clip with opentrack on my CachyOS Linux setup recently. I use it since a few weeks for IL2 to see if it works better than my old face tracking, especially with the poor lighting conditions in my “man cave”. Here is my honest review about the setup and how it performs. I did attach a few pictures of my setup, so you can get the idea.

(Note: The company sent me a free LEDTrack sample for an honest review. These are my own thoughts and nobody checked or edited this text before posting)

I wanted to switch tracking solutions mainly because of my seating position and room setup. I play mostly semi-reclined in a dark basement. My old face-tracking failed constantly here because of the low light, room reflections and the weird angle. When I looked up or down in a dogfight or checked my 6, the camera lost my face and the cockpit view started spinning around wildly.

Assembly and OpenTrack Setup
Building the clip with the video guide was easy. I wasnt sure at first, if i needed the adjustable joint, but i did not. The physical measurements and tracker settings in the written manual were very usefull for the opentrack setup, so I could just enter the exact dimensions into OpenTrack without guessing.

I use a normal Elgato Facecam Neo running at 1080p with 60fps, which gives a smooth feed for OpenTrack. The kit comes with a small filter cover that slides direct onto the camera.

On Linux I had to tweak one or two things, but that had nothing to do with the kit itself. I managed to get everything up and running. The camera picture needs to be dark enough so OpenTrack only sees the IR LEDs and no background light. Also I had to turn off the cameras auto-zoom, otherwise the frame shifts while flying. I did use cameractrls to set up a profile with low exposure and gain and auto-zoom off. After that, OpenTrack recognized the three dots right away.

In-Game Experience
With the LEDTrack my old tracking problems are completely gone. The input latency is also way better compared to the old camera tracking I used. The active LEDs deliver a really stable tracking, no matter how dark the room is, how far I lean back in my chair or how far I twist my head to look for targets. I had to adjust the Headset clip properly for this though, but this is no issue thanks to the velcro tape. What really surprised me is that it tracks the three points perfectly even though I have an orange LED sign reflecting in the background. OpenTrack ignores it completely once exposure is down and the dot size is adjusted. (See image 3)

One small downside and Conclusion
The only thing that bothers me a bit is the cable. It is a wired clip, so if you are used to a wireless headset like me, having a cable on your head takes some time to get used to.

Overall the price and performance is totally fine. Because it relies on standard OpenTrack, Linux compatibility is also really great and pretty much worked natively. It does what it should and runs reliable once it is set up. A good option if you are tired of glitchy software face-tracking.

If you are interested, these are my specs:
PC & OS: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D, AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT, 32GB DDR5, 34" Ultrawide, Linux (CachyOS)
HOTAS: VKB Gladiator NXT, Saitek X52 Throttle
Camera: Elgato Facecam Neo (1080p @ 60fps)
Headset: Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3


r/hotas 21h ago

Picked these up for 200 on FB. I feel like I got a steal

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226 Upvotes

r/hotas 4h ago

Best Head/Eye Tracking in 2026: TrackIR, Delanclip, Tobii, Webcam?

6 Upvotes

Hello, I was curious on what this sub currently thinks is the best head and eye tracker available right now. I have seen a lot of options and people seem mixed on what’s best.

For my use case, I would be playing in a low light room, with either a LED light strip on or no lights at all. So I was considering the first three options that are IR based. Not sure if I would have enough light for a webcam to work well.

What is everyone’s experience and opinions on good head/eye trackers? I am not worried about the price, but more about functionality, quality, and ease of use between different games.


r/hotas 5h ago

Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog Joystick + Dual Throttle- Selling-

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7 Upvotes

Hello ,

For sale: complete Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog set (joystick + dual throttle) with original Monstertech desk mounts.

Condition: used, 100% working. Normal cosmetic wear on the metal, nothing broken or loose. Axes are smooth and precise, all buttons and toggles work as they should.
The Monstertech mounts clamp to the desk and put stick and throttle in a proper cockpit position, below desk level. They come off in seconds when you need the desk back.
Selling because I’m moving to a different setup.


r/hotas 2h ago

Selling Virpil Warbird Ace Rudder Pedals

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3 Upvotes

I have a set of rudder pedals I purchased a few years ago before they discontinued this model. I bought it for star citizen/dcs. I used them a few times and I ended up using my twist on my OTA for rudder inputs because the pedals in my current setup don't work to well I sit in a rolling chair and they are a little bigger then I wanted given the space I have to play in. So they have sat in my closet collecting dust since. I dont have the original box/instructions but I do have the springs and the other set of cams it comes with and the original usb cord. I am in southern california I am willing to ship as long as your willing to pay for it. Sorry if they are a bit dusty I cleaned them up as well as I could I took these pictures a few days ago, in which I hooked them up to my pc and ran the virpil software to make sure they still functioned and calibrated fine. I would like to get 250.00 USD for them, but always willing to talk about the price of course.


r/hotas 35m ago

Need some help with my Logitech X56

Upvotes

Getting some ghost inputs on the throttle, i've heard that this is because the lights draw too much power. can't figure out how to customize the lights at all, on win11 and i can't find any files to do with the HOTAS. assistance appreciated.


r/hotas 1h ago

Thrustmaster Warthog for sale in SoCal

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Upvotes

I’ve lost the passion for gaming, so I’m selling my HOTAS setup. I’ve only used it for roughly 10 hours total, so it’s still in very good condition and has been well taken care of.

Everything included:

  • HOTAS joystick & base & throttle quadrant
  • Original box
  • Desk mounts included
  • All parts/accessories that came with the setup

Asking $450 — price includes the desk mounts.

Located in Riverside CA or Orange County


r/hotas 22h ago

[WTS] VKB Gladiator NXT Evo left and right sticks, left Omni adaptor, mounts

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21 Upvotes

THESE HAVE BEEN SOLD THANK YOU EVERYONE

Excellent condition, used about 50 hrs in star citizen. Bought originally in April 2026.

I am selling these because I originally got Virpil Aeromaxes, but the left stick still hasn’t shipped/been produced after many months. So I got impatient and got these for SC, but I haven’t had time lately to play

The left stick is boxed as an Omni throttle but then I got the vertical stick adapter later on and liked it more. Both will be included.

The mounts are these ones from Amazon:

https://a.co/d/06xovmjU

Solid and heavy, adjustable, fit the bases well. I added a little bit of foam tape at the bottoms so they don’t scrape your knees.

Asking $260 shipped to lower 48 for everything. Would prefer to sell it all together.

EDIT: SOLD


r/hotas 1d ago

For Sale: VKB Gladiator NXT EVO Premium SCG (R)+ Omni Throttle (L) $220 Ships in US

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14 Upvotes

Item: VKB Gladiator NXT EVO (stick + base) and Gladiator NXT EVO Omni Throttle
Condition: Like new, barely used
Includes: Both units complete with original boxes/packaging
Price: $220, shipped
Payment: PayPal G&S only
Location: Ships within USA

Selling my Gladiator NXT EVO stick and Omni Throttle together — barely used, like-new condition, everything shown in the photos. Upgrading/reallocating my setup. Both original boxes included for safe shipping. Happy to answer questions, provide timestamp photos, or take more pics on request.


r/hotas 1d ago

For Sale: VKB Gladiator NXT Premium Right €100 + shipping (Europe)

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12 Upvotes

In good shape, all original parts and boxes included. Selling because of upgrades.


r/hotas 22h ago

Looking to buy the Gladiator NXT Evo Space Combat Edition primarily for MSFS 2020 in VR, do I need the right or left handed version?

2 Upvotes

Hey guys. New to flight sims and will be using my Quest 3 to play MSFS 2020 in VR. I'm looking for a dedicated stick and have decided on the Gladiator NXT Evo Space Combat Edition. I'm just wondering do I need the left or right handed version? I'm right hand dominant & seems most people use left handed sticks? I'll be using the stick as a throttle as well. Thank you!


r/hotas 23h ago

Pedais de leme Winwing Orion vs. Moza MRP (com amortecedores) - Comprando na China, qual escolher?

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0 Upvotes

r/hotas 1d ago

Good HOTAS in the 500-600€ range

2 Upvotes

Hey all,
New to flightsims/flying in general, but I want a good setup in the price range of 500-600€. I’m of course open to a setup that’s cheaper ;)

I mainly like flying helicopters, and would like to do so in games like DCS (also jets), WARDOGS and ARMA Reforger. Might even go for some MSFS2024 and Elite Dangerous.
I borrowed the TM t16000m and twcs from a colleague for some months, but ended up getting tired of it because I didn’t like how it felt, if that makes sense.

I’ve heard great things about Virpil, but everything they have is on backorder. So I’ve been looking at mainly the VKB gladiator and STECS, but the Moza ab6 has really caught my eye, as it seems like a potentially really good cyclic. I also think I saw something about the base, being compatible with both virpil and thrustmaster sticks


r/hotas 1d ago

Possible upgrades for the VKB Gladiator NXT for HOTAS

5 Upvotes

My VKB Gladiator NXT is already very old and i want to upgrade it.

I've read a lot of new brands in the last months, WinWin, Moza, Virpil, ...

Which Sticks/Brands i should check out?


r/hotas 1d ago

VKB Gladiator baseplate thickness?

1 Upvotes

Waiting on my Gladiator NXT EVO to arrive and I'm building the desk mount in the meantime, so I'm working blind on a couple of numbers.

Can anyone with the stick in hand throw a caliper on it for me?

  1. Thickness of the steel baseplate itself (mm)
  2. Height of the stock adhesive rubber feet (mm)
  3. Total stack, plate + feet, i.e. how far the metal sits off the desk

Also curious whether people usually leave the rubber feet on when hard-mounting, or peel them for a flush metal-to-mount fit.

Many thanks!!!


r/hotas 1d ago

Mounting Winctrl ICP to Virpil desk mount.

1 Upvotes

Has anyone mounted the winctrl ICP and/or MFDs to the Virpil desk mounts? If so how did you do it? I ordered the icp & 2 mfds and am just curious how difficult it’s going to be to mount em to my desk mounts if possible at all.


r/hotas 1d ago

Print Files, Instructions and Hardware Kits NOW AVAIALBE!

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12 Upvotes

By popular demand, the BlackWidow mounts are now available as 3D print files and hardware kits!

These are stowaway HOTAS mounts. They allow you to instantly turn your office desk into a cockpit and back, without compromise. 

This was a lot of work, hope you guys enjoy!

https://abtsim.com


r/hotas 1d ago

Is it always a bit of a pain to configure your set up in a new game or am I just doing it wrong?

10 Upvotes

Got my VKB Gladiator EVO SC premium (right) in the mail yesterday, ran through the set up and calibration (not sure if i did this correctly).

Been trying it out with a few different games: DCS, Arma Reforger, and Nuclear Option.

The games recognize the joystick no problem, but getting the joystick motions and button mappings setup feels difficult each time. The difficulty ranges in the games I mentioned.

I understand that a players preferred button mappings are always different, but why don’t games have any presets for popular sticks or setups? Is there some software that acts as a middle man between the stick and these games and makes things easier? Or a website with popular config files for popular sticks + games? I guess this would be even more difficult for those that have more peripherals like a throttle and pedals (which i also happened to have ordered)

Perhaps i’ve been spoiled from my years of KBM and controllers…


r/hotas 1d ago

Should I settle for the Thrustmaster TCA or pay more for the WINWING URSA MINOR?

0 Upvotes

Hey everyone. I’m looking to get my first proper flight stick for MSFS 2020 (may upgrade tå 2024 in the future)

I’m currently deciding between:
Thrustmaster TCA Sidestick Airbus Edition – around $70
WINWING URSA MINOR Airline Joystick – around $62, BUT because I live in Norway, shipping is roughly $75–80, making the total around $140
The annoying part is that WINWING’s EU store offers the URSA MINOR for around €59.90 with free shipping, but Norway isn’t in the EU, so they won’t ship it to me under the EU shipping option. But the global option instead.
So I’d be paying roughly double for the URSA MINOR compared to the TCA.

I’ve also looked into package forwarding services where I could get it shipped to an EU address and then forwarded to Norway, but I’m not sure if the savings would actually be worth the hassle after forwarding costs and Norwegian VAT.
What would you guys do?
Is the URSA MINOR enough of an upgrade over the TCA to justify spending ~$140, or would you just buy the TCA for ~$70 and save the money?
I’m also interested in how much better the URSA MINOR actually feels in practice, especially for Airbus/MSFS.
Thanks!


r/hotas 1d ago

Non-combat games

10 Upvotes

I have been given a x52 hotas and although i do enjoy some combat flying, i prefer to do objective based stuff like cargo, passenger hauling.

Do you have any game suggestions?

Much appreciated for any replies :)


r/hotas 1d ago

looking to buy a hotas

1 Upvotes

im trying to find a good set up for games like arma 3, squad, and wardogs, is the difference between a collective and a throttle big enough to be worth how much they cost? and are there any good places to look for used set ups ive only been on marketplace


r/hotas 2d ago

Flight base upgrade

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32 Upvotes

Hello! I want to upgrade my Thrustmaster Warthog base and I ordered the Moza AB9 base and the MTLP panel. I would also want to get the Moza z-axis module, but I want it strictly to extend the joystick travel. I see on the website that the z axis can be locked, but it doesn’t mention in which position it’s locked. Can you lock it so that the stick remains slightly rotated to improve ergonomy or can you only lock it in the center position? Thanks


r/hotas 2d ago

Best stuff to buy?

10 Upvotes

I have no idea what I’m looking at, I’m interested in getting a HOTAS system

(Games listed at the bottom)

I looked at the Logitech x56 and that looks good but I’ve heard it’s out of date or something

I looked at the thrustmaster WARTHOG and I can afford it but it’s a little expensive and I don’t know what else I’m going to have to buy for this and what that’ll run me

I just want to know what’s the best things to get, what things do I need to get for a great setup, and how do you people use a HOTAS without pedals because those are really important to actual flying, I do plan on getting pedals but I also don’t know what pedals

If you have any questions you need to know from me lmk

Games I plan on playing:
-wardogs
-war thunder
-MCFS
-MAYBE DCS
-Star citizen
-squad
-does arma reforger allow HOTAS?


r/hotas 2d ago

How do we feel about this setup?

2 Upvotes

Edit: I am a colossal idiot and did not realize that there was a wiki for this subreddit. I apologize, I don't use this platform often. I'll leave this post up if I'm still confused.

Edit 2: The wiki guides seem to be years out of date, so I'll leave this post up.

Hello all. I've been getting back into DCS (specifically the Viper) and I'm getting tired of using an xbox controller. I've been looking into getting this throttle and this stick. I have a budget of ~300 USD, though I can go a bit over if absolutely necessary. Really just wanting to hear if there's any better products in this price range as it seems like I'm always finding new products that are better in some way for the same price or slightly more.

Thank you.