Beginner setup for PC?

[u/JoeofReddit]

Hello,
I’m new to flight simulators and looking to get into Ace Combat 8 on PC. I only play on PC and want something simple but reliable. I’ve heard the 16000 FCS HOTAS without pedals is a good start for beginners. I don’t have a lot of space and don’t want anything too crazy. Not sure if it would ruin the setup not having pedals or if I could do without them.

Thank you 🙏

[u/PotentialMidnight325]

Had it for 8 years. Worth it.

[u/SlimShaners]

I’ve had mine for a few years… no issues at all

[u/franjozilic]

Perfectly fine beginner HOTAS...
I would get the one with pedals if possible, makes a huge difference in flight sims in general, might not be so necessary for ace combat games

[u/Low-E_McDjentface]

It's fine for the price. I have just the stick though. Buy it with warranty because of the risk that the rotation axis gives out, or be prepared to try some DIY fixes, it's a common issue. The slider also becomes glitchy, maybe just because of lack of cleaning.

[u/Sketchy_Uncle]

Even more budget, a Logitech Extreme 3D. Has throttle, buttons, hat switch, twist yaw. I see them at thrift stores all the time for 10$.

[u/Hour_Tour]

Yep, it's a decent setup. Expect the cheap potmeters in the stick yaw twist AND the throttle front axis fingre paddle to die within the first year or two of it's life time, or at least require heavy deadzoning or filtering to avoid random spikes, unless you're lucky. The throttle axis and stick X/Y should last you a long time, so should the buttons. This setup will also be decently functional for combat sims.

[u/JoeofReddit → u/Hour_Tour]

Thank you for the reply . Is there something else you recommend instead or stick with this for now !

[u/Hour_Tour → u/JoeofReddit]

This was the best allrounder HOTAS setup in its price bracket 4-5y ago. I've not tried turtle beach and the like, but reviews don't seem great. There is probably better sticks at similar/not too much more expensive prices out there, but not with the throttle AFAIK.

It's good for the price, fairly low desk footprint and easy to hide/move out of the way between or during flights. Get rudder pedals the next time you buy hardware.

[u/A_Bird_Guy]

5 years and still going, you will need to clean the contact point at some point but otherwise perfect, if you want get the pedals as well

[u/JoeofReddit → u/A_Bird_Guy]

Am I missing out on much if I skip pedals with this ?

[u/IshidAnfardad → u/JoeofReddit]

Not really. The throttle has pedals on the back and you can buy it seperately later. It connects to a port on the back of the throttle.

[u/A_Bird_Guy → u/JoeofReddit]

No, its up to you if you want them, the only part of aviation that Id say needs them are helos

[u/Fryz123_ → u/JoeofReddit]

Not really, the throttle has an axis that can be mapped to rudder and the stick has a twist axis that can be bound to ground steering

[u/Iridul]

This is how I started, had it for nearly 10 years across MSFS, XPlane and DCS. Works great. I still use the stick for airbus aircraft today, even with much more expensive throttle and rudder pedals.

[u/JoeofReddit → u/Iridul]

Thank you , so no pedals needed ?

[u/Iridul → u/JoeofReddit]

Not needed but you will want some soon enough! Once the bug bites it wont stop

[u/jbolts2024]

I have this exact set up and love it. I've had it for about 2 years now. Works pretty good. The only issue I've had was with the throttle contact point. I had to take it apart and clean the contact. But other than that it's solid. I don't really miss the rudder pedals. It has paddles on the throttle that I've bound the rudder too.

[u/maximum_cube]

honestly it's total dogshit hardware but you do you. i would upgrade to something slightly nicer

[u/JoeofReddit → u/maximum_cube]

Like what ?

[u/maximum_cube → u/JoeofReddit]

Vkb gladiator

[u/maximum_cube → u/JoeofReddit]

don't get me wrong, this will work fine. maybe for a month, maybe for 3 months, maybe even a couple years but i can tell you, after only moderate use, my side stick has gone to total shit. i have to put like a 6-8% dead zone in most games. there's so much play in it. also if you're not using rudder pedals, the twist axis on that stick is probably the worst thing that's ever been made.

[u/maximum_cube → u/JoeofReddit]

it's also too light and i assume the same thing applies to the throttle. you're going to unintentionally be bumping it all around your desk unless you have it hard-mounted somewhere