Review on Thrustmaster Hotas Warthog PC Joystick Controller (Windows) by Adisorn Wichit ᠌

Name: Thrustmaster Hotas Warthog PC Joystick Controller (Windows)
Item: Thrustmaster Hotas Warthog PC Joystick Controller (Windows)
Rating: 5

October 22, 2022

I was surprised by the quality for this price.

In general, I want to note that if there is an intention to play simulators in a virtual reality helmet, then there is no particular replacement or alternative to this joystick. I have not seen other joysticks with so many controls arranged so intuitively that they can be used blindly. Considering that it is impossible to use the keyboard in a VR helmet, well, or extremely difficult and inconvenient, the situation is extremely clear.
As for the issue of using the helmets themselves, for me this is not a question at all. Elite Dangerous with a helmet and without a helmet are two completely different games, as different as heaven and earth.
The joystick for eight years of operation has fully retained its properties. And this makes me think that I am unlikely to give it up because of a breakdown or obsolescence, because it is, in fact, the most realistic copy of all the existing controls of the iconic aircraft and will only become more valuable over the years. In fact, buying it, I bought myself the perfect joystick for many years, and possibly for life. After these years, I must say that this is one of the most successful purchases of my life. Actually, that's why I decided to write this review.

Pros

I will not paint technical characteristics, you can read it in other places. I will limit myself to personal experience and impressions of operation. I bought this joystick in 2022. So the service life is more than 8 years. Here in the reviews they write about backlash and breakdowns, which surprises me. Maybe it's just me so lucky or unlucky individual buyers, but my joystick does not have any breakdowns or backlash. Nothing broke off, no peeling, no noise appeared, and in general the joystick looks and feels the same as on the first day of purchase, although it is used quite actively. Very high accuracy of both thrusters and thrusters. The thoughtful arrangement of all buttons and toggle switches allows you to find them blindly, which is very important when using a VR helmet. There are enough controls so that you do not have to use the keyboard. A very pleasant feeling from RUS. I don't know how realistic it feels, because. never flew a real plane, but there is no feeling of falseness.

Cons

About the need to buy pedals have already been written repeatedly. Once again I want to note this point. If someone thinks they can do without pedals, then don't count on it. Be mentally prepared to fork out for pedals and immediately add the price of their purchase with the price of the joe. The second point, which for some reason is not written about, is the rigidity of the joystick. It is very tight and the effort that has to be applied to deflect it is significant. Much more than any other joystick. This is not a drawback, but there is a nuance. In realistic flight simulators, this does not cause discomfort, on the contrary, it creates a pleasant feeling, allows you to feel the plane. But the more arcade game, the more unpleasant sensations. In realistic simulators, there is never a need to vigorously work with the RSS with its transfer from one extreme position to another, diametrically opposite, extreme position. In a realistic flight simulator, even in close combat on a highly maneuverable MiG-29, such actions are practically not performed, the movements of the RUS are smooth and calm. But in arcade games, where the physics is not realistic, you have to pull the RSS in different directions regularly. As a result, the more arcade the game, the less suitable this joystick is for it. And vice versa, the more realistic the game, the more pleasant this joystick is. The last arcade game in which I tested this joystick was Battlefield 3, before that in Batlefield 2. In both games, this joystick, from my point of view, is absolutely unusable. The experience with Warthunder is interesting, in the realistic mode of the game the joystick feels great, allowing you to accurately maneuver and aim, but in the arcade mode the joystick feels heavy and uncomfortable, making it difficult to react quickly. And that's one game! Although I am not a fan of Warthunder and my experience may not take into account many of the nuances. As far as space sims go, I've played about 500 hours of Elite Dangerous with this joystick and I'm going to play even more to my great satisfaction.