Saitek Pro Flight Rudder Pedals

Saitek PZ55 Pro Flight Switch Panel

Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Gold Edition

PRO Flight Multi Panel by Saitek

PRO Flight Radio Panel by Saitek

Precision. Realism. Control. The Saitek Pro flight Yoke System is highly engineered to meet the exacting needs of the true flight simulation enthusiast. stainless steel shaft, ergonomic controls, integrated chronograph, and separate throttle quadrant ensure a smooth, accurate and totally realistic flying experience. Features: Durable stainless steel shaft with precision bearings gives smooth and predictable elevator and aileron control; used with the supplied SST programming software, integrated mode switch trebles the number of controls you have at your fingertips; Accurately time each leg of your flight plan with the integrated chronograph; Separate throttle quadrant with additional switches to configure any combination of throttle, flaps, mixture or prop pitch. Mount on top, in front of your desk, pilot or co-pilot side so that the controls are exactly where you want them; Unique, 2-position desk clamp keeps your yoke and quadrant securely fixed no matter how extreme the flying conditions; Use the integrated usb Hub to easily connect other parts of the Saitek Pro flight range of products, such as additional Pro flight Throttle Quadrant or Pro flight Instrument Panel (both sold separately); Saitek�fs powerful Saitek smart technology (SST) programming software allows gamers to configure their controls to suit their preferred gaming style, and to save the configurations as personal profiles. Specifications: 14 buttons; POV Hat switch; 3-position mode switch; 3 axis levers on Quadrant; Elevator and Aileron Axes on Yoke. System Requirements: Connectivity: usb 2.0 Works with: Windows XP, XP64 and Vista (all versions) and Windows 7

Smooth operation (2010-07-23)
Setup was very easy, controls move smoothly with no binding. Multiple programmable buttons. There are 13 buttons, hat switch, yoke, and 3 levers. You can program each for 3 different operations and switch between them using the mode switch. All in all well worth the Price.

Saitek Yoke and throttle quadrant (2010-07-11)
I initially had difficulty working with the Saitek yoke, but now feel that I have got pretty good control of it. However it still tends to be sticky, wich has a little negative effect on my aircraft control. The plus side is I love the clock insert, the solidness of the assembly and realism. I also really like the setup of the throttle quadrant and it works quite well, again, very realistic. Overall, I am bery happy with the complete setup and glad I purchased these items. Got them all for a great price from Amazon.

Fantastic (2010-07-03)
I have had many products in the past but none that match the awesome controls that Saitex has given me. Before the Saitex I use the CH controller. It started out good but than began sticking. I have tried everything from: silicon sprays grease, oils nothing helped. The shaft on the CH is made of plastic as opposed to the Saitex which is made out of Stainless steel. In my opinion i believe the plastic can't hold up to the stress and enviroment. The controls on this Saitex are much smoother and the throttle is fantastic. The Saitex is a must for anyone who wants realistic Sim flying experience. You won't regret it.

Unpredictable and waste my money (2010-05-20)
Beautiful design, but yoke settings are tricky and difficult to establish, I bought this item together with SAITEK pedals (which has an unsolvable conflict when you try to use the differential brakes), and two throttle quadrants (impossible to operate in synchrony between them), in sum, a disastrous choice, purchase and loss all my money.

Unusable due to dead zones (2010-05-18)
Two star, and that is without the phantom key issue... Coming from CH product, I was hoping the metal axle with "ball bearing" some reviewers mentioned would be a nice upgrade. However, there is no ball bearing, just the axle rubbing against two teflon/plastic rings, preventing smooth motions. The separate throttle quadrant with prop and mixture was also attractive to me. This is the only thing that prevented me from giving only one star, since this is a big step up and feels quite nice.

First, the "phantom key press". When I first received the yoke, it was in "mode 3". Not understanding why it came preset in "mode 3", I changed it to "mode 1" and starting flying. Not long after, I experienced the phantom key press (random view changes, gear up and down, etc.). Luckily, I had the presence of mind to return it back to "mode 3" and the problem vanished for good. I was ready to do some serious flying.

The clamp needed to secure the yoke to a desk is enormous and doesn't allow a keyboard drawer underneath. Hence, I had to drill holes in my desk and secure the yoke with 4 M4 screws (the yoke has 4 threaded holes designed for that)

Now for the really bad. The center detentes in the pitch and roll axes are just a joke. The force needed to get out of the center makes it unflyable since no small adjustments are possible near the center, mostly needed on final approach. The springs are strong and are not like in the CH yoke product. Once centered, it is very difficult to move out smoothly, making small correction nearly impossible. With the CH Yoke, motions near the center position have the least resistance, as it should. It's the opposite with the Saitek.

After just a couple hours of this, I decided to open the yoke and remove all the springz responsible for this crazy strong centering (no warranty needed for me). The feel was much better, smooth in both axis. BUT, as it turns out, it doesn't matter whether the springs are there or not, Saitek has a dead zone BUILT IN. When calibrating the flight controller and reducing the dead zone to its minimum, the dead zone is still significant and the yoke won't respond to any motion within 5-10 degree on both side (pitch or roll). That means no fine adjustments are possible when flying a final approach, even without the crazy springs!!!. Mostly unusable for flying, and since this is a flying yoke, just plain unusable.

I'll go back to my CH yoke which has no dead zone and for which I have a new appreciation (but also no throttle quadrant).