Saitek Pro Flight Yoke with Three-Lever Throttle (PZ44)
by Saitek
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List Price: Our Price: $117.91 You Save: $47.08 (29%) Availability: Usually ships in 3-4 business days Category: CE See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Saitek Pro Flight Yoke with Three-Lever Throttle (PZ44)
Customer Review: Great .. BUT ... Recent model still has phantom behavior
Summary: 3 Stars
I have a newer model, which I confirmed with Saitek support. Curiously, I still have the "phantom key" issue but just for the hat switch views.
Support said it could not be the older "hardware related" phantom issue, but was likely a loose or crushed wire inside the yoke. I'm sorry but
this is still unacceptable. These are basic quality issues. It amazes me that they can invest so much time into designing such a wonderful
and realistic yoke ... only to have it neutered by poor craftsmanship. For this reason, it gets 3 stars. I'm confident my replacement will
be better, but I'll keep exchanging it until I get one that is hassle-free.
On the Yoke itself. I've been flying 20+ years and use this for practicing IFR and procedure. In that regard, the yoke, trim, ptt, throttle quadrant,
etc., all contribute to very effective and realistic IFR procedure training. For VFR, you get the joy of flying with a yoke and Microsoft FSX'
realistic scenery makes it an enjoyable experience. The people who complain about the yoke "not feeling like a real airplane" need to read their
manual about how to de/sensatize the yoke. It has three modes, so you can set the sensativity in accordance with the aerodynamics of 3 aircraft
types you are flying. I don't bother with that too much, since no Flight Sim can ever substitue the seat-of-the-pants element that you need to fly
an actual airplane. Still, VFR simming is fun and cheap ... and for aspiring pilots I think it's invaluable for training your brain how to think
in a cockpit.
Customer Review: Lotsa Problems(but finally got one that worked)
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this guessing it would be better then the CH yoke, although I have never owned one. This yoke looked so much more realistic and I loved how it has the separate throttle quadrant and the timer on it, which helps a lot if you are a VFR pilot like I am. I had a problem with it on the first time, and every time after, using it. The yoke seemed to like to press random buttons at random times, but mostly when you are turning and pressing other buttons. Also, the manufacturer doesnt seem to give a rip about this problem as of yet, and so i'm going to be sending my SECOND unit back, becasue my second unit was defected also. Check out the Saitek forums for a huge thread on the problem. Some other bad things with mine was that the yoke made a weird sound when turning to the right, and also, I could not attach it to my desk due to my keyboard being in the way, but I found an alright spot for it. Hope this helps anyone who's planning to buy(P.S.- You should highly consider getting rudder pedals, as using the yoke for rudder is very hard and makes the aircraft not fly so great!)
I finally got one that worked. This was delivered Dec.26, and have flown multiple flights over a few hours, and everything is working fantastic. This is now a definite must buy. It has some better things than before, such as the yoke handle is now level, instead of always left, and it is much more smoother movement with the yoke and the throttles. There is no noise from any of it. I advise you buy this now.
Customer Review: Don't buy if you actually fly in real life. Huge dead zone on the ailerons, and quite some on the elevator.
Summary: 1 Stars
I bought the yoke with the throttle quadrant in the attempt to set up a home flight simulator system (driven by x-plane 9) to practice maneuvers after actual flight lessons. (I fly a Cessna 172 Skyhawk in real life).
I decided for the Saitek yoke as I saw rave reviews on the internet and in retrospect it seems that I haven't researched the problem well enough.
It turns out that the yoke has a non-removable 10 degree dead zone either way on the roll axis (i.e. aileron control), as well as a few millimeters dead zone on the pitch axis (i.e. the elevator). This makes the yoke unusable for precision plane control, and makes it behave very, very differently from the controls in the actual plane. That was a very disappointing experience.
I guess that if you don't have a reference in terms of how controls are in a real plane, you may be fine with getting yourself this yoke to play with. However, if you're looking for maximum realism, and controls that at least in some aspects resemble those in an actual airplane, then don't buy this.
Also (but this isn't that unexpected for the controller in the price range of Saitek's 'pro'), the elevator controls are completely insensitive to trimming and have no adjustable zero position, which make it completely irrelevant for actual flying.
All in all, if you're into real flying, don't buy it.
Customer Review: Good And No Phantom Key
Summary: 4 Stars
I received this product and right on time but at first i had a problem with the fact that the throttle quadrant would not fit into the yoke. Weather this was a shipment or company problem i do not know. The set up and software installment is extremely easy . There are several easy to reach buttons that if you are using Microsoft Flight Simulator 10 or 9 (fsx/fs9) Also if you are flying a variety of aircraft or using this on a number of games there is a small wheel in the back programmable to have different modes with different controls in which you can set using the easy to use Satiek software. there is a clamp on the bottom of the yoke which is easy to use. but BE WARNED if you have a keyboard drawer/pull out. you will either need to find a part on the desk were the yoke will fit or take the keyboard off.
The throttle: the throttle quadrant works well but if you are using fsx or fs 9 the only first programmed control is the throttle so you have tos et the other to. It dose come with different heads for them so you can change the controls. Sometimes it makes sort of a cracking noise but that is it.
All in all i say this is a usefull product though i probrably would have bought it for $80
Also i had no troubles with the 'phantom key' problem .
Customer Review: Saitek Pro Flight with 3 lever throttle
Summary: 5 Stars
I researched the Pro flight against several others including CH Products flight yoke. This process consumed more than 2 months. So why did I purchase this yoke over the others? Well, when the yoke arrived from Amazon, very speedily, I was impressed by the solid construction of both the yoke and the throttle quadrant. The variety of buttons, POV location were right on and very easy to setup for Microsoft FSX. The included customization software was not the current version, but I was able to download the current version from Saitek's web site and to also register the product. The software runs fine on my HP beefed up computer running Vista with service pack 1 installed. I have been using this yoke for 2 months now and am very happy with it. Aircraft control is superior to a conventional joystick, although will use my stick for my combat Sims, if I ever go back to them. Unfortunately, the yoke squeaks when you initiate turns. I am told this is due to the nylon bushings used and additionally, the yoke shaft should not be lubricated, will void your 2 year warranty. Other than that, this thing is by far the best of the medium price range yokes. Buy it and you too will be hooked on it for years to come. Hope this little review has helped you to make an informed decision. Happy Flying.