Thinking about a New Flight Stick

Blandlytasteful

Now, I know nothing about them, never have had/used one. What should I know? I looked at amazon, and liked http://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-T-Flight-Hotas-Flight-Game-console/dp/B001CXYMFS/ref=pd_ys_qtk_wl_t?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1T4QLDGL8TI3X&colid=3D9H5ILLKMWQN&pf_rd_p=1286263542&pf_rd_s=center-4&pf_rd_t=1501&pf_rd_i=home&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=09N0G0SEDZ2FJ3JTQ150. Should I even be looking on amazon, or somewhere else?
Guide me, oh people with knowledge!

grouch993

Like the Saitek X52 way back when for the price and configurability. Had problems with losing centering over time. RMA'ed once and the replacement exhibited the same problem in a shorter amount of time.

Games for me were IL2, and freespace 2.

Sure there will be other folks jumping in.

Blandlytasteful

For a bit more information, though I plan to be getting a good amount of enjoyment out of this, the immediate goal is to surprise my gf, who used to be way into these games... http://store.steampowered.com/sub/6330 I figured I would pick that set up, (when/wherever I see it on sale) and have a stick ready to surprise her at some random time.

Unknown

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Synthesis

Amazon.com an excellent place to get this sort of stuff. If $500 is a bit too much for you, and you want to be a man who also uses his feet, you can't go wrong with the ONLY hotas with force feedback on the market--however, hotas might be more than you want.

Blandlytasteful

Well, force feedback was something that the girlfriend has mentioned that she greatly enjoyed. I found out that she used to have was this, http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Sidewinder-Force-Feedback-Joystick/dp/B00005NIMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1303601394&sr=8-1... which is apparently not something they have continued making.

I'd like to do something like that footin' setup, but maybe piece by piece, if that is an option. I'd prefer to be able to sneaky give this to her, and if I can keep the price below 150 or so, that would be much easier.

Synthesis

I find force feedback absolutely crucial to the immersion factor of games like IL-2 and FSX, especially in area of landings and the like, but they really make Arma 2 more fun--I mean, you're in a T-72 with a 125 mm gun, you think there will be some kickback and whatnot.

Some people dismiss it as a novelty, and I guess I can see where they're coming from. Maybe. Kind of.

Phoenix-D

The Saitek sticks are good, but they do have durability issues in certain areas.