EmailBest Reviewed
Game Controllers
- Best flight stick Saitek X52 Pro Flight Control System *Est. $150
- Budget flight stick Saitek Cyborg Evo Force *Est. $65
- Best gamepad Saitek Cyborg Rumble Pad *Est. $35
- Best steering wheel Logitech G25 Racing Wheel *Est. $225
- Budget steering wheel Logitech Momo Racing Force Wheel *Est. $80
- Best motion-control controller NaturalPoint TrackIR 4 Pro *Est. $100
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Best flight stick
- Programmability
- Included throttle
- Multi-function display
- Durable metal parts
- Precision
- Comfort
- Poor documentation
Featuring nearly everything you could possibly want in a flight stick, yet costing considerably less than its competition from CH Products and Thrustmaster, the Saitek X52 Pro Flight Control System (*Est. $150) is hands-down the reviewers' favorite. The stick itself is made from durable black metal components, a marked improvement over its predecessor, the Saitek X52 Flight Control System (*Est. $100), which used plastic parts. Touted for its precise control and superior comfort, the stick also comes with a throttle, which allows for additional realism and more control over the power of your simulated aircraft. The throttle itself has a multi-function display, a favorite feature among reviewers, which displays critical game-specific information. The multitude of buttons, controls, and switches across the stick and the throttle are completely programmable, but don't expect any help here from Saitek; the only complaint by reviewers about this controller is its lack of documentation.
Reviews for the Saitek X52 Pro Flight Control System tend to be passionate and detailed, but the seven-part review at OverClockersClub.com stands out as particularly in-depth. IGN.com, FlightSim.com, SimHQ.com, and OzHardware.com also provide quite thorough reviews, with admirable though less intense efforts coming from TechGage.com, I4U.com, and contributors to Amazon.com.
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Our Sources
In this seven-part tour de force, the OverClockersClub.com addresses every conceivable angle you could possibly consider for a game controller review, including packaging, specifications, features, set-up and configuration, comparisons to other products and hands-on testing. Almost every section also has photos or charts to illustrate the reviewer's points, which ultimately lead to an Editors' Choice award for the Saitek X52 Pro Flight Control System.
Review: Saitek X52 Pro Flight Control System, "ajmatson", Aug. 9, 2007
2. IGN.com
Reviewer Bennett Ring provides a thorough review of the Saitek X52 Pro Flight Control System, comparing it favorably to the already well-reviewed Saitek X52 Flight Control System. He describes its myriad features in detail and ultimately gives it a 9.3 out of 10, one of the highest ratings IGN has ever given to a game controller.
Review: Saitek X52 Pro Review, Bennett Ring, Feb. 1, 2007
FlightSim.com is dedicated to flight simulation aficionados, and its reviewers are clearly hard-core fans first and writers second. Like most of the other products reviewed here, the Saitek X-52 Pro Flight Control System gets a positive review, covering everything from packaging to testing.
Review: Saitek X-52 Pro Flight Control System and Pro Flight Pedals, Nigel Martin, Dec. 19, 2006
4. SimHQ.com
In this opinionated discussion of his favorite flight simulation controllers, reviewer Frank Giger heaps praise upon the Saitek X52 Pro Flight Control System in probably the best direct comparison available between it and its predecessor, the Saitek X52 Flight Control System.
Review: The X52 PRO HOTAS, Frank Giger, Jan. 31, 2007
In its only review of a game controller, OzHardware.com gives the Saitek X52 Pro Flight Control System a stellar 10 out of 10 rating. The three-page review has some of the best close-up photographs of the device we could find, and concludes that it the Saitek X52 Pro Flight Control System is a worthy purchase over the original Saitek X52.
Review: Saitek X52 Pro Flight Control System Review, Editors of OzHardware.com, May 22, 2007
6. Techgage.com
Reviewer Pat Poole runs through the features of the Saitek X52 Pro Flight Control System, discussing the flight stick and throttle separately, but describing them as "perfect" together. This review is not as in-depth as others, but Poole has clearly tested the device. He gives it a nine out of 10.
Review: Saitek X-52 Pro Flight Control System, Pat Poole, April 5, 2007
7. I4U.com
I4U.com provides relatively succinct reviews backed by hands-on testing. In this review of the Saitek X52 Pro Flight Control, reviewer Shane McGlaun highlights the device's features, covering the flight stick, throttle and optional rudder pedals. He also briefly discusses his experience using the three peripherals on a few games.
Review: Saitek X52 Pro Flight Control & Pro Flight Rudder Pedals Review, Shane McGlaun, May 21, 2007
8. Amazon.com
While reviews on Amazon.com are not necessarily as thorough or comparative as those done by professional reviewers, they are a good source for uncovering user concerns that come up after extended use. Although the Saitek X52 Pro Flight Control System gets an admirable four out of five stars overall, reviewers do concur that the documentation and driver support is weak.
Review: Saitek X52 Pro Flight System Controller, Contributors to Amazon.com
9. HubPages.com
This overview of controllers for flight simulation puts the Saitek X52 Pro Flight Control System at the top of its loose ranking. While this article is not the place to go for extremely in-depth analysis of any one product, it is a decent introduction to all the top controllers you might want to consider in setting up your flight simulation system.
Review: Flight Simulator Controls, "ojkershaw"
This flight simulation blog provides a detailed video review of the Saitek X52 Pro Flight Control System. Reviewer "Nick" likes the sturdy plastic construction, and says the Saitek offers precise controls. He says the Velcro strips designed to anchor the Saitek don't work well, however.
Review: Topic: Product Review, "Nick", Jan. 2008
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