Honeycomb Alpha vs. Saitek Pro Flight Cessna Yoke

User Support Hub Hardware & Peripherals
1

Hi there,

I recently bought a used Saitek Cessna Pro Flight Yoke. Like the Honeycomb Alpha it can rotate 180° (the normal Saitek Pro Flight only does around 90°). Basically it’s not bad but I get the impression that it could be a little more sensitive to slight inputs.

Since I came across the Saitek while (unsuccessfully) searching for an affordable Honeycomb there’s always that nagging feeling, that the Honeycomb might be much better than the Saitek. But that may just be my mind trying to persuade me that I could have done better. Paranoia basically. :slight_smile:

So if there is anyone here who has tested both of those yokes, I’d really like to hear your experiences, please.
Thanks very much

2

hey archer,
there is a pretty extensiv review of the saitek and honeycomb yokes from the xplane guys and they are getting deep into that topic. so have a look if u want to.
But the short answer is yes, you are right that the honeycomb is better than the saitek and they explain why.

ps: the video begins at 2:30min :wink:

Greetings
Bear

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3

Hey Bear,

Thanks. I have actually watched that video. But it’s about the cheaper Saitek Pro Flight Yoke which (as mentioned above) is different from the Saitek Pro Flight Cessna Yoke (which was a special edition no longer in production). For example mine fits perfectly to the desk and does not wobble at all. Also the materials of the yoke itself are different.
So this won’t help unfortunately. :frowning:

4

Hi,

I have both and i can assure you that the Honycomb is better. Also it has much more functions/buttons and feels a lot more realistic.

Greetings

Matthias

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5

sorry I over read that part but I think there is no difference internally beside the 90° deflection of the yoke

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6

Good question. All three quality issues (plastic yoke, bad table fastening and wobbely pitch axis) are not present with mine, so I think they might have changed some stuff.

Thx

7

Thanks.
The buttons are secondary to me since I also have all the Saitek panels. But a more realistic feel is definitely an allure.

8

Like buying a car, budget plays a big role. Buy what you can afford. The Honeycomb is a very nice yoke but if the cost is too much, then the Saitek is a good choice. If cost is not a barrier, go with the more expensive option.

9

You are very welcome mate, glad i could help a little :slight_smile:

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10

The 250,- quid regular price aren’t the problem but the current asking price for a used one due to unavailability is more between 400,- and 500,- EUR, so that’s not happening.
Just found some videos on how to smooth out the elevator action on the Cessna. Will try that first. Also mine doesn’t suffer from the dead-zone bug many users experienced.

Thanks

11

If you possess any or all of the Saitek panels, I would avoid the Honeycomb yoke like the plague!
Yes it feels ‘nicer’ etc [at a much greater cost], but the fact is that it interferes with the proper operation of the panels.

There is [it should be noted] a lot of negative hyperbole re the Saitek yoke!
It is not ‘cheap’, it is merely less expensive, is all.
I bought my Saitek yoke and included throttle about 15 years ago and it still works perfectly today!

And to those who say it makes landing difficult I say:
I and thousands of others can land our aircraft perfectly with it. If you can’t, learn to land properly!

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12

Interesting. Thank you. Haven’t come across the info the Honeycomb and the Saitek panels don’t work together. Wouldn’t like to miss my AP on the multi panel.

But one thing is fact for me: with my HOTAS I can land any plane on a dime. With the Yoke … well … probably just experience. Have been flying with joysticks for decades and never had a yoke before. Got mine in December …

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13

Haha. Good stuff.
Of course a HOTAS is the way to go for those aircraft [certain ‘heavies’ and fighters] that use a joystick.
But for flying yolk equipped aircraft, nothing beats the immersion of a properly set up yolk and the learning curve that comes with using it.

Regards.

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14

I’ve been using my Saitek Pro Flight Cessna yoke, trim wheel and rudder pedals for at least seven years and they continue to work flawlessly. I’d purchase another Saitek yoke (even used) before I purchased a Honeycomb–the Saitek is a proven product.

The throttle quadrant axes go a bit noisy (appeared like “static” on the graphs in the assignment/adjustment pages), but I remedied that by spraying some contact cleaner (old TV mechanical tuner cleaner) and it cleared up nicely.

Just my opinion… I may be wrong.

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15

I’m the opposite of you… I spent years crashing on landing just about every aircraft in the sim using joysticks. Once I purchased the Saitek yoke, my safe landing:takeoff ratio is getting back closer to the 1:1 it’s supposed to be.

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