I’ve been using a TM16000m for a while now and I just got two quadrants. I’m only using 1 at the moment but I’m having a really hard time adjusting to swapping the hands around. I’d say a HOTAS setup is vastly superior but that’s not how most airplanes are setup, lol.
Anyone make this transition? I also fly VR which makes it a little harder.
I’m thinking of keeping the throttle and just using the prop and mixture.
It depends what you fly I guess. For everything other than warbirds the idea is that the stick is either on the left in some aircraft or mostly central to the seat. With this arrangement you fly with your left hand and operate the engine(s) with your right. The problem comes from the relative lack of options in the market for left handed sticks. I currently have a TM warthog but plan to get a Virpil for this purpose to supplement my yoke. If you fly warbirds then a hotas is the ideal solution.
You have to force yourself to learn it. This works best if you have a plane that closely matches your setup.
Throttle quadrants are easy enough to fly by touch.
Frankly, if you are flying GA planes with a HOTAS you’re probably doing something wrong so you will quickly see the benefits of using a quadrant for those types of plane. It is well worth learning to do this while blinded by VR.
That is the main flaw. They do feel a little toy-like.
Definitely some better options out there for real feel. I use a Bravo but that isn’t the only one, and you can add friction to the levers to make them feel more… real and sturdy.
But… boat like? You are starting to get it! Old GA (and other non-HOTAS) planes control and feel a LOT like boats.
I’m trying a dual quadrant setup now but the Logitech Throttle Quadrant is seriously off in calibration. Half the levers shake and they are all about 5% +/- odd from each other. Some don’t make it to 100%.
Stop flying by numbers. Do what pilots do. Fly by feel.
Also, Saitek sucks and a Bravo Throttle Quadrant would make your day, but from a Saitek veteran, fly by feel, not by numbers, and you will start to get it.
Airplanes fly by generalities. More than you think. And they ARE boats.
The Bravo will go the same way as the Saitek in time because they both use pots. People are already starting to get issues. For reliability in this regard you want a throttle with contactless sensors. Hall effect being the most common.
Actually, I think it’s kind of the opposite of that, lol. I was flying too much by feel. It forces me to set proper power and then use pitch. Which makes landing way easier!
I’ve redone my VR setup with the stick moved to the left. I can now free up my right hand to interact with the cockpit more and use less bindings.
But, I’m now desperate for a trim solution. I think that bravo has a trim wheel right were I need one to be.
Yeah, the Bravo has a trim wheel, and the Alpha yoke has a couple trim triggers on the yoke itself. Between the two you can trim a complex plane whilst blinded by VR.
The wheel is very easy to find by touch alone. And it works surprisingly well considering it has to make use of a button instead of an axis.
I had the wheel on my throttle bound to trim. Now my quickest way is to pop the AP in pitch or ALT hold mode. It works and at least helps with the lack of force feedback.