Saitek Aviator Joystick

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• Product Reviews
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Product Description

MODEL- PS33 VENDOR- SAITEK

FEATURES- PS33 Aviator Joysick
Aviator -- the first dual throttle joystick for modern flight
simulation games.
The Aviator is designed with everything you'd expect from a high
performance joystick, including a rugged, military-style design,
rapid response trigger, 8-way hat switch, plus illuminated rocket
or missile fire button with safety cover.
And a first in joystick design, the Saitek Aviator features dual
throttle levers. These enable independent control of multiple
engines when flying a large bomber or modern passenger jet, or an
engine/flaps combination for better control during take-off and
landing. The dual throttles can also be locked together for
simplicity when flying single-engined aircraft.
Additional controls include 3D twist for precise rudder control
whether taxiing or in the air, front-mounted instrument panel which
includes base-mounted toggle buttons with up and down switching
functions, and mode selector to instantly change the Aviator's
controls to suit flying scenario. Saitek's programming software
means the Aviator offers up to 8 separate commands which can each
be programmed separately.
The Saitek Aviator represents a new direction in joystick design.
The groundbreaking dual throttles and a wealth of programmable
switches and controls make the Aviator the perfect joystick for the
latest flight games, designed to offer gamers both the maximum
flight sim authenticity and control. No other stick is as well
suited to the planes being flown on today's PC Flight sims.

Customer Reviews

Reviewed on 2008-03-11 Good joystick, but not the best... I purchased this joystick in March 2008 and when I first got it I was overjoyed. I couldn't believe how much functionality I got for the money. You can programme each button 3 different ways with that red rotary knob at the base and the hat switch can also be programmed to function as 8 different buttons!! Even the throttles can be assigned as switches or multiple switches...the list of possibilities is almost endless. Just a word of note: Those FS users looking for a controller to use on your 4-engined aircraft, this is not for you. FS will not assign 2 engines to one throttle so the default single throttle function must be utilised. Sorry. I live in Jamaica but bought the 'stick in Florida while on vacation so I was without much support once I took it home. The first thing I noticed is that the twist function is somewhat stiff, and the self return is marginal. Small corrections to the direction of an aircraft (I am a flight simmer) are difficult at best. This could be an issue with just my 'stick, but it doesn't speak well of the build quality either. The next minor issue is that the software that came with the 'stick is not very user friendly or intuitive. I suggest those who are new to computers or are not very inclined to go to the website and download the user manual and programming software (SD6) they have there. It's a shade better written. The next issue I had, after programming it for use with FS2004 was the right throttle lever would not function. I went through days of frustration trying to calibrate/programme it, and sent emails to customer support, and even went to the manufacturer's messageboard for help. I was at the end of the rope when help came from a manager at Saitek on the messageboard. Apparently the issue was with FS2004. What seems to happen is that FS accepts the assignment of the second throttle, but there is a bug in the programme where FS sets the sensitivity of the right throttle lever to ZERO!! So I had to go into the sensitivity area of FS and reset the slider to 100%. Easy fix that new users should be aware of! Ironically however, the demo version of FSX that came with the joystick did not suffer the same glitch, so perhaps Microsoft was aware of the problem and corrected it. That said, it's still early days and I am still evaluating it. At this point, I am not as excited about it as I was before I got it though. It's inexpensive and it works fairly well, but I would say it is probably not for the serious gamer.

Reviewed on 2008-02-29 Saitek AV8R Joystick My hopes were very high for the Saitek AV8R. I am an aerobatics sim pilot mainly, and I thought that for a routine that I was developing for a vintage aircraft it would be good, I leaped at the oppurtunity. I got the joystick about a week later, only to hook it up and be very dissapointed. For starters, the jostick is way too sensitive. I tried to do a roll, and it rolled 3 times before I could stop it. With my current joystick, a Logitech Extreme 3d Pro, the aircraft rolls once, in a realistic manner. If I gave the vigorous input that you'd need for aerobatics OR a combat sim, the joystick will fall on its side. It weighs somewhere in the 3/4 pound bemnchmark. You cannot fly in a combat sim, like Jetfighter, with any realism. It may be the world's only dual throttle joystick, but don't be fooled by the picture on the box. The throttles are on the back of the stick. You can't even reach them without messing up your position of the column. The buttons on the front cannot be progmammed easily, and are also too sensitive. I found that in most sims, the only thing that they do is switch views, despite if you change the setting or not. To sum it up, it may be good for beginners, but if you are into simming at all, then don't buy. The Logitech 3d Extreme Pro joysticks are probably the ideal for any sim;. They do not have force feedback , but the AV8R doesn't either. $45 is way too much for this joystick, $20 is too much, buying this is a mistake.

Reviewed on 2008-02-13 Just Great with Flight Simulator X Okay, I didn't go with the most expensive stick on the market. I went with one that did say it was recommended for Flight Simulator. I have had no problems at all with it. The controls work smoothly with aircraft and it's comfortable for my large hand. Seems to be sturdily constructed.

Reviewed on 2008-01-03 Great joystick Looked all over for the best joystick for my husband's flight simulator, and this one seemed to be the best and most economical. My husband attests that it's a great joystick and works perfectly. It looks cool, too.

Reviewed on 2007-12-28 Well Built I really like this joystick for use with FSX. It is really well made with a great layout--I like the dual throttle option. The only reason for deducting a star is the weight is lighter than I would like and the grip is a little small--so unless you have a small hand you'll have to bulk it up with tape or wear a golf glove.

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