Saitek Aviator Dual Throttle Joystick ( PS33 ) Reviews

• Perfect for Flight Simulator 2004 !!

  
  By A37KO6OVBPLDA5 on 2006-10-22
  After having a bad experience with the Logitech Extreme Pro 3D joystick (see my review) I purchased this one and WOW what a difference. Worked perfectly right out of the box and some of the switches are already set up for flaps etc. without loading the software ! In fact I never intend to load the software because Microsoft recommends against it. Why mess up a good thing ? Saitek Rocks !!
  
  

• Excellent stick for the money

  
  By A30HAGYXB3WZ1E on 2007-01-01
  I just bought this a few days ago and I am very pleased. Works great with Blazing Angels: Squadr WWII PC once you get the joystick mapped to the keyboard. The mapping software is fairly simple. You can switch between differnt setups with the A/B switch with is a very nice feature.
  
  Has twist for yaw built into the handle and 8 position pov. Duel throttle is nice but I dont believe they can work independant. I have to play around with it some more. Plenty of extra buttons and toggles to program.
  
  I always liked Saitek because they make joysticks that can be configured for us Lefty's. This joystick works for both left and right handers out of the box. The joystick has all the features of some of the more expensive joysticks, but 1/2 the cost.
  
  

• One of the better joysticks out there that you can find

  
  By AFF7VNO5QI8S9 on 2007-01-20
  I recently got back into flight simming when I borrowed my brother's Jane's F/A-18 game. I've always been a fan of the Jane's games, but never had the appropriate equipment. Eager to play, I tried a gamepad as well as an old Logitech Force Feedback Wingman. The latter had way too much dead space and a poorly designed rubbery boot to protect the base of the stick. I also have never been a fan of the force feedback either. So that left me with either the mucho expensivo HOTAS sticks from CH or Thrustmaster or a middle of the road joystick from Saitek.
  
  The Saitek Aviator is a moderately priced, combat themed joystick that has a plethora of buttons and a dual throttle to boot. The missile launch button illuminates red so you'll never forget which button to release hell. It also has a safety cover. The best part of the joystick was the little to none deadspace. The stick is kept taught by a coiled steel spring and has a dust cover to protect dust from entering the pivot ball.
  
  The only cons I have noticed is that the Aviator is a bit on the light side and maybe could use another POV hat, but can't really expect much for the low price.
  
  All in all, a decent stick for a great price, you won't be disappointed.
  
  Update after using it for 3 months:
  The joystick is still responsive although it is not as tight as when I first got it. Highly recommended for the casual simmer.
  
  

• Saitek Aviator (AV8R-01)

  
  By A21YEX0GZ1ER0L on 2007-01-18
  This joystick works great with MS Flight Simulator 2004 and Windows XP. I haven't been able to figure out how to program the mode switch, but everything else is easily programmable through the MS Flt Sim program. (And the mode switch really isn't necessary). Saitek provides a CD for those who want to program it better, and someone a little more techie than me could program it any way he wanted. The stick works smoothly, the plane stays flying in the direction it should, and the buttons/switches are all very handy. I haven't had the joystick long enough to tell how well it holds up, but after a month or so I can truthfully say I'm very impressed--and delighted.
  
  

• Great Joystick!

  
  By A12LOC4X5K3V4H on 2006-11-09
  I have owned several Joysticks and this one has a great feeling! The toggle type of the switches are great to work with. I should clerify the toggles do not really toggle up and down, they simply allow you to lift up or or pull down to invoke some command. They end up in the middle. Still nicer than a simple button.
  
  The HAT works very well and is easy to use even in 8-Way mode.
  
  The only complaint I have concerns the throttle. The double throttle allows you to bind the two together or operate separately. The other day the button which connects the two throttles just popped out and hasn't been very sturdy since. It operates like an ink pen button.
  
  
• No Documentation
  By A19V1YJRHNORRA on 2006-11-13
  This my third Saitek joystick. It is much lighter than my Cyborg 3D Gold.
  It is almost featherweight. Plugged it in and works fine with the Microsoft Windows XP drivers. The eight toggle switches allow you to program 8 commands of your choosing such as, gearup/down, flaps up, flaps down etc. There is a MODE switch with an A and B postion which allows you to program additional commands into the 8 toggle switches. However, in order to do this you must use the Saitek software, which is clear as mud, and not specific to this joy stick. Saitek advertises that the throttle can be split into two, so as to operate engines on a twin engine aircraft separately. One throttle operates one engine, say the left, and the other throttle the other engine, say the right. However due to the lack of any documentation for this stick you are left on your own trying to figure out how to do this. I posted on a forum devoted to Saitek,te, but the Saitek tech gave me suggestions that to date have not worked. The official Saitek web site has yet to answer my request on how to program the throttles so that they work separately. In the past I found this to be typical of Saitek. Very poor support.
  The stick works well, but is very flimsy, not solid. I hope it lasts.
  
  
• a nice joystick with some disappointments
  By A2GO73D6XKOJ9H on 2007-05-04
  I used to own Saitek Cyborg, which was very comfortable to use although had some precision problems. When I saw this one in a store, I immediately liked it, especially those vintage style switches and the missile button cover. :) I just got myself the Il-2 game, so I gave this joystick a try.
  
  I should say that everything has worked so far great in terms of basic operations, setting up with the game, etc, but this joystick has shown a few little drawbacks, which are a bit annoying.
  
  1. The base is too light, so during gaming I have to hold it with my left hand to prevent the joystick from unnecessary moves around the desk. I remember my Saitek Cyborg 3d model was much heavier making it more stable than Aviator. This is very unfortunate.
  
  2. The panel which should be attached at the bottom of the stick and should support your hand was quite hard to attach around the stick. The screws were hard to put, as a result the panel is loose now and I don't have the ability to tighten the screws.
  
  3. In my previous joystick it was possible to move that supporting panel lower or higher to the stick, so people with smaller hands (kids) could use it comfortably. This one doesn't allow to do this, so my 8-year old sone is quite uncomfortable using it as his hand lacks support from beneath.
  
  In all other points I like it but would probably try something else soon.
  
  
• Great stick for IL-2!
  By A2RZBKLLO8WPCR on 2007-03-27
  For less than $40, its hard to go wrong with this choice. I've had the stick for almost a year now (updated Feb. 08), with no problems what-so-ever. I was concerned about the weight, but the base is heavy enough to keep the stick from sliding while flying IL-2. I fly with full realism settings, so it so doesn't pay to jerk the stick around quickly anyway. If you want to fly arcade style, then the settings are easily changed.
  Its easy to program. Addition to having the trigger & 3 buttons on the stick to program, there are four "toggles" to program 2 functions each if wanted. All of the controls can be assigned new functions by switching the mode selector to another mode (OFF, A or B). The toggles alone give 24 functions! The 2 "throttles" are handy. Right now, I have one throttle set for "throttle" and one for the flaps on a I-16, Type 18 fighter. With the correct "in-game" settings it works great. If your not sure that you want to spend $150+ on a new HOSTAS, the high number of programming options make the AV8R a great alternative.
  
  
• Concept is good, support is not
  By A2E901XS9RGQ2B on 2007-05-30
  Aviator seems to have everything, but getting it to work is not easy.
  Support from Saitek is non-existant. I sent several emails requesting support and received no replies. Would NOT recommend purchase.
  
  
• Good joystick, but not the best...
  By A2NPVH049KNUNY on 2008-03-11
  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.
  
  
• Good, not Great
  By A22WNAIRVPJANS on 2007-01-11
  Great price,and it works well, but i wish it was force-feedback and weighed more. I have gone back to my EVO, just because of the more substantial feel when flying.
  
  
• Works great with x-plane on a mac
  By A3647Z442GMH2H on 2007-12-06
  I bought this for my son, who has a new macbook with x-plane installed. We couldn't get other joysticks to work, but this worked perfectly. All the buttons and switches were easily programmed in the x-=plane program. A great joystick for the money.
  
  
• Get mor ebang for half the price
  By ALJGDBYD5J6GH on 2007-06-30
  I bought this controller few weeks ago to replace my old sidewinder. I like the design of the controller, decent number of programmable buttons and the mode switch feature is really useful. I used this contoller to play Falcon 4.0 AF and I really dig the flip cover of the the missile/bomb button and the red illumination feature of the button is an added bonus. The flip cover adds realism to the game especially when I have my target on-lock. I also play MS Flight Sim 2004, and the dual throttle is surprisingly easy to use to and to get used to.
  
  I only found 2 flaws with the Aviator, one is the weight, I agree with some reviewers that it is too light. suction cups at the bottom could've been added. And the support platform is hard to put, move, and remove. Despite the flaws, I enjoy the Aviator and I'm gonna use the heck out of till I can afford the Cougar or X52 pro. I recommended this controller if you dont have the money to buy the best ones out there.
  
  
• Saitek Aviator AV8R-01 joystic review
  By AJKC3DZK4NEO0 on 2007-09-15
  This USB joystick is cheap, hovewer it is much, much better than I expected. It is excellent, very sensitive, has many buttons and 3 state switch (8 buttons can be programmed for each state separatelly). Additionally one button can have 9 states (for each state switch) and there are 4 3 state buttons. Eeach state of any button can be preprogrammed for each state of tree state switch. Joystick and 2 thortles (for left and right engine) have very high analog like precision. Joistick can be also twisted and twist sensor is very sensitive and analog like too. There is programming suite which lets to automate many game tasks and it is quite powerful and useful. This Joystick and its software exceeded my expectations. Installation was easy (at least if you follow installation procedure).
  
  
• Just Great with Flight Simulator X
  By A3P200A3LK1TGQ on 2008-02-13
  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.
  
  
• works great built strong
  By AV4JF8DOUUC0H on 2007-08-28
  looks great and its built pretty good i love the vintage ww2 look as well
  goes great with my online ww2 multiplayer "Warbirds 2007"
  
  
• Buen producto pero...
  By A3F7Z1AR0NGUNW on 2007-09-20
  creo que el joystick es muy largo, deveria de ser mas corto para asi poder descansar la mano en la base.-
  
  
• Almost perfect
  By A1H7RTAA3CRPGA on 2007-12-14
  This is a great joystick to use with any flight simulator. I personally use it with MSFSX, so the fire buttons do not make much sense for me, but it is ok. It is awesome, mainly because of the double throttles which can be configured for two engines or engine/mixture or whatever you want. However, there is a BIG issue which would make me think twice before buying it: it does not have any vacuum rubber or velcro to stick it on the table. As a consequence, frequently you have to use the other hand to hold its base. What I did was to buy those velcro strips with stickers, which helped me to keep it steady on the table. But my question is: did not Saitek Designers tested their own product? Should not those velcros come with this product, as they did with their rudder pedals? In spite of that, I am satisfied and would definitely recommend it.
  
  
• Well Built
  By A1JBZ635HF1SVO on 2007-12-28
  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.
  
  
• Great joystick
  By A2TGHPOHSRBFNK on 2008-01-03
  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.
  
  

• Microsoft Flight Simulator X Deluxe DVD
• Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight
• IL-2 Sturmovik: 1946
• Microsoft Flight Simulator X Standard DVD
• Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator 3: Battle for Europe