Tuesday, November 17, 2009
A versatile, modular quadrant
by Robert from Lake Stevens WA USA
Review: I now own 3 of these quadrants: one came with my Saitek ProFlight yoke and the two others were bought new, separately. The affordability is the big attractor: not only do you get the quadrant, but screws, knobs, more than you'd initially expect; when combined with another quadrant, the modular aspect shines through. Furthering the versatility factor is the amount of programmable rocker switches on the face (3 each). All these are the pros. There's only one con: the resistance values of the trimpots inside change with time and usage, faster than appreciated. On receiving my 2nd quadrant, it was startling to notice that in spite of common setting of knobs between the two quadrants, the values on the Sim program were noticeably different. I ordered the third one and paired it with the second one for twin engine operation; the original quadrant does duty for singles. Saitek should really use better, more durable trimpots.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Good, but not durable
by A Customer from Seattle WA USA
Pros: Great tactile and ergonomical feel, extra buttons
Cons: Trimpots inside are absolutely horrible
Review: Saitek has been an innovator in the Flight Simulator peripheral world for us Average Joes who can't make the proud claim of being "middle-class"; the products are affordable and, for the better part, very good. After two years with my first Saitek Throttle Quadrant which came with my yoke (there's no difference between yoke throttles and separate ones, other than plug), I'm rather disappointed. Sure, the product feels great and looks attractive and the buttons are a small miracle in themselves, but after you've used it a few months, things get a little...strange: virtual knobs start to spike, you nudge the throttle and suddenly you're lurching at takeoff setting, bump it up a little more, it returns to normal. Weird. I disassembled mine and found 3 of the cheapest proprietary trimpots ever made. I disassembled them fully, cleaned them with contact cleaner and a soft toothbrush and it helped...a little. My electronic engineer friends told me that these pots were not intended for this type of activity...and "good luck". Ominous... To go from single to twin required the purchase of two new throttle quadrants; don't try to pair a new quadrant with an old one, you'll see why. My thoughts: we live in a progressively greener world, and if we're going to continue in that endeavour, then corporations need to stop their just-toss-it-and-buy-a-new-one mentality. They should use better, more durable pots. This doesn't cut it. It's sad to see so many companies reveling in profits from new- and return-customer-sales when their questionable products are ending up in landfills. Bad form on this one, Saitek!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
More use's than expected
by Jettech from Rosemount, MN
Pros: Easy set up
Cons: None
Review: I bought the throttle with the sole intent of using it for Multi engine Aircraft, but found that I could improve single engine play to a degree that I had not expected. The extra levers gave me control of elevator trim and flaps without the need to program them into a button on the yoke. I still maintain a trim button on the yoke for fine tuning but the lever helps with rapid changes that I can feel.
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