Buy it here Saitek Pro Flight Yoke with Three-Lever Throttle for $117.91
Product
Precision. Realism. Control. The Saitek Pro Flight Yoke System is highly developed, to the high demands of the true flight simulation enthusiast. Stainless steel shaft, ergonomic controls, integrated chronograph and separate throttle quadrant ensure a smooth, accurate and totally realistic flying experience. Features: Durable stainless steel shaft with precision bearings gives smooth and predictable elevator and aileron, used with the supplied SST Pr. . more>>
- POV Hat, 14 button controls, and 3-position mode switch
- Stainless steel yoke shaft and 2-position clamp
- Comes with separate three axis lever throttle
- Integrated 3-port USB 2.0 Hub
- XP, Vista and Windows 7 compatible
This product can be bought at Amazon for $117.91 -> here is the link: Saitek Pro Flight Yoke with Three-Lever Throttle
Things just went too smooth and totally trouble-free, which should have indicated that this alone was not a good omen! Basically I went from the CH Products yoke, throttle-and quad-CH pedals on the Saitek system and even bought an extra SAITEK throttle quad then have ‘6 ‘programmable axis levers and additional buttons to program. So it is, and one of the biggies, at least for me and my sim flying, SAITEK yoke uses a pitch pipe for the METAL yoke pitch control and the CH yoke and a plastic shaft and yoke so subtle movement used in bonding Unlike “no matter what I put on the lubricant plastic shaft, so I switched to SAITEK and the metal shaft pitch stock. Excellent!
And then. . . come into O’Hare and I hear the voice Panel Jet start the “500 top”. . . “400 up”. . . suddenly out of nothing comes out of the airplane that I fly “Landing Gear Up was Please!” . . . Say what? You guessed it, press the “random phantom key” problem! SAITEK admitted on their own forum that this was a SAITEK yoke manufacturing defect issue [Forum and see that Amazon user comments right here!]. They are to fly along, but when the yoke [or straight for that matter!], Things begin to happen on their own! Therefore, press the name “phantom key”! The chassis is made of up and down by themselves or go into the hat rule enabled aircraft views go cycle starts itself without any user input whatsoever! A defect decided! Worse, some say SAITEK yoke are affected, others may not! That really helps, right? Sure!
Anyway, I now have to wait until December 2007, for a replacement yoke and I have 30 days to the defect article on a printed postage return label to return Amazon. I was also the option to wait for the replacement item or cancel the order given. I will wait because the yoke and its separated 3 lever throttle quadrant is recorded very beautiful! The problem is, the phantom key press issue is an important aspect, because practically everything can be enabled or disabled by itelf! It’s like an invisible hand accidentally pressing keys on your keyboard and the simulation acts accordingly
But I’ll still be there I like the metal tube stock to make the pitch to wait even, the look of the thing, the on-board three USB slots, although the associated gas lever 3 uses a sub-mini pin plug, the yoke warned, because one purchased separately and is therefore “use of self” is identical to the 3 lever quadrant gas SAITEK USB plug. Were it not for the phantom key press issue that I [the whole system I have the yoke and separate throttle quadrant, a second Throttle Quadrant Saitek pedals and the like "10"] would have been assessed, although stars 5 stars allows max is. Hopefully, this phantom key press issue SAITEK defect to be corrected work in a new series. I hope so!
Doc Tony
UPDATE! A lost cause! arrived a “replacement” unit and had press the same “phantom key” problem! Identical! Wheels up and down by itself, drive times wheel, knee diving board up, everything happens at random and make the Saitek yoke / throttle worthless! This is a major defect in this article, and every single user, without exception, Amazon has not commented on it! Every single one! Read it for yourself!
This is not the fault of Amazon, but a failure of the Saitek people to remember and to correct a major deficiency of this product! This time I got the replacement for a refund, and I will continue my CH Products yoke stick / throttle combination up Saitek can get their act together and yoke! Amazon has in this matter, can not ask better, but they will have a defective product with known serious issues and problems, Saitek or their dealers do not sell been corrected!
Quick clue! You will know almost immediately if you have a defective Saitek yoke – if the flight sim have loads up and you’re off on the runway ready for take, press the preset button on the yoke brake and if you notice a sudden change of view from the cockpit, where you will always return to the cockpit-view cycle, you have to press a defective “phantom key” yoke. It then goes further downhill from there with random commands on its own initiative without assistance eqaully random! ZERO stars now! By a defective product engineering! Read right here at Amazon, say the users themselves! Consistent and so consistently for the same problem!
Doc Tony
Anthony J. Lomenzo
April 2nd, 2010
Now I am doing some research on this yoke, and discovered that Sietek has resolved the phantom keystroke problem. New devices are on replacing all U.S. distributor Shipping. If you have a defective unit, per Sietek help pass on the forum, the owner for the return to 310-972-9930 are / replacement instructions call. I myself am a fine, but I’m not sure if Amozon the new units has not. Sietec refused a current serial number of the defective lot of post, but one person said in the forum, he did his work properly and SZ005111624 with a serial number. This person with a “good” equipment purchased by his Newegg in CA.
Now I will give up my order and I am now an update when I get up and running post. < , br />
UPDATE: I received the yoke and pedals, three days ago, and after an hour or so the configuration of the equipment I brought him fired. The SN # 00492657 I got a call to tech support assured me that I have a device that had a button phathom have solved problem.
I spent a total of 20 hours flying around in several single-engine planes whith contain ceasna’s all the way up to the heavy 747th I was not able to have any problems with my yoke FIND. I was very satisfied with the quality and performance impressed. I took a gamble, but in my case I think it was worth it. Wonder
but also for everyone if this yoke works with a Mac, do not worry. I hooked the yoke run up to my Mac and am XPlane Ver. 9th The drivers were not required, it was just plug n play. XPlane recognized the yoke and throttles with no problem. It was very easy to use program.
I hope this helps.
S. Kuprianczyk
April 2nd, 2010
Purchased the yoke, throttle and additional pedals. Pitch-axis is a little too closely, but other than that, very well constructed and studied piece of hardware. The clock makes timed approaches and holds eaiser, and the flowing movements of the Pitch / Roll-axis to hand fly approaches a lot of fun. Indeed. .
The unit I received the same phantom keystrokes experienced that others have reported. This behavior is by Saitek support recognized, and they show that it only affects some units and are not issuing a full recall. Phantom key presses quite annoying (ie get their own gear when on a 1 / 4 mile final). I have the “fix” that for some (using a PCI USB card seems to work) tried, without success.
A is recorded very positive support to Amazon. I just e-mail asking if I should work directly with Saitek USA or Amazon for a replacement (since it is a problem detected Saitek) is nothing but an e-mail question. The result was an email from Amazon told me that they sending a replacement unit to me over night with instructions to send back my device is defective.
My only concern now is that since the bulk units have been sent to Amazon, that the replacement yoke will have the same problem. Its likely that Amazon bought in bulk, if the problem only affects certain serial number blocks, chances are that need to be replaced, the same problem (have a friend who bought the same yoke on the same day, from different suppliers, which this problem have not). If this is the case, I will either just return for a refund from Amazon or directly with Exchange Saitek (if they get more in stock).
Other than the Phantom of the nuclear issue , excellent product!
D. J. Everette
April 3rd, 2010
First unit exhibited Phantom button selection and was unusable. The Saitek website was not helpful, and I was told to unity for their replacement by tech rep back.
Return and replacement dispatches from Amazon went very smoothly. Good work there.
Second Unit had similar problems, such as x-and y-axis signal spikes that made it impossible to control. Returned second unit for refund.
If you go to Saitek site as I have tried and move on forums, I could not to the “good stuff” until I register on the forum. Such a casual look reveals no complaints, and a determined investigation shows very few favorable users and a worldwide group of dissatisfied users.
A very troubling comment included photos of the interior of the yoke itself. Poor execution has been in high evidence.
The yoke felt much better than the CH yoke, and I liked the position of the controls, but it did not work. Hopefully Saitek will get the quality control problems solved and the thing is available.
George Stevens
April 3rd, 2010
Okay, I admit, I was initially on the number of reviews and articles I had read, put reference to the infamous “phantom key” problem, that’s changing intermitantly, gear up and down, etc. go without user input.
Although I believe CH Products make great flight controllers and I use the CH Pro Pedals, Pro Gas, and F-16 fighter, I stick larger, the Saitek Yoke’s separate throttle, smooth metal shaft and multi- Fashion capabilities was dressed.
with some trepidation I bought the device under the condition that I should return it hassle I have a ‘defective instrument’. Sure enough, within ten minutes of setting and testing of IT he has been in both FS9 and FSX my views randomly changing from once per minute up to once every few seconds! I have tried deleting the keys and reprogramming them fuction in FS and turning the USB power management in Windows hardware manager but the problem remained. Determined to get it working (as I was immediately aware of the look, feel and movement of the yoke and gas) I have impressed a bit of research and discovered that only through the download and install the latest versions of Pete Dowson’s FSUIPC dll’s for the FSX and FS9 the phantom key press issue was resolved. Because many MS Flight Simmer’s may or not may be aware, Pete’s FSUIPC is installed into the modules folder in the FS directories and tweaks / improves input, clouds, weather and many interfaces 3rd party addon’s with MSFS. FSUIPC can be found at www. schiratti. com / Dowson. html I am currently using v. 4 FSUIPC4 2nd 0th 0 for FSX and FSUIPC v. 3783 (beta) in FS2004 under XP SP2.
Where the problem has arisen I can not be sure, but is a shame that an otherwise excellent product has had his good name and most likely sales of this unfortunate problem, that have experienced the majority of users seem clouded. Without the frustration of the phantom keys issue this yoke a great product and a pleasure to use.
Paul J. Dargie
April 3rd, 2010