Saitek Aviator Joystick (Xbox 360/PC)

Very nice Flightsitck for XBox 360. Quite fortunate to have found it here in very good used condition. I have tried before this stick, the Flight Stick EX2 for XBox 360 and it did work well, there was and hardware issue, and the Flight Stick EX2 was not well recognize by Hawx 1 & 2. Hence I was obliged to send it back to Amazon. No issue on the contrary with Saitek Aviator Joystick. Compatibility is optimum with game like Hawx 1 & 2, Air Combat 6. This Saitek Aviator Joystick is recognize natively by those games. Flight control and the stick is precise, and air combat is much easy and fun with it than with the standard XBox 360 controller. For people like me who enjoy flight simulators, on the XBox 360 the Saitek Aviator Joystick is a must have :-)

When I received my order from Amazon I had a slight suspicion that I had been sent a returned unit. The reason is that the box was not sealed and the lead was wrapped up in an untidy fashion. Also there was no manual or disk of any sort. However, the joystick was still fixed to the packaging with a massive nylon tie-lock so I gave Amazon the benefit of the doubt. However, my suspicion has grown when I have found that there is a manual available online and this is needed to explain some of the features, such as the Mode switch. So looking like I was sent a 'used' model. The manual describes a wrist support and how to fit it - there was no wrist support in my box, adding to the theory that I was sent a 'used' unit. I also found on the Saitek website that there are software drivers and application software needed for PC use. No software was provided with my joystick, further adding to the theory that I was sent a 'used' unit. Onto the joystick itself. After some random fumbling with the Mode switch (no manual remember) I got it working with IL-2 on the XBox and was at first pleasently surprised. Having the throttle is excellent as I found I was accidentally adjusting the throttle when I used the normal gamepad. The stick itself seemed more natural. But then as I tried to line up on an enemy aircraft I spotted a massive flaw. The deadband is huge - that is you have to move the stick a long way from centre before anything happens. This means fine adjustments are very difficult and I find myself continually overshooting where I am trying to place my crosshairs and when I try to correct I overshoot the other way. I find the fine control needed to shoot down an evading enemy is much easier with a normal gamepad. So if it weren't for the deadband I would have given it 5 stars, even with the suspicion that I have receiced a 'used' unit which is missing some bits. As it is I'm considering returning it to Amazon as incomplete and unfit.

I am surprised by the amount of bad reviews have gone around about this joystick, as it works perfectly with all my flight sims. All the controls are in the right places, HOWEVER, the fact that you have to download drivers off the internet (Which can be a real headache!) and the wrist support is to low, either that or it was designed for an adult's hands. Despite those two mishaps, it is an excellent piece of tech. A well deserved 5 stars.m

This is an excellent great value joystick that works great with the pc and even better with the xbox 360. I recemmend this to anyone whose after a great value joystick that does it all. i'd also recommend purchasing Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight (PC CD)

Bought this when it first came out, unboxed it felt solidly built and I liked the fact I could use it for FSX and Hawx 1 but there's just so many things wrong with it. The first being the pathetic attempt of supplying a base for the stick that the buyer has to glue together (rather than it being factory assembled?) and just never bothered with it. Then 3 of the buttons and both the throttle controls never worked. I was extremely dissapointed with the throttle not working as that meant reassigning one of the poxy buttons to do the job, I tried for ages to get them working. I can do without a few buttons but not the throttle adjusters. Worst of all was 4 months after I got it, with even only occasional use the joystick it STOPPED working!!!!!!!!!!! I have purchased hundreds of items off amazon down the years this is the first and only one i'd give anything less than 3.5 stars. A gadget magazine had this as a top gadget. How they should eat their words! I want to buy the flight yoke they make the thing that's stopping me is the fact i've been put off from buying anything made by Saitek for life. Previously to this stick I had a Microsoft Sidewinder. Very good especially when mine was made in 2000 lasted almost 9 years. The only thing the Saitek does better is big dual throttle controls but when they don't even work they count for naff all!. The Sidewinder is the way to build a joystick. This sadly isn't and I very much regret ever buying the piece of rubbish. I've not had a joystick since and i've reverted to just the keyboard! :( . Be warned, I say again do not buy. When products are given bad reviews on the majority I give them the benefit of the doubt, try them out and wonder what the faults where so I'm very optimistic when it comes to most products. This however let me down like never before.

As this is the only affordable joystick I've found compatible with the xbox 360(At present Winter/Spring 2010) then there ain't much competition at the moment.Not as comfortable as my old Saitek Cyborg Gold for the PC and not as well built as previous products. Has a "toyish" feel to it. Becomes uncomfortable to use if you're dog fighting using hard twists on the rudder. Actual use and button layout on the rear panel bizarre and annoying as you have to look down to make sure you hit or move the right switch.Does not fully replicate the normal xbox controller in some games but is better than no joystick at all but only just !!!! Although it feels light weight it is reasonably robust,but the main trigger switch feels sloppy and "roams" around loosely a bit in its mount,and not very positive in it's action.The hat switch on top of the joystick feels delicate,but works really well when you're looking around.The throttle control is at the front,not at the sides with a moveable side lever to left or right,so strange and uncomfortable operating position! Havn't tried it on a PC so dont know if it works on that platform.Dead spot on the joystick movement bearable,but only just,and once you do get used to it you will find it is hard to fine adjust aiming for long range shots.So unless you've got £250.00 quid for a Hotas system then get this. In the competition in this market of no others what can I say.Not as good as my old Cyborg stick,don't know if it will stand up against kids use either,I have my doubts!But if,like me you find the xbox controller fiddly to use on flight games get this. Not impressive,but adequate.Could have less dead zone on joystick,a little more play in the rudder as it engages virtually immediately,unlike the stick.Vibration mode feedback for near stalls,G forces and damage hits would have been helpful,but,sadly lacking.Also you cannot plug a normal xbox headset into the back of the controller and I found the connector loose fitting on the 2 headsets I tried.Very disappointing compared to previous Saitek joysticks.No adjustment for the wrist rest,or angle adjustment for the control switches on top of the stick unlike previous Saitek products. Value for money?Possibly,but it has no other competition.If another stick came out in the price range of £40 to £50 pounds I would more than likely try it as the Aviator lacks "substance".Though it works reasonably well,jack of all trades,master of none I think would some it up! Think Saitek have let the quality control go out the window as most people have problems of some sort with this product. Shame really as it could have been good.

grandson has problems with manual dexterity in the left hand,this will be fantastic for him to play xbox with his brother as conventional controllers are to difficult for him

good value for money, if you don't mind unstable neutral position. If you just leave the handle, the plane in the game moves to the side. You must correct the course all teh time. You may call it realistic.

This is the best deal online for a flightstick. I bought for use with my xbox 360 flight games and works perfect right from the box. plug it in turn on game and it works perfect. Has two setting for different games that use different buttons. Love it. It is great. Everyone who has played said it makes them want to go out and buy right now. Makes your flying game a thousand times better. Dont spend more on a different stick (it wont be as good and this one) Hope this help you choose. twstdrob

Dieser Joystick ist relativ billig gefertigt, tut jedoch seinen Zweck. Wer Logitech-zubehör gewöhnt ist, der wird hier sicherlich zunächst enttäuscht sein. Leider gibt es keine mir bekannte Alternative zu diesem Analog-joystick für die X-Box 360. Als Bonus funktioniert der Stick zudem auch noch unter Windows. Wer dringend einen Flightstick für die X-box 360 sucht, kann ruhig zugreifen.

Compatibilidad total con el Pc y con la Xbox. Muy resistente, ya llevo un año usándolo y funciona a la perfección.

Fa il suo ottimo

Der Joystick ist für die auf der X-Box erhältlichen Flugspiele sehr gut. Für Autorennspiele ist er bedingt brauchbar, für Shootergames ist er leider nicht zu gebrauchen. Für alle, die wie ich mit dem Gamepad nicht so gut zurechtkommen, leider keine Alternative.