Quality, accuracy and functionality. That is the main difference between this and every other HOTAS under $400. If you want to know why, read on but the short and sweet is, if you want the best HOTAS that gives you 6 degrees of movement under $400 this is it. You can buy the Thrustmaster Warthog and a set of high quality pedals for over $400 but the jump in price doesn’t justify the difference you get IMO but you could go that route.

Now as to how we got here, Star Citizen and Elite Dangerous and DCS have revived the market for these HOTAS setups. For the longest time there weren’t any new HOTAS setups on the market because there were no games to warrant the investment by the companies that make them. This has all changed and this is the first HOTAS setup developed from the ground up for the games people want them for. The joystick is a redesign of the T.16000 that has been available but that didn’t need changing at all, while the throttle is all new and thoroughly thought out. The built quality is excellent and the size is appropriate so it can fit on your desk along with your mouse and keyboard. The weight distribution is spot on so it stays put while you’re playing and everything is pinpoint accurate. I used a X52 an X52 Pro and own a X55, they are ALL overpriced right now. If you were looking at them a year ago, they were all AT LEAST $50 cheaper than what they are now and they were overpriced THEN for the products you get. Saitek just jacked up the prices because people were starting to buy them. I put CH products in this category as well after seeing a teardown of their HOTAS; it’s higher quality than Saitek but still overpriced. With Thrustmaster you’re getting what you pay for. Bottom line, under $400 there is no competition for the quality, accuracy and functionally you get with this HOTAS.