'Portable' HOTAS suggestions

[smartroad]

I am going to be starting a new job next week and will be travelling a lot. I don't want to give up ED in the eves etc so was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for a portable HOTAS that I can take with me. I'll be driving so no need to worry about getting through airports unscathed

[JustSomeGuy]

Well.. Xbox one controller is very portable, but then again it's not a HOTAS.

[thebs]

I am going to be starting a new job next week and will be travelling a lot. I don't want to give up ED in the eves etc so was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for a portable HOTAS that I can take with me. I'll be driving so no need to worry about getting through airports unscathed

Take your HOTAS to the local department store, hit housewares and pick out a plastic tote box where each unit fits perfectly inside. Or if you don't want to take your HOTAS into the store, just buy several sizes, and return the ones that you don't need.

Typically these are going to be your tall, 18-30 litre (~quart, in US customary) volume units.

► Show Spoiler

My local Target and Walmart had some Hefty units that were better and cheaper than the typical Rubbermaid and Sterilite, while all were Made in USA. They adverstised themselves as having water resistant tops, basically anything but well submerged.

I used to put my entire Thrustmaster Hotas X in one unit, and now I use 2 separate units for my Saitek X55.

As a bonus, I usually put in my headphones (w/my DelanClip mounted) around my stick unit, my PS3 Eye camera and various cables in the same tote. I even put a keyboard, at an agle, with my mice, in with my throttle, as it was tall enough. I basically put anything in there that won't hurt the HOTAS, which is usually cables and maybe a few, small devices.

Oh, BTW, my 7x9x11" (180x210x280mm) SilverStone SG05 Mini-ITX system fits in the same size totes, and only fills the bottom half (only 7"/180mm tall), so I can usually put the throttle in the same one). I do remove the WiFi atennae, but that's it.

[Darr Valen]

My x52 is already what I'd consider as "portable". It requires no power wires, and is small enough to fit in most CPAP sized carry bags.

If you're going to be driving anyway, just get a proper HOTAS, and maybe find a hard shell travel case.

If you're worried about potentially breaking it, just get a cheapo Thrustmaster T.Flight. They're only $40-50 new.

Alternatively, you could always buy 2 older joysticks, and do a dual joystick setup. Both of those would take up very little space.

At the end of the day, you are driving after all, and a normal hotas with a carry case isn't that much space.. it could fit in the read floorboards of most cars with ease.

P.S. get a cheap HOTAS over a controller.. just my two cents on that.

[pargyrak]

I am facing the same issue and I am thinking of trying the Microsoft sidewinder 2 FF that I still have. A bit heavy but it is more portable than my X 52

[Xebeth]

Not tried it myself but Cyborg F.L.Y 5 look quite funky.

The base folds up into itself, has a throttle, yaw twist and 12 buttons.

[smartroad]

Not tried it myself but Cyborg F.L.Y 5 look quite funky.

The base folds up into itself, has a throttle, yaw twist and 12 buttons.

oooo me likey!

Cheers guys, i have an X55 but it is just a little to bulky to be easy to transport lol

[JustSomeGuy]

P.S. get a cheap HOTAS over a controller.. just my two cents on that.

Hehe I do want a HOTAS, but I would like it to be Warthog. It's pricey and could use pedals too for yaw which means even more money spent, but I understand that the thing is built like a tank and I'd like my stick to feel good and have some weight on it so it won't slide all over the table.

I'm afraid that the cheaper ones feel like toys too much and won't stay on one place on the table. And I've heard about some software issues. And if I'm not happy with it, then it's all wasted money which I could have put into the Warthog..

If I had a place to go where I could have my hands on them, it would help a lot, but I don't so I pretty much have to aim for the top model to begin with. That brings me to another worry.. What if after a few weeks I'm not interested in Elite anymore, then I have a very expensive HOTAS sitting on my desk for nothing, as at the moment I can't think of another game I play that could use it.

I need to buy a lottery ticket

[Xebeth]

P.S. get a cheap HOTAS over a controller.. just my two cents on that.

Hehe I do want a HOTAS, but I would like it to be Warthog. It's pricey and could use pedals too for yaw which means even more money spent, but I understand that the thing is built like a tank and I'd like my stick to feel good and have some weight on it so it won't slide all over the table.

I'm afraid that the cheaper ones feel like toys too much and won't stay on one place on the table. And I've heard about some software issues. And if I'm not happy with it, then it's all wasted money which I could have put into the Warthog..

If I had a place to go where I could have my hands on them, it would help a lot, but I don't so I pretty much have to aim for the top model to begin with. That brings me to another worry.. What if after a few weeks I'm not interested in Elite anymore, then I have a very expensive HOTAS sitting on my desk for nothing, as at the moment I can't think of another game I play that could use it.

I need to buy a lottery ticket

You'd be surprised, even a cheep one like the T-Flight HOTAS X brings a whole new feel to the game.

[Loriath]

Not tried it myself but Cyborg F.L.Y 5 look quite funky.

The base folds up into itself, has a throttle, yaw twist and 12 buttons.

oooo me likey!

Cheers guys, i have an X55 but it is just a little to bulky to be easy to transport lol

Don't. Had one for one day. Returned it because the buttons at the top popped off. Replacement did the same. It's replacement didn't even last in the salesmans hands as he tested it in the store before I said "Refund Please". Horrid quality.

Thrustmaster T-Flight Hotas X. About the same price and 4000 times better quality. It can be used together or the throttle/stick separated. Little bulkier but SO much better. Built for the Long Run. Insonia (I think thats how you spell it) the FA Off Guru uses it. I used it till I tossed it off my table and broke it. (It fell when I got wrapped up in the cord and zoom it went, I didn't really toss it) It bounced around down the hallway and died. That was after a Year of Beating on it in Warthunder, CLoD and DCS World.