Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One: One-minute assessment
Are you able to consider the Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One has been round for years? The entry-level stick provides the whole lot that you must get began in Microsoft Flight Simulator or one thing extra unique, with a throttle, a cushty stick, and the choice to connect every or preserve them separate.
All the unit is cheaper than many flight sticks you’ll be able to decide up with out an extra throttle, that means you’re getting loads of bulk in your buck, if not bang. The throttle is missing in resistance, and the casing of each halves is fabricated from a comparatively cheap-feeling plastic. Fortunately that does make it light-weight, that means it’s straightforward to haul between desk and couch setups throughout PC and Xbox.
Nonetheless, 14 buttons and 5 axes are greater than sufficient so that you can earn your pilot wings, and extra intermediate options like a tactile hat change and a pleasant, springy set off make it really feel far more complete than rivals at this worth level.
PlayStation players will even must look elsewhere, however the Hotas One will work on PC and present technology Xbox consoles and can go way back to the Xbox One. In case you’ve bought a kind of platforms, the plug-and-play nature makes it straightforward to get began, and the Xbox buttons replicated throughout the unit could make it straightforward to make the soar for historically console-bound flyers.
All of this makes it a beautiful entry-level flight stick that lacks further axes and controls however provides a extra cockpit-adjacent break up throttle and stick type issue that it’s straightforward to really feel impressed by. It’s not getting any youthful, however with Thrustmaster persevering with to re-release it in contemporary colorways (together with a Microsoft Flight Simulator choice), it’s clear the corporate is standing by it as a primary style of flight stick for learners.
Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One: Value and availability
- Checklist worth: $99.99 / £89.99
- Out there in black and Microsoft Flight Simulator choices
- Launched in October 2017
The T-Flight Hotas One has been round for some time (there was a PS3 model at one level, which ought to let you know how lengthy it’s lasted), and this specific mannequin has been getting PC and Xbox players within the air since 2017.
It’s getting more durable to search out the plain black model now, however the Microsoft Flight Simulator model is identical product with a white end, suggesting the stick isn’t going anyplace. That new shade choice is lots brighter and makes the stick look extra trendy.
Regardless, you’ll discover both for below $100 with reductions, making it greater than aggressive with some throttle-less choices just like the Turtle Beach VelocityOne. It’s drastically cheaper than mid-range choices like Logitech’s X56 Hotas RGB, too, and it stays an ideal starter choice due to its worth.
Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One: Specs
| Value | $99.99 / £89.99 |
| Dimensions | 10.43 x 10.39 x 9.53 in / 265 x 264 x 242 mm |
| Weight | 5.73lbs / 2.06kg |
| Compatibility | Xbox Sequence X|S, Xbox One, PC |
| Buttons | 14 |
| Axes | 5 |
| Throttle | Sure |
| Connection | USB-A |
Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One: Design and options
- Ideally suited for desk utilization
- Plastic feels low cost
- Can gather mud on the throttle base
The Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One was the primary official flight stick launched for the Xbox One (a console that launched in 2013), so it’s had some longevity. Nonetheless, its design feels very a lot of its time – it’s comparatively glossy in all black, with some silver accenting and a striped F2 button on the stick.
Nonetheless, it’s very plasticky, which might result in it audibly creaking throughout use – thank goodness it’s not an actual aircraft! On the one hand that’s probably saved the value down, however on the opposite, it feels removed from premium compared to costlier sticks like Thrustmaster’s personal T.16000M FCS Flight Pack.
Whereas buttons will be remapped in your sport of selection inside their particular person settings because the stick is a ‘generic’ choice, I’m happy to see the Xbox buttons represented right here. So many flight sticks cater to PC nearly completely that it’s good to see the face buttons right here, in shade, for simpler recognition. There’s even the Xbox button to name up the Xbox menu on PC or console.
The rubber below the stick helps forestall mud from moving into the mechanism, however the identical can’t be stated of the throttle which has no shielding from mud or the weather beneath – in case you’re utilizing it recurrently that gained’t be an issue, however it’s positively value mentioning that it’s prone to gather mud.
The stick plugs in by way of USB-A, with a breakaway cable that’s perfect in case somebody yanks the cable when you’re enjoying. It calls to thoughts the unique Xbox’s cables, and also you’ll be pleased about it if it stops your console or PC from toppling.
Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One: Efficiency
- Plug and play on console and PC by way of USB-A
- Splitting sections is simple, though cable administration can get fiddly
- Hat change is a pleasant contact
Establishing the T.Flight Hotas One couldn’t be easier – simply plug it in by way of USB-A. Whereas the business is transferring away from it, it lives on right here, so keep in mind you could want a USB-C adapter relying in your port choice.
As soon as it’s plugged in, it simply works, each on console and PC. I loved Elite Harmful on every, and was barrel-rolling and nosediving with reckless abandon inside minutes both at my desk or on the sofa. The stick is responsive, and the Z-axis rudder can be utilized by way of the rocker on the throttle which I discovered to supply extra granular management when itemizing left or proper.
One in all my favourite elements is the hat change, which is available in a four-way model right here. This nifty enter on the highest of the flight stick can act as a D-Pad, letting you do issues like open the touchdown gear in Elite Dangerous with a press. It’ll be exhausting to return to mouse and keyboard or controller, that’s for certain, however naturally eight-way hat switches will double the out there instructions which can be a thumb flick away.
It’s straightforward to take the stick and throttle aside, however the two are linked by a cable. As soon as you place them again collectively, you’ll probably wish to run the wire beneath by way of a trench on the underside, and that may be fiddly in my expertise.
The comparatively low worth of admission will also be felt within the throttle. It’s not unhealthy, it’s simply missing any resistance which makes it really feel much less like a chunk of aerospace tools and extra like a toy. It’s exhausting to flee the sensation that that is the place corners had been minimize, and when pushing to hyperspace in an area sim like Elite Harmful, it feels missing in any meaningly pushback. It is smart at this worth level however it’s value mentioning.
On the flip facet, I’ll say the set off on the stick feels good and snappy, springing again into place in a means that feels good and tactile whereas additionally making certain you’ll be able to line up these laser cannon blasts in one thing like Star Wars: Squadrons and have the set off prepared to fireplace once more nearly immediately.
I’m additionally happy to report the T.Flight Hotas One is nice for Microsoft Flight Simulator, which could be to be anticipated with its formally branded model. The break up design means you’ll be able to place a keyboard in the midst of the throttle and flight stick which then permits for a much wider array of instructions than the T.Flight Hotas One is ready to present due to its decrease button depend.
As I discussed earlier, although, the plastic development may cause the follow creak a bit, and it’s light-weight sufficient that it’s not too tough to unintentionally shift it concerning the desk with comparatively minor effort.
Ought to I purchase the Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One?
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
Additionally think about…
Nonetheless not offered on the T.Flight Hotas One? Right here’s the way it compares to 2 related merchandise.
| Row 0 – Cell 0 | Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One | Turtle Seaside VelocityOne | Thrustmaster Viper TQS Mission Pack |
| Value | $99.99 / £89.99 | $122.99 / £119.99 | $529.99 / £449.99 |
| Dimensions | 10.43 x 10.39 x 9.53 in / 265 x 264 x 242 mm | 6.46 x 8.54 x 9.07 in / 164 x 217 x 230 mm | 9.1 x 11.7 x 10.2 in / 231 x 297 x 259 mm |
| Weight | 5.73lbs / 2.06kg | 1.81lbs / 821g | 7.4lbs / 3.33kg |
| Compatibility | Xbox Sequence X|S, Xbox One, PC | Xbox Sequence X|S, Xbox One, PC | PC |
| Buttons | 14 | 27 | 64 (14 digital buttons) |
| Axes | 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Throttle | Sure | No | Sure |
| Connection | USB-A | USB-C | USB-C |
How I examined the Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One
- Examined over the course of two weeks
- Used each in break up and singular unit modes
- Examined on a number of video games throughout two platforms
I spent round 15 hours enjoying Elite Harmful and Star Wars: Squadrons, each on PC and by way of an Xbox Series X.
I performed every sport for a number of hours, earlier than switching platforms and switching again once more to make sure constant efficiency throughout video games and platforms.
I additionally performed Microsoft Flight Simulator on PC for an extra 5 hours, splitting the Hotas One and utilizing it as one unit to check its consolation in each configurations.
First reviewed November 2024
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