Honeycomb Aeronautical Alpha Flight Controls Yoke & Switch Panel in aviation quality for flight simulators | Universal control system for simmers, student pilots and pilots | Flight simulator for PC

Pros:- Full 180 degree motion- Smooth operation- No discernable dead zone around centre of axis- Good amount of resistance in the springs creating a more 'natural' feel than the Logitech alternative- Good selection of switches on the yoke- Easy to operate, robust desk clamps- Comfortable feel to yoke- Price- More products in the range to follow (at time of writing this includes a throttle quadrant and mouse mat)Neutrals:- I don't use the switches on the main box. They don't match up to the specific add ons I use. Whilst not a problem and the switches can be safely ignored if you so chose, there will have been a manufacturing cost passed on to the consumer that feels (to me) unnecessary.- The red back light is a matter of taste. The intensity can be changed by pressing a small button to the rear of the unit, which includes the ability to switch off altogether.- Switch labels are printed clearly but are not back lit.Cons- As a new product to market, durability is unknown (I have no specific concerns, though)Verdict- Strongly recommended. As a relative newcomer to the market it is not known how durable these units are. The build quality "feels" very good and is a significant improvement on the Logitech (formerly Saitek) offering. The honeycomb yoke succeeds where Logitech has failed to improve upon the limitations of the Saitek pro flight yoke: whereupon the honeycomb yoke is smooth and expressive to operate, the Logitech has a tendency for signal spikes and false readings (especially if no dead zone is set - which in itself can be undesirable), limited motion and noticeable detent around the centre point - much of which worsen over time.

As a pilot, I have tried out a number of different yokes now to get my simulator set up as real to life as possible. Having been through an array of them, including some top end professional powered products, I have to say the Honeycomb yoke really is hitting the marks in terms of quality, feel, ease of setup and value for money.For real pilots - it should be said that it is not exactly true to life in terms of sensitivity and feedback but it is as close as you will get. For the money, it is top value - simple to set up, additional peripheral buttons which really come in handy for mapping through to cockpit resources, and combined with the Honeycomb Throttle quadrant also, I do not really think you could find better.I am looking forward to the release of the Honeycomb rudder pedals to complete the pack. Really cannot rate it highly enough!

After using the Logitech equivalent for a while I decided to fork out on this and the throttle quadrant. While this set is four times the price of the other, here’s four reasons to buy it:1. The Honeycomb comes with tons of extra stuff like switches for lights, general switches, an ignition switch, flaps and gear levers, differential throttle controls and a whole autopilot system. So the Logitech equivalent is really half the price if you purchase those extra bits.2. The build quality of the Honeycomb stuff is in a different world. Heavy, beautifully finished plastic casing, resistant buttons and switches, adjustable resistance in the quadrant levers, and that’s not to mention the yoke itself. The Logitech one is comparably useless for smooth control because of the big dead zone and detent in the middle of it. Pitching up or down is always a jerky affair, and the shaft scrapes in a way you can feel, and it scrapes more when you put any weight on it. One handed use of the Logitech is a fine art. The Honeycomb is so smooth you feel like you’re flying with telepathy, and despite the disturbingly thin shaft it’s very strong.3. The Honeycomb set comes with a most amazing suction cup fixing and for someone like me who is on the taller side, the absence of clamps has drastically reduced pain and bruising in my poor legs. The clamps provided are metal and mean serious business, but the suction cup is so effective and easy to reposition that I honestly can’t fathom why you’d use them. The Logitech comes with a raggedy edged plastic clamp that once quite literally sliced off a chunk of my thumb.4. You can get it on tick.

I bought this before complimenting it with the Bravo throttle quadrant (purchased separately locally) and have no complaints about quality. It's a world away from the Logitech.Configuration is not ideal but considerably easier than the throttle quadrant. Switches, although appropriate, are on/off and not flexible or suitable for toggle controls. No annoying detent to speak of, steel shaft, easy and versatile mounting and of high quality finish.I tried 3 other yokes and this Alpha was the best. As a former RAF pilot, I dont agree with others that the elevator tension is too strong; rather that the aileron tension is not strong enough.Overall, good value and probably the best consumer yoke at this price point. It's nearest competitor is nearly £1k.No complaints about quality or value for money.