Our Verdict
Thrustmaster has delivered the last word joystick expertise with the SOL-R 1 Flightstick. Splendidly balanced, with a robust construct high quality, and good on the eyes, the SOL-R 1 is nice for skilled players and people new to flight or area sims. The SOL-R 2 HOSAS setup is sadly held again by compatibility and its value, however continues to be an awesome 6DOF setup for many who crave greater than what a single joystick can supply.
- Nice construct high quality
- Simple to assemble and retailer
- Excessive variety of inputs + throttle
- H.E.A.R.T know-how is nice for motion accuracy
- Compatibility throughout vary of Thrustmaster merchandise
- Value of SOL-R 2 HOSAS is excessive
- Organising preliminary key bindings is awkward
The Thrustmaster SOL-R Flightstick takes the idea of a cumbersome, desk-invading HOTAS setup and reduces the required area massively, and it does this with out main compromise. You continue to have throttle controls, 44 whole inputs, and a Corridor Impact joystick, however relatively than needing two separate items or one overly huge contraption, it’s all contained inside a 196mm x 196mm sq. that sits comfortably even on probably the most crowded of desks.
The Thrustmaster SOL-R 1 Flightstick is among the many finest PC controllers for flight and area sims, regardless that it’s not restricted to only these genres. As an remoted unit, I’ve had extra enjoyable and a greater total in-game expertise when utilizing the SOL-R in comparison with some other joystick, HOTAS (Hand On Throttle and Stick), or HOSAS (Hand On Stick and Stick aka twin joystick) system.
Design and options
The SOL-R Flightstick is an all-in-one joystick and thrust system the place relatively than spreading out controls throughout a HOSAS controller, every little thing might be accessed in a single far more condensed space. Preferrred for players who’re tight on area, the SOL-R 1 Flightstick brings all of the added immersion {that a} HOTAS system does but additionally brings with it a way more easy structure that’s simple to study and grasp.
From a consolation perspective, the SOL-R joystick suits naturally within the hand and doesn’t grow to be strenuous to make use of even over lengthy gaming classes. All inputs on the joystick are reachable with the hand you utilize to grip it, so there’s no want to fret about overstretching and by chance steering your self off target.
As an added further, you may double up on SOL-R flightsticks utilizing the SOL-R 2 in a HOSAS configuration, spreading out your inputs throughout two items and sharing your flight controls between two joysticks.
Thrustmaster isn’t attempting to reinvent the wheel with the SOL-R joystick design. Nothing about how this joystick and base is introduced is unnecessarily sophisticated and each enter is clearly marked with out ruining the robust two-tone design. The position of inputs can be sequential, which means you received’t must memorize the structure past which manner the numbers movement, making it simple to regulate to this stick in the event you’re shifting over from one other flight deck system.
Delicate blue lighting pops to life when the SOL-R is plugged in, and it completely enhances the black-and-white design of the stick and base. There are 11 whole lighting zones on the SOL-R, all of which might be custom-made utilizing Thrustmaster Goal software program. The one different shade on the SOL-R sticks is the burnt orange inputs, numbered 35 and 39, located just under the 2 eight-way hat switches, and the first set off on the rear of the joystick.
Talking of inputs, there are 21 motion buttons, two triggers, two hat switches, one mini-stick, a thrust, and one thumbwheel per SOL-R unit. The joystick itself makes use of H.E.A.R.T, Thrustmaster’s proprietary Corridor Impact AccuRate Know-how throughout all axes. This implies there’s nearly no probability that stick drift ever turns into a difficulty, and the standard deadzone of motion might be eliminated, which means the joystick is way extra responsive.
Every SOL-R joystick will also be tailored, utilizing included parts, to be ambidextrous. For extra consolation, wrist and thumb rests are included and might be added to every joystick.
On the underside of every unit is a path swap, permitting you to set every unit so it may be acknowledged as a left or right-sided gadget. There are additionally some screw threads right here, must you want to connect the SOL-R to your desktop utilizing a mounting system.
The SOL-R Flightsticks are additionally plug-and-play, which means no further software program is required to get them working in-game however you may obtain the Thrustmaster Goal software program to entry a deeper degree of customization and even group management profiles. There are firmware updates obtainable on the Thrustmaster web site to maintain the sticks updated, too. Updating them is a straightforward course of that simply contains loading the firmware file, plugging in every flight stick individually, and ready for the replace to be confirmed.
Efficiency
Thrustmaster nails the efficiency side of the SOL-R Flightsticks, with the plug-and-play nature getting you into the gameplay shortly and default key bindings making a whole lot of sense throughout the video games that I attempted. Granted, there have been just a few adjustments wanted in Elite Harmful the place the sport failed to select up the triggers because the default weapon inputs, however this was a fast sufficient repair.
The joystick is tremendous responsive, because of the Corridor Impact know-how which removes the necessity for any motion deadzone and permits for even the smallest of changes to be registered in-game. I discovered this to be preferrred in high-octane flight fight video games akin to Star Wars Squadrons or Battle Thunder.
Talking of aerial fight video games, I used to be initially involved that the comparatively mild weight of the SOL-R would imply it might slide round on my desk within the warmth of battle as I’m making sudden changes, however this wasn’t the case. Solely 4 small rubber pads sit on the underside of the SOL-R, however these are greater than sufficient to create a robust bond to my desk or mouse pad so the unit by no means shifts throughout gameplay. When you do end up scuffling with protecting the SOL-R in a single place, 4 further pads are included for every base that clip into the corners for further grip.
Sim video games akin to Elite Harmful or Microsoft Flight Sim are the place the SOL-R has a complete shines although, because the 44 inputs per unit are sufficient to comfortably arrange a management profile that requires minimal to no keyboard utilization, particularly when utilizing the SOL-R 2 setup for video games that assist 6DOF (six levels of freedom) motion.
That being mentioned, the time required to arrange a twin joystick management profile is intimidating and fairly a secular job, however it might solely should be accomplished as soon as for every sport. Utilizing twin joysticks isn’t a massively frequent method to 6DOF video games, no less than in comparison with HOTAS, however there are those that want to unfold management of a ship or airplane throughout two joysticks to keep away from probably awkward wrist maneuvers when navigating a number of axes on the identical time.
An enormous benefit of utilizing the SOL-R in a twin joystick setup, nonetheless, is the doubling of inputs, successfully elevating your whole to 88, and after a while spend managing inputs in Thrustmaster Goal, chances are you’ll end up without having to have a keyboard on standby.
Nonetheless, it’s a disgrace that there isn’t presently any built-in recognition for the SOL-R 1 or 2 setup, which might make leaping into video games a lot simpler for players who’re new to utilizing joystick controls. Over time, group profiles will most likely be obtainable to add into Thrustmaster’s Goal software program, however the preliminary launch window may be fairly robust to navigate till these can be found.
The closest comparability I could make for the SOL-R is to the Turtle Seaside VelocityOne Flight Deck, which is a HOTAS system, that equally locations an enormous concentrate on responsive joystick controls, provides a wealth of inputs, and is accessible sufficient to put on nearly any desktop.
Nevertheless, the SOL-R is in the end in a category of its personal proper now as a result of there are so few merchandise prefer it. I’m not offered on HOSAS but, however the SOL-R 1 Flightstick is well my favourite strategy to play flight sim or fight video games now because of its tremendous responsive joystick and wealth of inputs contained multi function, easy-to-use controller.
As a footnote, the person joystick and base parts that make up every SOL-R unit are suitable with the remainder of the Thrustmaster ecosystem, which means you may all the time swap and alter your setup at a later date, or when you have most popular joysticks and grips for sure video games.
Worth
A single SOL-R 1 Flightstick prices $219.99 / £159.99 whereas the SOL-R 2 HOSAS prices $399.99 /£299.99. Whereas it very a lot comes right down to your wants, the price of the SOL-R 2 HOSAS is sort of excessive, regardless that it’s technically a reduction over shopping for two SOL-R items individually.
As for the SOL-R 1 Flightstick, at $199.99 this provides extraordinarily good worth, as soon as once more as a result of variety of inputs and the built-in throttle which means a whole HOTAS setup is considerably contained inside a single unit, preferrred for players who’re quick on area. Provided that some premium joysticks alone can value north of $200, with no base included, the SOL-R 1 presents a incredible start line in the event you’re interested by getting began with flight or area sim video games.
Options
Turtle Seaside VelocityOne Flight Deck
It might really feel a bit of like evaluating chalk and cheese, however Turtle Seaside’s premium HOTAS flight deck is a good different to the SOL-R. Each controllers are geared in direction of creating an accessible start line for players new to flight and area sim video games, whereas nonetheless providing a deeper degree of element for many who are not any strangers to the style and wish to deepen their immersion.
The worth is excessive on each for brand spanking new starters, however the high quality is what seals the cope with no low cost plastic and a closely decreased threat of parts snapping or breaking within the joystick, attributable to the usage of Corridor Impact which makes use of magnets relatively than small, fragile parts.
Verdict
The Thrustmaster SOL-R Flightstick is a incredible joystick that’s extraordinarily comfy in your hand and comes with an enter structure that’s simple to grasp. Whereas I’ve struggled to justify the elevated value and restricted compatibility of the SOL-R 2 HOSAS setup, as a single joystick, the SOL-R 1 Flightstick is solely essential for any flight or area sim fanatic whether or not you’re simply beginning out otherwise you’re a hardened sim specialist in want of a controller improve.
The sheer worth on supply with the SOL-R 1 Flightstick is spectacular, particularly when so many HOTAS techniques can value extra and supply much less by way of inputs, portability, and visible design. The SOL-R 1 or SOL-R 2 HOSAS is unlikely to transform long-time HOTAS customers, however for these beginning out, or in search of methods to enhance their immersion in sim video games from only a primary joystick, I imagine there isn’t a higher possibility on the market proper now than the SOL-R.
