Our Verdict
Thrustmaster supplied the last word joystick expertise with the Sol-R 1 flight stick. It is surprisingly well-balanced, has a robust construct high quality and is ideal for eyes, and the Sol-R 1 is ideal for knowledgeable players and players who’re new to flights and area sims. The Sol-R 2 Hosas setup is sadly curtailed by compatibility and its value, but it surely’s a terrific 6DOF setup for extra folks than a single joystick can provide.
- Glorious construct high quality
- Straightforward to assemble and retailer
- Many inputs + throttle
- Coronary heart Expertise is ideal for accuracy in motion
- Compatibility between ranges of thrustmaster merchandise
- Sol-R 2 Hosas is dear
- Organising the primary key binding is a ache
Thrustmaster sol-r FlightStick takes the idea of a Hotas setup with a cumbersome desk, tremendously decreasing the area required and does this with none main compromise. Throttle management, 44 complete inputs, Corridor impact joysticks nonetheless exist, however somewhat than requiring two separate models or one overly vast gimmick, it’s included in a 196mm x 196mm sq. that sits comfortably on the busiest desk.
Thrustmaster Sol-R 1 Flight Stick is the proper PC controller for flights and area sims, regardless of not being restricted to those genres. As an remoted unit, when utilizing the Sol-R in comparison with different joysticks, Hotas (throttle and stick arms), or Hosas (twin joysticks with sticks) techniques, I had a extra enjoyable and a greater expertise within the sport.
Design and Options
The Sol-R Flight Stick is an all-in-one joystick and thrust system. Right here, somewhat than spreading management over the HOSAS controller, the whole lot is accessible in a way more condensed space. The Sol-R 1 flight stick is ideal for players with tighter areas. The Sol-R 1 flight stick brings all the additional immersion that the Hotas system does, but it surely brings you an easier format than simple to study and grasp.
From a consolation perspective, the Sol-R joystick matches naturally in your hand and would not get too intense when used even in lengthy gaming classes. All inputs on the joystick are reachable with the hand you utilize to seize it, so you do not have to fret about overstretching and by accident piloting your self from the course.
As an extra addition, you possibly can double the Sol-R flight stick utilizing Sol-R 2 in a Hosas configuration, spreading the enter throughout two models and sharing flight controls between the 2 joysticks.
Thrustmaster just isn’t attempting to reinvent the wheels with the design of the Sol-R joystick. There’s nothing pointless sophisticated about how this joystick and base is offered, with all inputs clearly marked with out ruining the highly effective two-tone design. The enter format can also be sequential. This implies you needn’t memorize the format past the way in which numbers circulation, so you possibly can simply regulate it to this stick if you transfer from one other flight deck system.
The delicate blue lighting survives when the sol-R is linked, fully complementing the black and white design of the stick and base. The Sol-R has 11 complete lighting zones, all of which may be personalized utilizing the Thrustmaster Goal software program. The one different colours on the sol-R stick are the burnt orange inputs numbered 35 and 39 just under the 2 8-way hat switches, and the first set off on the again of the joystick.
Talking of inputs, there are Sol-R models for 21 motion buttons, two triggers, two hat switches, one mini stick, a thrust, and one thumbwheel. The joystick itself successfully makes use of Thrustmaster’s distinctive Corridor Impact exact approach throughout all axes. Which means there’s just about no probability that Stick Drift will likely be a problem, and might take away the loss of life of regular motion. In different phrases, the joystick is far more responsive.
Every sol-R joystick can be adjusted to be ambidextrous utilizing the included parts. For much more consolation, wrist and thumb relaxation are included and may be added to every joystick.
On the backside of every unit there’s a directional change that units every unit in order that it may be acknowledged as a left or proper gadget. Right here additionally, you will discover some screw threads if you wish to use a mount system to mount the Sol-R to your desktop.
The Sol-R flight stick can also be plug and play. Which means you do not want any further software program to run in-game, however you possibly can obtain the Thrustmaster Goal software program to entry deeper ranges of customization and neighborhood management profiles. The Strustmaster web site additionally has firmware updates to maintain your sticks updated. Replace them is an easy means of loading firmware information, plugging in every flight stick individually, and ready for updates to be verified.
efficiency
Thrustmaster nails the efficiency elements of the Sol-R flight stick, the plug-and-play nature shortly will get into gameplay, and the default key bindings make quite a lot of sense all through the sport I’ve tried. Definitely, Elite Hazard required some modifications if the sport failed to select up the set off because the default weapon enter, however this was a quick sufficient repair.
The joystick is extraordinarily responsive due to gap impact know-how that eliminates mobility loss of life, permitting even minimal changes to be registered in-game. This proved to be perfect for top octane flight fight video games corresponding to Star Wars Squadron and Warthunder.
Talking of aerial fight video games, I used to be initially apprehensive that the comparatively gentle weight of the SOL-R meant that I may slide over my desk within the warmth of fight after I was making sudden changes, however that wasn’t the case. There are solely 4 small rubber pads on the backside of the Sol-R, however these are greater than sufficient to create a robust bond on my desk or mouse pad, so the models do not shift throughout gameplay. If you happen to’re struggling to carry the Sol-R in a single place, it incorporates 4 further pads on every base that clips into the corners for added grip.
SIM video games corresponding to Elite Hazard and Microsoft Flight SIM shine by means of the entire of SOL-R. It’s because it’s enough to comfortably arrange a management profile that requires minimal keyboard utilization, particularly when utilizing the Sol-R 2 setup for video games that helps 6DOF (6 levels of freedom) motion.
That being mentioned, the time required to arrange a twin joystick management profile is intimidating and a quite common activity, however you solely must do it as soon as in every sport. Utilizing twin joysticks just isn’t a quite common method to 6DOF video games a minimum of in comparison with Hotas, however some folks want to unfold management of a ship or airplane to 2 joysticks to keep away from probably troublesome wrist manipulation when navigating a number of axes on the similar time.
Nevertheless, the key benefit of utilizing SOL-R in a twin joystick setup is that it doubles the enter, successfully growing to a complete of 88. After a while, chances are you’ll discover that after spending time managing enter on the thrustmaster goal, you needn’t have a keyboard in standby.
Nonetheless, it is a disgrace there is no such thing as a recognition at present constructed into the Sol-R 1 or 2 setup. Over time, the neighborhood profiles will possible be uploaded to Thrustmaster’s goal software program, however the preliminary launch window may be very troublesome to navigate till these can be found.
The closest comparability to the Sol-R is the Turtle Seashore Veloceone Flight Deck, the Hotas system, which has a equally massive concentrate on the responsive joystick management, presents loads of enter and is properly accessible to position it on any desktop.
Nevertheless, Sol-R is finally in its personal class. It’s because there are only a few such merchandise. I am not but on sale at Hosas, however the Sol-R 1 Flight Stick is my favourite method to play flight sims or fight video games due to its ultra-responsive joystick and a controller that’s simple to make use of in a single.
As a footnote, the person joysticks and base parts that make up every SOL-R unit are appropriate with the remainder of the Thrustmaster ecosystem. This implies that you could be wish to swap and alter your setup at any time later, or chances are you’ll want joysticks and grips for sure video games.
value
The Sol-R 2 Hosas prices $399.99/$299.99, whereas one Sol-R 1 flight stick prices $219.99/£159.99. Will probably be very a lot on your wants, however the price of the Sol-R 2 Hosas could be very excessive.
As for the Sol-R 1 flight stick, at $199.99, this presents excellent worth. Which means as a result of variety of inputs and built-in throttle, your entire Hotas setup is included to some extent in a single unit, making it perfect for players who run out of area. Provided that only a few premium joysticks value $200 north that does not embrace the bottom, the Sol-R 1 is a good place to begin if you happen to’re considering beginning a flight or House Sim sport.
Alternate options
Turtle BeachVeloceThe Flight Deck
Whereas it could really feel a bit like a comparability between chalk and cheese, Turtle Seashore’s Premium Scallop Flight Deck is a good different to the Sol-R. Each controllers are directed at creating accessible beginning factors for players new to flights and House Sim video games, offering a deeper stage of element for many who usually are not strangers to the style however want to deepen their immersion.
Costs are larger on each new starters, however high quality considerably reduces the chance of parts snapping or destroying joysticks as a result of the usage of Corridor impact, which seals trades with out low-cost plastic and makes use of magnets somewhat than small, fragile parts.
verdict
The Thrustmaster Sol-R Flight Stick is a good joystick that comes with an enter format that’s extraordinarily snug in your hand and is simple to grasp. Though you have struggled to justify the elevated prices and restricted compatibility of your Sol-R 2 Hosas setup, the Sol-R 1 flight stick is a should for flight or area SIM lovers, whether or not you are simply beginning out or a hardened SIM specialist who wants a controller improve.
The pure worth provided by the Sol-R 1 flight stick is especially spectacular when many Hotas techniques can value extra and provide by way of enter, portability and visible design. The Sol-R 1 or Sol-R 2 Hosas is unlikely to transform longtime Hotas customers, however for many who have began, I do not suppose there’s a greater choice than the Sol-R as they’re in search of methods to enhance their immersion into SIM video games from fundamental joysticks.
