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Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X: One-minute assessment
The Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X is a brand new tackle the basic gaming joystick with a really particular job to do. A 3-axis joystick supported by a plethora of buttons and inputs, this Xbox and PC-compatible accent feels at residence on a worksite, not a runway, and extra particularly, it’s heading straight for the farmyard.
Meaning a big multifunction joystick with a mini-stick, thumbwheel, and twin triggers, 33 mappable motion buttons, and a hand throttle. Plus, there are Corridor impact sensors powering the ambidextrous joystick, so there must be loads of precision management and longevity on supply.
Pre-mapped for Farming Simulator 25 out of the field, it’s right here the place I spent most of my time with the FarmStick X, and whereas I’m an admittedly very novice farmer, I had a reasonably good time. I’ll admit the good thing about the joystick itself wasn’t all the time instantly apparent, and there have been just a few teething hiccups, however in the suitable equipment it proved a complete gamechanger.
Widespread actions had been bodily and metaphorically nearer handy and never needing to manually bind these, noticed me close to sufficient leaping straight from the principle menu to fishing a skid-steer loader out of a river – extra on that later.
It’s clear the FarmStick X is focusing on die-hard Farming Sim lovers, however with manually configurable inputs it’ll work as a button-rich joystick throughout a variety of different simulation video games too. So whereas this agricultural controller sits practically alone out there for its main perform, it’s up in opposition to some stiff competitors from extra generic HOTAS equipment and Logitech’s Farm Simulator Heavy Tools Bundle.
Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X: Worth and availability
- Checklist value: $129.99 / £99.99 / €119.99
- Restricted retail availability exterior US or Canada
- Requires further {hardware} buy for Xbox compatibility
A well-known-looking gadget, the Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X is the second era of the joystick that first arrived on the finish of 2023. Quick ahead to the beginning of 2025, and the brand new iteration maintains the entire unique FarmStick’s options whereas welcoming Xbox console compatibility. The X on the top in all probability gave that away.
That X will price you $30 greater than the earlier PC-only version and sees the FarmStick X rise to $129.99/£99.99/€119.99. Whereas by itself, that value is cheap and slots it neatly in slightly below extra flight-focused HOTAS {hardware} and joysticks, that’s not fairly the complete story. On PC, there’s no additional buy required; you may pair the FarmStick X with keyboard controls or further {hardware} like a wheel.
On Xbox, nevertheless, Thrustmaster makes fairly a powerful level of noting that you just’ll want one among its wheels for the console to simply accept the FarmStick X, plus you’re restricted to Farming Simulator 25 as the one suitable sport. That skews the worth proposition fairly closely for console gamers and raises the lifelike minimal price to someplace north of $300.
In testing, nevertheless, I used to be in a position to make use of the FarmStick X and not using a wheel and in partnership with a typical Xbox Sequence X controller. This was expectedly awkward, and I definitely wouldn’t advocate this setup, but it surely appeared potential.
Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X: Specs
Dimensions (HxWxD) | 9.1 x 7.5 x 7.3in / 230 x 190 x 185mm |
Weight | 1.9lb / 858g |
Mappable Buttons | 33 |
Joystick Axis | 3 |
Triggers | 2 |
Throttle Controls | 1 |
Platform Compatibility | Xbox Sequence X|S and PC (Home windows 11/10) |
Field Contents | FarmStick X, Guarantee flyer, USB-C to USB-A cable, Further set off cap |
Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X: Design and options
- Corridor impact three-axis joystick with mini thumbstick and triggers
- 33 mappable buttons and throttle management
- Xbox Sequence and PC compatibility (requires additional {hardware} on Xbox)
Whereas it might be destined for the farmyard, there’s one thing distinctly fighter jet in regards to the design of the Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X. The gunmetal gray base and electrical orange accents are hanging, and I received an actual old-school vibe as quickly as I took it out of the field. This, sadly, wasn’t a case of old-school cool for me although; all of it appeared a bit dated and lacked any type of premium really feel.
Most of that is all the way down to materials selection greater than colour; the FarmStick X is nearly solely plastic, and the bottom is noticeably hole. Now I’m not suggesting this wanted a full carbon fibre chassis and titanium accents, however not all plastic is identical, and I can’t assist however really feel Thrustmaster in the reduction of slightly on this space. Even a wafer-thin steel shell over the bottom would have made an enormous distinction.
The buttons on both facet of the bottom additionally undergo because of materials decisions; the arduous molded plastic buttons are nothing greater than superb. They do the job, however would have been higher with rubberised caps in my view. The smaller buttons on the FarmStick X’s joystick are rubber and really feel a lot better to make use of in consequence. Extra of these subsequent time, please, Thrustmaster.
The SimTask FarmStick X’s primary occasion is the massive joystick, and as soon as once more, it’s all plastic, and I can solely name it superb in consequence. I gained’t go so far as to say it looks like a toy, however slightly rubberisation would have been way more snug, supplied extra grip, and felt extra high-end in your hand.
The ambidextrous shaping is sweet to see (shout out to the lefties), and I discovered it snug to carry for prolonged classes. It’s fairly thick, nevertheless, I’ve fairly giant fingers, so this labored out properly for me, however youthful or smaller wannabe farmers won’t be as happy.
Tucked away on the rear of the bottom is an array of connections, together with the all-important USB-C port for connecting the FarmStick X to your PC or console. You’ll additionally discover a few ports for increasing your ecosystem – a DIN port and an RJ12 port for a TFRP rudder. Lastly, a toggle swap for flicking the FarmStick X between Xbox and PC compatibility mode.
Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X: Efficiency
- Corridor impact, three-axis joystick gives nice management
- Button mappings typically want handbook configuration
- Extra suited to skilled gamers than novices
Like many individuals, I’ve dabbled in Farming Simulator just a few occasions prior to now, taking inspiration extra from Jeremy Clarkson than Kaleb Cooper, nevertheless. I have a tendency to leap right into a contemporary multiplayer session with a pal, fiddle inflicting mischief within the discipline, attempt as many machines as potential, and that’s that.
It’s nice enjoyable, and people previous experiences made me curious of what the Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X would convey. Racing video games are made instantly extra pleasant for even probably the most informal gamers by including a wheel and pedals, however is identical true of including a joystick to Farming Simulator 25? After just a few hours of messing round inflicting mischief in a discipline and attempting as many machines as potential, the reply is: sure, type of.
I began on PC, and it wasn’t as easy an introduction because it ought to have been. The Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X is simply pre-configured for one sport, Farming Simulator 25, and from my expertise, this nonetheless wants sprucing up. Some keybinds didn’t do something, others that claimed to do one motion however truly did one other, and a few buttons I struggled to seek out in any respect.
Numerous the issue right here comes all the way down to a mismatch in labelling, the sport refers to every button with a quantity, and whereas a few of these are printed on the bodily gadget, most aren’t, which means I needed to have the PDF handbook open on my second display. I’m certain you’d get used to it fairly shortly, notably for those who take the time to map your individual buttons, however as an informal gamer, this was irritating.
On Xbox, initially issues felt far more polished, although I shortly realised it’s a far shallower expertise in the long term. Right here, the keybinds that had been mysteriously mismatched or lacking solely on PC had been current and proper, which I used to be grateful for, as there’s no capability to regulate or manually change keybinds on console. Once more, you’re left to navigate which button is which by your self; these barely useful quantity labels at the moment are gone solely, nevertheless, so it’s actually a case of press and hope till you get your bearings.
As soon as I’d received the grasp of which buttons did what, nevertheless, my expertise did enhance. I paired the Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X with the model’s T128 SimTask wheel and pedals throughout each PC and Xbox, and as a combo, they work properly. I did discover makes use of for the FarmStick X’s joystick considerably restricted, nevertheless, and whereas it lends itself properly to cranes and entrance loader equipment, for basic farming actions, I discovered myself extra targeted on the wheel.
The FarmStick X itself felt like a distinct segment add-on somewhat than a necessity, and it wasn’t an instantaneous gamechanger like a steering wheel and pedals are.
That mentioned, having discovered myself with an pressing have to retrieve a skid-steer digger from a river (the way it received there isn’t essential), the FarmStick X got here into its personal. Controlling the assorted features of an excavator’s arm with the three-axis joystick was fantastic, and I don’t suppose I may have replicated this expertise with different gadgets. The Corridor impact sensor provided exact and responsive management in all instructions, with simply sufficient resistance within the stick itself to really feel like I may maintain place while not having to combat it.
For skilled farmers with current wheel setups they know just like the again of their hand, the Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X will seemingly supply loads of additional worth and add a brand new dimension to gameplay. That is undoubtedly a die-hard’s accent for individuals who have moved properly past the fundamentals of farming and aren’t one for the lots.
In an try and unearth slightly extra worth for an off-the-cuff gamer, I swapped out of Farming Simulator and over to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 to see if the FarmStick X may maintain its personal as a generic joystick choice, too. Once more, the reply is type of. The stick was instantly acknowledged by the sport, however unsurprisingly wanted each single button motion and joystick axis to be manually configured.
After a couple of minutes of fiddling, I’d certain throttle and fundamental rudder controls and was capable of take to the skies. Very like my river escapades, the FarmStick X’s joystick felt responsive and provided an excellent stage of management. I’ve little question for those who can make investments the time in correctly mapping each button, the FarmStick X would work simply superb throughout any variety of joystick-suited simulation video games.
Sadly, this feature solely exists for PC gamers because the FarmStick X refuses to play good with different titles. I’m curious as to why, although, having been advised I wanted a wheel to make use of the joystick, solely to find it labored fortunately with only a controller, I couldn’t assist however push my luck. Filled with hope, I fired up Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 on Xbox too, and to my shock, the sport instantly acknowledged the FarmStick X as a generic joystick enter. I used to be capable of choose it in menus and manually bind inputs, I even used the in-game instruments to validate it was capturing enter information appropriately, it was working – till it wasn’t.
Having cobbled collectively a few fundamental binds, I jumped in a aircraft to seek out that whereas the FarmStick X was sending instructions to Flight Sim 2024, and the sport fortunately knew what they meant, it then did nothing with them. I don’t know why it really works in menus however not within the sport itself, and I’m conscious it’s not formally meant to, however I can’t assist however really feel there are some licensing executives in costly fits stopping this from occurring somewhat than any real compatibility issues.
It’s a disgrace as a result of it makes the FarmStick X tougher to advocate for console gamers, being restricted to preset binds in a single sport is a far harder promote, and means Xbox customers are paying extra to get lower than their PC-only buddies within the subsequent discipline over.
Must you purchase the Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X?
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
Additionally think about…
Unsure if the Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X is the suitable selection? Listed here are a few different flight stick choices you would possibly think about as an alternative.
Observe: The FarmStick X is sort of a novel and particular gadget, so there aren’t a plethora of actually like-for-like choices to discover. As an alternative, these alternate options are extra flight-focused, and whereas they may require handbook keybinding in-game, every gives the identical core joystick and button performance.
Nonetheless, we’re within the technique of reviewing farming-sim particular gear from the likes of Logitech and Hori, and can replace this part when these opinions are stay.
| Row 0 – Cell 0 | Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X | Thrustmaster Sol-R Flight Stick | TurtleBeach VelocityOne Flight Stick |
Dimensions (HxWxD) | 9.1 x 7.5 x 7.3in / 230 x 190 x 185mm | 9.72 x 7.71 x 7.71in / 247 x 196 x 196mm | 9.07 x 6.46 x 8.54in / 230 x 164 x 217mm |
Weight | 1.9lb / 858g | 2.79lb / 1270g | 1.81lb / 820g |
Mappable Buttons | 33 | 21 | 27 |
Joystick Axis | 3 | 6 | 8 |
Triggers | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Throttle Controls | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Platform Compatibility | Xbox and PC (restricted video games on console) | PC | Xbox and PC (restricted video games on console) |
Field Contents | FarmStick X, Guarantee flyer, USB-C to USB-A cable, Further set off cap | Sol-R base, Sol-R grip, Detachable wrist relaxation, Thumb relaxation (+ 1 cowl) for left-handed configuration, Stability helps, Removable USB-C cable, Guarantee data | VelocityOne Flightstick, USB-C to USB-A cable, M5 Screws (3), Fast Flight Information |
How I examined the Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X
I primarily examined the Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X as a part of a gaming PC setup with an Intel Core i9 14900k CPU, AMD Radeon 9070XT GPU, and the Thrustmaster T128 SimTask wheel and pedal set. I initially jumped into Farming Simulator 25 to check the out-of-the-box button mappings earlier than making handbook tweaks and binds by way of the in-game menu the place obligatory with a view to totally make the most of the FarmStick X’s options. I typically take a look at merchandise by streaming video games on Twitch, and if you wish to see how I received on with utilizing the FarmStick X to function a crane precariously near a river, properly, I’ve received you lined.
After round 10 hours of configuration and play, I swapped over to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 to see how it will carry out out of its consolation zone. All through my time utilizing the FarmStick X, I paid shut consideration to how the joystick specifically responded to inputs, in addition to trying to set off false or missed button inputs.
I then moved to the lounge and fired up my Xbox Sequence X and Samsung S90C. Once more, I spent nearly all of my time in Farming Simulator 25, this time paying shut consideration to variations in button mapping and expertise between console and PC. I pushed my luck right here, formally the FarmStick X requires a wheel for Xbox compatibility, however I ran assessments with each the inventory Xbox wi-fi controller and no further controller inputs linked. I additionally tried to make use of the joystick to play the unsupported Microsoft Flight Simulator 24 by way of Xbox Sport Move, unsuccessfully.
First reviewed April 2025
