Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One: One-minute assessment
Are you able to imagine the Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One has been round for years? The entry-level stick gives the whole lot it’s worthwhile to get began in Microsoft Flight Simulator or one thing extra unique, with a throttle, a cushty stick, and the choice to connect every or maintain them separate.
The whole unit is cheaper than many flight sticks you may decide up with out an extra throttle, which 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 product of a comparatively cheap-feeling plastic. Fortunately that does make it light-weight, which 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 swap and a pleasant, springy set off make it really feel way more complete than rivals at this worth level.
PlayStation players can even have to look elsewhere, however the Hotas One will work on PC and present era Xbox consoles and can go way back to the Xbox One. In case you’ve acquired a type 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 lovely entry-level flight stick that lacks extra axes and controls however gives a extra cockpit-adjacent break up throttle and stick kind 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 recent 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 freshmen.
Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One: Worth and availability
- Listing 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 explicit mannequin has been getting PC and Xbox players within the air since 2017.
It’s getting tougher to seek out the plain black model now, however the Microsoft Flight Simulator model is similar product with a white end, suggesting the stick isn’t going wherever. That new colour choice is rather a lot brighter and makes the stick look extra fashionable.
Regardless, you’ll discover both for underneath $100 with reductions, making it greater than aggressive with some throttle-less choices just like the Turtle Seaside VelocityOne. It’s drastically cheaper than mid-range choices like Logitech’s X56 Hotas RGB, too, and it stays an excellent starter choice due to its worth.
Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One: Specs
| Worth | $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 Collection X|S, Xbox One, PC |
| Buttons | 14 |
| Axes | 5 |
| Throttle | Sure |
| Connection | USB-A |
Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One: Design and options
- Excellent for desk utilization
- Plastic feels low cost
- Can accumulate 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 modern 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 stored the value down, however on the opposite, it feels removed from premium compared to dearer sticks like Thrustmaster’s personal T.16000M FCS Flight Pack.
Whereas buttons could be remapped in your recreation of selection inside their particular person settings for the reason that stick is a ‘generic’ choice, I’m happy to see the Xbox buttons represented right here. So many flight sticks cater to PC nearly solely that it’s good to see the face buttons right here, in colour, for simpler recognition. There’s even the Xbox button to name up the Xbox menu on PC or console.
The rubber underneath the stick helps stop mud from entering into the mechanism, however the identical can’t be stated of the throttle which has no shielding from mud or the weather beneath – should you’re utilizing it commonly that received’t be an issue, but it surely’s undoubtedly price mentioning that it’s more likely to accumulate mud.
The stick plugs in through USB-A, with a breakaway cable that’s ultimate in case somebody yanks the cable when you’re taking part in. 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 through USB-A
- Splitting sections is simple, though cable administration can get fiddly
- Hat swap is a pleasant contact
Organising the T.Flight Hotas One couldn’t be less complicated – simply plug it in through USB-A. Whereas the trade is transferring away from it, it lives on right here, so keep in mind you might 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 through the rocker on the throttle which I discovered to supply extra granular management when itemizing left or proper.
Considered one of my favourite elements is the hat swap, 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 Harmful with a press. It’ll be laborious to return to mouse and keyboard or controller, that’s for positive, however naturally eight-way hat switches will double the out there instructions which are 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 set them again collectively, you’ll probably need to run the wire beneath via a trench on the underside, and that may be fiddly in my expertise.
The comparatively low worth of admission can 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 gear and extra like a toy. It’s laborious 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 but it surely’s price mentioning.
On the flip facet, I’ll say the set off on the stick feels good and snappy, springing again into place in a manner that feels good and tactile whereas additionally making certain you may line up these laser cannon blasts in one thing like Star Wars: Squadrons and have the set off prepared to fireside 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 may place a keyboard in the course of the throttle and flight stick which then permits for a 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 building may cause the persist with creak somewhat, 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 take into account…
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 |
| Worth | $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 Collection X|S, Xbox One, PC | Xbox Collection 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 taking part in Elite Harmful and Star Wars: Squadrons, each on PC and through an Xbox Collection X.
I performed every recreation 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 additional 5 hours, splitting the Hotas One and utilizing it as one unit to check its consolation in each configurations.
First reviewed November 2024
