Saitek ST90 Joystick
- 4-position digital throttle with LED indicators
- Precision trigger
- 2 easy reach fire buttons
- Ambidextrous design
- Retractable tripod legs
Product Description
Joystick with futuristic retractable tripod legs for maximum stability and convenient storeage. USB “plug and play” simplicity. Unique design and styling to provide gamers with the winning formula at any level. Stick acceleration is aided with dual mode digital throttle complemented by visual LED indicators…. More >>
I see a lot of gripes about this hoystick’s digital throttle here. Just so that everyone knows, if you HOLD DOWN on the throttle buttons instead of tapping them, then the amount of throttle will change at a slower rate. The “20%” resolution exits for when you want to greatly increase your throttle in a hurry, but there is a method for getting 27% throttle when you need it.
This stick was an excellent price and worked great out of the box. However, it’s got two buttons (+,-) for a digital throttle. It’s implemented per throttle stick protocol, too, so Windows will make you run through a calibration routine for a Z-Axis and games will pick up on the presence of a throttle control. However, some games (Jane’s F-15), will eliminate keyboard control for a throttle when it senses throttle control on the stick. I don’t know why – pretty bad implementation idea there. Thus, the ONLY throttle control was on the stick…and it’s digital! That’d be fine if it had, say, 0.9901% resolution (101 positions, 0 to 100 in steps of 1), but it doesn’t – it’s only got 20% resolution (5 positions). Thus, when landing an F-15, if I couldn’t bring it down with 25% thrust, then my only two other options were 0% or 50%.
Good stick for the short time I had it! Hence, 5 stars. But make sure you understand what your games will do in the event of throttle control. Make sure they still allow keyboard control or make sure they allow you to disable the throttle input. Don’t get stuck in a landing pattern with your only options being “off”, “low”, “medium”, and “high”, etc.
A very nice joystick. The tripod legs give it exceptional stability. I can’t remember it ever tipping over when I spin ridiculously in my Jane’s USAF (A very good game, by the way).
The only serious problem I have with it is the throttle. It was a great idea, but it’s one of those things that looks good on paper but doesn’t work in real life. It isn’t very precise in adjusting. A quick tap will send you up or down roughly 30%. This is a problem when my flight instructor (in the game, of course) says, ‘You’ll need about 80% thrust to get it moving.’
Of course, if you can control your throttle with your keyboard, it isn’t really a problem at all.
Pros:
Excellent stability
responsive
looks cool
folding legs
Cons:
Bad Throttle
Only 3 buttons
The Saitek ST90 is a fair joystick. I am using it with Battlefield 1942 and the Galactic COnquest mod, some vehicles have a more difficult time with it than others, the inability to adjust sensitivity of the joystick does not reflect on the joystick but rather the game. The stick has difficulty with helicopters, I have noticed. The price cannot be beat though, it is probably the cheapest stick available, and it’s a WinXP native, no software needed and no gripes from the OS, just plug and play.
Pros:
Price ($12.00 -$22.00)
looks
stability
USB
Windows XP compatible
Cons:
helicopters
Bottom Line Up Front: This is a very good LOW-END joystick. It has a sturdy base and folds up to save space. The ST90 would work well for those wanting a quality product but have space limitations, using a travel lap-top, or do not want to spend much on a joystick. This is the second Saitek stick I have owned and am impressed by their quality. I bought this to replace a larger joystick and could not justify to my wife the expense of Saitek’s X52.
Pros:
-Joystick “feels good” in hand ergonomically. 3 main buttons are easy to reach.
-Joystick fits nicely into a tight space for storage. Tripod folds up and travels well.
-Joystick has simple layout and interfaces easily with computer. Plug and play on my systems (Gateway desk-top and lap-top).
-Throttle works well (though needs a little adjusting in the user’s mind to get used to). As others have said, simply hold the Throttle +/- buttons to get incremental changes in power (not just the 4 settings). Tapping the same control goes to the presets.
-Joystick has survived “attack” from 2 1/2 yr old boy. It is tough.
-Shipping: I used ANTonline (at $11.73 for a new joystick, who was I to argue) and was VERY happy with them. Item came in good box and was packed well. Item also came WHEN they said it would and they emailed me to confirm shipping and tracking.
Cons:
-No yaw/rudder controls
-Only 3 buttons
-Base moves in aggressive maneuvers
-Throttle needs time to get used to.
-Little support within Control Panel to customize joystick
Overall: Great product for price. Compactness would work for dorms or traveling. Very good construction. Though if you want a more capable joystick, go up the “line”. I will probably relegate this to the Lap-top eventually, but it works just fine for $12.