Reddit mentions of Logitech Extreme 3D Pro Precision Fightstick

Logitech extreme Pro 3d.I used this stick for years before gtting a full HOTAS and rudder set up.

• It has quite a few buttons.
  
• Is widely recognised by windows + games.
  
• It has a twist stick for assigning rudder
  
• Has a hat for trimming
  
• It has a small throttle-type axis also on it.
  
• It's cheapish - 50 EUR (about 50 USD)
  
  https://www.amazon.de/Logitech-Extreme-3D-PRO-Joystick/dp/B00CJ5FPTA

Or you could be a bit smarter and buy this : https://www.amazon.co.uk/Logitech-Extreme-Pro-Precision-Joystick/dp/B00CJ5FPTA/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_63_bs_t_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=FHMATKA47BRJZMBBN89F

Total beginner?
Logitech Extreme 3D Pro.
Has all the bits needed and won't break the bank.

As with most things you can pay more to get better but as a casual player the 3D Pro does the job well.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Logitech-Extreme-Pro-Precision-Joystick/dp/B00CJ5FPTA

Buying Elite just after Christmas will cost more, and deliver less, than pre-ordering now.

The current cost of the game in pre-order is £35, at release it will be £39.99. The pre-order also includes an Eagle fighter, a paint-job and day-one decal (if that kind of thing interests you).

If the T-flight mentioned by Funkyjunk doesn't appeal (it probably should, especially for the price) then the standalone joysticks:

• Logitech Extreme 3D Pro
  
• Thrustmaster t16000m - uses Hall-effect sensors for X and Y axes like the more expensive sticks
  
• Defender Cobra M5 - a very nice stick that should be available from VKB but may be just outside your price once tax/delivery comes in to it.
  
  Might work for you too. If you later become ridiculously wealthy you could add a separate throttle like the CH Products Pro for example.

Welcome!
I have to agree that a joystick will increase the experience. The Logitech Extreme 3D pro is a great one, and is very cheap. I've had it for ages and it's working perfectly. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Logitech-Extreme-Pro-Precision-Fightstick/dp/B00CJ5FPTA

I would recommend the following joystick...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Logitech-Extreme-Pro-Precision-Joystick/dp/B00CJ5FPTA/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_63_t_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=YMXKHKZMHZCXF36J9JB9

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I had this for years before moving into yoke and rudder pedals. The bonus of this stick is it has a throttle lever, plenty of buttons and the stick twists that can be used as a rudder too.

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In terms of sim, I would recommend XP11 if you have a powerful PC - if not then go for P3D v4 - if that is too much money, then go for FSX Steam Edition.

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Be prepared to be spending money on addons though, as the vanilla of these sims are not all too great, much better with addons.

I would recommend Orbx for scenery, Active Sky for weather, A2A Planes in P3D/FSX.

> The Logitech 3D pro

That's the one, right?

I loathe the mouse aim mode, if you don't have a joystick, I'd strongly recommend getting hold of one. The Logitech 3D Pro is relatively inexpensive and is decent quality.

> How much better is having a joystick for flying in these types of games? I have honestly never used a joystick for a PC game, so I really have no clue what it's like.

First, I spent several hundred hours flying exclusively with a joystick in both Bf3 and Bf4 and loved it, even topped national leaderboards for a while a while and was pretty alright-- that said, flying with m+kb is objectively better if what you care about is maximizing your potential. While I find joystick flying way more enjoyable, the fact is that flying in the battlefield series is *very simplistic, and using a joystick means sacrificing the far superior accuracy you get from using a mouse.

> I see various joysticks on the market, some are EXPENSIVE.

And you don't need ANY of those expensive joysticks for a game like battlefield. I would very much recommend you start off with something simple and cheap like: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Logitech-Extreme-Pro-Precision-Joystick/dp/B00CJ5FPTA

I can't recommend this stick enough for the price. Unless you're going to be playing actual flight sims that recquire a full HOTAS setup, this is what you'll want to cut your teeth on.

I was looking around and a few people mentioned these: Logitech jobbies

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Logitech-Extreme-Pro-Precision-Fightstick/dp/B00CJ5FPTA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416315443&sr=8-1&keywords=logitech+3d+pro

or

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thrustmaster-T-Flight-Hotas-PS3-compatible/dp/B001DMUCAC

would be better options, both under £40

At the very least get a Logitech 3D extreme pro, it's a very affordable and effective joystick. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Logitech-Extreme-Pro-Precision-Fightstick/dp/B00CJ5FPTA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1408559194&sr=8-1&keywords=logitech+3d+extreme+pro

I upgraded from it to a X52 pro.