Suncom Strike Fighter Series Throttle
Price: $89.95
Contact: Suncom, (847) 229-0002; www.suncominc.com
PROS: Easy programmability; way cool looking; works with most sticks.
CONS: Can hold only two programs; takes two game port axes.
Like the F-15E Talon, also from Suncom, the SFS Throttle looks like a serious piece of hardware - and it is. The last time I saw a throttle like this,
I was sitting in the right seat of a twin-engine bush plane weaving through the fjords of New Zealand. Each half of the throttle takes up one joystick axis, and therein lies its chief weakness. The second throttle uses the axis normally used by rudder pedals. This throttle also proves to be problematic when paired up with a ThrustMaster FCS-style stick, in which the hat takes up a joystick axis. However, there is a button on the throttle that deactivates the left half. Suncom also wisely supplies a Windows 95 .INF file that adds various custom setups, both with and without the left throttle, in the joystick control panel applet.
Programming the throttle is much like programming the F-15E Talon flight stick. First, put the throttle into program mode. Next, press and hold the button you want to program; then press the keystroke combination on the keyboard. Release the button, and it's programmed. Unfortunately, the SFS Throttle holds only two programs. There have been reports of chorded (multiple simultaneous) keystrokes not being recognized by games, but I didn't experience this problem. As with the TQS and Saitek throttles, there are idle and afterburner detents, though the stops feel a bit vague.
The throttle has a big desk footprint and comes with suction cups to hold it firmly to your desktop. While this throttle works very well with the F-15E Talon, it also works well with any standard, nonprogrammable joystick. Given its price, you might consider buying one even if you have rudder pedals and don't want to use the left throttle. It works pretty well, and it looks like something any multiengine fighter pilot would feel right at home with.
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