Thrustmaster SOL-R review – A new challenger to traditional HOTAS systems

The Thrustmaster SOL-R Flightstick takes the idea of a cumbersome, desk-invading HOTAS setup and reduces the required house massively, and it does this with out main compromise. You continue to have throttle controls, 44 whole inputs, and a Corridor Impact joystick, however relatively than needing two separate items or one overly vast contraption, it’s all contained inside a 196mm x 196mm sq. that sits comfortably even on essentially the most crowded of desks.

The Thrustmaster SOL-R 1 Flightstick is among the many greatest PC controllers for flight and house sims, regardless that it isn’t restricted to simply these genres. As an remoted unit, I’ve had extra enjoyable and a greater total in-game expertise when utilizing the SOL-R in comparison with some other joystick, HOTAS (Hand On Throttle and Stick), or HOSAS (Hand On Stick and Stick aka twin joystick) system.

Design and options

The SOL-R Flightstick is an all-in-one joystick and thrust system the place relatively than spreading out controls throughout a HOSAS controller, every thing could be accessed in a single rather more condensed space. Ultimate for avid gamers who’re tight on house, the SOL-R 1 Flightstick brings all of the added immersion {that a} HOTAS system does but in addition brings with it a way more simple format that’s straightforward to study and grasp.

From a consolation perspective, the SOL-R joystick matches naturally within the hand and doesn’t turn into strenuous to make use of even over lengthy gaming classes. All inputs on the joystick are reachable with the hand you employ to grip it, so there’s no want to fret about overstretching and by accident steering your self off beam.

As an added further, you may double up on SOL-R flightsticks utilizing the SOL-R 2 in a HOSAS configuration, spreading out your inputs throughout two items and sharing your flight controls between two joysticks.

Thrustmaster isn’t making an attempt to reinvent the wheel with the SOL-R joystick design. Nothing about how this joystick and base is offered is unnecessarily sophisticated and each enter is clearly marked with out ruining the robust two-tone design. The position of inputs can be sequential, which means you gained’t must memorize the format past which method the numbers circulate, making it straightforward to regulate to this stick in case you’re transferring over from one other flight deck system.

Refined blue lighting pops to life when the SOL-R is plugged in, and it completely enhances the black-and-white design of the stick and base. There are 11 whole lighting zones on the SOL-R, all of which could be personalized utilizing Thrustmaster Goal software program. The one different colour on the SOL-R sticks is the burnt orange inputs, numbered 35 and 39, located just under the 2 eight-way hat switches, and the first set off on the rear of the joystick.

Talking of inputs, there are 21 motion buttons, two triggers, two hat switches, one mini-stick, a thrust, and one thumbwheel per SOL-R unit. The joystick itself makes use of H.E.A.R.T, Thrustmaster’s proprietary Corridor Impact AccuRate Know-how throughout all axes. This implies there’s just about no likelihood that stick drift ever turns into a problem, and the standard deadzone of motion could be eliminated, which means the joystick is way extra responsive.

Every SOL-R joystick may also be tailored, utilizing included parts, to be ambidextrous. For extra consolation, wrist and thumb rests are included and could be added to every joystick.

On the underside of every unit is a path swap, permitting you to set every unit so it may be acknowledged as a left or right-sided machine. There are additionally some screw threads right here, must you want to connect the SOL-R to your desktop utilizing a mounting system.

The SOL-R Flightsticks are additionally plug-and-play, which means no extra software program is required to get them working in-game however you may obtain the Thrustmaster Goal software program to entry a deeper degree of customization and even group management profiles. There are firmware updates obtainable on the Thrustmaster web site to maintain the sticks updated, too. Updating them is an easy course of that simply contains loading the firmware file, plugging in every flight stick individually, and ready for the replace to be confirmed.

Efficiency

Thrustmaster nails the efficiency facet of the SOL-R Flightsticks, with the plug-and-play nature getting you into the gameplay shortly and default key bindings making numerous sense throughout the video games that I attempted. Granted, there have been a number of modifications wanted in Elite Harmful the place the sport failed to select up the triggers because the default weapon inputs, however this was a fast sufficient repair.

The joystick is tremendous responsive, due to the Corridor Impact know-how which removes the necessity for any motion deadzone and permits for even the smallest of changes to be registered in-game. I discovered this to be ultimate in high-octane flight fight video games akin to Star Wars Squadrons or Struggle Thunder.

Talking of aerial fight video games, I used to be initially involved that the comparatively mild weight of the SOL-R would imply it might slide round on my desk within the warmth of battle as I’m making sudden changes, however this wasn’t the case. Solely 4 small rubber pads sit on the underside of the SOL-R, however these are greater than sufficient to create a robust bond to my desk or mouse pad so the unit by no means shifts throughout gameplay. When you do end up combating holding the SOL-R in a single place, 4 extra pads are included for every base that clip into the corners for further grip.

Sim video games akin to Elite Harmful or Microsoft Flight Sim are the place the SOL-R has a complete shines although, because the 44 inputs per unit are sufficient to comfortably arrange a management profile that requires minimal to no keyboard utilization, particularly when utilizing the SOL-R 2 setup for video games that assist 6DOF (six levels of freedom) motion.

That being stated, the time required to arrange a twin joystick management profile is intimidating and fairly a secular process, however it might solely have to be achieved as soon as for every sport. Utilizing twin joysticks isn’t a vastly widespread method to 6DOF video games, no less than in comparison with HOTAS, however there are those that favor to unfold management of a ship or aircraft throughout two joysticks to keep away from doubtlessly awkward wrist maneuvers when navigating a number of axes on the identical time.

An enormous benefit of utilizing the SOL-R in a twin joystick setup, nonetheless, is the doubling of inputs, successfully elevating your whole to 88, and after a while spend managing inputs in Thrustmaster Goal, it’s possible you’ll end up without having to have a keyboard on standby.

Nonetheless, it’s a disgrace that there isn’t at present any built-in recognition for the SOL-R 1 or 2 setup, which might make leaping into video games a lot simpler for avid gamers who’re new to utilizing joystick controls. Over time, group profiles will in all probability be obtainable to add into Thrustmaster’s Goal software program, however the preliminary launch window may be fairly powerful to navigate till these can be found.

The closest comparability I could make for the SOL-R is to the Turtle Seaside VelocityOne Flight Deck, which is a HOTAS system, that equally locations a giant deal with responsive joystick controls, affords a wealth of inputs, and is accessible sufficient to position on nearly any desktop.

Nevertheless, the SOL-R is in the end in a category of its personal proper now as a result of there are so few merchandise prefer it. I’m not bought on HOSAS but, however the SOL-R 1 Flightstick is definitely my favourite solution to play flight sim or fight video games now due to its tremendous responsive joystick and wealth of inputs contained multi functional, easy-to-use controller.

As a footnote, the person joystick and base parts that make up every SOL-R unit are appropriate with the remainder of the Thrustmaster ecosystem, which means you may all the time swap and alter your setup at a later date, or when you’ve got most popular joysticks and grips for sure video games.

Worth

A single SOL-R 1 Flightstick prices $219.99 / £159.99 whereas the SOL-R 2 HOSAS prices $399.99 /£299.99. Whereas it very a lot comes right down to your wants, the price of the SOL-R 2 HOSAS is kind of excessive, regardless that it’s technically a reduction over shopping for two SOL-R items individually.

As for the SOL-R 1 Flightstick, at $199.99 this affords extraordinarily good worth, as soon as once more as a result of variety of inputs and the built-in throttle which means a whole HOTAS setup is considerably contained inside a single unit, ultimate for avid gamers who’re brief on house. On condition that some premium joysticks alone can price north of $200, with no base included, the SOL-R 1 presents a unbelievable start line in case you’re interested by getting began with flight or house sim video games.

Options

Turtle Seaside VelocityOne Flight Deck

It might really feel a bit like evaluating chalk and cheese, however Turtle Seaside’s premium HOTAS flight deck is a good different to the SOL-R. Each controllers are geared in direction of creating an accessible start line for avid gamers new to flight and house sim video games, whereas nonetheless providing a deeper degree of element for individuals who are not any strangers to the style and want to deepen their immersion.

The worth is excessive on each for brand spanking new starters, however the high quality is what seals the cope with no low-cost plastic and a closely lowered danger of parts snapping or breaking within the joystick, as a result of using Corridor Impact which makes use of magnets relatively than small, fragile parts.

Verdict

The Thrustmaster SOL-R Flightstick is a unbelievable joystick that’s extraordinarily snug in your hand and comes with an enter format that’s straightforward to grasp. Whereas I’ve struggled to justify the elevated price and restricted compatibility of the SOL-R 2 HOSAS setup, as a single joystick, the SOL-R 1 Flightstick is just vital for any flight or house sim fanatic whether or not you’re simply beginning out otherwise you’re a hardened sim specialist in want of a controller improve.

The sheer worth on provide with the SOL-R 1 Flightstick is spectacular, particularly when so many HOTAS techniques can price extra and provide much less by way of inputs, portability, and visible design. The SOL-R 1 or SOL-R 2 HOSAS is unlikely to transform long-time HOTAS customers, however for these beginning out, or on the lookout for methods to enhance their immersion in sim video games from only a primary joystick, I imagine there is no such thing as a higher possibility on the market proper now than the SOL-R.