Saitek Three Lever Pro Throttle Quadrant (PZ45)

I'm a long-time fan of Microsoft Flight Simulator. I "fly" with the joystick in my left hand so that I can use the mouse with my right hand to click switches and look around the virtual cockpit. This makes using the joystick's throttle cumbersome, so I decided to get an add-on throttle. The Saitek Throttle Quadrant fit the bill perfectly.Let me say up front that I was initially a bit leery about purchasing this unit because of reports of "phantom keystrokes," but I'm happy to say I've been using it for several days with no problems whatsoever.There is an included software disc but I would recommend not using it as it might be the cause of the problems some people have been having. I did not use it, nor did I need to--I simply plugged the unit into a USB port and Windows XP recognized it immediately. It showed up in the Game Controllers control panel and was configurable in Flight Simulator without the need for extra drivers or configuration software.Note: If you're using this with Flight Simulator, in the Flight Simulator Settings > Controls > Calibration screen select the Saitek Throttle Quadrant as the Controller Type, then select Simple Controls and set the Sensitivity to maximum and the Null Zones to minimum. If you don't do this you won't get the full range of control from the levers. You can set each controller individually, so doing this won't affect your joystick or yoke if you're using one.The included desk clamp mounts to either the bottom or back of the unit, giving you a couple of different options as to the position of the unit in relation to your desk. I found the desk clamp to be secure and foolproof.Functionally this unit is exactly what I wanted. The levers are the perfect size, move smoothly, and have a long range of motion. This gives you much better precision than a standard joystick throttle wheel. At the minimum setting you can feel a little indent in the control; if you move it below that you trigger a joystick button. This is handy for functions like reverse thrust or brakes. Additionally, there are three rocker switches on the bottom of the unit, perfect for controlling things like flaps and elevator trim.The handles on the levers are colored and shaped just like real general aviation power controls. The handles are interchangeable, and Saitek thoughtfully included extra handles to allow you to reconfigure the look of the unit for things like multi-engine aircraft. I've read that you can use more than one of these units at a time, and the ability to reconfigure the handles can come in handy in more complex setups.I have only one complaint about this unit, and that is that the USB chord is a little short at only about 4 feet. If you're using this unit in conjunction with Saitek's flight yoke (which has a USB port in it) the short chord is actually a good thing, but if you're using the unit as a stand-alone like I am you may need a USB extension chord. Not a big deal, just something to be aware off.All in all this unit exceeded my expectations. There's nothing like flying a tricky approach and having a real throttle controller to make precise power adjustments. I have no "phantom key press" problems, and if you purchase this unit I would recommend bypassing the included software CD as that might be the source of problems some people are having. No problems for me, and I'm really happy.

I have been a fan of computer flight simulation for about 5 years and loved every minute. I had one problem though, I would sit on the runway waiting for the plane to take off never understanding that I needed to rev up the engine, set the propeller RPM and fuel mixture until the plane got enough speed to take off. What a bore! But then I got these cool controls and away I went...into the sky.Not really folks but this is by way of showing that these controls are the perfect thing for simulating these controls when you want to simulate the throttle, prop, and mixture controls of an airplane. They look good, work good, and also provide 6 clicker switches to map to other controls. I have these controls mapped to autopilot controls.The device simply plugs into an available USB port but you will have to tell your game (flight simulator) how to use the levers and buttons but this is just like any other controller you might have. So after a little reading up with the help or Saitek web forums it's easy.And if you are as big a dumb bell as I am they look cool anyway and if you are as old as I am, your grandkids will have fun playing with the. Pretty solid so you shouldn't worry.Greg

If you use X-Plane (9 or 10), there is little choice as to Flight Controls, but to purchase this item unless you go for the $$,$$$.$$ home simulators. That said, the Saitek Quadrant being the only choice, does prove to be a winner. I removed one star solely for the cheaper, less expensive materials used as compared to the Hotas Warthog which is a total different animal.Prosstylish, better asthetics (in my opinion only) than the competing brandturns your flying experiance into a more realistic feeling, not using keyboard for those functionseasy to set up, configurable colored knobs, programmable button array and lever functions within either software or flight simnot expensiveIT WORKS! Consconstruction could be betterAlso, be carefull not to allow liquids (coffee ect. such as me) into the slots. I have been using the original Saitek Flight Pro for years and only had to replace the quadrant due to my mishap of spilt coffee. The replacement was even more accurate than the original but the detents on all three levers were hardly there. I do not think this would pertain to all of these devices, could RMA for another but am happy as it is. Yes, I am very picky about my purchases and am willing to pay for whatI get, but it better be good. This is good. Amazon is terrific, in customer support (of which I rarely had to use throughout the years), their newest or older merchandise selection (if its sold, they have it), and their pricing. I must mention the shipping is awesome. Even with the free shipping option, the item arrives (in my own experiance) in express time. Not to mention the Amazon Prime which is also somthing for all to consider. No, I do not work for them, I am just a 100% satisfied hi-tech person.

Very satisfied, shipping was fast, and the product works perfectly, I definitely will buy from mad catz using Amazon.ca

Considero la mejor opción para simuladores de vuelo (FSX, P3D, X-Plane) un buen joystick, unos pedales de timón y este módulo de acelerador, paso de hélice y riqueza de mezcla. Tiene un funcionamiento preciso, tacto ideal. Y tiene modo reverse y 6 botones asignables.

Ottimo rapporto qualità prezzo e ottimo venditore, preciso nella descrizione e nella spedizione.. ideale x chi vuole dare un tocco di realismo al simulatore.

I wanted greater control over throttle, speed brake and flaps for flying commercial aircraft (specifically JAR Design's Airbus320neo) on my Apple Mac with the X-Plane 10 flight simulator. The robust Saitek Pro Flight Throttle with its 3 large stroke levers and bottom stop micro switches together with the 3 dual position toggle switches is ideal. The quadrant comes with extra black, blue and red handle tops so that you can have, for example, 2 throttles for twin engine operation and there is also a wide top for ganging all 3 levels together. I have one lever configured for throttle and reverse thrust (employing the bottom switch), one for speed brake with auto ground spoiler arming and the last for flaps. It can be mounted in 2 positions on the desk clamp - above or in front - as required. You can mount a second quadrant beside the first if you want 6 levers. None of the enclosed configuration software is of any use on the Mac OS-X but you don't need any. It simply plugs and plays with X-Plane being used to define the allocation of the levers and switches to control the simulation. A great item for any serious simulator pilot.

Habe mir 2 dieser Throttle Quadranten vor etwa 4 Moanten gekauft um beim Flugsimulator X mehr Kontrolle über die Leistung, das Gemisch und über die Landeklappen zu haben. Die Installation ist sehr einfach: Anstecken, CD Einlegen, Treiber installieren und fertig.Das Einrichten im Flugsimulator gestaltet sich da schon schwieriger. Ich musste sämtliche Axen und Tasten manuell belegen, da diese in der Standardeinstellung schlichtweg falsch belegt war.Die oben angesprochenen Achsen lassen sich mit diesem Quadranten sehr gut regeln. Das ganze gibt ein völlig neues Gefühl und bringt einen wieder etwas näher an die Realität ran. Die Achsen haben bei mir so gut wie kein Spiel und rasten in der Nullstellung ein.Die Schalter sind eine gute Ergänzung um zum Beispiel die Luftfahrzeugbeleuchtung zu steuern.Alles in allem ein gelungenes Gerät und für diesen Preis ohne Konkurenz (Stand: 06.12.11)