Customer Reviews

Saitek ST90 Joystick

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

I was looking for a simple joystick to use with my WWII fighter pilot game and decided to purchase the Saitek ST90. The joystick arrived with no software whatsoever. I wasn't too put off because I knew I could probably download the necessary drivers from the Saitek Web site. The problem came when I ran the driver installer. When it was nearly finished it asked me to plug in the controller, even though the controller was plugged in. Unplugging and replugging in the controller didn't help. The "profiler" software installed, but only the profile editor would work, not the Profiler itself.

None of this would have mattered if it would have simply allowed me to play the game I bought it for. But after hours of configuring, uninstalling, reinstalling and general troubleshooting the best I could do was get the controller to pitch and dive. Left and right movements were non-existent. Not much help in a fighter plane.

The Saitek user forums didn't offer any help, and my email to Saitek tech support went unanswered.

Thinking it may have been an issue with my laptops Vista software I tried to install it on my desktop running XP Pro with the same dismal results.

Not only could I NOT recommend this joystick, I'm wondering how a company that sells something of this poor quality can still stay in business!

I bought this for my son to use with MS flight simulator X. My Son is 11 yrs of age. He is not a heavy PC Gamer, but he does play FSX enough to have experienced faults/challenges if there where any to find. He has had no complaints. This flight stick apprears to work just fine.

If you are looking for a decent controller for at least casual play, I am sure you will be satisfied with this one.

I've had this stick for maybe four years now. It can only work for the simplest games. For the few bucks not bad. If you want to do flight sims or the type of complicated games like WWiiOnline .. don't use this stick. I clamp my down to the table so it has some support. Otherwise you get a sore hand from having to hold it down.
Not a well designed stick. Spend a few more bucks on something in the $40-50 range. You'd end up paying more if you get this one.

This is a good joystick for playing flightsim. Pitch and roll are as expected. Yaw is painful. So can't control helicopters or play quake. It can be a little tight in the beginning but smooths out after a few days of use.

the product was every thing as advertized. it works great and I am happy with it. I would recomend it.