“Revolutionary” — I Tested These Upgraded Joysticks for Microsoft Flight Simulator Alongside a Stunning New Prototype That’ll Change the Game for Curious Newcomers

by

To many casual observers and the wider community of PC and console gamers, detailed simulators may seem like an unusual or quirky choice. However, even a renowned simulation game like Microsoft Flight Simulator was once considered one of these niche options. That changed when it transformed into the acclaimed MSFS 2020, available on Xbox and PC Game Pass, which caught my attention particularly with Asobo Studio’s Xbox version.

Following several years of content upgrades, the creators transitioned to a successor, which initially faced some challenges during its debut, known as Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. However, subsequent fixes and server enhancements have earned me the label of recommending MSFS 2024 as an essential game to play, prompting me to explore the realm of flight simulator joysticks and yokes.

If you’ve ever found flight simulators daunting for beginners due to their complex controls, you might be surprised by some of the early equipment they could use. Filled with numerous dials, levers, switches, and buttons, many flight sticks were too sophisticated for novices. Now, Honeycomb Aeronautical offers hardware that caters to both dedicated enthusiasts and newcomers in aviation.

If you’ve had experience with yokes before, you might casually look through my photos and identify similarities to the previously assessed Honeycomb ‘Alpha and Bravo’, particularly the ‘XPC’ versions that are compatible with Xbox. However, astute simulation enthusiasts will spot a unique aspect in these images. I had the opportunity to examine these models after receiving an invitation from the friendly team in London, courtesy of its parent company, snakebyte GROUP, and Overload PR.

As a researcher, I’m excited to confirm that these new additions belong to our upcoming ‘Honeycomb Lite’ series, specifically the ‘Alpha Flight Controls Lite’ and ‘Bravo Throttle Quadrant Lite.’ These components are part of an extensive initiative aimed at streamlining yoke and throttle setups for a more cost-effective solution. The goal is to make ultra-realistic simulation rigs more accessible, particularly for new players. While I’ve intentionally avoided using the word “cheap,” it’s essential to note that affordability doesn’t equate to compromised quality or performance in this case. Instead, we’re offering a more budget-friendly option without sacrificing the authentic simulation experience.

Simplified design, same high quality – Honeycomb Lite products are expertly designed for beginners in simulation.

Honeycomb Aeronautical

The Honeycomb Lite series boasts an affordable price compared to its high-end counterparts, yet it doesn’t compromise on quality. In fact, the Alpha Lite, with its soft-touch plastic casing encasing a robust steel core that rotates a durable yoke through 180 degrees, shares the same top-notch construction as the original ALPHA. Despite fewer features and switches, the experience remains deeply engaging.

The Bravo Lite throttle quadrant appears more user-friendly due to its larger, adjustable throttle lever handles with tactile indentations. It retains traditional features like the parking brake, landing gear lever, and trim wheel, making it attractive for avid roleplayers. Interestingly, the streamlined design encourages me to utilize all parts of this simplified ‘Lite’ throttle quadrant, rather than neglecting lesser-used elements.

Upon my visit to the snakebyte GROUP team, I noticed a remarkable difference with Honeycomb Aeronautical – the standout being the ‘Foxtrot Aviation Stick’. This device, similar to several joysticks I’ve tried before like Turtle Beach’s VelocityOne Flightstick, is designed for virtual control of aircraft that are traditionally stick-operated, including smaller, agile planes. In essence, it’s a replica cockpit tool, perfect for simulated flight experiences.

I’m excited to explore the Foxtrot further, saving the specifics for later, so as not to reveal too much just yet.

To provide a clearer understanding, let me rephrase that: Most notably, the team demonstrated an initial add-on throttle unit that can be conveniently attached to either side of the joystick for a seamless HOTAS (Hands On Throttle-and-Stick) configuration on the Foxtrot. I’m excited to examine the Foxtrot further, so I won’t disclose all the specifics just yet, but my virtual tour in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 revealed a smooth and highly responsive experience, even with minute movements.

Fundamentally, the Foxtrot aims to simplify setup significantly compared to both the Alpha and the Alpha Lite, as it eliminates the necessity of a desk clamp. This could make it an ideal quick-and-easy solution for beginners, serving as a potential stepping stone before they advance to a full yoke. Alternatively, it might be more suitable for sim enthusiasts who simply prefer joysticks. Everyone has their preferences.

For just a moment, it seemed as though I might empathize with the sharp-witted colleagues showcasing the cutting-edge Honeycomb Aeronautical equipment, with special mention of Marc Küpper from snakebyte | GROUP CTO, who witnessed my eyes sparkle like a child’s when he shared his captivating tales about production in Hong Kong. Intriguingly, I also spotted an in-development model on the last table: the ‘Echo Aviation Controller’.

In this paraphrase, I aimed to maintain the original meaning while using simpler and more conversational language to make it easier for readers to understand.

Truly groundbreaking, the Echo prototype offers an abundance of common sense appeal for leisure flight simulation fans.

In a slightly different phrasing, it could be: “I might have exclaimed something along the lines of, ‘Wow, what on earth is that?’ However, my exclamation may have been more colorful and delivered with increased intensity. To clarify, Mark was equally excited to demonstrate the Echo – a device resembling an Xbox controller with miniature throttle levers, a trim wheel, and other features. Yet, he emphasized that this is not a final product.

Despite not showing much concern, I’m genuinely captivated by this prototype, it’s remarkably innovative. The Echo prototype seems tailor-made for leisure flight simulator aficionados, and even someone who has gone through the initial lessons of Microsoft Flight Simulator’s tutorial can guess the purpose of each dial and button. Moreover, the rest is understood through experimental flights, albeit a bit risky.

Previously, other brands have designed unconventional controllers that resembled Frankenstein’s creations, but the Echo Aviation Controller stands out as something extraordinary – it’s in a category of its own, even surpassing the competition. Honeycomb Aeronautical seems to have hit the mark with this innovative joystick design, and I sincerely hope to see it make it to mass production.

During my experience with the Echo, the rearmounted rudder pedal controls seemed to be non-operational, a problem often encountered when prototyping electronic devices. Interestingly, they appeared as if they were a necessary feature, similar to the full-sized ‘Charlie’ pedals produced by Honeycomb. However, these miniaturized versions clearly demonstrated a reduced scale. I must admit, I really appreciate this design.

The star of the show is almost humorously overshadowed, as it could be the Honeycomb Lite range, a brand new flagship ‘Sierra TPM Module’, or the arrival of the Foxtrot, broadening the product line beyond yokes, throttles, and rudder pedals. However, it was the Echo that caught my attention, and I’m perfectly content with that.

As a fervent enthusiast, I can hardly contain my excitement about the impending unveiling of prices for the latest hardware offerings, with the Foxtrot model particularly piquing my interest. Will it make the cut and find its rightful place among the top joysticks for Microsoft Flight Simulator? Stay tuned to Windows Central for updates on all these yokes, joysticks, and joypads as they hit the market, as I’ll be keeping a close watch – especially for the Echo.

Read More

2025-08-11 22:11