Thread: Thrustmaster T-16000M flight stick

Pair my excitement for Battlefield Bad Company 2 with a conversation about the advantages of air combat using a flight stick, and someone's $135 poorer. Thanks, Jimmy.

If anyone else is looking at getting a budget flightstick, for BC2 or anything else, I thought I'd share my conclusion for purchase. After an extensive amount of research and review reading, I decided on the Thrustmaster T16000. Other considerations were the Saitek Cyborg-X, Saitek Aviator and Logitech Extreme 3D Pro.

It's weighty compared to competitors, which is important, but the real key was the stick itself - it has little loose-play and is very responsive. It also uses magnets as opposed to springs/motors meaning much smoother control. Unfortunately I had to pay about $40 more than its worth (inc. shipping), due to me only finding a single online store in Australia that sells it: THRUSTMASTER T. 16000M JOYSTICK FOR PC 2960706 2960706

Originally Posted by Tech Digest

It's got some brand new tech, called H.E.A.R.T., which pretends to stand for "Hall Effect AccuRate Technology". Some "Hall Effect" magnets sit on the stick, giving the sensors far more precision than most other joysticks. On each axis, there's over 16,000 different values. That's a little ridiculous, but might be worth buying if the person with the steadiest hands in the world is your Secret Santa next year, and is a big flight-sim enthusiast.

The T.16000M is ambidextrous, comes with 16 action buttons, and offers a wide hand rest and weighted base as additional features. It'll be available in February and cost £50. That seems fairly cheap. Maybe I should give it a shot.

Just a note of forewarning: do not buy from Dundee Deals.

They stated a shipping time of 1-3 business days. 4 past, so I called at 3pm and got message bank. 24 hours later I'd received no return call, so I called at 5pm and got through to a staff member.

I enquired as to a) when it would be dispatched, and b) if I could upgrade the shipping to express due to the delay. He had a harsh American accent, and had absolutely no idea when my item would be dispatched. He couldn't even given me a reason as to why it hadn't been yet. He also said he didn't know if I could have the shipping changed to express, and let me know he'd e-mail me once he found out.

A few hours later I received an e-mail saying it would be an additional $15 to express ship it. So, I sent back an e-mail requesting that he cancel the order and requested he let me know once the return had been processed. I received no such courtesy notification.

Anyway, it turns out they're not an Australian business at all, despite the details on their website alluding to that. From my statement: 2 Feb 2010 WEBPAYPROLT 4694504982 USA

Steer clear of these chaps.

I've now ordered the same product from an Ebay store, who is transparent about their American location, for AUD $40 less including shipping.

Quick ABN lookup

Current details for 27 616 150 304
This extract is based on information supplied by businesses to the Registrar of the Australian Business Register. Neither the Registrar nor the Federal Government guarantee this information is accurate, up to date or complete. Consider verifying this information from other sources.
ABN: 27 616 150 304
View ABN history
Last modified: 07 Sep 2009
ABN status: Active from 10 Aug 2005
Entity name: HADAVI, DAVID
Entity type: Individual/Sole Trader
GST status: Not currently registered for GST
Main business location
State:
Postcode: TX 95002 <- Texas not in Australia
Trading name(s)
Youprice
Dundee Deals
Other registrations

Follows up with

Historical details for 27 616 150 304

This extract is based on information supplied by businesses to the Registrar of the Australian Business Register. Neither the Registrar nor the Federal Government guarantee this information is accurate, up to date or complete. Consider verifying this information from other sources.
ABN: 27 616 150 304
View current ABN details
Last modified: 07 Sep 2009
ABN status From To Active 10 Aug 2005 (current) Entity names From To HADAVI, DAVID 10 Aug 2005 (current) Entity type Individual/Sole Trader GST status From To No current or historical GST registrations Main business locations From To TX 95002 14 Apr 2008 (current) 0000 24 Oct 2005 14 Apr 2008 75002 10 Aug 2005 24 Oct 2005 Trading name(s) From To Youprice 14 Apr 2008 (current) The Student Body 10 Aug 2005 14 Apr 2008 Dundee Deals 07 Sep 2009 (current) uprice.com.au 28 Apr 2006 14 Apr 2008 youprice.com.au 28 Apr 2006 14 Apr 2008 yourprice.com.au 28 Apr 2006 14 Apr 2008 Auto Trader 10 Aug 2005 14 Apr 2008 The Face Book 10 Aug 2005 14 Apr 2008

Which leads to

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum...m/1116977.html

I attempted to buy an a/v product through them last year. A day or two later they sent an email confirming shipping, but the product never arrived. I raised a query using their on-line help but did not receive any response. I rang their help line several times. Only one time was the phone answered, someone took my details and promised a return call once they had determined what had happened to the order. Needless to say there was no return call. After several further fruitless attempts to contact them I gave up and did a chargeback through my credit card provider.
Based on my experience I would not recommend buying from them.

Dodgy enough, methinks.

Who's main business is starting up scam sites.

http://www.hadavienterprises.com/enterprise/

Depending on how BC3/1943/BF3 turn out (if ever) might grab a Saitek stick and wire up some custom pedals.