Is the TCA Sidestick Actually Good?

In this video I go over my experience with the Thrustmaster TCA Side stick (PC Version) and why I think this could be the best value joystick for Flight Simulator or any flight simulation gam.
Thrustmaster has always done a great job with its entry-level flight simulation electronics and is a trusted brand around the world. Can they live up to their reputation with the TCA Sidestick?
TCA Sidestick
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[@lordmashie]

The weak detent can be fixed since all it is is a small piece underneath the black throttle thingy locking into a little divot on the base. I know someone's made a video on it.

[@JosephAlanMeador]

Thanks for the review! It's a great stick for the price. I am curious to see it compared with the new X edition that is geared towards Xbox but is supposed to work with PC as well. The buttons look like they may be better on the X edition, but other than that I wonder how much difference there is in terms of build quality and accuracy.

[@g-locmedia]

Yea the buttons will be a bit different but the rest of the stick is exactly the same.

[@roryfiler214]

Thanks for the review - I'm just into simulation and "looking to get my feet wet" with an entry level controller. Sounds like a good bet - even though it won't be used with an Airbus product ... yet. Cheers!

[@g-locmedia]

It’s a good entry level stick. If your looking for another option check out the turtle beach.

[@roryfiler214]

@@g-locmedia Hey, thanks for the reply. I've got a MacBook M1 processor laptop and I've heard the Thrustmaster works with it. Having recently switched to Mac after 30+ years with PC's... perhaps my timing is off a bit ;-)

[@Izmael1310]

Did they really change the Z axis sensors from the cheap one which is in the T16000m? That is interesting.

[@JoeDelaney64]

Nice video, I got the airbus sidestick last week, set it up as per the Fenix web instructions, Found it impossible to control plane on taxi and take off, sent it back, after reading lots of complaints about an internal wiring issue, Just wondering was it just a faulty stick, has anybody else had any issues like this?

[@DeepakKumar-mu6cu]

Thanks for the details.
is the spring tension similar to the real 320 side stick?
if not, which stick has the best spring tension for the actual a320 side stick feel?

[@g-locmedia]

I'm sorry I've never had my hands on a real A320 side stick. My friend is a pilot of the A320 and he has the virpik warbird which has adjustable tension and a damper.

[@Spelljammer1]

"there's no potentiometer here" - do you mean they removed the one from the twist axis sensor? that used to be a major fault point for the T16000M line.

[@g-locmedia]

I was referencing the x and y axis being that it’s now a Hall effect sensor. To be honest I’m unsure how the twist action functions.

[@apachebcn]

What best, this or Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flightstick?

[@g-locmedia]

I would go for the velocity one flight stick. There’s just a few more cool features like the included trim wheel.

[@mnsportsfan8889]

I got my thrustmaster TCA Captain pack X airbus edition yesterday. I downloaded the software and booted up xplane 11. In the joystick settings both the sidestick and quadrant show up and calibrate however once I load into the Zibo, the Sidestick doesn’t work. The cursor [+] is showing but the quad still works. Any ideas on how to fix this?

[@g-locmedia]

Unfortunately I haven’t used it in xplane. Not sure what might be happening there. The first thing I’d try is updating the firmware on the stick and throttle.

[@mnsportsfan8889]

Firmware is up to date. Ill have to call Thrustmaster support and see if they think the unit is faulty. I haven’t heard of anyone else having this issue.

[@g-locmedia]

@@mnsportsfan8889 first time I’ve heard of it too. TM support is usually quite good.

[@mnsportsfan8889]

That’s good to hear.

[@PlayJewel]

Is there any way to make it work with xbox?

[@g-locmedia]

There is an xbox version of this stick

[@KingTairun]

what is this stick compatible with?? 2 games at best?? I bought it and I regret it

[@g-locmedia]

It's really for MSFS and x-Plane

[@KingTairun]

@@g-locmedia why not with every flight game? Logitech sticks are