Honeycomb Echo Aviation Controller Evaluation

In the 12 months of gaming 2026, flight sims are on the rise however are nonetheless a considerably area of interest viewers, particularly when attending to video games comparable to DCS World or Microsoft Flight Simulator. The greatest subject with stepping into this style of video games is {hardware}: New gamers might really feel intimidated by what number of controls there are to make use of and what sort of {hardware} to select up to make sure an excellent expertise. Sadly, HOTAS setups are in every single place with regards to problem to grasp and worth level. The individuals at Honeycomb Aeronautical perceive this and have give you an answer: The Echo Aviation Controller, an all-in-one package deal that works…however solely in some entries of the style.

HOTAS? We don’t want no stinking HOTAS

Okay, full disclosure: I personal not one, however two full HOTAS setups. The less complicated of the 2 setups is the Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flight Universal and the opposite is the Thrustmaster Warthog HOTAS. The first is the final one I exploit for Microsoft Flight Simulator whereas the Warthog tends to be for extra combat-focused video games like Elite Dangerous. It’s additionally tougher to arrange compared to the VelocityOne, however neither are simply plug and play: You need to spend a while utilizing it and getting used to the management scheme. This is the crux of the issue for any new participant: That’s so much to absorb simply to play a flight simulator. It’s additionally the way you lose out to rising your participant base to less complicated flight sims such because the Ace Combat collection (which I’ll love perpetually and ever.)

The Echo Aviation Controller is supposed to bridge the hole. This is a cockpit in a controller, principally. To anybody who has by no means performed a flight sim of their life, this would be the most bizarre-looking controller you’ll ever see. However, veterans of the style will perceive it instantly. The 4 sliders on the appropriate hand facet can be utilized for throttle, flaps and velocity brakes, all of which may be tweaked or modified by way of downloadable profiles out there on the Honeycomb web site, which we’ll cowl later. The most important joystick is comfy, and it’s corridor impact, so accuracy is all the pieces. There’s a POV joystick on the far left that permits a participant to go searching of their cockpit shortly, particularly essential to get these photogenic views in Microsoft Flight Simulator. The actual genius to this are the additional buttons: The toggles on the backside for velocity brake, touchdown gear, and flaps are so good to have. On the again facet there’s a rudder management that transfer reverse of one another. I’ve foot controls that I exploit, however typically they simply don’t work. With this? I don’t want them, and it’s fairly exact.

Save time with profiles, as a result of nobody desires to spend time programming

I discussed it earlier than that the largest ache with HOTAS sticks is programming the buttons and getting used to them. This is particularly true with my Warthog HOTAS. Don’t get me mistaken: I find it irresistible, however I used to be utilizing it in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and I misplaced my profile attributable to a corruption error. It took an hour to get it again to the best way I needed it. This isn’t an issue with MSFS 2024 due to high quality of life modifications they made and cloud storage, however there’s nonetheless that preliminary setup.

Honeycomb made this straightforward for the MSFS crowd: Profiles can be found on-line to obtain and cargo up. You’ll take only a few minutes to look on the controls and be sure you know what’s what, however the time spent right here is minimal. Currently, you’ll discover the next profiles:

• General Control for MSFS 2024
• Specific controls for MSFS 2024 Boeing 737 Max
• Airplane controls for MSFS 2024 Four engines (Hello, 747!)
• Specific controls for MSFS 2024 Twin Engines – Boeing 737 Max
• Airplane controls for MSFS 2024 Twin engines – Airbus A320 Neo V2
• Airplane controls for MSFS 2024 Single engine

There’s no phrase if extra will grow to be out there, however truthfully? I’m unsure anymore are wanted. Between these six controls, I’ve sufficient to cowl nearly each configuration there’s. Only exception was the profile for the F-18 that labored greatest was, humorous sufficient, the A320. Maybe my normal management profile simply didn’t lock on appropriately, however both method, it labored and I used to be in a position to fly something I needed.

You’ll discover that each one of those profiles are for MSFS 2024. I’m unsure this controller actually interprets over to DCS World, and perhaps Honeycomb realized that. DCS actually is supposed for a HOTAS setup and people who use controllers appear to get by fairly superb with an Xbox-style controller due to stick format. With the joysticks all on the left facet, I feel DCS followers can stick to what they’re utilizing now.

Surprisingly easy to make use of, even when it’s somewhat bizarre at first

I’ve tried out some unusual controllers in my gaming life. This one isn’t the weirdest, to be honest (Shoutout to the NES U-Force that one way or the other labored for Top Gun), nevertheless it’s up there. That being mentioned, it’s extraordinarily comfy to carry. Honeycomb appeared to place an enormous deal with consolation. While this feels somewhat larger than different controllers as a result of it’s thick, it’s not that a lot bigger than the 8bitdo controller I exploit for my PC.

There is a slight studying curve as a result of there’s so much occurring, and it was forcing myself to reset my thoughts in how a controller features with out having ABXY buttons to hit. After a few flights with some hilariously unhealthy selections by me in remembering what lever did what, it turned a fairly clean expertise. The weirdness of the controller was gone after a few days and it turned second nature. Admittedly, it felt bizarre not utilizing the HOTAS or VelocityOne, and part of me missed utilizing them, however did it hinder my expertise? Not in any respect, and that’s the essential half.

The controller has 15 hours of use earlier than you need to cost it, and cost time to full was fast due to the fast cost cable offered by Honeycomb. The levers themselves really feel nice and shouldn’t have an affordable really feel to them. The controller feels sturdy however isn’t heavy regardless of it being bigger than most traditional controllers. I additionally had a complete part that was going to be devoted to not having reverse controllers or not being clear on how to try this, however I missed that the levers have resistance to stop you from knocking down all the best way into reverse. The dimension of the levers block the crimson brackets that present the place the reverse is, so after figuring that out? My variety of complaints dropped by one.

So what are my complaints? Well…

First, let’s get proper to it: This is just for PC and Mac. It’s a bit confounding to me that the group of people that would profit from this most, that are console avid gamers, are omitted within the chilly. I get it that drivers are laborious and compatibility is hard to work out, however this controller screams out to be not only a resolution for these taking part in MSFS 2024 on Xbox, however the resolution. In a world the place elite controllers push $200 {dollars}, when you’ve got a devoted group which can be begging for a greater expertise on console why would you not attempt to get this to them? Honeycomb must work on making this for console, as a result of it solves so many points.

The second one is a bit humorous: For the lifetime of me, controlling a helicopter with this controller was like making an attempt to drive a toaster by way of a automotive wash. It is perhaps a ability subject, nevertheless it was painful making an attempt to do something with a helicopter with the Echo. Controls gave the impression to be completely different than what was programmed, and it definitely doesn’t assist that there isn’t a profile and I used to be utilizing the final controls. I believed that will be sufficient, however the variety of helicopters I crashed into the bottom with this factor is quite a few.

The remaining grievance is that it’s laborious targeted for informal flyers and never fight. It’s comprehensible with the design that it was one or the opposite and there wasn’t an effective way to make each work. While I don’t have precise numbers of the participant base, I feel it’s a secure assumption that the participant base of MSFS 2024 is bigger than a DCS World, and followers of the Ace Combat collection have by no means had a difficulty utilizing a daily controller for so long as it’s existed so that they aren’t roped into this. Simply put, if you happen to’re somebody who solely performs MSFS 2024, then you definately’ve hit the jackpot right here. Anyone else? You’re most likely sticking along with your HOTAS or normal controller.

Let’s discuss price. How a lot and is it actually price it?

The Honeycomb Echo Aviation Controller checks in with an MSRP of $149.99 on the time of writing, and you will discover it principally anyplace on-line, together with straight from Honeycomb.

If you don’t have the cash for a very good HOTAS setup and are uninterested in utilizing an Xbox controller? Then that is price each final penny if you happen to play MSFS 2024 so much. I really feel as if buying this controller with these two components in play leads to taking somebody from a regular participant to a fanatic as a result of it makes the expertise that significantly better.

Wrapping it up, the underside line is easy: Great controller, however with a transparent goal

I like this controller. Of all of the gimmick controllers which have been launched over time, I feel Honeycomb hit a house run. You need to look previous the constraints of what group this controller is focusing on. I’m nonetheless confused as to why they didn’t goal console gamers with this as a result of it’s screaming for this, however exterior of that? Excellent.

Ultimately, I’m nonetheless going to make use of this controller for some time. It’s straightforward to arrange and I haven’t missed my HOTAS. That will most likely change as a result of I do love my HOTAS setups, however for now? You’ve obtained a fan for a very long time, Honeycomb.