Ed "Brandor" Reddy

  Design and Assembly

The HOTASS device is a free-standing mounting system for your joystick, throttle, and game pad. The entire system is made from solid oak (not cheap pressboard) and when assembled is a very sturdy structure.

The U-shaped base, which is placed between your chair and the desk, has three adjustable support uprights---left, right, and center. On each upright is a controller mounting plate that slides backward or forward for adjustment purposes. The entire assembly is fastened with Allen-bolts (Allen key supplied) and takes less than fifteen minutes to assemble. Once assembled, controllers are affixed to the mounting plates with Velcro (supplied).

The genius of the design, in my opinion, is the inverted U-shaped base. Because this base wraps around in front of your chair, the HOTASS setup never gets in your way if you have to make a hasty exit from the virtual cockpit.

The final component of the HOTASS is the keyboard holder. It's a simple little thing: two dowels are inserted between two oak side plates (I thought it was a CD-holder at first). This device is placed on the edge of the desk where little hangy-down pieces kinda lock it in place.

Next you plop your keyboard on it and now your keyboard is tilted up at a 40 degree angle turning it into another 101 key game pad of sorts. It seems basic, almost obvious, but it is very cleverly designed. I thought for sure my ergonomic keyboard would not work with it, but it did so perfectly. Most impressive.

Hands-On Experience

The first thing that came to my mind when I started using the HOTASS was why hadn't anyone come up with this before now? I have used the HOTASS system for 3 weeks now and I have become very comfortable with (and attached to) the system. Not only is it a great way to get your joystick off your computer desk but the design makes a ton of ergonomic sense.

I find that by using the HOTASS system I no longer feel the inexorable urge to hunch-over in my chair and lean further toward the monitor. We all do this as our arms and shoulders get tired, but with this device I can sit back in my seat and play away without getting sore shoulders. Yes, ladies and gents, the Hunchback has left the building!

I can also adjust each controller-mounting upright so as to position my joystick in a centered position (between my knees as in real aircraft), left (for us lefties), or on the right. Even if you don't own a throttle, having your joystick placed in the center and down, away from the desk in a natural location, makes game play a whole lot easier on your eyes, shoulders, and spine.

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With the crafty little keyboard holder now placing all my keys in easy reach and view, I can press the commands I do not have programmed into my sticks. Typing is surprisingly easy even at this angle if you have to type in that ever important message (re: taunt).

As I have said, the HOTASS allows you to get your controllers off your desk and out of the way. When all HOTAS controls do become USB, you will be able to simply hot-unplug your setup and place the entire HOTASS rig off to one side if you really want to get the thing completely out of the way. When you want to go simming, you can slide the entire rig back into place and everything will be positioned exactly as you left it. The price? Only $80!!!

Wrapping up

I can honestly say that as soon as this device leaves my house next week (COMBATSIM.COM is giving it away as a prize), I will be one unhappy puppy (as will my back, neck, and shoulders). FighterSystems HOTASS is a portable and affordable addition to the budget-minded simmer's set-up.

The side benefits are the freeing up of valuable desk space, ergonomic design that will allow you to play comfortably for many hours on end, and the ability to lock-in your controller positioning or change to a new configuration quickly and easily. Great construction, price, features, and enhanced immersion -- need I say more? For innovation and excellence, we give the HOTASS the COMBATSIM.COM TOP PICK award.

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