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Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X: One-minute evaluate
The Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X is a brand new tackle the basic gaming joystick with a really particular job to do. A 3-axis joystick supported by a plethora of buttons and inputs, this Xbox and PC-compatible accent feels at dwelling on a worksite, not a runway, and extra particularly, it’s heading straight for the farmyard.
Which means a big multifunction joystick with a mini-stick, thumbwheel, and twin triggers, 33 mappable motion buttons, and a hand throttle. Plus, there are Corridor impact sensors powering the ambidextrous joystick, so there needs to be loads of precision management and longevity on provide.
Pre-mapped for Farming Simulator 25 out of the field, it’s right here the place I spent most of my time with the FarmStick X, and whereas I’m an admittedly very beginner farmer, I had a fairly good time. I’ll admit the advantage of the joystick itself wasn’t at all times instantly apparent, and there have been a number of teething hiccups, however in the best equipment it proved a complete gamechanger.
Widespread actions have been bodily and metaphorically nearer handy and never needing to manually bind these, noticed me close to sufficient leaping straight from the primary menu to fishing a skid-steer loader out of a river – extra on that later.
It’s clear the FarmStick X is concentrating on die-hard Farming Sim fanatics, however with manually configurable inputs it’ll work as a button-rich joystick throughout a variety of different simulation video games too. So whereas this agricultural controller sits practically alone out there for its main operate, it’s up towards some stiff competitors from extra generic HOTAS equipment and Logitech’s Farm Simulator Heavy Gear Bundle.
Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X: Worth and availability
- Listing worth: $129.99 / £99.99 / €119.99
- Restricted retail availability exterior US or Canada
- Requires further {hardware} buy for Xbox compatibility
A well-known-looking gadget, the Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X is the second technology of the joystick that first arrived on the finish of 2023. Quick ahead to the beginning of 2025, and the brand new iteration maintains the entire authentic FarmStick’s options whereas welcoming Xbox console compatibility. The X on the tip most likely gave that away.
That X will price you $30 greater than the earlier PC-only version and sees the FarmStick X rise to $129.99/£99.99/€119.99. Whereas by itself, that worth is affordable and slots it neatly in just under extra flight-focused HOTAS {hardware} and joysticks, that’s not fairly the total story. On PC, there’s no additional buy required; you may pair the FarmStick X with keyboard controls or further {hardware} like a wheel.
On Xbox, nonetheless, Thrustmaster makes fairly a powerful level of noting that you simply’ll want certainly one of its wheels for the console to just accept the FarmStick X, plus you’re restricted to Farming Simulator 25 as the one appropriate recreation. That skews the worth proposition fairly closely for console gamers and raises the reasonable minimal price to someplace north of $300.
In testing, nonetheless, I used to be in a position to make use of the FarmStick X with out a wheel and in partnership with a normal Xbox Sequence X controller. This was expectedly awkward, and I definitely wouldn’t suggest this setup, however it appeared doable.
Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X: Specs
|
Dimensions (HxWxD) |
9.1 x 7.5 x 7.3in / 230 x 190 x 185mm |
|
Weight |
1.9lb / 858g |
|
Mappable Buttons |
33 |
|
Joystick Axis |
3 |
|
Triggers |
2 |
|
Throttle Controls |
1 |
|
Platform Compatibility |
Xbox Sequence X|S and PC (Home windows 11/10) |
|
Field Contents |
FarmStick X, Guarantee flyer, USB-C to USB-A cable, Extra set off cap |
Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X: Design and options
- Corridor impact three-axis joystick with mini thumbstick and triggers
- 33 mappable buttons and throttle management
- Xbox Sequence and PC compatibility (requires additional {hardware} on Xbox)
Whereas it could be destined for the farmyard, there’s one thing distinctly fighter jet in regards to the design of the Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X. The gunmetal gray base and electrical orange accents are putting, and I obtained an actual old-school vibe as quickly as I took it out of the field. This, sadly, wasn’t a case of old-school cool for me although; all of it appeared a bit dated and lacked any kind of premium really feel.
Most of that is right down to materials selection greater than shade; the FarmStick X is sort of fully plastic, and the bottom is noticeably hole. Now I’m not suggesting this wanted a full carbon fibre chassis and titanium accents, however not all plastic is identical, and I can’t assist however really feel Thrustmaster reduce a bit on this space. Even a wafer-thin metallic shell over the bottom would have made an enormous distinction.
The buttons on both aspect of the bottom additionally endure on account of materials decisions; the arduous molded plastic buttons are nothing greater than high quality. They do the job, however would have been higher with rubberised caps for my part. The smaller buttons on the FarmStick X’s joystick are rubber and really feel a lot better to make use of because of this. Extra of these subsequent time, please, Thrustmaster.
The SimTask FarmStick X’s foremost occasion is the massive joystick, and as soon as once more, it’s all plastic, and I can solely name it high quality because of this. I received’t go so far as to say it appears like a toy, however a bit rubberisation would have been much more comfy, offered extra grip, and felt extra high-end in your hand.
The ambidextrous shaping is good to see (shout out to the lefties), and I discovered it comfy to carry for prolonged classes. It’s fairly thick, nonetheless, I’ve fairly massive fingers, so this labored out nicely for me, however youthful or smaller wannabe farmers may not be as happy.
Tucked away on the rear of the bottom is an array of connections, together with the all-important USB-C port for connecting the FarmStick X to your PC or console. You’ll additionally discover a few ports for increasing your ecosystem – a DIN port and an RJ12 port for a TFRP rudder. Lastly, a toggle swap for flicking the FarmStick X between Xbox and PC compatibility mode.
Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X: Efficiency
- Corridor impact, three-axis joystick presents nice management
- Button mappings typically want guide configuration
- Extra fitted to skilled gamers than novices
Like many individuals, I’ve dabbled in Farming Simulator a number of occasions prior to now, taking inspiration extra from Jeremy Clarkson than Kaleb Cooper, nonetheless. I have a tendency to leap right into a recent multiplayer session with a pal, fiddle inflicting mischief within the area, attempt as many machines as doable, and that’s that.
It’s nice enjoyable, and people previous experiences made me curious of what the Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X would deliver. Racing video games are made instantly extra pleasing for even probably the most informal gamers by including a wheel and pedals, however is identical true of including a joystick to Farming Simulator 25? After a number of hours of messing round inflicting mischief in a area and making an attempt as many machines as doable, the reply is: sure, kind of.
I began on PC, and it wasn’t as clean an introduction because it ought to have been. The Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X is just pre-configured for one recreation, Farming Simulator 25, and from my expertise, this nonetheless wants sprucing up. Some keybinds didn’t do something, others that claimed to do one motion however really did one other, and a few buttons I struggled to seek out in any respect.
Plenty of the problem right here comes right down to a mismatch in labelling, the sport refers to every button with a quantity, and whereas a few of these are printed on the bodily gadget, most aren’t, that means I needed to have the PDF guide open on my second display screen. I’m certain you’d get used to it fairly shortly, notably when you take the time to map your individual buttons, however as an informal gamer, this was irritating.
On Xbox, initially issues felt far more polished, although I shortly realised it’s a far shallower expertise in the long term. Right here, the keybinds that have been mysteriously mismatched or lacking fully on PC have been current and proper, which I used to be grateful for, as there’s no capacity to regulate or manually change keybinds on console. Once more, you’re left to navigate which button is which by your self; these barely useful quantity labels are actually gone fully, nonetheless, so it’s actually a case of press and hope till you get your bearings.
As soon as I’d obtained the grasp of which buttons did what, nonetheless, my expertise did enhance. I paired the Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X with the model’s T128 SimTask wheel and pedals throughout each PC and Xbox, and as a combo, they work nicely. I did discover makes use of for the FarmStick X’s joystick considerably restricted, nonetheless, and whereas it lends itself nicely to cranes and entrance loader equipment, for normal farming actions, I discovered myself extra centered on the wheel.
The FarmStick X itself felt like a distinct segment add-on relatively than a necessity, and it wasn’t a right away gamechanger like a steering wheel and pedals are.
That mentioned, having discovered myself with an pressing must retrieve a skid-steer digger from a river (the way it obtained there isn’t essential), the FarmStick X got here into its personal. Controlling the assorted features of an excavator’s arm with the three-axis joystick was great, and I don’t suppose I might have replicated this expertise with different units. The Corridor impact sensor supplied exact and responsive management in all instructions, with simply sufficient resistance within the stick itself to really feel like I might maintain place while not having to struggle it.
For knowledgeable farmers with current wheel setups they know just like the again of their hand, the Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X will doubtless provide loads of additional worth and add a brand new dimension to gameplay. That is undoubtedly a die-hard’s accent for individuals who have moved nicely past the fundamentals of farming and should not one for the lots.
In an try and unearth a bit extra worth for an informal gamer, I swapped out of Farming Simulator and over to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 to see if the FarmStick X might maintain its personal as a generic joystick choice, too. Once more, the reply is kind of. The stick was instantly acknowledged by the sport, however unsurprisingly wanted each single button motion and joystick axis to be manually configured.
After a couple of minutes of fiddling, I’d sure throttle and primary rudder controls and was in a position to take to the skies. Very like my river escapades, the FarmStick X’s joystick felt responsive and supplied an amazing stage of management. I’ve little doubt when you can make investments the time in correctly mapping each button, the FarmStick X would work simply high quality throughout any variety of joystick-suited simulation video games.
Sadly, this selection solely exists for PC gamers because the FarmStick X refuses to play good with different titles. I’m curious as to why, although, having been advised I wanted a wheel to make use of the joystick, solely to find it labored fortunately with only a controller, I couldn’t assist however push my luck. Filled with hope, I fired up Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 on Xbox too, and to my shock, the sport instantly acknowledged the FarmStick X as a generic joystick enter. I used to be in a position to choose it in menus and manually bind inputs, I even used the in-game instruments to validate it was capturing enter information appropriately, it was working – till it wasn’t.
Having cobbled collectively a few primary binds, I jumped in a airplane to seek out that whereas the FarmStick X was sending instructions to Flight Sim 2024, and the sport fortunately knew what they meant, it then did nothing with them. I don’t know why it really works in menus however not within the recreation itself, and I’m conscious it’s not formally meant to, however I can’t assist however really feel there are some licensing executives in costly fits stopping this from occurring relatively than any real compatibility issues.
It’s a disgrace as a result of it makes the FarmStick X more durable to suggest for console gamers, being restricted to preset binds in a single recreation is a far more durable promote, and means Xbox customers are paying extra to get lower than their PC-only buddies within the subsequent area over.
Do you have to purchase the Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X?
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
Additionally contemplate…
Undecided if the Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X is the best selection? Listed here are a few different flight stick choices you may contemplate as a substitute.
Word: The FarmStick X is kind of a singular and particular gadget, so there aren’t a plethora of actually like-for-like choices to discover. As a substitute, these options are extra flight-focused, and whereas they may require guide keybinding in-game, every presents the identical core joystick and button performance.
Nonetheless, we’re within the strategy of reviewing farming-sim particular gear from the likes of Logitech and Hori, and can replace this part when these evaluations are stay.
| Row 0 – Cell 0 |
Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X |
Thrustmaster Sol-R Flight Stick |
TurtleBeach VelocityOne Flight Stick |
|
Dimensions (HxWxD) |
9.1 x 7.5 x 7.3in / 230 x 190 x 185mm |
9.72 x 7.71 x 7.71in / 247 x 196 x 196mm |
9.07 x 6.46 x 8.54in / 230 x 164 x 217mm |
|
Weight |
1.9lb / 858g |
2.79lb / 1270g |
1.81lb / 820g |
|
Mappable Buttons |
33 |
21 |
27 |
|
Joystick Axis |
3 |
6 |
8 |
|
Triggers |
2 |
2 |
1 |
|
Throttle Controls |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Platform Compatibility |
Xbox and PC (restricted video games on console) |
PC |
Xbox and PC (restricted video games on console) |
|
Field Contents |
FarmStick X, Guarantee flyer, USB-C to USB-A cable, Extra set off cap |
Sol-R base, Sol-R grip, Detachable wrist relaxation, Thumb relaxation (+ 1 cowl) for left-handed configuration, Stability helps, Removable USB-C cable, Guarantee data |
VelocityOne Flightstick, USB-C to USB-A cable, M5 Screws (3), Fast Flight Information |
How I examined the Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X
I primarily examined the Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X as a part of a gaming PC setup with an Intel Core i9 14900k CPU, AMD Radeon 9070XT GPU, and the Thrustmaster T128 SimTask wheel and pedal set. I initially jumped into Farming Simulator 25 to check the out-of-the-box button mappings earlier than making guide tweaks and binds through the in-game menu the place obligatory in an effort to absolutely make the most of the FarmStick X’s options. I typically take a look at merchandise by streaming games on Twitch, and if you wish to see how I obtained on with utilizing the FarmStick X to function a crane precariously near a river, nicely, I’ve got you covered.
After round 10 hours of configuration and play, I swapped over to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 to see how it will carry out out of its consolation zone. All through my time utilizing the FarmStick X, I paid shut consideration to how the joystick specifically responded to inputs, in addition to making an attempt to set off false or missed button inputs.
I then moved to the lounge and fired up my Xbox Series X and Samsung S90C. Once more, I spent the vast majority of my time in Farming Simulator 25, this time paying shut consideration to variations in button mapping and expertise between console and PC. I pushed my luck right here, formally the FarmStick X requires a wheel for Xbox compatibility, however I ran checks with each the inventory Xbox wireless controller and no further controller inputs linked. I additionally tried to make use of the joystick to play the unsupported Microsoft Flight Simulator 24 through Xbox Game Pass, unsuccessfully.
First reviewed April 2025