Thrustmaster SOL-R review – A new challenger to traditional HOTAS systems

The SOL-R Flightstick is an all-in-one joystick and thrust system where rather than spreading out controls across a HOSAS controller, everything can be accessed in one much more condensed area. Ideal for gamers who are tight on space, the SOL-R 1 Flightstick brings all the added immersion that a HOTAS system does but also brings with it a much more straightforward layout that is easy to learn and master.

From a comfort perspective, the SOL-R joystick fits naturally in the hand and doesn’t become strenuous to use even over long gaming sessions. All inputs on the joystick are reachable with the hand you use to grip it, so there’s no need to worry about overstretching and accidentally steering yourself off course.

As an added extra, you can double up on SOL-R flightsticks using the SOL-R 2 in a HOSAS configuration, spreading out your inputs across two units and sharing your flight controls between two joysticks.

Thrustmaster isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel with the SOL-R joystick design. Nothing about how this joystick and base is presented is unnecessarily complicated and every input is clearly marked without ruining the strong two-tone design. The placement of inputs is also sequential, meaning you won’t need to memorize the layout beyond which way the numbers flow, making it easy to adjust to this stick if you’re moving over from another flight deck system.

Subtle blue lighting pops to life when the SOL-R is plugged in, and it perfectly complements the black-and-white design of the stick and base. There are 11 total lighting zones on the SOL-R, all of which can be customized using Thrustmaster Target software. The only other color on the SOL-R sticks is the burnt orange inputs, numbered 35 and 39, situated just below the two eight-way hat switches, and the primary trigger on the rear of the joystick.

Speaking of inputs, there are 21 action buttons, two triggers, two hat switches, one mini-stick, a thrust, and one thumbwheel per SOL-R unit. The joystick itself uses H.E.A.R.T, Thrustmaster’s proprietary Hall Effect AccuRate Technology across all axes. This means there is virtually no chance that stick drift ever becomes an issue, and the usual deadzone of movement can be removed, meaning the joystick is far more responsive.

Each SOL-R joystick can also be adapted, using included components, to be ambidextrous. For additional comfort, wrist and thumb rests are included and can be added to each joystick.

On the bottom of each unit is a direction switch, allowing you to set each unit so it can be recognized as a left or right-sided device. There are also some screw threads here, should you wish to attach the SOL-R to your desktop using a mounting system.

The SOL-R Flightsticks are also plug-and-play, meaning no additional software is required to get them working in-game but you can download the Thrustmaster Target software to access a deeper level of customization and even community control profiles. There are firmware updates available on the Thrustmaster website to keep the sticks up to date, too. Updating them is a simple process that just includes loading the firmware file, plugging in each flight stick individually, and waiting for the update to be confirmed.

Thrustmaster nails the performance aspect of the SOL-R Flightsticks, with the plug-and-play nature getting you into the gameplay quickly and default key bindings making a lot of sense across the games that I tried. Granted, there were a few changes needed in Elite Dangerous where the game failed to pick up the triggers as the default weapon inputs, but this was a quick enough fix.

The joystick is super responsive, thanks to the Hall Effect technology which removes the need for any movement deadzone and allows for even the smallest of adjustments to be registered in-game. I found this to be ideal in high-octane flight combat games such as Star Wars Squadrons or War Thunder.

Speaking of aerial combat games, I was initially concerned that the relatively light weight of the SOL-R would mean it may slide around on my desk in the heat of battle as I’m making sudden adjustments, but this wasn’t the case. Only four small rubber pads sit on the bottom of the SOL-R, but these are more than enough to create a strong bond to my desk or mouse pad so the unit never shifts during gameplay. If you do find yourself struggling with keeping the SOL-R in one position, four additional pads are included for each base that clip into the corners for extra grip.

Sim games such as Elite Dangerous or Microsoft Flight Sim are where the SOL-R has a whole shines though, as the 44 inputs per unit are enough to comfortably set up a control profile that requires minimal to no keyboard usage, especially when using the SOL-R 2 setup for games that support 6DOF (six degrees of freedom) movement.

That being said, the time required to set up a dual joystick control profile is intimidating and quite a mundane task, but it would only need to be done once for each game. Using dual joysticks isn’t a hugely common approach to 6DOF games, at least compared to HOTAS, but there are those who prefer to spread control of a ship or plane across two joysticks to avoid potentially awkward wrist maneuvers when navigating multiple axes at the same time.

A big advantage of using the SOL-R in a dual joystick setup, however, is the doubling of inputs, effectively raising your total to 88, and after some time spend managing inputs in Thrustmaster Target, you may find yourself with no need to have a keyboard on standby.

Still, it’s a shame that there isn’t currently any built-in recognition for the SOL-R 1 or 2 setup, which would make jumping into games much easier for gamers who are new to using joystick controls. Over time, community profiles will probably be available to upload into Thrustmaster’s Target software, but the initial launch window might be quite tough to navigate until these are available.

The closest comparison I can make for the SOL-R is to the Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flight Deck, which is a HOTAS system, that equally places a big focus on responsive joystick controls, offers a wealth of inputs, and is accessible enough to place on just about any desktop.

However, the SOL-R is ultimately in a class of its own right now because there are so few products like it. I’m not sold on HOSAS yet, but the SOL-R 1 Flightstick is easily my favorite way to play flight sim or combat games now thanks to its super responsive joystick and wealth of inputs contained all in one, easy-to-use controller.

As a footnote, the individual joystick and base components that make up each SOL-R unit are compatible with the rest of the Thrustmaster ecosystem, meaning you can always swap and change your setup at a later date, or if you have preferred joysticks and grips for certain games.

A single SOL-R 1 Flightstick costs $219.99 / £159.99 while the SOL-R 2 HOSAS costs $399.99 /£299.99. While it very much comes down to your needs, the cost of the SOL-R 2 HOSAS is quite high, even though it’s technically a discount over buying two SOL-R units separately.

As for the SOL-R 1 Flightstick, at $199.99 this offers extremely good value, once again due to the number of inputs and the built-in throttle meaning an entire HOTAS setup is somewhat contained within a single unit, ideal for gamers who are short on space. Given that some premium joysticks alone can cost north of $200, with no base included, the SOL-R 1 presents a fantastic starting point if you’re curious about getting started with flight or space sim games.

Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flight Deck

It may feel a little like comparing chalk and cheese, but Turtle Beach’s premium HOTAS flight deck is a fair alternative to the SOL-R. Both controllers are geared towards creating an accessible starting point for gamers new to flight and space sim games, while still offering a deeper level of detail for those who are no strangers to the genre and are looking to deepen their immersion.

The price is high on both for new starters, but the quality is what seals the deal with no cheap plastic and a heavily reduced risk of components snapping or breaking in the joystick, due to the use of Hall Effect which uses magnets rather than small, fragile components.

The Thrustmaster SOL-R Flightstick is a fantastic joystick that’s extremely comfortable in your hand and comes with an input layout that’s easy to master. While I’ve struggled to justify the increased cost and limited compatibility of the SOL-R 2 HOSAS setup, as a single joystick, the SOL-R 1 Flightstick is simply a must-have for any flight or space sim enthusiast whether you’re just starting out or you’re a hardened sim specialist in need of a controller upgrade.

The sheer value on offer with the SOL-R 1 Flightstick is impressive, especially when so many HOTAS systems can cost more and offer less in terms of inputs, portability, and visual design. The SOL-R 1 or SOL-R 2 HOSAS is unlikely to convert long-time HOTAS users, but for those starting out, or looking for ways to improve their immersion in sim games from just a basic joystick, I believe there is no better option out there right now than the SOL-R.