We said we’d examine the second part to Honeycomb’s new series of flight controls for PC flight simulation, so here it is. We’re here to take a look at the Honeycomb Bravo Throttle Quadrant and examine its features, usability, connectivity, pricing, suitability for Virtual Airline Captains and ultimately what we think as real-world airline pilots. As previously mentioned in our other article in the series, PC flight simulation hardware has been dominated by a couple of major players. Despite being a newcomer to the market in their own right, Honeycomb have really shaken up the market and this is shown by some fantastic early sales.
Overview
Honeycomb Aeronautical are a new player to the home PC flight simulation market, but they most certainly are not new to flight simulation. Based in California, USA, the company have been making FAA approved flight simulation components for many years. Designed and developed by real aerospace engineers and real pilots, the Honeycomb Bravo Throttle Quadrant is their second product for the market and, at first impression, we think this hardware will lead the way in providing very realistic flight control system and superbly compliment their fantastic Alpha Flight Controls and Switching Panel Yoke.
The product is a standalone home PC simulation throttle and switches combination, designed for all the major PC based home flight simulators, with a switch panel, flap and gear levers, trim wheel and autopilot panel, all intended for home simmers, flight students, and qualified pilots.
Features
- 6 Levers giving multiple combinations – single engine, multi engine, speedbrakes, flaps
- Landing Gear Selector
- Separate electric flaps selector
- Annunciator Panel
- Trim Wheel
- Switch Panel
- Autopilot panel
- Reverse thrust selection capability
- Compatible with Honeycomb mounting system
- 2-year warranty – although we’d expect the product to last much longer than this!
- Unlimited tech support
Feel and Function
The feel and quality of the unit is very good – it sits well above most of the throttles on sale today. The throttle quadrant feels solid, heavy and the various movable functions have a solid and smooth motion. The plastics used for the switches and autopilot selections aren’t as durable, but absolutely fine for their function. The trim wheel does not move with trim selections from the joystick/yoke.
The reverse thrust selection is really good and can have the electability as you would in a Boeing airliner (one of the configurations possible) and also as you would in a turboprop with a beta range selection. The operation of the levers is accurate and provides a very good representation for those wanting an authentic Boeing flying experience.
While talking about configurations, there are many possible combinations of levers possible which makes the yoke more authentic for each aircraft type. It’s possible to configure for both single and twin-engine piston, turboprop and twin and 4-engine airliners. The various configurations are all included in the box and one initial purchase price. Honeycomb have also spotted a gap in the market and are about to release an Airbus throttle pack (approximately £70). This pack adds a realistic Airbus look, accurate reverser functionality and also realistic speedbrake and flaps selectors to the unit.
The annunciator panel is a great addition to a throttle unit for home flight simulation and is configured out of the box to work with the various flight simulations. It has lights for things such as APU, fuel pumps, icing, master cautions and master warnings. Obviously, in the more modern aeroplanes these are displayed on the screens in front, but for a more classic or light aircraft set up this is a really nice feature.
The presence of an autopilot panel built into the throttle quadrant is a feature that we feel would be very desirable and popular with the simming community. However, while its functionality may be suitable for light aircraft, we feel it would be a little cumbersome for a commercial airliner or business jet. There is one value selector and another mode selector, rather than a selector for each function as you would find in a larger jet. This would make rapid inputs following ATC instructions or on approach at high speeds a little challenging. As we’ve said though, for light aircraft, this is a big bonus.
Compatibility
The throttle quadrant has been tested with FSX, X-Plane 11 and Prepar3D. It is easy to connect via a USB and it can be used with both Mac and PC hardware.
Pricing
The Honeycomb Aeronautical Throttle Quadrant is on the pricier side when comparing to other similar gaming level flight simulation throttles/thrust levers. However, when you compare the whole market, and bear in mind the additional functionality and quality of the unit, then we feel it compares very favourably.
Below are market average prices for (in our opinion) comparable products.
To qualify our findings, it is worth noting:
- The Logitech Pro Flight Throttle quadrant is entry level and very basic in function. However, for the price it is an excellent option, perfectly serviceable and we would certainly recommend for the lower budget.
- The CH Product Eclipse Yoke has some extra control function and HOTAS usability, but it feels like cheaper plastics and is limited to left-handed use only – not great for airliner flying.
- The Thrustmaster TCA is an excellent unit with some great additional functionality. Not as advanced as the Honeycomb Throttle Quadrant and is really intended for use with Airbus aeroplanes.
- The Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog is considered to be the holy grail in terms of ‘fighter’ simulation throttles, being solid, realistic with excellent functionality. However, it is almost in a different market to the Honeycomb product and not really suitable for the standard Flight Simulator type of aircraft (mostly if not exclusively civilian).
Summary
This is a really good second product from Honeycomb and we think it’ll prove very popular, While on the more expensive side, it offers a fantastic level of functionality that is far in excess of its rivals. It’s set up for commercial aviation simulation and balances the needs of light GA aeroplanes and heavy airliners really well, meaning a flight simulation enthusiast only have to purchase this one unit for all their simming needs.
If you like to purchase the Honeycomb Aeronautical Bravo Throttle Quadrant, then please consider using our affiliate link below…. Amazon.co.uk affiliate link.