Honeycomb Echo Aviation Controller Long Term Review – The Perfect Flight Sim Gateway?

I love simulation in general, but there has always been one fairly obvious problem with getting properly into flight simulation: the hardware. A yoke, throttle, rudder pedals and all the other controls take up space, use more USB ports and quickly turn a clean sim racing rig into something you have to climb around.

The Honeycomb Echo Aviation Controller has largely removed that barrier for me. I first saw it months before this review and immediately loved the idea. After living with it for many months, I was still picking it up at least once a week just to go flying. That’s probably the most important thing I can say about it: it made me actually use a flight simulator.

Logo	Brands	Reseller	Discount Code	Link	Ships to	Locations
	Fanatec	Fanatec USA		https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/FANATEC-USA	America	Beverly Hills, California, USA
	Fanatec	Fanatec EU		https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/FANATEC-EU	EU	Landshut, Germany
	Fanatec	Fanatec Australia		https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/FANATEC-OZ	Australia	New South Wales, Australia
	Fanatec	Fanatec Japan		https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/FANATEC-JP	Japan	Tokyo, Japan
	Trak Racer, Simucube, Heusinkveld, VNM Simulation, GSI, Gomez Sim Industries, Cube Controls, Rexing	Trak Racer USA		https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/TRAK-RACER-USA	America	Austin, Texas, USA
	Conspit, Cube Controls, DBOX, Heusinkveld, MOZA, Qubic System, Rexing, Simagic, Simucube, Trak Racer, VNM Simulation, Pimax	Trak Racer UK		https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/TRAK-RACER-UK	UK	Hertfordshire, England, UK
	Conspit, Cube Controls, DBOX, Heusinkveld, MOZA, Qubic System, Rexing, Simagic, Simucube, Trak Racer, VNM Simulation, Pimax	Trak Racer EU		https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/TRAK-RACER-EU	EU	Venlo, The Netherlands
	Conspit, Cube Controls, DBOX, Heusinkveld, MOZA, Qubic System, Rexing, Simagic, Simucube, Trak Racer, VNM Simulation, Pimax	Trak Racer Australia		https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/TRAK-RACER-OZ	Australia	Victoria, Australia
	Asetek	Asetek Global	5% off with coupon code 'LD'	https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/ASETEK-GLOBAL	Global	Florida, USA. Aalborg, Denmark
	Asetek	Asetek USA	5% off with coupon code 'LD'	https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/ASETEK-USA	America	Florida, USA
	Asetek	Asetek EU	5% off with coupon code 'LD'	https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/ASETEK-EU	EU	Aalborg, Denmark
	Simagic	Simagic Direct	3% off with coupon code 'LD'	https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/SIMAGIC	Global	Shenzhen, China, Asia
	Amazon	Amazon Global (will bring you to your local amazon store automatically)		https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/AMAZON	Global
	Apex Sim Racing, Cube Controls, D-Box, Meca Sim Hardware, Moza Racing, RichD-PC, Sigma Integrale, Simagic, Simucube	Apex Sim Racing	5% off with coupon code 'LD'	https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/APEX-SIM-RACING	Global	New Jersey, USA
	Advanced Simracing, Alpinestars, Ascher Racing, Asetek Simsports, Astro Gaming, BDH Race Sim Hardware, Buttkicker, Cobra, Corbeau, Cube Controls, Delta Sim Tech, D-Box, Gaming Zone (Gaming Computers), Gomez Sim Industries (GSI), Heusinkveld, Ignition Controls, Logitech, Meca Sim Hardware, Moza Racing, MPI, Next Level Racing, Oktane Designs, OMP Racing, Playseat, PT Actuator, Precision Sim Engineering, Pro-Sim, P1Sim, Racing Helmet Collector, Recaro, Samsung, Simcore, Simline, Simtag, Simtrecs, Simucube, Sim Racing Studio, Sparco, Thrustmaster (Simracing), Thrustmaster (Flightsim), Turn Racing, Turtle Beach, Varjo, Venym, Virtual Racing School, VNM Simulation	Advanced Sim Racing	5% off with code LDUSOSWAFIVE	https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/ASR	Global	Montreal, Canada
	Ascher Racing, ASUS, Buttkicker, Cobra, Cube Controls, EPOS, Fanatec, Gigabyte, Go-Race, Gomez Sim Industries (GSI), Heusinkveld Engineering, ImSim, MME SimSport, O-Rouge, OBP, Overclockers, Qubic System, Racelogic, Rexing, Sabelt Sim Racing, Simucube, Sparco, Trak Racer	Demon Tweeks		https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/DEMON-TWEEKS	Global	Wrexham, Wales, UK
	Buttkicker, Conspit, Leoxz, Marina Racewear, Moza, Next Level Racing, Pimax, Qubic System, Sigma, Simagic, Simedal, Simforge, Soelpec	Abruzzi		https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/ABRUZZI	UK, EU	East-Sussex, England, UK
	Streamlabs	Streamlabs		https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/STREAMLABS	Global
	Restream	Restream		https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/RESTREAM	Global
	iRacing	iRacing		https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/IRACING	Global	Chelmsford, Massachusetts, USA
	Coach Dave Delta	Coach Dave Academy		https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/CDA	Global	London, England, UK
	Soelpec	Soelpec		https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/SOELPEC	Global	Istanbul, Turkey
	Moza	Moza UK		https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/MOZA-UK	United Kingdom	UK
	Moza	Moza US		https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/MOZA-US	North & South America	USA
	Moza	Moza EU		https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/MOZA-EU	Global	Europe
	Moza	Moza Direct		https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/MOZA	Global	Shenzhen, China, Asia
	Buttkicker, Cobra, Cube Controls, Heusinkveld, Pro SimRig, Qubic System, Simagic, Simgrade, Simucube, Simutec, Sparco, Turn Racing, VPG	RaceAnywhere		https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/RACE-ANYWHERE	UK, EU	Northamptonshire, UK
	Sim-Lab, Grid Engineering, Sparco	Sim-Lab Direct		https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/SIM-LAB	Global	Tholen, The Netherlands, EU
	Cammus	Cammus Direct	5% off with code LDCAMMUS	https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/CAMMUS	Global	China, Asia
	Buttkicker	Buttkicker Direct		https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/BUTTKICKER	Global	Ohio, USA
	Asetek, Gomez Sim Industries (GSI), Next Level Racing, O-Rouge, Simtrecs	SimRaceCity	5% off with promocode: potato-nation	https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/SRC	USA	Fort Worth, Texas, USA
	Extreme Simracing, Simagic, D-BOX, DBOX	Extreme Simracing		https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/EXTREME-SIMRACING	America	Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
	SimRacingBay, Simucube, Ascher Racing, Simforge, Moza	SimRacingBay		https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/SIMRACINGBAY	Global	Slovenia, EU
	Simforge Engineering	Simforge Engineering		https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/SIMFORGE	Global	Chennai, India, ASIA
	Website Hosting	HostGator		https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/HOST-GATOR	Global	USA
	RacGTing Racing Cockpits	RacGTing		https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/RACGTING	Global	Asia
	Getail Design	Getail Design	5% off with coupon code 'LD'	https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/GETAIL	Global	Bergamo, Italy, EU
	Pimax	Pimax EU		https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/PIMAX-EU	EU	EU
	Pimax	Pimax		https://LaurenceDusoswa.com/a/PIMAX	Global	Shanghai , China
	Simagic, Asetek, Fanatec	IRL Motorsports		https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/IRL-MOTORSPORTS	EU, UK	Dublin, Ireland
	BDH	BDH Sim Hardware		https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/BDH	Global	Pocklington, York, UK
	Conspit, PXN, MOZA, DoF Reality, RS, Simnet, CAMMUS, BDH	RACESIM UK	5% off with coupon code 'LD'	https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/RACESIMUK	UK, EU	London, UK
	Asetek Simsports, Cube Controls, Corbeau Seats, VRS	Simpatico Sim Shop	5% off with coupon code 'POTATONATION'	https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/SIMPATICO	USA, Canada	Jacksonville FL, USA
	Conspit	iracesimulators	10% off with code 'LD'	https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/IRACESIMULATORS	EU	Dublin, Ireland
	Bavarian Sim Tec	Bavarian Sim Tec	5% off with coupon code LAURENCE-DUSOSWA	https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/BST	GLOBAL	Bavaria, Germany
	Advanced Sim Racing, Ascher Racing, Heusinkveld, OMP, Moza, ProSimRig, Simagic, Simucube, HandsOnPerformance, Sparco	Sim Consultants	5% off Simagic with code 'LD'	https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/SIM-CONSULTANTS	EU, UK	Dublin, Ireland, EU
	Asetek Simsports, Conspit, Cooler Master, Cube Controls, Fanatec, Logitech, Moza, Next Level Racing, Nitro Concepts, ThermalTake, Thrustmaster, Sim Racing PCs, Noblechairs	Overclockers (UK & USA)		https://laurencedusoswa.com/A/OVERCLOCKERS	Global	UK, USA
	Conspit, VPG, Next Level Racing, Thrustmaster	Full Push	5% off with code 'LD'	https://laurencedusoswa.com/A/FULLPUSH	Canada	Canada
	Simsonn	Simsonn	8% off with code LAURENCEDUSOSWA	https://laurencedusoswa.com/A/SIMSONN	Global	Kington, Herefordshire, United Kingdom & China
	MOZA Racing, Asetek Simsports, Simagic, Leoxz, Buttkicker, OverPower, Sparco, KGL Sim Racing, Cube Controls, VNM, QubicSystem, Simline, Playseat, GSI, 3drap, Rexxing, Simgrade, Ascher Racing, Pimax, P1Sim, Venym, Sim Racing Studio, Simforge Engineering, Simucube, VRS, Racing Components, D-Box, TREQ, Sabelt, Heusinkveld, O-Rouge, Next Level Racing, Thrustmaster, SOELPEC, ASUS, Conspit, SimXPro, Sim-Lab, Simtrecs, DOF-Reality, Sim Factory, Nitro Concepts, SimRep Engineering, CoolerMaster, Delta Sim-Tech, PXN, VPG, BDH Race Sim Hardware, SG Racing, DaytonAudio, Virpil Controls, MME Motorsport	Simufy		https://laurencedusoswa.com/A/SIMUFY	EU, Global	Granada, Spain, EU
	Mounts and accessories for Simagic, Stream Deck, Simucube, Fanatec, Asetek, Moza, Logitech, Thrustmaster, Conspit	Sim Sport Gadget	5% off with coupon code 'LAURENCE'	https://laurencedusoswa.com/A/SIMSPORTGADGET	USA, Global	Newark, NJ, USA
	Asetek Racing	Asetek Nordic	5% off with coupon code 'LD'	https://laurencedusoswa.com/A/ASETEK-NORDIC
	UGREEN	UGREEN		https://laurencedusoswa.com/A/UGREEN	Global	EU
	Honeycomb	Honeycomb	10% discount with code LAURENCEDUSOSWA10	https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/HONEYCOMB	Global	EU, USA

A flight simulator setup in one controller

The attraction is easy to understand when you look at how much Honeycomb has squeezed into a controller you can hold in your hands. There is an analogue stick for flying, three configurable levers that can handle throttle, propeller or mixture controls, a trim wheel, flap and landing-gear controls, a parking brake, additional buttons and a four-way hat.

On the back are the rudder controls. These are one of my favourite parts of the Echo. Push one side and the opposite side physically moves with it. It’s a wonderfully simple mechanical detail, but it gives the controls that little extra sense of simulation rather than feeling like two unrelated gamepad buttons.

The throttle levers also have an additional input at the bottom of their travel which can be used for something like reverse thrust. Because the controls are configurable, you aren’t locked into the exact layout I’ve used. A twin-engine setup, for example, can use those levers differently.

The interchangeable throttle caps are a brilliant touch

One of the things I particularly like is that the caps on the control levers can be swapped. Honeycomb includes alternatives in the carry case, allowing you to change the physical shape of the controls depending on the kind of aircraft or configuration you want to simulate.

I’m not going to pretend to be the flight-sim expert who can tell you that every cap is in exactly the right place for a Boeing or Cessna. That’s almost beside the point for me. What I love is that Honeycomb recognised that simulation enthusiasts want controls to feel like controls rather than simply having a row of generic analogue inputs.

It solved the biggest problem with flight sim for me

I see sim racers with extremely elaborate rigs that somehow accommodate both racing and flying hardware. It can absolutely be done, but suddenly there are controls protruding everywhere, extra USB devices and another collection of hardware to move whenever you change simulation.

The Echo is the opposite. I can take the steering wheel off my racing rig, sit back with a clear view of the monitor and fly. I can use it from a couch. When I’m finished, it goes in a drawer.

That convenience matters more than I expected. I had wanted to get further into flight simulation for a long time, but this controller was what finally encouraged me to put in the hours, earn licences in Microsoft Flight Simulator and actually learn more about flying rather than just occasionally loading the game.

It’s also genuinely portable

Honeycomb supplies a proper carry case, and the complete controller is small enough to make sense as travel hardware. If you’ve got a laptop capable of running a flight simulator, taking an entire HOTAS, yoke and pedal setup with you isn’t realistic. Taking this is.

It uses a USB connection rather than Bluetooth. For me that’s not a problem – reliability matters more here – and once connected you have most of the controls required to sit down and start flying without assembling a cockpit around yourself.

What I’d change on the Echo

Using the controller over a longer period also highlighted a few things I’d change in a future version.

The biggest is the right-hand side. The four-way hat is normally used for changing view, but I rarely enjoyed using it for that. I’d much rather have a second analogue stick on the right so I could fly with the left stick and smoothly look around with the right. Most of the time I’m flying, that would be far more useful to me than the existing hat.

I’d also like the rear brake buttons to be analogue. In their default brake assignment they’re simply on/off inputs, which makes braking much more aggressive than an analogue trigger would. Something similar to the triggers on a conventional Xbox or PlayStation controller would give much finer control.

There is also some unused space where I’d happily take additional adjustment wheels, and I’d be interested in seeing whether a future version could add more dynamic movement to the primary flight control rather than it simply returning to centre.

Importantly, I wouldn’t change much about the rudder system. That part works extremely well.

My Microsoft Flight Simulator settings

The main analogue stick felt very sensitive to me initially. In Microsoft Flight Simulator I reduced its sensitivity to 0.5 and did the same with the rudder controls. I left the throttle-style sliders alone.

That simple change made subtle inputs much easier and was essentially all the tuning I needed.

I did occasionally encounter odd control assignments being changed or lost, although I wouldn’t automatically blame the Echo for that. My PC constantly has steering wheels, pedals, shifters and other input devices being connected and removed, and Microsoft Flight Simulator itself can become confused by changing control configurations.

Who is the Honeycomb Echo actually for?

For me there are two particularly obvious groups: sim racers who want to try flight simulation and people who want to fly while travelling.

If you already have a dedicated flight-sim cockpit with a yoke, rudder pedals and throttle quadrant, the Echo obviously isn’t trying to replace the ultimate version of that experience. But if that amount of hardware is the reason you haven’t bothered getting into flight simulation, this is a fantastic compromise that rarely feels like much of a compromise at all.

I’ve mainly used it with smaller single-engine aircraft because I enjoy how responsive they are, although learning approaches and landings in larger aircraft has been one of the most enjoyable parts of getting further into flight simulation. I even used it for the Red Bull-style air racing. I hadn’t meaningfully tested helicopters at the time of this review, so I can’t judge it as a helicopter controller.

The danger: it’s a gateway drug

The funny thing is that buying an Echo might eventually make you want the exact dedicated flight-sim hardware you were trying to avoid. Once you’ve spent enough time flying, it’s very easy to start wondering what a proper yoke, throttle quadrant and rudder pedals would add.

But I don’t think that makes the Echo redundant. Even if I eventually built a dedicated flight setup, I’d still want this for the couch, travelling or simply those times when I want to fly without setting anything up.

Honeycomb Echo Aviation Controller verdict

At roughly $150 / €150 when I reviewed it, I thought the Honeycomb Echo Aviation Controller was an absolutely fantastic purchase. It costs far less than assembling all the dedicated hardware it effectively substitutes for, takes up almost no permanent space and can be packed away in seconds.

It’s not perfect. I want a second analogue stick for the camera, analogue brake controls and perhaps a few more rotary adjustments. Those are meaningful improvements I’d love to see in a second generation rather than reasons I wouldn’t buy this one.

The important thing is what happened after I got it. Instead of thinking about getting into flight simulation, I actually got into flight simulation. For a sim racer who already has a racing rig and doesn’t want to build a second cockpit around it, that’s exactly why the Echo works so well.

Disclosure: Honeycomb supplied the Echo Aviation Controller for review. The conclusions above are my own. Where affiliate links are provided on my site or alongside the original video, using them may earn me a commission without increasing the price you pay.