Thumbs or Pinch the sticks

[jscot111]

Hi, having no prior r/c experience, what is the best way to use the sticks, thumbs or pinch. I don,t want to relearn if one is better.
Thanks Scott

[Skarn]

Everyone is different bro!

I personally use thumbs and my friends do as well....it's a personal preference. I've heard some of the old timers say they get better resolution by pinching....

So really, it's whatever you feel more comfortable with naturally.

Skarn

[TheBum]

So really, it's whatever you feel more comfortable with naturally.

Exactly. I use thumbs because my hands hurt too much when I try to pinch. A guy I flew with over the weekend pinches.

[gdbontly]

I've flown planks for many, many years. Learned with thumbs and have stuck with it ever since . . . until learning helis. I don't pinch, I absolutely cannot maintain control with the thumb on the back of the stick and index finger on the front. I place my thumb on the tip of the stick and my index finger on the front. That seems to work for me at least.

[sleddog7]

Like clockwork! Every 6 months this question is asked.

Pinch for me btw.

... I was wondering when this question will be asked again, but then again new guys to the forum that are asking, so it's all good :D

[Mercuriell]

I'm 'all thumbs' and have noted that sometimes I have difficulty reaching a corner of the sticks and very occasionally my thumb has 'fallen off' the top of the stick (with near tragic consequences !) - if I was learning again I think I'd go pinch grip.

[istandalone]

i'm a thumber all the way, i think it's got something to do with growing up with the nintendo generation. it just feels right that way. i've tried on the sim to use the pinch method, but anything besides tail in hovering is really hard that way. but like it was said earlier, if i could go back i'd probly learn the pinch method.

[ChasHeliCop]

I use a combination laike GD..... I place my thumbs on top and index finger in front. I don't know why, that's just the style i developed. Bottom line is it's whatever you are most comfortable with. I think I actually started out pinching, until I caught myself pinching too tightly.

[Pinecone]

I started thumbs but went to the modified thumb/pinch. Mainly for more precision in making small collective movements.

[JasonJ]

Started thumbs, converted to pinch, and have since transitioned to the modified thumb/pinch. Don't know when it happened, I just realized one day that the thumbs ended up back on top with the indexes on the front of the sticks.

[Technex]

Pinch for me. Thumb on corner and finger in front.

[handsum3dnut]

I like because I get a better feel and it's like everyone says... personal preferrance. I've flown with my the last 10 yrs

[jgoodwin]

I like because I get a better feel and it's like everyone says... personal preferrance. I've flown with my the last 10 yrs

Yes, I like the feel when I fly with my also. I started with just my but use now.

[DrJustice]

Started out 28 years ago with "modified pinch"; thumb on top/corner and forefinger in front. Relearning RC now, still with modified pinch. It's the only way I feel I have full control.

If you have the opportunity, try both on a sim, get yourself into precarious situations there and find out what gives you the best control.

DJ
--

[Biggles]

i dunno if this is weird but i just checked and i have thumbs on the rear edge of the top of the sticks and finger halfway down the stick at the front... :slap

[cheech91060]

i dunno if this is weird
wow you're very weird! :shock:

kidding, just about the same for me

[CHOPPER BOB]

I just like the feel I get from thumbs to the sticks, thats just me.

[Helio Addict]

Thumbs work great for me. In my 22 years of flying I never used a neck strap or tray so I had to hold on to the radio and fly thus using only my thumbs on the sticks. I will probably incourage my son to pinch though when he starts in a couple of years...it's all good :thumbup:

[Fluke]

Thumbs work great for me. In my 22 years of flying I never used a neck strap or tray so I had to hold on to the radio and fly thus using only my thumbs on the sticks. I will probably incourage my son to pinch though when he starts in a couple of years...it's all good :thumbup:


Out of curiousity, if thumbs work for you why encourage somebody else to use pinch?

I'm just starting out and when i watch my fingers i realised that i use both:YeaBaby:. I start with modified pinch (thumbs on top,finger in front) but i occasionally remove the finger completely without thinking about it

[KrazyKyle]

If you "pinch", I would highly recommend using a tray, and stick extenders, if available. Nice long sticks give you a longer linear travel for the same angular movement (which is what the stick pot reads), Maybe a bit finer control. But it's all personal preference and comfort...and not dropping your transmitter. That's bad.:oops:

[mjs3350]

I've flown planks for many, many years. Learned with thumbs and have stuck with it ever since . . . until learning helis. I don't pinch, I absolutely cannot maintain control with the thumb on the back of the stick and index finger on the front. I place my thumb on the tip of the stick and my index finger on the front. That seems to work for me at least.

same here, started flying about a month ago, and i saw one of these same threads on another forum and had no idea how i held it, just looked down next time i was flying and realized this must be the most natural position for me because it's how i've flown since i first picked up the tx.