Joysticks

[Timmo]

Its time to upgrade my joystick- im curently using a cheapy, and it does the trick (mostly) but is loosing sensitivity near the centre of the axes. I also have a plan to convert the old one into a collective control for when flying choppers so the new one must have a twist grip for the rudder....it also needs to be reasonably cheap

So with that in mind, what do you recommend? The MS sidewinder seems a logical choice...any others?

What is everyone else using?

[HardCorePawn]

I got a Microsoft Sidewinder Precision 2... usb, lots of buttons, POV hat,a throttle and twist grip...

AND if you look long enough, you can usually pick up a 2nd hand one on TradeMe for not too many $$$

I think mine cost around $25.

ps. saying "MS sidewinder" doesnt really mean a lot... there are about 6 or 7 versions of the Sidewinder

[jastheace]

i too have the FF2 microsoft joystick, is still goint strong after about 5 years of abuse, can't fault it really

[brownbox]

Im using a Sidewinder 3dpro, with a gameport-usb adapter

It does the job...

[Jimmy]

The saitek X52 pro looks like a good option, will certainly be my next stick if possible.. I currently have a saitek "Cyborg 3D, rumble", the rumble is nothing to speak of, don't get a rumble one, you will only end up turning the rumble feature of

Force feedback sounds nice thow....

[Charl]

My absolute favourite MS Sidewinder Force Feedback Pro is taking an enforced break becasue my new rig wants USB inputs.
Just as a warning: I haven't been able to source a USB/Gameport adaptor that accommodates Force Feedback.
So I have something called a Cyborg EVO at the moment.
It has a little blue light on its head.
I'm loving my new sim so much, I've hardly noticed

[Naki]

I got a Microsoft Sidewinder Precision 2... usb, lots of buttons, POV hat,a throttle and twist grip...

Same - wouldn't change unless it broke (although wouldn't say no to a CH yoke) - had it for a number of years now and still going strong

[firefly]

I use the MS force feedback 2, its got enough programable buttons to do pretty much all I need, though the whole twist for rudder I have never got used to - the plan is to get some pedals one day. All in all, I've got no complaints about it, the only thing with feedback is that some aircraft designers go a bit overboard with it sometimes so I tend to forces switched off when on the ground.

There is certainly a lot of choice out there at the moment, some of the CH products look rather good if your budget allows. Check out some of the flight simming sites for reviews if it helps.

[ooOO00OOoo]

I have a logitec extreme 3d pro. Does the trick for me. I did have to return my first one because of calibration problem but only a few have them ! It has lots of buttons that i don't use! but there are for on the joystick. I use the 2 closest to the bottom for spoilers and atc. flaps i use the k/b for.

[HardCorePawn]

actually, i should point out, that I also have a CH Yoke and Pedals... definitely a HUGE improvement in realism over a joystick (for my low and slow flying anyways)...

but the joystick is better for helo's (whenever i'm feeling suicidal)

I actually bought the joystick for flying aircraft in BF2, but then EA 'nerfed' the aircraft and made them pretty useless... and with all the people exploiting bugs etc the whole game became a bit of a joke...

luckily, this was well timed with my getting back into flying, so i picked up FS2004 and started terrorising the skies above AKL...

unfortunately, after reading forums like NZFF, i discovered all the wonderful things you could get to make it more lifelike...

so now i am lots poorer and have "started" collecting lots of nifty addons like the yoke, pedals, TrackIR etc...

I am still contemplating a throttle quadrant, one of those trim wheel addons, and possibly a radio stack... omg, i can see myself ending up with a motion sim

[Chookie]

I am still contemplating a throttle quadrant, one of those trim wheel addons, and possibly a radio stack... omg, i can see myself ending up with a motion sim

u sound like craig..LOL

I'd have to say like HCP that the CH Yoke is the go and grab a CH Pro Joystick for Helis and ur laughing

[Bandit]

My main one is a Saitek x45. Got it for around $50.00 from Cash Converters.

As I fly rotors 90% of the time, having the seperate throttle/collective just seems more natural. I have the joystick in front with the collective down at my side. Has heaps of progammable buttons and pots etc.

When flying fixed wingers like the Piper Cub or Bellenca Scout which have a stick I don't have any problems. (apart from ones I create - Doh)

I would agree though that a yoke would be better if flying aircraft that do have them.

[Timmo]

Cheers for the replies
Bandit: I had ordered one of those from three different web-shops (all of which claimed they had them in stock).....when i ordered them they all said 'Sorry, we dont have any because they arent made anymore).....

Looks like the SideWinder Precision 2 could be the way to go. Then i can start mutilating my current stick into a collective control (I have the plans in my head)

[toprob]

i too have the FF2 microsoft joystick, is still goint strong after about 5 years of abuse, can't fault it really

Mine too is about that old, it sits on a pull-out extension on my desk, and it does tend to fall off a lot. I'm sure most joysticks wouldn't survive that. I'd like to replace it one day, but I suspect it will never die...

[ooOO00OOoo]

Don't give up Toprob, all joysticks die one day..... If you want it to die/brak just make sure there is nothing to break the fall, get something to the complete oppisite, or maybe it isn't falling on the right spot.

[steelsporran]

I'm sure most joysticks wouldn't survive that.

It must be made of the same plastic as my old Genius F23. The steel x-axis tension spring snapped while the little plastic lugs it was hooked onto remained intact!