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PostPosted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 9:42 am
by JamesDelphi
Hello all,

I was wondering what you could tell me what is the best quality (best flight control, but reasonable price etc) joystick that is available in your opinion and why you believe it to be so good.

I am looking at changing mine which is a second-hand Microsoft joystick that I got off Trade Me to some other joystick (or whatever, yoke etc) and there is no better place that I know of to ask than here. So I am asking about your experinces with the machinary (joystick etc) that you use to fly your craft on Flight Simulators.

I hope to learn from this and then make a more informed decision on whether to upgrade to another joystick or stay with the joystick I currently have.

Thanks!

PostPosted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 9:52 am
by victor_alpha_charlie
I have a Saitek CYborg Evo, and it's given me no problems for over two years. I know of lots of other NZFF members who are happy with their Cyborg Evo too. They cost about $50-70 depending on where you buy them.

PostPosted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 10:19 am
by Peppermint
The only advice I could give, is to not recommend the saitek aviator. The one I bought lasted about 3 weeks, then started to not center properly, throttles wouldnt go all the way back etc. It lasted another 3 months before I threw it away.

PostPosted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 11:11 am
by Timmo
Another 'dont recommend it' is the Genius Max Fighter F23-U......same problems as Peppermint. You see them new on Trademe alot but they arent the best in my experience

PostPosted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 12:37 pm
by Peppermint
Ah, had one of those before the aviator, the trigger broke in the middle of a dogfight on IL2. Have a SELF joystick now, same design as the cyborg evo I think. Still hasn't lost center, the #2 button I use to change view has lost it's click noise (so don't know if it worked or not) and the throttle is only just getting a little twitchy.

PostPosted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 1:18 pm
by JamesDelphi
Thanks for the advice everyone, keep it coming.

Hello Pepperment, what is a SELF joystick, and do you recommend it at all?

Peppermint wrote:
QUOTE (Peppermint @ Apr 13 2008, 12:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Ah, had one of those before the aviator, the trigger broke in the middle of a dogfight on IL2. Have a SELF joystick now, same design as the cyborg evo I think. Still hasn't lost center, the #2 button I use to change view has lost it's click noise (so don't know if it worked or not) and the throttle is only just getting a little twitchy.


Thanks!

PostPosted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 3:33 pm
by Timmo
A self Joystick?

Most Males have one....
Most mothers tell their sons not to play with it too much or they will go blind haha

But seriously, I would recommend the Microsoft Sidewinder Precision 2.....you cant buy them new anymore but they are very durable and reliable due to their optical sensors.

The only reason I didnt tell you this before was because there was one on trademe....which I just won for $5..yussss....Helicopter collective here I come :)

PostPosted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 12:18 pm
by gojozoom
Hi All,

I bought the Logitech 3D Extreme a half a year ago. No problems at all, very precise and useful.

PostPosted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 4:01 pm
by JamesDelphi
Hi, I have always liked Logitech products and I have used their mice for many years, so I suppose a Logitech 3D Extreme might be worth a try.

What I wanted was a joystick that was precise and did its job well. Also I am hoping to get some rudder pedals in the future.

Thanks for the advice.

gojozoom wrote:
QUOTE (gojozoom @ Apr 15 2008, 12:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi All,

I bought the Logitech 3D Extreme a half a year ago. No problems at all, very precise and useful.

PostPosted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 4:12 pm
by JamesDelphi
Hello Timmo, it is a Microsoft Sidewinder Precision 2 that I have but I am not sure that it is working as it should.
Mine might just be faulty but I have used it for some time now and I am not happy with it. I did get it 2nd-hand so I don't know its past history. I suppose age and how often it has been used could have a lot to do with it.
I have seen a few of them for sale on Trade Me as well.

This is why I thought to ask the experts here what it is that they use and which they prefer and why.

Timmo wrote:
QUOTE (Timmo @ Apr 13 2008, 03:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
A self Joystick?

But seriously, I would recommend the Microsoft Sidewinder Precision 2.....you cant buy them new anymore but they are very durable and reliable due to their optical sensors.

The only reason I didnt tell you this before was because there was one on trademe....which I just won for $5..yussss....Helicopter collective here I come :)

PostPosted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 4:20 pm
by NZ255
I have a M$ Sidewinder Precision 2, and it's fine. What's wrong with your's? Playing up?

PostPosted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 4:26 pm
by Bandit
I don't want to hijack this thread so Timmo when you get a mo. Could you start another thread and explain what the plan is for building a collective from the Microsoft Sidewinder Precision 2.

I use a set up similar to the Saitek x45 that Creator posted about a while back but always like to see other options.

PostPosted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 6:15 pm
by Peppermint
The SELF joystick is pretty much the same as this

http://www.saitek.com/italy/images/product...cyborg_evo2.jpg

Except for a flat top with a hat switch, and 4 buttons it's the same type or thing. They were for sale at EB games around October last year for $60 I think. Not sure if you can still get them though.

PostPosted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 6:24 pm
by Njbb1995
gojozoom wrote:
QUOTE (gojozoom @ Apr 15 2008, 12:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I bought the Logitech 3D Extreme a half a year ago. No problems at all, very precise and useful.

:hesaid:

PostPosted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 7:16 pm
by JamesDelphi
Hi, I have been also looking for a joystick for my children computer as well. Theirs has an old Siatek joystick which they don't like much at all.
So looking around and finding out about other joysticks and getting an extra one won't be to much of a hassle. They can have one of them.

The Sidewinder has never really worked, there is no Force Feedback at all, and nobody seems to know where the files are to set this up.
On my system with XP the joystick was automatically setup but no force feedback. The stick seems to be sloppy and I cannot seem to get accuracy when I want it. But do remember it was 2nd-hand.

Does this web site have a setup where users (members) can buy and sell their old computer equipment, such as joysticks, video cards, RAM, computers, monitors and the like? The member could announce what it is that they want to get rid of and what price they wanted for it.
If we did this then we would be able to help each other out. This would be great for people (like me) who don't have much cash but need the advice and tried equipment that people don't want as they upgrade their systems.

NZ255 wrote:
QUOTE (NZ255 @ Apr 15 2008, 04:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I have a M$ Sidewinder Precision 2, and it's fine. What's wrong with your's? Playing up?

PostPosted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 7:31 pm
by Alex
Maybe post a thread in the Off Topic forum and see if anyone's interested in it? :)

Alex

PostPosted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 6:19 pm
by JamesDelphi
Howdy folks, for those who are interested we decided to try a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro Joystick, especially since others recommend it and I managed to get one very cheap but in very good condition. The Sidewinder Force Feedback 2 Pro joystick is the old joystick which many people think highly of. I have seen a few of these selling on Trade Me recently for good prices.

After trying both joysticks I prefer the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro Joystick. The Sidewinder has some advantages over the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro Joystick like the hat-switch is easier to use, but in the long run my children and I all prefer the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro Joystick. At first my son liked the old joystick but after a few turns on the new joystick he will only use the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro Joystick now.

What I would really prefer is a proper "wheel and rudder pedals" but at the prices that they sell for I find them a tad steep. But I will continue to look for a bargain, maybe some will popup somewhere in the future and then I will grab them. Thanks for your help and suggestions.


JamesDelphi wrote:
QUOTE (JamesDelphi @ Apr 13 2008, 09:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hello all,

I was wondering what you could tell me what is the best quality (best flight control, but reasonable price etc) joystick that is available in your opinion and why you believe it to be so good.

I am looking at changing mine which is a second-hand Microsoft joystick that I got off Trade Me to some other joystick (or whatever, yoke etc) and there is no better place that I know of to ask than here. So I am asking about your experinces with the machinary (joystick etc) that you use to fly your craft on Flight Simulators.

I hope to learn from this and then make a more informed decision on whether to upgrade to another joystick or stay with the joystick I currently have.

Thanks!