Joysticks - which is BEST for the $

[HaHa]

I'm not looking to buy a $200++ model with gold pinstripes. I want something that works and feels comfortable. I'm sure other UBBs have discussed this but well I'm curious what everyone thinks.

I just bought a logitech wingman extreme and I must emphasize that it's a piece of @#$@. The view hat sucks, the wrist rester is too far down and the handle gets slippery if you get a little sweaty palmed.. I could go on and on.

So what is good? I heard CH was good? I had a Thrustmaster FCS and it wasn't too bad. Also would one advise getting a joystick with a twisting handle (i.e. for rudder control) ?

Thanks,

HaHa

[SC-GreyBeard]

As anyone can tell you, their preferred stick is best.

It all seems to depend on what you want.

I've found a cheapo "interact 6" to be a good decent stick, (was like 19 bucks at office max) and the second one was crap.

I'm currently using a MS Precision Pro (USB)
that I dearly luv. Once I got use to rudders on the stick.

Like anything else you buy, you might get an excellant one, or you might get garbage.
Doesn't seem to matter where or how much you pay.

In the long run, you'll either hate it or luv it.

------------------
GreyBeard
Flight Commander, Aces High
Skeleton Crew

[Vermillion]

I have tried many sticks (CH and TM) and the one I Like best is the F-16 Fighterstick.

If your patient you can find it on sale for a reasonable price too.

------------------
Vermillion
WB's: (verm--), **MOL**, Men of Leisure,
"Real men fly Radials, Nancy Boys fly Spitfires "

[Mark Luper]

My personal favorite is the CH Force FX and I use the Pro Throttle with it. I use TM rudder pedals that I modified to suit me more. I have found over the years that the CH products live forever. Never have had to replace or fix any of them and only had to clean the pots on one of them. The Force FX is essentially a F-16 Combat Stick with force feedback. This game does not support FF yet so I use the Combat Stick drivers. It, the Force FX, does not have a throttle built on it as does the Combat Stick so if you are not inclined to purchase the Pro Throttle to go with it, buy the Combat stick.

MarkAT

[Herc]

I just have a basic CH 2 button stick.  I also have a CH throttle and CH pro rudder pedals.  I'm very happy with the setup.  My view hat and all the buttons I use are on the throttle, even the fire button.  I try to offload everthing from my joystick since I have a tough enough time aiming without hitting buttons on the stick.  Using buttons on the stick threw off my aim.  This setup may be better than buying a very expensive joystick.  You can get the throttle first and get the rudder pedals later if you can't afford them both right away.

MG

[rosco-]

 Also would one advise getting a joystick with a twisting handle


Well...yes and no. thats what I have now. I dont think you get as fine a  controll as you would with a non twisty stick and peddles. Its really hard to imput rudder controls and not roll the plane as well, but I would definatly say its  better than keyboard rudders. And is cheaper than a stick and peddles for sure. I decided to scrap the twisty stick and ordered a complete CH HOTAS system, fighterstick, pro peddles and throttle. Somehow my order got lost so they will have to resend it out Monday  

[robclark]

my vote is for CH Products, i have a 2-button CH stick, throttle, and CH pedals, (nothing pro) and it works great!!  
Keep a sharp eye out for the bargin shelf.
RC

[Ghosth]

HaHa,
I've got a MS 3d pro sidewinder that I've been beating the living daylights out of for 4 years. It's still tight, no maintanaice on it, calibrated it I think 3 times in that 4 years.

Yes it's got the twisty handle for rudder.
While it may not give as fine a control as pedals, it's certainly more bang for the buck.

Find a CH or thrustmaster stick/pedals for 55$!
If you do some shopping should be no problem finding a USB Prec Pro for that.
(Which btw, has the adapters built in for either usb or gameport)

If on the other hand your ready to spend 100 to 150$ for the stick you'll use for the next 10 years, then yes, buy CH & pro pedals.

my .02$

[shower]

i've ownwed many, many, many joysticks and here's what i've come up with:

for under $150 the saitek x36 is the best you can buy (for flight sims).  for over $150 the f22/tqs/rudders is the best.  the x36 has lots of well-placed buttons, adjustable-tension throttle, and a rudder built into the throttle.  once you get used to the rudder placement it's EXTREMELY effective for pointing you nose at enemy planes.  it's fully programmable w/ 3 modes and a shift key and gives you every advantage you need to do well in these games, and it rapidly becomes an extension of your hands.  i actually do better in flight sims with this stick than my current setup (f22).  i use the f22 now only because it seems a little closer to what real pilots use and it has a couple more hat switches.

-shower

[Razz]

ya know, I wish that one line of CH or Thristmaster would make sticks that looks close to ww2 aircraft.  Ok, I know that a ww2 stick was simply just a stick with buttons, but some had character, like the 109s stick was pretty neat.  Anyway, I would love to fly with a stick that looked like a ww2 stick and not a modern plane stick or a futuristic space interceptor stick.  Just a thought

Razz

[rosco-]

If they ever make one of these with a hat switch and a few buttons Ill  be ordering one after I stop drooling.

 

[Razz]

Rosco I think they do.  Email the company and ask about the Helo stick( I foget what its called) something number 2 I think, anyway, ask the company about that stick with the MILITARY grip.  they DO make it with buttons and a hat.  Have fun!

[koala]

Anyone know how to clean the pots on a standard two-button CH stick?  My old one is starting to go so I bought a new one, but it is twitchy in the vertical.  I'd like to try to clean either one of them but I'm not sure how to open it up.  Are there screws under the little pads at the bottom?  The pads don't seem to want to come off and I don't want to force it if that's not the way.

ko

[rosco-]

 Thanks westy, I would do just that, but I already have an order into  CH, and the price on the above stick is over 400 dollars anyway, so I think for now Ill just pretend they dont!  

Nope, no buttons on those sticks, too bad or else I would order one...

[aztec]

Yes Koala thats where the screws are. Carefully pry them off, then use a spot of Elmers to glue them back on, that way you can pry them off again in the future. DON'T use superglue:-)