Author Topic: Time for a new joystick... (Read 533 times)

Soulyss · « **on:** June 12, 2004, 11:59:35 PM »

Well after 3-4 years my trusty Saitek X36 is finally dying on me. Hat switch is starting to go south and the "mouse" stick on the trottle is torn in half. So it's time to upgrade.... and the way I see it I have two choices. CHProducts, or Cougar HOTAS.

Now I know I may tread of sensitive material here since people seem to get attached to whatever brand of joystick they are using. I'll run down what my impressions are and maybe some kind/helpful soul will comment on them.

My choices as I see them
1) Get another Saitek... which would have to be the X45 which I don't care for as much. Pluses the moment and key layout is the same, so I won't have to really relearn anything. Minus is I find the X45 to be too small for my hands. Plus while I really lucked out with the X36 I have, I know quality control is something of an issue with Saitek sticks.

2) CHProducts FighterStick and Throttle. Pluses great reputation for durability I can feel somewhat confident that if I go CH I won't have to worry about replacing it anytime soon. Minus, I tried out the combatstick at Fry's last week and it was a bit large for my hands, I really had to reach for the top left hat.

3) Cougar HOTAS, The king daddy of them all, finding one may be a litle tricky since I believe they were a limited run product? I've heard conflicting reports on this one, people seem to love them, or have technical difficulties and go back to the old stick, opinions? The Cougar is a little bit more $$$ than I was looking to spend but when I realized that the CHproducts would run me $220-$250 an extrat $30 or so aint so bad.

So ideas anyone? I'm I totally off my rocker here? anything to add? impressions? opinions? Here's your chance to mold the flight simming future of an impressionable not so young, youth.

Eagler · « **Reply #1 on:** June 13, 2004, 12:34:24 AM »

X45 with $10 12month replacement plan

Soulyss · « **Reply #2 on:** June 13, 2004, 01:18:39 AM »

There's a good idea Eagler, I'll have to take that into consideration, now I just wish I could make the hand grip on the joystick a little bigger so it's more comfortable like the X36 was.

straffo · « **Reply #3 on:** June 13, 2004, 04:06:58 AM »

Read this about the CH and handl size : http://www.ch-hangar.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=250

I've had to take the same decision 1 month ago , I did choose the CH because I don't want to add a 250€ modification to a 350€ stick <=> I don't want a cougar.

Plus I've not access to the 10$/12month replacement plane so I don't want to buy a full X45/2 year.

Currently I'm using a fighterstick + the throttle of the x45 (until I can get the CH throttle)

Eagler · « **Reply #4 on:** June 13, 2004, 07:33:49 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Soulyss
There's a good idea Eagler, I'll have to take that into consideration, now I just wish I could make the hand grip on the joystick a little bigger so it's more comfortable like the X36 was.

you know that the little pinkie grip hook thingy in the joystick pops out making it exactly like the X36, always take mine out first thing..

FOGOLD · « **Reply #5 on:** June 13, 2004, 01:11:02 PM »

I sold my Cougar. best thing I ever did. Currently CH Throttle and pedals with a Thrustmaster Top Gun Afterburner (Without its own throttle of course) Great!

wrag · « **Reply #6 on:** June 13, 2004, 04:01:52 PM »

My $0.02

CHPro all the way... F16 Fighterstick, CHPro Throttle, CH pedals.

(NOTE: my system is currently a mix of analog= F16 fighterstick n peds, and USB= Pro Throttle, due to having Win98se, and being on a budget, ya I know CH says they don't mix but they are working great for me.) Hope to go all USB and upgrade my OS later.

Hat view??? I use the CHPro Throttle 8 way hat for viewing! Works great but takes some getting used to. Press the hat to the right for forward up, up for left, down for right, left for rear. Once I adjusted to this the CH setup actually seems better.

Note CH Products had to replace the 8 way hat on my Throttle took em less the 2 weeks to repair and return the unit. (guess I press the hat switch too hard when watchin my 6 LOL)

Note using CHPro F16 Fighterstick here and love it!

Note rudder pedals are a must!!! Once you adjust to em they are a dream come true! No more loops to one side or the other! But was used to rocker switch rudder on the TM afterburner and the Saitek X45 so found myself pressing buttons on the CHPro Throttle by mistake, and thus not using rudder at all, for quite awhile.

Had/have TM Elite analog rudder peds in the box. Hated em cause the springs were so strong the base would move before the pedals unless you fixed em to the floor somehow.

Also have Saitek X45 brand new in the box. Was sent to me as a replacement for the 1st one i got when the HAT switch failed.

Also I've noticed the response from the CH controls is very quick (very much like the TM Afterburner) and must be toned down allot or you get bouncy jerky manuvers, unless you can be very delicate on the controls. (which in a furball I can not do) lol

All the Saitek gear I've used seemed a good deal slower in response to input to me.

Soulyss · « **Reply #7 on:** June 13, 2004, 04:19:24 PM »

CC, that on the rudder pedals, got a set back in April, and I think I'm just now starting to get used to them.

ALF · « **Reply #8 on:** June 13, 2004, 07:08:37 PM »

I actually prefer the feel of the Saitek sticks to the CH gear (but I love my CH pro peddals). CH is actually a bit big for my hands. Saitek is comming out with a new stick later this year....it looks kinda Buck ROgery...but it has all the features of the X45 and more.

XtrmeJ · « **Reply #9 on:** June 14, 2004, 02:52:13 AM »

Thrustmaster AFterburner II. X45 setup kinda. Cept you have the option of using the lame rudder on throttel, or twisty stick. 80 bucks when I bought it, may be cheaper now.

FOGOLD · « **Reply #10 on:** June 14, 2004, 06:54:19 AM »

Afterburner on its own is a fabulous stick and v cheap. Incredibly comfortable, but watch dodgy pots. I had to lubricate mine after about a year because of spiking.

Connection · « **Reply #11 on:** June 14, 2004, 08:39:54 AM »

I was in your exact same situation a while ago. Came from years of using a Saitek X36.

Ended up choosing the CH setup and would never go back. I also had the Cougar in consideration, but I have read too much about shoddy hardware and I want something that works now and always.

I'm glad with my choice. Its an amazing HOTAS. My only grief with it is that neither the fighterstick or the pro throttle are stiff enough to feel realistic. Thats it. The size and button placement are great. Programability is far beyond what I even dream; I am comfortable enough combining all components together as a single device and programing it inside my sims.

If price is not a big concern go for it. If the Fighterstick is just TOO BIG for your hand - beyond what you consider comfortable - and you dont think you'll ever get used, then consider the X45, which is good enough for what it costs (but not as good as the X36 was IMO)

Soulyss · « **Reply #12 on:** June 14, 2004, 10:10:28 AM »

Right now I'm leaning towards the CH stuff, they have a combatstick at Fry's which is a couple blocks from work so I'm going to cruise over there at lunch and have a look, See if there could be an easy modification to make it suit my hand better. Other than that the only real question I have left is what if any opinions anyone may have about provantage.com as an online retailer. Seems like they have a pretty prices, both Fighterstick and throttle together are going for just under $200 which is the best price I've seen yet. They seem to have a pretty good reputation and apparently they ship things in a timely manner.

RTGorkle · « **Reply #13 on:** June 17, 2004, 07:49:53 AM »

You need this. But you have to take off your shoes.

http://home.swiftdsl.com.au/~pchance/squidgear/index.html

FOGOLD · « **Reply #14 on:** June 17, 2004, 04:31:17 PM »

Wow:eek: