Author Topic: joysticks (under $60) - suggestions requested (Read 1045 times)

United · « **Reply #15 on:** August 29, 2004, 07:46:11 PM »

Bought my MS Sidewinder Precision Pro 2 for $40. Dont think they make em anymore though.

mechanic · « **Reply #16 on:** August 29, 2004, 08:22:57 PM »

untill i bought my new PC, i ahd been running my MS sidewinder 3D pro (the first ever sidewinder) and i loved it like my own blood!

best stick i ever bought, only stick i ever bought. lasted me 8 years so far and never gone wrong.

only problem is this new PC doesnt have the old 10 pin game port so i had to buy a USB stick. got the saitek Cyborg evo and am happy enough with it.

MS sidewinders are the mutt's nutts!

United · « **Reply #17 on:** August 29, 2004, 09:11:40 PM »

No kidding. Ive had this one for nearly 6 years and I havent had a problem with it at all.

TBolt A-10 · « **Reply #18 on:** August 29, 2004, 10:11:03 PM »

I wish my Sidewinder Precision Pro 2 lasted that long. The stick is loose, and I used it only about 1 year. Feels too mushy to be a good flight stick now.

The thing is collecting dust in my closet, now.

twitchy · « **Reply #19 on:** August 30, 2004, 02:26:26 AM »

I use a lgitech wireless, its a good stick but it eats energizers for lunch. I could never understand that if you can make a battery out of two nails and a potato, why the hell are they charging five buck for four metal tubes? Is there some way to wire a potato battery into my stick?

TexMurphy · « **Reply #20 on:** August 30, 2004, 05:57:19 AM »

Basicly the way I view stick selection is through grouping them into two groups.

1. Detachable throttle.
2. Integrated throttle.

For me I have to have a detachable throttle. Just the feeling of having a real throttle stick is soo much better for me.

If you want a good priced stick with a detachable throttle and dont wana spend money on the uber X45 or even more uber HOTAS then you should go for the Thrustmaster Afterburner 2.

Ive used the AB2 for 3 years and up towards 3000 hours of game play in Jumpgate. During this time Ive only gone through 2 sticks. Im on my 2nd one now and its still in good shape. Though one button is starting to become worn out. All in all aprox 1500 hours of game play per stick is very good quality imho.

The only problem with the AB2 is that the throttle stick is a taaad to light. In the begining it was sliding on the table for me. Though Jumpgate requires much more throttle management then AH and its just a matter of getting used to it. Basicly just be gentle and dont pull too hard and you wount have any problems.

THOUGH if you dont want a detachable throttle you should try to get your hands on a Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback 2. This is the most accurate joystick on the market. Well it aint on the market anymore since the morons at MS droped their Sidewinder division. But it can still be found on EBay.

You should not use the Force Feedback functionality. BUT it is the mechanics of the stick that allows force feedback that makes it so extreamly accurate. The accuracy is like no other stick.

So basicly if you want to go for pure accuracy find a MS SW FF2 and if you want to go for 2 handed feeling go for a AB2.

Tex

GRUNHERZ · « **Reply #21 on:** August 30, 2004, 06:03:16 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by twitchy
I use a lgitech wireless, its a good stick but it eats energizers for lunch. I could never understand that if you can make a battery out of two nails and a potato, why the hell are they charging five buck for four metal tubes? Is there some way to wire a potato battery into my stick?

Buy some NIHM rechargabe batteries and a charger. You will save a lot of money and even get longer time on each charge than you do to spend a set of regular batteries.

Jackal1 · « **Reply #22 on:** August 30, 2004, 07:09:13 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Fauxbra
I second the Saitek Cyborg Evo...just be sure to get a replacement policy with it because after about 4-6 months of abuse the buttons at the top next to the little blue light start to stick. The replacement policy cost me $8 at Best Buy and last for 2 years

Don`t know about Best Buy, but I think replacement policy at Circuit City is $14.00 last time they tried to stick me with this ripoff scam. Man, Jesse James at least used a gun.

Here`s the deal. Saitek now has X45 warranty policy for 2 years. If something happens to the stick just e-mail Saitek and they will take care of it. If you have one that is out of warranty and buttons or hat switch starts acting up, you can just e-mail them and they will send you the parts free. I have never seen a more agreeable company when it comes to taking care of their customers.
I had one X45 a couple or more years ago that was actualy out of warranty, but it was close , so they said no prob. One of the buttons had started acting up. Customer service at Saitek told me to box it up and send it in and they would send me another one. I explained that I ran an online squad in AH with members from 6 different countries and didn`t wish to be down for that length of time and that I had reprogrammed the function to another button. I asked if they would send me the new stick and let me return the other one on it`s arrival. No prob. 3 days later New Saitek in hand.
On a side note concerning the replacement warranty thingie. I don`t know how it is in other states, but in Texas if a store is an "authorized" dealer, they have to honor the company warranty in it`s entirity. They don`t like it and they will argue about it in most cases, but normaly speaking to the store manager cures this.

Curval · « **Reply #23 on:** August 30, 2004, 07:18:55 AM »

XBrit....I'll take that X45 off your hands.

storch · « **Reply #24 on:** August 30, 2004, 07:25:25 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Jackal1
Don`t know about Best Buy, but I think replacement policy at Circuit City is $14.00 last time they tried to stick me with this ripoff scam. Man, Jesse James at least used a gun.
Here`s the deal. Saitek now has X45 warranty policy for 2 years. If something happens to the stick just e-mail Saitek and they will take care of it. If you have one that is out of warranty and buttons or hat switch starts acting up, you can just e-mail them and they will send you the parts free. I have never seen a more agreeable company when it comes to taking care of their customers.
I had one X45 a couple or more years ago that was actualy out of warranty, but it was close , so they said no prob. One of the buttons had started acting up. Customer service at Saitek told me to box it up and send it in and they would send me another one. I explained that I ran an online squad in AH with members from 6 different countries and didn`t wish to be down for that length of time and that I had reprogrammed the function to another button. I asked if they would send me the new stick and let me return the other one on it`s arrival. No prob. 3 days later New Saitek in hand.
On a side note concerning the replacement warranty thingie. I don`t know how it is in other states, but in Texas if a store is an "authorized" dealer, they have to honor the company warranty in it`s entirity. They don`t like it and they will argue about it in most cases, but normaly speaking to the store manager cures this.

I use the X45 and love it. I purchased it at Best Buys along with the US$ 8.00 extended policy. This is the second X45, the first one started binding after about three months. I returned it and received a new one no questions. Other than the binding issue I really like this stick and it works well enough for me. The binding problem is cured easily enough by simply cutting two turns off of the spring.

bockko · « **Reply #25 on:** August 30, 2004, 02:20:32 PM »

x45 is hard to beat especially with rudder pedals. My major complaint is that the stick isn't very ergonomic. I have begun to "fly" with leather working gloves (with fingers cut off) to cushion my hands.

Curval · « **Reply #26 on:** August 30, 2004, 02:37:04 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by bockko
x45 is hard to beat especially with rudder pedals. My major complaint is that the stick isn't very ergonomic. I have begun to "fly" with leather working gloves (with fingers cut off) to cushion my hands.

lol...you fly German Iron right?

eilif · « **Reply #27 on:** August 30, 2004, 03:46:02 PM »

MS Sidwinder 3D pro! i got mine at a thrift store for $1.75. It has worked great for a few years now.

Im thinking of getting CH pedals for it, the old game port ones, will they work with it?

Jackal1 · « **Reply #28 on:** August 31, 2004, 05:10:25 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by storch
Other than the binding issue I really like this stick and it works well enough for me. The binding problem is cured easily enough by simply cutting two turns off of the spring. [/B]

I personaly like the spring tension on the X45. I can`t take the loose sticks like MS that have very little resistance.
As for the "binding"...... here is what I do to improve the smoothness. At a hardware store, lumber yard, or places like Wally World you can find a tube of stuff called plumber`s valve and faucet grease. I just take a Q-tip with the grease on it and slide it under the rubber boot to get to the ball . Just a touch goes a long way. It lasts for quite a while, much better than silicone, etc. This makes the stick as smooth as silk,but still leaves the tension and resistance.

storch · « **Reply #29 on:** August 31, 2004, 08:17:12 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Jackal1
I personaly like the spring tension on the X45. I can`t take the loose sticks like MS that have very little resistance.
As for the "binding"...... here is what I do to improve the smoothness. At a hardware store, lumber yard, or places like Wally World you can find a tube of stuff called plumber`s valve and faucet grease. I just take a Q-tip with the grease on it and slide it under the rubber boot to get to the ball . Just a touch goes a long way. It lasts for quite a while, much better than silicone, etc. This makes the stick as smooth as silk,but still leaves the tension and resistance.

Under the rubber boot?