Author Topic: Joystick and Pedals (Read 754 times)

CarbHeat · « **on:** December 13, 2004, 01:25:09 PM »

I know, I read the forum history...this is not a new topic...except.....

Being slightly handicapped though it very rarely shows up as a hinderence (I was born with no right thumb) it does make it difficult for me to use the high end flight joysticks I have found. They all seem to be right hand oriented.

With the Holidays coming, I would like to suggest to my wife a set up that makes sense for a Lefty in AH.

The CH Pro Pedals USB seem reasonable for foot activity. The CH Fighter Stick or 568 features look reasonable, but dang that right hand set up. Would I be better off with a yoke, like he CH Flight Sim Yoke USB? Or, preferrably, is there an equivelent Lefty or ampidexterous joystick out there comparable to the CH Fighter Stick or 568?

My current set up is a Logitech Attack 3 joy stick (it is ampidexterous and inexpensive) and no foot controls.

Thanks in advance
CarbHeat
aka Mike

JB73 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 13, 2004, 01:57:39 PM »

saitek makes a few sticks that can be right or lefty

pedals are the way to go for sure

StarOfAfrica2 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 13, 2004, 02:49:46 PM »

I know Saitek made an ambidexterous stick, dont remember which model (evo maybe?). The only other sticks I know of that are ambidexterous are the CH Flightstick/Flightstick Pro and the CH Gamestick 3D. The Gamestick 3D was analog only, they dont have a USB version of it. You can find it for as low as 10 bucks on the internet now. I use a Flightstick Pro, and while I could wish for more than the 4 buttons, I have no complaints, and it has seen 8 years of service with only 1 minor repair needed. It has a solid feel to it, the base is heavy enough that it doesnt slide around easily, and I love having the manual trim wheels ( I believe on the USB version you can program these to control your elevator and aileron trim tabs as well, dont know for sure as I use the analog version). Plus it has the advantage of being quite a bit smaller on the base than some of the other sticks I've owned, so it's easy to move out of the way when I have work to do.

There might be more out there, but these are the only ones I know of. Hope it helps.

Revvin · « **Reply #3 on:** December 13, 2004, 03:09:56 PM »

Take a look at CH Products Flightstick Pro USB, when coupled with something like the CH Pro Throttle you'll have plenty of extra buttons.

SunKing · « **Reply #4 on:** December 13, 2004, 03:41:32 PM »

I'm a lefty and use the CH Fighter Stick, Pro Throttle and Pro Pedals. After a week of flying the fighter stick in my right hand was perfectly normal. I can't think of swithing to lefty sticks if they ever released them.

FOGOLD · « **Reply #5 on:** December 13, 2004, 04:14:18 PM »

The perfect thing is the CH USB Throttle. I use the hat switch on it for views all the time as the fighterstick one is too much of a stretch. It works perfectly with your left thumb!

(lol, that smiley's kind of appropriate).

Seriously, CH pro throttle is the business for an alternative HAT.

StarOfAfrica2 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 13, 2004, 04:22:18 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by FOGOLD
The perfect thing is the CH USB Throttle. I use the hat switch on it for views all the time as the fighterstick one is too much of a stretch. It works perfectly with your left thumb! (lol, that smiley's kind of appropriate).

Seriously, CH pro throttle is the business for an alternative HAT.

Yer absolutely right, but I'm thinking he might have a problem operating a stick with his right hand if he has no thumb. Its not just a matter of not being able to use thumb buttons.

The only drawback to the Flightstick Pro like I use, or any of the others for that matter, is that the throttle is a small wheel on the LEFT side of the joystick. Which might be difficult for you to operate. Dont know why I didnt think of that earlier. You might want to put the throttle controls on the keyboard and leave the throttle on the stick unused.

OTOH, I believe the Saitek stick was able to swap the throttle side to side (I dont remember, its been a long time since I looked at it, and I never have used a Saitek stick). That might be a better option.

CarbHeat · « **Reply #7 on:** December 13, 2004, 05:04:36 PM »

Wow....thanks for all the input.

Ok...here is the plan...I found CH Throttle and Pedals for about $225 with 3 day delivery.

I am a bit concerned about right hand joystick usage....am gonna try flying a bit that way and see how it goes. If it works, I will go for the option above and gain the hats on the left handed throttle. If I dont feel I can get comfortable with a right hand stick, I will probably opt for a yoke in place of the throttle. I dont think I loose any performance with the yoke (please let me know if this is wrong), I just dont want to give up the space I think the yoke will require.

So, watch me stumble through the air the next few days.
Hmmm....come to think of it , it wont be much different than my current flying.

Thanks again for the info
CarbHeat
aka Mike

Revvin · « **Reply #8 on:** December 13, 2004, 05:35:53 PM »

OK how about a completely ambidextrous setup then? A CH Flightstick Pro USB and CH Throttle Quadrant? both modelled to be used be left or right hands

Furious · « **Reply #9 on:** December 13, 2004, 06:47:38 PM »

Also, you might look at a Track IR setup, as this would remove the necessity of using a hatswitch for your views.

CarbHeat · « **Reply #10 on:** December 13, 2004, 07:44:43 PM »

Revvin

One of (many) the skills I am poor at is situation awarenss during the fight. I always seem to loose sight of my target after the first pass and take forever to re-aquire - often getting blasted or finally finding the target 4k away.

Since I dont currently have a hatswitch I was thinking I would need one for my left hand to improve my scanning ability. The CH Throttle addresses this issue. But, just now having flown with my right hand, I can tell you Star maybe right...it aint gonna happen without lots of practice.

Furious
Never heard of the Track IR setup. Hints on where too look into it?

Back to Learnin the Skys

CarbHeat
aka Mike

Furious · « **Reply #11 on:** December 13, 2004, 10:31:17 PM »

Here ya go: Track IR

SunKing · « **Reply #12 on:** December 14, 2004, 12:51:16 AM »

SunKing · « **Reply #13 on:** December 14, 2004, 12:51:58 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by CarbHeat
Revvin

One of (many) the skills I am poor at is situation awarenss during the fight. I always seem to loose sight of my target after the first pass and take forever to re-aquire - often getting blasted or finally finding the target 4k away.

Since I dont currently have a hatswitch I was thinking I would need one for my left hand to improve my scanning ability. The CH Throttle addresses this issue. But, just now having flown with my right hand, I can tell you Star maybe right...it aint gonna happen without lots of practice.

Furious
Never heard of the Track IR setup. Hints on where too look into it?

Back to Learnin the Skys

CarbHeat
aka Mike

Carb seriously consider trackir if you are having SA issues. Take the week or two to learn to use trackir and your game experience and pleasure will increase twofold.

Revvin · « **Reply #14 on:** December 14, 2004, 08:40:15 AM »

Rgr Carbheat I thought you meant you'd be using a stick in your left hand and the throttle with the right. I'd also strongly suggest looking into getting a TrackIR, it works with many sims (listed on their web-site that Furious linked above) including Aces High which also supports their latest enhancement called "6 degrees of freedom" or 6DOF for short. What 6DOF allows is not just panning your view but actually tilting your virtual head to look around cockpit framework etc as well as zoom in and out. I've used the TrackIR since the first version and really don't like to fly without it.