Joystick Recommendations

[vizwhiz]

I've been reading through some of the comments about twisty vs. pedals, and about stick recommendations...
I have a Microsoft Force Feedback 2 twisty stick.  I love the smooth movement and the force feedback.  8-buttons with the hat are okay for me.  I'm okay with twisty-stick cuz I only play once or twice a week...and I disconnect the thing and put it in the cabinet after I'm done...so it doesn't stay out. 

If I have to replace it, what are good recommendations for the next stick?  I realize everyone has their favorite, but I don't really think I want to invest in a big setup...just a good solid stick with force feedback, twisty is fine, USB.  I am on WinXPPro.  I saw some Microsoft FF2's on ebay, but they're used and I'm not sure I want to risk "issues".  I've looked online a little (Bestbuy, CircuitCity, Walmart, etc.) and I see only a few choices, so I'm not sure if I'm seeing the "most frequently sold" items or "most available cuz nobody bought them" etc.

(What do you do with two throttles anyway?)

Anyway, the forward/backward (pitch) force feedback is failing...works for a while then - "pop" - it quits...and it won't center anymore, etc.  Is it possible that this is software related and not hardware after all?  Why would it quit after 2 hours of flying?

Thanks in advance.  <S>

[Hamltnblue]

The force feedback on that stick is activated by a sensor on the front of the handle. If you look at it there's a small slot.  You might just have to clean the slot/sensor.

[vizwhiz]

hey thanks!  I never knew that...and just playing with it makes me wonder about it...i cleaned it up (gotta watch those twinkies) and we'll see what happens...

i've been playing with it in game too to see what happens...it seems to work fine outside the game...when it happened the other night, i logged and with the stick alone, the FF worked...went back into the game, it worked...until i upped a plane...then "poof", it seemed to disappear again...wouldn't even self-center fore/aft...

any more ideas, i appreciate it!

thanks

[Max]

Should you be forced (clever pun  ) to replace it, give a look on Ebay for eithe the same stick or the Sidewinder Precision Pro.

[vizwhiz]

Thanks to all who replied with help...I re-posted over in technical support because I'm becoming very convinced that this is a game issue.
Stick works fine in windows and when using Sidewinder calibration/test, but loses FF at various times in AH.  Also, I get fore/aft sometimes and left/right sometimes...not consistent, even just from changing planes sometimes...
Thanks again!