Finally Taking the CH Plunge

[Torcher]

After years of MSFF2 usage ... and cannibalizing many EBay-bought replacements for parts ... I'm going to take the CH plunge and hope I don't twist the stick off thinking it's the rudder. Couple of questions:

Looking at the Fighter or Combat stick and rudder pedals. Do the sticks have a throttle aspect to them or do I need to get the separate throttle unit? The description mentions a throttle "Z" axis, but none of the pics show what I would think is a throttle slider on wither stick.

If I use their software for the programming (I've read the pros and cons ... seems to be like TrackIR; some like it some don't) and just use AH for scaling/deadband, are there any "conflicts" that come up between AH's keymapping and the CM software?

Thanks in advance.

[SIK1]

The fighterstick does have a throttle wheel on the base, so no you don't have to buy throttle.

I don't use the CH control manager in AH so can't help you with that.

[Masherbrum]

The wheel on the left side of the stick, on the base, is the throttle wheel.   The other two wheels (right and bottom side of base) should always be centered in their "indents".   They adjust the X/Y axises.  I also do not use the CH Control Manager.

I went through 3 Saitek HOTAS sets (2 X45's and an X52) and have had no problems or regrets.  

[Getback]

Get the throttle, many more buttons and of course options. Install the CH manager software. It actually has some drivers for the hardware.

[Ack-Ack]

After years of MSFF2 usage ... and cannibalizing many EBay-bought replacements for parts ... I'm going to take the CH plunge and hope I don't twist the stick off thinking it's the rudder. Couple of questions:

Looking at the Fighter or Combat stick and rudder pedals. Do the sticks have a throttle aspect to them or do I need to get the separate throttle unit? The description mentions a throttle "Z" axis, but none of the pics show what I would think is a throttle slider on wither stick.

If I use their software for the programming (I've read the pros and cons ... seems to be like TrackIR; some like it some don't) and just use AH for scaling/deadband, are there any "conflicts" that come up between AH's keymapping and the CM software?

Thanks in advance.

Both joysticks have a throttle but to really get the most out of CH gear, a HOTAS setup is pretty much a must.  Also, what other kind of flight sims do you play?  If you primarily play prop flight sims, then the Fighterstick is a little bit of over kill with all the extra buttons and the Combat Stick is much more suited for prop flight sims.  However, if you play both jet and prop sims, then the Fighterstick might be the better choice but take stock of what you need.  There is no need to pay the extra cash for the Fighterstick to get a couple of extra buttons you'll rarely use.

ack-ack

[CRYPTIC]

I personally like the extra buttons.but to each is own. There are some amazing things you can do with the Control Manager.

[gyrene81]

I have been looking at a CH setup for a couple of weeks myself...when I do take the plunge this is what I personally have determined to be the most bang for the buck.

Combatstick 568
http://www.amazon.com/CH-Products-Combatstick-Programmable-Functions/dp/B00006B84W/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1272457872&sr=1-7

Pro Throttle
http://www.amazon.com/CH-Products-Throttle-Switches-3-Buttons/dp/B00006B84Z/ref=pd_sim_e_2

Pro-pedals
http://www.amazon.com/CH-Products-Pedals-Simulator-300-111/dp/B0000512IE/ref=pd_cp_e_2

Total cost $283.20

You might be able to find the throttle and pedals for a bit less elsewhere but Amazon ships very fast and free...I've found lower prices but the shipping rates were outrageous.

[Torcher]

Thanks all for your replies.

Ended up ordering the Combatstick and pedals. I figure I can always add the separate throttle later.

Went through Amazon (Buy.com) for around $175 with free shipping. Got my "Your FedEx package has been shipped"  around 4 hours later ... suhweet.

[maddafinga]

I have the  fighterstick and throttle and pedals, so you'd think that the throttle wheel on the stick would be useless, but, I use it to control the engine rpm, and that works wonderfully.  You can dial the rpms down easily to really stretch your gas when  you're on fumes, or if you're a glider you can feather the prop, it's handy.  I like all the buttons, I pretty much have everything mapped to my stick and only have to touch the keyboard to type.  If you get creative, you can come up with something good to do with every button, just leave them unassigned until you start to discover a function you need sometimes, then program it.  Before you know it, you'll have them all programed.

[Hap]

I never got the hang of rudder pedals. 

[Bruv119]

Thanks all for your replies.

Ended up ordering the Combatstick and pedals. I figure I can always add the separate throttle later.

Went through Amazon (Buy.com) for around $175 with free shipping. Got my "Your FedEx package has been shipped"  around 4 hours later ... suhweet.

won't regret it m8,  you can get away with not having the throttle but ya might aswell go the whole hog right?

[CRYPTIC]

Here is where I found the best price when I went from anolog to USB. 

http://www.provantage.com/scripts/search.dll/Q-P?MAX=30&MAN=CHPD&QUERY=ch+products&SORT=3

[zack1234]

Bruv has a gold plated CH stick he keeps in a shrine
in the corner of his cell

[ink]

I have the  fighterstick and throttle and pedals, so you'd think that the throttle wheel on the stick would be useless, but, I use it to control the engine rpm, and that works wonderfully.  You can dial the rpms down easily to really stretch your gas when  you're on fumes, or if you're a glider you can feather the prop, it's handy.  I like all the buttons, I pretty much have everything mapped to my stick and only have to touch the keyboard to type.  If you get creative, you can come up with something good to do with every button, just leave them unassigned until you start to discover a function you need sometimes, then program it.  Before you know it, you'll have them all programed.

exactly the way I use it, although I am using the X-52 throttle, I went through so many saitek sticks they all are crap, this fighter stick is DA balls,once the X-52 throttle is cooked and saitek peddles are toast, I am going all CH and I will never go back.

[Torcher]

Holy cr@p-in-a-hat Just checked on my FedEx tracking and the stick and peddles are already delivered

Ordered Monday from Amazon (Buy.com) and there three days later with the standard free shipping. So much for yardwork when I get home from work. Plus, just remembered I have an old X52 throttle I may resurrect.