Author Topic: Joystick woes  (Read 1221 times)

Offline Eagleclaw

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Joystick woes
« on: May 02, 2010, 07:21:17 AM »
Recently, my Saitek ST290 PRO has started to creak and has become less responsive. I've been looking at new joysticks for quite some time now, can anyone give me a solid reccomendation? I've been looking at more Saiteks and even a Logitech joystick or two, but any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys.
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Offline gyrene81

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Re: Joystick woes
« Reply #1 on: May 02, 2010, 10:27:23 AM »
I just replaced my Saitek Cyborg X stick after only a year...bought one of these:




Separate throttle control...HOTAS setup...you can use the twisty or the finger controlled rocker on the front of the throttle handle to control rudder...sensitive stick movement...and solid. For about $50 it's a really nice stick...only quality issue I have seen talked about is it either works out of the box or it doesn't.


http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B001CXYMFS/ref=dp_olp_new_map?ie=UTF8&qid=1272814226&sr=8-2&condition=new
« Last Edit: May 02, 2010, 10:31:31 AM by gyrene81 »
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Offline The Fugitive

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Re: Joystick woes
« Reply #2 on: May 02, 2010, 10:38:27 AM »
Basing the info on what I've read here on the boards for years.... and a little of my own experiences.

CH Products is the top of the line. solid product lasts forever.

Logiteck, most people call them "logicrap" basically the bottom of the barrel.

Saitek is the middle of the road. inexpensive, but in most cases doesn't hold up well and will need to be replaced in a year.....or less  :cry

I've used Logitech, Thrushmaster, Suncom, Saitek and CH products. While not a computer genius, I'm no slouch either. I could NEVER get the Logitech to work right. The Thrustmaster I had was about 12 years ago and while it did work well and lasted more than a year it was small in my hand. The Suncom was a good stick but I don't think it's made any more. I have a Saitek 290 I used when I was on the road a lot. It was a decent stick and worked ok with my laptop, but it did take a lot of "fiddling" to clear the nose bounce out of it. I have had my CH gear for over 10 years now and would never by anything else.

Offline Eagleclaw

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Re: Joystick woes
« Reply #3 on: May 02, 2010, 10:55:32 AM »
some really good responses, thanks guys <S>. Now, I have a Joystick from 1996. It is a Gravis Destroyer AFTERSHOCK, it lasted, no joke about 7 years, not needing any replacement parts and it was a wonderful stick, I still have it too, as a back-up, does anyone know if GRAVIS still exists?
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Offline Yossarian

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Re: Joystick woes
« Reply #4 on: May 02, 2010, 12:18:32 PM »
I just checked, they don't:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Gravis_Computer_Technology

Surely if you have all the parts and it works, you can just use it anyway?
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Offline Eagleclaw

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Re: Joystick woes
« Reply #5 on: May 02, 2010, 04:23:12 PM »
Well, the wiring is frayed and the twist-rudder is spotty, all the buttons work and it is very sensitive. I tried it last night and I think there is a problem with the USB plug, windows will register it, and then lose it periodically. It is a back-up for a very sad time.
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Offline Ack-Ack

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Re: Joystick woes
« Reply #6 on: May 02, 2010, 04:37:09 PM »
The Suncom was a good stick but I don't think it's made any more.

Used to use the Suncom dual throttle back in the Win95/98 days, could never get it to work though in XP.


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Offline The Fugitive

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Re: Joystick woes
« Reply #7 on: May 02, 2010, 08:41:48 PM »
Used to use the Suncom dual throttle back in the Win95/98 days, could never get it to work though in XP.


ack-ack

I think it was the USB era that killed it. The stick and throttle used both the gameport and the keyboard. Once USB cam out I think they lowered the power to the keyboard and it wasn't enough to keep the stick and throttle running. I know I added a cable extention to my keyboard plug so I could unplug it and plug it back in as a "reboot" move for the stick and keyboard. Worked too   :D

Offline humble

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Re: Joystick woes
« Reply #8 on: May 03, 2010, 05:21:39 PM »
Basing the info on what I've read here on the boards for years.... and a little of my own experiences.

CH Products is the top of the line. solid product lasts forever.

Logiteck, most people call them "logicrap" basically the bottom of the barrel.

Saitek is the middle of the road. inexpensive, but in most cases doesn't hold up well and will need to be replaced in a year.....or less  :cry

I've used Logitech, Thrushmaster, Suncom, Saitek and CH products. While not a computer genius, I'm no slouch either. I could NEVER get the Logitech to work right. The Thrustmaster I had was about 12 years ago and while it did work well and lasted more than a year it was small in my hand. The Suncom was a good stick but I don't think it's made any more. I have a Saitek 290 I used when I was on the road a lot. It was a decent stick and worked ok with my laptop, but it did take a lot of "fiddling" to clear the nose bounce out of it. I have had my CH gear for over 10 years now and would never by anything else.

I've got a Logitech G940 and its very well built (initial impressions). The stick and throttle are great IMO but the pedals leave a bit to be desired compared to my Pro Pedals. I'd buy G940 before another X52....

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Offline Ack-Ack

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Re: Joystick woes
« Reply #9 on: May 03, 2010, 05:26:26 PM »
I've got a Logitech G940 and its very well built (initial impressions). The stick and throttle are great IMO but the pedals leave a bit to be desired compared to my Pro Pedals. I'd buy G940 before another X52....

Can you use the G940 without the pedals?  I've seen a lot of posts on the Logitech forums about the problems people are having with their pedals.


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Offline humble

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Re: Joystick woes
« Reply #10 on: May 03, 2010, 08:06:00 PM »
Can you use the G940 without the pedals?  I've seen a lot of posts on the Logitech forums about the problems people are having with their pedals.


ack-ack

I've used them with my propedals NP, mine are fine just don't have the spring force the propedals do so they don't center as cleanly...

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Offline Ack-Ack

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Re: Joystick woes
« Reply #11 on: May 03, 2010, 08:13:25 PM »
I've used them with my propedals NP, mine are fine just don't have the spring force the propedals do so they don't center as cleanly...

How's the vibration from the feedback on the computer desk?  Curious because I have a glass top computer desk.

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Offline oneway

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Re: Joystick woes
« Reply #12 on: May 03, 2010, 08:47:08 PM »
If your considering Thrustmaster...

The Thrustmaster Cougar will soon be eclipsed by the Thrustmaster Warthog...its a split throttle control system modeled upon the Fairchild A-10C flight control system...anyone looking to go the full boat and go with a Thrustmaster HOTAS should wait a month or two for the Warthog...

The Cougar (their present heavy steel model) has not been updated in years...the Cougar was modeled on the General Dynamics F-16 Falcon

If your considering a TM HOTAS and want to spend the money for such a stick...wait for the Warthog

Oneway

Leaked image of the TM Warthog...

« Last Edit: May 03, 2010, 09:12:27 PM by oneway »

Offline Chalenge

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Re: Joystick woes
« Reply #13 on: May 04, 2010, 01:15:38 AM »
Where are Thrustmaster controllers assembled?
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Offline Ack-Ack

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Re: Joystick woes
« Reply #14 on: May 04, 2010, 04:10:34 AM »
Thrustmaster I believe has always made their sticks in China, even when they were still a family owned company.  Unlike CH, all made in the USA.

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