Author Topic: Need opinions on a flight control system... (Read 940 times)

Mox · « **on:** February 16, 2000, 09:24:00 AM »

Ok guys and gals I need opinions on controllers.

I have some extra cash at this time and I’m ready to get an entire flight control system. No, I don’t mean the cool looking cockpits; I mean stick, throttle, and pedals.

I will consider CH products, Thrustmaster, and maybe even the Saitek. Are there any others I should consider?

Should I go USB? Anyone have a date on the USB version from CH yet?

The system they will be running on is a Pent III 733, 256 RDRAM, GeForce 256 DDR, 2 LVD 9Gig Cheetahs (might move these back to my server and get a big bellybutton IDE), on 2 Sony Trinitron 21inch monitors.

Thanks!

Mox
The Wrecking Crew

Ripsnort · « **Reply #1 on:** February 16, 2000, 09:36:00 AM »

I've flown both TM and CH products stuff over the last 12 years or so, both have advantages and disadvantages. TM is alittle more difficult to program for the novice, CH has 'mushy' springs compared to TM 'stiff' springs.

If you were to ask me 6 years ago(before the CH F16 fighter stick) I would have said TM, if you ask me today, I would say CH Products.

I heard sometime in Jan/Feb. for CH USB sticks to be avail. You might want to contact them (http://www.chproducts.com) to see when the official release day is for the sticks, the pedals are avail. now with USB.

------------------
Brian "Ripsnort" Nelson
++JG2++ ~Richthofen~ XO
(Formerly VF-101 Grim Reapers~Rip1~Warbirds~)

"In training, upon being told it was time to
solo, the instructor said, “You tried to kill
me enough times, now try it with a check pilot.”"

Vermillion · « **Reply #2 on:** February 16, 2000, 10:28:00 AM »

WOW

<drools over Mox's machine>

First off forget Saitek. Its definitely not in the same league as TM and CH. And its programing software is buggier than an Ant Farm.

Now, I use to fly with an entire set of TM gear (except pedals). TM stuff is extremely durable and has great tech support/warranty work. However I found that programming their throttles and sticks were fairly difficult. I also found their sticks to be extremely "stiff". I mean you have to really yank on the stick to move it full deflection, which I didnt' like. Another thing to consider is that recently ThrustMaster was bought out by some other company (Guillemont??), so their future and current direction of the company is still in doubt. Plus the TM stuff is easily the most expensive.

Eventually I sold my TM setup and went to CH.

Now right now I am flying with a full CH setup. F-16 Fighterstick (has 8 way hat), CH Pro Throttle, and Pro Pedals. Very nice equipment, with plenty of buttons/hats, and its got an extremely nice programming utility called speedkeys. And both the stick and throttle are very ergonomic.

I have never had any of my CH equipment break, so I haven't had to get any work done, but I am told that CH Tech Support is as good as TM's (both excellent).

Now the CH stuff isn't cheap, but you can usually find it on sale, and its significantly cheaper than TM stuff.

The only complaint I have heard about CH sticks are that some feel they are "mushy" (ie soft springs), but that mostly comes from ex-TM guys that are use to really cranking on their sticks. Realistically, I would rate their springs as middle of the road, and quite comparable to the rest of the joystick market.

I would go CH USB FighterStick, USB Pro Throttle, and Pro Pedals.

------------------
Vermillion
**MOL**, Men of Leisure,
"Real Men fly Radials, Nancy Boys fly Spitfires"

Sorrow[S=A] · « **Reply #3 on:** February 17, 2000, 02:57:00 AM »

Verm, are you serious about the F16 having an 8 way hat? The web page lists it as 2 4 way hats, not the same thing. Also, I was wondering what controls were on the throttle? I am thinking of buying the throttle for the extra buttons and a true HOTAS but I was probably leaning to a Twist stick with 8 ways like that new 3 8 way hat stick. However I would MUCH prefer an F-16 if it has a real 8 way now.

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If your in range, so is the enemy.

funked · « **Reply #4 on:** February 17, 2000, 03:48:00 AM »

The CH USB Pro Pedals are out now. The rest is "coming soon" but they were "coming soon" last September.

Sorrow[S=A] · « **Reply #5 on:** February 17, 2000, 05:53:00 AM »

Check the website funked, the whole works are out now. Only thing still in development is the flight Yoke.

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If your in range, so is the enemy.

Gringo · « **Reply #6 on:** February 17, 2000, 06:08:00 AM »

Strange, I just checked the CH site and it said exactly the same thing that's been there for months.USB throttle and fighterstick are not out yet. The Combatstick and Pro pedals are out however.
Would like to know if there is another CH site with newer info.

Vermillion · « **Reply #7 on:** February 17, 2000, 06:17:00 AM »

Sorrow:

the F-16 Combatstick has 2 4-way hats

the F-16 Fighterstick has the 8 way hat, plus a few more buttons overall than the Combatstick.

Yes I am sure, I own one and use it quite frequently in AH

------------------
Vermillion
**MOL**, Men of Leisure,
"Real Men fly Radials, Nancy Boys fly Spitfires"

Swager · « **Reply #8 on:** February 17, 2000, 06:50:00 AM »

Damn Mox! That is one hell of a system!

I have CH Products and have no problems with their operation.

The flight control system that Verm mentioned would be my first choice. There is some good stuff there.

Good Luck and please let us know what the FPS is on AH for your system!

Drool! Drool! Slobber!

------------------
Damn Ghostrider! This bogey is all over me!!

Westy · « **Reply #9 on:** February 17, 2000, 07:34:00 AM »

You CAN take the 4 way view hat on a CH Combat or FX stick and MAKE it an 8 way hat - if you have some decent dexterity with your hands.
http://www.zeb.clara.net/jstick.html

-Westy

Mox · « **Reply #10 on:** February 17, 2000, 09:19:00 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Sorrow[S=A]:
Check the website funked, the whole works are out now. Only thing still in development is the flight Yoke.

Maybe I'm looking at a different web page (www.chproducts.com) but it still shows the USB Pro throttle and the USB F-16 Fighterstick as under development and you cannot purchase them online directly from CH.

Do you know for sure that they are available? Maybe they haven't updated their web page yet.

I'll call CH when they open to check.

Mox
The Wrecking Crew

Mox · « **Reply #11 on:** February 17, 2000, 09:22:00 AM »

Thanks for all the input guys. I'm leaning towards the CH line since Thrustmaster was recently purchased and who knows what will happen to them.

If the USB gear is out when I call CH I'll order the entire set.

I'll keep you informed!

Mox
The Wrecking Crew

Mox · « **Reply #12 on:** February 18, 2000, 03:44:00 PM »

I just got off the phone with CHProducts and they informed me it will be awhile before the rest of their USB gear is out.

USB Yoke = April
USB F-16 Fighterstick = "Sometime after April"
USB Pro Throttle = "Sometime after April"

Sounds like it could be a long time... bummer

Mox
The Wrecking Crew

humble · « **Reply #13 on:** February 18, 2000, 03:53:00 PM »

Mox,

I bought a Saitek X36 combo about 6 weeks ago, I dont agree with the comment on programming (it's very easy to program and auto loads for each game) BUT it won't work with my CH pedals. The rudder is a "toggle" type switch on the throttle. I had to switch from flying lefty to righty (not alot of fun) so I may be overly sensitive to rudder issue. I just don't have the fine control I had with my pedals...I'm getting either to much or to little rudder input.

I's stay away from Saitek until they either allow for use of pedals or produce there own.

BigJim · « **Reply #14 on:** February 18, 2000, 04:46:00 PM »

Mox I just bought the Suncom SFS combo (throttle and stick) and like them very much they are compatible with any rudder pedals you like and are very easy to program

BigJim

Author Topic: Need opinions on a flight control system... (Read 940 times)

Sorrow[S=A]

funked

Sorrow[S=A]

Gringo