Questions on flightstick selection.

[MK-84]

     It is gettng to the point that I will need to replace the only stick I've ever used
I have a Microsoft Sidewinder Precision Pro that I got somewhere in 1998 I believe.  It is a twisty stick with an 8way hat switch, slide throttle and several buttons that I use...but only because they are there.

     Unfortunatly the hat switch doesnt want to look in righthand directions without a lot of effort, and around all axis the control appears to be very sloppy.  I was hoping someone could answer a few questions I have regarding a new stick.

     I can fly towards a stationary tank on an attack run for example, but it is very difficult to get an exact aim, the rudder yaw control is terrible, the pitch isnt great, only roll seems precise enough for me to control exactly.  Is this normal?  Can a decent pilot be able to aim precisely at a stationary ground target in this game?  For me it is a ton of over correcting, mixed with a quick shot as my plane literally slews across the target.
     I feel that I can fly my plane to it's (and my ability) limits just fine as is, but without the specific control for fine aiming.  Is that possible, or am I missing out bigtime now that theres been another 14yrs or so of new development on sticks?

     If I purchased a stick with these specific requirements, what would you reccomend?
    1.  I am unhappy with precise aiming, I want the stick that is best for that.  I dont need a ton of travel, I need it to be smooth, without the stick feeling like it, well "sticks" in the center position and then jerks too hard when input is applied. 
    2. I believe I want a twisty handle, unless there is some MAJOR reason that it is inferior in terms of control to rudder pedals.
    3. It has to have a slide throttle.
    4. I do not care about alot of buttons, I use them as a slight convenience because they are there.
    5. The only reason I want to replace my current stick is that my hat switch is essentially broken, but more importantly I want better control of my aircraft.  If it is possible (or normal?) in AH to aim at a stationary target and keep the sights exactly on it? 

[The Fugitive]

My CH stick is very precise. I can dive and center a target and hit it with ease. A couple of burst is all that is needed to take out ack and soft guns. I don't remember who it was, maybe it was Fester, but when he switched over to a CH stick he said he couldn't believe how smooth and accurate it was compared to what he had been using.  So it is possible to get pin point aim, as long as you can contain the adrenalin 

I think you will have issues with ANY stick you get. Your very much use to one stick and any stick you get is going to be so far off from what you have been using that for the most part you will be relearning the control aspect of flying.

[MK-84]

My CH stick is very precise. I can dive and center a target and hit it with ease. A couple of burst is all that is needed to take out ack and soft guns. I don't remember who it was, maybe it was Fester, but when he switched over to a CH stick he said he couldn't believe how smooth and accurate it was compared to what he had been using.  So it is possible to get pin point aim, as long as you can contain the adrenalin 

I think you will have issues with ANY stick you get. Your very much use to one stick and any stick you get is going to be so far off from what you have been using that for the most part you will be relearning the control aspect of flying.

Thanks for the advice!

I think you're right about me going to have an uh...interesting learning curve with a new stick, but it's that time unortunatly. 

[zack1234]

Lots of people buy Sidewinders of Ebay, MickyD bought one last month and its perfect.

[Flash]

I used to use the same stick you do, and still have a few left. But I went to the CH Flightstick pro because it is shorter than the other CH sticks and cheaper, But it does have less buttons. Been using it now for three years and it is good. I ended up getting the Saitek peddles and the CH pro throttle. I use the stick hat, buttons for comms, and to shoot.

I found the CH combat sticks to tall for my reach. I like to rest my elbow on the arm of my chair so the Flightstick allows me to do that and reach all the button kinda like the sidewinder and about the same size.

[ink]

I went from averaging a 4% hit ratio using Saitek sticks(2 cyborg's and 3 X52's) all in 4 years......... to a 7-8% hit ratio on 1 CH fighter stick for the last 3 years.........overnight.


you need rudder peddles with it.... if possible they are much better then a twisty....you only input rudder when you want to, with a twisty you are always inputting rudder.

my .002$