A question for the CH users

[Golden Dragon]

Good day all, I'm going to pick up a CH stick, throttle, and rudder peddles.  Do I need to buy anything else to interface with the computer or can I just plug all these things in and start battling?  Also, do I need to use the program manager or can I map keeps via the game and just go that route? 

[ImADot]

I have my CH gear plugged into a powered external USB hub. I have never had any issues with calibration or other strange behaviors that some players sometimes write about.

I have seen no need to use the CH software to program the buttons; I just mapped everything I wanted from inside the game and can do pretty much everything I need to fly and fight. Just make sure to map Mode 2 for GV's - I have the option selected to auto-select the mode based on what I spawn in (plane/gv/gun/ship) and the game chooses the mode for me.

[Golden Dragon]

Thanks, maybe I'll look into one of those down the road.  For now, I just want to replace an ancient clapped out sidewinder with something better.  So, if I understand correctly, I can buy all three things from CH, plug them in and start playing.  Correct?

[ImADot]

Yes. There is no requirement for a powered external USB hub. As long as your computer has enough USB ports, and is set to not power off the USB, you should be Ok.

[Rogue9Volt]

I use a newer laptop, and I am able to plug my ch stuff right in.  You'll need three usb slots tho.  Ch products don't daisy-chain like the saitek does.  So, a hub would be ideal, but isn't strictly necessary. 

All the CH stuff comes with the CD of the program, or it can be downloaded from the CH site.  It isn't necessary to use it for AH, but it does help to have it installed for trouble-shooting purposes.  I haven't had to use it yet, personally.

Oh, and about the CH stick...  The actual stick is designed for very large hands!  It was actually too big for me, and I couldn't comfortably use all the hats like I wanted to.  So be sure you can return it, just in case.  Throttle and pedals are wonderful though. 

[Brooke]

I highly recommend a powered external USB hub that everything is plugged into, regardless of who makes the joystick, pedals, etc.  Some motherboard USB connectors have crappy power regulators that start to flake out after a while.  The symptoms of this are spiky response to your stick or needing frequent calibration where the effects go away when you plug the stick into a powered USB hub.

I don't use any of the CH software, and I don't calibrate it in Windows.  I just plug it in and use it from Aces High.

[zack1234]

Whats a good hub?

You can calibrate

[Chalenge]

With CH gear you have to use a powered hub, otherwise you will lose calibration and even the presence of the stick will from time-to-time be lost. Without a powered hub it is quite possible that the entire USB bus on your motherboard will become damaged over time. CH draws just too much power. There might be some motherboard design that can handle it, but why take the chance?

I have heard of people that got their CH gear to work without the CH manager program. In my case I needed it for the sticks to be recognized, but then I used the Aces High assignment software to setup all the buttons and axis.

[Golden Dragon]

Thanks for the good gouge folks.  So what's a good inexpensive USB hub and where the heck do I buy one?  My former Microsoft working brother laughs at my lack of tech savvy and wonders how I even get my technologically advanced jet off the ground. 

[The Fugitive]

Thanks for the good gouge folks.  So what's a good inexpensive USB hub and where the heck do I buy one?  My former Microsoft working brother laughs at my lack of tech savvy and wonders how I even get my technologically advanced jet off the ground.  

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817394179

$20, Best Buy carries them too I use a Belkin one and have done so for years with out an issue.

Heres one from Walmart

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sabrent-USB-2.0-7-Port-Hub-with-AC-Power-Adapter/15819346

[Golden Dragon]

Thanks everyone!  When I get back from this three week stint at work I look forward to battling you all with my beloved pony and a crisp new stick and rudder. 
-00PK

[Brooke]

Get more ports than 4 -- it's not much more expensive.  Make sure it is a powered hub (i.e., that it has a power supply that you plug into the wall socket and then plug into the hub).  DLink, Belkin, Tripp Lite, Kensington are all decent.

Here's a selection:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA24G1743320

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA24G1743720

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817111402

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA24G1744392

[Golden Dragon]

Thank you Brooke.

[Ack-Ack]

Also, do I need to use the program manager or can I map keeps via the game and just go that route? 

You don't need to use the Control Manager, you can get by just using the default button mapping in AH but I still recommend installing for calibrating in Windows.  Though, personally I think it's a waste not to use CM as you can do some really nifty things that you can't do with the default mapping in AH.

ack-ack

[Golden Dragon]

Thanks guys for all the advice!  When I'm back home I'll have a CH stick, throttle, and rudders waiting for me.  I'm looking forward to having a little more precise control over my cartoon plane.  My sidewinder is so worn out.  Now I'll probably waste even more of my days off in the cartoon skies.  Not good.