Can a Flight Stick be fixed...

[RedDevil]

Hey guys, had a question. I recently was at a Goodwill store looking for work stuff and came across a Saitek Cyborg 3D Force Flight Stick. It was priced at like $6 and was a 50% off sale so I said what the hell and bought it. Figured if it worked or not it was only $3. I hooked it up and all the buttons work and it is a nice piece of equipment...but...the stick is very loose and for the most part will not stay centered. I was wondering if there is a way to somehow re-tighten this or if it has had its best days behind it. I know that I was able to fix a Logitech 3D Pro stick by tightening it and there are some sticks that come with the tools to tighten the stick (like the Saitek Cyborg). Please let me know. Thanks!

[Bizman]

I'm in the belief that ForceFeedback sticks don't have a centering spring, instead they have tiny software controlled motors to do the centering and other funny things. Without the software running an FF stick is totally loose. Since the stick is rather old, you might not be able to find the drivers for it.

[RedDevil]

Hey, thanks for the response. I kinda figured that. I think I am gonna just get me my old Reliable Logitech Extreme 3D Pro lol. I never had any problems and always flew my best with it.

[Bizman]

Not knowing your operating system nor its bit depth I'd suggest you to check for software on Saitek's site or even throwing them a mail. If you can't get the force stuff running, you can always use everything that's working in it to build yourself a control panel with a gazillion of knobs to use in AH. You can build it anyway you like and it would still show as a Cyborg 3D FF stick.

[zack1234]

There is moded forceback software for ff

I have one if the ff sticks

[BuckShot]

You could remove the sick and use the base for the buttons and throttle like I did with an old 'Borg.

I use the extra throttle for rpm.

[Chalenge]

Not unless you are quite handy at soldering, and crafting an extension.

For anyone that cannot afford a full joystick setup probably the best thing to buy is the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro. I would rather have that than any of the Saitek stuff, except Saitek pedals of course.

Since Mad Catz got the line Saitek isn't even worth the little credit I used to give it.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

There seem to be deals on TM Warthogs for 100 euros/bucks. That stick has hall effect 'pots' with a steel construction so it should last a loong time. 

[Bizman]

Not unless you are quite handy at soldering, and crafting an extension.

For anyone that cannot afford a full joystick setup probably the best thing to buy is the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro. I would rather have that than any of the Saitek stuff, except Saitek pedals of course.

Since Mad Catz got the line Saitek isn't even worth the little credit I used to give it.

Do you mean a hotas by "a full joystick setup"? If so, IMO the Thrustmaster T Flight HOTAS X is of equal quality and price. I've used a Hotas X (actually its predecessor) after two generations of Logitech Extreme's without noticing any major difference during the last twelve or so years. At the moment I'm using a TM T.16000M with the Hotas X throttle. ATM I suppose one of the best bang for buck combination might be the above mentioned Warthog stick with a cheap throttle, e.g. the Hotas X, the combined price being about €150.

[Chalenge]

Do you mean a hotas by "a full joystick setup"? If so, IMO the Thrustmaster T Flight HOTAS X is of equal quality and price. I've used a Hotas X (actually its predecessor) after two generations of Logitech Extreme's without noticing any major difference during the last twelve or so years. At the moment I'm using a TM T.16000M with the Hotas X throttle. ATM I suppose one of the best bang for buck combination might be the above mentioned Warthog stick with a cheap throttle, e.g. the Hotas X, the combined price being about €150.

Where I live the Logitech is half of what the Thrustmaster goes for.

[Bizman]

Where I live the Logitech is half of what the Thrustmaster goes for.

Now that was news to me. I just looked at one our major web shops, which had all three I mentioned on their list. Logitech Extreme 3D and TM Hotas X were €49.90 and €50.90, the T.16000M being the cheapest at €46.90.

Then again, even Newegg doesn't seem to know what the price for the Logitech should be: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4T01KV4233 or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826102204, both in stock.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

This deal found on finnish squad forums is so tempting I want to get one even though I don't play any flight sims at the moment: http://www.verkkokauppa.com/fi/product/28505/dqfth/Thrustmaster-HOTAS-Warthog-Flight-Stick-PC-peliohjain

I'm thinking to renew my account for christmas holidays and my sidewinder precision pro is on life support at measly 20 years age lol.