Author Topic: Need some Joystick advise... (Read 1748 times)

deSelys · « **Reply #30 on:** December 25, 2001, 04:18:00 PM »

I back up Midnight here: my TM FCS Mk I has reached the respectable age of 10 yrs!
(I had to fix it a couple oft times, tho)...

I've already ordered a TM Cougar. I could try it during a computer even on the IL-2 demo last month...I don't want anything else now

akak · « **Reply #31 on:** December 25, 2001, 05:09:00 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by lazs1:
CH stuff is good especially after tearing up dozens of TM sticks but... You will need to fix the little girl springs in the stick... This is difficult if you wish to have a neat looking setup. If you don't mind people laughing their butt off when they see it... there is a simple fix.
lazs

If you want to stiffen up any CH joystick, just wrap a rubber band around the gimble and base of the stick. Stiffens the joystick just fine.

akak · « **Reply #32 on:** December 25, 2001, 05:19:00 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Midnight:
For that matter, you CH guys, please tell us how many you have bought in the last 8 and compare that to how many TMs I bought (1)

[ 12-23-2001: Message edited by: Midnight ][/QB]

How many CH sticks have I bought in the last 8 years? None, I got mine all for free because I used to work for them

Seriously though, I've got the exact same CH setup on my desk that I've had for the last 6 years. The only "repair" that was needed was in replacing the X axis potentiometer in my Jane's F-16 Combat Stick and that was 2 years ago. The only "upgrade" I went through with my CH gear was in replacing my CH Game Card Automatic III with a Rockfire USB game port. Considering the hours these sticks have been used, that's pretty damn good. I even have one of the very first CH joysticks, an old Hayes, from my Apple II+ that still works fine and that thing is about 20 years old now.

akak · « **Reply #33 on:** December 25, 2001, 05:21:00 PM »

CH sticks are supposed to have a "loose" feel to them, supposed to give the illusion of "fly-by-wire" stick movement. The loose feel isn't from the springs but rather the gimble. If you want to stiffen up the stick, just wrap a rubber band around the base and the gimble of the stick.

Quote

Originally posted by lazs1:
horn.. i have the f16 combat stick and when I got it the "springs" were so weak that I could move the stick throughout its travel with the tip of my pinky finger. There is no clean fix that I am aware of. The springs are not made to be easily replaced with springs stiff enough to matter. My fix is crude but effective.
lazs

hblair · « **Reply #34 on:** December 26, 2001, 07:27:00 AM »

I've been using the MS Pre-Pro 2 for a few months now. I've just gotta break down and get my Hoffman pedals fixed. Twisty Rudder til then.

Digital is the way to go. No spikes.

mrsid2 · « **Reply #35 on:** December 26, 2001, 07:30:00 AM »

I have to second the MS PPro notion, I switched my first $20 chic stick to this one back at WB 2.xx and I've never had a spike or trouble since. Absolutely love it.

Vladd · « **Reply #36 on:** December 27, 2001, 06:05:00 PM »

I've been using the CH Fighterstick / Pro Throttle / Pedals for 4 years, am on my second Fighterstick after the first went faulty. My current stick is presently getting the dreaded spikes - it's still usable but not perfect.

CH are generally good but what attracts me to the Cougar is the digital axis technology. As I understand it, even the latest CH sticks use potentiometers so will be prone to spiking in time. The Cougar (I'm hoping) will be immune to this problem.

Vladd

StSanta · « **Reply #37 on:** December 28, 2001, 06:24:00 AM »

Vladd: the newer CH analog sticks have been dogged by spiking prblems. Had one, started spiking after a year. Stupid as I was, i tried opening it to replace the pots - it didn't help. Got another: same problem after only 6 months. And, I did the same stupid thing.

Now, I got the USB version. Works like a DREAM. This stick will last as long as my first CH COmbatstick - 5 years. Am sure of that: with USB technology they've gotten around the problems with the analog spikes.

Bouncy nose because of weak springs? I disagree lazs: I think it is a matter of what you're used to. It's not like it's saggy or jumping left and right: it is stable: just need less resistance to push it.

On a sidenote: the BEST way to beat the nose bounce in Aces High is to be *properly trimmed*. When you're outta trim in the vertical, your nose will bounce a LOT. Map trim to joystick buttons and trim manually - much better than CT, and it'll reduce nouse bounces tremendously.

Vladd · « **Reply #38 on:** December 28, 2001, 05:31:00 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by StSanta:

Now, I got the USB version. Works like a DREAM. This stick will last as long as my first CH COmbatstick - 5 years. Am sure of that: with USB technology they've gotten around the problems with the analog spikes.

Rgr Santa, I've heard good things about the USB versions. Really depends on what was / is causing the spikes - the analogue connection or the potentiometers (which may or may not be the same in the USB stick). Personally I've no idea where the problem lay and just kind of assumed it was the pots alone.

If that's not the case then great! A spike-free CH stick though is a truly wonderful thing

Vladd

Durr · « **Reply #39 on:** December 28, 2001, 07:35:00 PM »

You guys all talking about having problems stiffening up your joysticks worries me a little. I have never had any problem in that regard myself.

Raubvogel · « **Reply #40 on:** December 28, 2001, 07:52:00 PM »

MS Pre Pro works great for me. Never needs recalibrated, no spikes, durable. I just don't like the F-16 stick on this side, throttle on that side setup. Took me too long to learn how to fly in RL in right handed helos as a lefty to want to re-learn flying with a stick on the side. I wish someone would make a stick set that was based around a floor unit. It could have a central unit on the floor with rudder pedals, and a stick that came up, curved over your lap and ended up with the grip between your legs. That would be cool as hell.

akak · « **Reply #41 on:** December 29, 2001, 06:20:00 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by StSanta:
Vladd: the newer CH analog sticks have been dogged by spiking prblems. Had one, started spiking after a year. Stupid as I was, i tried opening it to replace the pots - it didn't help. Got another: same problem after only 6 months. And, I did the same stupid thing.

There are 3 main causes for spikes with analog sticks:

1)Poll w/Interrupts is CHECKED in Game Controllers.
2)Potentiometers are going bad or need to be
cleaned.
3)Speed of game port. Most game ports found
on computers poll anywhere from 300 to 800+ m/secs. Most analog sticks like the game
port at a much faster speed, anywhere from
100-130m/secs. That's why if you are going
to use CH or TM analog gear, it's a very
good idea to invest in a dedicated, speed-
adjustable game port like CH Gamecard III
Auto or TM's ACM game card. Slow game
ports are more evident with CH and TM
analog gear because unlike MS, Logitech
and Gravis sticks, CH and TM don't hard-
code the firmware to make it more compatible with slower game ports.

Apar · « **Reply #42 on:** December 29, 2001, 07:21:00 AM »

X36 USB and CH PRO Pedals (USB) untill Cougar comes out,

[ 12-29-2001: Message edited by: Apar ]

Vector · « **Reply #43 on:** December 29, 2001, 07:53:00 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Durr:
You guys all talking about having problems stiffening up your joysticks worries me a little. I have never had any problem in that regard myself.

Hehe, nor do I. I'd strongly advise to try medicine before wrapping tape around the stick!

lazs1 · « **Reply #44 on:** December 29, 2001, 10:26:00 AM »

"You guys all talking about having problems stiffening up your joysticks worries me a little. I have never had any problem in that regard myself.
--------------------

1st Air Commando Group "

you guys who can't tell your game controler from your dick worry me a little.
lazs