Author Topic: Joy stick?? (Read 1190 times)

Stone Sober · « **on:** March 09, 2003, 02:02:15 PM »

Hi all

Just downloaded the AH software. Haven't even started an account yet. Read through the 'Hard/software' forum and so far can't get a good idea of what Joy stick to buy. Logitech and MS have been labled as junk.
I don't mind paying for good equipment.
So, is there any one all powerful stick, or are they all about the same?
I'm playing off line with a steering wheel. Interesting, but not fun.

Thanks
Stone

bockko · « **Reply #1 on:** March 09, 2003, 02:07:30 PM »

MS sticks are not junk, the Sidewinder is a decent stick, especially for the price. The force feedback version is used by many very good sticks. Logitech I cannot speak to. I have both the saitek x45 and an ms sidewinder, the saitek is a bit more stable but the ergonimics are no where near as good as the ms. The MS (assuming you are a righty) has a veryyyyyy good feel. MS stick is about 40 us dollars, 99 for force feedback. X45 is about 80 bucks but has a *(#$load of programmability. You can spring for CH Products stick/throttle, but it gets up in price realll fast. The Cougar setup (thrustmaster??) is the latest stick setup, but is very $$$$.

How deep is your wallet?

GunnerCAF · « **Reply #2 on:** March 09, 2003, 03:38:46 PM »

Stone,

You get what you pay for. For flight sims, you want to look for one with a poit of view hat, rudder control and throttle. Most sticks that have these things all fall in the same price range. If you have a store in your area, try to put your hands on some. Get one you like the feel of.

If you want to go to a high end stick, look at eh CH Fighterstick, Saitek X45, or Thrustmaster Cougar.

Hope to see you in the unfriendly skies soon

Gunner

Tarmac · « **Reply #3 on:** March 09, 2003, 04:43:42 PM »

Logitech Wingman Xtreme digital 3D user here. Have used them for about 3 years. Good sticks, comfortable, buttons well placed, inexpensive (usually $40 US, on sale for $30).

My beef with them is that the rudder twisty axis goes spiky after about 9 months. Each time, I've called Logitech, and they've sent me a new stick with few questions asked. I think they know it's a design fault, and for some reason would rather just replace it rather than redesign the stick. So I have 3, all with bad twisty axis. Bought CH rudder pedals so I don't have to deal with it, but I still use the stick. Still like them too. Just not the rudder.

Revvin · « **Reply #4 on:** March 09, 2003, 04:52:31 PM »

I use a Thrustmaster HOTAS Cougar and prefer that over the other sticks I've used from CH, Saitek and Microsoft. It costs around $240 which is quite a lot although a CH Pro Throttle and F16 stick will cost around the same and for both of the above mentioned sticks you'll need to buy a set of rudder pedals but if you got the money then go for a true HOTAS 'Hands on throttle and stick' combination. If your budget is a little less then the Saitek X45 is a good buy and has a hand operated throttle on the separate throttle unit. Take a look at the links below and see which looks right for you:

Thrustmaster HOTAS Cougar

CH USB joysticks (check out the Fighterstick and Pro Throttle on the right)

Saitek X45

Stone Sober · « **Reply #5 on:** March 09, 2003, 05:36:07 PM »

No offence intended in the MS and Logitech comment. Just what I read from varioius posters.
Looks like there are a few popular sticks. I'll look them over and go with one.

Thanks to all for the quick responses and advice. I suppose this means your that quick in the air also. yipes!!!!
Hope to be online soon.

bockko · « **Reply #6 on:** March 09, 2003, 09:06:59 PM »

In reality, you will find most sticks work fine. Big things to look for are feel, programability, rudder options (you GOTTA have a rudder control), throttle, and as pointed out earlier, 8 way hat switch.

as for "quick in the air", everyone meets their match!

good luck

AtmkRstr · « **Reply #7 on:** March 10, 2003, 02:52:50 AM »

Regarding Logitech, they're customer service is a POS.

They're product quality is a POS.

It took my forever to get them to send me a replacement for my defective stick. The replacement was also defective, but useable. The 1 year warranty expired before I could get a 3rd one.

The defects involved the twisty part, among other things.

Stone Sober · « **Reply #8 on:** March 10, 2003, 04:17:32 PM »

Well it was tough. I like the Thrustmaster, but not ready for the $240 punch yet. I went for the (drum roll) Saitek X45.
Now I'll get hit with ' You got that one, what in the world where you thinking?'.
Well. I'm going to go fly into some solid objects for awhile before I try online.

Thanks again to everyone.

Stone

Eagler · « **Reply #9 on:** March 10, 2003, 04:36:26 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Stone Sober
Well it was tough. I like the Thrustmaster, but not ready for the $240 punch yet. I went for the (drum roll) Saitek X45.
Now I'll get hit with ' You got that one, what in the world where you thinking?'.
Well. I'm going to go fly into some solid objects for awhile before I try online.

Thanks again to everyone.

Stone

look here for a dat file to start you off...

it's setup for peds (advse you get a set asap) if you dont have any, just go in and enable rocker back as rudder..
gl

Eagler's X45 AH profile

SmackDabb · « **Reply #10 on:** August 09, 2003, 01:21:22 PM »

What is the dat file for and how do I edit it to my liking? Note pad and worp pad don't seem to work.

Eagler · « **Reply #11 on:** August 10, 2003, 12:38:04 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by SmackDabb
What is the dat file for and how do I edit it to my liking? Note pad and worp pad don't seem to work.

You have to import it into Saitek's programming software. From there you can edit it to your taste or just select "new" and start from scratch with one.

SmackDabb · « **Reply #12 on:** August 10, 2003, 06:30:45 AM »

Gotcha. Thanks.

Brad.