Help!! looking for new Joystick...

[Phyre]

looking for a joystick for win 2k, right now i'm using ms precision pro, very limiting.

was looking at the saitek x-45, any suggestion would be greatly appreciated:D

[Berra85]

I bought the saitek X45 a couple of weeks ago, so far, in game, i dont think i have had to touch the keyboard unless i want to type, or use the mouse. One thing that irritates me is the rudder control

[snocone]

i have always used an x45, very durable and lots of buttons. you can also use the saitek software to program and use the rotory dials for trim or some such. the stinkin, stickin rudder does suck. solution, get some ch pro pedals to go along with the x45. mind you, even though i have all this neat stuff, i still suck. GL

[wetrat]

I dislike the x45; I don't like rudder pedals, and I can't stand the rudder "rocker" on that thing... I much prefer a "twisty" stick. I recommend the Thrustmaster Afterburner(2?). Very precise, comfortable... could use a few more buttons, but I've got everything I use in a fight mapped to it already anyway.

[WldThing]

ya i got a TM Fox 2 ...My throttle is worn out so i cant throttle up too well..But ive had it for about 6 months.  Compared to the MS stick i had before that ..6 months is a life time

[moot]

don't get the X45, the rudder on throttle is crap but that's a problem you can ignore unlike the others: the center deadzone is too big, the buttons stop working after less than a year, the software on win2k is not so great if not unuseable.
You'll have to strap down or put nails under the base of throttle and stick or fix the spring tension itself. Your aim will go to hell.

[mia389]

Im using ms presion pro and I love it had it for 1 and a half now. Only thing is I dont like the throttle, its too lose needs some tension or somthing

[Jackal1]

Originally posted by moot
You'll have to strap down or put nails under the base of throttle and stick or fix the spring tension itself. Your aim will go to hell.

LMAO There is a tension adjustment on the bottom of throttle, no prob there.

[moot]

yeah not the throttle, i meant the stick. you might have to stick the throttle too if you don't like the throttle to be loose, but that's not likely. you don't aim with the throttle.

[addy]

I have the X45 and a MS FF2. I like both sticks. You cant beat the MS stick for smoothness, but I find the forcefeed back anoying at times. I went through the first one in about 6 months ( the eightway hat went..all that checking 6 didn't help me survival rate thought!! ), but my warranty replacement is still going strong. I LOVE my X45!! The newest Saitek software works great for me under windows XP, and with 256 programable buttons, the only time my hands leave it are to type in the radio buffer. The rudder rocker is fine once you get use to it ( just a personal opinion!!). The stick I find very smooth and the rotaries on the throttle open up some creative programing ( I use one for zooming in the bombsight and cockpit for that " fine tuned killer targeting"). Sure the cougar might be better, or even the CH setup. For the price though ( about 1/3 of those BIG name ones) and the programmability NOTHING touches the X45. Heck you can get a refurbished X45 for under $40 bucks US!!!!!! At that price even the cheap Radio Shack stuff aint worth buying!!

[anton]

I have a saitek cyborg 3-d gold USB. Its a twist model with 8 position hat.  3buttons + 1 trigger, 6 buttons on base, throttle control on both sides (2 levers 1 control). It loaded by itself & calibrated itself as soon as I plugged it in & has never needed adjustment since. It cost about $45.00 US, & I got mine at the local BEST BUY store.  
 If money is not an object I highly recomend you see the CH USB line.  They offer high end equipment that last for years. I know of several virtual pilots that went through several twist models & finally spent the cash on CH stuff with pedals. They agree,  the CH stuff  the best.
 I am hoping my saitek twisty lasts long enuff for me to afford the CH stuff.

 Rare occasion I post on the boards, to a good post.
 Anton

[Estes]

I agree, if money is not a problem go CH that is what I use now...before that I used the X45, and I know that the buttons and hatswitch go to pot really early, but I went to bestbuy and bought the year replacement plan thing. So, if you do end up buying the X-45 I would highly recommend the one year warranty

[BUG_EAF322]

I have had a MS FFB 1 wich was non USB it worked perfectly for years.

Until some version of AH in wich i got many "don't move ur joystick so rapidly" messages

Than i got the thrustmaster afterburner 2 for maybe more than a half year.
Nice stick until the potmeters run tilt.

So i went back to MS FFB 2 wich is USB

It is in no doubt the best stick there is because it works optical and not with potmeters.

This one will last another 3-4 years.

I don't like the FFB in AH  it should be like IL2 or WB.
So i turned it off.

Switchin joysticks always brings some familiarising and a lot of missing target and deaths.

[WldThing]

Its not the joystick that makes the pilot   The cheaper the better for me.

[BigGun]

I have x45 & have had no problems. Just went to comp usa & replaced after 11 months, figured I would take advantage of that 1 yr replacement policy. Updated the policy for $9.99 so figure will get it replaced in another year.

Rudder system on x45 I did not like, but went & got CH pro peds which work great.