Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Maniac on March 05, 2004, 05:09:26 AM
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Was looking around to buy a new joystick + throttle + pedals but **** its damn expensive...
Ive had the same setup since i started flying WB´s 10 years ago and they aint holding up anymore... spikes from hell etc and the pedals wont give me full deflection etc...
But hey, i dont want to pay over 300 bucks for a new setup...
Dissapointed...
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Buy the X-45. My X-36 still works like a charm and is nearly 4 years old. Cheap as chips if you can't afford that Cougar thing (which has its fair share of problems from what I hear).
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Cool thx dowding!
80 bucks for both the joystick and throttle! thats great!
Is it USB?
Do they make rudders/pedals too?
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Whatever u do..DON't buy any Logitech crap...I'm returning my 3rd stick of their's in 4 months.
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Well throw them brakes on for a second. First I have heard that the older X-45 were ok, but let me recount my X-45 story for you.
Used a MS PP and CH Pro pedals for years without a problem. The MS stick finally goes tits, and MS has gotten out of the j/s business.
I go looking for a new stick in June of 03. I pick up a Saitek X-45. A really nice stick, buttons out the gazoo, a separate throttle, and really smooth inputs. Aside from a slight problem of the stick sticking in neutral position because of the spring tension (which was easily cured with a bit of wax paper between the spring seat and retainer), I am loving this stick.
Then trouble, the hat switch starts failing to recognize the three north view positions. No problem, only had it four months. Back to best buy it goes (they have a very good exchange policy), and I get another. This lasts all of three months before the north hat positions fail. Back to Best Buy again for another exchange. The new stick lasts a mere two months before once again the three north hat views are getting hit and miss.
Just for the heck of it, I check the Saitek web site and lo and behold, this is a common problem with the newer X-45.
So back to Best Buy again. But this time I get a Logtech Extream 3D Pro. I'm not happy with this stick either, so I'm still looking, but I'll not get another X-45. Thrice burned and all that.
Lol Sirloin, you posted while I was typing, ditto on Logtech.
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Gah!!!
Ok, if i buy the saitek anyway...
Can i combine it with rudders from another manufactorer lets say CH rudders? and get it to work in the games?
I dont like the joystick rudder thingy... i need foot pedals...
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Well I have the X-36, so I couldn't comment on the problems with its replacement, the X-45. Shame if they're less reliable than predecessor. My brother has nicked my X-36 and I was going to buy an X-45 when I get back in the air! :)
It is USB, and the rudder control is on the throttle. You'd be surprised how sensitive it is too. It takes a bit of getting used to, but works like a charm. I've never felt the need to splash out on pedals, put it that way.
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If you can still find one, I suggest a Sidewinder Precision Pro2. Best Buy had a few left on closeout.
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Saitek evo here saving for x45 BOTH are GREAT had a logiteck extrem 3d pro...SUCKED!! went through 3 they last 2 weeks tops then the pots go out:mad:
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x45 and ch pro pedals here no problems from etheir stick is over a year old pedals just a few months
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x45 & ch usb pro peds - the best bang for your buck
get a warranty on the stick if you can, as you will wear it out
I get a brand new set for $10 about every 11/12 months with my replacement plan at CompUSA
I've also heard you can get a refurbished x45 set from saitek online for $40
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I've got an X-45 and would like to get pedals for it. After about a year I still can't stand that rudder on the throttle. (Always preferred the twisty joystick)
Where do you plug in the CH Pro pedals? Directly into the computer USB?
Ravs
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Buy the CH USB Fighterstick and Pro pedals. Anything less is just a compromise. Too expensive? You don't need to eat lunch this week. You were carrying a few extra pounds anyway. :p
Seriously though, you'll love the rig and it'll last you a very long time. Plus, you can use the pedals as gas/brake for racing games. You could buy the CH yoke instead of the Fighterstick and race with the yoke as your steering wheel.
Prices are as spec'd at http://www.provantage.com. They charge a bit more for shipping than other mail order companies but they are extremely fast.
(http://www.chproducts.com/retail/products/usb/f16_fighter.jpg)
Fighterstick (programmable with older sims, but you don't need the programmability for Aces High)
Current price: $98 USD.
(http://www.chproducts.com/retail/products/usb/combat_stick.jpg)
Combatstick (you can map the functions using the Aces High clipboard and save yourself some $$ over the Fighterstick. You lose a couple of 4-way switches and get push buttons instead.)
Current price: $78 USD.
(http://www.chproducts.com/retail/products/usb/flight_simyoke_USB.jpg)
Yoke
Current price: $97. They offer a cheaper yoke, but it lacks some of the levers and switches that the higher-end yoke has.
(http://www.chproducts.com/retail/products/usb/propedals.jpg)
Pedals (the pedals slide forward/back for rudder control, and tip forward for left/right wheel brakes).
Current price: $98 USD.
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Originally posted by ravells
Where do you plug in the CH Pro pedals? Directly into the computer USB?
Yes, and they are compatible with other USB devices. Each USB peripheral requires its own USB port. In the older gameport rudder pedal/joystick combo, they plugged together and then into the gameport, but for USB each peripheral has to have its own port.
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Originally posted by Eagler
x45 & ch usb pro peds - the best bang for your buck
get a warranty on the stick if you can, as you will wear it out
I get a brand new set for $10 about every 11/12 months with my replacement plan at CompUSA
You could've saved yourself some trips and simply bought a CH stick the first time around. ;)
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I have older analog stuff with windows 98. My CH combat stick lasted about 3 years and then died...
They don't make em anymore but... Ch was clearanceing em out.. bought two analog combatsticks for fifty bucks total... should last me till I am forced to go usb.
lazs
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reminds me... I regret buying that cougar...cripes.
it's fried after a year
go with the "replaceable by virture of low cost" alternatives.
many (some listed above) work just fine.
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Originally posted by SirLoin
Whatever u do..DON't buy any Logitech crap...I'm returning my 3rd stick of their's in 4 months.
I sent my squaddie AcidCAF my Logitech Wingman that was already 3.5 years old. He's been using it. I've already exchanged an X-45 that was only 7 months old. What is crap again?
Karaya
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Used my Thrustmaster FLCS F16 and TQS heavily for 7 years before buying a Cougar, was very satisfied with it. Bought a Cougar when it was first released. Have had some ups and downs, replaced the stick pots with expensive hall effect sensors and had to replace the throttle pot with a replacement free from TM. Very satisifed with the stick but if you're not inclined to tinker or easily frustrated then I can't recommend it for you.
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I use the x-45 throttle with an old TM Topgun joystick and RCS and it works fine. The TM stuff is analog (?). No compatibility issues that I found. The throttle is programmed thru the Saitek program, and the TM stuff thru the AH set up menu.
The setup also worked for FB, FS2004, and Strikefighter.
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mine got 'zapped'... a small static shock when I touched it and whammo.. it's as good as dead.
on top of that, my throttle fell off the desk...
all that weight, and that little plastic part that holds the 'handle' to the 'swing-arm' (whatever it is) broke.
I WAS happy with it.. lol
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Zap mine all the time Wlfgng, occasionally requires redownloading the config files but no permanent damage. You sure it isn't the usb port on your pc that's destroyed?
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X-45 for 3 years now...overall not bad. Doesn't like to stay centered. Simply will not work (throttle wise) in FS 2004 no matter what I try.
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Saitek seems to be severly lacking in quality control of it's products, I've known people who's X45's died within a month or two. I bought a refurbed X36 4 years ago or so, it didn't work at all out of the box, reported to windows as some sort of gamepad device. Sent it back to Saitek and they sent me another one, and it's going strong still. not bad for $40. :)
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Zap mine all the time Wlfgng, occasionally requires redownloading the config files but no permanent damage. You sure it isn't the usb port on your pc that's destroyed?
usb port is fine.. every other usb device uses it without problems. but the cougar isn't 'recognized' as being there.
can't upload squat...
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had an x-45 here to. Hats started getting goofey after about 6 months and the stick started sticking real bad, cant make a left turn. I ditched the stick and bought a logitech, the damn thing didnt last a month before it started spiking bad. So I ditched it and went back to my old analog combatstick, and it works like a champ and its like 6 years old or so.
I still use the x-45 throttle though, and analog pro pedals.
X-45 throttle, analog CH combatstick and pro pedals, what a funky setup.
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Thx for the input guys.
Actually went out looking for the x-45 after work today... went to 3 different gaming shops and none of em had em...
Got pissed as hell (im a impulse buyer, when i want something i want it NOW)
Gave up after that and bought some clothes and 4 bottles of wine instead...
Well maybe ill pick it up next month...
I really need a new setup when AH 2 goes prime time...
Well well back to playing DoD for another month since my old CH setup finally gave up on me after 10 years...
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Originally posted by Wlfgng
usb port is fine.. every other usb device uses it without problems. but the cougar isn't 'recognized' as being there.
can't upload squat...
So it does nothing if you unplug and replug the cougar cable?
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nope.. it's as if it's just a cable.. not a joystick ! lol
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i agree sirloin, i got a logitech rightnow and its the biggest POS ive ever spent money on, i have to recalibraite it once or twice a week now for it to function right, when i first got it it was an ok stick, but that was only like 5 months ago, since then its gone to watermelon really fast, im lookin for a new one, i think im going to look into the CH models.
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Originally posted by Masherbrum
I sent my squaddie AcidCAF my Logitech Wingman that was already 3.5 years old. He's been using it. I've already exchanged an X-45 that was only 7 months old. What is crap again?
Karaya
Logitech extreeme 3d pro...It starts spiking with in a month or two and the hat swich follows soon after.
Logitech FFB...It wont hold auto level cause it's not balanced and it droops forward when u let go..Also started spiking after a couple of months...They are great fun to smash to peices after u lose a 262 cause u went for a pee.
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Well, if it's just sitting there and you're not using it, Wlfgng... If you ever want to part it out, let me know what you want for the hat switches!
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I'll let ya know SOB...
while it IS just sitting there I haven't gotten to the point of dumping it just yet
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Yeah, I can understand that. :) Have you talked to Thrusty yet? I've heard it can take forever and a day for them to get it back to you, but maybe you can get it repaired/replaced by sending it in.
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lol.. to be honest man, I haven't done squat with it since the 'spike'. I don't fly anymore and my 'real' life got busy so ...
one of these days I'll send it in... aparently it's the only way and I've spoken with a few guys on various BBS's that had this happen. varried results from Thrustmaster but it's worth a shot.. hell for 300+ dollars you'd think this kind of thing would not be necessary..
besides, I still have to get the damned throttle repaired too
I'm really thinking a cheapo would be easier for now
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Yeah, I don't know WTF they were thinking. Make a joystick/throttle set completely out of metal, except for the supporting piece on the throttle...that's just brilliant. Personally, I like the feel of the TM F-22 handle much better (glass injected nylon) and think they should have made the Cougar handle out of the same. Apart from the obvious grounding issues, I think the metal handle just has too much momentum/weight/whatever of its own once you move it in any direction and does too much to negate the effect of the springs.
I ended up gutting my cougar - throttle and stick, and installed all of the hats and button switch caps into my F-22/TQS combo. It's damn near perfect.
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Ch Products... nough said
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couldn't agree more on the metal and the grounding issue... same goes for the plastic.. some handsomehunk engineer I'm sure.. lol
hmmm.... I may need to go buy me an F22 and see what I can do.. eventually
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Originally posted by SirLoin
Logitech extreeme 3d pro...It starts spiking with in a month or two and the hat swich follows soon after.
Logitech FFB...It wont hold auto level cause it's not balanced and it droops forward when u let go..Also started spiking after a couple of months...They are great fun to smash to peices after u lose a 262 cause u went for a pee.
It is still working to PERFECTION, not a single problem.
Karaya
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Stopped at Best Buy and picked up a Saitek Cyborg Evo. Really a smooth stick. I'm extreamly happy with it. I only hope it is reliable as the pos Logtech I got the other day is going back.
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Lol..just went back to Future Shop with my two ded Logitechs..I only had receipt for 1 but they gave me another Extreeme 3D(my third in 4 months) and credit for the other...Don't mind too much if they replace it every two months for free..:)