Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: Citabria on September 15, 2004, 12:53:36 AM

Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: Citabria on September 15, 2004, 12:53:36 AM
I had the perfect control realism response setup found in the microsoft ff2 set to resistance only with no force feedback effects.

to me it is the closest effect ive gotten to the resistance of flight controls of a real aircraft. flying with it on ah1 or ah2 was great fun and very enjoyable.

so then i go and spill water all over the damend thing and my keyboard and they both get fried. so i take it back and since i had a 1 yr warranty i exchange it for somthing similar since M$ dosnt make them any more.

well i unfortunately got the thrustmaster afterburner force feedback and it is the most awful contraption ive ever had the displeasure of using. inacurate jerky and nothing at all what a real aircraft control system would behave like. not fun.

so I am returning this craptacular thrustmaster garbage and need to find somthing at least on par with the performance and accuracy of the sidewinder force feedback2.


#@#! microsoft

who is using what joystick and how do you like them and why?
please help.
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: jetb123 on September 15, 2004, 12:56:39 AM
Hey fester I am getting a Ch setup from newegg. You can get one for a little over 300$. Alot of people like them. Thats one suggestion.
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: Citabria on September 15, 2004, 01:06:54 AM
somthing with adjustable resistance would be good
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: Slash27 on September 15, 2004, 01:10:49 AM
I dont have any experience with the ffb sticks. My only advice is to stay the hell away from the Thrustmaster Cougar. Its crap.






 Ill sell you mine though:D
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: jetb123 on September 15, 2004, 01:12:55 AM
Do you mean like a spring or force feedback?
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: Roscoroo on September 15, 2004, 01:59:54 AM
Fester  shoot me an email  Roscoroo@hotmail.com

Ive got a very low hour msffb stick sitting in my closet collecting dust.
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: moot on September 15, 2004, 03:08:18 AM
Avoid Saitek.
CH and Cougar of course, tho it sounds like you want something different.
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: Furball on September 15, 2004, 03:13:06 AM
lets all go outside MS head office and do a protest with big "bring back our joysticks!" banners.
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: Swoop on September 15, 2004, 03:21:30 AM
Cit,

lemme know what you find........I'm dreading the day my FF2 gives out.

(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/209_1081438631_swoop.gif)
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: DmdJW on September 15, 2004, 04:08:22 AM
Me too, I'm left handed and the ff2 is the only stick I can use comfortably.

DmdJW
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: Mitsu on September 15, 2004, 04:09:12 AM
Fly by Mouse!
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: DREDIOCK on September 15, 2004, 06:55:35 AM
If you liked your old style stick so much just get another.

http://search.ebay.com/Microsoft-force-feedback_Video-Games_W0QQsofocusZbsQQsbrftogZ1QQfromZR10QQsacategoryZ1249Q26catrefQ3DC6QQsotrZ2QQcoactionZcompareQQcopagenumZ1QQcoentrypageZsearch (http://search.ebay.com/Microsoft-force-feedback_Video-Games_W0QQsofocusZbsQQsbrftogZ1QQfromZR10QQsacategoryZ1249Q26catrefQ3DC6QQsotrZ2QQcoactionZcompareQQcopagenumZ1QQcoentrypageZsearch)

Seems to be in no short supply here. One was even marked "new"

Replaced my old TM stick here
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: mechanic on September 15, 2004, 08:05:33 AM
people say 'stay away from saitek', but why?

i was a die hard MS sidewinder fan (had one for 7 years or so)

but have had to upgrade to a USB stick with my new PC.

i got a 'saitek cyborg evo'.

it plays great and has loads of buttons. it also caters for left handers. twisty rudder like MS sticks too.

if it breaks within one year it would be good value.

only cost me £34.99 (about $20)

at that price i can afford to buy a new one every year :)

honestly, it flies as good as my old MS sidewinder pro.


batfink

(i would join your protest furball)
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: Flayed1 on September 15, 2004, 08:38:10 AM
I have no problem with saitek, I have had this cyborg 3d gold for about 2 years now and used it so much that the color has worn off and it is extreamly polished in several spots. :)  I had to use some strong glue to fill in the groove I wore in the hat swich rod and now that works just like new again. for a $30 stick I'm impressed. It is showing its wear though so sometime in the near future I'll have to replace it and I'll probablly go right bach to a Saitek. :D
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: xHaMmeRx on September 15, 2004, 09:01:53 AM
Quote
Originally posted by DmdJW
Me too, I'm left handed and the ff2 is the only stick I can use comfortably.

DmdJW


DmdJW,

As a fellow leftie, I can recommend the CH Flightstick Pro.  I am also currently experimenting with a Saitek EVO, which seems OK so far.

Hammer
netAces.org (http://www.netaces.org) - Tips, Tactics, and More!
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: gofaster on September 15, 2004, 09:39:14 AM
Quote
Originally posted by jetb123
Hey fester I am getting a Ch setup from newegg. You can get one for a little over 300$. Alot of people like them. Thats one suggestion.


Same setup here.  CH USB Fighterstick with CH USB pedals.  If you want more buttons you can add the CH USB throttle, but really, everything I need is on the stick.  I got mine thru ProVantage.Com and got it w/in 2 days with regular ground shipping.  I'd do business with them in a heartbeat.

By the way, each contoller wants its own USB port (unlike the old gameport setup where they all plugged together and then went into the single gameport plug).
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: la7'sRule on September 15, 2004, 10:05:38 AM
Quote
Originally posted by moot
Avoid Saitek.
 


Why? I use saitek There cheap durable easy to configure and real basic..

ilike em and there a good choice for some 1 straped for cash
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: Hajo on September 15, 2004, 10:51:54 AM
Cit....get CH.

Fact......the F16 Combat Stick is used on the Shuttle Simulator at NASA...least that is what I read.

Ch gear lasts forever...Combat Stick or Ftr stick both USB good choices.  Couple those with Pro Pedals and Pro Throttle you've got the best HOTAS that can be used.  Costs more...but worth it.
Lasts forever.
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: nopoop on September 15, 2004, 11:41:54 AM
CH pro USB setup, you'll be glad you did.
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: la7'sRule on September 15, 2004, 11:50:12 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Hajo
Cit....get CH.

Fact......the F16 Combat Stick is used on the Shuttle Simulator at NASA...least that is what I read.


i like that lol :) makes me laugh Why say its fact if your so unshure that you haft to say atleast thats what i hear :P
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: Roscoroo(work) on September 15, 2004, 12:03:53 PM
Hey Fester mines the early one with the single 8way hat ..  I think your after the dual hat one correct  ?

Ebay perhaps ?
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: sax on September 15, 2004, 12:05:58 PM
Quote
Originally posted by la7'sRule
i like that lol :) makes me laugh Why say its fact if your so unshure that you haft to say atleast thats what i hear :P


Hajo's at least trying to be helpfull in this thread.

Cit I recomend CH stuff as well.
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: BigR on September 15, 2004, 12:10:10 PM
CH all the freakin way!
Had Fighterstick, Prothrottle and Pedels since 96 and they STILL work pefectly. Had to get the new CH controls with USB since XP doesnt work correctly with the old models. So now ive had the USB models two years and they still work like new and i expect them to last me forever. No force feedback, but I hate FFB anyway.
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: Furball on September 15, 2004, 12:48:14 PM
Quote
Originally posted by mechanic

only cost me £34.99 (about $20)


you got that conversion wrong batstink.

35 quid = about $55 - 60
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: gofaster on September 15, 2004, 01:05:07 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Hajo
Cit....get CH.

Fact......the F16 Combat Stick is used on the Shuttle Simulator at NASA...least that is what I read.


Yep.  He's right.  CH has an OEM division for that reason.
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: VWE on September 15, 2004, 01:12:00 PM
I just bid on one for $20, don't any of you bastards outbid me! :D
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: Ghosth on September 15, 2004, 01:56:52 PM
Got my spare prec 2 on ebay for 28$.

Opened box but unused. (CD was still wrapped, cord still wrapped)

Works like a charm.

BTW who was the company that MS bought the original sidewinder from?

Would love to see them put a new stick on the market.
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: mechanic on September 15, 2004, 06:41:22 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Furball
you got that conversion wrong batstink.

35 quid = about $55 - 60


lol  DOH!
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: Halo on September 15, 2004, 07:32:50 PM
I've always liked the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro twisty although some others have complained about it.
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: United on September 15, 2004, 07:39:54 PM
Cit, I would sell ya my MS Precision Pro 2, but I'm too attached... :)

MS made some darn good sticks.
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: YUCCA on September 15, 2004, 08:00:45 PM
Yeah soon as i found a good econo-stick like the MS pro 2 they stopped making it. So i said f*** it and bought ch stuff.  So far i found the cheapest prices at http://www.provantage.com for ch products thanks to silat for providing me with link.
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: JCLerch on September 15, 2004, 08:14:38 PM
fester,

I did the same thing to my M$ stick, but with coffee.  

What are your symptoms?  Mine were a blinking red light, but the stick worked in windows, just the force feed back motors were dead.

If your's is the same, I may be able to fix it the same way I did mine, by replacing one of those "itty bitty" little chips inside known as an H-Bridge driver chip.  

If you (or anyone else) still have a 'dead stick', before throwing it away, give me a shout and I'll see if I can fix it.
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: Roscoroo on September 15, 2004, 09:44:08 PM
For wingman extreames with broken centering posts you guys can yell at me ... its a really easy fix with the stud/ washer mod i make up at work .   it fits under the metal plate and goes up thru it , just add a drop of epoxy and voila .
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: jetb123 on September 16, 2004, 01:51:05 AM
Ch!!...CH!!!!...CH!!!!  If you wanna be like drex.:)
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: Zanth on September 16, 2004, 09:03:00 AM
My old microsoft was just getting too beat up and loose (I probably took it apart too many times).    I got a Saitek (Cyborg Evo) a few days ago and works pretty good for the 28 bucks I paid for it.
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: DmdJW on September 16, 2004, 09:31:37 AM
Quote
Originally posted by xHaMmeRx
DmdJW,

As a fellow leftie, I can recommend the CH Flightstick Pro.  I am also currently experimenting with a Saitek EVO, which seems OK so far.

Hammer
netAces.org (http://www.netaces.org) - Tips, Tactics, and More!


Thanks Hammer. I thought they didn't make the CH Flightstick Pro anymore, I'll check it out. Anyone know if there are any throttles on the market that lefties can use?

DmdJW
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: TexMurphy on September 16, 2004, 09:35:24 AM
http://www.saitekusa.com/usa/info/press/X52.pdf

nuff said..
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: LtPillur on September 16, 2004, 10:21:00 AM
Quote
Originally posted by jetb123
Hey fester I am getting a Ch setup from newegg. You can get one for a little over 300$. Alot of people like them. Thats one suggestion.


$300!!! That's grocery money at my house. Oh to be young and rich. Or just rich for that matter.
Peace
Pillur
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: LtPillur on September 16, 2004, 10:23:22 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Roscoroo
... its a really easy fix with the stud/ washer mod i make


That stud washer has really fixed MY joystick. I thank you. My wife thanks you as well.
Peace
Pillur
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: Hajo on September 16, 2004, 11:05:12 AM
La7s Rule.....re read my post........stated what I read not what I heard.

Get hooked on phonics...helps reading comprehension skills.
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: MOSQ on September 16, 2004, 11:14:15 AM
Fester,
If you are still using analog, the deal of the summer is the CH F-16 Fighterstick analog on clearance sale at CH Products for $19 plus shipping. Features one 8-way switch, three 4-way switches, three push buttons, trigger, added trim controls and rotary throttle. Gameport connection. Compatible with DOS, Windows 95 and 98.
It's awesome, the same JS in USB costs $150.  

You can't mix it with USB CH throttle or USB Pedals though. And to Program it in XP is a bear. I use my old Win 98 machine to re-program it. It works fine in XP, you just can't reprogram the buttons in XP.
 

 (http://www.chproducts.com/shop/media/FTR) http://www.chproducts.com/shop/page2.html (http://www.chproducts.com/shop/page2.html)
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: Nefarious on September 16, 2004, 01:32:40 PM
I use the old Microsoft Sidewinder (No FFB), I bought two of them for my network, back when the Force Feedback Sidewinder was just coming out.

I'm still using One, and the other is back in its box when I stopped the networking.
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: JustJim on September 16, 2004, 10:18:51 PM
Fester E-BAY is usually loaded with them at any given time

Hope that works for ya.
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: VWE on September 17, 2004, 12:55:21 PM
Just had my new twisty stick shipped... $20.00 for a stick that will last 3+ years of daily usage. I'm going to buy another one and keep it in the closet for an emergency!


Stick of the Gods! (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5123072334&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOAB:MT:6)
Title: Re: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: Silat on September 17, 2004, 03:57:58 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Citabria

who is using what joystick and how do you like them and why?
please help.


Well Ive gone completely low tech. I use only a keyboard and tower. No mouse , no monitor.
I have a direct phone line to NB when I fly. He wings with me and tells me what to do as I cant see without a monitor.
It is a great system for flying. Only real problem is when the twine between the beet cans starts to fray then I get serious lag issues according to NB (Remember I cant see)

                    :lol
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: FiLtH on September 18, 2004, 12:14:54 AM
Ive always used MS joysticks. I checked out a bunch at BestBuy the other day and they all feel chintzy to me. Too light, and fragile feeling.  Nothing Ive seen compares to MS for feel, and sturdiness.

  Im hoping the new Saitek stick is good. I hear it has a twist and throttle of the stick.
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: SFCHONDO on September 18, 2004, 02:10:42 AM
Posted by TexMurphy
Quote
http://www.saitekusa.com/usa/info/press/X52.pdf


That looks nice. I use the X45 model, I love it. I use CH pedals with it though. I hate the rocker rudder on the throttle. I used to have a MS FF2, but it broke. (also used rudder pedals, hate the twisty thing) Went with the Saitek and glad I did. Took about a month to get used to it. A joystick is mainly personal preference to the individual. I tried several different ones before I found the X45; which I like. I even bought a spare one and have it in the closest, just in case it breaks in the middle of the night. This way I have a spare ready to go. I have had this one for almost 2 years and it still works great.
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: jetb123 on September 19, 2004, 12:09:54 AM
The X52 does look cool.(http://www.ch-hangar.com/forum/html/emoticons/w00t2.gif) But Ch product better.
Title: !@#$! Microsoft stopped making joysticks so what else is out there
Post by: RT on September 19, 2004, 11:59:42 PM
I used the original ms ffb stick for a few years, and then shifted to a logitech ffb stick.  Never used the second ms ffb stick because they altered the button lay out that I had become accustomed to.  I always had problems with wear and center play, and I really respect anyone who could work with the ffb stick and overcome that problem.  

Force feedback can be really cool and enjoyable, if we could get sticks that did not have jerky forces and that did not have wear problems.  

I use to have analog thrustmater rudder pedals and the pedals are substantially better than a twist handle.  

Am thinking about investing in the CH set up.  Hope they really do wear as well as people are saying.  

Good hunting,

rthus