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General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: stutz on January 22, 2005, 06:33:42 PM

Title: Newbie asks about joystick
Post by: stutz on January 22, 2005, 06:33:42 PM
I am new and stupid. I bought a Wingman Digital 3D off Ebay and it has a 15 pin game port plug. My new computer has no game port. I bought a USB to game port adaptor at Radio Shack ($18) but it does not work. (Says in the directions "not suitable for digital joysticks")

Anyone have any ideas?  Should I keep this joystick? It has a twist grip, hat button, slider, and 11 other buttons.

What is the best joystick for the money I can buy?   Keep in mind that I'm poor.

Thanks, Stutz
Title: Newbie asks about joystick
Post by: Ghosth on January 23, 2005, 08:54:06 AM
Do you have an old sound card that you can install into that machine? If so thats probably the easiest lowest cost way.

You didn't say which OS your running. XP tends to be a bit fussier when it comes to gameports.

See if you can take the adapter back btw.

Saitek has probably the best reputation of the lower end joysticks. Microsoft Sidewinders were king of the low end market but they quit making them.

High end is all CH products, and they are pricey.
Title: Newbie asks about joystick
Post by: StarOfAfrica2 on January 24, 2005, 03:40:41 AM
Umm, pricey compared to what?

You get what you pay for.

Some guys dont mind buying the warranty and returning sticks every 6 months.  Personally I dont want the hassle.  I bought one CH setup, and I keep using it.  I have a backup just in case, but doubt I'll need it anytime soon.  And comparing CH to the more expensive Saitek stuff there isnt much price difference.  There IS  a large quality difference though.
Title: Newbie asks about joystick
Post by: Grits on January 24, 2005, 12:38:04 PM
CH makes the most reliable and least expensive LONG TERM gear. It may be a bit steep to buy it, but the stuff just never wears out.
Title: Newbie asks about joystick
Post by: Furious on January 24, 2005, 01:56:50 PM
A reliable, inexpensive twisty type stick would the the MS Precision Pro 2.  

No longer made, but you can find them "new in box" on Ebay.
Title: Newbie asks about joystick
Post by: Hajo on January 24, 2005, 03:52:05 PM
CH Products all the way.

Yes it is more expensive......but payback is that you don't have to buy a new stick every two years. (or sooner)

For instance....I had a Janes F16 Combat stick that was 7 years old.  It of course was analog.  I just upgraded vid and sound on a friends old PentIII 266 and plugged in that Janes Combat Stick.  Guess what.....it works just great and is 7 years old.

F16 Combat Stick, or Fighterstick both USB the way to go.  Add the Pro Throttle and Pedals also both USB in time.  You'll never be sorry you did.
Title: Newbie asks about joystick
Post by: sullie363 on January 24, 2005, 07:59:31 PM
I habe a Wingman Digital 3D and the usb adapter works just fine.  Although it did come witht he joystick.
Title: Newbie asks about joystick
Post by: lien on January 27, 2005, 01:32:44 PM
Hey Stutz,

IMO put that Logitech in the trash.  I have gone through two of them now although the first one lasted me three years this second one has died and I just bought it in July of '04.  It should come with a gameport to usb adapter. Its about a 6 inch long cord with a female pin socket that will fit the pins and the other end will have a usb that you hookup to you comp. If yours didn't come with one email me with your addy and if you pay for shipping I'll send you the extra one I have. My Logicraps are going in the trash anyways and I'm in the market for a new stick. I 've been looking at the CH equipment and think that is the way to go but as I'm on a limited budget right now I'm probably gonna get a Saitek x-52 or x-45.  Anyone who reads this and has experience with any of these sticks  your  feedback would be most appreciated. Thanks.... Btw my email is dang_joey@yahoo.com
Title: Newbie asks about joystick
Post by: Curval on January 27, 2005, 03:06:55 PM
lien,

I had an X45 and now I have an X52.

If I had to do it all over again I would buy CH.

Check this thread out over at the Saitek forums, and also give the massive "Natural deadzone?" thread a read.  Then you can decide.

Saitek forums (http://www.saitekforum.com/showthread.php?t=6304)
Title: Newbie asks about joystick
Post by: lien on January 27, 2005, 04:05:29 PM
Hey Curval,

Thanks for the feedback. Well I went ahead and took the plunge just went out and got the damm thing (X-52). I bought it from Fry's so i'll  give it a check out ( i got 30  days to return it). Your opinion though has been noted. Thanks.
Title: Newbie asks about joystick
Post by: straffo on January 27, 2005, 04:10:49 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Curval
lien,

I had an X45 and now I have an X52.

If I had to do it all over again I would buy CH.

Check this thread out over at the Saitek forums, and also give the massive "Natural deadzone?" thread a read.  Then you can decide.

Saitek forums (http://www.saitekforum.com/showthread.php?t=6304)


Thanks Curval ,now I've something to answer to my wife when she ask why I choose to get the full CH set over a new Saitek.

Plus my settings are weird : all slider at 100% , no deadzone and no damping :)
For all axis :)

Btw is there a plural form for axis in English ?
Title: Newbie asks about joystick
Post by: OOZ662 on January 27, 2005, 05:09:24 PM
Plural axis (ax-IS) is spelled the same but pronounced ax-EYS like the end of "taxis".
Title: Newbie asks about joystick
Post by: straffo on January 28, 2005, 01:30:44 AM
Thanks OOZ662 , it's not obvious :)

And concerning pronounciation I'm sure "heu" you don't "heu" want to hear my terrrrrribblllee accent  "heu" :)
Title: Newbie asks about joystick
Post by: Curval on January 28, 2005, 11:09:17 AM
Quote
Originally posted by lien
Hey Curval,

Thanks for the feedback. Well I went ahead and took the plunge just went out and got the damm thing (X-52). I bought it from Fry's so i'll  give it a check out ( i got 30  days to return it). Your opinion though has been noted. Thanks.


lien,

Just so you know, I posted that at Saitek in somewhat of a rage.  I was pretty ticked off at them.

Since that time I have come to quite like the X52 despite its problems.

For me the Natural deadzone has not been an issue that has caused me alot of stress.  For me it was the mouse drift thing.

It actually seemed to settle down on my old computer but then reappeared about a week ago.  To solve the problem I disabled the throttle mouse.

Last night I installed my X52 on my brand spanky new Dell Gen 4 and I had no drift at all...so the mouse is not disabled yet.  If it comes back I will just disable it again.

It isn't as big a deal as I made it out to be in that post.

Straffo...suggest you direct the wife to the Saitek forums ONLY now.

;) :D
Title: Newbie asks about joystick
Post by: jonnyb on January 28, 2005, 01:14:57 PM
Quote
Originally posted by OOZ662
Plural axis (ax-IS) is spelled the same but pronounced ax-EYS like the end of "taxis".


Incorrect.  The plural of axis is axes.  Your pronunciation is correct, though.
Title: Newbie asks about joystick
Post by: humble on January 28, 2005, 01:39:58 PM
Quote
Originally posted by lien
Hey Stutz,

IMO put that Logitech in the trash.  I have gone through two of them now although the first one lasted me three years this second one has died and I just bought it in July of '04.  It should come with a gameport to usb adapter. Its about a 6 inch long cord with a female pin socket that will fit the pins and the other end will have a usb that you hookup to you comp. If yours didn't come with one email me with your addy and if you pay for shipping I'll send you the extra one I have. My Logicraps are going in the trash anyways and I'm in the market for a new stick. I 've been looking at the CH equipment and think that is the way to go but as I'm on a limited budget right now I'm probably gonna get a Saitek x-52 or x-45.  Anyone who reads this and has experience with any of these sticks  your  feedback would be most appreciated. Thanks.... Btw my email is dang_joey@yahoo.com


I had an X-36 and now have an X-45...both have been great. The X-45 is just beginning to have some issues with one of the view hats but so far is very minor. CH will last longer but the X-45 is a good stick for the buck.
Title: Newbie asks about joystick
Post by: Siaf__csf on January 28, 2005, 01:45:45 PM
I still have my MS Precision pro 1 that works without a glitch.
Title: Newbie asks about joystick
Post by: AmRaaM on February 01, 2005, 12:29:52 AM
saitek 52, mine just went back after 8 hrs of drifting and useless use. .... tired of buying logitech..or is it called lose-it-tech and the spikes that seem to be built into them..bout as durable as the price indicates.... miss the msSidewinder3d i had for 4 years but finally the buttons just wore out(actually i beat it to death one drucken night of flying).

hope the ch stuff is as good as reported...just paid 300usd for the full monte.
Title: Newbie asks about joystick
Post by: 38ruk on February 01, 2005, 01:52:08 AM
my saitek x52 joystick is a paper weight , i found it's deadzone frustrating .  my solution was to use my mspp2 along with the saitek throttle , imho its the only way to fix the damn deadzone issue .   too bad though i was expecting more from the stick ... <>  38
Title: Newbie asks about joystick
Post by: LeadDog on February 01, 2005, 08:26:51 PM
I use a Saitek X36f USB version for about 2 years of flying so far.  I had it sit in the closet for a few years in the middle when I took a break from online sims.  It has worked flawlessly and I can't imagine flying with anything else.

My only complaint if I were to come up with one is that the recenter springs are tight on the joystick (about 8 lbs or so) and I get tired after a few hours of intense furballing.