Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: SunTracker on May 24, 2005, 02:59:05 PM

Title: The joystick saga
Post by: SunTracker on May 24, 2005, 02:59:05 PM
I have the perfect joystick.  The Microsoft Precision Pro.  The stick forces are light (but not sloppy), the control throws are short, and stick is marvelously balanced.  But its 4 years old and wearing out.

So as a replacement, I bought a Logitech 3d pro extreme.  It was horrible.  The amount of pressure required to move the stick was enormous, so I returned it.  

I then bought an X-52 stick/rudder combo.  It looks cool, has lots of buttons, but the control throws are gigantic.  You can pull on the stick for several inches in any direction before it reaches the stops.  The rudder is unbalanced, requiring two to three times the force to use the rudder than to move the stick.

So I need a stick as close to the microsoft precision pro as possible.  It needs to be a twisty stick, preferably with the throttle control on the left side of the base plate.  Above all, the stick needs to be balanced, each axis requiring the same amount of force as the other.  And the stick needs to have short to average control throws.  

Anyone know of a stick that will fit my needs?
Title: The joystick saga
Post by: Eagler on May 24, 2005, 03:19:54 PM
(http://images.bestbuy.com/BestBuy_US/images/products/5811/5811856_sa.jpg)

throttle in the center but only $29 after rebate at BestBuy (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1058188744427&type=product&skuId=5811856&tab=6&productCategoryId=cat01064)
Title: The joystick saga
Post by: TrueKill on May 24, 2005, 03:44:01 PM
(http://www.geocities.com/linkafi@sbcglobal.net/dfd.jpg)


Saitek Cyborg 3D Rumble Force can be used with left or right hand I'v always bought mine at Fry's Electronics for $40 if theres not a frys around then you can get it from thier site (http://shop3.outpost.com/product/3436643?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG).
Title: The joystick saga
Post by: 38ruk on May 24, 2005, 07:00:11 PM
suntracker , they have fixed the issue with the x-52 deadzone in serial numbers 245,000 and above . I had a bad one the first time i bought mine and it was terrible. Ive now got a higher # one an it is great . I agree that the rudder is too tight but its something i can live with . If you have a local comp usa , they let me open almost every box to find a good one , the # is under the joystick on a sticker ...GL 38



BTW the closest thing ive found to a MMPP2 is a thrustmaster afterburner , you can usually find them at best buy or comp usa as well...
Title: The joystick saga
Post by: Eagler on May 24, 2005, 07:09:31 PM
38ruk
where did you hear about the X52 fix?
is the serial number on the bottom?
SZ00224657 on mine
that's is great news

may have to whip out the service policy & exchange it for a newer one if that is the case
Title: The joystick saga
Post by: Pollock on May 24, 2005, 07:44:38 PM
38ruk,

Is there any documentation regarding this issue my controller is
SZ00221698
Title: The joystick saga
Post by: Eagler on May 24, 2005, 08:06:01 PM
yes
it is all over the Saitek forum
just registered and read up on it
Title: The joystick saga
Post by: 38ruk on May 24, 2005, 08:47:26 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Eagler
yes
it is all over the Saitek forum
just registered and read up on it



yep thats where i got it from , sorry i didnt reply earlier , i was afk hehe
Title: The joystick saga
Post by: Ghosth on May 25, 2005, 07:08:05 AM
Ebay

Got my spare MS sidewinder Prec 2 usb for 28$ with shipping included. Brand new but box had been opened.  If you like MS sticks, there is no other good alternative.

Or I could sell you my lightly used prec pro.

Its gameport instead of USB but it has virtually no stick time on it. (was bought as a backup & for use on the wifes puter)
Title: The joystick saga
Post by: Eagler on May 25, 2005, 07:40:31 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Ghosth
Ebay

Got my spare MS sidewinder Prec 2 usb for 28$ with shipping included. Brand new but box had been opened.  If you like MS sticks, there is no other good alternative.


Like this one (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=74944&item=5201508405&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW)

:)
Title: The joystick saga
Post by: RELIC on May 25, 2005, 10:24:28 AM
YES!  Go check out ebay.  After a couple weeks of occasionally checking I found a new Sidewinder Precison Pro and won it with a bid of $3!!  Shipping was $8, so for $11 I have a brand spanking new stick.  It did not come with the USB adaptor, but no problem since I had two already.  Just be careful what model of sidewinder is up for bid.  There are many different models of sticks on ebay listed as sidewinders.
Title: The joystick saga
Post by: 68DevilM on May 28, 2005, 01:32:23 PM
ive owned 10 saitech's and logicraps

and i promise youll be replaceing them withing 3 months, if you fly like me...

make sure you check out thrustmaster

(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/357_1117305183_pc_afterburnerffb.jpg)
Title: Saitek 290 pro twist stick
Post by: wrongwayric on May 30, 2005, 07:48:07 AM
I just purchased this stick and it is working well. Got it at Radio shack for under $30. If you fly a lot or are really rough on a stick it might not be that durable. Good luck.
Title: The joystick saga
Post by: quintisv on June 03, 2005, 11:55:02 AM
(http://www.securemart.com/future/images/items/I52323.jpg)


CH Fighterstick.

Best there is out there IMHO.
Title: The joystick saga
Post by: Cooley on June 06, 2005, 01:33:20 PM
Arrrg! someone outbid me for MSPP while i wasnt lookin and lost it:mad:  was probably one of you guys, lol
Title: The joystick saga
Post by: Cooley on June 10, 2005, 07:30:25 PM
Update, in the last few days ive already bought 2 used but in great shape MSPP2's

and there are like 6 or 7 more on Ebay, fyi
Title: The joystick saga
Post by: Wilbus on June 12, 2005, 06:53:11 PM
Thrustmaster Fox 2 Pro is quite similair to the Sidewinder IMO, I had to scrap the Sidewinder PS Pro after 5-6 years of use. It was still as responsive as the day I got it but after more then 2000 flight hours the hat was worn out. That poor hat must have been moved around in circles millions of times.

The Fox 2 Pro still works fine after more then a year which is more then I can say for Logicrap 3D cordless which I had to hand in after 1 month because the hat stopped working.

Good alternative but I suggest, like ghosth, that you try and pick up another Sidewinder on Ebay. Didn't quite seem as if you wanna spend the money needed for a CH Stick which was posted above.
Title: The joystick saga
Post by: DrWig on June 13, 2005, 07:40:20 AM
I use the Thrustmaster Fox Pro 2 USB too.  It's a nice stick.  After about a year and a half it went crazy, but a quick squirt of WD40 into the pots inside the stick fixed it, and it's now been fine since (probably about 6 months).  In fact, you can fix most sticks this way. Take it apart, find the variable resistors (pots), i.e. the moving part connected to the stick and spray them with electronic cleaning spray, will give you loads more life in your stick.

cheers

DrWig