Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: Schutt on September 04, 2006, 04:21:26 AM
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Hi Guys,
I am giving up with my X45 saitek, it is not smooth enough :(.
I looked at the X52 but it seems to be fragile and not durable. So i am considering CH fGear, but here i have a question (or two).
Is the handle ok for medium hands? I heard they are only for big hands, and since i didnt see any shop in hannover that sells it i have to buy without trying.
What is the diffrence between the combatstick pro and the F16 fighterstick? Is it only the number of hat switches, or is there any other diffrence as well?
Anyone know where to buy CH gear and pro pedals in germany? I only found 3 sources and all 3 of them are sold out.
ciao schutt
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I couldnt see much difference between the combat stick and the fighter stick except price so bought the combat one....
Only problem is they arent twist rudders so you ideally need pedals.
Looks well built and the hand size isnt much of a problem. Still using my old stick until i get the pedals :)
Bruv
~S~
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Fighterstick has 4-way hats instead of pushbuttons on two combatstick button locations. That's about it.
Don't worry about the reach, you'll get used to it and the overall performance is worth it. In reality, the sticks they are modeled on should be between your legs and low, not sitting on a destop. That is the problem.
You understand that they are 2-axis only? CH rudder pedals and throttle will round out a great setup that you'll enjoy for years. Why do you have to buy them in Germany? You can check other European distributors on the ch products website...
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I had problems with reaching the hatswitch on my fighterstick pro sitting on the desktop, solution was if you might be considering getting the pro throttle also, put the views on the throttle hatswitch. Works good for me anyways.
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Schutt, I've been using CH sticks for years with medium size hands (3 1/8" length of middle finger, 7 1/4" tip of middle finger to wrist). The 8-way hat on the Fighterstick is a bit of a stretch for my thumb, which is why is does things like gear, tail hook, fuel tanks, etc. The 8-way on the ProThrottle is perffectly positioned for views. And if you're used to using the pseudo-rudder on the X45, you'll want pedals.
You wrote that your X45 wasn't smooth enough. Is it spiking, or just too touchy? If you like the stick, maybe you could just replace the pots and save a bunch of money.
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Originally posted by Auger
You wrote that your X45 wasn't smooth enough. Is it spiking, or just too touchy? If you like the stick, maybe you could just replace the pots and save a bunch of money.
The problem with the X45 is that the springs are really stiff and the movement of plastic on plastic sometimes "sticks" a bit. Makes very fine inputs difficult at times. Im having trouble myself sometimes, but i generally like the springs a lot stiffer then Schutt does anyway.
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The Fighterstick features 3 axes: there's an additional (throttle-)wheel left of the stick. Other than that it's like the others already have said: the Fighterstick features 2 coolie-hats more than the Combatstick which has simple buttons instead of these coolies - since you can never have "too many" programmable positions I for one would always recommend the Fighterstick over the Combatstick: you'll only buy it once and then use it for years over years to come, so why spare at the wrong end?!
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I had problems reaching the hatswitch on my Fighterstick, after a few sorties my hand would ache due to constantly stretching for it. So what I did was to carve a piece of balsa wood into a hand rest. This block is stuck onto the base of the handgrip with double sided tape and raises my hand about one inch.
I have wondered about the guy CH modelled this stick around. I'm figuring he's 7 feet tall with hands like dinner plates.
(http://www.gfg06.dial.pipex.com/Blockphoto.jpg)
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Originally posted by Schatzi
The problem with the X45 is that the springs are really stiff and the movement of plastic on plastic sometimes "sticks" a bit. Makes very fine inputs difficult at times.
Experienced just the same. Was acceptable when flying planes, but made gunning in Ostwind extremely difficult.
So I went back to my good olī Cyborg 3D Gold, and am only using the 45īs throttle.
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(http://www.pam4you.com/images/pages/kitchentips/tippic_spraypan.jpg)
spray this onto a paper towel and then wipe it on the underside of the x45 cup (what the bottom of the spring presses on) and the top rim of the ring the cup rotates on, it does wonders
you have to do it often but it keeps the x45 alot smoother.
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Hi Schutt
I use CH FS with Saitek X35T throttle and Logitech racing pedals
Here (http://12.193.161.228/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=181441) is mine solution for the POV-hat reaching problem.
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Originally posted by Eagler
(http://www.pam4you.com/images/pages/kitchentips/tippic_spraypan.jpg)
spray this onto a paper towel and then wipe it on the underside of the x45 cup (what the bottom of the spring presses on) and the top rim of the ring the cup rotates on, it does wonders
you have to do it often but it keeps the x45 alot smoother.
Try
Teflon Lube (http://www.amazon.com/Tri-Flow-Teflon-12oz-Aerosol/dp/B000C15H8C)
and you never use anything else.
Works GREAT on fishing reels also
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It seems that i'm not the only one that cant reach the 8way on the fighterstick. I used a piece of foam pipe insulation for a hand rest and its been smooth sailing every since . 38
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I done mine also. I bought the x45 when my ms winder broke, thought I was stepping up. But like its already been said I to am aggratvated by the spring and what it does to fine inputs. Also the rudder rocker...well it just plain blows
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Originally posted by ViZeen
I done mine also. I bought the x45 when my ms winder broke, thought I was stepping up. But like its already been said I to am aggratvated by the spring and what it does to fine inputs. Also the rudder rocker...well it just plain blows
Well, better then the X52 any time. I cant post what those springs remind me off........
As for the rudder: Agree. I still prefer it to twisty though, saving up on pedals now.
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Well... my X45 trigger is the issue after several years (not making continuous contact when pulled). I've become quite used to the silly rudder rocker and actually prefer it to twisty sticks.
My question... can you use the X45 system for throttle and rudder, while using the CH Fighterstick for the rest of the inputs?
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Originally posted by Alpo
Well... my X45 trigger is the issue after several years (not making continuous contact when pulled). I've become quite used to the silly rudder rocker and actually prefer it to twisty sticks.
My question... can you use the X45 system for throttle and rudder, while using the CH Fighterstick for the rest of the inputs?
Should be no problem at all. As long as your controllers are recognized by AH2, you should be able to configure them any way you want. I use my X45 for thottle only and for the rest of inputs a different joystick & pedals
(Wanna have fun? Try such things in other sims :rolleyes: )
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Originally posted by Lusche
Should be no problem at all. As long as your controllers are recognized by AH2, you should be able to configure them any way you want. I use my X45 for thottle only and for the rest of inputs a different joystick & pedals
Sounds great... I've read many places that the CH stuff is so much more accurate with it's input. Just one question...
Originally posted by Lusche
Try such things in other sims :rolleyes: )
what are these things called "other sims"??
:D
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Originally posted by Schatzi
The problem with the X45 is that the springs are really stiff and the movement of plastic on plastic sometimes "sticks" a bit. Makes very fine inputs difficult at times. Im having trouble myself sometimes, but i generally like the springs a lot stiffer then Schutt does anyway.
I used about ten wire ties to collapse some turns on the spring and candle wax on the cup base. Not perfect but a lot better than it was.
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dang good idea, think I will give that a try when I get some time allocated to engineering
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Just be sure to test the peds well & keep an eye on them for a few weeks after purchase. CH's quality control is either slipping or they have a problem with some hardware they put or are putting into the peds. Myself & a few other people (one in my squad) have had problems with recently purchased CH pro peds; my squaddies problem was nearly identical to mine.
I complained in a rather stern way to CH cust. sup. about having to pay RMA shipping to send them back to Newegg for a refund/replacement & CH had a "That's too bad" attitude at first; but after a few email exchanges they sent me a new set that works great so far & had the UPS guy pick up my bum set, all at no cost to me.
CH took care of me 100%, but they didn't act like they wanted to at first. And there is or was a problem with a percentage of the peds that is more than the normal DOA rate. They may have gotten it sorted, may have been a bad batch of pots or something, I don't know; It's just a heads up.
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Originally posted by Lye-El
I used about ten wire ties to collapse some turns on the spring and candle wax on the cup base. Not perfect but a lot better than it was.
You say candle wax.... how did you get it on the cup base?
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Originally posted by Schatzi
You say candle wax.... how did you get it on the cup base?
I should have said the ring that the cup rides on and what I could rub on the bottom of the cup when the joystick is pushed over. At first I had to rub wax on it quit often but over time it's became less and less. I assume that the wax has built up a thin film over time.
I shaved one of my wifes potpurri.....err.......smelly candles to a shape that was more condusive to the purpose. It also smells purdy when I rub it on the plastic.
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You can get (in Germany) your CH Products here (http://www.aerosoft.de/cgi-local/rd/iboshop.cgi?show500,4343168300)
Here are the diffrences: FighterStick (http://www.chproducts.com/retail/j_fighter_usb.html)
CombatStick (http://www.chproducts.com/retail/j_combat.html)
You don't need large hands as I only have a medium set.
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Originally posted by Lye-El
I should have said the ring that the cup rides on and what I could rub on the bottom of the cup when the joystick is pushed over. At first I had to rub wax on it quit often but over time it's became less and less. I assume that the wax has built up a thin film over time.
I shaved one of my wifes potpurri.....err.......smelly candles to a shape that was more condusive to the purpose. It also smells purdy when I rub it on the plastic.
Worked great so far! Thanks for the tip LyeEl.
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Schutt ~ A suggestion for you:
If you've become adept at using the rocker switch on your X45 for rudder input, you may wish to combine the X45 throttle with a CH stick. That would save you the cost of a CH throttle and peds. Just a thought.
Dunno how that would work with the CH Control Manager software but you'd still have the AH joystick programming option available to you.
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Hes bought himself pedals.... :mad:
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I use my X-52 throttle in combination with my fighterstick for those reasons & it worked out great for me.
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Originally posted by Schatzi
Hes bought himself pedals.... :mad:
He's just like your other patients. He's such an animal. :D
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Originally posted by Brenjen
I use my X-52 throttle in combination with my fighterstick for those reasons & it worked out great for me.
Well... I guess I'm glad to hear this :( Unfortunately, it means I'm being ignorant in my setup steps.
I Purchased a Combatstick this weekend and I can't seem to get everything working how I think it really should. The stick is great and I can get the X45 rocker to work the rudder, but the throttle is insisting on being on the CH stick.
Add to the fact the Saitek profiler no longer recognizes the X45 being attached means any programming I had for the throttle side is not functioning.
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Just use the in game set-up, it works 100%, you may have to reverse the axis on the throttle to get it to throttle up when pushed forward etc. but that's just fine tuning. It's pretty easy to use just ask someone if you have trouble, one of your fellow AH'ers can walk you through it.
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Originally posted by Brenjen
Just use the in game set-up, it works 100%, you may have to reverse the axis on the throttle to get it to throttle up when pushed forward etc. but that's just fine tuning.
Many thanks Brenjen. I had never used the AH controller setup before (always had used Saitek's software) so I didn't understand how it totally worked when I first looked at it. Last night I managed to program just about everything I could think of programming on the CS and the X45 throttle.
I managed to get airborne once again and get some kills. I must have done something right as I even managed to get a flurry of hostile PMs after a heated ground battle. (thanks RTMoose... you made my night with that :rofl )
Thanks again :aok
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Alpo, http://www.netaces.org/joystick.pdf for the new Joystick setup. Or look me up in the training arena and ill get you started on stick setup.
I have a X45 myself, never installed the Saitek software, its completely programmed in.
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I got an F16 combatstick and pro pedals.
The stick has a major drawback which i noted to late it has only 2 4 way hat switches no 8 way hat switch :(.
Apart from that pedals and stick are great... much better controll now if i can get used to using the pedals all the time instead of the rudder rocker which i use as a reflex... didnt know i fly with that much rudder usage.
Well, guess i must buy track IR now since i have no 8 way head switch :).
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It's not a CombatStick 568 ??
If it's the old F16 CombatStick ,I don't know it was still availlable.
IMO you should ask for a refund and get a CombatStick 568.
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Originally posted by Schutt
I got an F16 combatstick and pro pedals.
The stick has a major drawback which i noted to late it has only 2 4 way hat switches no 8 way hat switch :(.
Schutt are you sure you have the programming set correctly? All three joysticks listed on the CH Products web site list 2 4-way hats + 1 8-way hat. I Googled up info on the F16 Fighterstick USB and came up with this:
FEATURES
One 8-way combination hat switch.
Three 4-way directional hat switches.
Three single press fire buttons.
Fast action trigger.
X and Y trim control wheels.
Rotary throttle control wheel.
Single key and macro programming: Lets you configure each button to a single key or string of commands.
Programmable software, point and click graphical user interface (GUI).
LED Mode Indicator Lights
Control Manager software included.
Compatible with Windows 98/Me/XP
Compatible with FS2002 and FS2004
Three year warranty, Made in the USA.
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That's correct for the Fighterstick and combatstick 568 but not for the F16 combatstick
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Ahhh...sri for the confusion.
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now im seasick and my neck hurts.
Anyone using track ir 4 or track ir vector who can give me some help?
What is the best setup?
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Try Speed55's profile.
Open TrackIR and edit the profile you use in AH.
Tracking type = Vector
Position - Value
Yaw
0- 0
2- 4
5- 9
10- 20
20- 26
30- 26
40- 79
50- 77
Pitch
0- 0
2- 6
5- 17
10- 18
20- 23
30- 0
40- 0
50- 0
Roll
0- 0
2- 1
5- 1
10- 0
20- 8
30- 7
40- 0
50- 0
X
0- 0
2- 0
5- 8
10- 9
20- 14
30- 75
40- 75
50- 75
Y
0- 1
2- 25
5- 80
10- 80
20- 80
30- 79
40- 79
50- 69
Z
0- 0
2- 6
5- 79
10- 79
20- 51
30- 23
40- 1
50- 0
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I sent my track ir back as ----
The hats are much faster to use in AH . That said in some other games such as Microsoft's 2004 much better to have track ir .
I would if I was you , SEND THAT F16 stick BACK and get the right one , 586 combat stick .
Just do it , it'll be better in the long run .
Trust me ?
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Originally posted by Schutt
now im seasick and my neck hurts.
Anyone using track ir 4 or track ir vector who can give me some help?
What is the best setup?
I just did use the "agressive" setting for all axis, with some fine tuning to ROLL and Z axis. Basically I just did increase deadband for both.
Now I wonīt have to turn my head that much anymore.
Many people have disabled Z axis att all, but I found quite useful after all, increasing deadband was more than enough.
I could email you my complete setup, If you want it
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Originally posted by airspro
I sent my track ir back as ----
The hats are much faster to use in AH . That said in some other games such as Microsoft's 2004 much better to have track ir .
I would if I was you , SEND THAT F16 stick BACK and get the right one , 586 combat stick .
Just do it , it'll be better in the long run .
Trust me ?
If set up properly , TIr is far superior to any buttons, unless you are one of the few people getting constantly seasick even after fine tuning. And AH2 is the sim which has the best implementation of TrackIr by far. And I donīt know how a combat sim could benefit less of of better views than a civillian sim like FS 2004....