Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: USRanger on May 19, 2007, 04:19:51 PM

Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: USRanger on May 19, 2007, 04:19:51 PM
Where do you sit your joystick when you play?  I keep mine on my lap.  My throttle is on the side of my stick, so it makes it easier to get to.  I've seen pics of people who have their stick on the desk in front of them, off to one side or the other, depending on which hand they fly with.  I tried it.  It wasn't comfortable to me, plus I kept knocking the stick over mid-turn.  So...where to y'all sit your joystick when playing?  Btw, I'm left handed but fly with my right hand.  Is that normal to most?  Do right-handers fly with their left & type with their right?
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: Laurie on May 19, 2007, 04:26:52 PM
lol i have quite a funny setup with consists of blue-tac, salotape and elastic bands.

i have 4 bits of 'tac' on the bottom to hold the bloody thing still to desk,

i have tape round the force feedback spring as it keeps trying to ping out

and elastic bands to hold the palm rest securely,

and i have to the right on my desk, as i am right-handed



.....................day dreams of X-52...................:confused:

Anyhoo
i'm off
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: Condor on May 19, 2007, 04:38:00 PM
I have everything but my pedals on a keyboard tray in front of me.  CH throttle on the right and CH fighterstick on the left.  Keyboard, which I use as little as possible in the center.  Yes, you read right, I'm a lefty and have CH gear modified for lefty use.  Itried flying with the stick in my right hand for along time and just couldn't do it well.  

The keyboard tray is reinforced and locks in place and the throttle and stick are velcroed to the surface.
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: Cooley on May 19, 2007, 04:49:06 PM
right in the middle of table in front of monitor
 ( Micro PP sidewinder, CH Peds)

but its in a box now, as im moving across town :cry
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: LTARsqrl on May 19, 2007, 05:22:16 PM
Saitek X-52.  Throttle on left side of Keyboard, stick on right.  CH Rudder peddles.  19" Widescreen monitor.

Love my X-52 :aok

LTARsqrl  <>
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: hubsonfire on May 19, 2007, 05:37:29 PM
On the desk, from left to right- X-52 throttle, keyboard, X-52 stick, and mouse. Monitor's on a scratchbuilt stand, have a cabinetry bracket and rubber bands on the stand mounting a gooseneck LED flashlight (so I can see to type). It's an extremely professional redneck installation.
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: jaxxo on May 19, 2007, 05:37:47 PM
mine is on my  right knee..terrible ergonomics but i cant stand it on the desk..i should try it though...it cant help my aim at all pushin on the rudder and shooting with my stik goin up and down..
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: SkyRock on May 19, 2007, 05:39:52 PM
Quote
Originally posted by jaxxo
mine is on my right knee......shooting with my stik goin up and down..


This doesn't sound right!:eek:

Mark
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: hubsonfire on May 19, 2007, 05:50:14 PM
If you stack some phonebooks and sit on them, you could probably reach the stick on the desk.
Title: Re: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: Furball on May 19, 2007, 06:11:24 PM
Quote
Originally posted by USRanger
I keep mine on my lap.  

:aok
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: B@tfinkV on May 19, 2007, 06:41:52 PM
my favorite 'real feel' spot is between the legs so that pulling full back just stops before your groin and left n right press into your thighs but to get a realistic feel in this possition you need an extended stick, so i just play from the desk infront.

a virtual cockpit with 3' long flight stick would be awesome.
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: eilif on May 19, 2007, 09:07:18 PM
thats what i got, posted pics of it a while ago. 3 foot broom stick extension, its great. :aok
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: FiLtH on May 19, 2007, 09:14:29 PM
I use a table to set my pc and joystick on. The joystick is to the right (as im right handed) and sits at a 30 degree angle. Meaning if I was to push the stick forward, it moves to 11 oclock, my chest and face looking at the moniter being 12 oclock.  Its odd...but thats how ive always flown.
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: redman555 on May 19, 2007, 09:16:56 PM
hey ltarsqrl, is X52 any good? i saw in store and am thinkin about buying
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: LTARsqrl on May 19, 2007, 09:27:46 PM
You will find two camps on this.  I, for one, love mine.  It is versital and works well with all my flightsim programs.  You will also find people that hate it.  Why?  I have no idea.  I had the X36, tried the X45, but bought the X52 and have never regreted it.

LTARsqrl  <> :aok
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: Serenity on May 19, 2007, 09:32:50 PM
Stick: X-45

Position: Desk in front of me. Stick to the right, throttle to the left. Drink/food in the middle. Id PREFER a setup where I could rest it on my lap or something, but whenever I do, I find no stability, and end up feeling like a dork.
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: Angry Samoan on May 19, 2007, 10:27:08 PM
no lubs for leftys  :cry
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: OOZ662 on May 19, 2007, 10:41:31 PM
X52; stick on the right leg, throttle on the left.
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: SirLoin on May 20, 2007, 08:03:00 AM
X-52

I have keyboard off to the side left on a 45 deg angle on keyboard tray..Throttle & stick side by side in middle.
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: Spikes on May 20, 2007, 08:19:48 AM
Quote
Originally posted by LTARsqrl
Saitek X-52.  Throttle on left side of Keyboard, stick on right.  CH Rudder peddles.  19" Widescreen monitor.

Love my X-52 :aok

LTARsqrl  <>


thats how mine is.
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: Ghosth on May 20, 2007, 08:30:23 AM
Joysticks belong between your legs, period.  :)

For one thing you have a much better range of motion and control than at arms length on your desktop. For another you can "brace" your arm on your leg, for very precise control, can't do that on desktop.


But there is one other option that also works very well.

Take a board or piece of plywood aprox the same size as your joystick. Screw another board to it so it looks like a T. The upright should be aprox 5" tall and  about the same length. The lower leg of the T goes between your legs. You can even split one of those foam swim noodles, and pad the lower part of it.

Then attach the stick via velcro, tape, screws, whatever to the top board.

My buddy tank1 built his this way, then cut out the top board to match the base of of joystick. A couple of carefully planned holes and a couple of sheet rock screws locks it down nicely. Drop it into position, the legs hold it rock steady.
its up just a bit higher than between the legs so you have even better range of motion. Control is in my opinion much better than on the desktop.

Probably not going to work as well for a full hotas setup as a single twisty stick.  But its something to consider.

If anyone is seriously interested in this I'm sure tank1 or I can come up with some pictures and help.
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: Speed55 on May 20, 2007, 08:41:44 AM
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i128/speed55/HotasSetup.jpg)



Had to build the desk to accomodate the setup..  
Also had to modify those headphones.. They are frankenphones, lol..  Glued the swivel part from a logitech to the right ear of some good sony stereo headphones.   Then used liquid nails, and electicical tape to hold a desktop mic to the boom, and bent it into position.  

Velcro'd the stick and throttle to the desk, and used little rubber nubbins- for lack of a better word- on the bottom of the pedals so they dont move.

Oh, and laid some soft shoe inserts on the pedals, which need to be replaced soon.

It's all very comfortable when playing.
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: ghi on May 20, 2007, 08:56:12 AM
Quote
Originally posted by jaxxo
mine is on my  right knee..terrible ergonomics but i cant stand it on the desk..i should try it though...it cant help my aim at all pushin on the rudder and shooting with my stik goin up and down..


  same here, but CH sticks is sensitive to dust and liquids,soo i keep it covered with a xxxL condom,  my wife is playing with dirty hands sometimes
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: Max on May 20, 2007, 08:59:35 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Speed55
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i128/speed55/HotasSetup.jpg)



 


Doesn't that desk leg errrrrrrmmmmmmm.....hurt? :rofl
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: Max on May 20, 2007, 09:00:27 AM
btw...I just noticed your dirty feet :p
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: Speed55 on May 20, 2007, 09:09:10 AM
:lol  @ max

The leg is the center line, and although it does look like it could be painful, it actually doesnt even touch the bottom of the chair seat when i'm pulled up as close to the desk as possible.  The lower frame stops the chair from rolling any closer.

But i better take a shower though, because even my dog wont come near me,   :eek:


...... actually those foot pads are over a year old and....(sniff sniff),  nope don't smell at all.
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: straffo on May 20, 2007, 09:23:05 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Max
btw...I just noticed your dirty feet :p


Actually his feet are clean now ... on the other way his rudder is ... well you have eyes no ?

:p
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: airspro on May 20, 2007, 11:27:33 AM
(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/1007_1163579384_mvc-011s.jpg)
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: BlauK on May 20, 2007, 11:59:19 AM
Stick right in front of my right shoulder on the desk, a small separate numpad beside it at left and the whole keyboard in front of them both.
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: x0847Marine on May 20, 2007, 12:41:10 PM
Quote
Originally posted by hubsonfire
If you stack some phonebooks and sit on them, you could probably reach the stick on the desk.


I use an old ATX tower with a phone book on top, puts the JS on my right.. just high enough so I can rest my elbow on the padded arm-rest and still get a full range of motion 'jerking it' to and fro.... Kinda like the position of the gear shifter in a Miata.

Throttle is mapped to a spare JS on the floor that I use my large knarly toe-nail to manipulate.
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: FBplmmr on May 20, 2007, 03:07:20 PM
monitor sits on 5 phonebooks to make it eye level.
keyboard in front of the monitor and then the joystick in front of keyboard but lined up with my right shoulder.


most importantly-- cooler/ice chest on the floor left of chair:aok
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: Xasthur on May 20, 2007, 03:19:09 PM
Quote
Originally posted by ghi
same here, but CH sticks is sensitive to dust and liquids,soo i keep it covered with a xxxL condom,  my wife is playing with dirty hands sometimes




:huh
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: Estes on May 20, 2007, 10:05:49 PM
It's not to fancy but it works for me.
(http://pages.suddenlink.net/kjetil/cockpit%20003.jpg)

My mousepad doubles as an elbow rest.
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: redman555 on May 20, 2007, 11:29:07 PM
how much are 1 of those foot ruders and how much of an effect does it make? is it easier to do certain turns and so on wit the foot pedals?
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: Zazen13 on May 20, 2007, 11:34:47 PM
I have both my stick and my throttle removably attached to my desk with velcro strips. The stick is on my right where my mouse usually is and my throttle on my left. When I don't want them there for other things I just pull them off the velcro. When they're there, they are firmly attached and don't move no matter how hard I move the controls. Works great...

Zazen
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: KayBayRay on May 21, 2007, 02:06:45 PM
Wow, I guess I am the McGyver of the crowd. :cool:

My monitor sits in front of me on this cheap folding table thing on wheels I got at a swap meet for $5. The keyboard is on the edge of the plywood table top and I use a $4 plastic cutting board I got at WalMart on my lap where I put the Joystick. I have a bunch of functions mapped to the Joystick so I dont use the keyboard much other than Auto Pilot type commands and speed commends.  :cool:

This leaves plenty of room for the Beers and Snacks my Wife brings me while I am Raining Death all over you Dweebs !!  :rolleyes:

Mostly its my dead body parts raining down all over you from getting my prettythang shot off cause I cant hit crap but the ground.  :cool:


But its all fun  :aok

Later,
KayBay
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: HomeBoy on May 21, 2007, 02:27:03 PM
Here's mine.  I am very tall so having the controllers on the desk is very comfortable for me.  I have my chair almost 22" off the floor which makes my legs almost stretch out completely with full deflection on the pedals.  This makes for a very natural feel for me.

(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n199/snomhf/mysetup.jpg)
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: straffo on May 21, 2007, 03:20:31 PM
(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/33_1179778788_img_4003r.jpg)

I'm taller but I'm definitely  five year old too :)
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: kotrenin on May 21, 2007, 03:36:10 PM
(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/204/508259515_3ecd953458_b.jpg)

I put the stick on the right with the base even with the seat of my chair.  
I think the F-16 has the stick on the right.
The throtle on the left is on some boxes even with my thigh.
And I'm getting my sound through my stereo and  infinity speakers (also known as wife-ack inducers.)
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: BaldEagl on May 21, 2007, 03:50:25 PM
Microsoft Sidewinder 3D Pro on my left (on my cadenza... I'm left handed),  19" CRT moitor and mic directly in front of me already at a perfect height (when I say directly in front I mean directly in my face... screen at the front edge of the cadenza), keyboard directly in front of me on an adjustable (height and angle) pull-out tray, mouse on a right side slide-out from the keyboard tray.

I've got throttle mapped to my mouse wheel and use the num pad for all my views (I just got used to that early on in AW and never changed).  That freed up the hat switch in addition to the limited number of buttons on my stick so i rarely need the keyboard.
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: Murdr on May 21, 2007, 04:34:31 PM
Velcroed to my keyboard drawer, about 3" above my knees.


(http://479th.jasminemarie.com/images/rig1.jpg)
(http://479th.jasminemarie.com/images/rig2.jpg)
(http://479th.jasminemarie.com/images/rig3.jpg)
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: mtnman on May 21, 2007, 08:40:53 PM
Here's my set-up.  X52, CH Pro Pedals.  I made the bracket from wood scraps in my garage in about an hour.  It "snaps" into place under my seat, and has surgical tubing bands that go through my armrests to be more secure when I recline.  The stick and throttle are velcro'ed in place.  

Sets up, tears down to keep the wife happy.  Total set-up pre-game is about a minute.

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m309/Mtnman_03/DSC_2766.jpg)

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m309/Mtnman_03/DSC_2754.jpg)

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m309/Mtnman_03/DSC_2753.jpg)

MtnMan
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: eh on May 21, 2007, 09:14:37 PM
FFPro with Saitek Gamer's Keyboard, both USB.

Monitor is on a large desk, with keyboard in a drawer that slides under the desk. Stick is on the desk, directly in front of monitor and centered on it. Because the keyboard is on a sliding drawer it is under the desk. The programmable Saitek Gamer's Keypad is up on the desk just to the left of the stick. Mouse is just to the right of the stick.

There is nothing else on the desk, except for a cable modem and power bars. And some crusts, bits of cheese, and Scotch bottles.
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: ozrocker on May 21, 2007, 09:19:19 PM
On the lap. I get a cheap rubbing thrill whilst flying:t
                                                              Oz
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: clerick on May 22, 2007, 03:22:57 AM
Quote
Originally posted by B@tfinkV
my favorite 'real feel' spot is between the legs so that pulling full back just stops before your groin and left n right press into your thighs but to get a realistic feel in this possition you need an extended stick, so i just play from the desk infront.

a virtual cockpit with 3' long flight stick would be awesome.


Give me the 38's steering wheel anyday
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: Xargos on May 22, 2007, 04:25:50 AM
I have a 24 X 8 inch board with my fighterstick, Throttle and MFP Velcroed to it.  I then have the board Velcroed to the desk and all three cables are put in a cable wrap all the way from the board to the power hub.  This way it's easy to put it back exactly the way I had it after having to move it to do some real work.
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: Platano on May 22, 2007, 02:48:09 PM
I dont need no shtinkin fancy schmancy xfittytuu wit sum Rudr pedalz to kik arse...

all i needz iz mah lil joystick and mah red cup :aok


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v620/KinGKillaTFD/IMG00280.jpg)
Title: Joystick position: A poll
Post by: mtnman on May 22, 2007, 03:42:04 PM
Lol, I didn't need anything fancy either, until my hours in AH started causing me some real problems.  

Not having the monitor at a decent height gave me neck problems (pain and stiffness).  Not having my arms supported for hours while holding my joystick gave me so much pain in my arms, shoulders and back that I had to see the doctor.  I didn't realize what was causing all the pain at first.  It dawned on me at the Dr.'s office.  Of course I didn't tell him that.  I took my muscle relaxer's and pain pills and went home.

Quit AH and do something productive?  Hell NO!  Fix my set-up so I could continue my addiction?  Hell YEA!

Now I play in comfort and have no pain.  The Couch Potato evolve's into a PC Potato...

MtnMan