Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: LCCajun on February 20, 2009, 10:12:44 AM

Title: Looking for new toys
Post by: LCCajun on February 20, 2009, 10:12:44 AM
Ok guys so I am looking to get an x52 joystick and rudder pedals. I would like some opinions on what ppl have. thanks <S>
Title: Re: Looking for new toys
Post by: Shuffler on February 20, 2009, 10:14:33 AM
This has been asked many times.....


CH Fighter Stick
CH Pro Throttle
CH Pro Pedals
Title: Re: Looking for new toys
Post by: Bruv119 on February 20, 2009, 10:38:44 AM
My squaddie Diggin finally snapped when it just kept losing calibration and generally being wank.

I'm definately a CH fanboi, i think the majority of the AH community are agreed on it being the best you can buy.  durability and accuracy wise.



(http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e258/eBay11/SNAP.jpg)
Title: Re: Looking for new toys
Post by: fudgums on February 20, 2009, 10:40:26 AM
well I fly mouse but the CH pedals are awesome.
Title: Re: Looking for new toys
Post by: Getback on February 20, 2009, 10:40:56 AM
CH products unless you're one of those guys who like heartache.
Title: Re: Looking for new toys
Post by: dunnrite on February 20, 2009, 10:47:18 AM
My squaddie Diggin finally snapped when it just kept losing calibration and generally being wank.

I'm definately a CH fanboi, i think the majority of the AH community are agreed on it being the best you can buy.  durability and accuracy wise.



(http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e258/eBay11/SNAP.jpg)

I have had no problems with my x52------and is that a bong next to the sharpie? :D
Title: Re: Looking for new toys
Post by: Anaxogoras on February 20, 2009, 10:47:45 AM
I've had the same CH Combatstick for 10+ years.  The only problem I've ever had was a loose wire, which I fixed myself in about 5-10 minutes.
Title: Re: Looking for new toys
Post by: Lusche on February 20, 2009, 10:48:46 AM
I went from CH to Saitek many years ago. Did never regret it.
I'm using the X-52pro for ~ half a year now. Best stick I ever had.

Title: Re: Looking for new toys
Post by: whiteman on February 20, 2009, 10:53:45 AM
love my X52, wouldn't swap it. It's all just personal preference.
Title: Re: Looking for new toys
Post by: MjTalon on February 20, 2009, 10:57:27 AM
Cajun i think it's up to what you can afford and want. Some people love CH, others loev Saitek.  It boils down to how much you want to spend on your new toys.

Alot of people complain about having problems with their X52s while others report no problems for a few years. Although CH is generally the most popular and seeing why it would be a good choice if you have the money to burn. Myself personally, i have a saitek St290 pro twisty stick that i've had for 2 years and running with no problems. And the best thing is, it only cost me $15.  :)
Title: Re: Looking for new toys
Post by: Shifty on February 20, 2009, 11:14:14 AM
I had problems with my first X52 I wore it out in six months. I replaced it with a new X52 and have been flying trouble free with it for nearly three years.
I added the rudder pedals a few months ago. CH products may be the way to go if you can afford it. However I'm happy with my X52 rig for the price.
Title: Re: Looking for new toys
Post by: uptown on February 20, 2009, 11:14:46 AM
Don't waste your money. Get CH and be done with it. :aok
Title: Re: Looking for new toys
Post by: Wingnutt on February 20, 2009, 11:17:23 AM
CH gear is without a doubt the best in terms of value for money...

but if ya wanna go nutts..


well first..

get a Cougar HOTAS

(http://pages.suddenlink.net/ja001son/AH2/cougarstick.jpg)
(http://pages.suddenlink.net/ja001son/AH2/cougarthrottle.jpg)


then modify the stick to use Hall Effect sensors instead of regular pots, no moving parts, higher resolution..  wont spike.. ever,  wont wear out.. ever.
(http://pages.suddenlink.net/ja001son/AH2/cougarguts.jpg)


makes for a fun project and the end result is quite nice, an all metal 20 pound monster that will last longer than your house.
Title: Re: Looking for new toys
Post by: LCCajun on February 20, 2009, 11:20:48 AM
Cajun i think it's up to what you can afford and want. Some people love CH, others loev Saitek.  It boils down to how much you want to spend on your new toys.

Alot of people complain about having problems with their X52s while others report no problems for a few years. Although CH is generally the most popular and seeing why it would be a good choice if you have the money to burn. Myself personally, i have a saitek St290 pro twisty stick that i've had for 2 years and running with no problems. And the best thing is, it only cost me $15.  :)

I have the st290 now been using it for about 3 years. I have a buddie who doesn't play AH anymore that got pedals and teh x52. He was talking about selling all of it to me for 125.00 Just was wondering if I should spend my money on that or get ch products. Money really isn't the issue. I would just like to be able to program more buttons so i can pretty much get rid of the keyboard. and twisty stick.
Title: Re: Looking for new toys
Post by: LCCajun on February 20, 2009, 11:22:32 AM
Lol wingnutt that is some set up however I am a simple guy.
Title: Re: Looking for new toys
Post by: Wingnutt on February 20, 2009, 11:26:13 AM
Lol wingnutt that is some set up however I am a simple guy.

Your lucky,
 Im not happy unless im constantly fidgeting or taking something apart, which in the end always results in said thing no longer working and me having to purchase another.
Title: Re: Looking for new toys
Post by: JB11 on February 20, 2009, 11:40:23 AM
Shouldn't this been in "Hardware and Software"?  :D

 :salute 11
Title: Re: Looking for new toys
Post by: MjTalon on February 20, 2009, 11:50:02 AM
I have the st290 now been using it for about 3 years. I have a buddie who doesn't play AH anymore that got pedals and teh x52. He was talking about selling all of it to me for 125.00 Just was wondering if I should spend my money on that or get ch products. Money really isn't the issue. I would just like to be able to program more buttons so i can pretty much get rid of the keyboard. and twisty stick.

Grab the pedals, keep the stick. Use your twist function on the St290 for something else and use the pedal for rudders. Whenever i build up enough funds after i get a new CPU i'll be buying some peds and Track IR.  :salute
Title: Re: Looking for new toys
Post by: Jenks on February 20, 2009, 12:19:36 PM
I had a  Saitek X45 HOTAS, that began giving me trouble after about a year or so, The coolie hat was intermittent and the trigger would stick on, emptying my ammo load in one go. I tried contacting Saitek for parts and or repair service with three emails, I never got a reply.

I started looking into CH and Thrustmaster products.  I bought the TM Cougar for a couple of reasons. #1 I owned previous TM products, the F16FLCS for one and loved them. #2 I could see one in person before I bought it and yes the weight is impressive. #3 I found and bought a used set of TM rudder pedals for a few bucks on a whim prior to replacing the Saitek. So I was biased toward it from the start. The CH products were getting good reviews but so was the Cougar.

I've now used the cougar for about 4 years .  The coolie hat began failing after about a year, no problem it was still under warranty and TM sent me new one at no charge. I could have had them replace the switch, but I am quite capable of doing it myself ( I repair audio equipment for a living).
The throttle friction control ( what holds the throttle in place when you take your hand off ) began failing after about 2 years, a minor annoyance. Then the coolie hat failed again, real cheap part to buy and TM got it to me pretty quick, although I had to send a money order to them first, something about them being in Canada.  The X Y axis pots began getting a little buggy about a year ago and are slowly getting worse and guess what? The coolie hat failed again. Now the parts price quote from TM to replace all the parts was very reasonable, I think 20 or 25 bucks, but I'm lazy and haven't felt like repairing it yet. I just programed my views to the 8 way just below the coolie.  Also I'm mulling over doing the hall device mod.

I had noticed that Slapshot had written a macro for the Cougar and when I had a chance to ask him how he liked the Cougar he said he switched to CH and never looked back.
Title: Re: Looking for new toys
Post by: Getback on February 20, 2009, 12:46:03 PM
I had an x45 that was pretty decent, not great. After a few months it went out, I then bought an x52, a few months later all kinds of problems. So I bought the x52 pro. Again a few months down the road and it went out. I spent hours talking to the reps and e-mailing and researching. Nothing helped. Now I could have sent it back but decided that hey even if they fixed it I would have problems again before long. I went ch a year ago and never looked back. My only regret is why oh why didn't I do this sooner.

Anyone thinking saitek should scan through the history in the Hardware & Software forums. Just tons of complaints about saitek. Almost unreal. Personally I hope Saitek gets it's act together and I sincerely wished MS would have never gotten out of the business. What they would have come up with by now would probably be amazing.
Title: Re: Looking for new toys
Post by: LCCajun on February 20, 2009, 12:46:38 PM
WOW whoever said wife's are bad are wrong. My old lady just agreed to let me get a new joystick,pedals, and trackir. I guess I need to find out she goes to see while I am playing AH hmmmmmmmm.
Title: Re: Looking for new toys
Post by: Iron_Cross on February 20, 2009, 12:47:10 PM
Cajun i think it's up to what you can afford and want. Some people love CH, others loev Saitek.  It boils down to how much you want to spend on your new toys.

Alot of people complain about having problems with their X52s while others report no problems for a few years. Although CH is generally the most popular and seeing why it would be a good choice if you have the money to burn. Myself personally, i have a saitek St290 pro twisty stick that i've had for 2 years and running with no problems. And the best thing is, it only cost me $15.  :)

Ugh, I've had two of those sticks.  A week after I purchased the first one, the main trigger button stuck closed.  Two weeks after I plugged in the second one, the main trigger button stuck closed.  Lesson learned, I will never buy another Saitek stick again.
Title: Re: Looking for new toys
Post by: Getback on February 20, 2009, 01:01:48 PM
WOW whoever said wife's are bad are wrong. My old lady just agreed to let me get a new joystick,pedals, and trackir. I guess I need to find out she goes to see while I am playing AH hmmmmmmmm.

Choose wisely!
Title: Re: Looking for new toys
Post by: SIK1 on February 20, 2009, 01:22:54 PM
I have had no problems with my x52------and is that a bong next to the sharpie? :D

Looks like an old glass insulator to me.

Oh and I like my CH gear.
Title: Re: Looking for new toys
Post by: morfiend on February 20, 2009, 01:35:37 PM
Not sure this will help but I've had saitek stuff for over 4 years now and the only problem I ever had was the twist rudder pot. this was solved with the rudderpedals and since then not 1 single problem.
 It's hard to get CH stuff where I live so it wasn't an option for me,btw I heard if ya dont have a set of gorilla hands the CH buttons can be quite a reach,of course solutions for this can be had.On the otherhand{pun intended} the saitek stick has an adjustable handrest so it you have real small hands the X52 will accommodate them.

 If price is a factor,may I suggest CH pedals,x52 stick as the saitek pedals are abit more than the CH pedals.
 If price isnt a factor,well CH stick,throttle,saitek throttle quadrant and a saitek control panel this will illuminate the keyboard for all but chatting in text.

 YMMV
Title: Re: Looking for new toys
Post by: MjTalon on February 20, 2009, 03:00:13 PM
I think the problem that some of you gentlemens sticks go out or start to malfunction is possibly simple.

Im 18, and I have small hands so I don't jerk or put a lot of stress on my stick when I fly. I give it smooth, firm imputs. Now I know that the average ah player age  is about 30, and I can bet most of you have very large hands that tend to put a lot of stress on the stick, causin it to go loose, stick, etc.  I think ch products are much firmer and have the ability to take A lot more abuse than saitek products. Just a hunch :)
Title: Re: Looking for new toys
Post by: Masherbrum on February 20, 2009, 03:05:22 PM
I think the problem that some of you gentlemens sticks go out or start to malfunction is possibly simple.

Im 18, and I have small hands so I don't jerk or put a lot of stress on my stick when I fly. I give it smooth, firm imputs. Now I know that the average ah player age  is about 30, and I can bet most of you have very large hands that tend to put a lot of stress on the stick, causin it to go loose, stick, etc.  I think ch products are much firmer and have the ability to take A lot more abuse than saitek products. Just a hunch :)

Saitek sucks, no matter how you slice it.   They got enough of my money.   

I have a CH Fighterstick and CH Pedals.   I'll get the Throttle eventually.   
Title: Re: Looking for new toys
Post by: infowars on February 20, 2009, 03:11:03 PM
I've never heard of anyone going from CH to anything else...
Title: Re: Looking for new toys
Post by: Belial on February 20, 2009, 03:29:12 PM
just get urself a logitech 3dpro there cheap and work fine, twistys are for real men
Title: Re: Looking for new toys
Post by: Sunka on February 20, 2009, 03:47:39 PM
just get urself a logitech 3dpro there cheap and work fine, twistys are for real men
I bought a logitech once,five minutes in to using it, it found its way to my junk closet,and has not been out,So anyone wants a new logitech let me know. ha ha
Title: Re: Looking for new toys
Post by: Getback on February 20, 2009, 04:01:15 PM
Saitek sucks, no matter how you slice it.   They got enough of my money.   

I have a CH Fighterstick and CH Pedals.   I'll get the Throttle eventually.   

I've heard of one person. But that's it.
Title: Re: Looking for new toys
Post by: Banshee7 on February 20, 2009, 04:13:38 PM
just get urself a logitech 3dpro there cheap and work fine, twistys are for real men

BZZZZT! Wrong...try using the thumb knob/dial turny thing on the X-52 throttle for rudder  :aok
Title: Re: Looking for new toys
Post by: Tr1gg22 on February 20, 2009, 04:43:54 PM
This has been asked many times.....


CH Fighter Stick
CH Pro Throttle
CH Pro Pedals


 :salute had x-52 now i own ch products.. CH is a little more spendy but well worth it :salute
Title: Re: Looking for new toys
Post by: mensa180 on February 20, 2009, 04:56:41 PM
I use one of those cheap Saiteks, never had a problem.
Title: Re: Looking for new toys
Post by: Bosco123 on February 20, 2009, 05:01:50 PM
My buy list os pretty low as of now. I went from Logitech 3D Pro, to an X-52. So far, I hav't regreted buying the X52. Only took me about a day and a half to fully get used to it.
I didn't think because I didn't use many buttons on the Logitech, that I would be using them on the X-52. Only thing I don't use on the X-52 is the top left toggle swich, and I still don't know that to use it for. I didn't expect to use the center toggle swich for veiws, and now I use them all the time. There still is more buttons that you need, but you will use them when you have to use two hands for just about anything you need to do. I still use the number pad for views, but not as much as I used to.
I would buy an X-52, agian and again and again.  
Title: Re: Looking for new toys
Post by: tokenjo on February 20, 2009, 05:02:44 PM
WOW whoever said wife's are bad are wrong. My old lady just agreed to let me get a new joystick,pedals, and trackir. I guess I need to find out she goes to see while I am playing AH hmmmmmmmm.


Just wonder'n, how long have you been married ?   I dont know any wife that just agrees unless she wants something or already got something.    I could be wonrg ... ?

Tokenjo
Title: Re: Looking for new toys
Post by: pipz on February 20, 2009, 05:40:11 PM
I had C/H stuff for years.F16 fighter stick ,throttle,pedals.That was the old analog set up.After maybe 8 years I had to get some new gear.The old stuff still worked but I needed a USB set up.I had no money so I got the X52.That has worked good for some time now.I also have the C/H USB pro pedals.

I have had good luck with all my equipment.I dont abuse it much either.The C/H gear feels more durable.So if your goin to throw stuff at the wall get C/H!Other wise to me rite now its a toss up.I would have to say though I think C/H is the better quality equipment.

Keep in mind you may want to buy a powered USB hub as well.

I edited this in......
Cajun I just read the post where ya said money is not an issue.If thats the case its just my opinion but ya might as well buy the high quality C/H stuff.The X52 will most likely last a long time but I know for a fact the C/H stuff will last a long time.

Pipz
Title: Re: Looking for new toys
Post by: Vudak on February 20, 2009, 06:03:17 PM
Well, let me put it to you this way...

Years ago, I loved a Microsoft Precision Pro...  It was a great stick that served me well...  But Microsoft stopped making it.

Years later, I loved my Saitek X-45...  It was a great stick (not quite durable though), that served me well...  But Saitek stopped making it.

Now, I have CH Fighterstick...  It is a great stick, that's serving me well...  And it doesn't look like CH will stop making it anytime soon.

Every single time that you transition from new equipment, it is a pain in the butt.  Retraining muscle memory isn't the easiest thing to do.  This isn't just in cases of going from, say, a Saitek to a CH, but even just from your familiar Saitek to a new Saitek.  It won't have the same exact feel and you WILL need to re-teach yourself.  You might get lucky and have a solid Saitek that lasts for years, but the odds are against you.  Imagine what getting used to a new stick every 6-9 months will be like.

IF you have the money, and IF you KNOW you are going to be addicted to these games for years to come, invest in CH products.  If not, get something else.
Title: Re: Looking for new toys
Post by: Wingnutt on February 20, 2009, 07:38:43 PM


Every single time that you transition from new equipment, it is a pain in the butt.

THats for sure, when I switched from my X-52 to the Cougar and rudder pedals it was like learning to walk again.. or some other really good metaphor.
Title: Re: Looking for new toys
Post by: Mustaine on February 20, 2009, 08:33:46 PM
I swear by my CH stick and pedals but still love my x45 throttle

Title: Re: Looking for new toys
Post by: Guyver on February 21, 2009, 07:26:48 AM
i have the Saitek x-52 and is one of the best iv used. not sure what teh pro one is like but iv had no problems with my Saitek stuff. my old stick was a Saitek and it is still going. my mate took off me when i upgraded to the x-52
Title: Re: Looking for new toys
Post by: Kazaa on February 21, 2009, 07:31:43 AM
< CH Fanboi myself, I've got an X-52 sitting in the cupboard. :aok
Title: Re: Looking for new toys
Post by: The Fugitive on February 21, 2009, 10:38:01 AM
I think THIS (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,258388.0.html) say it all. You don't see a thread on problems and solutions for CH products do ya?
Title: Re: Looking for new toys
Post by: Wingnutt on February 21, 2009, 11:21:19 AM
< CH Fanboi myself, I've got an X-52 sitting in the cupboard. :aok

in the cupboard??  I know there is a language barrier and all. .. but isnt that where food is kept?

"Alright kids, whos hungry? lets see.. tunafish? noodle soup.. ohh how about throttle stew with a side of rotary?"
Title: Re: Looking for new toys
Post by: WWhiskey on February 21, 2009, 01:09:39 PM
I bought a logitech once,five minutes in to using it, it found its way to my junk closet,and has not been out,So anyone wants a new logitech let me know. ha ha
send it to me!! i used one for years till i got my hotas,and pedals!
 i could use it at the store, on my second system.
Title: Re: Looking for new toys
Post by: GreenEagle43 on February 26, 2009, 06:35:08 PM
(http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj110/GrnEagle43DHBG/B-17GBUILD048.jpg)
my x-52 has been good to me now for three years .BUT.the joy stick seems to be getting lose .is that a bad thing.is that whats going to happen to mine.snap!!and i was going to buy the x-52 pro peddles to compleate my system....should i ????


(http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj110/GrnEagle43DHBG/me1.jpg)