Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: bbosen on September 21, 2009, 09:10:00 AM

Title: El Cheapo Joystick and "Cockpit"
Post by: bbosen on September 21, 2009, 09:10:00 AM
I just finished this:

(http://techvideoreview.com/FlightSimMovies/General/ControlsAndCockpits/ElCheapoCockpit00.JPG)

Based on the inexpensive (reviled, despised) Logitech Extreme 3dPro joystick, 3 cheap Logitech Joypads, and a USB keypad, I mounted everything on a slab so I can hold it in my lap. It was easy to put together and I'm delighted with the results. Everything is described in much greater detail in a brief video clip here:

http://techvideoreview.com/FlightSimMovies/General/ControlsAndCockpits/JoysticksControlsAndFlightSimCockpitsFullPage.htm

I hope the video clip can help others make something similar!


-Peabody-
Title: Re: El Cheapo Joystick and "Cockpit"
Post by: gyrene81 on September 21, 2009, 06:06:11 PM
Old song from Styx comes to mind:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntzCi1lu2ys (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntzCi1lu2ys)
Title: Re: El Cheapo Joystick and "Cockpit"
Post by: Spikes on September 21, 2009, 06:09:44 PM
Too much time on my hands...t t t too much time on my hands.
Went to see them last summerthey put on an amazing live show!
Title: Re: El Cheapo Joystick and "Cockpit"
Post by: Enker on September 21, 2009, 10:01:25 PM
I do not understand why the Logitech is so reviled, mine has lasted for a long time.

Also, I love the way you have your "cockpit" set up. I think I might want to look into getting one of those joypads myself.
Title: Re: El Cheapo Joystick and "Cockpit"
Post by: Denholm on September 21, 2009, 11:02:34 PM
Just wanted to drop by and say it's nice to see you again bbosen.
Title: Re: El Cheapo Joystick and "Cockpit"
Post by: Ghastly on September 22, 2009, 08:46:57 AM
Quote
I do not understand why the Logitech is so reviled, mine has lasted for a long time.

For me it's because one of the best sticks I ever owned was the Logitech Wingman Force (This one - http://www.iesphotography.co.uk/wingman.jpg -NOT the "3D") and while it wasn't perfect, it was built with quality and had outstanding FF. 

The 3D I tried to replace it with was simply junk - poorly constructed and so sloppy that any kind of precision control was impossible. 

I find it nearly impossible to believe that anyone who is happy with the "current" Logitech sticks (excluding perhaps the newest release) has ever spent any time using a CH stick, or the older Thrustmaster sticks, where quality is/was the highest priority.

<S>
Title: Re: El Cheapo Joystick and "Cockpit"
Post by: bbosen on September 22, 2009, 11:03:33 AM
I do not understand why the Logitech is so reviled, mine has lasted for a long time.

Also, I love the way you have your "cockpit" set up. I think I might want to look into getting one of those joypads myself.

Roger that, Enker. It's simple, and inexpensive. Because of the flexible way HiTech has integrated multiple controllers, you can mount a joypad upside down (or sideways, or at any angle) and just any of the buttons for any convenient function. Sometimes the physical shape of the controller influences the functions I assign to the buttons. For the 6 computers I now have set up, I've divided all of the functions in the same way, among the 4 controllers and numeric keypad that are illustrated in the video clip. I'm pretty happy with it.

Incidentally: with regard to the quality of the Logitech sticks: I've found that they tend to work well for me for about a year, and then they get random and "spikey", making it hard to aim. This seems to be caused by oxidation of the wiper on the potentiometers. When this happens, I spend 10 minutes just moving the joystick in circular/figure8/random motions. I move ALL of the axes all around. This seems to clear up the oxidation, and I'm good for another few months. After 2 or 3 years, I give the stick to some newbie that I'm introducing to the hobby and teach him/her that trick with a caution that the stick is nearly worn out and that when they can afford a new one they'll be better off. I've introduced several people to this hobby this way....


Regards,
(And hello Denholm; nice to hear from you again!)


-Peabody-
Title: Re: El Cheapo Joystick and "Cockpit"
Post by: Kazaa on September 22, 2009, 12:18:53 PM
It's alive lol, wtf is that monster!