Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: Eagleclaw on May 02, 2010, 07:21:17 AM
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Recently, my Saitek ST290 PRO has started to creak and has become less responsive. I've been looking at new joysticks for quite some time now, can anyone give me a solid reccomendation? I've been looking at more Saiteks and even a Logitech joystick or two, but any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys.
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I just replaced my Saitek Cyborg X stick after only a year...bought one of these:
(http://i.walmartimages.com/i/p/00/66/32/96/41/0066329641369_215X215.jpg)
(http://img.idealo.com/folder/Product/1154/9/1154919/s1_produktbild_mittelgross/thrustmaster-t-flight-hotas-x.gif)
Separate throttle control...HOTAS setup...you can use the twisty or the finger controlled rocker on the front of the throttle handle to control rudder...sensitive stick movement...and solid. For about $50 it's a really nice stick...only quality issue I have seen talked about is it either works out of the box or it doesn't.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B001CXYMFS/ref=dp_olp_new_map?ie=UTF8&qid=1272814226&sr=8-2&condition=new (http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B001CXYMFS/ref=dp_olp_new_map?ie=UTF8&qid=1272814226&sr=8-2&condition=new)
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Basing the info on what I've read here on the boards for years.... and a little of my own experiences.
CH Products is the top of the line. solid product lasts forever.
Logiteck, most people call them "logicrap" basically the bottom of the barrel.
Saitek is the middle of the road. inexpensive, but in most cases doesn't hold up well and will need to be replaced in a year.....or less :cry
I've used Logitech, Thrushmaster, Suncom, Saitek and CH products. While not a computer genius, I'm no slouch either. I could NEVER get the Logitech to work right. The Thrustmaster I had was about 12 years ago and while it did work well and lasted more than a year it was small in my hand. The Suncom was a good stick but I don't think it's made any more. I have a Saitek 290 I used when I was on the road a lot. It was a decent stick and worked ok with my laptop, but it did take a lot of "fiddling" to clear the nose bounce out of it. I have had my CH gear for over 10 years now and would never by anything else.
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some really good responses, thanks guys <S>. Now, I have a Joystick from 1996. It is a Gravis Destroyer AFTERSHOCK, it lasted, no joke about 7 years, not needing any replacement parts and it was a wonderful stick, I still have it too, as a back-up, does anyone know if GRAVIS still exists?
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I just checked, they don't:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Gravis_Computer_Technology (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Gravis_Computer_Technology)
Surely if you have all the parts and it works, you can just use it anyway?
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Well, the wiring is frayed and the twist-rudder is spotty, all the buttons work and it is very sensitive. I tried it last night and I think there is a problem with the USB plug, windows will register it, and then lose it periodically. It is a back-up for a very sad time.
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The Suncom was a good stick but I don't think it's made any more.
Used to use the Suncom dual throttle back in the Win95/98 days, could never get it to work though in XP.
ack-ack
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Used to use the Suncom dual throttle back in the Win95/98 days, could never get it to work though in XP.
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I think it was the USB era that killed it. The stick and throttle used both the gameport and the keyboard. Once USB cam out I think they lowered the power to the keyboard and it wasn't enough to keep the stick and throttle running. I know I added a cable extention to my keyboard plug so I could unplug it and plug it back in as a "reboot" move for the stick and keyboard. Worked too :D
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Basing the info on what I've read here on the boards for years.... and a little of my own experiences.
CH Products is the top of the line. solid product lasts forever.
Logiteck, most people call them "logicrap" basically the bottom of the barrel.
Saitek is the middle of the road. inexpensive, but in most cases doesn't hold up well and will need to be replaced in a year.....or less :cry
I've used Logitech, Thrushmaster, Suncom, Saitek and CH products. While not a computer genius, I'm no slouch either. I could NEVER get the Logitech to work right. The Thrustmaster I had was about 12 years ago and while it did work well and lasted more than a year it was small in my hand. The Suncom was a good stick but I don't think it's made any more. I have a Saitek 290 I used when I was on the road a lot. It was a decent stick and worked ok with my laptop, but it did take a lot of "fiddling" to clear the nose bounce out of it. I have had my CH gear for over 10 years now and would never by anything else.
I've got a Logitech G940 and its very well built (initial impressions). The stick and throttle are great IMO but the pedals leave a bit to be desired compared to my Pro Pedals. I'd buy G940 before another X52....
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I've got a Logitech G940 and its very well built (initial impressions). The stick and throttle are great IMO but the pedals leave a bit to be desired compared to my Pro Pedals. I'd buy G940 before another X52....
Can you use the G940 without the pedals? I've seen a lot of posts on the Logitech forums about the problems people are having with their pedals.
ack-ack
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Can you use the G940 without the pedals? I've seen a lot of posts on the Logitech forums about the problems people are having with their pedals.
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I've used them with my propedals NP, mine are fine just don't have the spring force the propedals do so they don't center as cleanly...
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I've used them with my propedals NP, mine are fine just don't have the spring force the propedals do so they don't center as cleanly...
How's the vibration from the feedback on the computer desk? Curious because I have a glass top computer desk.
ack-ack
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If your considering Thrustmaster...
The Thrustmaster Cougar will soon be eclipsed by the Thrustmaster Warthog...its a split throttle control system modeled upon the Fairchild A-10C flight control system...anyone looking to go the full boat and go with a Thrustmaster HOTAS should wait a month or two for the Warthog...
The Cougar (their present heavy steel model) has not been updated in years...the Cougar was modeled on the General Dynamics F-16 Falcon
If your considering a TM HOTAS and want to spend the money for such a stick...wait for the Warthog
Oneway
Leaked image of the TM Warthog...
(http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/7540/bigblaff.jpg)
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Where are Thrustmaster controllers assembled?
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Thrustmaster I believe has always made their sticks in China, even when they were still a family owned company. Unlike CH, all made in the USA.
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I don't think I have read of any problems with CH gear and I believe you can buy spare parts for CH products :old:
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How's the vibration from the feedback on the computer desk? Curious because I have a glass top computer desk.
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Thats a tough one to answer, I really like the FF and feel it "on the stick" but don't get any "rattle" or vibration against the desktop surface. That being said I don't know how it might transmit to glass. It's got rubber grommets on the anchor holes so I think that minimizes transfer/rattle a bit.
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Thrustmaster I believe has always made their sticks in China, even when they were still a family owned company. Unlike CH, all made in the USA.
ack-ack
Thrustmaster is owned by Guillemot based in France, which also owns the Hercules brand. The electronic components and plastics are made in the same factories as everyone else...Taiwan, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Mexico, Brazil, etc... Never was a big fan of TM but, since Guillemot bought the company, their products have improved.
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How's the vibration from the feedback on the computer desk? Curious because I have a glass top computer desk.
ack-ack
If I stay in buffet for a while my mouse walks off the edge of the mouse shelf which is attached to the side of the stick platform. I could just turn it down or change the mouse shelf but I don't usually stay in buffet long enough for it to happen. You could put a pad under the base to absorb vibration on a glass desk.
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Thrustmaster I believe has always made their sticks in China, even when they were still a family owned company. Unlike CH, all made in the USA.
ack-ack
Not worth the price then... especially affiliated with... nvm :devil
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If I stay in buffet for a while my mouse walks off the edge of the mouse shelf which is attached to the side of the stick platform. I could just turn it down or change the mouse shelf but I don't usually stay in buffet long enough for it to happen. You could put a pad under the base to absorb vibration on a glass desk.
Cool, thanks for the info. Got a rather large bonus this year and trying to decide to go the G940 route or just buy new CH gear to replace my 10 year old and failing CH gear.
ack-ack
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I just replaced my Saitek Cyborg X stick after only a year...bought one of these:
(http://i.walmartimages.com/i/p/00/66/32/96/41/0066329641369_215X215.jpg)
(http://img.idealo.com/folder/Product/1154/9/1154919/s1_produktbild_mittelgross/thrustmaster-t-flight-hotas-x.gif)
Separate throttle control...HOTAS setup...you can use the twisty or the finger controlled rocker on the front of the throttle handle to control rudder...sensitive stick movement...and solid. For about $50 it's a really nice stick...only quality issue I have seen talked about is it either works out of the box or it doesn't.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B001CXYMFS/ref=dp_olp_new_map?ie=UTF8&qid=1272814226&sr=8-2&condition=new (http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B001CXYMFS/ref=dp_olp_new_map?ie=UTF8&qid=1272814226&sr=8-2&condition=new)
Thats nice
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Cool, thanks for the info. Got a rather large bonus this year and trying to decide to go the G940 route or just buy new CH gear to replace my 10 year old and failing CH gear.
ack-ack
Ack-Ack...if I had the money...CH would be the only choice.
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CH
Might not look the greatest like the TM gear but it sure lasts a long time. :aok
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Ack-Ack...if I had the money...CH would be the only choice.
Yeah, going to stick with CH. Even though the G940 looks nice, my settings and all are already set for CH gear and I'd really have to hate to redo my stick scaling.
Thanks Buzzard for the tip on the deal :salute
ack-ack
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What is the best stick I could buy at Best Buy? I have a $100 gift card and Im wanting to use it before it starts to decline in value. I saw a few nice Saiteks there.
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The best you can get is online only...take your pick
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Logitech+-+Flight+System/9619768.p?id=1218132099405&skuId=9619768 (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Logitech+-+Flight+System/9619768.p?id=1218132099405&skuId=9619768)
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Saitek+-+X52+Pro+Flight+Control+System/9452503.p?id=1218106987854&skuId=9452503 (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Saitek+-+X52+Pro+Flight+Control+System/9452503.p?id=1218106987854&skuId=9452503)
I have no experience with either one but I'm sure someone around here has or had one that can tell you what to expect.
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I have the G940, it kicks butt.. I wanted the FF, and all the rest of the gizmos, so I took the risk. It was worth it to me!
But If I had passed on the 940, I would have bought the Full CH rig.. The issue was with the Logitech longevity? So far so good..
I wonder if anyone has ever kept a log on how much time you put on stick setups, including problems, etc.. Would be interesting..
Would have to start with a new stick tho, wish I had done that with the 940.
RC