Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: BrownBaron on August 11, 2010, 02:13:11 AM
-
Being a kid, and my family in a nonplussed financial state, money is limited to me. That being said, I am looking to purchase some sort of game-bettering gadget that delivers a great deal of bang for my rationed buck.
I understand that many players use TrackIR, and are quite happy with it, but for the price of a trackIR system, would I be better off purchasing a fancy stick and rudder pedal system?
Unable to decide between TrackIR and a cheap new stick for about $175, or a Saitek X52 pro+Saitek pro flight rudder pedals for $250, I bring my dilema to you, the players with whom I will compete.
I sincerely apologize for the poor composition and wording of this post, but it is quite late for me. Thanks in advance for opinions.
-
Of course, I am going by bestbuy/TrackIR listed prices, and feel free to suggest a more cost-effective set-up if you know of one. Thank you.
-
gaming seat! :old:
-
By the way stop playing this game and do your homework! :old:
-
What kind of stick are you using now?
-
I should add that amazon.com has the Saitek X52 (http://www.amazon.com/Saitek-X52-Flight-Control-System/dp/B00030GSJY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1281514582&sr=8-1) for $83, rudder pedals (http://www.amazon.com/Saitek-Pro-Flight-Rudder-Pedals/dp/B000H67DDY/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1281514582&sr=8-4) for $110, and TrackIR4 for $120 (Actually if you order TrackIR4 directly from Naturalpoint.com (http://www.naturalpoint.com/trackir/02-products/product-TrackIR-4-PRO.html) you can get the unit AND the headset clip for $120). While I'm sure TrackIR5 is nice and all, I'm very happy with my TrackIR4.
You could theoretically get both the X52 and the TrackIR but not the pedals (the stick has a twisty rudder). I'm not a fan of the twisty personally, but some people are. Or even save more money and get a Thrustmaster Hotas (http://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-T-Flight-Hotas-X/dp/B001CXYMFS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1281514171&sr=8-1) instead of an X52 for about $35.
You might also find a cheap slightly used TrackIR (http://cgi.ebay.com/TrackIR-Ultra-Natural-Point-/190429294747?pt=PCA_Joysticks_Game_Controllers) somewhere, as some people never can get used to it (or get motion sickness from it).
I got lucky and got a Logitech G940 setup (http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Flight-System-Feedback-Joystick/dp/B002G1YPP2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1281514683&sr=8-1) from amazon for $200 brand new (includes stick, throttle, AND pedals) but now it's back up to $270 or so (but there's a $50 rebate available apparently). It's a nice stick and all but still has a few minor bugs, however it's still tons more precise than my X52 ever was... which is a shame because the X52 was such a comfortable and natural stick to use. Not that I was unhappy with it, but the precision of the G940 is just so much better.
Many people will argue to go with CH stuff (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=ch+products&x=0&y=0&ih=6_1_0_1_0_0_0_0_1_1.80_101) but I can't vouch for them personally.
To be honest though, as much as I love my TrackIR and pedals, the biggest thing I got that helped with immersion was some surround sound headphones. The Turtle Beach HPA2 (http://www.amazon.com/Force-HPA2-Surround-Gaming-Headset/dp/B001BS4YAM/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1281514933&sr=1-5) is HIGHLY recommended.
-
By the way stop playing this game and do your homework! :old:
Homework and gaming don't conflict much with me. I am enrolled in one of California's better Honors programs, and still manage to obtain high marks despite this addiction of mine.
I was looking at the G940 system, but one of my squadies had had quite a few issues with it spiking the ruder, or deciding it wanted to go into a sharp dive. Curently, I am struggleing with a Saitek 290 Pro, which has a few deadly faults. I think I will look into getting TrackIR and stick first, then purchase some rudder pedals.
Thanks, Tigger.
-
Here's what I did. Feel free to use the same method or chuck it but it worked for me when I was on a tight budget.
CH Pedals $110 at Fryes
a couple of weeks later
CH Flight Stick $110
Then
CH Throttle. I got real lucky because a member in my squad didn't like the TrackIR he bought and I picked it up on the cheap.
I like the CH stuff because it just feels like it's sturdier than comparable equipment. But that's something only you decide. Also keep an eye out here and on ebay for people that have equipment they're not using or are planning on getting rid of for whatever reason,
That's just my .02. Good luck and well done on your school work.
-
I have track IR 5 it's very good :old:
-
The cheapest Place I've found to buy CH stuff is PROVANTAGE. Here is a link for the CH stuff:http://www.provantage.com/~56GMCNTLCHPD.htm (http://www.provantage.com/~56GMCNTLCHPD.htm)
I would start with getting the your stick.throttle and peddles first and then the TIR. the controllers are going to be the best place to start and then add the TIR into the mix. You want good controllers to start that would help you the most.
-
Nice
Thanks Cryptic
-
luft dweebs don't need CH it won't save them. repent!
stick with saitek !
-
BrownBaron, I think you should start with your allotted budget. I find that knowing what my spending limits are is the first step when I'm contemplating an upgrade. Most people probably take that approach. If your budget is limited, it often pares things down and makes your choices obvious.
Next, assuming that your budget allows you to buy any of the items discussed above, I would use this rule of thumb: Performance... then Immersion.
Leaving aside performance gains that you might get from spending your budget on a new graphics or sound card (for the sake of argument, let's say your hardware is in good shape and you're okay on both of these essentials for the time being), IMO, you should then look to what in-game performance enhancements your budget will buy you before buying any in-game immersion enhancements with that limited budget.
For me, the order then becomes: High quality controllers (brand of choice, but for me, that means a full HOTAS rig with rudder pedals)--->high quality headphones/mic (brand of choice)--->TrackIR or FreeTrack--->Large monitor or 3 monitors-->full simpit (truly only for completely addicted).
Some of you would say some of this is unnecessary, frivolous, or my order is wrong (possibly true). My point here is that, with all the gizmos and gadgets we can apply to this addiction, figuring out an order of progressive investment in what you implement is a good way to get started. It puts your highest gains in your earliest purchases, and makes it easier to budget for the later items.
Bottom line for me: Just use common sense and start with what will immediately impact how you perform in the game (for me, that's the controllers), then move outward toward the immersive stuff like a big monitor or multiple screens.
Good luck and have fun. :aok
FWIW,
-
I say go for a stick and pedals, they will help you more in the long run than trackir. Not that trackir is bad, its very good but takes some getting used to. If your budget is tight go for the stick and pedals but if its the x52 you like the feel of, go for the x52 pro (better quality)
-
The cheapest Place I've found to buy CH stuff is PROVANTAGE. Here is a link for the CH stuff:http://www.provantage.com/~56GMCNTLCHPD.htm (http://www.provantage.com/~56GMCNTLCHPD.htm)
I would start with getting the your stick.throttle and peddles first and then the TIR. the controllers are going to be the best place to start and then add the TIR into the mix. You want good controllers to start that would help you the most.
Hm. That's a very nice find there. After reading more review of the X52 pro, several owners found that their sticks had objections to making it past the 1 year mark. After more thought, I figured with rudder pedals, a twisty stick would simply be a bother. I think I'm to go with the CH fighter stick, CH Pro rudder pedals, and attempt to scrap something together for FreeTrack. Wouldn't be able to enjoy all those pretty LED's on the X52 if they were messing with my views.
After navigating the site a bit, I can not deduce why the CH combat stick is $30 cheaper than the CH Fighter stick. They both appear to be the same stick, both in looks, and in specifications. Anybody know?
-
with just a quick glance there seem to be some subtle differences. I have the combatstick and I've been very satisfied with it.
-
with just a quick glance there seem to be some subtle differences. I have the combatstick and I've been very satisfied with it.
Then I shall order this stick, and purchase a trackIR 4 clip with the 30 dollars I've saved. :)
Thankyou, everyone. Got all the essential gadgets for a grand total of $205. :)
-
good deal man :aok
-
Then I shall order this stick, and purchase a trackIR 4 clip with the 30 dollars I've saved. :)
Thankyou, everyone. Got all the essential gadgets for a grand total of $205. :)
FYI gents, there are some significant differences in the number of programmable buttons you'll get for the pricing:
Fighterstick USB - RoHS:
3 x Push Button
3 x 4-way Hat Switch
1 x 8-way Point of View Hat Button
1 x Mode Switch
Point of View Hat Button
Throttle
Combatstick 568 USB:
1 x 4-way Hat Switch
1 x 8-way Hat Switch
6 x Push Button
1 x Mode Switch
Flightstick Pro USB:
4 x Push Button
1 x 8-way Hat Switch
The Combatstick seems like a decent mid-price choice. The RoH Fighterstick does have a lot more multi-function buttons, however, giving you about 130+ programmable functions.
FWIW,
-
If your a kid the Fighterstick would probably be a little big for you unless you have big hands. The palm of my hand measures 5-1/2" from the thumb web perpendicular to the opposite side and the Fighterstick is comfortable to my hands. I have heard a lot of people complain that it was difficult or impossible to reach the coolie hat and two guys in my squad even moved it (requires a dremel tool I think in order to make a four-way mount into an eight-way mount) to the rook hat position just so it was easier to get to.
Food for thought.
-
here's my hand picture again. :D if you have little girly hands like me, you have to get used to it. it dont bother me as much to hold the stick with two fingers while in the middle of combat. holding the stick the way it's supposed to, i can only reach the lower two hat switches.
semp
(http://i492.photobucket.com/albums/rr285/semperac/IMG00171-20100712-2224.jpg)
-
Then I shall order this stick, and purchase a trackIR 4 clip with the 30 dollars I've saved. :)
Thankyou, everyone. Got all the essential gadgets for a grand total of $205. :)
Brown, I should note that there is no 'twist rudder' control on CH sticks, so you need to allot some money in there for rudder pedals as well.
Yes, the X52 sticks get a lot of bad reviews, but they get a lot of good ones too. Being much more popular than the CH gear (because of retail stores and price differences) of course that's going to be the case. I've had my X52 for over three years without a single problem aside from a tiny bit of center shaft play. I never even noticed what I was missing in precision until I got the G940. I've heard the CH sticks are very, very precise as well... but they aren't as comfortable and have less frills than the X52 will.
I've heard a lot of things about G940 spiking issues, but I have yet to experience any with mine (over 2 months now)... my biggest problem with it is what is known as a 'reversal' bug... not that big of a deal but just enough to be annoying.
-
Definitely not the two items I would pick. I would go with a ch products setup for one. I'd look at my graphics card or memory for the other. TrackIR is for when everything else is perfect.
-
Definitely not the two items I would pick. I would go with a ch products setup for one. I'd look at my graphics card or memory for the other. TrackIR is for when everything else is perfect.
Chalanger: my hand measures about 5" measured in the way you describe. I'm sure I will manage.
Tigger: I am purchasing a CH stick and pedal set-up for $170. I'm not as dumb as I come across. :)
-
Wraith: for $30 less, i could care less how many more programable buttons I will never use the fighter stick has.
Getback: I'm not quite sure you read past the OP. I have decisided to go with a near-full CH set-up, and FreeTrack. The name of the program should give you a clue as to its price.
-
Chalenge: hand measures about 5" measured in the way you describe. I'm sure I will manage.
Okay you were warned! :D
-
Wraith: for $30 less, i could care less how many more programable buttons I will never use the fighter stick has.
Getback: I'm not quite sure you read past the OP. I have decisided to go with a near-full CH set-up, and FreeTrack. The name of the program should give you a clue as to its price.
Probably didn't read much past the OP.
-
Tigger: I am purchasing a CH stick and pedal set-up for $170. I'm not as dumb as I come across. :)
Hey I never said you were dumb.. I just wanted to make sure you knew this as it's easy for someone to assume that all sticks have the twisty rudder. Also you didn't mention the pedals... just making is all!
As for 'never using the buttons the fighterstick has'... give it a couple months... then you'll be craving more buttons...
MUHAHAHAHA
-
I'll post a pic of what I did to my stick to raise your hand. It is a free fix if you can steal the Grandkids noddle from the pool like I did. I have to dig out the camera I'll post tomorrow. Very easy to do.
-
Check this tread I posted the pics in there.http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,294819.0.html (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,294819.0.html)
-
Check this tread I posted the pics in there.http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,294819.0.html (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,294819.0.html)
Some black paint on that noodle and it would almost look factory!
-
I left it like that so that others could see how it was done. I would think a black sharpie would do the trick.
I just don't like to hear {if you have small hands this stick is no good for you.} There are always walk a rounds some easier than others and this one was free. It a shame for people to be turned away from CH STICK for something that is easy to fix.
-
If someone took something I said to mean the stick is not good then I take it back. I merely tried to point out that some stick modification would help such as Homeboys idea to move the hat switch to the rook position. Even with your idea I would need some way to move the pinky button if I had to do this same modification because I find that button to be critical.
-
Why move it I have access to it. I tapered the mod so that you can still use the pinkie button. I use the CHCM and use that button as the shift button doubling all my buttons. That is one of my most used buttons.
I hear that alot about small hands didn't mean you in particular, even at the CH Hanger. It's not a reason not to get the stick was just pointing out that there is a easy fix that's all. Someone new to the CH stuff might read it and say oh I have a small hand and pass up what I think is a great stick not only because of accuracy and durability but what can be done with the CHCM.