Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: wakes on October 05, 2010, 09:19:47 PM
-
Gents,
I have a CH 586 Fighter stick.......and have been having meen chronic pain in my hand since i Have had the stick.....maybe 2 years or so,,, its so bad I cant fly.
Last night I figured out what is causing my pain..... Its my freakin stick,,, stretching my thumb to use my hat switch....... an i meen bad pain.
I need a new stick, the only stick i had before when i was doing warbirds and early aces high was a logitek force feed back,,, was a real comfortable stick
I need advice on a new piece quickly......
Is the g940 really that bad?
any advice would be greatly appreciated
Thanks All
-
Some people have placed a foam ring around the bottom of their CH stick handles to raise their hand up higher to reach the hat. You may want to try that before giving up. Another trick is to place it on a platform lower than your desktop which will readjust how you hold it.
If you're still set on getting rid of it, and it's in decent condition, I may be interested in buying it. You could use the money towards a Saitek... x52 is what most people who don't go CH have.
-
Inch square firm foam block (packing for new pc's)super glued to right hand side of hand rest :old:
-
Or cut a inch thick piece off a kids Swim noodle. Slice into the center, wrap it around your stick, tape in place.Grab a chunk of packing foam and carve it to fit.
Really it is as simple as that.
Figure out a way to raise your hand so you don't have to reach.
OR, go with a 20$ saitek ST-290 for 6 months to let your hand heal first.
-
Played Air Warrior with a couple TM sticks , they died and I moved to CH , first thing I noticed was the feel of the CH stick not as comfortable as the TM. Didn't bother me so much but they did fit better (Ergonomically correct) , to bad their internals were poor quality or I would have stuck with them. They still look like they are the same style grip, check them out maybe they have improved in quality of their sticks and would fit you better.
HL
-
I'm gonna do the pool spaghetti mod today...... just to a appease myself...I don't think it will work In my case....
if the hat switch was were that freekin single button was I'd be gin i think,,,,, maybe i should get out the dremel and hammer and see if i couldfix it.
I hate the thought of getting used to a new stick..... I am an old dude,, 43,,, just got my first pair of bifocals,, and thats no bull
Couldn't figure out my wrist pain till the other day,,,,, I thought it was arthritis, but it was defiantly the stick,,,, its when im strecting my thumb to use the hat switch.
I have Track IR........ used i 2wice,, got motion sicknesss, and was generally a pain in da balls to get used too...
i'm just sooo freekin aggravated,,,,, some many times i want too jump in the game , and didnt cause of my wrist...............grrrr and the stick was my prob,,, and took me 2 years or sooo to figure out
still open for more suggestions,,, will check out what was posted thanks guys..
-
CH designed a replica which, in real life, is a sidestick meant to be at your side while seated. Having it above your lap on a tabletop, forcing you to reach up and out, is what makes it uncomfortable.
-
i put the rest the stick right in my lap,,, on top of my other joystick :D
the base is the right size,, and really the ch stick,,, ya know i can grab it by the base with my left hand, and hold the stick with my right,,its light, so its nice and comfortable...... the stick is just tooo big....
Wakes
-
Yes, I am having similar problems. My right hand starts to cramp up. Being a physician, I can see a couple things we can improve. The real F16 stick is designed to be at elbow level or so. Also I can see why people with small hands would have some problems too. Not the case with me, I say try the two things being recommended here. The third option would be to go to a smaller joystick AND use at elbow level, below the desk. You can figure how to do it, like a small, portable dinnertable or the likes. I still like my CH controllers over anything else for now. Waiting for the TM A10 Warthog... :aok
-
MS Precision Pro is still the best stick ever made IMO :old:
-
Still using the MS Sidewinder Prec 2 USB stick.
(prefer the button layout vs the Prec Pro)
And yes its great for smaller hands.
However, I did have to mod mine when I moved it from between my legs to mounted below my desk.
Position of the stick does change a lot as regards reaching buttons comfortably.
-
Waiting for the TM A10 Warthog... :aok
+1 QFT
-
If you use the throttle also, put the views on the throttle hat. Works for me
-
I think I read someplace on these boards that someone had moved the 8-way hat down to the lower 4-way hat switch position so they could reach it easier. It"s been a while since I've had one apart, but I don't think it's too much trouble to move them.
-
well did the noodle mod.......a ctually seems pretty good.... gonna give it a try in a bit.. i'll keep u all posted,,,
thanks guys,,,,,,
-
Yes we know that the CH stick is a replica of a RL stick. Unfortunately, the majority of people do not place their gaming /sim sticks in the same place as they would be in a RL cockpit. The ignorance,arrogance or outright refusal of CH to recognize this and address it is astounding to me.
Just doesnt seem a smart business move.
In any event. I solved the problem by using a product that my daughter used to make little figurines out of called "Sculpty"
You can get in just about any craft store for about $2.00
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_w8eiPbLHWUw/TJp-HGAk15I/AAAAAAAAALQ/KlobsENj7vs/s1600/sculpey_iii__77696.jpg
I took it and formed it to the general shape I wanted it then placed it on the stick and finished forming it by putting my hand on the stick, and hoding it in place with the other one untill I mushed it around till it perfectly fit the way I rest my hand. then carefully peel it off so as not to bend it, stick it in the oven for like 10 min and bake it. When its cooled you now have a hard version of the piece you want and you can either use something like silicone or electrical tape to hold it in place.
You now have an easily removable adaptation custom fit for your hand.
-
I don't put my hand on the rest. I just lightly grip the stick so that my thumb is comfortable on the view hat. I still do this out of habit despite using TrackIR now.
-
Several thoughts on this:
1) For any game, one can lessen the chance of repetitive stress syndrome by consciously relaxing the hand(s). This requires practice, as the natural tendancy is to tense up muscles under stress. This has worked well for me.
2) No reason to constantly access the had switches, unless you are using them for views. If so, you may want to consider switching to numeric keypad for views. This was the traditional method I learned from Air Warrior (pre-joystick), and it works just as well, so long as your keyboard can process combinations of 3 simultaneous keys (for example 8+6+9 for front-left-up view).
TDeacon
-
well noodle mod was sure an improvement..... but my hands sooo screwed up hurts like hell to get the hat switch,,,, just a far stretch for me.
TDecon,,, i'm just so use to a hat switch ,,,, Ive been on and off flying since the late 90's, and I still suck,,, so I really dont want to learn a new way,,, thannks for yoour advice though...
I'm just gonna but a new stick.... I dont wanna but junk.... 2 bills max,,, I have ch rudders.....
-
I use the 8 way hat on my ch throttle for my views. Solves the problem.
-
http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,294819.0.html
Another very inexpensive way to address discomfort from the stick positioning is to use a couple of the rubber doorstop wedges (see the photo's in the linked thread) to position the handle in a more natural orientation when it's on the desktop.
I got the ones shown at Ace Hardeware for a couple of bucks.
<S>
-
there is a way you can move the hat to the 4 way castle, it is very easy, this is what I did, take the top apart and widen the hole where the castle hat switch sits, just a bit!!!!!! use a knife instead of a dremel like the website says,(so when you move the castle hat around it touches two points instead of one) then you need to program the CH software if you do a google search it is there.
-
I've just dumped my Cougar for a MS Force Feedback 2 off Ebay. I don't use the hat for views but I do have small hands e.g. my Gerbing's motorcycle gloves are XXS/7 and they are roomy! The pad of my thumb falls naturally in the centre of the 8 way hat with my thumb still being bent so plenty of movement left. As a bonus it's also the best joystick I've ever used and only cost me £25. Mind you I still fly like a pregnant sloth that needs the lobotomy finished off.
-
Well,,,,, I sit here in aww from all the responces, and PM's from u fine gents trying to help me out.......
as in the greatest of gratitude,, I'd be happy to kick ya all my oldladie for a night each :D
Honestly, I'm a Disabled Marine, and it really has moved me to see how many of u peep's went out of your way to offer your time, experience and knowledge to help me.....
lots of great suggestions..... but I think my hand is too screwed up to continue with the Ch, its even killing me using the mouse.
I'm gonna buy a microsoft force feedback 2, and give it a shot. I have promised out my CH stick to one of the guys from this post.
This is a great place,, great people,,and it makes me feel like the comradity I felt In the USMC..... and I haven't felt that way since I left the Corps.
I sincerely hope that sometime in the future I will have the opportunity to help some of you all.
THANK YOU!
Mark
-
I Thank You for your Service. :rock :salute
-
:salute
-
USMC :salute
-
Glad to help!
-
Semper FI devil dog..... :salute
-
Semper FI Devil Dog....... man i miss the Corps!
-
Regardless as to the G940 issues, the stick is almost identical to the CH as far as how it feels.. shape.. length.. etc. Definitely not your answer.
-
well noodle mod was sure an improvement..... but my hands sooo screwed up hurts like hell to get the hat switch,,,, just a far stretch for me.
TDecon,,, i'm just so use to a hat switch ,,,, Ive been on and off flying since the late 90's, and I still suck,,, so I really dont want to learn a new way,,, thannks for yoour advice though...
I'm just gonna but a new stick.... I dont wanna but junk.... 2 bills max,,, I have ch rudders.....
I'm telling ya. Try using sculpty like I suggested. You can make it as high as you need it to be and custom form it to fit your specific hand
-
Sounds like he found an MS FF2
-
Thrustmaster Fox2/T-Flight X is a very comfortable stick. Durability is suspect though. One lasted a year and throttle slider died. Second lasted three weeks when centering ring broke. :( Too bad because the grip and buttons on the stick are perfect.
-
I have recently moved to a CH fighter stick. I read a number of reviews and comments about how the stick was designed from an F-16's handle, but that this was a low-down side stick controller. Many other folks say that they have trouble because it's up on a desk and the angle of their hand as it grips the stick only compounds the issues.
At first I figured I would be able to mount a small platform on the side of my chair, lower down (a bit above the seat level) so that I would be angling down to the stick a bit. I thought this would ease the hat issue and put it closer under my thumb.
I found it excruciating after an hour's play. It really does a number on your thumb's tendons.
So I mounted it up higher by modifying my platform so that the angle my arm met the stick was almost a level bend from my elbow then straight to the stick. I don't get the hat "knob" under the lower part of my thumb but I get enough traction to move it any direction I need.
It also totally stopped the tendonitis feeling.
I think this stick is poorly laid out, but the quality of the inputs and the rock-steady stick centering is very impressive.
I could think of a few mods to place on it, improve it greatly, but for now I need to relearn how to fly with it.
-
I Thank You for your Service. :rock :salute
And I'll second that! :salute
You'll never take away the honor among VETS!
All the Best...
Jay
-
And I'll second that! :salute
You'll never take away the honor among VETS!
All the Best...
Jay
Amen Brother !
-
I hope you havent bought anything yet because without any doubt the most comfortable stick on the market is the logitech extreme 3d pro,its also cheap and the build quality is not at all bad.I suffer with the same problem as you and have owned and tried a number of different sticks over the years and have never had a problem with this one.The best of luck with whatever you decide on. :salute
-
Actually the wingman extreme's quality is by far one of the worst on the entire market. Often goes bad, wobbles the center of the stick within months.
Also, as nice as that was, I found that the MS 3D Pro Plus (Sidewinder) has a ver nice shape for the stick. Not the most logical button layout, but after I modded it with more buttons it was VERY comfortable! Almost molded to my hand.
-
bought an ms ff2 on ebay....
about a 100bucks with shipping, by the pic it looks to be in good shape.
hope to have it this week,,, I'll keep ya all posted.
-
MSFFB2 > CH. Now only if it worked 100% in AH.
-
The Saitek Aviator stick is simple and easy to use. All buttons and hat switch close to thumb. Very little movement required. I have the original Aviator with the toggle switches. I love this stick. It's a simple design which more closely resembles WW2 sticks as opposed to modern fighter sticks. I've tried other sticks including Logitech. Don't like any of 'em. The Saitek stick has never given me any trouble. Had it for almost 2 years. Check it out at saitek.com.
-
Recieved The MSFF2 yesterday........nice condition for being pretty old.... pluged it in,,, works great.,...
gonna take some time to get used too, but I like it,,,, VERY Comfortable.
Big Thanks to all u guys <S>
Mark
-
Recieved The MSFF2 yesterday........nice condition for being pretty old.... pluged it in,,, works great.,...
gonna take some time to get used too, but I like it,,,, VERY Comfortable.
Big Thanks to all u guys <S>
Mark
Glad to hear its comfortable for you hopefully thats the end of the pain in your hand :salute
A few tips
Try the stick with scaling disabled first and see how you like it, imo it is smooth enough without scaling but try it out for yourself.
The trim in the forcefeedback menu in game controls the spring tension in the stick, I keep my trim and other forces to 25% but its a matter of personal preference, anything above 60% is excessive. The motors in the stick are very strong at 100% things like gun effects will be more than strong enough to physically alter your aim by moving the stick as you shoot. The same goes for damage eg losing half a wing or hitting the ground at 100% the stick will be jumping all over the place.
For views I find using a combination of using the front trigger for an up view and the hat covers every view.
The throttle is excellant, the rudder I find more awkward to use especially with aiming using the CH before hand I'm assuming you have rudders? would probably in that case be best to lock the rudder function. Nrshida could tell you how to do this.
Good luck :salute
-
locking rudder is a must
-
Wakes my stick and throttle are mounted on platforms spaced 2" below the bottom of my desk. This puts them at a very comfortable height and they are spaced apart to match the chair armrests.
-
If you find that the stick drops all forces when you shift your hand causing you to suddenly move the controls due the abrupt and unexpected change in resistance, you might want to disable the cut out sensor. If I remember correctly, the MSFF detects that you're holding it by reflecting a signal from an emitter diode to a detector diode off of your hand. If I recall correctly, unlike the other sticks where I could simply tape over the dectector, on the MSFF I needed to use something light colored (if I'm remembering which stick is which, it's the one I used a small piece of the white "bandaging" tape with a piece of black electrical tape over that.
<S>