Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: sky25 on December 13, 2010, 01:04:00 AM

Title: X52 Finally died Need new Joystick. What do you all reccomend?
Post by: sky25 on December 13, 2010, 01:04:00 AM
My x52 finally died after only 6 months of service. What a piece of junk..
What do you guys recommend the replacement be? Had a Thrust master before and did not like it. Also had a Logitek 3d it lasted for only a few months...
Title: Re: X52 Finally died Need new Joystick. What do you all reccomend?
Post by: Ruah on December 13, 2010, 03:13:15 AM
The dream - http://www.thrustmaster.com/product.aspx?ProductID=221 (thrusmaster Warthog)

Reality - http://www.chproducts.com/ (CH Fighter or Flight stick)

ultimatly its really your budget.

I tested the warthog a while back - and - it feels like the price. . . almost too heavy actually.  Infact, if I wee gonna really go that far, I would almost want to make a proper ww2 stick on a longer shaft like some real dedicated sim fans have.
Title: Re: X52 Finally died Need new Joystick. What do you all reccomend?
Post by: Chilli on December 13, 2010, 05:31:13 AM
Have had the Logitech wingman (broke).  Siatek Cyborg (still working no twisty though).  Microsoft Precision2 (still working less buttons than current stick).  Now I am using the X52 (lost software but able to find it online, works fine.   Picked up the slack in the spring by placing a shim there).

So, I hear all sorts of good things about CH gear.  I also hear it could be pricey. 

My first suggestion, find a way to solidly fix your controls in a comfortable position.  Suction cups do nothing and you end up compensating or giving exaggerated movements that could be leading to your stick's malfunctions.  I find a lapdesk fits in my lap comfortably and is easy to attach the components to.  If that doesn't suit you, maybe a custom built and sturdy stand would help with the joystick burnout problem.

Just my experience, but the wingman was the only stick that broke.  That came from my exaggerated pressure during stick movements and came before I fixed my joysticks to the lapdesk.

Good luck and be gentle with your next purchase.
Title: Re: X52 Finally died Need new Joystick. What do you all reccomend?
Post by: sky25 on December 13, 2010, 06:39:58 AM
The dream - http://www.thrustmaster.com/product.aspx?ProductID=221 (thrusmaster Warthog)

Reality - http://www.chproducts.com/ (CH Fighter or Flight stick)

ultimatly its really your budget.

I tested the warthog a while back - and - it feels like the price. . . almost too heavy actually.  Infact, if I wee gonna really go that far, I would almost want to make a proper ww2 stick on a longer shaft like some real dedicated sim fans have.

Thanks, I noticed that Flightstick does not have an axes for rudder control. Peddles needed. The two year warranty is a plus..
That Thrustmaster warthog is very nice on 500.00 + dollars
Title: Re: X52 Finally died Need new Joystick. What do you all reccomend?
Post by: Ghosth on December 13, 2010, 06:58:35 AM
Agree with Chilli, start with a way to mount the stick lower than the desktop. Make sure its where the hand fall's naturally and comfortable.  Be it mounted on chair arm, on a swing platform below desk, mounted on center pedestal, figure something out.

As for sticks, well I'm a poor one to talk as I'm a minimalist.
Normally I program about 4 buttons on my 8 button MS Sidewinder Prec 2 usb.

Title: Re: X52 Finally died Need new Joystick. What do you all reccomend?
Post by: Max on December 13, 2010, 08:07:40 AM

What do you guys recommend the replacement be?

Really and truly, over the years I've spent thousands of $$ on joysticks. The only joystick that's lasted the test of time has been the CH gear I bought 6 (count'em SIX) years ago. If your X52 throttle still works, you can meld it in with the joystick. Otherwise, you'll need a throttle and peds. Yup....aint cheap but you'll only buy it once.

PS The throttle wheel on the base of the CH stick can be used iso a separate throttle.

PPS The Sidewinder Ghosth mentions is a very reliable and smooth stick if you can live with bare bones programming.
Title: Re: X52 Finally died Need new Joystick. What do you all reccomend?
Post by: pervert on December 13, 2010, 10:55:22 AM
Microsoft sidewinder ffb2, as reliable as the sun rising and smooth as silk! <S>
Title: Re: X52 Finally died Need new Joystick. What do you all reccomend?
Post by: Vudak on December 13, 2010, 11:23:31 AM
Max, out of curiosity, why did you need to buy 6 CH sticks (if I'm reading that correctly)?

Just from reading, I've found it to rare to find a person that bought more than 2 (to eventually go all USB without a hassle, usually).

My CH gear is going on a few years...  Not as long as many, but every Saitek I ever bought started to seriously wear out between 6-12 months, and the issue I had with that is EVERY new stick (even the same exact model) "feels" different than your last one.

I'd rather pony up the cash for something that should last and work well for a longer time than retrain muscle memory every year, but that's just me.
Title: Re: X52 Finally died Need new Joystick. What do you all reccomend?
Post by: Max on December 13, 2010, 11:53:05 AM
I bought 1 CH Fighterstick 6 yrs ago. :)
Title: Re: X52 Finally died Need new Joystick. What do you all reccomend?
Post by: Vudak on December 13, 2010, 12:05:46 PM
I bought 1 CH Fighterstick 6 yrs ago. :)

Doh! Sorry, completely misread you.  Need another coffee :)
Title: Re: X52 Finally died Need new Joystick. What do you all reccomend?
Post by: Dichotomy on December 13, 2010, 01:17:27 PM
CH gear... flew it about a year mothballed it for almost 2 and it still works like new
Title: Re: X52 Finally died Need new Joystick. What do you all reccomend?
Post by: warhed on December 15, 2010, 12:51:37 PM
If you don't mind spending money as you say, you'd be hard pressed to beat the Warthog at the moment
Title: Re: X52 Finally died Need new Joystick. What do you all reccomend?
Post by: DERK13 on December 15, 2010, 06:48:50 PM
got the saitek cyborg... blows me away how freaking cheap it really is. freakin rudder kicks in all the time, so i made a seperate mode for it.
Title: Re: X52 Finally died Need new Joystick. What do you all reccomend?
Post by: sky25 on December 15, 2010, 08:19:29 PM
If you don't mind spending money as you say, you'd be hard pressed to beat the Warthog at the moment

That Warthog is pretty!!
Title: Re: X52 Finally died Need new Joystick. What do you all reccomend?
Post by: Slate on December 16, 2010, 09:39:53 AM
  CH Combat stick hasn't failed me for two years so far. Big stable base on it. Lots of buttons you can program. Need to get pedals though. Not a twisty stick so programmed wheel on left side for rudder. Went through a few logitechs before that. You get what you pay for.

(http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/zz152/phangsm/CH%20Products/P1100738.jpg)
Title: Re: X52 Finally died Need new Joystick. What do you all reccomend?
Post by: gpwurzel on December 16, 2010, 11:59:29 AM
Currently flying (if you can call it that lol...) with a CH Stick (568 Combat Stick), X52 Throttle and Saitek Pedals. Works seamlessly and I already had the throttle and peds. Combined with Track IR, and jobs a good un.

Gave my x52 stick away, found it way to loose for my "style" of flying, but it wasnt broken. Had that for 18 months or so. When/if throttle/peds break, I'll be replacing with CH gear. Purely my opinion, but for the cash, they are a good, reliable, resilient set of gear.

Wurzel
Title: Re: X52 Finally died Need new Joystick. What do you all reccomend?
Post by: Flench on December 16, 2010, 12:07:00 PM
That CH stick just look's cheap to me . I know it's not but I just got my X52 and I would not trade it for one ..
Title: Re: X52 Finally died Need new Joystick. What do you all reccomend?
Post by: gpwurzel on December 16, 2010, 01:40:34 PM
Looks are deceiving Flench, my CH stick feels more robust than the x52 did, and (to me) gives me better control over my plane. This is purely subjective tho, and my opinion only.


Wurzel
Title: Re: X52 Finally died Need new Joystick. What do you all reccomend?
Post by: Doctahg on December 22, 2010, 07:19:18 PM
If you can afford it, get the TM Warthog.  Leaps and bounds above the X52 pro.  Just did and flying with it is incredibly better. I got it to play the A10 DCS game but it is awesome here..if i can get it all set up!  better options IMHO as far as inputs too that the Saitek.
Title: Re: X52 Finally died Need new Joystick. What do you all reccomend?
Post by: TWC_Jaxx on December 23, 2010, 11:24:26 AM
Anyone know if the Warthog has a "twist stick" for rudders?
Title: Re: X52 Finally died Need new Joystick. What do you all reccomend?
Post by: Obie303 on December 23, 2010, 11:31:51 AM
Microsoft sidewinder ffb2, as reliable as the sun rising and smooth as silk! <S>

Same here.  The best thing Microsoft ever made.  You can still find good, used ones on Ebay.  Picked a second one up (brand new and in the box) for $100.00 dollars last year.

Found this one if you're interested:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Microsoft-Sidewinder-Force-Feedback-2-USB-Joystick-/290510665965?pt=PCA_Joysticks_Game_Controllers&hash=item43a3c8f8ed (http://cgi.ebay.com/Microsoft-Sidewinder-Force-Feedback-2-USB-Joystick-/290510665965?pt=PCA_Joysticks_Game_Controllers&hash=item43a3c8f8ed)
Title: Re: X52 Finally died Need new Joystick. What do you all reccomend?
Post by: Doctahg on December 23, 2010, 01:48:45 PM
no twist stick
Title: Re: X52 Finally died Need new Joystick. What do you all reccomend?
Post by: DCCBOSS on December 23, 2010, 01:58:56 PM
If you have some money the Saitek X65F is pretty cool, two of my Squaddies have one and love it. I'll be getting one shortly.
Title: Re: X52 Finally died Need new Joystick. What do you all reccomend?
Post by: Reschke on December 23, 2010, 03:46:00 PM
Anyone know if the Warthog has a "twist stick" for rudders?

That would be a negative ghostrider!

I am using one with my Saitek Pro Pedals and it functions nicely!

BTW I recommend a TM Warthog over everything else I have used from CH or Saitek...just having used the X65 yet.
Title: Re: X52 Finally died Need new Joystick. What do you all reccomend?
Post by: ebfd11 on December 23, 2010, 04:06:31 PM
I have the Logitech g940 and I must say it is sturdy and surprisingly heavy duty.

http://www.logitech.com/en-us/gaming/joysticks/devices/5855
Title: Re: X52 Finally died Need new Joystick. What do you all reccomend?
Post by: 633DH98 on December 23, 2010, 09:08:19 PM
I had my X52 repaired for just the cost of shipping it to San Diego when it died after about a year.  I forget if the warranty is one or two years.
Title: Re: X52 Finally died Need new Joystick. What do you all reccomend?
Post by: Tigger29 on December 24, 2010, 01:01:37 AM
I have the Logitech g940 and I must say it is sturdy and surprisingly heavy duty.

http://www.logitech.com/en-us/gaming/joysticks/devices/5855

Yes I love mine, especially since they've just about fixed the reversal bug.  Have you seen my post about the updated firmware?

http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,302910.0.html (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,302910.0.html)
Title: Re: X52 Finally died Need new Joystick. What do you all reccomend?
Post by: Ping on December 24, 2010, 02:46:37 AM
So the CH is not a twisty stick, Is there any problem with just plugging in an old twisty
as a second stick and setting it up as rudder control?

Just till Rudder pedals are picked up.
Title: Re: X52 Finally died Need new Joystick. What do you all reccomend?
Post by: zack1234 on December 24, 2010, 04:28:06 AM
So the CH is not a twisty stick, Is there any problem with just plugging in an old twisty
as a second stick and setting it up as rudder control?

Just till Rudder pedals are picked up.

I believe people do use second stick, try using left and right axis instead of twist for rudder, i think Floatsup uses two sticks and he his very good :old:
Title: Re: X52 Finally died Need new Joystick. What do you all reccomend?
Post by: CRYPTIC on December 24, 2010, 09:26:55 AM
Here is the best price for CH gear and I would go with the fighter stick { more buttons} tan their other ones.

 Provantage:http://www.provantage.com/scripts/search.dll/Q-P?MAX=0&MAN=CHPD&QUERY=ch+products&SORT=1 (http://www.provantage.com/scripts/search.dll/Q-P?MAX=0&MAN=CHPD&QUERY=ch+products&SORT=1)
 
 Like others have said Ive had mine for six years and no problems at all. All so you can buy replacement parts for them. They all so have a programe call CH Control Manager that can program your sticks to do about anything you can think of.
Title: Re: X52 Finally died Need new Joystick. What do you all reccomend?
Post by: guncrasher on December 24, 2010, 05:03:21 PM
I traded in my x52 stick for a ch fighterstick.  ch fighterstick is a good stick, but just looks too plain compared to my old x52.  but the biggest gripe everybody has with ch sticks are always the top buttons are hard to reach specially if you have little girl hands like mine.  i got used to it pretty fast, since i am pretty good at moving hands around the keyboard (not like that you peverts).   still sometimes I wish i had my x52 back.

semp
Title: Re: X52 Finally died Need new Joystick. What do you all reccomend?
Post by: pervert on December 27, 2010, 04:50:48 PM
Same here.  The best thing Microsoft ever made.  You can still find good, used ones on Ebay.  Picked a second one up (brand new and in the box) for $100.00 dollars last year.

Found this one if you're interested:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Microsoft-Sidewinder-Force-Feedback-2-USB-Joystick-/290510665965?pt=PCA_Joysticks_Game_Controllers&hash=item43a3c8f8ed (http://cgi.ebay.com/Microsoft-Sidewinder-Force-Feedback-2-USB-Joystick-/290510665965?pt=PCA_Joysticks_Game_Controllers&hash=item43a3c8f8ed)

Kaz picked up an absolute minter for £25 on ebay, always look in the picture for wear marks on the base of the handle and left thumbrest if theres wear its been used a lot, no wear = mint. No idea why Microsoft cancelled it, it still rapes every stick made these days for reliablity and precision, I despise Microsoft but a good product is a good product.  :)
Title: Re: X52 Finally died Need new Joystick. What do you all reccomend?
Post by: lulu on December 29, 2010, 04:25:30 PM
Some ideas

http://forums.ubi.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/49310655/m/3881052714

 :salute