Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: Mox on February 16, 2000, 09:24:00 AM
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Ok guys and gals I need opinions on controllers.
I have some extra cash at this time and I’m ready to get an entire flight control system. No, I don’t mean the cool looking cockpits; I mean stick, throttle, and pedals.
I will consider CH products, Thrustmaster, and maybe even the Saitek. Are there any others I should consider?
Should I go USB? Anyone have a date on the USB version from CH yet?
The system they will be running on is a Pent III 733, 256 RDRAM, GeForce 256 DDR, 2 LVD 9Gig Cheetahs (might move these back to my server and get a big bellybutton IDE), on 2 Sony Trinitron 21inch monitors.
Thanks! (http://members.home.net/ironchefwilly/q3w/smileys/008.gif)
Mox
The Wrecking Crew
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I've flown both TM and CH products stuff over the last 12 years or so, both have advantages and disadvantages. TM is alittle more difficult to program for the novice, CH has 'mushy' springs compared to TM 'stiff' springs.
If you were to ask me 6 years ago(before the CH F16 fighter stick) I would have said TM, if you ask me today, I would say CH Products.
I heard sometime in Jan/Feb. for CH USB sticks to be avail. You might want to contact them (http://www.chproducts.com) to see when the official release day is for the sticks, the pedals are avail. now with USB.
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Brian "Ripsnort" Nelson
++JG2++ ~Richthofen~ XO
(Formerly VF-101 Grim Reapers~Rip1~Warbirds~)
"In training, upon being told it was time to
solo, the instructor said, “You tried to kill
me enough times, now try it with a check pilot.”"
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WOW (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif)
<drools over Mox's machine>
First off forget Saitek. Its definitely not in the same league as TM and CH. And its programing software is buggier than an Ant Farm.
Now, I use to fly with an entire set of TM gear (except pedals). TM stuff is extremely durable and has great tech support/warranty work. However I found that programming their throttles and sticks were fairly difficult. I also found their sticks to be extremely "stiff". I mean you have to really yank on the stick to move it full deflection, which I didnt' like. Another thing to consider is that recently ThrustMaster was bought out by some other company (Guillemont??), so their future and current direction of the company is still in doubt. Plus the TM stuff is easily the most expensive.
Eventually I sold my TM setup and went to CH.
Now right now I am flying with a full CH setup. F-16 Fighterstick (has 8 way hat), CH Pro Throttle, and Pro Pedals. Very nice equipment, with plenty of buttons/hats, and its got an extremely nice programming utility called speedkeys. And both the stick and throttle are very ergonomic.
I have never had any of my CH equipment break, so I haven't had to get any work done, but I am told that CH Tech Support is as good as TM's (both excellent).
Now the CH stuff isn't cheap, but you can usually find it on sale, and its significantly cheaper than TM stuff.
The only complaint I have heard about CH sticks are that some feel they are "mushy" (ie soft springs), but that mostly comes from ex-TM guys that are use to really cranking on their sticks. Realistically, I would rate their springs as middle of the road, and quite comparable to the rest of the joystick market.
I would go CH USB FighterStick, USB Pro Throttle, and Pro Pedals.
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Vermillion
**MOL**, Men of Leisure,
"Real Men fly Radials, Nancy Boys fly Spitfires"
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Verm, are you serious about the F16 having an 8 way hat? The web page lists it as 2 4 way hats, not the same thing. Also, I was wondering what controls were on the throttle? I am thinking of buying the throttle for the extra buttons and a true HOTAS but I was probably leaning to a Twist stick with 8 ways like that new 3 8 way hat stick. However I would MUCH prefer an F-16 if it has a real 8 way now.
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If your in range, so is the enemy.
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The CH USB Pro Pedals are out now. The rest is "coming soon" but they were "coming soon" last September.
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Check the website funked, the whole works are out now. Only thing still in development is the flight Yoke.
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If your in range, so is the enemy.
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Strange, I just checked the CH site and it said exactly the same thing that's been there for months.USB throttle and fighterstick are not out yet. The Combatstick and Pro pedals are out however.
Would like to know if there is another CH site with newer info.
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Sorrow:
the F-16 Combatstick has 2 4-way hats
the F-16 Fighterstick has the 8 way hat, plus a few more buttons overall than the Combatstick.
Yes I am sure, I own one and use it quite frequently in AH (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
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Vermillion
**MOL**, Men of Leisure,
"Real Men fly Radials, Nancy Boys fly Spitfires"
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Damn Mox! That is one hell of a system!
I have CH Products and have no problems with their operation.
The flight control system that Verm mentioned would be my first choice. There is some good stuff there.
Good Luck and please let us know what the FPS is on AH for your system!
Drool! Drool! Slobber! (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
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Damn Ghostrider! This bogey is all over me!!
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You CAN take the 4 way view hat on a CH Combat or FX stick and MAKE it an 8 way hat - if you have some decent dexterity with your hands.
http://www.zeb.clara.net/jstick.html (http://www.zeb.clara.net/jstick.html)
-Westy
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Originally posted by Sorrow[S=A]:
Check the website funked, the whole works are out now. Only thing still in development is the flight Yoke.
Maybe I'm looking at a different web page (www.chproducts.com) but it still shows the USB Pro throttle and the USB F-16 Fighterstick as under development and you cannot purchase them online directly from CH.
Do you know for sure that they are available? Maybe they haven't updated their web page yet.
I'll call CH when they open to check.
Mox
The Wrecking Crew
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Thanks for all the input guys. I'm leaning towards the CH line since Thrustmaster was recently purchased and who knows what will happen to them.
If the USB gear is out when I call CH I'll order the entire set.
I'll keep you informed!
Mox
The Wrecking Crew
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I just got off the phone with CHProducts and they informed me it will be awhile before the rest of their USB gear is out.
USB Yoke = April
USB F-16 Fighterstick = "Sometime after April"
USB Pro Throttle = "Sometime after April"
Sounds like it could be a long time... bummer
Mox
The Wrecking Crew
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Mox,
I bought a Saitek X36 combo about 6 weeks ago, I dont agree with the comment on programming (it's very easy to program and auto loads for each game) BUT it won't work with my CH pedals. The rudder is a "toggle" type switch on the throttle. I had to switch from flying lefty to righty (not alot of fun) so I may be overly sensitive to rudder issue. I just don't have the fine control I had with my pedals...I'm getting either to much or to little rudder input.
I's stay away from Saitek until they either allow for use of pedals or produce there own.
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Mox I just bought the Suncom SFS combo (throttle and stick) and like them very much they are compatible with any rudder pedals you like and are very easy to program
BigJim
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Mox,
Thats your system and you have "some extra cash"! Everyone I want you to meet my new best buddy Mox (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
Seriously Mox, I'd go for the CH products. If TM still made their good Joysticks and the TQS throttle it would be a toss up, but since they were bought out their quality equipment has all be discontinued.
Sharky
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You can run, but you just die tired.
[This message has been edited by Sharky (edited 02-18-2000).]
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Hate me if you must but... CH PRO setup is most versatile. Pro throttle lets you program any joystick. TM does not, to the best of my knowledge do the same. CH Pedals have "TOE BRAKE" feature built in and work great as car controllers too. If you have large feet, strike the pedals out. F16 combat stick, or better yet the F16 Fighter Stick. Combined with the PRO throttle gives you around 60-80 macros you can program. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/cool.gif)
You asked. And it works well for me.
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Tern
"Live to Fly! Fly to Fight! Fight to Live!"
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Humble, I also have a Saitek X36F combo. Has the X35T throttle and I have it hooked up with a set of CH peddles that Ive hade for about 4 years. Used to use them with my TM gear. Been running the Saitek/CH peddles for about a year now. Never realy had a problem with any of it.
See ya online
Chris