Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: Obie303 on April 10, 2015, 09:09:54 AM

Title: New joystick recommendations?
Post by: Obie303 on April 10, 2015, 09:09:54 AM
It was bound to happen, but my Microsoft Force Feedback 2 finally died.  This is #3 since my AH2 days.  I'm looking for a good replacement comparable to the feeling and smoothness that I'm accustom to.  Any suggestions?  I don't want junk, but I also want to remain within reason on pricing. 

Thanks,
Obie
Title: Re: New joystick recommendations?
Post by: Max on April 10, 2015, 09:38:15 AM
Give Ebay a check for a replacement MSFF2...just saw a number of them onsite starting at $60.
Title: Re: New joystick recommendations?
Post by: Obie303 on April 10, 2015, 09:48:13 AM
Give Ebay a check for a replacement MSFF2...just saw a number of them onsite starting at $60.

Already got one on the way.   :D 

But the inevitable is around the corner.  These things are getting harder to find. 
Title: Re: New joystick recommendations?
Post by: Bizman on April 10, 2015, 10:04:49 AM
I've learned that they don't make Force Feedback sticks anymore, at least the major brands don't. Many former Microsoft stick users have migrated to Thrustmaster T-16000M and have been very satisfied for what I've heard.
Title: Re: New joystick recommendations?
Post by: The Fugitive on April 10, 2015, 10:56:37 AM
Hey neighbor!  Mark4 lives in your neck of the woods and uses the thrustmaster t-16000. You could swing by his place.  I'm sure he'd let you take a spin with his setup. He use to use the Microsoft stick as well.
Title: Re: New joystick recommendations?
Post by: Obie303 on April 10, 2015, 12:27:17 PM
Hey neighbor!  Mark4 lives in your neck of the woods and uses the thrustmaster t-16000. You could swing by his place.  I'm sure he'd let you take a spin with his setup. He use to use the Microsoft stick as well.

Hey Joe.  I still haven't forgot about that beer we're supposed to have!

I'm looking at Thrustmaster T-Flight Hotas X Flight Stick.  They are within reason and I can pick one up on Ebay for under $100. 

I'll PM you for that beer when I get a weekend off. :D
Title: Re: New joystick recommendations?
Post by: Bizman on April 10, 2015, 12:44:37 PM
Whoa! They are highly overpriced on Ebay! At NewEgg they are $47.99 which is about right.

I have one of those too, and it's quite nice for the price. The stick ergonomics are similar to Microsoft's which may help the migration. Using the twisty for the first time made one screw loose, making me think the handle would tear apart any day soon. It didn't matter, though, because I'm using pedals anyway. Furthermore, the twisty can be locked if you don't want to use it. I still use the T-Flight Hotas as a rudder and as of lately I started to do some modifications shown here: http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,371064.msg4943073.html#msg4943073 (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,371064.msg4943073.html#msg4943073)

The reason for "breaking" a fully functional stick is that I'm using a T-16000M as the stick. It feels much more rugged and it's far more precise. Together they make about $100 which still is relatively cheap for a quality HOTAS.
Title: Re: New joystick recommendations?
Post by: Obie303 on April 10, 2015, 01:18:21 PM
Thanks for the advice Bizman! 

Title: Re: New joystick recommendations?
Post by: Getback on April 10, 2015, 04:47:39 PM
Hey neighbor!  Mark4 lives in your neck of the woods and uses the thrustmaster t-16000. You could swing by his place.  I'm sure he'd let you take a spin with his setup. He use to use the Microsoft stick as well.

Could I use the T1600 with my CH Throttle? I've hurt my knee from the rudder pedals and need to get something like this.
Title: Re: New joystick recommendations?
Post by: ink on April 10, 2015, 04:51:42 PM
Could I use the T1600 with my CH Throttle? I've hurt my knee from the rudder pedals and need to get something like this.

yes


I am using X52 throttle... CH fighter stick.... and the Saitek rudder peddles.


you could hook up as many sticks or "Peripherals" as your PC can house and all will work in AH...all can be independently set.
Title: Re: New joystick recommendations?
Post by: The Fugitive on April 10, 2015, 06:21:54 PM
Could I use the T1600 with my CH Throttle? I've hurt my knee from the rudder pedals and need to get something like this.

Yup, INK's right. I think Skuzzy is the one who said you can use as many peripherals as windows can handle.
Title: Re: New joystick recommendations?
Post by: The Fugitive on April 10, 2015, 06:22:37 PM
Hey Joe.  I still haven't forgot about that beer we're supposed to have!

I'm looking at Thrustmaster T-Flight Hotas X Flight Stick.  They are within reason and I can pick one up on Ebay for under $100. 

I'll PM you for that beer when I get a weekend off. :D

Anytime!
Title: Re: New joystick recommendations?
Post by: Sabre on April 14, 2015, 03:09:13 PM
Go Warthog, or go home! :aok Of course, if you don't have $400+ for a joystick/throttle combo, you've got some other nice choices. I've actually got two complete TM Cougars, and would be willing to part with one. Still have the original packaging.
Title: Re: New joystick recommendations?
Post by: Brooke on April 29, 2015, 06:08:25 PM
I like CH Products equipment.
Title: Re: New joystick recommendations?
Post by: zack1234 on April 30, 2015, 02:00:30 AM
Yes

CH kit is the best but looks like a nuns habit :old:
Title: Re: New joystick recommendations?
Post by: Copprhed on April 30, 2015, 08:31:06 AM
Skyyr's got an X-55 HOTAS over in classifieds for sale, brand new in box, $185 shipped. You'd better jump on it.
Title: Re: New joystick recommendations?
Post by: shotgunneeley on May 17, 2015, 11:14:58 PM
I'm in the same boat. My venerable ol' Saitek ST290 Pro twisty-stick, which has served proudly with me for some 12 years since Battlefield 1942, has finally become a bit too quirky. It's missing the top-right button, the stick spring is stiff and jerky, the hat switch doesn't work half the time, and recently the elevators have gone to spiking randomly.

I'm in the market for a setup within a moderate budget (don't know how long I have left in my gaming career). Though I have had fantastic luck with the Saitek ST290, I found the reviews and price tag for the X52 to not be as pleasing. Since I've only really ever had one joystick, I don't have the diverse background or experience some of you guys have with other products out there - I've never even used a separate throttle or rudder pedal setup! After reading reviews here and on amazon, I've set my eye on the CH products. The ultimate setup I see within my range would be the CH Fighterstick, the CH Throttle Quadrant, and the CH Pro Pedals (a total value on Amazon pushing $380). The way I sit, I'd imagine I'll order up the Fighterstick first and see how I like it as I am well used to the all-in-one twisty rudder/throttle/joystick setup.

If I had to pick between one of them, would you guys opt for the separate throttle or the pedals to compliment the joystick? Any pros or cons from this conceived plan? Going to have to get it sooner than later since I'm itching for this Target for Today scenario coming up.
Title: Re: New joystick recommendations?
Post by: The Fugitive on May 18, 2015, 07:54:01 AM
CH doesn't have a twisty stick,  so rudder pedals would have to bought at the same time. However, the t16000 from thrustmaster is a twisty and the price isn't bad. It also has hall sensors for a much smoother setup than the pots a CH stick has. Also the quality of CH has been rumored to have dropped off from years past.