Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: DVDA on May 09, 2003, 04:02:43 PM

Title: NOOO!!! My Joystick
Post by: DVDA on May 09, 2003, 04:02:43 PM
Ok well i decided to start playing Aces High because i missed Air Warrior so much well i plugged in my joystick which i've had for years and its broken, so know i have to buy a joystick, heres my question what would be the best joystick for Aces High, i've always liked mircosoft sticks as i've owned the Mircosoft Sidewinder (Standard....2 Button & Throttle) for years and it was awesome.

So Which Is The Best Joystick For Aces High?
Title: NOOO!!! My Joystick
Post by: Chairboy on May 09, 2003, 04:14:02 PM
Check out the Saitek X45.  I just got it, and it's pretty sharp.  It's a HOTAS setup w/ seperate throttle and everything, and costs around $70-80 US.
Title: NOOO!!! My Joystick
Post by: FOGOLD on May 09, 2003, 04:41:34 PM
I would reccomend the Thrustmaster  Topgun Afterburner II. It is simple, ergonomic (ie:comfy) and it is everything you could ever ask for a joystick. I would also reccomend rudders, but they are quite expensive.

DO NOT buy a Hotas Cougar as it is an overblown POS and you will never play Aces High for the time you take programming it etc etc.
Title: NOOO!!! My Joystick
Post by: boxboy28 on May 09, 2003, 04:41:58 PM
I enjoy my MSFF2  high quality and adds to the game imersion!:D
Title: NOOO!!! My Joystick
Post by: FOGOLD on May 09, 2003, 04:42:24 PM
By the way, does anyone want to buy a HOTAS Cougar :o
Title: NOOO!!! My Joystick
Post by: mars01 on May 09, 2003, 06:30:26 PM
How much I would like to get a second set up?
Title: NOOO!!! My Joystick
Post by: band on May 09, 2003, 06:33:12 PM
Fogold after your sales pitch who could resist? ;)
Title: NOOO!!! My Joystick
Post by: Cooley on May 10, 2003, 12:39:09 AM
I also made the mistake of buying the Cougar a couple years back, iTs said to be a great stick,,not for me tho

It became a 270$ paper weight till a few months ago when i sold it to a Warbirds buddy for 100$,,,,,just talked to him recently,,,,he usin it as paper weight also:D

Im now hooked on the reliable, easy to use and inexpensive MSPP2 twisty

Though i did get a taste of using pedals the other day,,,the ACM you can do with peds is awesome
Title: NOOO!!! My Joystick
Post by: DVDA on May 10, 2003, 01:01:37 AM
what is the MSPP2 and the MSFF2

What do they stand for?
Title: NOOO!!! My Joystick
Post by: DVDA on May 10, 2003, 01:11:02 AM
Ok im probably going to get Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback 2 Joystick or Microsoft SideWinder Precision 2 Joystick

Which one would you recommend?

the Precision 2 seems fine but the force feedback sounds cool is the force feedback annoying after awhile?

Also i want to get rudder pedals anyone know of a good set of rudder pedals and where to buy them>?
Title: NOOO!!! My Joystick
Post by: FOGOLD on May 10, 2003, 02:27:11 AM
I had a FF stick for a while. I would save your money and get a non FF stick. The Saitek x45 is a better stick for the same price of a FF MS. I actually don't like the  MS non FF stick, it's imprecise compared to the Thrustmaster. And the Thrustmaster Topgun handle is much more comfortable. I got an Afterburner II with a HOTAS setup for £25! One tenth the price of a Cougar.

Do seriously consider rudders rather than Force Feedback!
Title: NOOO!!! My Joystick
Post by: mars01 on May 10, 2003, 02:50:16 AM
cooly tell your buddy I'll buy the throttle and stick from him for 100 bucks, if any buttons are broke ill give him 50.

I'll buy it asap.


mars
Title: Saitek x45 and Thrustmaster Topgun
Post by: Easyscor on May 10, 2003, 04:18:02 AM
I had the Thrustmaster Topgun Afterburner II and loved it until it started spiking too badly after about 7 months.  The Thrustmaster is a very comfortable stick but buckles under a firm grip; I had to reinforce it with cable ties to hold it together.

After the Thrustmaster, I bought a Saitex x45 and questioned my choice the first month; the throttle grip seemed all wrong after the Thrustmaster and Saitek didn't supply the necessary software to program all the switches.  Right away I loved the percision of the digital inputs and this is one well built, solid stick.  I've had it for 5 months now and I love it.

The selection:

Be very carefull to try out every x45 in the store, there's a lot of difference between the spring tension built into these sticks from one batch to another and they're not adjustable.  If you get one that's too tight or too loose you'll find it's unplayable.  Instead, find another store and try another batch of sticks.

I bought the x45 at CompUSA with a 2 year, 1 time, no questions asked, replacement warranty, US $80 + $15 for warranty + tax ($9 for a 1 yr warranty.)

The bad news or good news depending on how you look at it:

If you use Window XP, you may need to go to the German Saitek support site to get the software to program the hats on the throttle.:confused:   It took the factory 3 months to send me a proper CD replacement disk but they will send it if you ask.:rolleyes:

If you use Windows 98, you'll need to find the third party software that allows you to program the hats etc on the throttle.  It's available but I installed XP just as I found the website.  Use Google search to find it if the factory still hasn't included the software.

Good luck with whichever stick you choose
Title: NOOO!!! My Joystick
Post by: Glasses on May 10, 2003, 02:09:32 PM
CH I like a lot had my Combat stick USB  for 3 years and still very precise :) and my USB rudders for 2 1/2 years still works like a charm.

When I have the moollah I'll get meself a CH USB throttle.
Title: NOOO!!! My Joystick
Post by: FOGOLD on May 10, 2003, 05:16:34 PM
Yes, CH stuff looks good. Fighterstick etc though looks very much like the Cougar, which is actually very awkward to fly with (not everybody's opinion)
Title: NOOO!!! My Joystick
Post by: zipity on May 10, 2003, 07:38:52 PM
Go to ebay and pick up a TM f-22 pro (if possible with the digital chip), f-16 TQS and rudders.  You might be able to pick it up for about $100.


FOGOLD - what shape is it in and how much?
Title: NOOO!!! My Joystick
Post by: FOGOLD on May 11, 2003, 02:20:23 AM
It is in good shape. A year old in June. No broken bits at all. It's possible there is more play round the centre than when new, but not much.  I would take £150 for it. All software etc is there, origonal box etc.

Do you live in the UK?  I actually lent it to someone to try in my squad, but he didn't want it either. He will vouch for it's soundness. I'll let you try it too if you like, but I need to trust you (no offence!)
Title: NOOO!!! My Joystick
Post by: zipity on May 11, 2003, 09:13:08 AM
I live in the US and having thought about it I may have to wait a few months and see if I still have a job.  Thanks anyway.
Title: NOOO!!! My Joystick
Post by: Swag Abroad on May 12, 2003, 02:11:13 AM
The X45 has been good for me with Pro Pedals.  No problems and I got the stick in Dec 2001.  I dont beat it up except when I stir stick and try auto warps.   J/K  :D

It is a good stick overall, but I am looking at a new CH USB setup.

I had a CH Combatstick before the X45 and liked that also.

Swag
Title: NOOO!!! My Joystick
Post by: mars01 on May 12, 2003, 04:39:51 AM
123 USD and I'll take it Fogold.  I would like to ahve a back up.

what do ya say?
Title: NOOO!!! My Joystick
Post by: mars01 on May 12, 2003, 04:41:47 AM
Sorry fogold, not 123,  I  mean $125.00 USD and I'll take it.  I live in the USA.


mars01
Title: NOOO!!! My Joystick
Post by: mars01 on May 12, 2003, 04:43:47 AM
cooly does your WB budd want to unload his?
Title: NOOO!!! My Joystick
Post by: FOGOLD on May 12, 2003, 07:24:56 AM
Jeez, sure. What about shipping?
Title: NOOO!!! My Joystick
Post by: mars01 on May 12, 2003, 11:25:14 AM
Sweet, how much will shipping be?

send me an email at mars5887@yahoo.com and i'll give you my address and we'll discuss payment options - paypal or something else.


Thanks,
   mars01
Title: NOOO!!! My Joystick
Post by: FOGOLD on May 13, 2003, 06:44:38 AM
Nay, I'll pass for now. I might as well keep it for a spare myself. They might even bring out a more comfortable handle for it!

Thanks anyways.
Title: NOOO!!! My Joystick
Post by: mars01 on May 13, 2003, 05:38:11 PM
NP Fogold,


Ive been burnt by bad used TM Cougars before, thats why I wont pay as much.  You know as well as every one that there are horror storries aout the Cougar out there, as well  as total satisfaction which I share.  So I hate to pay alot for a stick when I really have no idea what shape its in.  If it was an uber or had the hal sensors maybe, but then you'd be nuts to sell and not use it yourself.  lol

Thanks anyway tho.


mar01
Title: NOOO!!! My Joystick
Post by: FOGOLD on May 14, 2003, 01:37:28 AM
Yes, it s dilemma. I wish I lived near buddies who played AH. I'd be more than happy to let them use it. As it is I live in deepest rural Scotland so my only AH friends are a long way off! (boo hoo!)
Title: NOOO!!! My Joystick
Post by: gofaster on May 15, 2003, 02:02:02 PM
I've used CH Products joysticks for so long, I don't think I could ever go to another line.

1996 - Air Warrior: CH Combatstick with regular pedals (gameport, of course)
AW2: same
AW3: same
2002 - Aces High: same
2003 - Aces High for last month: CH Fighterstick with CH Pro Pedals (USB)