Author Topic: Sidewinder sticks are junk (Read 986 times)

BenDover · « **Reply #15 on:** December 31, 2002, 11:42:31 PM »

my FF2 works great, best 90 quid i've ever spent

only thing wrong with it is that the hat switch is starting to fail (i wander if i can get a replacement hatswitch board from M$)

and the rudder is a little loose, which is kinda my fault because i was giving it a good clean, and when i tried to get the thing back together i was thinking, "hmm, why won't this bastard close?"
I later found out that the rudder tension spring had got caught and bent, wander if i can get a replacement from M$....

Ike 2K# · « **Reply #16 on:** January 01, 2003, 06:17:34 AM »

Does Sidewinder force feedback 2 uses digital optical sighting or "potentiometers" to detect movements? I really need to know it.

Ike 2K# · « **Reply #17 on:** January 01, 2003, 06:20:51 AM »

my sidewinder ffb2 has an insurance (2 year plan from BestBuy for just $10.00) so that if it break or spiking happenens iget a new one.

BenDover · « **Reply #18 on:** January 01, 2003, 12:35:13 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by flakbait
As for the tracking system, it's optical instead of pots (potensiometers). I don't know for sure, but I think M$ only uses optical tracking for their hardware these days.

BenDover · « **Reply #19 on:** January 01, 2003, 12:46:39 PM »

oh yeah, something i forget to mention, check if your control stick came with a disk labeled 'Software Update', or something like that

install that, it has VIA surport drivers

JustJim · « **Reply #20 on:** January 01, 2003, 04:41:13 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Ike 2K#
WHAT!!!!!! Are you saying that my sidewinder ffb 2 is an analog, Aw crap:mad: So is my sidewinder ffb2 uses "potentiometers" than "optical"??? pls tell me so i can still return this stick.

I believe the MSFF 2 is a digital stick not sure if it has the optical tracking or not.

What I do know is you loose 8 buttons with the removal of the shift button on FF 2 and from what I hear (and see) analog doesnt spike as much as digital sticks.

So that could be why I never have spiking problems with my force feedback pro.

Had this one for 5 years now and it takes alot of abuse, been through many games and many profiles which is probably why I bought 2 more just in case seeing as they dont even make them anymore.

Another Note: disable the twisty rudder and get a set of CH Pro Pedals USB They are much better than the twisty rudders.

Been a whole new flying experiance since I got them.

Good Luck,

JustJim
<< DragonHawks >>

ebgb · « **Reply #21 on:** January 01, 2003, 05:10:57 PM »

Well hell,
The Logitech stick I bought is just way too funky. Nose bounce leaves me feeling sick to my stomach after only a few minutes.
After a week, I still have no clue how to dial this stick in so it's going back.

So - I pack the thing back up and there in the corner is my Sidewinder that wasn't working. Just for SnG's I plug it in . . . and it works again??? I can only hope it lasts cuz my gunnery is hopeless without it.

FWIW, thanks for the replies. If I had to do it all over again I think I'd get a SW FF2.

g

DAVENRINO · « **Reply #22 on:** January 01, 2003, 05:34:24 PM »

Just Jim.
totally agree on the pedals and I added the USB throttle as well.
DJ229

gatso · « **Reply #23 on:** January 02, 2003, 08:47:44 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by flakbait
...and that can probably be fixed with a screwdriver and a pair of pliers. I'm gonna try doing it tomorrow cause it's driving me nuts.

Ditto for my PP2. It's getting noticable now and is really starting to annoy me. If you come up with a fix let me know please

I'd still be using my original PP1 (5 years old) If I could. That stick was awesome and it doesn't have the funny X Y axis springs that the PP2 does.

Gatso

Eagler · « **Reply #24 on:** January 02, 2003, 09:10:40 AM »

if no one else mentioned it (didn't read entire thread), if you lose your USB stick & unplug/re-plug or reboot boot resets it, try a $30 POWERED USB hub.

this corrected my X45/CH Pro Pred - all USB- issues

jonnyb · « **Reply #25 on:** January 02, 2003, 12:31:16 PM »

ebgb, some VIA-based motherboards have issues with their USB controlloer software. My sidewinder does exactly what yours did on occasion. Whenever I want to reboot my computer, I just unplug my stick, and wait until it's booted back up again. Then I plug it back in. No problems whatsoever.

ebgb · « **Reply #26 on:** January 02, 2003, 08:34:53 PM »

sigh:rolleyes:
the lengths I'll go through just to saddle up on a P51. Reboot,
plug, unplug. Runs to the store at 9pm. Adjusting the sliders just one little tick.

2nd day with my PP2 and it's still working