New flight setup?

[Volron]

I'm going to start looking into a joystick and/or rudder setup for AH, and I wanted to get input from you guys.  I'm looking for 4 things in roughly 3 separate price ranges:

1) A stick w/o twisty
2) A stick w/twisty
3) A stick w/o twisty that would work perfectly w/rudder pedals.
4) A stick w/twisty that would work perfectly w/rudder pedals.

Price range low: ??-100
Price range med: 100-300
Price range high: 300+

The reason I'm asking you guys, rather than hunting it down myself, is simple.  A lot of you have been on AH (or even earlier with AW and WB) since it's debut, and you have gone through setups till you found one that works.  I don't want to go out, buy a 50-75 dollar joystick, and it turns out it's crap for AH, it just won't work well with it, low durability, etc. etc.

I've also heard a lot about Track IR, so a few of these would be nice as well.  The new computer I will have built, will very likely be running Windows 7, but I will be taking XP postings as well, for the machine I'm on now.  Bare in mind, the computer I'm currently using is 10 yrs old, 512 RAM, P4 2.53, 512mb Sapphire Radeon X1650.  I will be upping the RAM to the board's max, which is only 2 gigs.  Remember, 10 yr old machine.

If you think about it though, my machine is 10 yrs old, and it runs AH fairly well.  I don't get the best FR, but it doesn't drop below 30 except when I first enter the arena, when it loads the textures (of course my graphics aren't set very high for the FR).  Aces High, City of Heros/City of Villains, World of Warcraft, Guild Wars, Cabal, Rising Force Online (RF), and runs those so fairly well.  Yes, I get a little lag, but primarily due to the 512 in RAM.  Once I've upped it to 2 gigs, I will get LESS lag.   Still getting a new machine built.  I will get the specs on the new machine in here a bit later.  I'm duplicating my friends computer and he's knowledgeable, and my guinea pig.  He builds a computer and if it gives him problems, I don't duplicate it.  His last one gave him a little trouble (turned out to be a faulty PSU) and ended up costing him a little extra.  He's decided to build a new one from scratch though, and the parts don't come in until either this week or next week.  Once they do, he'll build and test.  If it works, I duplicate, if it doesn't, I'm sticking to this machine for the time being.  Which is why I am asking for XP setups as well.

[cattb]

saitek x52 about a 100. Has two controls and one is a twisty.
CH Products. 3 piece set up  Has no twisty so you have to have the rudder pedals. Cost? guessing 240.00 and higher for the better controllers.
I suggest you google CH Products and Saitek and do a little research, don't forget to add broken, needs repair in your searches along with your basic search parameters for the intended products.( also look for warranty warranty)
Saitek x52 Pro about 150.00 and up ( I forgot about the newer model)
You will get various input from people here on pros and cons.
You can also search the forums for information as there have been various conversations about joysticks here.
I use a x52 and I like it. If I were to buy a new set up and had the money, I would be tempted to try CH Products and go the 3 piece set up with the rudder pedals.

[Ghosth]

Any good stick should work with any good set of pedals. Assuming all are USB, and are plugged in, calibrated in windows and setup correctly. So then it comes down to which stick/pedals, and what you prefer.

If you are coordinated with your feet, and are willing to spend some time learning pedals will repay the time invested.
With better accuracy, more precise control, less accidental rudder input.  If your like me, unable to walk, and chew gum at the same time, you may be better off with a twisty stick.

There are many options for both!

As to pedals, having seen and tried both CH and Saitek's offerings, I think the Saitek are a smidge better.
Wider stance being the biggest factor.

As to Saitek vs CH sticks well which would you prefer.

A spend 250 $ or more up front for gear that will last. (Although it might need repairs from time to time)
B Spend a bit less for Saitek for a stick that will last anywhere from 3 months to 3 years.
Depending on variables that no one has really been able to nail down.

CH will cost you more up front, but should last for a decade with reasonable use and care.
Saitek will cost you less to get started, depending on which stick you start with potentially much less.
X-52 is a very nice system for flying, comes with a throttle, and more buttons, hats, and stuff than you can shake a stick at. Has the option of using the twist, or disable it and use pedals.

For the lowest price range, Saitek ST-290 or Aviator.
Basic stick with twisty that gives you all you need to fly in AH. 3 axis control plus throttle, plus hat switch for views and some buttons.

The question is, how much are you willing to spend?

[cattb]

Just a note, I have a Saitek that lasted a year and a pot went out and can't find a replacement part. I never did write Saitek to see if I could buy the part needed.
I did get another twisty Saitek from ebay as a replacement.
I did notice that CH Products do sell replacement parts on thier site. I thought this was a bonus for CH product owners.
Like Ghost says, Some people have good luck with Saitek and some people don't. Myself I have also heard of people complain of CH Products and also others say CH is great..
I am not going to say one is better than the other.

[Ghastly]

I've owned both, as well as a number of other sticks. And I'll say it - CH is better. Microsoft sticks were(/are if you have good luck on Ebay) better.  The modern Logitech sticks I had were not just worse, but much worse.

<S>

[Volron]

CH seems to be the pick of the litter with Saitek coming in second as a good alternative and stay away from Logitech.  So I will likely look into the CH brand of products first.

Not worried about price too much, Ghosth.  I am likely going to get rudder pedals and hope to ell that I have enough coordination to not smack myself into the ground.   But I will be grateful for options without pedals.  Variety in options will prove helpful.  I just hope the pedals will accept carpet (if I go that route), since the only places in my apt that have a hard floor are the restrooms and the kitchen.  I doubt my computer will accept the kitchen route too well (heat from cooking and whatnot), and the bathroom has to deal with a lot of humidity due to showring, but the bathroom option WOULD eliminate a problem that tends to come up while on a mission...

[cattb]

The base can always be modified so there is no or limited slippage while being used. I don't have a set but have seen where people modify them.

[Ghosth]

I think if it was me, knowing that they are going down on carpet, I'd invest in some velcro.

Put the HOOK part on the bottom of the pedals. I suspect it would move very little if you get a good pattern.