X52 Finally died Need new Joystick. What do you all reccomend?

[sky25]

My x52 finally died after only 6 months of service. What a piece of junk..
What do you guys recommend the replacement be? Had a Thrust master before and did not like it. Also had a Logitek 3d it lasted for only a few months...

[Ruah]

The dream - http://www.thrustmaster.com/product.aspx?ProductID=221 (thrusmaster Warthog)

Reality - http://www.chproducts.com/ (CH Fighter or Flight stick)

ultimatly its really your budget.

I tested the warthog a while back - and - it feels like the price. . . almost too heavy actually.  Infact, if I wee gonna really go that far, I would almost want to make a proper ww2 stick on a longer shaft like some real dedicated sim fans have.

[Chilli]

Have had the Logitech wingman (broke).  Siatek Cyborg (still working no twisty though).  Microsoft Precision2 (still working less buttons than current stick).  Now I am using the X52 (lost software but able to find it online, works fine.   Picked up the slack in the spring by placing a shim there).

So, I hear all sorts of good things about CH gear.  I also hear it could be pricey. 

My first suggestion, find a way to solidly fix your controls in a comfortable position.  Suction cups do nothing and you end up compensating or giving exaggerated movements that could be leading to your stick's malfunctions.  I find a lapdesk fits in my lap comfortably and is easy to attach the components to.  If that doesn't suit you, maybe a custom built and sturdy stand would help with the joystick burnout problem.

Just my experience, but the wingman was the only stick that broke.  That came from my exaggerated pressure during stick movements and came before I fixed my joysticks to the lapdesk.

Good luck and be gentle with your next purchase.

[sky25]

The dream - http://www.thrustmaster.com/product.aspx?ProductID=221 (thrusmaster Warthog)

Reality - http://www.chproducts.com/ (CH Fighter or Flight stick)

ultimatly its really your budget.

I tested the warthog a while back - and - it feels like the price. . . almost too heavy actually.  Infact, if I wee gonna really go that far, I would almost want to make a proper ww2 stick on a longer shaft like some real dedicated sim fans have.

Thanks, I noticed that Flightstick does not have an axes for rudder control. Peddles needed. The two year warranty is a plus..
That Thrustmaster warthog is very nice on 500.00 + dollars

[Ghosth]

Agree with Chilli, start with a way to mount the stick lower than the desktop. Make sure its where the hand fall's naturally and comfortable.  Be it mounted on chair arm, on a swing platform below desk, mounted on center pedestal, figure something out.

As for sticks, well I'm a poor one to talk as I'm a minimalist.
Normally I program about 4 buttons on my 8 button MS Sidewinder Prec 2 usb.

[Max]

What do you guys recommend the replacement be?

Really and truly, over the years I've spent thousands of $$ on joysticks. The only joystick that's lasted the test of time has been the CH gear I bought 6 (count'em SIX) years ago. If your X52 throttle still works, you can meld it in with the joystick. Otherwise, you'll need a throttle and peds. Yup....aint cheap but you'll only buy it once.

PS The throttle wheel on the base of the CH stick can be used iso a separate throttle.

PPS The Sidewinder Ghosth mentions is a very reliable and smooth stick if you can live with bare bones programming.

[pervert]

Microsoft sidewinder ffb2, as reliable as the sun rising and smooth as silk! <S>

[Vudak]

Max, out of curiosity, why did you need to buy 6 CH sticks (if I'm reading that correctly)?

Just from reading, I've found it to rare to find a person that bought more than 2 (to eventually go all USB without a hassle, usually).

My CH gear is going on a few years...  Not as long as many, but every Saitek I ever bought started to seriously wear out between 6-12 months, and the issue I had with that is EVERY new stick (even the same exact model) "feels" different than your last one.

I'd rather pony up the cash for something that should last and work well for a longer time than retrain muscle memory every year, but that's just me.

[Max]

I bought 1 CH Fighterstick 6 yrs ago.

[Vudak]

I bought 1 CH Fighterstick 6 yrs ago.

Doh! Sorry, completely misread you.  Need another coffee

[Dichotomy]

CH gear... flew it about a year mothballed it for almost 2 and it still works like new

[warhed]

If you don't mind spending money as you say, you'd be hard pressed to beat the Warthog at the moment

[DERK13]

got the saitek cyborg... blows me away how freaking cheap it really is. freakin rudder kicks in all the time, so i made a seperate mode for it.

[sky25]

If you don't mind spending money as you say, you'd be hard pressed to beat the Warthog at the moment

That Warthog is pretty!!

[Slate]

  CH Combat stick hasn't failed me for two years so far. Big stable base on it. Lots of buttons you can program. Need to get pedals though. Not a twisty stick so programmed wheel on left side for rudder. Went through a few logitechs before that. You get what you pay for.