Need a new Joystick :(

Ohsirus · Post by **Ohsirus** » Sun Aug 01, 2010 9:23 am

Well, it's that time again for me. Got a few bucks to burn and I want to take the Joystick plunge again since Mercenaries will be hitting soon and a few others.

Right now I have a Saitek X-52, but quickly retired it out of frustration. It never felt right to me, always felt loose. I know the majority of people here swear by it and I was seriously just thinking of going with the X-52 pro since from what I've read they added some resistance (second spring) to the body.

Then I remembered how much I loved my orignal FF Sidewinder and I see that Logitech has the G940 . I never see any mention of it on here and I've looked at the simhq reviews and a few others. Seems to not have any glaring issues.

I also had my mind set on Saiteks X-65, but it seems that force sensing seems more of a hindrance than help.

So basically, I'm going from high to low on picks as Logitech G940, X-52 pro, and X-65. I didn't research any CH or Thrustmaster products, so any input on them would be helpful.

tk7223 · Post by **tk7223** » Sun Aug 01, 2010 11:38 am

Other than the X-52, I have a set of CH Products Pro Flight, throttle, and Pedals. They are not sold together and get rather spendy to get all three. They are very sturdy and constructed well. Also, they hog a USB port for each controller. Then I have a MS Force Feed Back 2, it rocks and still works as good as day 1, and they can still be found on Ebay or Craigslist(but no additional software is available beyond Windows Xp, but does work native in Win7). I would recommend any of these to friends.

MMaggio · Post by **MMaggio** » Sun Aug 01, 2010 11:41 am

I would like to suggest you take a chance and buy a Saitek X45 off Ebay. I have three of them. They are tighter, more robust imho, have more options and have a dedicated rocker switch for roll/yaw.
Since the controller is no longer produced by Saitek, excellent deals can be found on Ebay. I have never bought a bad one.
Good Luck !:)

Ohsirus · Post by **Ohsirus** » Sun Aug 01, 2010 11:52 am

@ tk7223, I have Saitek's Flight Yoke, Pedal, Quadrant package deal. Use it when I'm on my FSX kick. Couldn't see using it for a combat game though. I do miss my Sidewinder, which is why I'm leaning toward Logitechs answer to Forcefeedback fans.

@MMagio, have to say the X45 seems like a backward step from an X-52. The reviews were pretty brutal.

The Joystick market has just about vanished and options are so slim.

New Saitek Toys Damn Saitek and their new pedals!

[Edited on 8-1-2010 by Ohsirus]

shewter · Post by **shewter** » Mon Aug 02, 2010 12:13 am

Go with what MM says.I bought a brand new x-52, and it never worked right from day one, had to keep unpluging it and plug it back in to get it to work.I found an x-45 off ebay for 30 bucks, never looked back.

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid ... Categories

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Mon Aug 02, 2010 2:39 am

The X-65 looks nice.....LOL....

:P:P:P:P

warsign · Post by **warsign** » Mon Aug 02, 2010 7:56 am

Originally posted by Maarschalk
The X-65 looks nice.....LOL....:P:P:P:P

Yes and weird a bit

Using X45 with rudder pedals sounds good to me...

Ohsirus · Post by **Ohsirus** » Mon Aug 02, 2010 8:31 am

Went and ordered the G940, Force Feedback is what sold me. Anybody know if EL or EM supports force feedback? My wife going to have a fit, Need to unload some of my peripherals.

warsign · Post by **warsign** » Mon Aug 02, 2010 11:47 am

Originally posted by Ohsirus
....Anybody know if EL or EM supports force feedback?

Both...
Renegades too...

Post by **Marvin** » Mon Aug 02, 2010 3:54 pm

Originally posted by warsign

Originally posted by Ohsirus
....Anybody know if EL or EM supports force feedback?
Both...
Renegades too...

If FF doesn't work with your joystick, you might need to download a very small file and put it in your main game folder. I think (IIRC) the file was created for the Sidewinder but it also works (and is needed) for my Saitek Rumble Force.

tk7223 · Post by **tk7223** » Mon Aug 02, 2010 5:32 pm

Make sure and let us know how you like your new stick when you get it!

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Mon Aug 02, 2010 8:17 pm

Yes, give us some feedback, I read some of the reviews, and centering of the stick seems to be a problem and no dedents on the rotary buttons or any buttons like on the X-52. so you have to visually center the buttons....which can be annoying in combat....

Ohsirus · Post by **Ohsirus** » Mon Aug 02, 2010 8:22 pm

Originally posted by Maarschalk
Yes, give us some feedback, I read some of the reviews, and centering of the stick seems to be a problem and no dedents on the rotary buttons or any buttons like on the X-52. so you have to visually center the buttons....which can be annoying in combat....

Yeah, the centering was an issue, but they released a firmware update in Jun/Jul that corrected it. The rotarys might take some getting used to, might just dremel a groove like a few people I saw.

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Tue Aug 03, 2010 12:38 pm

LOL....Stick mutilation.....

:P:P:P:P

ryuu · Post by **ryuu** » Tue Aug 03, 2010 8:18 pm

i was using a really old sidewinder (i mean i got it when i was like 10) untill recently when i lost it, so i'm running mouse atm and i'm finding it a lot easier tbh

Ohsirus · Post by **Ohsirus** » Wed Aug 04, 2010 12:28 am

Originally posted by ryuu
i was using a really old sidewinder (i mean i got it when i was like 10) untill recently when i lost it, so i'm running mouse atm and i'm finding it a lot easier tbh

I miss my Sidewinder, it was my first high end joystick. I've been youtubing home made flight sim setups and have been secretly acquiring the pieces to build mine when I move. Just have to find the chair I want now.

Ohsirus · Post by **Ohsirus** » Sat Aug 07, 2010 3:45 am

Wohoo G940 came in and got it roughly hooked up, trying to figure out what my EL profile going to look like. Had to download the ffenable file, but EL seems to recognize all the Axis, even the split throttle....more to follow.

Post by **Marvin** » Sat Aug 07, 2010 4:42 am

Your planet-side battles will never be the same.

BraveHart · Post by **BraveHart** » Sat Aug 07, 2010 2:32 pm

Originally posted by Marvin
Your planet-side battles will never be the same.

"Planet side Battles are a Hoot to do!"

:D:D LoL

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Sat Aug 07, 2010 3:14 pm

Originally posted by Marvin
Your planet-side battles will never be the same.

LOL.....Marv...realy?...

:P:P:P:P

[Edited on 8-7-2010 by Maarschalk]

Post by **Marvin** » Sat Aug 07, 2010 4:14 pm

Force feedback is a really good reminder that you've entered a planet's atmosphere.

Ohsirus · Post by **Ohsirus** » Sat Aug 07, 2010 8:58 pm

Originally posted by Marvin
Force feedback is a really good reminder that you've entered a planet's atmosphere.

Is it suppose to feel like you're riding over train tracks? Really jolting. Thought it was a glitch.

MMaggio · Post by **MMaggio** » Sat Aug 07, 2010 10:58 pm

Most force feedback units are adjustable. Surely there is a way to adj the feedback intensity, just look for it.

Ohsirus · Post by **Ohsirus** » Sat Aug 07, 2010 11:54 pm

Originally posted by MMaggio
Most force feedback units are adjustable. Surely there is a way to adj the feedback intensity, just look for it.

It's not the intensity, its why is atmospheric flight represented as a "train-track roll".

Post by **Vice** » Sun Aug 08, 2010 12:44 am

It's 'supposed' to be a shake, but force feedback has some quirky standards (ie iForce2) and apparently some quirky implementation (not all devices are consistent). It should feel like shaking (fast train tracks perhaps), as though your ship is trembling from the turbulence of high speed descent. But it should go away once you decrease to non-burn speeds.