Please recommend a good joystick

Mentat · Post by **Mentat** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 1:45 am

Greetings, new to this game. what is a good joystick for playing? I see mention of the Saitek X52 but it doesnt look like they make it anymore. suggestions? Thanks!

49rTbird · Post by **49rTbird** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 1:53 am

Hello Mentat, welcome to the forum and the Sim. The Saiteks are very good. Try their website shown here

http://www.saitek.com They still show the X52 and lots of others.

MMaggio · Post by **MMaggio** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 2:01 am

They still make the X52, it's the X45 they don't make, which, ahem, imho, is the better controller.

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 3:13 am

Yes you should be able to find the X52 online on Saiteks Website. I would not fly without it!;)

Mentat · Post by **Mentat** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 4:00 am

Thanks! I just bought the X45 for
$70 usd including shipping. Anything i need to now about this controller while running it under vista 64? You guys have any profiles? Cant wait to try it out in this game.

[Edited on 9-18-2009 by Mentat]

BraveHart · Post by **BraveHart** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 4:08 am

Originally posted by Eclipse
I would wait until Saitek releases their new controller (supposedly the end of this year) before buying the X52, then you can make a good decision between them.

That is a Good ideal!....One that I think I will do

Earl · Post by **Earl** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 11:03 am

I might spring for one of those pretty soon too, pedals that don't take their own usb port and are attached to a cheap $3 steering wheel sounds nice...
Can Evochron display anything on that spiffy secondary screen?

MMaggio · Post by **MMaggio** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 11:23 am

Originally posted by Mentat
Thanks! I just bought the X45 for
$70 usd including shipping. Anything i need to now about this controller while running it under vista 64? You guys have any profiles? Cant wait to try it out in this game.

[Edited on 9-18-2009 by Mentat]

Smartest purchase you ever made!
I personally tested the X45 on a Vista 64 and it runs fine. You may have to set Vista to XP mode to get it loaded.
I made a previous post on how to install it on a Vista a while back.
As for profiles, feel free to U2U me for suggestions/help in programming.
Best of luck!

haloterm · Post by **haloterm** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 3:36 pm

Has anybody tried the Thrustmaster Hotas Cougar?

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 5:32 pm

Originally posted by haloterm
Has anybody tried the Thrustmaster Hotas Cougar?

I did consider it but I did not like the looks and the price of it!
It might still be a better Joystick quality wise!;)

MMaggio · Post by **MMaggio** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 9:37 pm

I have a thrustmaster as well. The Saitek X45/52 has more options, is more progammable and is not as expensive.
I do not hesitate to tell you, one & all, that customer support, in my case, was "pathetic" at best and rude at it's worst.
Just my opinion.

haloterm · Post by **haloterm** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 9:52 pm

I think programming is not that important to me; but what about the physical feeling of the both joysticks? Which one feels more "real" and solid?

MMaggio · Post by **MMaggio** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 10:09 pm

Well, in that case, once you held a Saitek X45 in your hand, you'll wonder whatever possesed them to drop it in favor of the X52!
Again, just my personal opinion, but I have both and I have three X45's and the X52 is relegated to the junk box!
I would sooner take my chances on a used X45 than buy a brand new X52!
Again, just my personal opinion.
Either one and you have the most powerful, progammable controller in the world!
Albeit, the X45 has more options.

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 10:27 pm

I still like my X52. Yes I had problems in the beginning and custommer support stinks for Saitek. But if you invest your time you can get it to work how you want it to. My X52 is now working perfectly without any problems. Once you understand the programming and the trouble issues you can work around them and find solutions! But it takes a lot of effort reading forums and doing research on the problems I did all that without Saiteks help! I heard of others that did not have any problems with their X52, and others rated excelent support from Saitek. I'm still waiting for a key or permission to join Saiteks forum of a request 3 weeks ago! Still have not heard! Hope this helps in your decission making! This was however my first joystick ever!

[Edited on 9-18-2009 by Maarschalk]

haloterm · Post by **haloterm** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 10:30 pm

Thank you

And what about the Thrustmaster compared to the X45?

BraveHart · Post by **BraveHart** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 11:17 pm

I have been using a Logitec Attack 3 joystick for about 2 years give or take...inexpensive and has a Great feel...not a lot of programmable buttons, eleven I think. but it will be nice to up grade one day...in the mean time I will paddle along with what I have and continue to give the Vonari Hell...lol

haloterm · Post by **haloterm** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 11:24 pm

Currently I'm using a cheap (I think I bought it for about 20 or 30 â‚¬ ) no-name Joystick ... "SpeedLink Black Widow", which has a single base with a real throttle on the left side and the joystick on the right side; it's not programmable. The throttle is okay, but the stick is a little bit wobbly, and the base is very lightweight. Thus, I'm searching for a more solid replacement. I heard the thrustmaster, while damn expensive, is made to resemble actual aircraft joysticks, and to be very ergnomic and stable.

Edit: @Brave: I just googled after the Logitech you're using -- and I remembered that I owned such a stick some years ago. I sold it, though.

[Edited on 18-9-09 by haloterm]

BraveHart · Post by **BraveHart** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 11:33 pm

He he...never heard of that one

I bet you will be happy when you upgrade from a "Black Widow"

...."The saitek's sound like your best bet. I will be getting one in the future."

haloterm · Post by **haloterm** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 11:49 pm

Oh, the Black Widow has earned rather good reviews.

Still sceptical about the Saitek, at least the X52.

BraveHart · Post by **BraveHart** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 12:07 am

That's good to hear about the Black widow....I am interested in the new saitek that Eclipse spoke of. I am glad I have lot's of patients...my new 1st upgrade will be to get Trackir

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 12:13 am

Originally posted by BraveHart
That's good to hear about the Black widow....I am interested in the new saitek that Eclipse spoke of. I am glad I have lot's of patients...my new 1st upgrade will be to get Trackir

You'll absolutely will love your TrackIR, I hope you upgrade soon.

BraveHart · Post by **BraveHart** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 12:17 am

He-He...From what you and all the others have said, it has to be a Blast to use!! Looking forward to having a Greater time in Legends using it!!

-Darkhorse- · Post by **-Darkhorse-** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 12:32 am

Yes, you need your TrackIR Master BraveHart Yoda, You had some yoda moments I heard with the nameless Phantom who popped you twice today after you attacked him first. Shooting missiles at him from behind while he was helping you finish up your contract with the last Vonari's to see what you would do. He flew by you a couple of times and the third time you started firing missiles again and shooting your lassers and cannons like a mad man at him upon which he deffended himself with one leech missile and 3 exodus missiles and poof you where space dust, Then you came back a second time for more he had only 4 missiles left and the nameless one popped you again to space dust and sustained just minor scratches. But not to worry, we still have your clone around somewhere looking for you! This evens the score I guess for the Clone you send out the airlock and the other occasion you popped one of the clones!ROFL:P:P:P:P Hope you enjoyed the feeling of being space dust as much as our clones did!:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P

[Edited on 9-19-2009 by -Darkhorse-]

shewter · Post by **shewter** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 1:08 am

LOL:P Don't forget DH Brave has been out of action for quite some time.Give hime a couple weeks at the controls, then come and talk smack.

WingC3 · Post by **WingC3** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 4:54 am

I've had an X45 for years and love it. I also agree that the stick is more stable than my friend's X52. I got it back in 02 and remember programming it in XP..not so fun. I'm happy to announce that it is absolutely configuration free in Windows 7 RC. EL also runs great in 7. It's throttle is a decent replica of an F-16 HOTAS and the stick just has lots of great programmable buttons!