Hard Light Productions Forums
General FreeSpace => FreeSpace Discussion => Topic started by: Andreas on April 24, 2005, 02:57:51 am
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Alright, so I don't have a joystick. So spank me. ;7 But I was wondering what joystick would you recommend based on cost/quality. I'd want something that doesn't cost 100€ but is still good for Freespace.
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I really like the Saitek Cyborg Evo. I was able to pick one up for around $60. It has a good button layout, a nice throttle, good motion, and plenty of adjustability; plus, the lights that run off the USB power look cool. :cool:
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saitek x52 :D
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I'd love to buy x52 (don't we all?), but paying 100€+ for a joystick is not really feasible for me ATM.
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Top Gun Afetburner 2 (http://images.ldlc.com/photos/00/00/26/78/ME0000267835_2.jpg) . I bought this one about 3 or 4 years ago, so maybe you can't get it now :rolleyes:
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its funny my stick cost more than my video card.
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I got the logitech wingman extreme digital 2 years ago for like 40 bucks I am sure it's cheaper now (has USB adapter)
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Saitek x45 theres so many buttons that i barely touch the keyboard anymore, i got it as a gift so im not really sure on the price
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Top Gun Fox 2 Pro. Just incase you want the stick, and not the afterburner part... 7 buttons on the stick instead of the afterburners 4...
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Thanks for your suggestions, I'll check out those joysticks you mentioned (minus x52:().
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The X-45 is also a very good HOTAS jostick from Saitek and its quite affordable (...as cheap) in its own category.
If you're looking for a non-HOTAS config with just the stick I recommend the Saitek Cybord (Gold / 3d / whatever is availible).
It was worth all the cents I spent on it.
5 years ago I would have said go for thrustmaster if you want the top of the line, but they too started using too much scrap plastic and as a result their products ain't as good as they used to be though still pretty good.
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keyboards are for real men
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Sure they are, buddy. ;)
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Name change, eh? Great. Another to get used to...
Anywho, lately I've been using an XBox controller. I used to play keyboard, but I've found my skill has gone up with the XBC :)
Although, strangely, after playing the gauntlets online, and shooting tempests and prom R's like crazy, I always feel like I should be hitting B to reload... :nervous: curse you HALO
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:wtf:
Unless you actually changed your controller assignments, X is reload in Halo... :nervous:
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Originally posted by Raa
Name change, eh? Great. Another to get used to...
I hope you like it. ;) I though it would be easier to remember, and besides my real first name is derived from it.
The only thing I don't like about gamepads is that you don't have your other arm immediately free, in case you need to use the keyboard. Granted, it's only a minor thing, but still...
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Check out CH Products page, they're one of the few 'stick makers who don't make pansy-crap 'sticks.
CH Products, Thrustmaster and Suncom used to make some of the best 'sticks in existance, but Suncom died and TM got eaten by Guillemot and promptly stopped making good sticks and went with 'profitable' ones (i.e. look nice, but are really plasticky pieces of consumer crap).
To their credit, they made the Couger, but this is probably the only decent stick they'll make and even 'tho it's made of metal the build quality is a bit dodgy (That and you need to have an arm like Arnold f'ing Schwarzenegger to actually move the damned thing :p).
That leaves CH Products; Their stuff has not changed a great deal since the early days except they now use USB instead of the joystick port...
Saitek have a few good 'sticks, but they're a bit too weird for me in most cases. I find most of their stuff very uncomfortable to hold.
Logitech? Forget it. Their QA is getting really bad...
Microsoft? Well... my main 'stick is still my trusty Sidewinder 3D Pro. Unfortunately it doesn't work properly on most modern computers except under Linux for some bizzare reason. The rest of their sticks I didn't like that much (Mainly because they are Microsoft ;)), but I will say they are very comfortable to hold (Unless you're left-handed...!)
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Originally posted by Andreas
I hope you like it. ;) I though it would be easier to remember, and besides my real first name is derived from it.
The only thing I don't like about gamepads is that you don't have your other arm immediately free, in case you need to use the keyboard. Granted, it's only a minor thing, but still...
*actually remembers Ai no koriida easier thn andreas..* :nervous:
Well, I found that the dual analog sticks let me have a high level of control over the ship. And almost all of the keyboard functions I can assign to the 12 buttons on the controller. :)
Originally posted by Hippo
:wtf:
Unless you actually changed your controller assignments, X is reload in Halo... :nervous:
One or the other. I couldn't remember which it was, I just do it instinctively in game...
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Originally posted by Raa
*actually remembers Ai no koriida easier thn andreas..* :nervous:
:lol:
Anyways, I'd love to try the X-Box controller (THE best console gamepad IMO), but I don't have my X-Box anymore. :(
And just for the record, are those Logitech joysticks any good? I've seen them sold in here for about 30€ or something.
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I had/have (don't have the gameport to use it any more) an 8+ year old Logitech Wingman Extreme; is a very, very good joystick, comfy and has nice resistance.
I also have the cheapy 2nd last model of the Saitek Cyborg 3D; IMO it's not a particularly good stick, the trigger doesn't feel 'right' (it barely moves when fired), the're not enough resistance (so it feels harder to control precisely), and the buttons are placed in less useful positions. That said, it's a decent enough stick, just not as good as the last one I had.
Oh, and best console controller ever - N64 pad. IMO no-ones bettered that for ease of use and also the sheer 'feel' of the analogue stick. :)
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except you rarely had a game that used the left side of the N64 pad... (at least that i saw)...
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Originally posted by Hippo
except you rarely had a game that used the left side of the N64 pad... (at least that i saw)...
True, but it didn't stop it being a ****-hot controller. I don't think anyone realised just how good the analogue stick would be when it was released (AFAIK it was the first proper analogue console controller).
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Wait...you actually liked the N64 control? I think that's the worst console control I've ever used. :p That stick was so flimsy and cheap, it developed a huge deadzone over time. My PS1 controllers are still going strong after 6+ years. Not to mention the fact that its small size and ridges on top absolutely kill your thumb after exteneded play. Plus, there's the simple fact that 2 hands and 3 grips on a controller don't mix. (Also, why in the world was the D-pad useless for most games? I usually preferred the D-pad to the analog sticks on my PS1, considering I had been playing SNES/Genesis with one for years.) In my mind, the ideal controller is for the PS1/2; all of the buttons are right at your fingertips, and it has a great feel. The Gamecube is pretty good, too. If you're going more old-school, the SNES controllers were nice as well. I can never call the N64 controller anything above mediocre, though. :p
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Originally posted by Andreas
:lol:
Anyways, I'd love to try the X-Box controller (THE best console gamepad IMO), but I don't have my X-Box anymore. :(
And just for the record, are those Logitech joysticks any good? I've seen them sold in here for about 30€ or something.
Raa uses an Xbox controller. ;7
and yes, the logitech joysticks are good. you should get the 3D Extreme Pro. It acts like a sidewinder only it has more buttons. and the feel of it is amazing.
[EDIT] The PS1/2 controllers rock. There's even gamepads that are almost exactly the same. ;)
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Raa said that a few posts up.
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THAT WAS EDITED!!
seriously, i didn't see the rest of that post the first time. :nervous:
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:wtf:
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so sue me, i read fast.
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I would recommend the Logitech Freedom 2.4. It is a very high quality controller with a cool side button thing which makes it fun to shoot missles! My only complaint about it would be the throttle control. It's small and located in a bad place. Oh, and it's wireless! I wouldent buy it for that, though. IMO wirelessness is far overrated. It costs about $70. I don't know how much that would be in Euros, though...
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Originally posted by Mongoose
Wait...you actually liked the N64 control? I think that's the worst console control I've ever used. :p That stick was so flimsy and cheap, it developed a huge deadzone over time. My PS1 controllers are still going strong after 6+ years. Not to mention the fact that its small size and ridges on top absolutely kill your thumb after exteneded play. Plus, there's the simple fact that 2 hands and 3 grips on a controller don't mix. (Also, why in the world was the D-pad useless for most games? I usually preferred the D-pad to the analog sticks on my PS1, considering I had been playing SNES/Genesis with one for years.) In my mind, the ideal controller is for the PS1/2; all of the buttons are right at your fingertips, and it has a great feel. The Gamecube is pretty good, too. If you're going more old-school, the SNES controllers were nice as well. I can never call the N64 controller anything above mediocre, though. :p
Yes; I found the N64 vastly better than the PS1 controller, and then the PS2 controller, and also the Xbox & Gamecube controllers. I find the analog sticks on the PS2 pretty ****ing awful for anything other than lateral left-right movement, in particular.
Albeit; the d-pad was, I believe, implemented as an alternate directional controller for most/many of the games (I remember the ISS games using it in particular). The reason for the 3 pronged design was to allow for more flexible control schemes; in theory you could use the controller in 3 different ways (d-pad and analog, analog and c-buttons, d-pad and c-buttons).
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Originally posted by KappaWing
I would recommend the Logitech Freedom 2.4. It is a very high quality controller with a cool side button thing which makes it fun to shoot missles! My only complaint about it would be the throttle control. It's small and located in a bad place. Oh, and it's wireless! I wouldent buy it for that, though. IMO wirelessness is far overrated. It costs about $70. I don't know how much that would be in Euros, though...
you mean the button on the thumb grip? yeah, i've always loved those, ever since Dad gave me my first joystick (Thrustmaster).
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yarr, mine has the trigger, the buton right on top where your thumb sits, a button to the right of that button, and a button on the side sortof above and to the right of the trigger... Makes switching weapons VERY easy...
And no, he didn't edit that in :p It'd say so if he did...
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I've used a Microsoft Sidewinder Precision Pro for many years now and it still works wonderfully. I would also recommend NOT getting a Freedom 2.4 since I tried one and didn't like it. It wouldn't stay flat on the table very well, kept tipping over when I moved the stick, plus you have to change the batteries in it. :doubt:
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Yeah, it does munch through those batteries pretty fast... :sigh:
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use energizer e2's.
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Originally posted by Getter Robo G
I got the logitech wingman extreme digital 2 years ago for like 40 bucks I am sure it's cheaper now (has USB adapter)
I have a Logitech Wingman Digital 3D. It is so old it has a gameport (but comes with a USB adapter, thank goodness)! I've got this thing before the new millennium, and it still works! I'm starting to have trouble with it, but I think it just needs to be opened up and have the dust blown out. When I got it, it was probably a medium purchase. They sell it under the name Robo G said. It has seven buttons, an 8-way hat switch, throttle control, and stick twist function for banking. It has a big footprint though, but on the bright side, it doesn't move. I find however that mine works better in Freespace without actually running the Wingman software. I have no idea how Logitech sticks are today, but I've certainly got my money's worth out of this one. *looks at stick waiting for it to explode*
I'd like to get pedals someday for banking so it's really like I'm flying. That would be awesome.
I'd suggest doing some research before getting anything. I'm sure the people here have more valuable advice to bestow.
Edit: Just checked the Logitech site, this is the force feedback model, might set you back more than you want. The affordable model looks completely different and sports more buttons. Hmm, Logitech getting lazy now?
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Logitech Extreme 3D (http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/US/EN,CRID=2221,CONTENTID=6954)
the joystick i was talking about. it's the absolute best. :yes:
and it's as close to a sidewinder as any joystick will ever be. :yes:
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Yeah, that's the second best joystick around.
Thiiiiiiird actually.
No, fourth.
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Originally posted by Raa
Anywho, lately I've been using an XBox controller. I used to play keyboard, but I've found my skill has gone up with the XBC :)
excuse my ignorance, but where do XBCs plug into the PC?
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Manipulating wires. ;)
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Originally posted by PhReAk
excuse my ignorance, but where do XBCs plug into the PC?
it's USB. Cut open the cord, and splice a USB male plug into the wires. All the colours are the same, and yellow is unused.
I have it setup so I can use it on my PC, and still have the plug for the XB intact. :)
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I use an old PS2 controller. I'm not paying AU$200 for a decent joystick, and I'm not paying ANYTHING for a crap one, so $10 USB adapter it is. It's got enough buttons to do everything but power management (I don't use most of the targetting functions, or the manual shield shenanigans).
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Originally posted by Raa
it's USB. Cut open the cord, and splice a USB male plug into the wires. All the colours are the same, and yellow is unused.
I have it setup so I can use it on my PC, and still have the plug for the XB intact. :)
oh. i'd rather just get an adapter, since i'll **** that up.
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Yeah, that was my fear too, but I'm one of those 'why buy what you can make yourself' guys. :blah:
And I'm cheap :p
Either way, it works excellent.
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It really depends on how "electronically adventurous" you are when it comes to modding a controller so it can be used on a pc.
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Originally posted by Raa
Either way, it works excellent.
i thought you said you sucked with it? :p
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That was the first day I was using it.
Since then, I managed 27 kills on STV on insane.
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Originally posted by Raa
Either way, it works excellent.
i would hope it works with IW2 since i use keyboard for that.
WASD for throttle
UHJK for pitch
and then there's the targeting/firing/navigation keys
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Well, I don't have it to tell you, but for FS2, I set it so the left analog stick steers the ship, the right analog stick controls the banking (what 7 and 9 would do on the keypad). a cycles through the prmaries, the black cycles secondaries. Y is countermeasures, though I always forge to use them, :p, white isafterburners. Right trigger is primary firing, left trigger is secondary firing, pushing the right analog targets in the reticle, pushing the left analog targets closest attacking hostile, and the up down left right s for shield management.
That still leaves x and B back and start to be programmed for more uses. :)
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What's STV? How do you manage to do that? :wtf: It seems like your fingers would get tangled up with all the movements.
Originally posted by PhReAk
i would hope it works with IW2 since i use keyboard for that.
WASD for throttle
UHJK for pitch
*Cringes at the potential for carpal tunnel syndrome* >.<
I guess we all just have different preferences. I wish I could get the software on mine to work properly. My joystick seems a little "numb" when it comes to banking.
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Oh, my Kingdom for an exclusivly Left Handed Joystick! Sure, only a small fraction of the population is left handed, and making an exlcusively left handed joystick would be an exercise in bad salesmanship, but does anyone know of a Joystick built purposefully for us South Paws?
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The Saitek Cyborg Evo I use is perfectly symmetrical except for the wrist rest, which can be re-configured for left-handed use. It even has two identical sets of base buttons on either side of the stick. It would probably be a good fit; see if you can find one in a computer store near you to try it out.
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I will, thanks for that
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Logitech wingman force 3d. same as the extreme 3d, but with force feedback. great for mech games and space combat sims
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Do not, I repeat do NOT, buy that Wingman Force 3D. It had a deadzone the size of Alaska, even with force feedback enabled. Mine crapped out on me after a few months; every time I plugged it in and tried to calibrate, the thing started going haywire. Plus, the button placement is sub-par. If I can warn anyone away from any stick, it's that one. :p
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Disagree with you completely Mongoose. I love my force 3d too :D
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I've been using the Wingman for years, and I will agree that the deadzone can be a little dodgy, but it's far from terrible as long as you turn on autocentering. I'd recommend it as a perfectly functional and useable Joystick, it's not the best in the world, but for the price it does what it's made to do.
I've never found a joystick yet that the rotate calibration isn't a pain in the arse for though :(
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Maybe mine was just defective, then. Either way, I thought it was far too chunky, and I disliked the button placement on top. The only function I really liked about it was the throttle; it was the only place it bested my old, beloved MS Sidewinder 3D Pro, which I consider to be just about the greatest stick ever made. :D We Descenters get very picky about the layout of our sticks. :p The bottom line is, make sure you try out the stick beforehand if at all possible; you'll gain much greater satisfaction that way.
Also, if you do go the force feedback route, no matter how good the stick is, realize that you'll probably have to give up at least a little precision.
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it's too bad i can't get my MS Sidewinder 3D to work. :(
stupid XP ain't got no friggin gameport.
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My stick seems fine except for what I said before. Maybe they changed the newer one slightly?
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Originally posted by Cobra
it's too bad i can't get my MS Sidewinder 3D to work. :(
stupid XP ain't got no friggin gameport.
XP can't "have" a gameport; what can is your sound card or a connector on your motherboard. If you do have a gameport, XP handles the Sidewinder sticks beautifully with its built-in drivers. I was rather angry when I found that my new Dell didn't have said gameport; I still have to check if the motherboard has any sort of connector for it, but I don't know exactly where to look. Another option is picking up a cheap old soundcard, disabling it, and just using the gameport on that.
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Anybody who uses force feedback in this game is doubtful at best when it comes to flying skills.
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Wouldn't you just get used to playing with force feedback after a while?
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Originally posted by BlackDove
Anybody who uses force feedback in this game is doubtful at best when it comes to flying skills.
:nervous: I use it... for kicks...
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Originally posted by EtherShock
Wouldn't you just get used to playing with force feedback after a while?
No.
You either have every milisecond spare to concentrate on taking your target down or you're getting shaken senslessy into oblivion.
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Originally posted by Raa
:nervous: I use it... for kicks...
My thoughts exactly. :nod:
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I have had a Saitek X-45 for over a year now. Has run trouble free.
Sets up easily, and there's more than enough customisable controls on the thing to run an actual jet fighter.
Throttle is exellent, and the best feature of the stick, worth using in combo with the mouse if you find the stick slow to respond, as some folks will when used to game pads.
It has a large stable base and comfortable grip, which was not designed with a child's tiny hands in mind.
The only thing I'd like to see changed is to have an adjustable spring tension on the main controller as there is on the throttle.
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Originally posted by Cobra
stupid XP ain't got no friggin gameport.
:wtf: :wtf: :wtf:
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lol. Yeah, i tried not to comment on the fact that OSes don't have any physical ports, and that his is a hardware issue :p
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It's probably been said before, but Logitech offers some pretty good joysticks for little money. :nod:
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Originally posted by BlackDove
No.
You either have every milisecond spare to concentrate on taking your target down or you're getting shaken senslessy into oblivion.
What if it's more fun?
Anyways, wouldn't it mean you were a better pilot if you could concentrate and aim accurately despite distracting physical stimuli?
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:nod: andreas has a point. not only is it a distracting stimuli and all that, it sure feels good on your hands. :D
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Originally posted by aldo_14
What if it's more fun?
Anyways, wouldn't it mean you were a better pilot if you could concentrate and aim accurately despite distracting physical stimuli?
Depends on what you define fun.
I like being pushed ot my limit. I like to win.
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Wow, we got some real competitors here. I would think it would be more challenging with force feedback enabled. Once again, everyone has different tastes. Some may not want that real of a gaming experience or not enjoy it as much as they do without. I don't have force feedback so I would just have to move around in my chair if I wanted any, and I find I do that when I get really into it. :p
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got a gamepad with force feedback. :D
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Thrustmaster Afterburner.
Love it.
Except for that one button. You know which one.
Got it as a gift, would prefer the X-45.
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:welcome: geniusiknowit :)
good joysticks are like the ones you see in Mechwarrior 4. ;)
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Alright, sound off! What's everyone using now!!
My beloved Sidewinder 3D Pro has gone all funny on me again... I will probably have to open it up and re-solder yet another wire on the dang optical sensor.
Annoying because I just upgraded from an AMD Athlon XP 1800+ to a 64 3000+, and for some bizzare reason I can use the Sidewinder in digital mode again under Win2k!! (But sadly still not in Win98SE... CH Flightstick w/throttle or Thrustmaster wo/throttle mode only... *sniff*)
Tried playing with my brother's Thrustmaster Couger for a laugh, but I think it broke my wrist. :eek: Than and there's these two big square depressions on my desk where it was sitting now (j/k - but **** me that thing is heavy!!!)
Maybe I should try and find a Precision Pro or something and hack the electronics into my Sidewinder... maybe a dual USB/Gameport Sidewinder 3D Pro! That would rock so much :D
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/me blink.
/me turns off email notifications.
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If I could just find the damn thing, I would be using my MS Sidewinder Force Feedback Pro. Eventually though, there's this VERY nice HOTAS setup I want to get. I think it's from Saitek, but I'm not sure. Last time I saw one, I was in a Comp USA.
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I love, absolutely love, my Sidewinder Precision pro... But, unfortunately, its "dead zone" is getting larger and larger, which sucks cuz as that plastic wears down, the ultra-sensitive optical sensor is still picking up those movements... thus meaning that barely tapping the joystick will throw it off-center. It's getting annoying.
One of these days I'll afford the latest generation of the big Saitek monstrosity... Almost owned it, but I didn't like the blue version (the new silver one fixes 99% of my complaints)..But yeah.. that one is something I'd have to save quite a while for.
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still with my FF pro, best i've ever used.
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Ahh, joysticks. What an interesting subject.
I used to have a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro. It has a solid base, great grip, superior button layout and crappy electronics.
Seriously, it would have been a killer stick. But, Logitech apparently decided to go cheap on internal parts, which has caused quite many of these sticks starting to have anomalous behaviour after some time of use (varies). Mine was absolutely great during the first months. Then it started to lose calibration after a few minutes of play, the problem gradually worsening. The feel was gone, the deadzone grow fast and re-plugging it only helped a few minutes (at best). For example, y-axis lost some 80-90% of it's negative portion - so that even ven you pulled the stick back all the way, it only sent a 10-20% signal to comp, causing only very little pitching up. Additionally, the z-axis (handle rotation) usually also lost some 60-70% of its right portion in a similar way - causing the rudder only function properly on left side. It sucked. So, when the x-axis ALSO started having these symptoms I decided to get a new stick.
I bought a Saitek Cyborg Evo. It has a little less solid base, practically three less of useable buttons, good, but not so great grip, and superior feeling caused by primary quality electronics. Plus, the throttle control is awesome. The handle adjustments are of course handy, but practically the only one having any real meaning is the wrist rest adjustment that can be set for left-handed also. Though it has to be said that the mentioned wrist support should be a bit wider IMO; the edge of my palm would sit more comfortably on right where the edge of the support piece.
So, it doesn't sit into hand as well as Logitech, but as far as I'm concerned, that doesn't help much if the stick doesn't work properly. It's not much use if all you can do is to keep it in hand and admire its feel... :rolleyes: The Saitek has been in use soon about 4 months, thus far I have had no problems whatsoever. The thing has been plugged onto my computer ever since; I have had no need to even re-plug (re-calibrate) the device. Installing it was easy. Very easy.
And, the lights are cool, too.
Anyway, I like using the joystick and mouse in conjunction, actually. Practically I use mouse for slow battle or accurate shots and joystick in more hectic dogfight.
Sometimes I grab the stick with left hand and take care of movement with it and aim more accurately with mouse simultaneously. :nervous: Talk about weird preferences, eh?
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Thrustmaster Afterburner. I like the separate stick and throttle. Saiktek X52 looks pretty cool too but I've never used one.
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have the logitech extreme 3d pro. works great. haven't had any problems with it so far. only thing about about logitechs is they don't remember deadzone settings at all in controll panel. been eyeing the x52 and ch combatstick though, *drools*...
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Logitec extreme 3d pro thingy here as well. I find that it seems to lose calibration a lot but unplugging it and plugging it back in gets it back. I think it's dying. I used to have a microsoft sidwinder precision pro, but since they quit supporting the drivers for non-usb sticks I ditched it. I actually like the logitek layout a little better. If I had money burning holes in my pockets, I'd want to try one of those 200 dollar jobs with 2 sticks and 30 odd buttons that are heavy and have metal parts.
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I used to have a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro. It has a solid base, great grip, superior button layout and crappy electronics.
Seriously, it would have been a killer stick. But, Logitech apparently decided to go cheap on internal parts, which has caused quite many of these sticks starting to have anomalous behaviour after some time of use (varies). Mine was absolutely great during the first months. Then it started to lose calibration after a few minutes of play, the problem gradually worsening. The feel was gone, the deadzone grow fast and re-plugging it only helped a few minutes (at best). For example, y-axis lost some 80-90% of it's negative portion - so that even ven you pulled the stick back all the way, it only sent a 10-20% signal to comp, causing only very little pitching up. Additionally, the z-axis (handle rotation) usually also lost some 60-70% of its right portion in a similar way - causing the rudder only function properly on left side. It sucked. So, when the x-axis ALSO started having these symptoms I decided to get a new stick.
Same thing happened to me when i bought my first 3D Extreme Pro. Whenever I would start a game, the X-axis would be fine, but then after about 5 minutes of gameplay it would develope a massive deadzone on the positive X-axis. I would have to quit and then play the game again to correct it, over and over. Then I exchanged it as a faulty product and got a working model, but the negative X-Axis is more sensitive than the positive.
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An old pre-Tie Fighter CH Flightstick Pro. I swear this thing is indestructable, having survived my joystick habits through all these years of regular use. It's gone a little wobbly in the dead zone, but aside from that it's still in perfect working condition. It *is* due for replacement, I just can't get myself to give it up...
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Logitech Wingman Extreme Digital 3D, dying one, if I may add...
Used to be pretty good in handling general Joystickness, but for now it's spending some un-quality time at the very bottom of my "bottomless box"
*Dreams of buying HOTAS some day...*
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Using a Saitek Cyborg Evo Force since last year, seems to be holding up pretty well, nice to have force feedback at last.
Should see my through till i can afford an x-52 :)
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An old pre-Tie Fighter CH Flightstick Pro. I swear this thing is indestructable, having survived my joystick habits through all these years of regular use. It's gone a little wobbly in the dead zone, but aside from that it's still in perfect working condition. It *is* due for replacement, I just can't get myself to give it up...
Yeah, no kidding - Those sticks were built to last!!
I wish Thrustmaster hadn't gone so consumer; Their older sticks were excellent, not like the plasticky crap they mostly sell these days, Couger withstanding (But even that 500 ton gorilla is not very well made; My brother has had to repair is several times... and the damned thing kept crashing until we updated it's firmware!!!!)
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upgraded to ch pro throttle and combatstick :D
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I have the old Saitek X36 throttle joystick combo. I've had it 8+ years used it for WCP and the first time through with Freespace2. It still works very well and with the new programming software it has nearly unlimited setup flexibility. My only complaint is the stiffness of the rudder spring. The rudder control is a rocker type switch located on the back of the throttle but the spring is very tight. Fying a helicopter in Flight Simulator is almost impossible. The weight is not as much as the new X-45 or X-52. This one is usb and gameport compatable. Good luck in finding one though as they are pretty much obsolete.
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I've got a Saitek X45. The pinkie trigger is a bit awkward, and the rudder paddle on the throttle grip is hard to manipulate and I can never seem to get it calibrated properly (too much drift).
I've got my eyes set on a full set of CH products...stick, throttle, and pedals. It's tough to justify the ~$350 for that whole package, though ;)
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Keyboard was good enough for Squadwar it's good enough still.......
I'm in an ever dwindling minority :(
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I STILL use my keyboard/mouse combo. The only thing that's changed has been the button mapping on my various mice. It's gone from two extra functions, up to eight extra functions, down to six.
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I'm using Logitech wingman 3D with force feedback. 7 buttons is enough, but the throttle looks like that in a few months it will be broken. It's nice, or it would be, if it were working. I don't know why, but Freespace just refuses to recognize it. I can calibrate it, but Freespace won't register any keypresses or anything. Does anyone know a reason for this? I'm using fs_open 3.6.7.
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Have you bound the buttons/axis layouts to functions in F2 -> Control Config? Just to make it sure. This has sometimes been the reason to "controller malfunctions".
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Have you bound the buttons/axis layouts to functions in F2 -> Control Config? Just to make it sure. This has sometimes been the reason to "controller malfunctions".
Yes, I'm not that n00b :D
I got it working now, though. I started Logitech Profiler software, then thought that it looks useless, and closed it. It said that no Logitech game controllers will function properly aftermore. Well, that was just when my joystick started working :D
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That was the thing I would have suggested next. :D
Though I've got a Logitech Force 3D Pro and if I remove the Profiler, I cannot set the force feedback strength and stuff through Windows' Control Panel. All the buttons and axis's work though. Which version of the profiler you had? You might want to try out the newest profiler version from Logitech site and see if that works. The newest version is 4.60, and they even got a separate version for Win XP 64bit users.
...I would say this in Finnish if it wasn't so unpolite. Oh whatever. ;)
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I can vouch for the Cyborg Evo like a lot of other people but I prefer mouse and kb for Freespace since it's more precise. I use Joysticks for flight sims.
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Like the other people who went for CH joysticks and HOTAS setups, I also vouch for the reliability and durability of CH hardware. I've been using/abusing mine for over 3 to 4 years and it still works like new. I'm pretty heavy handed and play a lot so before I got my CH hardware that I would go through at least 2 cheap joysticks a year.
Also I read somewhere in the Something Awful forum's Freespace 2 thread that someone hooked up his Steel Battalion controller to his PC and made it work for Freespace 2. Now that’s sexy.
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That was the thing I would have suggested next. :D
Though I've got a Logitech Force 3D Pro and if I remove the Profiler, I cannot set the force feedback strength and stuff through Windows' Control Panel. All the buttons and axis's work though. Which version of the profiler you had? You might want to try out the newest profiler version from Logitech site and see if that works. The newest version is 4.60, and they even got a separate version for Win XP 64bit users.
...I would say this in Finnish if it wasn't so unpolite. Oh whatever. ;)
4.40.143, it's from 2004. I can set Force Feedback ("Tärinäpalaute" is the worst translation ever) from Windows control panel. I'm not installing anything now that this is working :)
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Hi all, earlier in this thread someone mentioned using an xbox controller. I modified one to us usb and downloaded the driver set it up etc. My question or problem is that the sensitivity of the controls. It may just be my clumsy thumbs but I just cannot get used to controls I end up oversteering and cannot stay on target in a dogfight for anything. I played around with the sensitivity settings in the options page of freespace and the threshhold settings in the controller setup utility but nothing felt right. Any hints or suggestions? The main reason for using the controller instead of my Saitek joystick is lack of desktop space. I'll take suggestions from anybody thanks.
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It might be your controller, or you have too high/low a deadspot. I use an XBC for this game, and I do fairly well.
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Got my Thrustmaster Force Feedback today realy cool, but force feedback in FS2 is very very soft.
In other games it perfect.
Any ideas? Must it be calibrated in a table?
Greetings
Malte
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Might be able to turn up the sensitivity in the launcher, not sure if so and (if you can) if it's in the SCP launcher. Also, I guess you could check if the joystick came with driver/control/config software about setting up a special sensitivity profile for FS2.