Hard Light Productions Forums
Off-Topic Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: Martinus on November 25, 2003, 06:01:47 pm
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[color=66ff00]OK I've got a rather spiffy sidewinder force feedback 1 joystick, it's got a 15 pin midi connector, the old type before most sticks went USB. My mobo doesn't have a header for this port and I can't install another sound card with a port on it. I have seen a midi to USB converter though and it seems to be designed to work with joysticks, the only question is will it llow me to use force feedback?
Anyone any ideas?
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My Logitech Wingman came with a MIDI-USB adapter, but I am currently using it. It is possible in the near future that I will be getting a new joystick, as this one is losing its ability to register rotation to the right.
If I do get a new stick, I'll send you the adapter.
PS: On a side note, I recomend any of Logitech's hardware. This Wingman Extreme Digital 3D has served me since '99 with no problems until this year. Also, Logitech put out a new model of this stick and packaged "FreeSpace 2: Colossus" with it. I don't know if the new model is as sturdy as this one, but the line has a good track record.
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That adaptor most likely won't work outside of Logitech's sticks because it isn't an "adaptor" at all. All it is is a pass-through, the actual USB interface is inside the stick itself, the "adaptor" just triggers some mechanism to activate it when it's plugged in. It's like those dual-interface Serial/PS/2 PS/2/USB Mice that are around, the supplied adaptors contained no actual circuitry, they just informed the mouse what type of port it was being plugged into and to set the interface accordingly.
There are some "proper" adaptors out there but there have been some reports of them not working right with digital sticks. Given how keen some people are to hang on to their obsolete hardware, someone would make a small fortune if they created a USB -> Game port adaptor that worked with *every* conceivable type of stick.
I'm looking for a new stick myself as well as my the rotation on my Wingman Extreme Digital 3D has never worked and just recently, the Throttle has started to go. I was looking at this one personally, the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro:
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm?page=products/details&CRID=12&CONTENTID=6954&countryid=19&languageid=1
or maybe even this, the Logitech Freedom 2.4 Cordless:
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm?page=products/details&CRID=12&CONTENTID=5032&countryid=19&languageid=1
Both have more buttons than my old Extreme 3D and the 3D Pro has the advantage of being the same price as a new Extreme 3D. I've heard doubts about the reliability of both of them and with the experience I've had with my Extreme 3D, I can believe them. Still, buying any other brand would mean having two sets of drivers and utilities (I have two other Logitech game controllers) and I don't really want that.
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[color=66ff00]Bugger. I actually checked out M$'s knowledgebase for the FF1 but in the requirements for what you would need to get it to work with USB they say (and this is a real M$ moment) you need a USB adapteo and either a sidewinder precision pro or a sidewinder gamepad!?! (remember that this is in the FF1 category).
How helpful is that? :blah:
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Microsoft Sidewinder sticks and pads do not work through USB adapters at all, so far as I can tell. I have a general purpose USB adapter that I use for my Logitech garbage stick (for emulated arcade shooters). I originally bought it for my sidewinder pad so I could use it on the laptop (for emulated RPGs. :D), but it will not work a all. The buttons will not pass through.
Incidentally, Maeg, I got mine at Radioshack/Tandy. So if you've got any sort of low-grade consumer electronics and parts store, they may carry one.
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[color=66ff00]Oh well, I guess I'll just have to think about getting myself a logitech force 3D, £40 isn't so bad.
I'm not really losing anything, my friend gave me the sidewinder so I'm not out of pocket to be honest. It's just a pity; it's a great joystick IMHO.
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Hate to bump this after a month, but i've got solutions for you Maeglamor :D
What you need to do is buy an old sound card really cheap and shove it in a PCI slot. Just let windows choose which soundcard to use and you'll be away with a MIDI port :D
Also, thanks to M$ being evil little ****s, the joystick will not have FF function with win xp. You'll need to go to 2k or below (2k is better than XP though IMO). Works great for me, except an issue i'm putting in another thread that isn't the joysticks fault (works fine in FS2 1/2 the time, flight sim 100% of the time)
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Who is the newbie, and am I allowed to torture him?
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Originally posted by Stryke 9
Who is the newbie, and am I allowed to torture him?
...no? :(
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Coward.
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[color=66ff00]Zombie thread. Awake the undead! Methinks not so, problem fix0red. Logitec force 3D.
Small sentences.
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Ung.
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Bah. Real men use Thrustmaster HOTAS/Cougars and leave the Logitech and Microsoft in the toy chests where they belong. ;)
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Have to agree with you mikhael. I'm curently saddled with the Afterburner II, as seen here (http://europe.thrustmaster.com/products/d_prd.php?p=T64&fam=6), not a bad choice per see, but as soon as I get a job, I KNOW that my first pay will be going in part on buying this one (http://europe.thrustmaster.com/products/d_prd.php?p=T84&fam=6) .
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That's sitting on my desk right now Genryu--and its causing the desk to sag from the weight of the stick and throttle. Keep your Afterburner though. If, for whatever reason, you have trouble with your Cougar pots, the Afterburners can be used as a drop in replacement.
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Well, usually, my old joysticks keeps getting dusty until I find a friend in need. Seeing as nearly all of my friend have a joystick that originally came from me, I think I'll keep my Afterburner just in case next time I change :) .