[Silent Warrior]

It seems it's about time to accept that my Wingman Force 3D just isn't, well, working. I only get response to the left, up, and down, and only irregular at that. (The throttle has always had a life of its own.) So, a Saitek X45 being far too physically demanding (that centering-spring is AWE-INSPIRING!) for a skanky little 130-pound manling like myself to see much successful use in the high-paced world of space-siming, I'm looking for a sort of cheap, light doohickey. Something with little centering-force, Force Feedback isn't necessary (but frightful entertaining). Preferred price-range is somewhere around Logitech's Extreme 3D Pro, or whatever they call it these days. So no CH-gear, unfortunately. It would also be rather neat if it works in Linux, but that's by no means a requirement.

Any suggestions? Chances are that the Shops Near Me have limited inventory, but I've seen first-hand that I can lay hands on an Extreme 3D Pro and a Saitek Cyborg Evo (though that centering-spring looks scary). Perhaps even a Saitek Aviator.

[Wobble73]

[Homer]Mmmmmm....Saitek Sticks[/Homer]


 

[Titan]

what about the logitech joystick that came with Freespace 2: collossus? can i get that to work somehow? i've tried, won't do it. 

[Silent Warrior]

... Eh... Whatawhat? For the first time in my life, I'm at a complete loss, and I mean COMPLETE, to decipher someone's nutty web-ramblings, and two in a row!

(I don't suppose you can start speaking Make Sense-ese soon, or there-abouts? )

Titan: *Kamikaze-dive into the unknown* Did you install the necessary drivers for the stick? It seems no stick since Ye Olde Gameport has been true plug-n-play... (What?...)

[Wobble73]

Your title reminded me of Homer Simpson when he thinks of anything food related.....ie.

Lenny "That vampire needs a stake through the heart!"

Homer "Mmmmmm....... Steak through the heart!"


*Note, this did not appear in any episode of the Simpsons, just made it up on the spur on the moment for an example of something Homer would say.

[Jeff Vader]

"Mmmm... pistol whip..."

[Wobble73]

"Mmmm... pistol whip..."

"Mmmmm.......Pistol whipped cream....!"


Sorry Shadow Warrior, this is getting off topic, what was your question again? Somethiong about which stick to use? I say get a PS2 pad and a USB converter. That's what I use! 

That or go to the Gym so you can build up your muscles and become big and strong so you can use the Saitek!

[Jeff Vader]

Though that was an actual quote from HJS:

Snake (talking to his ex): "I'm going to win you back, even if I have to pistol-whip this guy all night."
Homer: "*gasp* Pistol whip?! Mmm... pistol whip..."

[Silent Warrior]

... You guys are really rather unbelievable, you know?

Anyway, what I wanted was advice on what cheap (up to 80 USD) yet reasonably reliable joystick I can use for space-sims - in normal, terrestrial, flight-sims the X45 is no problem (although it HAS an unfortunate tendency to, on random occasions, send a brief 'left'-signal, making manual level flight in Falcon 4 an absurdity). Known candidates are Logitech Extreme 3D Pro and Saitek Cyborg Evo.

Disclaimerish: I have heard great things of CH's sticks. I've also heard they're pricey buggers, and because Cogent and Telia-Sonera don't see eye to eye about something I can't check out their homepage.

[haloboy100]

what about the logitech joystick that came with Freespace 2: collossus? can i get that to work somehow? I've tried, won't do it. 

Mine lasted me 5 years

Then I bought another

[Mobius]

Mine lasted about 4 years. I don't think it is an excellent joystick, but...geez, I know FreeSpace thanks to it!

[Titan]

Mine lasted about 4 years. I don't think it is an excellent joystick, but...geez, I know FreeSpace thanks to it!

For which is the reason i keep trying to let me put it in a glass case. 

[colecampbell666]

I would suggest the Saitek EVO Force, it's a very good stick, lots of buttons, everything's adjustable, good force-feedback. I love my EVO.

what about the logitech joystick that came with Freespace 2: collossus? can i get that to work somehow? I've tried, won't do it. 

Mine lasted me 5 years

Then I bought another

Mine lasted no days, then I returned it and the second one lasted 6 months. I kept the game from the first one, though.

[Damage]

Homer:  "This really is Hell!!"  (on the River Styx...)


Though not a joystick, so to speak, I use a Logitech Dual Action Pro.  (Not dissimilar to a PS2 controller).  It cost around $20 when I got it, and comes with the following features:

  Two Joysticks (One for flight controls, the other for...whatever.)
  One D-Pad
  10 Buttons.

  This had the advantage of being similar enough to a joystick to give you that awesome kind of control, but it takes a little getting used to the different feel of it.  All those buttons means I can customize my controls--some throttle, targetting, and weapons control as well as room for extra ship functions like the "roll" feature.
 **HOWEVER**
  There isn't room on that little pad for everything you're going to need.  In other words, I can't fit all the controls I need on there.  I had to pick and choose the ones that are most necessary at any given time (like Target Nearest Enemy, Full Throttle, Match Speed, etc...) and leave the others on the keyboard.  The real challenge is trying to issue commands to my wingmen while dodging fire.  Anyways, best of luck in your search.

  Remember--no matter what your controller, Freespace is always something fun to do!


Mmm....Fondue....

[Davros]

x52 has a light spring

[Admiral_Stones]

... You guys are really rather unbelievable, you know?

Anyway, what I wanted was advice on what cheap (up to 80 USD) yet reasonably reliable joystick I can use for space-sims - in normal, terrestrial, flight-sims the X45 is no problem (although it HAS an unfortunate tendency to, on random occasions, send a brief 'left'-signal, making manual level flight in Falcon 4 an absurdity). Known candidates are Logitech Extreme 3D Pro and Saitek Cyborg Evo.

Disclaimerish: I have heard great things of CH's sticks. I've also heard they're pricey buggers, and because Cogent and Telia-Sonera don't see eye to eye about something I can't check out their homepage.

My dad's CH stick lasted almost a century. He only failed because we got rid of our old Performa with an ADB bus. So yes, supreme quality.

[colecampbell666]

My dad's CH stick lasted almost a century. He only failed because we got rid of our old Performa with an ADB bus. So yes, supreme quality.

(up to 80 USD)

He doesn't have 400$ to spend on the Nuke special.

[haloboy100]

Homer:  "This really is Hell!!"  (on the River Styx...)


Though not a joystick, so to speak, I use a Logitech Dual Action Pro.  (Not dissimilar to a PS2 controller).  It cost around $20 when I got it, and comes with the following features:

  Two Joysticks (One for flight controls, the other for...whatever.)
  One D-Pad
  10 Buttons.

  This had the advantage of being similar enough to a joystick to give you that awesome kind of control, but it takes a little getting used to the different feel of it.  All those buttons means I can customize my controls--some throttle, targetting, and weapons control as well as room for extra ship functions like the "roll" feature.
 **HOWEVER**
  There isn't room on that little pad for everything you're going to need.  In other words, I can't fit all the controls I need on there.  I had to pick and choose the ones that are most necessary at any given time (like Target Nearest Enemy, Full Throttle, Match Speed, etc...) and leave the others on the keyboard.  The real challenge is trying to issue commands to my wingmen while dodging fire.  Anyways, best of luck in your search.

  Remember--no matter what your controller, Freespace is always something fun to do!


Mmm....Fondue....

I used to have that. It was alright for freespace, though i used it for playing Halo at the time.

[achtung]

I just got a nice Saitek Cyborg Evo Wireless.

Works great.

[colecampbell666]

Good Swantz. *Pats Swantz on head*