[chief1983]

I like my X45 although I had to put it in storage for the time being.  It has a rocker rudder on the throttle instead of a twist stick.  Took some getting used to but I find that I like not worrying about hitting the rudder while I'm banking or pitching.  It's fairly easy to set the sensitivity so it responds well to your own levels of finger pressure too.

[TomJeffersonJones]

Gads I miss my ole Microsoft non-force joystick.  Wish I could find a good sturdy non-force joystick that had of buttons and didn't cost a hundred bucks.  Frankly, I've hated every force feed back stick I've had.  I'm playing the game with an old Microsoft Force Feedback stick only cause it comes closest to a non force stick with the forces turned off.  I just don't need carpal tunnel from playing a game.

Every stick I've seen that wasn't CH or Thrustmaster felt like a cheap piece of junk.  And Force feedback, yeah what's that about.  100 bucks may be the cost of admission these days, I don't know - but the CH Combatstick USB I've been using for the past eight years still feels like new.  Well, the Y axis has a little squeak in it...but man this thing's a survivor. 

[Rhymes]

I like my X45 although I had to put it in storage for the time being.  It has a rocker rudder on the throttle instead of a twist stick.  Took some getting used to but I find that I like not worrying about hitting the rudder while I'm banking or pitching.  It's fairly easy to set the sensitivity so it responds well to your own levels of finger pressure too.

I used to use one of those, but since I got a new PC, I switched to an X52 Pro.  The X52 is a twist stick, but otherwise it has everything the X45 does, plus some improvements (like being able to modify resistance on the throttle so you don't need a ton of leverage to move it, and an adjustable grip size)

[Hero_Swe]

Arrr! Thar be my joystick of destruction!


It's still in fine working condition although the leather under the joystick has torn itself in two areas, My brother has one also but he doesn't game anymore so he gave me it and that one's leather is only torn in one place! Oh and when you tab out of some games the force feedback doesn't come back

[Vretsu]

Logitech Extreme 3D Pro. *cringes*

I hate the name. "Extreme?" Yeah, it's usable, I guess. "3D?" What the-? Yeah, I know of a joystick that only works in two dimensions...it's called a keyboard, MORONS! "Pro?" Is there an 'amateur' model out there, somewhere, that comes with safety glasses and cushioned buttons? I didn't think they made joysticks with less buttons than mine!

I sure wish I'd bought the "Ultimate Hardcore 5D Time-Traveler's Edition" joystick. Then I'd show those Dragon fighters what for.

[Wobble73]

Gads I miss my ole Microsoft non-force joystick.  Wish I could find a good sturdy non-force joystick that had of buttons and didn't cost a hundred bucks.  Frankly, I've hated every force feed back stick I've had.  I'm playing the game with an old Microsoft Force Feedback stick only cause it comes closest to a non force stick with the forces turned off.  I just don't need carpal tunnel from playing a game.

Every stick I've seen that wasn't CH or Thrustmaster felt like a cheap piece of junk.  And Force feedback, yeah what's that about.  100 bucks may be the cost of admission these days, I don't know - but the CH Combatstick USB I've been using for the past eight years still feels like new.  Well, the Y axis has a little squeak in it...but man this thing's a survivor. 

Including Saiteks?? Man, those are built to last!

[Dilmah G]

Yeah, man I heart my Saitek Cyborg Evo 

EDIT: Just looked at the X52

OMG! THAT THING IS INSANE! DAWWWWWG! THAT THING IS LIKE THE PAM ANDERSON OF JOYSTICKS! WOOOOOOAH! DILMAH.NEEDS.ONE.

[Pred the Penguin]

Saitek Evo for me. Feels kinda loose though, then again it's my first joystick. o_o

I'm having trouble figuring out how to enable force-feedback for FS. Any help would be appreciated.

I think http://www.saitek.com/uk/prod/evoforce.htm is what I have, but mine has a black throttle. O_o

Anyways, I agree. X52 looks awesome. ^_^

[Dilmah G]

Saitek Evo for me. Feels kinda loose though, then again it's my first joystick. o_o

I'm having trouble figuring out how to enable force-feedback for FS. Any help would be appreciated.

I think http://www.saitek.com/uk/prod/evoforce.htm is what I have, but mine has a black throttle. O_o

Anyways, I agree. X52 looks awesome. ^_^

Well I think you have to configure it in control panel and then use the launcher to enable FF, then it should work. I haven't heard much about FF in Freespace, anyone care to enlighten me?

[azile0]

I just bought the one on the OP on eBay for $15. Looks nice. When I get a new computer, I'll have a new joystick, too.

[Wobble73]

Saitek Evo for me. Feels kinda loose though, then again it's my first joystick. o_o

I'm having trouble figuring out how to enable force-feedback for FS. Any help would be appreciated.

I think http://www.saitek.com/uk/prod/evoforce.htm is what I have, but mine has a black throttle. O_o

Anyways, I agree. X52 looks awesome. ^_^

Well I think you have to configure it in control panel and then use the launcher to enable FF, then it should work. I haven't heard much about FF in Freespace, anyone care to enlighten me?

Under the Audio tab IIRC.

 I also have a Saitek Evo (Non-FF, gameport), bought for £4 of a car boot. It's old but the build quality is solid, when I saw it I had to have it, especially at that bargain price! It is quite loose, compared to using a PS2 gamepad, which I have used for a couple of years now.

[admiral_wolf]

I've had a Logictek Attack 3 for about 6 months and have had no complaints so far.  Took me 3 hours of shop searching in Milton Keynes that stocked joysticks and it was the only one in the whole place!

[Dilmah G]

I've had a Logictek Attack 3 for about 6 months and have had no complaints so far.  Took me 3 hours of shop searching in Milton Keynes that stocked joysticks and it was the only one in the whole place!

Logitech Attack 3? arrrghhh, I'm no fan of the thing, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't use it.

[admiral_wolf]

I've had a Logictek Attack 3 for about 6 months and have had no complaints so far.  Took me 3 hours of shop searching in Milton Keynes that stocked joysticks and it was the only one in the whole place!

Logitech Attack 3? arrrghhh, I'm no fan of the thing, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't use it.

Believe me, if I had had a choice I wouldn't have.  I'd have prefered a more advanced model, but like I said it was the only one in the whole of the shopping district in Milton Keynes.  Wish I hadn't had gotten rid of my Saitek when I moved house years ago.

[Gloc]

Mmm, the X52 really is nice.

And apparently Saitek has a new Cyborg stick. Sweet.

[Pred the Penguin]

Believe me, if I had had a choice I wouldn't have.  I'd have prefered a more advanced model, but like I said it was the only one in the whole of the shopping district in Milton Keynes.  Wish I hadn't had gotten rid of my Saitek when I moved house years ago.

Wow... Maybe you should try online. =/

[SpardaSon21]

Saitek ST90.  Trigger, two buttons, $15, works great.  Had it a few years and I see no need to upgrade.  It also has a built-in throttle on top of the joy which is nice.

[TomJeffersonJones]

Gads I miss my ole Microsoft non-force joystick.  Wish I could find a good sturdy non-force joystick that had of buttons and didn't cost a hundred bucks.  Frankly, I've hated every force feed back stick I've had.  I'm playing the game with an old Microsoft Force Feedback stick only cause it comes closest to a non force stick with the forces turned off.  I just don't need carpal tunnel from playing a game.

Every stick I've seen that wasn't CH or Thrustmaster felt like a cheap piece of junk.  And Force feedback, yeah what's that about.  100 bucks may be the cost of admission these days, I don't know - but the CH Combatstick USB I've been using for the past eight years still feels like new.  Well, the Y axis has a little squeak in it...but man this thing's a survivor. 

Including Saiteks?? Man, those are built to last!

My experience with other models is pretty limited - I've never handled an X52 for example, or Saitek throttle - but I tried out an EVO once and it was downright floppy and so light.  It offered little resistance and only made these flaccid attempts to recenter itself.  When i tilted the base the stick would flop to the side pathetically i mean does it even have springs inside?  Plus it was over designed, like it just dropped out of an anime.   I felt like i was going to break it....the X52 looks alright, but again it looks over designed.  Its the solid simplicity of the CH sticks that seduced me, they're very no-nonsense, but the expense is a huge detractor, no getting around that.   

A got to give praise to CH's control manager software as well, its easy to use and lets me combine my stick and rudder pedals into a single device that older games can recognize.  I use the pedals to control rolling in FS2 for example, but come to think of it I've never actually looked to see if Fs2O supports multiple control devices.  I combine the devices every time i start windows by force of habit, lots of old sims on my drive.

[Pred the Penguin]

I'm not sure which model you're referring to, but my Evo definitely has a spring. o_o

[Dilmah G]

I'm not sure which model you're referring to, but my Evo definitely has a spring. o_o

Yeah so does mine, in fact I was just cleaning mine. Makes the stick feel like a charm again.