[Mr. Vega]

I used a Logitech Wingman Extreme Digital to play Freespace back when it came out, and it handled beautifully and never wore out in all the years I used it (I'd still be using it if my current PC had a game port). Because of this I've tried to stick to that line of joysticks, but the Extreme Digital 3D joysticks that have replaced the original version are kind of flimsy pieces of crap by comparison. First one I bought I lost the button I use for firing secondaries after about 9 months, and the twist also quit on me. Second one I lost my afterburner button after two whole months of use. But I still like how they feel.

I haven't research joysticks in a long, long time. Can some of the more knowledgeable among you recommend me a joystick with the loose handling of those Extreme Digitals but that also isn't maddeningly flimsy? I'm willing to pay more so long as I'm confident it will at least last me couple of years, but I don't need nor want a full HOTAS setup.

[Grizzly]

I'd say your only option then is to buy the Thrustmaster T-16000M , which, as a bonus, uses the same tech as the much more expensive Cougar and Warthog.

Alternatively, there is the T Flight Stick X, which is less reliable but cheaper. Some people complain that it has too large a deadzone, but I really liked it, it was my favorite stick before going full HOTAS.

[Mr. Vega]

If my criteria are too narrow then you can widen them a bit. My biggest ask is that it have loose handling.

[Grizzly]

The T Flight Stick X has adjustable handling - you can set it to very loose to very tight very easily. I do not know if the T-16000 has something like that (but I suspect it does).

It's not that your criteria are too narrow though - it's just that joystick selection is rather narrow.

[deathspeed]

It's not that your criteria are too narrow though - it's just that joystick selection is rather narrow.

I had noticed that these days.  I'm gonna be a sad guy when my ancient Sidewinder Force Feedback 2 finally bites it.  Does anyone even make a decent true force feedback (not just vibration) stick for under $100 any more?  I see one on the Thrustmaster site, but no pricing and I can't find it online anywhere (Amazon, Ebay, etc.)  http://www.thrustmaster.com/products/force-feedback-joystick

[Nuke]

stil waiting for my ch stuff to break so i can get a warthog. i dont see that happening, ever.

[Dragon]

CH stuff is great, but this is one place where I wouldn't really recommend it. CH Fighterstick is awesome, rock-solid and has tons of buttons, but it also has a great mighty centering spring which did take me some getting used to for me. If you want loose handling, the Fighterstick is the exact opposite of that. It will last you a couple of decades, though, if you can adjust to the spring, it'd likely be the last stick you ever buy (though you might end up getting the throttle for it later on).

I've had good experiences with WingMan Force 3D. It had some issues with motors and a control subsystem burning out, but it should be possible to buy cheap. Force feedback on it could be very gentle, but it's somewhat lacking in buttons (but then, everything is, now that I have the Fighterstick ). I liked it's gentle handling and precision. Force Feedback was nice as well.

[Nuke]

the spring tension gets better with age i think. after a couple years it was perfect.