Joysticks

Brother-Captain Gaius · Post by **Brother-Captain Gaius** » 2007-02-03 01:43pm

So, I'm in the market for joysticks. After spending considerable time, effort, and frustration trying to find an acceptable MIDI gameport/USB adapter (which evidently do not exist in any worthwhile form) I have been reduced to two options; cannibalizing my old SB Live! 5.1 which has a MIDI port and tossing it in my other system purely as a means of using my ever-faithful, indestructible, nigh-perfect Microsoft Force Feedback Pro and depriving my older system of a proper sound card (which I do not want to do)... or I can spend money on a new, USB-compliant joystick.

The latter option is the most likely route, depending on selection. I am very picky about my joysticks. Admittedly, I don't have a lot of experience with them -- the divine perfection and otherworldly supremacy of (old) Microsoft joysticks means that I have only ever had two joysticks in my lifetime, a Sidewinder 3D Pro (which still works perfectly BTW) and afore-mentioned Force Feedback Pro, whose only failing is being a product of the previous decade and thus does not meet modern connectivity standards. Perhaps I am spoiled, but I have grown very accustomed to the Sidewinder ergonomics, features, and functionality. Looking at various Logitech and other designs makes me cringe, nevermind that I know nothing of their reliability and performance.

So, wise netizens, I ask: What modern joysticks would you recommend with the above in mind? Here is a rough list of criteria that should ideally be met:

At least 6 buttons, including 1 trigger, 2-3 stick buttons for the thumb
Rudder axis controlled via twisting of the stick (no pedals or seperate control please)
Throttle slider
Good performance/reliability of course
Right-handed ergonomics are ideal
Resistance in the stick/a "feel" similar to MS Sidewinders if possible
Force feedback is nice but not necessary

Thanks in advance. Other suggestions/solutions are welcome too, however unlikely they may be (most adapters I've seen do not support force feedback and/or suck).

Arrow · Post by **Arrow** » 2007-02-03 02:02pm

You can get MS Force Feedback 2, but you might want to use Ebay for a more reasonable price (that stick cost $50 back in the day, and now they want $200 for it).

Then there's the Cyborg evo Force. I love Saitek controllers, and the come with adjustments for fitting them to your hand. I own the X-52, which absolutely rocks in Battlefield. If you want something cheaper, there are none-force feedback versions of the Cyborg, but I wouldn't go lower end than that.

kheegster · Post by **kheegster** » 2007-02-03 02:24pm

A minor thread hijack, but what's the gold standard for flight simulator controllers these days? A decade ago it was the Thrustmaster controllers...

Brother-Captain Gaius · Post by **Brother-Captain Gaius** » 2007-02-03 02:26pm

Ah, yes, I looked at the Force Feedback 2 and thought it a no-brainer until I saw the $300 price tag. Ridiculous.

Thanks though. Not really fond of those Saitek designs but I'll take a look at them.

Arrow · Post by **Arrow** » 2007-02-03 02:42pm

Speaking of Thrustmaster, I think I found your stick: Force Feedback Joystick. It has a very similar look to the MS sticks, USB interface, twist handle, hat switch and throttle slider.

Brother-Captain Gaius · Post by **Brother-Captain Gaius** » 2007-02-03 02:50pm

AIEEEEEE. That Thrustmaster looked like solid gold, but no one seems to sell it! (insert suicide emoticon)

I'm currently looking at this. Anyone had any experience with it?

Rekkon · Post by **Rekkon** » 2007-02-03 03:06pm

Brother-Captain Gaius wrote:AIEEEEEE. That Thrustmaster looked like solid gold, but no one seems to sell it! (insert suicide emoticon)

I'm currently looking at this. Anyone had any experience with it?

Join the club. Several years ago I was looking for a Thrustmaster Afterburner, and nobody had it. Found a used one purely by luck in a local store. One of my few complaints was that even on the highest resistance setting, it was still far more loose than my old Logitech Wingman Extreme, but I have not used any newer models enough to know if that issue was general to Thrustmaster sticks or just specific to the Afterburner.

Arrow · Post by **Arrow** » 2007-02-03 03:16pm

Fuck. Not even amazon has it!

Going by their reputation with mice and keyboards, the Logitech will probably be a good stick. Bestbuy or CircuitCity might have a non-FF version on display, if you want to check the grip and button reach first.

Golan III · Post by **Golan III** » 2007-02-03 05:00pm

CH Products is pretty much viewed to be the gold standard by people in the flightsim world.

Flightsim.com might have some stuff in their online shop...

Post by **weemadando** » 2007-02-03 05:01pm

The gold standard nowadays is the Saitek X52 setup. Its fucking HAWT.

Golan III · Post by **Golan III** » 2007-02-03 05:03pm

just FYI, CH joysticks don't do the rudder twist. But for anybody who wants to go the pedal route, their sticks are among the best...

Tolya · Post by **Tolya** » 2007-02-03 05:19pm

If you are looking for something with reliability in mind, go for Logitech. Their stuff is fucking indestructible. I got a Logitech Wingman Force which is about 7-8 years old, heavily used on daily basis and its still alive and kickin.

I would follow Logitech to hell. Im not sure how good is their current joystick lineup tho, although they have some pretty awesome steering wheels (like the Logitech Momo).

Acidburns · Post by **Acidburns** » 2007-02-03 06:18pm

I splashed out for a Saitek X52 Stick + Hotas Combo, and I've been pleased with it.

Temjin · Post by **Temjin** » 2007-02-03 06:43pm

Tolya wrote:If you are looking for something with reliability in mind, go for Logitech. Their stuff is fucking indestructible. I got a Logitech Wingman Force which is about 7-8 years old, heavily used on daily basis and its still alive and kickin.

I would follow Logitech to hell. Im not sure how good is their current joystick lineup tho, although they have some pretty awesome steering wheels (like the Logitech Momo).

Indestructible? My First Logitech Extreme 3D Pro lasted 8 months before it had to be replaced. I wasn't even rough with it (besides it falling on the floor 2 or 3 times). My original MS Sidewinder lasted longer, and I was a lot rougher with it.

I wouldn't have even bought a second one if there was any better at Future Shop or Best Buy which didn't cost over a 100 dollars.

That said, It's an okay joystick. It has a lot of buttons, which I like. And the configuration software is great. I just wish I didn't feel like I had to treat it like a newborn baby every time I touch it.

Post by **weemadando** » 2007-02-03 06:47pm

My Logitech joysticks have always blown pots within a year.

My Sidewinder however has lasted 4 years now.

Dominus Atheos · Post by **Dominus Atheos** » 2007-02-03 06:47pm

Found a Thrustmaster AfterBurner Force Feedback thingie.

Post by **weemadando** » 2007-02-03 06:56pm

Dominus Atheos wrote:Found a Thrustmaster AfterBurner Force Feedback thingie.

That one is a REALLY good setup.

Soontir C'boath · Post by **Soontir C'boath** » 2007-02-03 07:02pm

Arrow wrote:Fuck. Not even amazon has it!

The Thrustmaster Afterburner? I found it on Buy.com under Top Gun Afterburner.

Edit: After some checking Amazon does sell it.

Edit#2:

Arrow wrote:Speaking of Thrustmaster, I think I found your stick: Force Feedback Joystick. It has a very similar look to the MS sticks, USB interface, twist handle, hat switch and throttle slider.

I seem to have found that one on Amazon but it is from a merchant seller. I don't know if it's the same thing though so I'd shoot an e-mail.

Stark · Post by **Stark** » 2007-02-03 07:05pm

That 'Top Gun' brand is how Thrustmaster is sold in AU, Ando. I've often seen clearly Thrustmaster sticks/throttle sets in EB under the 'Top Gun' brand.

Post by **weemadando** » 2007-02-03 07:08pm

Stark wrote:That 'Top Gun' brand is how Thrustmaster is sold in AU, Ando. I've often seen clearly Thrustmaster sticks/throttle sets in EB under the 'Top Gun' brand.

Why was that directed at me? I was saying that its a really good setup from experience. That particular stick/throttle set is really nice.

Stark · Post by **Stark** » 2007-02-03 07:10pm

LOL Yeah, I thought C'baoth quoted you saying you couldn't find it. I fail at reading?

Post by **weemadando** » 2007-02-03 07:15pm

Stark wrote:LOL Yeah, I thought C'baoth quoted you saying you couldn't find it. I fail at reading?

Correct Stark. Your rabid cynicism means that you lose this round...

Arrow · Post by **Arrow** » 2007-02-03 07:36pm

Soontir C'boath wrote:
Arrow wrote:Fuck. Not even amazon has it!
The Thrustmaster Afterburner? I found it on Buy.com under Top Gun Afterburner.

Edit: After some checking Amazon does sell it.

Edit#2:
Arrow wrote:Speaking of Thrustmaster, I think I found your stick: Force Feedback Joystick. It has a very similar look to the MS sticks, USB interface, twist handle, hat switch and throttle slider.
I seem to have found that one on Amazon but it is from a merchant seller. I don't know if it's the same thing though so I'd shoot an e-mail.

Its not the Afterburner. And the last link doesn't have a picture, so it could very well be an Afterburner as well.