Joysticks

[TheDeadlyShoe]

Sadly, my Sidewinder 3DPro 2 finally kicked the bucket. I think one of the sensors failed- the stick produces no input whenever I move it to the right, so it's kind of hard to use.

As you may know, Microsoft stopped making Joysticks some time ago. A shame. I think that they pulled all their spare mice people off sticks and onto Xbox Controllers. That's just speculation though.

I do have an older Sidewinder 3dPro 1, but it suffers compatibility problems with anything above win95. I don't recall why, but there's no way around it. Essentially that just means you have to use it as a 4-button stick rather than an 8 button stick w/ hat+throttle. Which gets irritating. I also have a Force Feedback stick, but I dislike the feel of motor-centered sticks(as opposed to ones with ?springs?), not to mention it's freaking huge.

So I headed on down to CompUSA. I tried all the joysticks there, which included most of the sticks you see cited in discussions, such as the Cyborg and Thrustmaster. I did ask if they had any Sidewinders left in stock, but they had sold out months ago.

Eventually I settled on what, for all intents and purposes, was a Logitech version of the Sidewinder- the Extreme 3D Pro. I had been unaware that Logitech made such a stick, but it's in the same price range and offers similar benefits- easy to use, comfortable, and offering a large number of buttons, including throttle and hat. Call me crazy, but I find sticks such as the Saitek Cyborg awkward to use.

Anyways, just my two cents.

[Marc von Martial]

awkward to use

[X(] , please explain. I think it´s one of the best out there. I used Thrustmasters formerly.

Not that I say the Logitech is worse the then Saytek Evo.

[TheDeadlyShoe]

Uncomfortable to grip and reach the buttons.

I can't say whether or not they had a Saitek Evo there. I was only looking at the labels of the ones I liked.

[Marc von Martial]

Uncomfortable to grip and reach the buttons.

But you can fully adjust the ergonomics of the joystick

[dweebespit]

I was a long time Cougar user. Thats a pretty solid rig. Now I use a Saitek X45 for almost everything. I break out a logitech wm3d for duels in Aces High.


I agree on the cyborg, It does feel kind of awkward to me too and it's sort of flimsy.

[Hiruu]

Microsoft has released drivers for the older sidewinder pros.

[OmegaOPS]

dweebe please explain "long time Couger user" I assume you mean the Thurstmaster Couger HOTAS since this is a relively new JS I doult that "long time" is a factor, speaking of long time I've used the Thurstmaster F16FCLS (& a F22PRO) since '96/97 with a companion TQS/Rudders They have seen thousands of hours in flight/space sims and just last year went to a digital chip upgrade by Stickworks (nessecary when wanting to use these sticks in XP) The ONLY other stick I liked for its functionality is the Gravis Pheonix (which I also have but it has a bad axis slider) I truley wish Gravis or even Siatek would make a digital updated one.

[wodin]

For a good cheap Joystick I use a Saitek Cyborg Evo.

[TheDeadlyShoe]

The driver's don't matter. It's a motherboard architecture issue. Nonefixable.

[Hertston]

Another X45 fan, here. Terrific performance for the price, especially since Saitek finally managed to release some decent software for it.

I don't understand why anyone would choose a non-HOTAS option for flightsims or spacesims, to be honest, unless they were severely cash-challenged.

[LonghornXtreme]

I just ran into the whole oldie sidewinder 3d pro running under XP problem. The thing is it works BEAUTIFULLY under XP without having to download any drivers. The catch is that Microsoft's websites all seem to say that it won't run and call me paranoid but I think its a trick to get you to buy a newer sidewinder...

Anyways you have to boot the XP box with the stick connected then go into control panel and manually add your joystick under the game controllers icon... nothing to it all...

Dusted out my same old joystick that i used years ago and soon the StarShatter demo had me grinning like a little kid again! I can't WAIT to order this game and watch it's mod community grow over time!

Thanks for making this your project Milo!

[TheDeadlyShoe]

No the point is you can't get full functionality. Something always doesn't work. Like in one configuarion i could get everything but the HAT, in another everything but the rudder... Using the generic joystick drivers.

[LonghornXtreme]

hmmm i have all 8 buttons and 8 way hat and rudder twist and throttle working with my ancient original production sidewinder....

I'm sorry that I don't know of a fix...

[TexMurphy]

The Microsoft joysticks can still be found at eBay.

Though I know alot of Jumpgate players have been shoppin for Microsofts Force Feedback 2 as its simply the most accurate stick to aim with.

Personally I use a Thrustmaster AB2 and Im quite happy with it. Lacks a few buttons and throttle sitck is a bit to light. But its a detachable stick that comes at a good price and is good quality.

Over 3 years of Jumpgate and over 2500 hours Ive only gone through 2 sticks, the 2nd is still running strong.

Tex

[Bodhammer]

The cadillac of joysticks is CH Products. I had a TM Cougar, although it was very solid and cool, it was poorly made and had poor driver support.

If you can afford it, I recommend the FighterStick, Pro Throttle, and Pro Pedals in USB. This is a full FlightSim setup and the Control Manager software is outstanding.

http://www.chproducts.com

Excellent vendor and user support can be found here: http://www.ch-hangar.com/forum/
there is a file for Starshatter there already.

I also have a MS Sidewinder FF2 that I like for arcade games like Crimson Skies, etc. IT's good but no longer supported.

HTH,
Bod


p.s. not affiliated with CH Products, just a very happy customer!