Joysticks - what are people using?

[v4moose]

In short - my Saitek AV8R is giving me the absolute s***s right now. Almost about to throw it out the window. It won't calibrate properly on the Y axis (only goes 2 thirds the way up and down) and the 2nd throttle jitters.

If I do manage to get it sorted, through unplugging, un installing, recalibrating - it usually lasts only 1 or 2 sessions. Sometime is goes out of calibration mid flight which is EXCEPTIONALLY annoying when your on final, release the autopilot ,realise you can't flare and nose dive into the dirt..

So what are others using and are you happy with it? I don't particularly want to go another Saitek, as browsing my situation reveals bulk threads from owners of a multitude of models, which suggest a driver issue rather than hardware issue. And CH products are expensive. Is there anything else out there?

[brimlad]

I use the x52 pro + saitek rudder pedals, both good and well priced; the stick and throttle are both very ergo easy to do 2 hours of flying without any discomfort; the pedals are also very comfortable though the brakes probably have to much travel which makes full brake at full turn a challenge but a rare moment. downside is the software, atm I don't have it installed as it seems easier to map directly in game and it could do with 1 or 2 extra axis's; dual throttles would be nice which the latest model (x65) does have but it uses a completely different stick mechanic so I'd suggest doing some research on that model.
I have a local friend who has the thrustmaster warthog and I've had a few hours flying on that stick and while it looks and feels great (full metal construction dual throttle with classic switches) it's a tad uncomfortable to use as the throttle axis's aren't well place; it is a quality hotas though.
best option is to get to a store and have a close look at what's around.

cheers

[v4moose]

i had put the purchase of a new stick on the backburner for a while, as the old one seemed to be hanging in there and i really wanted a trackIR5

joystick prevented me from simming completely last night. it was registering full back pressure even though the stick was centered, and re-calibrating didn't do anything to fix.

the cheapest i can find a x-52 in aus is about $260... utterly ridiculous when you consider amazon chardes $90. even with a ship it to servers its only about $140.

i also can't believe pccasegear sells a x52 pro for $209 but charges $80 for shipping - thats almost twice as much as shipitto does from the states!

EDIT: lol - scratch that last complaint about pccasegears shipping... i had other items in my cart from previous browsing...

BOUGHT THE X-52 PRO. NOW BACK TO WORK TO EARN THE MONEYZ.

[[PwR]..DJ..]

I have the x52. It had been shelved for a while and really only got a work out for a few months steering choppers into inanimate objects often with much more precision than I had hoped for.
So after a dust off, (Really, more dust than a Dyson!", I put my stick back into service. It had 2 problems.
One, was it had close to 1cm travel before the left/right engaged. So, searching for a fix, thinking it was software, I found this and paint me red and shove a crowbar up my nose, it worked. Just as a disclaimer, I needed blue-tac for the fix, so if my wife ask's anyone why all our pictures are now crooked, it was the kids.



2nd was the stutter shaking effect on the slider. I had a big night prior and considered the jitters. As it turns out, I was OK to drive and it was the slider after all. This is caused by a drop in voltage caused by to many USB plugs on the same basic USB connections.
I used a rear port and all was fixed there.


So maybe this can help u in some way till u get your new stick.. CYA in game. Just stay away from any inanimate objects and I shouldn't run into ya. I make no promises though.

DJ to get tubes to work at gon you just use the letters after the = sign: cheers brim

[Ralph Wiggum]

Saitek Cyborg 3D Gold. Old (as in about 10 years old) but still works. I'm left handed which makes HOTAS a no-go for me sadly

[v4moose]

DJ - you crack me up with your whims. I'm glad the x-52 is working for you know i heard the build quality is a little better in the pro so here's hoping - as I won't be opening up my joystick until the warranty is done.

I opened up my cheapy, couldn't really see much I could mod... and i've got jitters in the second throttle also... changing usbs didn't fix - i think its just fubar all round

[DarkMellie]

I have a Saitek X-52 for back-up, but my main beauty is the Thrustmaster Hotas Warthog. Super stick, chose from this and the Logitech force-sensing one.

Absolutely amazingly immersive for flying the A10.

[[PwR]..DJ..]

I saw that stick. I really love the look of it.. May be my next purchase if my old one breaks altogether or if my wife has a head concussion of any kind and I am able to get it past her.

[v4moose]

I'm so devo my stick didn't arrive for the weekend! I've got a whole day free tomorrow which happens once in a blue moon... oh well I may as well go get some sun.

Soon...SOON

[brimlad]

yeah we're missing you moose, DJ's been racking up the kills and the USA budget deficit with the number of a-10c on re-order, but all good fun he even asked me about counter measures today

got this baby on pre-order, seems BMC are doing a DCS: Bicycle module... can't wait



cheers

[[PwR]..DJ..]

Don't take it lying down Moose. Abuse a Farcry admin.. It won't help in any way or form, but you will feel better. Trust me, I'm a..a..a.. Crysis admin.

and Brim, if you get that Stick, you should get the optional upgrade.

[brimlad]

Farcry admin..

that's french for failmin I guess; but seriously... nah probably not the time for that

and moose I get that devo were a pretty hip band back when the dinosaurs ruled the planet but what connection do they have to simulators

cheers

[Mearehear]

Well my stick sits right on the cheap and nasty end, but I have mentioned here before that I was going to set it up with my WheelStandPro and DFGT pedals and use it for flights in front of the TV, so thought I would show what I mean. The stand really is quite awesome and although I only have to little hand clamps holding the stick on (doesnt move at all ) there is screw holes for mounting things to the metal top of the stand, so really I could mount any stick on there quite securely.

Sitting in a beanbag that forms itself perfectly to my lazy arse, and the keyboard/mouse on a tray thing next to me, this is easily the most comfortable I have been flying All I need now is head tracking mounted below the TV (and a decent stick to mount on the stand)

[brimlad]

I like how you've clamped the stick onto your wheel stand; if you could map the brake and throttle as rudder pedals it would work sweet.

[Mearehear]

Exactly what I do Just is a matter of setting the pedals to "combined" axis instead of separate and then they work great. I have a cable that lets the pedals function "standalone" where normally they would have to be plugged into the wheel to be detected. Especially handy for getting out in the choppers. Main goal is comfort anyway, and for that it works well