Planning to buy a new joystick

[KrazyKraut]

I'm playing a lot of IL-2 as of late with all the realism options on. So far I ****, but I'm mildly improving.

One problem: My crappy Wingman digital extreme 3D or whatever this piece of **** is called no longer has a functional twist handle: After only 6 months of use the z-axis started wildly jumping in all directions forcing me to freeze it in any games. Since I only used it to play a little X-Wing Alliance or IL-2 with noob settings every once in a while, I had no real issues.

But now that I play IL-2 with torque and drift and whatnot I *need* a working rudder or else landing or starting is teh horror. So I figured I need a new stick, preferrably not too expensive and with good resistance. I thought about that SAITEK Cyborg thing, anyone have any experience with that? Any other good advices?

[sandorski]

i have a saitek, but haven't really used it much. has a great feel though.

[Rak]

Stay away from Logitech I think Saitek is the best choice, I'm using X-52 and I'm happy with it. One of my friends use Cyborg and he has no problems too. I recommend you to try to find a Microsoft Force Feedback 2 though, IL-2 is never the same after you experience it with force feedback

[Grimble Grumble]

Id watch out for the saitek cyborgs, Ive had problems with them veering to the left (as have others that are using XP). Im now actually thinking of buying an x52.

[Capt.Marion]

I bought a saitek Aviator several days ago and I love it. If the games I play were a little more configurable, it'd be even better. Using the saitek software to program the buttons and axis to act as keys you have assigned in-game, the possibilities are endless. Plus, it has dual throttles that can be locked as one... very neat.

[malice]

saitek is the way to go. If your in Canada futureshop has the X-52 joystick onsale for 79 dollars. its usually 205 dollars and it one of the best joysticks out there. I think bestbuy in the US also has it onsale right now.

Also if your really getting into IL2, you should also buy a trackIR. You set it up on top of your monitor and it tracks your head movements and move the camera ingame according to the way your head moves.

[Makabi]

I got a Saitek Cyborg Evo for christmas and so far the only problem I've had with it is that for some reason IL-2 won't recognize the throttle. it's still a good piece of equipment in my opinion.

[Grobut]

If money is an issue, aye, go with Saitek, they make good sticks that aren't too pricy, but will last you a good while.

But if you want the mother of flight controllers, you'll want CH products

[KrazyKraut]

Originally Posted by Rak

Stay away from Logitech I think Saitek is the best choice, I'm using X-52 and I'm happy with it. One of my friends use Cyborg and he has no problems too. I recommend you to try to find a Microsoft Force Feedback 2 though, IL-2 is never the same after you experience it with force feedback

Yeah their joysticks $uck alright. But my mx500 on the other hand runs flawlessly since day one even though I once poured a lot of coffee on it.

I'm leaning towards saitek atm since they seem to be good in the price/value relation. I'll probably head to my local store today to test the feel of their sticks. The x52 is a bit pricy in my country (~100-110 bucks) and since I only really need a stick of IL-2 I'm leaning towards the cheaper (30€) cyborg evo... if it wasn't for what makabi said about the throttle in IL-2. I'll try to find something about that on the net first.

Thanks for the advice anyways!

Edit: Anyone know anything about the Saitek Aviator? It looks neat...

[herrhav0k]

Well I have used many Logitech and Microsoft joysticks and they have all crapped out on me. I currently have two Logitechs and one Microsoft and the rudder on every one has broken, with the Microsoft lasting the longest (only about 8 months).

I have had this Saitek ST290 PRO almost a couple years now and it is a great inexpensive stick. I bought it for $25 but I have heard of people getting them for $15. If you are looking to buy a new stick, I would say go for Saitek and nothing else.

[malice]

Originally Posted by Makabi

I got a Saitek Cyborg Evo for christmas and so far the only problem I've had with it is that for some reason IL-2 won't recognize the throttle. it's still a good piece of equipment in my opinion.

I had the same problem but what you do is you go down to the very bottom of the controls window and there you define that power as teh Z axis. Just click it and move the throttle. Its the very last group of controls you can set\

[SheepDip]

I have an X45 ftw!

[Colt .45 killer]

i use a logitech force feedback, its been good to me, but it seems many of the others here who pour coffee over thier joysticks dont like logitech.

[SheepDip]

My joystick history

Microsoft Sidewinder 2 Force Feedback (awesome)
Logitech Force Feedback (adequate, but no SW2)
Saitek X45

[Avenger]

I wish I had an easy answer for you, but choosing a joystick seems to be as much a matter of luck and personal opinion as design. I've owned CH products, Logitech, Saitek, and Thrustmaster, and they all seem to have their quirks and they never last forever. It seems that bad pots kill most of them, and on cheap joysticks the pots aren't replaceable. Experience has also taught me that they actually die quicker from neglect than hard use: I.E. a joystick that sits on your desk and collects dust most of the time is unlikely to function correctly when you finally go use it. This is probably due to dirt getting in the pots and either shorting or wearing out the contacts.

With that in mind, my advice would be to buy the cheapest thing that has all the controls you need, or go drop the big bucks and get yourself a HOTAS system. The cheap Logitech and Saitek sticks are essentially disposable, but you'll get a year or two out of them if you exercise them frequently and don't abuse them. Right now I've got a Thrustmaster Cougar, a CH Flight Yoke, and CH Pro Pedals and so far none of them has given me a lick of trouble (this devoutly non-superstitious flight-simmer is knocking on wood). A setup like that sounds like it's above what you want to spend, but think about how much flight simming you actually do and if it's a lot, consider taking the leap.

[Reddog]

I have a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro, the non force feedback version, and all I can say is I am extremely happy with it

Great precision, lots of buttons and above all I feel it strikes a good balance between being too rigid or too spongy.

[Capt.Marion]

I have one of the saitek with separate throttle and stick, but that takes up too much space. I was going to continue using my 5-6 year old Microsoft sidewinder that I love, but it has some wierd-*** not-serial port that I couldn't find a usb converter for, so I went to Fry's down the street and picked up an Aviator which I love...

[Colt .45 killer]

simple mate, get a cheap arse sound card , they have one of those weird plugs on em for a joystick. shouldnt cost ya that much.

[Helmi]

Originally Posted by Colt .45 killer

simple mate, get a cheap arse sound card , they have one of those weird plugs on em for a joystick.

Aka MIDI or Game Port.

Better solution is to simply get a USB to Gameport adaptor, no need to get another SC just for that

[Colt .45 killer]

yah, or that, but he said he couldent find the adapter, so a cheap isa or pci soundcard could solve that .. if anyone still has isa slots in their computers...