Hardware recommendations?
 

Getting back into IL-2. Unfortunately I've had my Sidewinder Pro since the days of the original CFS. I'm not looking to invest in a whole set at the moment (unless they're are quite affordable yet nice stick and throttle packages out there) so a joystick/throttle wheel would do just fine.

Any products you guys swear by or hate?

If you look for a Nice budget Joysticks I have a couple of suggestions:

1. Logitech Force 3D pro & Logitech Extreme 3D pro:

they are both the same but one has force Feedback the other doesnt.

Extreme 3D Pro (without Force feedback) - around 29.99$
Force 3D Pro (with Force Feedback - around 69.99$

Myself I own the Force 3D Pro, its a nice stick.
nice button acces, I own it now for 1 year and a half and its still in good working condition. just make sure before you launch a game that uses the stick to enter the calibration panel first to pull the joystick at each edge to make sure its calibration is neutral.


2. Cyborg Evo & Cyborg Evo Force Feedback :

Also good Joysticks for a good price

Cyborg Evo - around 39.95$
Cyborg Evo Force Feedback - around 69.95$

Dowly has the Force feedback one so he can tell you more about that one.

HunterICX

MS Sidewinder Force Feedback 2
http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Side.../dp/B00005NIMB

I got mine from my father as a christmas present together with IL2 when the game was released(2001?), and I'm still using it! I bought a Saitek X52 hotas when taking up jet sims(Falcon 4), but now that I "returned" to IL2 the Saitek stick made way to the trusty old MSFFB2(glad I didn't sell it!). It has optical sensors, so it's precise as hell and there's no problems with centering or calibration. Force feedback is handy in IL2, since it allows you to "feel" your way around.

It's not cheap, but it's hands down the best stick I've tried. :up:
The Saitek X52 hotas set isn't much more expensive(as new) and the throttle is ok, but the stick isn't very good for IL2 imho.

Ok, quick and dirty like/dislike list for the EVO:

Better button placement on the stick than 3D extreme, 5 buttons on the reach for your thumb. Saves time, for example I have elevator trim using 3 of the thumb buttons, 1 for bombs and 1 for rockets, very handy. Tho, it lacks a secondary fire button on the side of the stick as is in most joysticks.

The buttons on the root are too low I think, at times it's hard to feel on wich button your finger is, but no biggie as I only have 2 of the 6 buttons mapped (flaps).

I like the throttle handle better, it's bigger than in 3D Extreme and when in 0 position, it goes "inside" the joystick.

Also, the stick can be easily switched to be used by an left-hander.

EVO tends to heat quite alot and the "exhaust" is directly infront of the throttle handle, which I dont like that much.

Ow yeh, and it has pretty blue lights. :rotfl:

All around a very good joystick. :up: