Buying a Joystick

[Crécy]

I bet there are a million threads like this but it does not hurt if there are one more :).

I'm suddenly interested in flight sims. I don't have any experience with them, expect Flight Simulator 2002 with keyboard but that does not count, right? I was planning to buy a Joystick and propably IL2 Sturmovik 1946 and later maybe a helo sim, fligh simulator x etc. I have looked for a good joystick the whole day and I have narrowed it down to two options. Logitech Wingman Attack 3, yes I know it is not very good but first of all it's reasonably cheap and I'm new to flight sims so if flight sims in the end are not for me, I don't have to realise I have bought over a hunderd euro's super duper Saitek Joystick. The second choice is Logitech extreme 3d pro. It's a little bit better than attack but also a little more expensive.

Ultimately, if I buy on of those two and I fell in love with flight sim. I'd propably invest to a better Joystick, more likely Saitek EVO cyborg. So, I'm looking for a Joystick for a reasonable prize but sufficient enough to start a career as an virtual pilot.

[Schroeder]

You will definitely need a stick with a hat switch if you want to play Il2 (except you've got a TrckIR). A twist handle is also almost a must to enjoy the game properly (it can be done without but you will really miss it in dogfights). I've got the Cyborg Evo without FF and it has lasted for three years so far without any problem. A stick I can definitely recommend and for a very reasonable price.

[Crécy]

You have this? http://www.cyborggaming.com/prod/v1stick.htm

I didn't find any cyborg evo sticks without FF.

Edit: Found a joystick with a reasonable prize: Saitek Cyborg X. Any recommendations for that?

Edit2: I've done a bit research and found that cyborg x is not very good. But I found another potential stick; Thrustmaster T.16000M. The prize is also reasonable to my small budget. Is it any good? I read somewhere that it only works with a handful of games.

[Schroeder]

You have this? http://www.cyborggaming.com/prod/v1stick.htm

I didn't find any cyborg evo sticks without FF.

Maybe they are out of production. I definitively have a Cyborg Evo without FF. Like this one:
http://www.cluboc.net/reviews/game_gear/saitek_cyborg_evo/index.htm

[Crécy]

Yes they have to be out of production.

I believe I have to invest to Saitek Cyborg Evo with FF. I have read so many recommendations on this forum that it have to be good and the most important thing; I found it in a reasonable prize :). Atleast I don't have to buy a new, better stick as I eventually would have to if I had bought a cheap stick. Or I'll buy that Thrustmaster T.16000M if someone recommends it.

[Crécy]

I have a pedals from a driving wheel and I was just wondering, do they work in a flight sims as well?

[HunterICX]

I got the Saitek Cyborg Evo with FF, definitively a good stick for the price.

The Cyborg Evo really have what you seek in a stick, everything is adjustable.
it's both for left & right handed people, and it has 2 wheels where you can elevate a panel of 3-buttons that are right in front of you for you thumb's acces and one wheel that leans the head left or right.

HunterICX

[Schroeder]

I have a pedals from a driving wheel and I was just wondering, do they work in a flight sims as well?
I tried that but can't recommend it. You can't rest your feet on steering wheel pedals and therefore you will have to hold them over them all the time. Very tiresome and uncomfortable.

[Dowly]

I got the Saitek Cyborg Evo with FF, definitively a good stick for the price.

The Cyborg Evo really have what you seek in a stick, everything is adjustable.
it's both for left & right handed people, and it has 2 wheels where you can elevate a panel of 3-buttons that are right in front of you for you thumb's acces and one wheel that leans the head left or right.

HunterICX

What he said.

Also, I might add that FF is something you definitely want. It's not there just for the 'show', but to give you much more accurate input off your plane. :yep:

[Crécy]

Thanks, you got me convinced! I actually ordered Cyborg EVO this morning :up:. Now starts a painful 1-2 week waiting :(. I have to order IL2 1946 so it will be ready and waiting when the stick finally arrives.

Can I play Black Shark without pedals? I'm drooling that game now :).

[Raptor1]

Can I play Black Shark without pedals? I'm drooling that game now :).

I play it without pedals (Whether I'm too good at it is arguable), so it can be done.

[Schroeder]

Can I play Black Shark without pedals? I'm drooling that game now :).
The evo comes with a twist handle which is a substitute for pedals. So you should have no problems.

[Crécy]

I play it without pedals (Whether I'm too good at it is arguable), so it can be done.

The evo comes with a twist handle which is a substitute for pedals. So you should have no problems.

Eexcellent! I can't wait that stick!

Tilasin verkkokaupasta 1-2 viikon toimitusajalla. Saas nähdä kuinka monta viikkoa menee...

[Schroeder]

Tilasin verkkokaupasta 1-2 viikon toimitusajalla. Saas nähdä kuinka monta viikkoa menee...
If you say so.:doh:

[Raptor1]

Tilasin verkkokaupasta 1-2 viikon toimitusajalla. Saas nähdä kuinka monta viikkoa menee...

Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn.

[Crécy]

Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn.

:O:

By the way, I have not even got my first stick ever nor the first flight sim ever and I'm already looking where I could get the TrackIR. Should I get worried? :D

Edit: I tried that but can't recommend it. You can't rest your feet on steering wheel pedals and therefore you will have to hold them over them all the time. Very tiresome and uncomfortable.

What if I build a "feet rester" on the sides? :) EDIT: Although, I just realized the pedals has to be connected to steering wheel...

Hmm, I'm not too happy with the colour of the stick, gold that is.

[Oberon]

I find myself in a similar position to Crécy now. My trusty Logitech Extreme 3D Pro has turned into a twitchy left leaning rudder uncalibrating mess, which is a shame. However, I have three options open to be at the moment which may decrease depending on how bidding proceeds on ebay.

I have the options of:

X-45

Cyborg Evo

Black Widow


My greatest problem which has plagued the last two or three sticks I have owned have been a loss of calibration after a period of time.

What are your thoughts, peoples?

[HunterICX]

My Logitech 3d force Pro bit the dust after a year or 2 , the stick when plugged in it leaned to the left and was no way to get it centered.

the FF on it was odd, when I looked at it weird it just started to shake left and right as it was possesed, that couldn't be good for the stick I thought as it was doing that wild.

after it bit the dust that way I said to myself that it would be the last logitech stick I'll ever buy.

I own the Saitek Cyborg Evo (FF) for 2 years now IIRC, and I must say it's darn good stick after all the flying hours it hasn't shown signs of wearing out or odd behaviour.

HunterICX

[Geno_Mariner]

I got a left lean to my Powerwave Gaming Joystick too. Tried Calibration and all of that, still got a left lean which annoys me in IL-2 for take offs.

Might try getting a better joystick at some stage after I go for the G19 Keyboard (LED's FTW)

[Highbury]

I find myself in a similar position to Crécy now. My trusty Logitech Extreme 3D Pro has turned into a twitchy left leaning rudder uncalibrating mess, which is a shame. However, I have three options open to be at the moment which may decrease depending on how bidding proceeds on ebay.

I have the options of:

X-45

Cyborg Evo

Black Widow


My greatest problem which has plagued the last two or three sticks I have owned have been a loss of calibration after a period of time.

What are your thoughts, peoples?

My thoughts are, if you are in the -$100 price range you should look at the Thrustmaster T1600M. It is the only lower priced stick with Hall Effect sensors that make it 256 times more responsive then any other non-HE stick on the market. I went to this stick from a Cyborg and the difference was like going from a soap-box racer to a Ferrari. The only sim I was flying at the time was Rise of Flight, and it was night and day difference.

[yubba]

I' ll put up my 20 dollar Saitek ST220s against anything, plug in and go, the one almost 10 years old retired it too steelbeast.

[CCIP]

I' ll put up my 20 dollar Saitek ST220s against anything, plug in and go, the one almost 10 old years retired it too steelbeast.

hmm? :hmmm:

Old thread, I know, but since it's sort of ressurected...

I swear by Saitek sticks with the big springs generally, I own both an Evo and an X-52; I also had one of their older ones before. They're just rugged, reliable sticks that last a long time. I've had logitechs before, and I was really disappointed with how quickly those sticks went bad. Saitek sticks are neither the smoothest nor the most precise, but they more than make up for it in sheer reliability, and rather good pricing too. To me they feel good too, although the tightness of the springs is an acquired taste - some people absolutely hate Saitek's usual springs, which can definitely be pretty tight, especially on the Evo (in my experience anyway). But I love them, for one.

If you can at all afford it though, get a HOTAS, like an X-52 or X-52 Pro (which are definitely at the affordable end - of course you could go for something fancier too...). It might feel like a steep price, but trust me it's worth it. For 3-4x the price of an Evo, it delivers about 12x the function. So if you do play a fair amount of flight sims, consider the investment.

[Foggy]

I've had logitechs before, and I was really disappointed with how quickly those sticks went bad.

This is true for just about every stick Logitech makes, except for the G940 (which is a bit pricey, but well worth it if you're buying a complete setup anyways - stick, split-throttle with keypad, rudders w/toe brakes, etc). I don't know why Logitech has such a huge gap in quality between their G940 and everything else. The 940 is super high quality/durability, has tons of buttons/switches and excellent force feedback, but every other lower-end stick I've owned by them has been garbage. Most of my friends have the Saitek X52's and generally speaking they are the best all-around sticks that don't have feedback...

[Torvald Von Mansee]

FF = force feedback?

[HunterICX]

^
That's correct

HunterICX

[Torvald Von Mansee]

^
That's correct

HunterICX

Okily dokily!!

I also need to procure a new joystick.