Which Joystick

[fmansam]

Hi gents,

my sidewinder 2 met with an untimely end, when our puppy..named henry, chewed through the USB cable!
(henry nearly met one as well when i found out!) :@ :@

i wasn't sure which joystick to get, the last one i played with was the Saitek X52, the Skysim lads had one at waddo airshow, :flying:
problem was i didnt think i could justify the £100, but then having seen the Saitek X52PRO for the same money on ebuyer....i couldn't resist
trouble is aint told the wife yet!!!! :000:

i took delivery this morning, and have been hammering it all day, in both FS9 and X,

all i can say is..WOW! :prayer:

i was just wondering if anyone else has this device and if so, how do they have theirs configured button wise!!

Neil

[SkippyBing]

Neil,

I've only got the X52, but I downloaded a configuration file from somewhere after a google search and used that as a base to modify as I saw fit. I generally find it easier having a base to work from rather than starting from scratch!

One thing I've done is set up the upper hat on the stick as roll/pitch trim and the slider on the throttle as a spoiler control to give me a bit more finesse (it's all relative!) I've also set up the guarded button on the stick to flick between mouse look and normal view control, then I can use the mouse on the throttle to look around in the VC if it's not easy to use the hat on the stick which I sometimes get on approach etc. if I'm working the stick.

It really comes into it's own in combat sims like Strike Fighters where I can do all the fighting without taking my hands of the controls.

[bigred1970]

I have a Logiteck x30. not very expensive and has a good feel to it.

[Pringle]

Saitek Cyborg Evo. Takes a bashing when transporting it on the train from Benson to Birmingham each weekend and still works fine



Suitable for cag-handers like me too as you can adjust the setting of the grip.

[fmansam]

I looked at that bad boy.....

god we is spoilt aint we......

hmmmm....them money makers......

um pringle...dont you take it abroard?

Neil

[SkippyBing]

For travel I've got a Saitek ST90 which folds up on itself, although it's only got three buttons and the throttle has five settings - 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%. Still a sight easier than packing up the X52!

[Tarasdad]

I'm also using a Cyborg EVO for my flight sims, although I do have my eye on the Saitek Pro flight yoke, throttle quadrant and rudder pedals. On my Christmas wish list!

[Quixoticish]

I'd love to recommend the Cougar from Thrustmaster but it's hopelessly expensive and will start an obsession with tinkering and upgrading, so I won't.

Instead I'll recommend the excellent T.Flight Stick X : http://www.thrustmaster.com/product.asp ... atformID=5

It's the only stick on the market that "feels" like my trusty old MS Sidewinder used to. The Saitek Cyborg EVO stick feels too weak around the base and not sturdy enough, and the X-45/X-52 felt far too small and my hands felt rather cramped and it all felt very un-ergonomic compared to the Sidewinder. I don't care what anyone says or how much people rave about them, I just don't get one with them when I compare them to other sticks and I think they are badly designed and full of gimmicks, and a nightmare to use if you have large hands. The T.Flight Stick X (and it's predecessor) are the only modern sticks I've felt that had the same feel on your hand as the Sidewinder and if I was going for a cheap joystick and ever traded in the Cougar I'd plump for that.

If a HOTAS like the X-45/X-52 is your thing then they do a HOTAS version of the T.Flight Stick X as well : http://www.thrustmaster.com/product.asp ... atformID=5

The only ones I'm unfamiliar with are the CH Products range; they do look rather fine but they are out of my better halves budget so I've never had the chance to try them!

Edit : Sorry, didn't realise you'd already bought the stick. I've only just fallen out of bed and glanced quickly at the thread and thought this was a "help me buy a joystick!" thread. Apologies if I've just ripped your new purchase to pieces.

[fmansam]

Hey No problemo.....

i was just curious as towhat others think......
i agrred with the bit about the stick being to small...until i realised it has an adjustable hand gaurd.
some one else might find your review helpful, and i have to agree, i miss my MS sidewinder like mad!!

He he

cheers

Neil

[Pringle]

um pringle...dont you take it abroard?

Nope, no need to. Fly in real ones then :tab: