flight sticks

[TX-Copper]

K....need help here gents.  My logitec ff stick is pretty much toast...the free play and slop in its movement is beyond managable.  Simply stated, I can't hold the plane steady...keep a gunsight on anyone, or do accurate bombing.
Not gonna bother trying to fix that 7 month old thing.
My question to you all, and I really value your input, is what do you guys recommend for a joystick.  I have heard the saitec sticks are good.  Either rudder twist or not, doesnt matter, just wanna see what you all think before I shell out the dollaros for a new one.
Thanks in advance,
Cop

 

[Monguse]

Hey buddy,Before tossing it out may I suggest you download the new drivers from Logitech.I you remember I had lots of slop and rudder flutter with my Logitech WingMan Force Feedback and I went out and got the Logitech 3D pro.

What I can tell you about the 3D pro is that it looks cool feels good but:
• 1. It has a lot of resistance .... real heavy springs.
• 2. You can not roll fast enough because of the resistance
• 3. The cannon button is logically placed on the stick but when pressing the cannon and machine gun buttons, the action of pulling on the triggers causes the stick to retreat towards you, allowing the plane to jerk slightly upwards.
• 4. On a positive note, It has 4 more buttons than the WingMan and are all programable (i.e. you can record macros for each button). The macro recording I really loved because I was able to program my flaps.
• 5. All in all the 3D pro is a good stick and costs about $30.00 US.

Anyways, I used the 3D pro for a while then went back to the WingMan ForceFeedback, updated the drivers and no problems so far.If you would like to test out the Logitech 3D before you buy it, let me know and I'll snail mail it so you can test it.S~TX-MonguseGreen 2

[TX-Copper]

Appreciate the reply Guse, and went and downloaded the newer drivers.  Slop still there.  I don't think drivers are the issue here, believe its the mechanics of the stick.  Something inside has loosened up, and I can't figure out how to take it apart and check it.  The rudder twist is so sensitive now, you breathe on the stick and you get movement.Maybe i'll bring it into the computer shop I deal with and see if they can figure it out.Thanks bud.

[TX-Copper]

need 2 more posts to reach 100.

[TX-Copper]

there....heh

[TX-EcoDragon]

Ahh. . Copper is now a centennial man!!I can walk you through the rudder pot fix, its rather easy, and once its doen its done. . .but. . .i have used all sticks out there now other than the Cougar, I currently use teh Saitek X-45 simply becasue its got all teh buttons and a good price to boot (sometimes its goes on sale for as little as 49.99 USD) But keep in mind that the stick force is probably a good 4-5 times greater than a Logitech, and the stick throws are about 2-3 times longer the longer stick throw is very nice, the trouble with the stick force isnt so much the force itself, but that that way the Stick centers is somewhat sticky so its tough to be smooth with it. I tend to use candle wax on the underside of the disk to keep a layer of something to reduce the friction. (grease is too light, and coupled with the strong spring you will bounce around with it)  My only gripe other than those is that on my first one the throttle cable died (after about 1.5 years, though I only used it about 6 months), and then its replacement had a dead trigger after a short time, but jsut long enough that I couldnt return it.At this point I sort of wish I just bought a CH Fighterstick, those last forever, have smooth action and long throws. . . one stick (no throttle) is about twice the x-45 throttle and stick price, but now I have a bunch of saitek throttles laying around that I can use with the CH stick. . so I may do that, or I may just fix the button.If I had a max of 80 USD to spend I would get the X-45 if I wanted teh buttons, no doubt about it. I would buy it from a  place that was good with returns though. . . If teh HOTAS and all the buttons aren't what youd like i can't fault the Microsoft sticks, they feel cheap, and dont have enough buttons for me, but the ones I ahve had had lasted indeffinately, just like CH has for me (though my rudder pedals did need an overhaul to get the brake cable fixed twice)S!TX-EcoDragonBlack 1TX Squadron XO

[TX-Copper]

Thanks guys.  Unfortunately, most stores here don't stock that saitech stick, so i'll have to order it.  Really appreciate the input!!

[TX-FlightRisk]

I have a Saitek X-45 as well Copper. I love mine. I use a little gun silicone under the disk. I have no problem with the spring tension. As a matter of fact Eco turned me on to it. Sweet stick. Just remember that when you get it the screw on the bottom of the throttle needs to be backed up a little otherwise the throttle is way to heavy. So heavy you really have to push it, almost off the table. That screw is a tension adjustment. They tighten it way down for shipping.RickS~TX-FlightRisk Green 3

[TX-Copper]

K...orderd that stick, and now debating the CH foot pedals.....over $100 usd.Sigh*...wish i was filthy rich.Thanks for that tip FR.....btw, when you going to be flying next??  Miss ya on comms!

[Monguse]

Huh... I can see myself spending more money .... S~TX-MonguseGreen 2

[TX-EcoDragon]

The Saitek does have a built in rudder rocker thingy. . . its on the throttle and wil be actuated by your middle and ring finger.  It might be an improvement over a twist stick becasue there is less chance that you will apply rudder when you dont mean to, but I havent really used it much as I use CH pedals.S!TX-EcoDragonBlack 1TX Squadron XO

[TX-Deck]

Couple of years ago Zen, Rahman and I pilfered some older Thrustmaster Elite pedals off of ebay.   I think we paid around $50 for each set of "refurbished" pedals.   They were basically in new condition, I couldn't notice anything wrong with them.    They have performed flawlessly up to this day.The only downside with the pedals is they are not USB, and don't have toe brakes.   If you are running Windows XP, you cannot simply plug the pedals into the joystick port... you have to purchase a throw away $4 joystick port joystick and configure it as a second joystick in your system, then stash it under the desk out of site, after hooking up the pedals to it.   This allows Windows XP to see the rudder pedals as an extension of that joystick.   Later on Zen and I upgraded to the Cougar Hotas (another long topic all together) and the pedals attached directly to the device, allowing the discard of the $4 POS that was never really used to begin with.Good luck,TX-Deck out.

[TX-Deck]

I found a link to another set listed on ebay....http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3085048062&category=3677It is probably well worth it to get a more recent set of pedals with USB support.TX-Deck out.

[TX-Copper]

Well, in your opinion, what would you recommend for a high bid, or, for that matter, should I even bid?  I have never done the ebay thing.The ship U.S thing is no biggie...we have a border store half hour away.

[TX-Deck]

My post above was pretty much just an FYI type of deal.   If I were to suddenly be in the market for pedals again, I'd probably go with a USB set, to avoid the hassle of the compatibility issues with the joystick/game port.TX-Deck out.