Flight Sticks

[PaulC]

If you use the Saitek programming software, you don't need anything else for the task.

Don't use FSX to allocate joystick assignments, leave it as keystrokes and then use the profiler and save it. You can then have a profile for heavies, one for GA, one for helicopters etc.

[DaveG]

With the Saitek stuff, you can either assign the buttons directly in FSX or use their own software which is quite powerful, but a bit clunky I thought.
I program all my sticks axis through FSUIPC & the buttons through LINDA these days as that seems the simplest way and also allows for custom programming of the buttons via LUA scripts.

[TSR2]

Cheers for that Dave / Paul / Peter. So if you use FSUIPC or the bundled software, what settings do you put into FSX?

[Tomliner]

Hi Ben,you could've tried my CH yoke and pedals when you came to see us earlier! EricT

[DaveB]

CH stuff, in my humble opinion, is pretty much bullet proof. You get the impression that even after nuclear explosion.. in the rubble of what was once your house, the CH stuff would still be there.. intact I have the Pro pedals and yoke though haven't used them in a long time and I don't have the space now. Had the throttles too but gave them away in a swap Tried a Logitech Wingman once but I found the spring so tight, the stick needed to be bolted down! Hence.. I gave it away Still using an old M$ Sidewinder Precision Pro which despite it's age.. still works fine. It's my second.. the first got a bit loose
I've looked at Saitek over the years. Their top of the range stuff feels like it'll last though is expensive.. their cheaper stuff is dire

ATB
DaveB

[TSR2]

Hi Dave,

Yep, that sums up my suspicions. CH make commercial controllers for industry too, so I'd expect playing make believe pilots would be no trouble to them at all. but without the rudder on the stick, its not really suitable for me.

With respect to the x52 v x52 pro, if there was £18 difference, is there enough in the pro to justify the extra?

[DaveG]

Cheers for that Dave / Paul / Peter. So if you use FSUIPC or the bundled software, what settings do you put into FSX?

For FSUIPC, leave all the joystick assignments empty in FSX, and do everything through FSUIPC. If you're using the bundled software you'll have to assign the axis in FSX, but the buttons can either be done in FSX as normal, or as keystrokes via the software.

Advantage if using FSUIPC (or LINDA) is you can have different profiles for different aircraft, so for example in one profile you could have a button to toggle the autopilot in your 737, but have the same button for the primer on your Spitfire. Profiles are automatically selected once set up.

[TSR2]

A 737 Dave, come on

That sounds simple enough. I think that's were I'd gone wrong with FSUIPC in the past in that the stick was still set up in FSX and I then went into FSUIPC and set it up there too.

[DaveG]

Thought that was your favourite Ben

Yes, assignments should be set in one or the other, never both.

[DaveB]

You tease Dave

but without the rudder on the stick, its not really suitable for me.

No mate.. that's why I left my CH Flightstick Pro for an M$ stick. I can't remember what happened to it but it's probably still working Made in the USA too which is rare on CH stuff these days

Couldn't say if the £18 difference between the X52 and X52 Pro would be worth the extra spend but for sure.. if you're going for a Saitek.. either of those is what you want to be looking at
ATB
DaveB