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Flight(joy)stick help please
Posted: 21 Jul 2006, 19:29
by John R
Hello Everyone
Just got back from three weeks in the sun to do a flight. Flight(joy)stick appears to have gone t!ts up :sad:
So has anybody any recommendations for a replacement for a trusty Sidewinder 'Precision Pro'?
It must be below £50, have a rudder, good throttle, HAT, and a large selection of buttons. I'm not to fussed about force feedback (I'll not miss what I ain't got). I have a games port and USB.
Any advice gratefully received.
Thanks
John
(away at a car show over the weekend :dance: )
Posted: 21 Jul 2006, 19:35
by david balmer
John, the flight stick i use after ditching the force feedback one. logitec extreme 3dpro. has all you need with 12 buttons for selection. no force feedback which is a good thing. keeps itself calibrated and might be on sale in the uk.
if you can save get your self the yoke and pedals, that's what i keep telling my other half. christmas is not to far away.
Posted: 21 Jul 2006, 21:47
by Paul K
John, if you can stretch your budget a little, I'd recommend the Saitek X52. Its got all the switches, sliders, thumbwheels, mouse cursor mini-sticks and buttons than you could wish for, multiplied by a shift-pinkie switch and then three different modes on top of that. So for each button, there are a possible 6 commands that can be assigned.
Here's the Saitek X52 Home page, with some linked reviews at the bottom.
http://www.saitek.com/uk/prod/x52.htm
You can check out the prices here:
Ebuyer - £70.06*
Watford Electronics - £69.09*
Scan - £70.17*
Overclock - £74.66*
Micro Direct - £71.56
I got mine from Watford Electronics, by the way.

Posted: 21 Jul 2006, 22:03
by blanston12
I have used a Logitech extreme 3D pro for years and really like it. You can twist it for rudder controls and its got a slider for the throttle, plus loads of buttons. I also have the CH products yoke and rudder pedals, but the yoke takes too much time to setup when I want to fly so 95% of the time I just use the Logitech.
Currently available from amazon.uk for 26.99GBP.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000 ... s&v=glance
and the page from Logitech itself
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/produ ... ENTID=6954
Posted: 21 Jul 2006, 22:58
by Charlie Bravo
This should really be in hardware but I'd recommend anything by Logitech. I use several of their products and the support is excellent.
Saitek sticks don't have the same shape as Logitech and I find them uncomfortable.
Posted: 22 Jul 2006, 00:51
by DaveB
CB wrote:
This should really be in hardware ...
So moved Chris
I'm considering replacing my aged, but still working, M$ SidewinderProII with something a little more up to date but don't feel like going to the expense of an X52. Also.. I want something all in one package, like the SWIIPro but with a little more functionality if possible. Am keen to see what else pop's out of the woodwork
ATB
DaveB :tab:
Posted: 22 Jul 2006, 01:30
by andy
I have an X52, and don't like it. :sad:
The spring which keeps it centred is too strong, and I feel as though I am fighting it all the time. Can't find an adjustment for it.

Posted: 22 Jul 2006, 01:37
by Paul K
andy wrote:I have an X52, and don't like it. :sad:
The spring which keeps it centred is too strong, and I feel as though I am fighting it all the time. Can't find an adjustment for it.

Andy, how long have you had your X52 ? Mine is fairly recent ( 4 months old ) and is light as a feather, so maybe your problem has been rectified.
Posted: 22 Jul 2006, 09:47
by andy
Paul,
I've had it for about 10 months now. I have emailed Saitek, but not had a reply. :think:
Posted: 22 Jul 2006, 09:48
by ianhind
Extreme 3D Pro works fine for me. Feels pretty solid too.
And that price for Amazon given by Joe will include P&P since it is over the minimum so long as you don't want next day delivery (although this time of year it is prety quick anyway).