Hello, scoggy7. To state what is the best joystick (that satisfies your personal need), you have to try several models and make your own decision. As RAF_Leigh said, each virtual pilot has his own preferences, and it's no use to argue with each other. So, if it's possible, I would recommend go to the shop and take one model (X52, for example) for just one day test (with moneyback guarantee). If you would like it -- just keep it. If not -- return it back and try smth. else...
As for X52 -- I've heard several absolutely opposite opinions about it: some are crazy for it, others say it's awful...
Good luck making a right choice, mate.
Regards,
Mangas.
P.S.: As for me, I'm awfully sorry I didn't managed to get a MSW FF 2 (USB) (which seem to be, perhaps, the best joystick with FF effects ever produced)...
So, if you interested, my joystick using history is this:
1. Thrustmaster Top Gun Fox 2 Pro USB.
2. Cyborg 3D Force Stick.
3. Saitek X45.
4. Cyborg evo Force Feedback + X45 throttle.
5. CH Full Setup (Throttle+Pedals+Fighterstick).
I'm on my 2nd Side Winder Force Feedback 2 stick but note, it lasted me over ten years. It would have lasted longer but I guess I was kinda rough with it in the beginning,lol. IMHO the perfect marriage is the Sidewinder with the CH Throttle and CH Pedal. With the force feedback stick, you can actually feel the plane start to stall while dogfighting ( I love that ). And each aircraft has a different degree of force, some light (Zero) while some others are more heavy ( Corsair, P-47, bombers ). But the beauty of it is that you can adjust it manually to your liking. I believe Go Gammer still has a few left ( I bought another just in case ). The only draw back to the stick is that it doesn't have enough buttons like the more modern joy sticks. Hope this helps, best regards.
All depends on what you do with your flight sims.
If this is an extension of a first person shooter existence... I guess any ole joystick will do.
For those of us that really seriously are into flight... anything LESS than separate throttle and stick will not do.
I haven't had a "joystick" since I got a computer.
My first stick set up.. was a Thrustmaster FCS with Mk II throttle.
That lasted a good 5 years till I upgraded to the FLCS.. though I kept the MK II throttle.
THen I got my Cougar a few years ago.
Nothing beats a cougar.
BUT.. you are going to have to work on it occasionally.
Ive replaced a few pots in mine. A new set of gimbals. ($15).
Ive thought about some of the aftermarket mods.. just havnt saved up the money for hal sensors or an NXT gimbal replacement.
THe software is fabulous.
But again. You WILL have to work on them. If you are not mechanically inclined, or have never used a solder iron. I suggest CH products.
Plus it weighs enough you can use it to kill anyone that breaks into your house.
Next on the list is the CH products. Id have CH gear if there was no such thing as thrustmaster.
You dont have to work on them. Thats a bright spot. Nobody I know of with CH gear has a bad word to say about them at all.
Below that.. you have Saitek. Build quality iis spotty. You could end up with a good one.. you could end up with a brick. Software is shotty.
A buddy of mine built a new machine, and decided to try their "new" version. Well it screwed up a bunch of stuff. On top of that, there was no way to uninstall it and reinstall the OLD version. Literally.. NO way.
SO he ended up having to reformat to get the old drivers in.
For the budget conscious, saitek is the way to go, but you get what you pay for.
Force Feedback is overrated.
Save that for racing games and space invaders
I see no reason to by a cheap .. SINGLE joystick...
to fly a simulator we spend $1000s on to play a game.
If I build a $3000 machine to fly on... I can spend $300 on sticks
Whatever way you go..... GET RUDDER pedals.
Twist sticks are nice..but they dont allow the precision you get with pedals.
You will see your hit % go up significantly as you will have a lot better control of your aim point.
I usually curse out loud if my rudder gets damaged cause I know I wont be hitting for S$%T the rest of the mission.
[quote="Bearcat"]If you want FFB then NOTHING beats a MSFFB2. quote]
tru dat! btw i like the ffb because i was a CFI with more than 600 hours in SEL acft. Every single acft ever made and will ever be made has force feedback including fly by wire acft. ffb adds to the immersion in a way that non ffb sticks can't do. point! period! end of paragraph! If only I could find a msffb usb stick!
