Pilot Archive
Thread: Could I get some joystick information?
Message Edited by Supermite on 09-24-2005 03:37 AM
Supermite wrote:
I don't play a lot of games outside of this one. In fact, I'm not even really sure what other games joysticks can be used for beyond flight sims (which I do not play very often). So I was wondering if you guys would be able to help me out here.
I've been looking at the Saitek ST90. It is only about $24.95 in Canadian dollars. From what I've been able to see, it is fairly cheap compared to other models.
http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10044639&catid=20384# (sorry, I couldn't get a clicky to work)
This is the Best Buy webpage for the Saitek ST90. I think it is a nice looking joystick, but I don't know anything about them. Is this an alright one to use for JTL? I'm not a champion pilot or anything. I don't PVP yet, but when I do I would like to know if this would be an alright joystick to use for piloting. Or maybe you guys know of better joysticks on the market that are not too expensive. Any help would be appreciated.
Message Edited by Supermite on 09-24-200503:37 AM
i would stay away from that joystick. first of all it's light as a feather and i don't think the base will be very sturdy. second of all it feels and looks extremely cheaply made. i played with a store display (granted they aren't in the best condition usually) and i instantly wanted to smash it. not because i disliked it intensely (although i did) but because it just felt like it wanted to be broken, as ifrepeatedly smashedwere it's natural state.
if you are in the market for cheap joysticks, i also recommend staying far far away from the logitech extreme 3d pro. it's in the same price range and i believe best buy sells that one as well. it will work great and you will be happy for 1-3 weeks, then the calibration will go out and it cannot be fixed to anyone's satisfaction. it's a shame, because i like the button layout, sturdy base, and feel of the logitech sticks.
i've had people swear by the saitek cyborg evo sticks, but my personal experience is squeezing the hell out of the trigger and breaking it in under a month. you can be gentle with it for a bit, but then you get into a firefight and squeeze it and feel it start to give so you squeeze it harder. at least that's what i did. open it up and behold the cheap trigger mechanism if you doubt me.
i can't speak to the other throttle/joystick combinations out there.they looklike fun, i've just never had the desk space or guts to be able to come up with an explanation for such an apparatus to visitors, so i stuck with a single stick.
if i had to recommend a stick now, it'd be the logitech freedom 2.4 wireless. it has the best base ever made, terrific button placement and i imagine it would feel superb in most non hamfist gamers hands. i've heard the stick also has calibration issues though... so beware... the warranty offers people usually laugh away at compUSA and best buy may not be the worst idea on earth. definately go down to the store and play with them though. if they are in a box, maybe jiggle it and shake/attempt to open it until one of those "doyouhaveanyquestionsidontworkoncommission" guys comes over then demand to give it a test run.
but the trigger!
squeeze it. doesn't it just feel like it needs to be squozen (sp?) harder and harder? perhaps i have anger issues.
Thankyou for all the replies. I guess I'll have to look around a little more for a better joystick.
Alternatively, do any of you suggest or recommend using game pads/ controllers? If so, which ones?
Message Edited by Supermite on 09-24-2005 01:34 PM
I've tried useing a game pad....IMO they are not very intuitive to flight control. After about 5 minuts of trying to use a dual analogue(sp) pad, I switched to my sidewinder and haven't looked back. I have heard others with different results with game pads, so mabe it's just me.
quadpers0n wrote:
but the trigger!
squeeze it. doesn't it just feel like it needs to be squozen (sp?) harder and harder? perhaps i have anger issues.
i definately liked my evo wireless until i destroyed it.
Yeah, anger issues, and about the response, the dead zone on it is a tad big sometimes (especially when flying a little JSF or Bella compared to Vaksai or Rihxyrk), but honestly, that's just being picky for how customizable and comfortable it is
.
I use the MS sidewinder pro. The base is sturdy. OK button placement. the trigger is solid. 8 buttons plus the POV hat.
I have been useing it for 3 years now with no problems what-so-ever.
Only downside is that it is older and I'm not sure if they make it anymore.