Joystick reccomendations beyond arcade sticks.

[Pixel_Outlaw]

Everyone here always talks about the standard joysticks used for arcade games.
I'd like to know some good models for flight simulators and games like MechWarrior...

Perhaps a flightsrick is the proper term?

Preferably USB as gameport is a bit long in the tooth...

[austere]

If you're buying for PC, I really can't recommend anyone except these guys:

http://www.chproducts.com/retail/

The same company also makes industrial joysticks which are obviously top-notch in quality. It does take a little bit of adjusting to if you're used to loose sticks, but once you've got the hang of it/broke it in a bit, it's perfect. The other commercial manufacturers don't really care about consistency or durability. The Saitek crap might seem flashier but it'll break down pretty quickly. Actually they're really cheap on Amazon, cheaper than what you can buy it for in Hong Kong (as far as I can bargain):

http://www.amazon.com/CH-Products-200-5 ... 41&sr=8-15

There's also throttles and peddles and all kinds of stuff that you should only buy if you're going to be sitting in one of these:



I do wonder if anyone has a good recommendation for the 360. I did search for one a while ago but I was not impressed by what I saw.

[Daigohji]

The Saitek crap might seem flashier but it'll break down pretty quickly.

I used a Saitek Cyborg Evo for a few years and never had any trouble with it.

[austere]

With CH, we're talking about a decade or more of operation. I'm actually surprised their retail division hasn't shut down given how many people are still using their old gameport joysticks. They use the same parts (well, at least they used to, I don't see why they'd stop) as their industrial products, which are meant to be used in very hostile conditions. CH also makes components for the US military's simulators. There's basically no comparison when it comes to reliability and calibration, though the more "consumer" stuff gives you more buttons I suppose.

In contrast, Saitek was recently purchased by Madcatz so ... who knows.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

The Hori Flightstick 2 for the PS2 platform is cool to play with Ace Combat 5 and Galaxy Force II PS2 import. Tis a shame that the FS2 controller/rudder combo setup isn't properly recognized on a PS3 console, a simple firmware update is all that's needed for it to work on the 1st gen PS3. The real question is will SCEI and/or SCEA release such a PS3 driver for that particular PS2 peripheral (since it's USB powered anyways)?

The forcefeedback/rumble effects on the FS2 is pretty good, considering that there are plently of optional buttons, hatswitches, dials and toggles to use (that are mostly non-functional on the AC5 game...that's a given).

My question is this: Will the PS2 Flightstick 2 work on a PC setup?

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[drunkninja24]

The Saitek crap might seem flashier but it'll break down pretty quickly.

I used a Saitek Cyborg Evo for a few years and never had any trouble with it.

Yeah, same with my Evo Force. Haven't used it in over a year though. I always get sidetracked with other stuff when I decide to actually sit down and learn a flight sim (which is funny, 'cause I actually bought MS Fligh Sim X and X-Plane 9, money well spent apparently ). One of these days though...

[Pixel_Outlaw]

Thanks for the help gents.

Dare I ask how acceptable Logitech sticks are? My biggest concern is recentering, I'm gentle with them but I'd like something that isn't going to fail...

[austere]

Well, the one I used to own required constant calibration. Even then it creeps off-center mid-game, so you needed a pretty large dead zone. Not recommended.

[BPzeBanshee]

Yeah, I have a Logitech stick and for some reason the side buttons are stuck and I have issues with it on MAME doing stuff like scrolling down when it's not supposed to. To be fair I havent treated it well and the last time I used it with a flight sim game it did an awesome job.
Meh, pay for the better stick dude, going cheap by Logitech probably wouldnt be worth it for what you have in mind.

[null1024]

I have a Logitech Wingman from maybe `02 or so, reasonably fine, but the tilt axis is shot. Just spews random values. Other than that, it's been decent.