1. #1
    Hello all!

    Just bought Pacific Fighters not long ago, and now I find out that the Sidewinder Precision Pro sitting in my closet for the past three years is quite non-functional.

    Went to the local Best Buy today to see what's out there nowadays and I was pretty surprised to see that most of the brands I remember from my X-wing days are long gone, save for Logitech and Saitek.

    Any suggestions on a good stick? I was looking at the Saitek X-52, which is priced pretty high for my budget (and I'm not really looking for a throttle,) and the Logitech Freedom 2.4GHz, which seems to have spotty reviews.

    I'm only using this for PF and Battlefield2 (hard to fly a blackhawk or F-16 with a mouse!) so I'm not looking for an expensive HOTAS setup.

    Suggestions? Comments?
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  2. #2
    horseback's Avatar Senior Member
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    Jun 2002
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    Step away from the Logitech! Few of them seem to last more than three months these days, so unless you want to spend an hour or so returning and replacing your joystick every quarter, look elsewhere.

    A rudder input is absolutely necessary in IL2/FB/PF these days, so it really is a shame that your Precision Pro has passed away in its sleep. You will want lots of buttons and a POV hatswitch to go with that rudder axis to get the most out of the game, so I'd recommend the Saitek X-45 at a minimum, although the rudder is a rocker input that some have not been thrilled with.

    I personally gradually moved from my own Precision Pro 2 to adding CH Rudder Pedals, and replaced it entirely with a Combatstick and Pro Throttle when my finances allowed (my rig has cost me over $450 USD, if you include the TIR3), but then, I'm hopelessly addicted to this game...

    cheers

    horseback
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  3. #3
    I totally agree with the logitech being pretty bad. I've had 3 logitech joysticks and each have had some sort of problem, from the twist handle axis is perminatly on hard right no matter what or the x or y axis just stop working at all. This usually happened within 3 months or so from me using it. I used to have an old Sidewinder stick, but my **** dog ate the cord and it's toast

    I was so fed up with all the joysticks that I used after I gave away the best joystick I ever owned which was my old gravis 5 button joystick that I used to play tie fighter and aces of the pacific with. I know the saitek joysticks are a bit pricy but I feel that it's totally worth it. I bought my X-45 off of ebay (brand new) for $50, I thought it was a good deal. Maybe try your luck there, besides having a throttle is great! It took some time for me to get used to it, but I would never go back to the slider throttle now.
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  4. #4
    RxMan's Avatar Senior Member
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    Dec 2001
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    If you're using a gameport rig, and not Windows XP, I have a CH F-16 Combat Stick to sell. Works great with Win 98se. Besides the trigger it has 5 single switches and 2 4-way hat switches. Built in throttle and trim wheels. BTW I also have the Pro-Throttle to match if interested, already sold the Pro-Pedals; PM me or post here, I'll try to find this topic next time I log in. The CH program that would allow programming of the buttons has not been updated to WIN XP (they went to USB port instead with a different control manager prg), but I really don't know why it wouldn't work as buttons 1 thru 12, or whatever, with WINXP and let you assign them within the sim, but I havn't tried it. That's what I do with the USB stuff anyway.
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  5. #5
    Thanks for the offer, RxMan, but I do have an xp system, and even though I've heard great things about the F-16 stick, but I'd like to stick to USB for now. (I don't even think I have a MIDI port.)

    As for logitech, thanks for the advice, nearly bought the thing a few hours ago, and I'm glad I held back! I have seen a similar stick online from Saitek called the Cyborg Evo, anyone out there own one of these? Looks very hoaky, with all these adjustment and such, but then again, it seems to get good reviews for a fifty-dollar control stick. There's even a wireless one for twenty bucks more. Any info out there on either? Reviews seemed pretty slim.
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  6. #6
    I've been using a Cyborg EVO for a couple of years now for a number of different games. It seems to be an excellent stick; fully adjustable for hand size.
    Has nice software features too.

    My only complaint is that the return spring is a bit on the stiffish side. No problem for "real" flightsims, but twitchy space-shooters like freespace can get a little tiring!
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  7. #7
    Bearcat99's Avatar Senior Member
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    First off..... welcome to our world. You are going to love it here in this sim. Check this site out. Cant beat it with a stick. The Saiteks are the best thing smoking if you cant really afford a CH setup..... or if you just want to spend a little less. The recondidioned sticks are great... several members of the 99th have them and have no problems whatsoever. I use a MSFFB2/X-45 combo myself. Hit the Sturmovik Essentials link in my sig and go through it.. lots of interesting stuff there. As far as the recn'd stick goes.... the support is good... and usually they may have a scratch or two but thats it..... well worth it IMO. Again... welcome aboard.
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  8. #8
    It's shame that MS did produce no more Sidewinder sticks.
    When I started playin this game, I bought Sidewinder FF and like it really.

    Now it is closet because I bought CH Products Fighterstick, Pro Throttle and Pedals..

    Still thinking that maybe I'm gonna buy Throttle Quadrant and Flight Yoke, starting to bomber career.

    Many has Saitek X-45 and if your budget broke by CH:s I recommended Saitek.

    Oh and beware - this sim is addictive
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  9. #9
    WOLFMondo's Avatar Senior Member
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    Good budget stick: Saitek Cyborg EVO. Its a little stiff but is very comfortable and has all the buttons you'll need.
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  10. #10
    I am planning on buying Pacific Fighters. I have a Saitek X36F and a Cyborg 3D Gold flight stick. Will either of these be adaquate for Pacific Fighters?
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