My advice? Stick with your Sidewinder.
There are PLENTY of people using MS Sidewinder FFB2 sticks around (I use an X52, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate the old ones for what they are), and they spend just as much time shooting me out of the sky than the people who had to mortgage their children for the cash to get some CH gear![]()
The main reason more people don't use the Sidewinder sticks is because they've been discontinued - MS no longer produces sticks at all. Since they all break down eventually (particularly the trigger: a weak aspect, but I hear Crash got a bunch or replacements in bulk - maybe you could talk to him?)
The big thing you're getting with CH, Saitek or TM Cougar is a bucketload of buttons. Although CH quality IS very high, you pay for it, and it's not necessary on the base level.
If you want a nice heavy set of rudder pedals, I believe there is a small German company who produce REALLY heavy duty metal USB rudder pedals for a decent price. Can someone elaborate on this?
Being in France, you shouldn't have too much trouble getting your hands on some of these to complement your MS FFB2.
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I graduated from a M$ Sidewinder Precision2 to CH Combatstick and Pro Pedals about two years ago, adding the Pro Throttle a few months later. I am not a small man either (100kg), and I've been known to be 'enthusiastic' while flying FB/AEP/PF.
I average about 10-15 hours of virtual flight time a week. The CH gear have held up quite well-yes, it is plastic, but it is very heavy duty plastic, and I would not be surprised if I were still using the same joystick and pedals in 10 years. CH update their software fairly often, and it is quite good, IMO.
About that desire for a WWII type stick and throttle, I suspect that it will be hard to find exactly what you are looking for, since too many of the people who market such things have no personal interest beyond the profit involved, and think of them as toys. I find that the Combatstick is a little better suited to my needs than the Fighterstick-fewer buttons, but the same quality, and my thumb gets a cannon trigger where it belongs...
cheers
horseback
...... mee too I am owner of the Saitek X-52 but i must say that he has left some things me enough........perplexed (to notice that before I had the Saitek X-45).
A)The motivating force is decidedly like no-existent, its excessive soft renders the movements to the limit of the weight of the hand.
B)The idea to put the rudder on the JOYstick to sin the precise movements of the old Saitek X-45 (in tacking the rudder twist on the JOY always stretches to prime a hair... like all the rudders on the JOY.)
C) the potentiometer works through a magnetic field elettro (does not work with the CLASSIC potentiometer ), this makes that the setting of the aces cannot be regulated whit set software ...........they are auto-setting.....so, nothing customer of the centers or the run effective of fine race.)
D)The driver are not existent On-Line from no part, if for case the Saitek did not have to go something well.....wait that memories that come-back that to have put it in PRETTY commerce.....it will be the attendance download software.
E)Like I said over, thanks to the MOTIVATING FORCE, it's not understood where the begins center and when it moves instead the JOY.
F)I buttons POV1 and POV2 are somtime it's hard to use in action, because , once set the height grip, you must arrive to a compromise between -----> arriving well to the POV1 or the POV2.
G)The axe Y get a default dead zone in the centre very hard to set.........the response work too...bad!
In conclusion:
The Saitek, with the X-52 model, has made of the steps from giant for how much care the management of software the SST, most complete in the particular minimums, enough to say as an example that on the throttle a type is qualified scroller mouse where to clic over and roll the small wheel you make less than to use mouse for the cursore movement and the blowup the map!!
May be work great in Lock-On....o Fly Simulator, but not for IL2!!
Obviously my point of view is only in relation and comparison of the possessory one of... old the Saitek X-45!
*sorry for the....bad english.....thx)
Hello.
My advice? Get a X-45 and use it in conjuction with the MSFFB. Iwt works great and you wind up with a HOTAS with FFB for a small price. I use the FFB stick to fly with.Originally posted by Frenchminem:
thanx for all the opinions??? and is there somebody using Sidewinder force feecback pro in here??
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Works great for me. I have a TIR2 which is not in that picture. Since I use the X-45 stick only as a button bay I dont have to have it on the right side. All flight controls ,weps and main views are on the hats (on the MS stick as well). All hats are configured as 4 way switches. All other controls between chocks,canopy,radiator,seperate engine,quick record,bail out etc are split between all 3 pieces.
Originally posted by JunkoIfurita:
If you want a nice heavy set of rudder pedals, I believe there is a small German company who produce REALLY heavy duty metal USB rudder pedals for a decent price. Can someone elaborate on this?
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This site has a set of heavy duty metal rudder pedals.Also a good selection of sticks (UK site).
http://www.rcsimulations.com/switch.htm
Don't listen to the n00bs justifying their purchases with fanboy talk about graduating and stuff. Flying this sim without good force feedback is like stabbing yourself in one eye and driving to work. All you're doing is wasting money looking for precision when you will actually be sacrificing precision overall.
If you are an airquake player looking for 1% advantage to get more points online the argument can be made for an expensive stick with lots of buttons and stuff but if you play this sim to be immersed and want to "feel" the stall point when landing or maneuvering then why cut off one of your senses?
Anyway, when you get talked into getting an X45 or whatever PM me about selling your MSFFB2.
........Wow........sombody take a royality whit Microsoft?Originally posted by PriK:
Don't listen to the n00bs justifying their purchases with fanboy talk about graduating and stuff. Flying this sim without good force feedback is like stabbing yourself in one eye and driving to work. All you're doing is wasting money looking for precision when you will actually be sacrificing precision overall.
If you are an airquake player looking for 1% advantage to get more points online the argument can be made for an expensive stick with lots of buttons and stuff but if you play this sim to be immersed and want to "feel" the stall point when landing or maneuvering then why cut off one of your senses?
Anyway, when you get talked into getting an X45 or whatever PM me about selling your MSFFB2.
Nobody saied that FF it's bad........but sorry......you can't say........THE BEST WAY IT'S....MSFFB2!!
If you are happy whit your Joystick.....enjoy time whit it!!........and see you in one room..........better in CW !!
**Ah!! LW aces,of course!!.......no overmodell ..thx!!LOL!