Do you use the 'X45 throttle' as a throttle at all or just as a buttton bay?Originally posted by Bearcat99:
.... Since I use the X-45 stick only as a button bay I dont have to have it on the right side....
I'm not trying to be funny here, but...
If not, then could you explain why this is. It seems to me that seing as you have TrackIR (I think I remember reading that you use this) then your hands are free to use a freestanding throttle. Otherwise what is the reason for you only using it as a button bay?
Also, how good does it work as a throttle, is it smooth etc.?
The reason I ask is that I've noticed that the X45 is reasonably priced and it might be worth picking one up if I ever get round to buying TrackIR.
The best thing that ever happened to my sim. experience was when my Thrustmaster Cougar died. I replaced it with an X-52 and couldn't believe the difference.
The only drawbacks are, as someone previously mentioned (I think), the light center spring force, and a very light sticking tendency in some positions that is easily relieved with a bit of lubrication. I could see where the light center spring force would be a problem if you are playing at a desk like most people, but I built a custom cockpit (more of a specialized desk) so everything is at a perfect height. Think about that before you buy. I have no problems with drivers in IL-2 or Aces High and both games recognize all axes. I do not use the twist axis on the stick and have it locked down (the ability to lock it in place is built into the stick). I use a pair of game port pedals connected to a $20 game port to USB converter I got from Radio Shack. Also, the light weight of the X-52 (since it's plastic) may be a problem if you're not in a comfortable position.
Before I got the X-52, I was a 15 year customer of Thrustmaster products starting with their original stick/throttle combo that supported 6 different games via DIP switch settings. While the Cougar is definitely stronger and a bit more programmable, the center springs are WAY too strong (I replaced the stock 18 lb springs with the 12 lb springs that were in my older TM F-22 stick), and the potentiometers were TOTAL AND COMPLETE ABSOLUTE GARBAGE. I can't stress enough about how crappy the TM pots are (and always have been).
Even if I didn't have a dedicated game machine and had to play on a desk, I'd rather rig something to hold down a lighter stick with a lighter center spring than fight the Cougar all the time.
One thing I WOULDN'T do is get an X-45. For just a little bit more you get MUCH more functionality from the X-52.
-Outlaw.
Originally posted by major_setback:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">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?
----
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 </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Here's another heavy duty set of rudder pedals. These are a bit (lot) pricey at 400 pounds (UK).
http://www.flyelite.ch/index2.htm
Do you use the 'X45 throttle' as a throttle at all or just as a buttton bay?Originally posted by major_setback:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Bearcat99:
.... Since I use the X-45 stick only as a button bay I dont have to have it on the right side....
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Yes of course. That is the main reason why I got the X-45. Once I realized that I could use the full stick as well I just started assigning commands as I went along. The trottle has power,trim,some views,map,radiator,tailhook,canopy,flaps,padlocks and SHIFT,ALT & CTRL. The stick has seperate engine start,engine startmsupercharger,mixture,all lights,all gear,drop tanks,attatch/detatch plane,bailout and some stuff I forgot cause I dont use it much.. but it's there....LOL
........Wow........sombody take a royality whit Microsoft?Originally posted by Ltn.F.Baracca:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">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! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Please don't tell me what I can or can't say or how I can say it, anyone is welcome to agree or not with it.
Anyway, I ended up going with the CH throttle despite the cost. The contol manager software is top notch and allows for as many functions as you could want on one hand if you assign a shift button. I only leave functions used rarely on the keyboard.
The other thing I like about using the CH throttle is the mini-mouse which I assigned to manual gear up/down which gives you the feeling of pumping the gear up and down more than using a macro (which again is very easy to do in the control manager software).
About that rudder thing:
Has anybody got a cheaper idea?
The prices of you links are climbing, but as a poor little pupilof 16 years, I can't really afford that expensive stuff (at last not untill really, really nessesary). I still use a MSFF 2, because of the great feel for your plane. However me to, I would like to get a throttle, and rudderpedals. So has anybody got an idea where to get something a bit cheaper?
cheers
This may sound nutts, but I started using my mouse weel for the throttle lol. Works ok this way because I use the mouse to look around.
Only thing I may want to buy right now, is a set of rudder peddles. I just got my Fighter stick from Kas three days ago, and I'm back to using my keybord for rudder control lol.
So what was my point? I don't know lol. The Fighter stick seems to work alot better then the Logitec Extreme 3D Pro that I previously had. Infact, my first stick, a Side Winder, lasted three times as long as my Logitec. I threw the Logitec in the garbage after three months lol.
Originally posted by DRAGON_2_GO:
About that rudder thing:
Has anybody got a cheaper idea?
The prices of you links are climbing, but as a poor little pupilof 16 years, I can't really afford that expensive stuff (at last not untill really, really nessesary). I still use a MSFF 2, because of the great feel for your plane. However me to, I would like to get a throttle, and rudderpedals. So has anybody got an idea where to get something a bit cheaper?
cheers![]()
I really enjoy using the heavy cougar joystick and throttle though the setup is not for the faint hearted.
But once i had got to grips with making button scripts and create 2 or more button combinations for extra functions etc, though this took me 6 hours!.
Also have axis aligment trouble from time to time but i always mend it somehow.
highly recommend the ch products though despite the fact i run a cougar. And if it's cost you're worried about. let's face it you'll only buy one. =)![]()
---->>>Maple_Tiger
please, tell me what mouse you're using for looking around AND use scroll as throttle... cuz I just can't do this with my logitech LX700
(i'll try this evenning with a standert cord and bowl mouse... maybe... can be enought...)
i'd like to use mouse to look around, cuz, it's the best way I think... joystick views are not easy of use... and always fixed... can't follow a plane going around you easily... (and i'm used to play FPS game with mouse... so I know how to use my mouse...)
and, using It for looking around, i got that Idea too to use the scroll as throttle, cuz while i follow a plane with eyes, closely, i got many time to change speed.. and.. leave mouse to scroll the joystick throttle..
(would be nice to emulate my LX700, cuz I got 5 more buttons in mor ethen right, left and center... and the only extra button recoginze is the 4 mouse... wich is previous in window...(even the 3 mouse... (next in windo) is not recognized by the game... so I really don't understand!!)