Joystick recommendation for Windows 7 64-bit

[Cody]

Cobra Mk. III Cockpit isn't exactly what I'm looking for...

Something more like this, perhaps?

[Diziet Sma]

If I recall correctly, the throttle cable terminates with a standard 3.5mm stereo plug, so an extension should be easy to do.

This is a great piece of news... Helps building my scifi cockpit a tad easier.

Well, I did underline the "if".. it's been a few years.. and they may have made changes since I had mine. YMMV.

[Thermonuklear]

Something more like this, perhaps?

I'd love to have something like that, but there is one serious problem called "the wife"

Probably I'll have to settle on something more portable and modest. Maybe something like those chairs in your picture, with a separate control box. I especially like the way the joy and throttle are mounted on the chair.

Well, I did underline the "if".. it's been a few years.. and they may have made changes since I had mine. YMMV.

No worries there, normally such cables are not very exotic in design. Also, my father is a professional electrician, so help is near!

I'll make a separate thread about the build if anyone is interested(and If I ever get around to actually starting the project )

[Cody]

I'd love to have something like that, but there is one serious problem called "the wife"

Apparently, it was his wife that suggested the idea! It's nicely tied-in to some Oofic.

[Thermonuklear]

I'd love to have something like that, but there is one serious problem called "the wife"

Apparently, it was his wife that suggested the idea! It's nicely tied-in to some Oofic.

Where do people find such wives!? Mrs. Thermonuklear wasn't supportive at all when I told about my great idea
Reading through the thread, I found out I'm not the only one:

I've just shown the pictures to my wife.

She raised but a single eyebrow and uttered a single word: "No."

My wife just used more swear words...
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Slight un-derail to the general direction of the topic: Why is it that some controls are keyboard-only? Thanks to JoyToKey, it's not a big deal, but I was just wondering.

[Thermonuklear]

I just ordered a Thrustmaster T-Flight Hotas X, it will probably arrive in early January. From what I've read it's a good, affordable entry-level HOTAS system.

I've been playtesting the stick for a while now. You get what you pay for...

Some pros and cons:

+ Cheap(43€ when I bought it)
+ 12 buttons with an easily accessible layout
+ Control feels very sharp and accurate
+ Throttle has a bonus axis on the grip("finger rudders")
+ Immersion +1000

- Cheap and plastic feel overall, some buttons especially
- The joystick is a bit flimsy even at the most rigid setting
- Needs more weight
- A pre-set 5% deadzone(or that's what it feels like) needs some getting used to

All in all, a good joystick for its price.


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I think I'll cast some weight plates for the bugger. And the cord between throttle and stick needs extension. I'll have to see if the thing wants to open up without violence, don't know if there's any space to accommodate user-made improvements.

[Capt. Reynolds]

I'm using the HOTAS X too, and in addition to what Thermonuklear said, I found the ability to separate the throttle section from the joystick section really useful. I currently fly with an almost F-16 setup, with the joystick on the far right, throttle far left, and keyboard accessible through the middle.

One thing I did differently to Thermonuklear was to set the tension to minimum, not maximum. This stopped the tendency for it to "lurch" out of its static position when you start applying force. It went from "nothing... still nothing... still noth-WHOA SNAP-ROLL!" to very smooth indeed. You end up being a lot more delicate with your inputs, and that stops the problem with the light weight.

The only thing it's missing is a button that sits under your right thumb's resting position.

[Thermonuklear]

I'm using the HOTAS X too, and in addition to what Thermonuklear said, I found the ability to separate the throttle section from the joystick section really useful. I currently fly with an almost F-16 setup, with the joystick on the far right, throttle far left, and keyboard accessible through the middle.

I have to enleghten to cord somehow so I can keep the throttle and stick to my sides. My arms are too long for desktop use

One thing I did differently to Thermonuklear was to set the tension to minimum, not maximum.

Have to try this trick. Sounds good...

The only thing it's missing is a button that sits under your right thumb's resting position.

This! I had a Logitech Extreme 3D before... I'm still trying to launch missiles by rubbing the side of the stick... Eww. That didn't come out right.

[Cody]

The only thing it's missing is a button that sits under your right thumb's resting position.

This! I had a Logitech Extreme 3D before...

That under-the-thumb button on the Logitech Extreme 3D is very handy... I use it for the precision mode toggle.

[Bryan]

Logitech Extreme 3D Pro $29.99 Newegg free shipping in USA:)

Works great, set direction and no drift!

I fell asleep while approaching station, 6 hours later I was miles away from planet and sun !

[Blood-Red-Skies]

Logitech attack3 is a superb stick! Cheap, well equiped with many buttons and has a real smooth action. I use one for FSX flightsim and it's just about the best budget stick there is IMHO. Make sure you get the logitech profiler software as well. The win7 64bit D/l is at http://www.logitech.com/en-gb/support/1 ... =14&bit=64

There is another option of course...
If you have a PS3 controller you can connect it to your pc using the DS3 connect tool, The D/L is available at http://www.motioninjoy.com/download. All the necessaries are on this site. I've not tried it as yet, but may do just to see if it's viable.

[ffutures]

Yikes - I just buy the cheapo controller-type USB joysticks on eBay, you can get something reasonably good for about a fiver (UK). Lots around like this one:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290878203423

Unfortunately the vibration function isn't supported as far as I can tell.

[Phasted]

The only thing it's missing is a button that sits under your right thumb's resting position.

That under-the-thumb button on the Logitech Extreme 3D is very handy... I use it for the precision mode toggle.

I use it for deceleration... with fuel injection keyed to the #2 button directly above it. Extremely useful in combat.

My standard tactic is to rocket past my target, come to a dead stop, climb until I can shoot, and blast the bastard outta the stars.

[Zieman]

Logitech Extreme 3D Pro, button scheme I use for the handle:
Trigger: fire
Thumb-rest: ECM
V-pattern around the hat
. . top left: arm missile
. . bottom left: ID
. . bottom right: injectors
. . top right: fire missile
Hat: viewport selection

[Holmes177]

I like the Saitek ST290 pro. I have 6 buttons at my fingertips, a hat & a throttle. Easily modified for left handed use. Several on Amazon & Ebay for around $25.