[Bob-san]

Well I was reading an article on TwitchGuru and whose favorite game name popped out of the blue? FreeSpace!!

Microsoft's long-running Flight Simulator series is the anomaly of the pack, and probably single-handedly driving a lot of joystick development. Space sim series like FreeSpace and Independence War are nowhere to be found (at least in the areas of new game development)...

Well let's see if we can get a link to Hard-Light Productions from their site... ya never know!


Edit: I might just have to look at the Logitech Force 3D Pro--try it out if I can to see if it's more suitable than my trusty Wingman Force 3D. It's only $60 too. I have yet to check for support with WinVista, though I imagine both will be well-supported.

[Mobius]

Why not?

PS My WF3D is down

[Unknown Target]

Don't buy Logitech sticks! They will, I repeat, will die on you, nomatter what.

[achtung]

Don't all sticks die?

[Excalibur]

I've got a Microsoft Sidewinder 2!   Pretty good in my opinion.

[Descenterace]

I still have a working Precision Pro. Shame it's a gameport stick, and not one of the USB-capable gameport sticks either.

[Dark Hunter]

Don't buy Logitech sticks! They will, I repeat, will die on you, nomatter what.

I've got a Logitech 3D Pro, and it has served me well for most of a year now. It is showing no signs of damage (other than the slight and inevitable loosening of the base...).

[karajorma]

Space sim series like FreeSpace and Independence War are nowhere to be found (at least in the areas of new game development)

I'd bet that's a sign that the author has heard of at least one of the TC's. My bet being BtRL of course.

[Prophet]

Don't all sticks die?

My Sidewinder Precision Pro will probably outlive me, if things go on on their present course.

I still have a working Precision Pro. Shame it's a gameport stick, and not one of the USB-capable gameport sticks either.

I got a handy whatsitcalled in the package that I plug in to the end of the cord to make it fit in USB port. Didn't you get that?

[Herra Tohtori]

Don't buy Logitech sticks! They will, I repeat, will die on you, nomatter what.

I have to say I have similar experiences.

They have exellent shape, they fit the hand nicely, button layout rocks and their long term quality is utterly random and usually horrible.

A shame, really, because with good durable electronics, the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro could have been THE stick to get, but as it stands, I recommend Saitek sticks. If, however, you get a Logitech, be sure to return it as soon as you notice any kind of anomalous behaviours: non-responsiveness on some axis end area, "spiking" axes or anything like that, because when it starts it won't get any better. If you have nay warranty left, use it at that point.

[Nuke]

i believe the word is "dongle". anyway that guy didnt know jack about joysticks. i guess he wasnt around before they all started sucking. i demand a stick with 16 bit per axis precision, linear motion, and zero deadzone! i feel more strongly about this than kaz does about circumcision. seriously.

[Bob-san]

They've made about 1 generation of controllers in a decade... my Wingman Force 3D works fine but is still basically what I'll get with a new stick? Oi...

A note on Logitech sticks... the forcefeedback has been nice to me so far; the deadzone has to be put up a bit as there is no proper centering spring, though I realize I'm generally a bit heavy-handed as the stick is generally at a slight angle. Fix the angle and it's perfect. The small deadzone on twist doesn't make much of a difference to me... it's easier to maneuver. I only wish i could turn off the twist when i'm on MS FlightSim 9 so I can make taking off and landing a bit easier.

Oh Nuke; its a joystick not a pen tablet. It is designed to take advantage of 3 axis of movement (up-down, rotate left-right, turn left-right) plus have friendly controls like a throttle and nicely placed buttons.
For my Logitech Wingman Force 3D I'd give it a 9/10 overall... 10/10 for ergonomics, 10/10 for force feedback, 8/10 for responsive, 9/10 for cost, 8/10 for deadzone (depends on how you set it, FF is a must)

[Dysko]

Don't buy Logitech sticks! They will, I repeat, will die on you, nomatter what.

I confirm that!!!!!!!

I had 1 Logitech joypad and 2 Logitech joysticks.
None of them could survive for a year.
Then I broke another type of joystick, but this doesn't matter...
But in the next days I'll go to Milan to buy a Saitek X52

[Mobius]

Don't buy Logitech sticks! They will, I repeat, will die on you, nomatter what.

I confirm that!!!!!!!

I confirm that, but...

I know FreeSpace thanks to the demo that was available with that joystick.

[Nuke]

Oh Nuke; its a joystick not a pen tablet. It is designed to take advantage of 3 axis of movement (up-down, rotate left-right, turn left-right) plus have friendly controls like a throttle and nicely placed buttons.
For my Logitech Wingman Force 3D I'd give it a 9/10 overall... 10/10 for ergonomics, 10/10 for force feedback, 8/10 for responsive, 9/10 for cost, 8/10 for deadzone (depends on how you set it, FF is a must)

excuse me but ive been using joysticks for a long time. i remember the analog days and ive built my own joysticks before. i know what im talking about. 

[Bob-san]

Well for all intensive purposes its a combo of a pen tablet and a joystick--instead of a pen you use a 3-axis stick on a 2-axis pen tablet.

I wasn't around for much of the analog days--all I had was some odd thrustmaster stick that connected by MIDI port. ANyways--got a picture so I can at least see what you're talking about?

[Prophet]

My Sidewinder Precision Pro will probably outlive me, if things go on on their present course.

I should have known better not to push my karma gods. Looks like I broke my joystick. I found it in a odd angle under the table... Let's just say I can't DIVE DIVE DIVE, but can SPIN SPIN SPIN like never before...

[Flaser]

Oh Nuke; its a joystick not a pen tablet. It is designed to take advantage of 3 axis of movement (up-down, rotate left-right, turn left-right) plus have friendly controls like a throttle and nicely placed buttons.
For my Logitech Wingman Force 3D I'd give it a 9/10 overall... 10/10 for ergonomics, 10/10 for force feedback, 8/10 for responsive, 9/10 for cost, 8/10 for deadzone (depends on how you set it, FF is a must)

excuse me but ive been using joysticks for a long time. i remember the analog days and ive built my own joysticks before. i know what im talking about. 

Could you write about your experiences Nuke?
What parts did you use, what micro-controller did you put inside; tips, tricks, anecdotes; I'm interested in all.

[Nuke]

i didnt need a micro controller because i made use of the midi port. you only need a micro controller for a digital interface like the serial port or usb. i used an erector set to build the gimbals, which were attached directly to a pair of 100k ohm pots, theese were wired directly to the game port through a piece of old network cable. i didnt have a 15 bin d connector, so i just jammed the ends of the wires in the right holes. the pots i used were pulled out of a stereo or something, and had wires already soldered to them. so i attached the other end of the network cable to the pots with the twist and tape method, since im too cheap to own a soldering iron. oddly enough it worked. booted the comp, nothing caught fire, got into the game controler control panel, added a 2 axis no button controller, and presto, it workie. calibrate and play. i used it to play descent 2. it was kinda cool. unfortunately i didnt take pics of it. but it was totally ghetto.

everything you need to know can be found here
http://www.epanorama.net/documents/joystick/pc_joystick.html