Can anyone recommend a good force feedback stick

[chumleigh]

The topic pretty much says it all except that preferably I'd like something WW2-like i.e. similar to the Saitek Aviator I have now.

[dvm]

Pretty slim pickens out there. The G940 was one of the better ones in my opinion. I heard that Logitech doesn't make it anymore. I have seen some for sale brand new but the price was high. It used to retail for 299.00. Check out the previous posts as they may be of some help. http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Flight-S ... B002G1YPP2 http://reviews.logitech.com/7061/5855/l ... eviews.htm

http://a2asimulations.com/forum/viewtop ... 35#p254536 http://a2asimulations.com/forum/viewtop ... 71#p252634 http://a2asimulations.com/forum/search. ... ive_topics

[dvm]

Found one on eBay for $200. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Logitech-Flight ... 460c712532

[chumleigh]

Hello dvm,

Thanks for getting back to me. There's about 21 hours left to bid on the ebay one and I'm still on the fence. The system has received very mixed reviews from what I managed to dig up online. Some love it. Some hate it. The complaints center around durability. Have you used one yourself?

It seems the only real alternative is the Microsoft Sidewinder. Have you heard anything about that one?

[Buddye]

Alex uses a Microsoft Sidewinder FF2 and so does Seavee. I have also used one and still have it as a backup. I went to the CH fighterstick (not FF) and CH pedals as I wanted quality and long lasting gear. I am happy with my choice.

[chumleigh]

Thanks Buddye,

Yes it's Alex who got me started on the whole FF thing. He was saying how much he loves his Sidewinder FF2.

That's good to know about the CH set-up. I've liked my AV8R but I'm currently on my 5th one - not very durable, I'm afraid.

[Baza]

Sidewinder FF2 gets my vote too. I've used one for some years now and have a spare in the loft, should the worst happen.

[chumleigh]

Hello Barry,

Alex tells me it's a bit difficult to program (Perhaps he was considering the audience. ) and/or that there's some additional SW needed.

At least I wouldn't have to invest a whole lot of money to give it a whirl. that's what unnerves me about the Logitech set up. Besides, all I'm interested in is the stick - not the pedals and separate throttle controls.

[chumleigh]

Wait a second, It doesn't have throttle levers, does it? I'll have to see what I have lying around here that I might be able to use.

I do have a CH throttle but I still need another lever to control prop pitch. I'll plug it in and see if it makes sense to use one of the buttons for that. The ability to constantly alter prop pitch is critical on the 109.

[Baza]

Yes, it does have throttle and rudder controls, Sean; I utilize the pots for my trim controls. As to progamming the stick, it's been a long time since I used my rig but I'm pretty sure I assigned the various buttons using the BoB GUI, before I modified the stick - definitely the fire button.

[CodyValkyrie]

Sidewinder FF2 gets my vote too. I've used one for some years now and have a spare in the loft, should the worst happen.

I have the old Sidewinder FF2 stick too and can't recommend it enough. I think mine was a pro version or something, it came with a bunch of rubber all over it and was more expensive than the original FF2 stick. Either way, I've used this thing excessively since 04/05 and she hasn't skipped a beat. Great joystick if you can still find one.

[marine]

Yes,i have the msffb2 joystick as well,been using it since 2006,never once has it let me down,i don't think it works on win7 or win8,thats why i stick to winxp pro,why microsoft stopped making it is beyond me,it seems to last forever.

You can get one on Ebay.It is called Sidewinder msffb2,not Precision.

[chumleigh]

Thanks to all,

I'm sold on the sidewinder. If for no other reason, it sounds as if it will last 5 times longer than the stick I have now. I'm running XP64 so I guess it'll work fine. In any case, now I'll know who to ask if I run into a snag!

[chumleigh]

One last question:

I have seen them for sale online brand new at prices ranging from $75-$600. I know I don't want the precision model but the pro model I saw was the cheaper one whereas the non-pro version was the $600 one. Does anyone happen to have the model number for whichever one is the better of the two?

Here's the link to one of them:

http://gamestoysonline.com/product/6849 ... stick.html

Here's the other:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/ ... dition=new



OK the $600 one is obviously mis-marked.

From what I've checked out online, the best version is supposed to have a rubberized handle and red base and number 3 and 4 button lights but I have no idea what the part number should be and there's quite a variety out there all beginning with X0.

Can any of you tell me what PN(s) represent the preferred versions?

[dvm]

As I said earlier there are not very many FF sticks available. The Sidewinder FF 2 is a great stick and if I ever find a used one cheap I will snatch it up (had one many moons ago but wore it out). In my opinion all the force feedback sticks need the FS Force software http://www.dirks-software.ca/fs-force/ to really make them work properly in FSX. As far as the negative reviews for the G940 I am not sure that they are objective. My G940 has had almost daily use for 3.5 years and still works great. I use a car seat with adjustable mounts for my input devices. My pedals, throttles and stick are attached with screws to the mounts. The G940 has mounting flanges with holes for the mounting hardware. I had to use rubber bands to mount my CH stuff. The throttle is on my left and the stick is between my legs. I have used a CH throttle, fighter stick and pedals for over six years before I got the G940. They are quality stuff and they are repairable. I have had to repair the internal wiring that fatigued and broke on the pedals and stick which is no big deal and parts are available. I like the split throttles and the pedals better on the G940 than my CH stuff. The CH pedals are too close together and clunky for my taste . At any rate I like mine well enough that I just ordered a brand new G940 while they are still available delivered for less than $300. Sounds expensive but remember you get a split throttle, a FF stick and pedals. I own the Saitek Pro Flight Yoke and Throttle Quadrant System but I think I have more precise control with a joystick so it is in a box with a whole bunch of other hardware. Yokes are for the bomber boys anyhow not us fighter jocks At any rate there is my 2 cents and then some. Remember however "opinions are like ******* everybody has one and mine is no better than anyone elses.