rec.autos.simulators

I just saw a Microsoft joystick at a local computer superstore. The store
has a demo unit so I could touch it but it wasn't connected to any computers
so I couldn't feel how it works.

I plan to use a joystick for only my driving sims (e.g. F1GP, NFS etc), has
anyone used the MS joystick? If so what are your comments? I don't want to
get driving wheels like T1 since they are more expensive, and they are
damn hard to find in Ottawa, Canada.

Besides the MS joystick, are there any good alternatives? The Logitech
Wingman Extreme is comparably priced, but my friend doesn't recommend it
since it is flimsy (He broke his).

Thanks for any info.

--
Isaac Wong      (613) 763-6127  |                      Protel Compiler Group


http://www.racesimcentral.net/~iwong  |        Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada

    I've seen two different Microsoft joysticks in the stores. One is
about $39.95, the other is about $69.95. The more expensive one has
"optical" controls to help eliminate drift. It also has more buttons. I
bought the less expensive one, and I find it to be a good, solid
joystick for use with NASCAR and other games. If you're into alot of
flying sims, I think you'd be better off with one of the aircraft type
sticks. You may also want to look into one of the steering wheel/pedal
units, but these tend to be very expensive.

Emerson D. Champion
Pasadena, Maryland

GO BILLS!

        In any case it works ok with NFS, and gives dramatically improved
        lap times over the keyboard, but I must say that a joystick
        and in particular NFS's joystick design choice (single-axis
        joystick support only -- how stupid was that, along with no
        sensitivity control) is very awkward in NFS.  I would love to try
        a good steering wheel/pedal setup.  And NFS begs for a patch.
        I have not used the Sidewinder 3D Pro in win95 digital mode
        as yet, but am d/l the Fury3X demo as we speak :)

rms

Matt
ThrustMaster, Inc.

: Besides the MS joystick, are there any good alternatives? The Logitech
: Wingman Extreme is comparably priced, but my friend doesn't recommend it
: since it is flimsy (He broke his).

I don't know about the MS stick (probably gives "General Protection
Faults" :-) ), but I've had a CH Flightstick for over a year and it
has survived a lot of use (HOF, LFRS, and 'buddy' racing).  It's a
solid unit, and at about $45-49 Canadian (I'm near Toronto) it's a
reasonable price.  I recommend it.  BTW - the unit I have is the basic
one, one button on top, one in front.  The switches are beautifully
precise.  The enhanced model has switches growing all over it.  Good
for flight sims, I guess, but the handle feels awkward for racing.

Regards,

--Brian Ferguson      |  "When I'm racing, I'm alive.   |   LFRS '95-96
--Newmarket, ON, CAN  |    Everything else is just      |  Uranus-Nissan

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