rec.autos.simulators

Im considering trying to see if flightsims are a fun way of
spending money and time alongside GPL. I have finally realised
that my Forse RS is not too realistic as an airplane controller.
What do you use? Any recommendations?

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I use CH Products equipment.... their site is www.chproducts.com.

I have the Flight Sim Yoke, Pro Pedals, F-16 Fighterstick, and Pro Throttle.
They are nice.

Andrew

I like my old MS Sidewinder 3D and Sidewinder FF sticks.  Two nice
things about the MS sticks are the programmable buttons and a "shift"
button to double the number of button functions, and the ability to
twist the handle for rudder control.  I think only very few sticks have
built in rudder capability (the Cyborg 3D being another, I think).

HTH!
Kendt

Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.

Heyas

I use a MS sidewinder prec pro, USB.  It has all the programmable
buttons u could want, it has the twist grip which allows rudder control
without spending money on pedals.  Also has an 8 way hat switch
(invaluable, 4 ways SUK), and also cuz its USB, i can plug my wheel into
the gameport, and with most of my flightsims I do bot need to remove any
controllers.  Also...  I found that in Superbike and possibly many other
as yet untested I can use the sidewinder with the pedals of my TM super
sport wheel.  I haven't tested but I think I can likely combine my stick
and pedals for GPL too..
I did find that Falcon 4.0, and Redbaron3d require the removal of the
wheel, however European Air war and Air warrior3 did not require me to
do anything with the controllers.

Its a great cheap stick, that does all you need for flight sims.  If you
get serious though.. I'd recommend a CH setup.

Md

A good, inexpensive joystick is the Logitech Wingman Interceptor.  It has a
good number of programmable buttons (flightsims LOVE buttons) and an
integrated throttle control, also useful.  It's about $30-40, and mine has
been solid for the past year and a half.  Microsoft's Sidewinder Pro is a
bit more expensive and is also pretty good from what I hear.

Flightsims, especially combat flightsims, tend to have a number of keyboard
commands for selecting targets, shooting at them, etc. - so one of these
sticks will be MUCH better than one of the real cheap ones with only two
buttons.  Many games allow you to set controls via DirectX, but for those
that don't the software for both of these sticks allows you to map keyboard
commands to a stick button.  This is MUCH more convenient than remembering
CTRL-SHIFT-R to turn on your radar.

--
Ken's Sig 3.01

"Who is the more foolish?  The fool, or the fool who follows him?"
 - Obi-Wan Kenobi

volksy(at)yahoo(dot)com

Go #43 and #44!

It may not quite be "entry level", but you won't go wrong with the Saitek
X36 Combo: Top quality stick, separate throttle slider, and rudder controls.
Build quality is good, and there are more progammable buttons than you could
imagine; including 3 hat switches, 2 mode sliders, 2 rotary controls, shift
button, plenty of fire buttons, and a realistic safe/fire missile
flick-switch on top of the stick for any Jet jockeys! Now comes in a USB
version. I've used it for everything from Flight Unlimited 3 and FS98 to
X-Wing Alliance.

Imho, you can't get any better than the Thrustmaster F22 pro with TQS
 throttle quadrant system), and a set of Elite rudder pedals. I have the F16
flcs with the TQS and rudders, and love them. Only problem is, TM has
discontinued the stick and tqs, but rumour has it they will be making a
newer version later on, will have to wait and see I guess.
You could probably pick them up on Ebay, only thing is folks are getting
pretty good prices on them. If your in a mom and pop shop and see either of
them there though, grab em up.
Otherwise, I hear Saitek and CH make pretty good stuff.

--
Don Burnette
Dburn in N3 and Legends

     I just purchased the Logitec Wingman Digital 3D and it also has the
twist handle for the rudder.

Joel Willstein

I like the CH stuff too except for ex-Thrustmaster rudder pedals.
I wouldn't go twist stick for flight games - It's too much fun
stomping on the pedals in maneuvers to give that up for mere cash. ;)
With a good flight model, the rudders are more important for
advanced maneuvering in WWII and WWI games than in more
modern ones.

CH has a USB stick now and will have a programmable USB throttle
any time now. While waiting for their USB throttle, I'm seriously
considering replacing my aging wheel with a new USB model just
so I can get away from *&^%(** unplugging/replugging/rebooting
dance to switch back and forth from flying and driving modes.
Some of the older flight sims are the worst offenders regarding
not using all the Windows capabilities regarding multiple joysticks. ;(

Me too. ;)   And just remember to use more than the usual driving sim
two buttons for viewing. (I have 17 buttons configured for
managing viewing changes on my flight setup. Of course I fly WWII
where it's more important to see than to be fast flipping switches. ;)

- Matt
WB: para

Good Points, in a sim like Falcon 4.0 the rudder isn't very useful withe
the exception of landing, I think its pretty useless over 250 knots.

Only 17 buttons for view changes in WB? +)  Well I use 3 for aw3, and
those 3 give me the ability to look 26 different directions +)  Altho
true some views are just of the inside of the plane.

I basically recommend the sw prec pro if you aren't sure that you want
to spend alot of money, by buying more than 1 controller.

If i had the $$ i'd buy a CH Fighterstick (if still available) last one
I saw was $150 canadian, and a set of CH pro pedals, which in Canada ay
= $250 after taxes for the pair... The sw prec pro = probably less than
$80 these days.

My views +)

Md
SKurj aw3 med eto rr

The saitek cyborg 3d 2 is at the e3 i think.