Joystick of choice?

Hi again, Thanks for the advice about GPL. I downloaded the demo and had a look. Ran nicely at 36fps (external view, 640, PPro200 and Voodoo2) and generally looked cool. Of course, the keyboard control sucked, although I think that not knowing which one was the brake didn't help much. :-) Anyway, while I would love to be able to afford a really good wheel, I don't think I can justify it. However, I can probably justify a joystick as I can use it for other games as well. So - what joystick would you recommend for playing racing games with, particularly GPL? Microsoft and Logitech ones are preferred as I can get them at wholesale prices. -- Thomas Beagle

The CompUSA Battle Gear which is just a plane old 2-axis 4-button joystick. That what i was using before i got my wheel and it worked like a charm. It was even better for me than my more expensive Sidewinder. Its about $20 US or less as its about a year old now. Only problem is its VERY twitchy. I found the super sensitivity good but hard to keep in a straight line. Solved the problem by putting a foam donut i cut from carpet padding around the base. Never had a problem with it breaking and i used it ALOT. The pot got a little squeaky but solved it by spraying some electric motor cleaner on it. So if you want to save a bundle and dont mind taking 5-10 mins making small improvements, this is definately the way to go. Happy racing, Chris

I like my MS Precision Pro coz it has a throttle wheel, allowing me to separate the throttle and brake axes. Possibly even more improtant though is the ability to steer independantly of throttle so, for instance, I can nail it on the straights with a relaxed steering arm. Ben

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>Hi again, >Thanks for the advice about GPL. I downloaded the demo and had a look. >Ran nicely at 36fps (external view, 640, PPro200 and Voodoo2) and >generally looked cool. Of course, the keyboard control sucked, >although I think that not knowing which one was the brake didn't help >much. :-) >Anyway, while I would love to be able to afford a really good wheel, I >don't think I can justify it. However, I can probably justify a >joystick as I can use it for other games as well. >So - what joystick would you recommend for playing racing games with, >particularly GPL? Microsoft and Logitech ones are preferred as I can >get them at wholesale prices. >-- >Thomas Beagle

The MS Precision Pro is a good, durable, and very compatible stick. It is also an optical/digital stick that doesn't use potentiometers, so no need to re-calibrate all the time. I have used one for flight simulators for over a year without one single problem with anything. It works fine with N2, ICR, NFS, and GPL. I use my TM Nascar Pro Wheel most of the time, but occasionally use the stick when I am too lazy to change the devices out. Good luck. -- Regards, Ed Medlin www.flyairwest.com Reach me by ICQ. My ICQ# is 191942 Page me online through my Personal Communication Center: http://wwp.mirabilis.com/191942 Send me E-mail Express directly to my computer screen >Hi again, >Thanks for the advice about GPL. I downloaded the demo and had a look. >Ran nicely at 36fps (external view, 640, PPro200 and Voodoo2) and >generally looked cool. Of course, the keyboard control sucked, >although I think that not knowing which one was the brake didn't help >much. :-) >Anyway, while I would love to be able to afford a really good wheel, I >don't think I can justify it. However, I can probably justify a >joystick as I can use it for other games as well. >So - what joystick would you recommend for playing racing games with, >particularly GPL? Microsoft and Logitech ones are preferred as I can >get them at wholesale prices. >-- >Thomas Beagle

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>Hi again, >Thanks for the advice about GPL. I downloaded the demo and had a look. >Ran nicely at 36fps (external view, 640, PPro200 and Voodoo2) and >generally looked cool. Of course, the keyboard control sucked, >although I think that not knowing which one was the brake didn't help >much. :-) >Anyway, while I would love to be able to afford a really good wheel, I >don't think I can justify it. However, I can probably justify a >joystick as I can use it for other games as well. >So - what joystick would you recommend for playing racing games with, >particularly GPL? Microsoft and Logitech ones are preferred as I can >get them at wholesale prices.

I have always preferred a CH-Products Flightstick (Pro) for racing. Very light movement and what's important, the resistance on the sideways movement used for steering is independent on the forward position used for accelarating/brake. The Pro is havier and gives a better feel. It also has 4 buttons and a hat switch. The Microsoft Sidewinder would also do well i think. But I only tried it in a shop once. Bart Westra PS Using ECCI Wheel now.

I use my joysticks almost exclusively for racing sims. I like a small stick that you can handle with finger-tip control (picture an RC aircraft transmitter type of joystick). I use CH Mach I joysticks for this, the cost is about $20 retail each. I've got two sticks, my left hand controls throttle/brake on the Y axis of one stick, my right hand controls the steering in the X axis on the other (trying to mentally mix steering/throttle/brake all on one stick is a bit much for me :). I plug them into a dual-port CH AutoCard (or you could use a simple joystick Y-cable). Now a question... I'm thinking of moving to a joystick with optical/digital "pots" for better accuracy, lower maintainence, and longer life. Does anyone make a *small*, fingertip-control joystick like I've described with optical/digital internals? I really don't want a monster joystick, but that seems to be what the market likes... :( "But in a way, fear is a big part of racing, because if there was nothing to be frightened of, and no limit, any fool could get into a motor car and racing would not exist as a sport." -- Jim Clark

> Now a question... I'm thinking of moving to a joystick with > optical/digital "pots" for better accuracy, lower maintainence, and > longer life. Does anyone make a *small*, fingertip-control joystick > like I've described with optical/digital internals? I really don't > want a monster joystick, but that seems to be what the market likes... How about the Thrustmaster Rage 3D gamepad ? This has optical analogue control, and you can daisy-chain upto 4 of them together. I believe it is also designed to be used sitting flat on a table as well as being hand-held. I do believe it only works in Windows 95, not DOS. John ps note I don't actually own one, so cannot vouch for its effectiveness personally, but I am thinking of getting one so have read a good many (favourable) reviews.

Yeah, I know, another wize guy that says his joystick is the best... I'll probably get crucified on this NG for saying this, but I just bought an UltraRacer PC joystick, and I love it! It's a hand-held wheel with a dual-direction trigger on the bottom for throttle/brake, and 6 buttons on the face for shifting, reverse, whatever. Here's the best part: Wal Mart, $16.95!! It is very precise. Yeah, it probably has the cheapest pots around, but at this price, I can replace it if it gets jumpy! Oh, more good stuff - I can get better lap times with it than with my TM Wheel/Pedals(Nascar Pro)! Best 17 bucks I ever spent on racing. :-)

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>Hi again, >Thanks for the advice about GPL. I downloaded the demo and had a look. >Ran nicely at 36fps (external view, 640, PPro200 and Voodoo2) and >generally looked cool. Of course, the keyboard control sucked, >although I think that not knowing which one was the brake didn't help >much. :-) >Anyway, while I would love to be able to afford a really good wheel, I >don't think I can justify it. However, I can probably justify a >joystick as I can use it for other games as well. >So - what joystick would you recommend for playing racing games with, >particularly GPL? Microsoft and Logitech ones are preferred as I can >get them at wholesale prices. >-- >Thomas Beagle

Are there any USB joysticks out yet ? -- Torgeir Foss Oslo, Norway

MS Precision Pro FF is USB. Hopefully will get one in the next few days. Let u know how it works out. -- Regards, Ed Medlin www.flyairwest.com Reach me by ICQ. My ICQ# is 191942 Page me online through my Personal Communication Center: http://wwp.mirabilis.com/191942 Send me E-mail Express directly to my computer screen

Torgeir Foss wrote I started this thread and just bought a Microsoft Precision Pro. This comes with both a 15-pin game port connector and a USB connector. Tried it in GPL last night - I think I could quite like using the little throttle control at the base of the stick as you can literally dial in the throttle opening that you want. I now just have to decide how to do braking (might set it to the Y axis for brakes only). -- Thomas Beagle