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Joystick question |
DVA2348
First Officer, MD-11
Joined on May 18 2005
Century Club
Overland Park, KS USA
132 legs, 397.4 hours
11 legs,
18.5 hours online 94 legs,
270.9 hours ACARS 3 legs,
5.0 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
July 25 2005 11:40 ET by Mike Roth
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Hi all,
Recently my trusty SideWinder 3D Pro Plus broke and it has been a problem flying with the keyboard. Today I started looking for a new joystick.
Two questions, one, I am wondering how I can tell if the joystick will work with my USB ports, two, are there any cheap joysticks out there that don't use USB ports, ones that use the pin connections? Whatever those things are called.
Thanks for any help.
Mike RothFirst Officer, MD-11
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DVA1679
Senior Captain, A320
Joined on May 16 2004
Triple Century Club
Online Triple Century Club
"flightdeckproductions.com" Utica, MI USA
322 legs, 620.4 hours
300 legs,
591.4 hours online 115 legs,
194.0 hours ACARS 5 legs,
11.3 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
July 25 2005 11:48 ET by Larry Foltran
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From what I've seen, the package normally specifies if it is a USB or a serial controller. I haven't seen a serial controller for sale in quite some time, if that is what you are looking for. You may want to try Ebay.
I currently have a combination of USB and serial controllers (with USB adapter) that has been working quite well.
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DVA2348
First Officer, MD-11
Joined on May 18 2005
Century Club
Overland Park, KS USA
132 legs, 397.4 hours
11 legs,
18.5 hours online 94 legs,
270.9 hours ACARS 3 legs,
5.0 hours event
|
Posted onPost created on
July 25 2005 12:04 ET by Mike Roth
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Larry, thanks for the quick reply.
Serial, that's the word I was looking for. It really doesn't matter either way to me, I'm just worried that a USB controller won't work with my computer. I don't believe I've ever used my USB ports, I don't know if the things work. Not to mention I'm still using a pentium II with FS2002, the thing is ancient.
Does anyone know if a place like Best Buy or Circuit City would let me return a controller if it doesn't work?
Mike RothFirst Officer, MD-11
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DVA1679
Senior Captain, A320
Joined on May 16 2004
Triple Century Club
Online Triple Century Club
"flightdeckproductions.com" Utica, MI USA
322 legs, 620.4 hours
300 legs,
591.4 hours online 115 legs,
194.0 hours ACARS 5 legs,
11.3 hours event
|
Posted onPost created on
July 25 2005 12:12 ET by Larry Foltran
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I've returned controllers to Best Buy in the past simply because I wasn't happy with it. As long as you have the original packaging and have the receipt (within 30 days of purchas I believe), you shouldn't have a problem.
I know some items require USB 2.0 to work, but I don't believe controllers fall into that bucket.
Depending on how much you are planning on spending and if you prefer a joystick instead of a yoke, Saitek makes some great controllers and Best Buy does carry them.
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DVA2447
Captain, B767-300
Joined on July 02 2005
Gainesville, FL USA
38 legs, 109.7 hours
29 legs,
85.8 hours online
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Posted onPost created on
July 25 2005 12:15 ET by Luiz Bolfer
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I have a Microsoft Sidewinder , I bought it for 100 dolars at Circuit City a year ago. I was looking for it right now and I found the sidewinder Precision Pro (very good Joy) for the same price...
Take a look at this site...
http://shopping.yahoo.com/s:Game%20Controller:3086-Contoller%20Type=Joystick
regards
Luiz
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DVA2348
First Officer, MD-11
Joined on May 18 2005
Century Club
Overland Park, KS USA
132 legs, 397.4 hours
11 legs,
18.5 hours online 94 legs,
270.9 hours ACARS 3 legs,
5.0 hours event
|
Posted onPost created on
July 25 2005 12:16 ET by Mike Roth
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Larry,
Thanks again for the quick reply. A Saitek is exactly what I was looking at. I've heard many people say they are great joysticks. Guess it's off to Best Buy.
Thanks for the help,
Mike
Mike RothFirst Officer, MD-11
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DVA1933
Senior Captain, B727-200
Joined on September 19 2004
Triple Century Club
Monterrey, NL Mexico
357 legs, 860.4 hours
72 legs,
132.3 hours online 255 legs,
668.3 hours ACARS 1 legs,
1.9 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
July 25 2005 12:38 ET by David Eugenio Gomez
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HOLY SHHH........... the Sidewinder Force Feedback 2 at $299 dollars ????????????? I got it for freakin 50 dollars !!!!!!! I can't believe how expensive that place sells that thing.
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DVA2253
Senior Captain, DC-8-61
COMM
Joined on April 01 2005
Everett 250 Club
Online Century Club
Eight Century Club
DVA Ten-Year Anniversary
"I'd rather be flying!" Church Hill, TN USA
862 legs, 1,344.5 hours
108 legs,
165.2 hours online 299 legs,
485.1 hours ACARS
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Posted onPost created on
July 25 2005 12:40 ET by George Lewis
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you could get the CH yoke and pedals for less than $299
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DVA1679
Senior Captain, A320
Joined on May 16 2004
Triple Century Club
Online Triple Century Club
"flightdeckproductions.com" Utica, MI USA
322 legs, 620.4 hours
300 legs,
591.4 hours online 115 legs,
194.0 hours ACARS 5 legs,
11.3 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
July 25 2005 13:33 ET by Larry Foltran
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I'm currently running a combination set-up. Saitek X45 throttle, Thrustmast Elite rudder pedals and a CH Yoke. They may not match, but they work great. ;-)
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DVA2447
Captain, B767-300
Joined on July 02 2005
Gainesville, FL USA
38 legs, 109.7 hours
29 legs,
85.8 hours online
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Posted onPost created on
July 26 2005 03:46 ET by Luiz Bolfer
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Eugenio you got Sidewinder Force F back for 50 dolars? brand new? where?
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DVA1933
Senior Captain, B727-200
Joined on September 19 2004
Triple Century Club
Monterrey, NL Mexico
357 legs, 860.4 hours
72 legs,
132.3 hours online 255 legs,
668.3 hours ACARS 1 legs,
1.9 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
July 26 2005 05:38 ET by David Eugenio Gomez
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Here in Monterrey, México, Luiz. It costed me $630 mexican pesos which would be close to $50 USD. I bought it a year and a half ago.
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DVA1933
Senior Captain, B727-200
Joined on September 19 2004
Triple Century Club
Monterrey, NL Mexico
357 legs, 860.4 hours
72 legs,
132.3 hours online 255 legs,
668.3 hours ACARS 1 legs,
1.9 hours event
|
Posted onPost created on
July 26 2005 05:39 ET by David Eugenio Gomez
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oh yes, brand new =)
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DVA2348
First Officer, MD-11
Joined on May 18 2005
Century Club
Overland Park, KS USA
132 legs, 397.4 hours
11 legs,
18.5 hours online 94 legs,
270.9 hours ACARS 3 legs,
5.0 hours event
|
Posted onPost created on
July 28 2005 11:26 ET by Mike Roth
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Well, I ended up getting a Saitek Cyborg Evo. Thanks to those that helped.
Loving it so far, but it is going to be hard for me to get used to. I'm not used to having the buttons in the places they are, I keep hitting ones I don't mean to. I'm thinking I should get used to the joystick before I jump on-line and try to fly.
Mike RothFirst Officer, MD-11
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AFV011
Senior Captain, B777-300
Joined on September 19 2004
GVA 5 Year Anniversary
Online Two Fifty Club
Triple Century Club
Historic Triple Century Club
"Remember...140, 250, and REALLY FAST" Midwestern United States
394 legs, 606.7 hours
274 legs,
430.6 hours online 86 legs,
126.5 hours ACARS 8 legs,
16.0 hours event 501 legs, 763.5 hours total
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Posted onPost created on
July 28 2005 17:21 ET by Michael Carter
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If you're locked it to using a joystick with a lot of buttons on it like I am for now, it's best to get a replica of a fighter stick from a current combat aircraft. The design eliminates the problem of accidental activation of a function on the stick.
The designers of the original models know that sort of thing can happen especially under stress and design them appropriately.
Not saying your stick is good or bad, but from your post it doesn't sound "pilot egronomic".
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