56 replies to this topic

[JabberJon]

Now I feel like I'm spamming. XD What about something like this, in the event my wife throws a coniption? She says she's fine with the Artemis if it's a decent price, but what about the Thrustmaster T-Flight Hotas X ? (What a huge name. XD) I worry for that price that it will be poorly made, but their products all seem pretty solid. I worry about the plastic though, I tend to squeeze when things get rough. (I blame the NES. If I push harder, he'll jump higher, damnit!) The fighterstick doesn't look comfortable at all, but I may just be looking at it the wrong way. Thanks for all the info, I've been mulling over my decisions and the input is definitely appreciated.

[Apocalypse Pryde]

I have a Sidewinder ForceFeedback 2; a Gen1, actually, with green LED... Its rudder twist spring went out, so I bought a precision pro; lasted a couple months. I tore the PP down, rebuilt the FF2, still use it to this day, and I have had it for around 15 years. As sad as it sounds, I will probably bawl my eyes out when it finally decides to kill over.

Edited by Apocalypse Pryde, 10 June 2012 - 09:02 PM.

[JabberJon]

Been there and I feel your pain. Hate when something has been with you through hell and back and finally kicks the bucket.

[Tal Kath Naabal]

I use this same joystick. imo a very accurate one too, unfortunately the only way to get one nowadays is garage sales and pawn shops.

The Vault 13 Dweller: I think it'd be worth the few bucks to pick one up, I do feel immersion is better with one. Just don't get a really crappy one or the frustration will beat you.

(btw it should work just fine)

Edited by Tal Kath Naabal, 10 June 2012 - 09:16 PM.

[CW Grayson]

It is no problem to use any hardware as long as it's recognized by directinput. I have a M$ Sidewinder precision pro also and even it's old, it is one of the few things M$ did well. It even has that old gameport plug but works well with an usb-adapter.
We had this topic some time ago and devs stated there is full directinput support.
So as long as you have a working driver, any hardware will do.

Edited by CW Grayson, 11 June 2012 - 02:09 AM.

[Striker1980]

Mechsniper, on 10 June 2012 - 08:16 PM, said:

So let me ask this for myself and others. What would those of you with good controllers recommend:

1 at the <$100 price range.
2 at the $100-$200 range
3 Hide the credit card bill from the wife range.

Also possibly a good gaming mouse combo as a more economical alt?

All constructive advice appreciated.

I'd not be paying over £50 (~£100) for a new joystick these days, with Sticks like the Saitek Cyborg/Fly and the Thrustmaster HOTAS X theres just no need.

Don't get me wrong if someone gave me a Thrustmaster Warthog with rudders I'd bite their hands off but in reality they are astronomically expensive and a real nightmare to position on a smaller desk due to their shear size and weight (I've got the F16 version and its HUGE and weighs a TONNE!), nice to use though.

[Striker1980]

The Vault 13 Dweller, on 10 June 2012 - 08:43 PM, said:

I find this topic intriguing.

Gaming has been my main hobby for over 10 years now and I strongly prefer PC games yet not once have I ever used a joystick.

Do they really make a difference between using a keyboard/mouse for a game that allows a joystick? Also even if they are equal do you find it a lot more "immersive" to use a joystick? Honestly if I can find a cheap one I'd be willing to buy it just for the "fun" factor even if I don't play any better than with a keyboard/mouse.

Sincerely,
The Vault Dweller

It depends on your playstyle, I for one have always used a stick with throttle and twist rudder (they key ingredients to a mech stick).

Others like using a mouse, the only issue with a mouse is the lack of inputs, try a saitek cyborg 1, they cost next to nothing and are a close match to (and in some respects superior to, due to improved ergonomics) the Microsoft Precision Pro that Mechwarrior 4 was built to use. Though they lack force feedback.

Edited by Striker1980, 11 June 2012 - 02:34 AM.

[Nik Van Rhijn]

I managed to pick up a brand new boxed Precision Pro 2 for almost nothing at a car boot sale a few years ago and it's sitting by my original for when that goes down.

[Striker1980]

Nik Van Rhijn, on 11 June 2012 - 02:30 AM, said:

I managed to pick up a brand new boxed Precision Pro 2 for almost nothing at a car boot sale a few years ago and it's sitting by my original for when that goes down.

Wow lucky find!

[xenoglyph]

I finally got rid of my Sidewinder 3d Pro this year, lol

[Striker1980]

xenoglyph, on 11 June 2012 - 03:04 AM, said:

I finally got rid of my Sidewinder 3d Pro this year, lol

Out of interest what'd you replace it with (assuming you did replace it)?

[WhetStone]

Nik Van Rhijn, on 11 June 2012 - 02:30 AM, said:

I managed to pick up a brand new boxed Precision Pro 2 for almost nothing at a car boot sale a few years ago and it's sitting by my original for when that goes down.

Nice , I like mine hope it lasts

[Chaos Machine]

I miss my old microsoft force feedback 2 terribly, it had the strongest motors of any force feedback joystick ive used. I am sorely gunna miss that joystick. Currently using a thrustmaster afterburner 2 or xbox 360 gamepad for my games.

[Ghosth]

Back when everyone else was switching to mouse and FPS games I was buying up used MS Sidewinder Prec 2 USB sticks off ebay for 10-20$ each. But then I was was flying a WWII online flight sim (Aces High) for almost 10 years there.

My sidewinder Prec 2 still works flawlessly in windows 7, Prec pro might work if you still have the usb adapter.

Logitech for years had serious issues with quality control in their stick, however it is probably the lowest cost alternative.
And you probably don't need the same level of control to play MWO as you do to fly a combat aircraft. A small spike in the pitch in air combat can easily stall you out, resulting in your death, where in MWO it would most likely mean your aimed shot might go slightly higher or lower than planned.

[Dragon Lady]

The Vault 13 Dweller, on 10 June 2012 - 08:43 PM, said:

I find this topic intriguing.

Gaming has been my main hobby for over 10 years now and I strongly prefer PC games yet not once have I ever used a joystick.

Do they really make a difference between using a keyboard/mouse for a game that allows a joystick? Also even if they are equal do you find it a lot more "immersive" to use a joystick? Honestly if I can find a cheap one I'd be willing to buy it just for the "fun" factor even if I don't play any better than with a keyboard/mouse.

Sincerely,
The Vault Dweller

There are several reasons why I like a HOTAS over mouse and keyboard for controlling sims like MWO:

1) Immersion. Airplanes and Battlemechs simply make sense that they'd be controlled by joysticks and throttles, as opposed to a mouse that will go flying during maneuvers or combat. While this is hardly a good reason to buy one for a single game,some of us are simulator jockeys, as opposed to FPS enthusiasts. Having a throttle and stick in my hands helps to make me feel like I'm actually at the controls of a real machine, not at a desk in front of my computer. I'd be tempted to try to make a genuine cockpit simulator, if I had the space available.

2) Hands on Throttle and Stick. A good HOTAS setup means that you never have to take your hands off your controls. This isn't the case with keyboard and mouse (and certainly not true with gamepads.) My HOTAS has a total of 48 buttons (including 6 triggers) and 9 axis of controls... more than I'l ever need, quite frankly. I'll be having quite a few communication macros on my HOTAS for this game.

Of course, like all controllers, practice makes perfect. But I simply can't picture doing all the thing I'd want to do in MWO as easily with just a keyboard and mouse. My right hand would be constantly moving from mouse to numberpad, and my left would be moving from home row to the right side of the keyboard where my right hand would normally be while typing. And of course if I want to call for help, I'll have to actually type it out.

The only advantage a mouse has is precision, and that's only good while sniping. And if I want to snipe, then I can always use my mouse.

[GHQCommander]

PewPew2, on 10 June 2012 - 04:59 PM, said:

Is this joystick too old for MWO? Used it for MW4 but that was a few years ago. I know we really dont know specs for what this game will run but I just want opinions.

I had one of these and LOVED it. One hand on sidewinder and one on a joystick. Takes a bit of getting used to but in time I felt like I was my mech not just in the thing.

Had to sell my sidewinder to help pay for my education

[AdamantVallation]

Love my Sidewinder, its seen me through MW3 and 4 and a few other titles and flight sims. Now days though, the centering is so hosed up, tryed playing MW3 the other day, let go of the stick and the mech had about a 5 degree per second drift to the left, also about 2 per second torso twist as well, makes the game a real pain to play. This stick has served me well, but I think its time for retirement. I do have an an original thrustmaster and Mark II FCS brand new sitting in the box I got from a game store closeout a few years back for cheap, but I don't know if I wan't to go through all the pain of trying to get it compatable when there are so many modern alternatives.

[Pht]

Arafinar, on 10 June 2012 - 08:21 PM, said:

Had to retire mine, have the port to usb adapter. The JS wasnt as responsive as the USB JS.
So I just put it away. Really like it though,used it without the FFB seemed more accurate
than the springy ones.

Actually, the precision pro came before the force feed back version, and the PP was a more precise stick and a better unit, IMO.

Thomas Hogarth, on 10 June 2012 - 08:29 PM, said:

1: Tough choice. Logitech has the silky smooth travel with a lot better center detent than Saitek, but you pick up the horrible Logitech potentiometers that have a nasty tendency to start spiking within a few months.

Amen and seconded. Logitech is NOT the company they used to be. They KNOW about the lousy potentiometers, everyone complains, and they refuse to fix it, and there's no way to fix it yourself. Logitech simply does not care about it's customers beyond getting your money. Stay away from their joysticks like the plague!

Quote

Best under $100 joystick is the Thrustmaster T.16000M. Right off the bat, it has Hall-effect sensors. In fact, it has the same hall sensors that the Warthog has. Then you got the excellent software. Very low amounts of Unintended Axis Movement from the twist stick... All in all, this is probably the most accurate twist stick ever made. Dual spring centering that is worlds ahead of a Saitek spring-and-plate setup. Downside is cheap plastic exterior and questionable button locations. And let's not forget Thrustmasters horrible customer service.

You've used one? ... Did you use the old MS precision pro with the optical sensor setup? If you did, I wonder how they compare, precision wise...

Quote

3: Thrustmaster Warthog with Simped F16 pedals. There are more expensive routes, but this setup represents the top-of-the-line before getting into custom simpit installations.

I would agree but this stick has no twist function, which, IMO, renders a stick all but useless in an MW video game.

The Vault 13 Dweller, on 10 June 2012 - 08:43 PM, said:

Do they really make a difference between using a keyboard/mouse for a game that allows a joystick?

If you get a good precise joystick that has "rudder" twist ... the handle twists... and a throttle... and you get used to using it ... you'll wonder how ANYONE can play an MW video game with a mouse. It's simply more intuitive - if you want to twist your torso, you twist the stick - if you want to turn, you lean the handle... and the throttle is under your joystick hand too.

In mw4 there were probably ... 4 commands I regularly used that had to be assigned to the keyboard.

[Mechsniper]

Thanks for the replies guys! I have shopping to do.

[Tannis]

well I, like most of you also have the good old M$ FF2 first Gen with the Green LED and Gray Tigger...

I pulled it out and dusted it off, loaded MW:4 and it works great still, So I too hope that it will work for this game, I have been using it for the Beta of a Flight game Im in...

here is to crossed fingers it works