Simviation Forums

OK,

I am looking for opinions on joysticks as my Thrustmaster Top Gun II has bit the dust - well at least the rudder control.

I am looking at Microsoft products but don't want Force feedback as in my opinion it would get on ones nerves. I will be buying this at the same time as I buy FS2004 so I have a while left.

So which non FF joystick is the best for

Why wouldn't you want force feedback?
You can turn the force feedback off so its a plain joystick that won't return to the center. And they've come down in price. they're around 50 bucks at amazon. Plus they got alot of controls. Win win.
If you still don't want FF, then fine...

I just was in a local comp shop here and saw a Saitek X-36 which is a two-handed HOTAS setup that is missing the centering spring, or at least thats the was the one was that I saw.....mine is the X-45 and has strong centering....I like it, cause I can use the trim function get my planes to stay put, for ease in changing views.....personal preference I guess......like you though, I am not a fan of FF either.....

FF always seemed to "gimmicky" to me, IMHO...however lately I've been considering it more and more.

I do have to say though that I absolutely LOVE my Saitek X45, and unless I stumbled across the front end of an actual 737, it would take a lot of convincing for me to part with it.  lol

Not sure what 50 pounds is in USD, but I paid about $90 for mine when I picked it up.  Great stick!

Why wouldn't you want force feedback?
You can turn the force feedback off so its a plain joystick that won't return to the center. And they've come down in price. they're around 50 bucks at amazon. Plus they got alot of controls. Win win.
If you still don't want FF, then fine...

The return action is done by the motors, but if you turn force feedback off in FS, it will still use the return spring function

at least a ms joystick without Force feedback you only have the sidewinder precision pro. it is the first price from the list of Ms joystick and the only one without feedback. I tough in france it cost about 30 to 40 euros so a little less in US dollards.

I don't have a lot of space on my desk, and I like a smaller stick, 'cause my wife and share this space.
So, I got a Saitek Cyborg 3D Gold, USB. I've had it for about a year, and with the abuse I give it, (and my kid playing Mech Warriors), it's held up well. All of the girp rests are reversable, the throttle lever is too, with a lever on one end and a fine contol knob on the other. And the switch cap is adjustable from 45 to 60 degrees, so you can adjust it to get the most comfortable hand and wrist angles. I think I paid around $35.00 for it.

Check it out!  ;)

I use a Saitek Cyborg Joystick and have used it for years.