I need a recommended joystick

[potb]

I was wondering if anybody knows what is a good brand of joystick that will last at least five years without going bonkers.  I have the Wingman Force 3d from Logitec and have owned it for about 1.5 years and I can't keep a plane steady with it.  I keep crashing.  It jumps all over the place.

What make and model of a joystick should I get?  Any ideas on how to fix this one?

Thanks

[Scottler]

Oh boy, now you've started it.  lol

I'm going to recommend the $80-ish Saitek X-45 HOTAS..lotsa  use around SimV.

But below me, someone will point you to the $300 Thrustmaster Cougar.

Too much for joystick, IMO.

[Nexus]

Allright, Hyperion already warned you I see  ;D
As an owner of the Thrustmaster HOTAS Cougar I can comfortably say that it's a marvelous joystick with LOADS of capabilities

Here's good site which lists some functions
http://www.flightsimcentral.com/thrushotcoug.html

And Hyperion, let's smoke the peace pipe, I dont want to have another

[RollerBall]

[quote]

[Travis]

I've been using a Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback 2 for about a year now, and I can honestly say its the best joystick I've ever owned.  Of course, the last time I bought one was back in 1999, long before FF was any good.

[Scottler]

lol It's all good Nexus...we don't have to agree.  

[KnightStryker]

I use the M$ force feedback2 and have had zero problems with it. It is a great joystick IMO.

I would reccomend looking at the Saitek X-45 though, everything i have read about it has been good and I am really thinking about switching to it myself.

good hunting

[potb]

Thank you all for your input.  I think I am closer to finding what I need

[PH_AJH]

I use a MS Sidewinder ForceFeedback2. It works fine, no problems whatsoever. I find the throttle control very fiddly though. The lever is very short so small adjustments are near impossible. This can be annoying - to the extend that I am considering switching to something else.

Cheers
AJ

[logjam]

I had lotsa use out of my old Thrustmaster analog in FS5 and BoB. Then I "upgraded" to the MS in FS2K, when it broke, I went to the Logitech Wingman, which didn't last 5 minutes. I now use the Thrustmaster Fox 2 Pro shock, which I found on Ebay. I too wish I could afford the Cougar hotas, but this one will do, it's well made and 10 times the quality of the others.

[Travis]

I also have a yoke and pedals cobo (CH Products Pro Pedals, CH Products Flight Sim Yoke), which is probably the best flight sim control system I have ever heard of.

[potb]

Hey Ender Baron, Thanks for your input on the flight sim yoke and pedals.  I have been thinking about getting that set to, but have no money right now.  It would be so cool to fly with such controls.  Do you have the black yoke or the gray one?  The black one is newer than the gray one and about twice as much with 19 different functions.

potb

[Travis]

The black one, and you're right: it does have a large number of functions.  Great for flying those big birds.  Not so much use of the dern mouse!

[Scottler]

Hey EB, I used to have a grey CH yoke back when 98 was new, but I got rid of it because it lacked some realism.  Any pics of yours?

[skywriter]

I use the wingman attack 2 stick and have had good results. as for one that lasts for 5 years,I know of none that can take that kind of abuse(especially the way I fly) I have tried many, and this is the smoothest i know of. I'll trade a heavy duty 5 year stick for a short lived smooth digital like the wingman attack2 any day!  good luck and happy flying.