What's A Good Usb Joystick?
xioutlawix
Join Date: 2002-11-05 Member: 7118Members, Constellation
Join Date: 2002-11-05 Member: 7118Members, Constellation
in Off-Topic
Previously I'd been using my m$ sidewinder 2 joystick back in the bf1942/vietnam days to play, and I've only recently picked up bf2, but the computer I've since built has no game ports, so as a sign of the times, it's come to me to find a good usb joystick.
Couple people have recommended the saitek evo, stating that it's a departure from most of their products in terms of sturdiness and performance. Any other recommendations?
Couple people have recommended the saitek evo, stating that it's a departure from most of their products in terms of sturdiness and performance. Any other recommendations?
Comments
Long, stupid name, but an awesome joystick.
I picked one up for $30 at the local Target.
Whatever you get, be sure to get one that twists left/right. It is extremely useful for subtle helicopter and jet maneuvering.
I use a standard Microsoft Sidewinder Pro (not force feedback)... Was 80 bucks the 6 some years ago I bought it.
Whatever you get, be sure to get one that twists left/right. It is extremely useful for subtle helicopter and jet maneuvering. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Agreed, unless you have pedals to do it instead, the twist function should be just as "required" in your mind as a throttle & hat switch. Pick anything from Microsoft, Saitek, or Thrustmaster based on whether you need other special features, like easy portability, a more weighted base, right- & left-handed use, etc.
Pic below: The big silver thing can be unscrewed to allow you to move the rest around, and the similar screws on top can adjust the top of the joysticks angle.
You only really need:
1) x-axis (roll)
2) y-axis (pitch)
3) throttle (z-axis)
4) rotate turning left/right (some other axis)
5) Primary fire
6) secondary fire
7) Primary weapon select
8) Secondary weapon select
9) HAT switch
10) Afterburner button
11) Flares button
12) Maybe a button for eject (aka. just bind use to a button)
Okay maybe that was quite a bit after all.. But you get the idea. :P
Anyway, they're the best combo I have EVER used and every sort of functionality you would ever need is there. If you're into Falcon 4.0 or something that is as intensive as that, definately get one of these two combos (along with some pedals).
But yeah... just my two cents.
Long, stupid name, but an awesome joystick.
I picked one up for $30 at the local Target. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
I second that, its what i use <!--emo&::marine::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/marine.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='marine.gif' /><!--endemo-->
and it is often ussed for looking around.
Bingo.
Most HAT's are 8-way, but BF2 only recognizes 4way I think. Either way its not too useful since BF2 doesn't have traditional HAT support anyway.
In most flight sims, what the HAT switch does is basically it moves your head. You push it up, your view looks up. You push it left, you look left. It's a way to see what's around you w/o having to maneuver around.
Of course BF2 doesn't support this, so I just use mine to quickly switch between the F9-F12 views. Quite handy when you wanna see where the bombs you just dropped ended up landing.
I use a standard Microsoft Sidewinder Pro (not force feedback)... Was 80 bucks the 6 some years ago I bought it. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I can say exactly the same thing for myself. Creepy eh?
If I was going to upgrade right now I'd go for either the <a href='http://www.saitekusa.com/usa/prod/x52.htm' target='_blank'>x52</a> or the <a href='http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/US/EN,CRID=12,CONTENTID=6954' target='_blank'>Logitech Extreme 3D Pro Twist Handle Joystick</a>, as they are, in my professional opinion, the best two available currently. The most important traits to looks for are: accuracy, durbaility, and conformity (which is how well it fits your body's specific anatomy, the buttons aren't to big or too small, the button are all easily accessible without problems of accicdentially hitting the wrong one, etc.) Lots of buttons is alway nice, as is force feedback, but pay attention to those three.
Yeah, I don't know why BF only recognizes 4-way hats. There are hardly any joysticks that if they have a hatswitch isn't an 8-way.
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And whilst on the topic of HIDs... I have finally broken the arrows keys on my keyboard (because I used them to maneuver, they just simply have worn out for more use than they were designed for) So I'm looking an alternative to a keyboard for my left hand. This <a href='http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=&Section_Id=2071&pcount=&Product_Id=157024' target='_blank'>Nostromo Speedpad n52</a> made by Belkin caught my eye as a potential product to buy. Can any of you recommend it? Or better of yet, do any of you have one that you currently use and can vouche for it's compatibility with Half-Life and the like?
I own an n52 and it is the best thing to happen to my game - no matter what game - since the invention of the mouse. Yeah, it's that good. ^^
Plus you can pick one up for ~30$ at many electronics stores, and best buy has them for 35.
and the x45..
bad bad joysticks. they didnt support bf1942, and so there was alot of 3rd party faffing around wtih .con files to get it to work.. and even then it worked in a limited way..
great idea. **** up by crappy support.
The throttle is too small, and it just doesn't feel right. The left hand doesn't really have a nice place, and even if the right hand does have everything needed, the left hand seems it wasn't really thought of and they just added 4 buttons and a thumb throttle as an afterthought.
One of those HOTAS (Hands on Throttle and Stick) ones look snazzy, but they cost quite a bit.
I think that folds down when in use - you just flip it up to adjust the joystick.
<img src='http://img115.echo.cx/img115/1530/demo2to.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
Also note it can be moved up or down the stick, reversed so the stick can be used in the left hand or even removed entirely.
Also, note hows its lit up <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->