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By: 26th June 2004 at 21:25 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-MS has stopped making joystickes.
By: 26th June 2004 at 23:55 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-Hi Chris
As mixtec says MS have pulled out of the hardware business altogether which is a shame. It also means that it might be hard to find a new MS Sidwinder 2 FF anywhere! :(
All the major sites I looked at don't have any available althought I did find one at Amazon under the used & new section.
Here's the link:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00004Y6GA/ref=br_lf_vg_h__8/202-3420963-1209459
I didn't look but they might have a new non FF available.
I have the FF version and I must say it's a great stick that works very well. I wish I had bought a second one now as a spare!
I really do hope CH bring out a new FF stick as the choices for this type are a bit limited. :(
Cheers
Paul
By: 27th June 2004 at 01:14 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-I can only suggest ebay now, or to ask around at places like curry's etc to see if they have anything left in stock.
By: 27th June 2004 at 16:40 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-Thanks guys, i thought as much! Such a damn shame! Can any of you suggest alternative joysticks out there on the market that are of equal standard? It seems to me, all the logitech ones are a pile of shi*e.
By: 28th June 2004 at 10:26 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-Saitek make some good sticks, unfortunatly nothing like the sidewinder which is a corker! It really depends on wether the force feedback was important to you.
Saitek's top o the range bit of kit is HOTAS system, I think called the X45 now, I had the AT version the X36. It was a great stick, nice and steady fluid movement, the stick was nice and heavy with large base, so it supported itself well. More buttons than you know what to do with as well! I purchased mine in 1999 and its still going strong. Unfortunatly I can't use the HOTAS system to its full potential any more though cos not all the data will go across the AT connection anymore, something to do with XP. Anyway I digress, its a really good stick, the X45 version is USB, so no compatibilty problems with XP.
Saitek are also re-releasing it with more functions and an electronic display on the throttle, it will be released in October this year for around £150. If you're feeling extra plush you could always look at the CH stable of products, which are very well made, and if you want to push the boat well and truly out purchase the Cougar, a marveolus aluminium stick fashioned on the F16s flight stick and throttle.
Hope this helps.
By: 28th June 2004 at 20:37 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-what connection do you need on for sidewinder...USB or the other one that plugs into a sound card ?
May be in a position to help
By: 29th June 2004 at 01:57 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-USB for the sidewinder FF2
By: 29th June 2004 at 16:37 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-No modern stick should plug into the 15pin gaming port, they should all be USB, if not then its an old bit of kit most likely.
What do other people use round here? You can spend a lot of cash on some serious kit such as the cougar (drool). I've got a Microsoft Sidewinder 2 FF, had it about 18 months now, and still is probably better than most sticks you can buy now, and it has FF :o
By: 29th June 2004 at 17:27 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-Ive got a Sidewinder, but thats all they sell here in Mexico is Sidewinders and cheap Saiteks since flight simming isnt big here. If you go into a CompUSA or BestBuy in the US, they have about 30 joystickes all lined up of all different brands. But I only go for look and feel of the stick and would never need to spend more than $50 bucks for one. So my Sidewinder does the job pretty well.
By: 29th June 2004 at 22:08 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-I've owned a Logitech Wingman Extreme 3D Digital for about 18 months now. Can't seem to calibrate the twist (rudder) now. :mad:
OK towards the right, but not to the left. Anyone else had the same problem?
Regards,
Paul
By: 30th June 2004 at 01:24 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-Yes exactly my problem. These are ghastly joysticks - bin it!!!!
i'm gettin a sidewinder FF2, end of story.
By: 30th June 2004 at 10:07 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-I have a MS Sidewinder Force Feedback Pro but it hasn't been used since I upgraded my PC. I need a USB 2 adapter to connect it but am unable to locate one. If I find an adapter, will it work with XP ?
By: 30th June 2004 at 17:32 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-If this is the FF2 then it should work with XP anyway on a normal USB port. But if it is the original, i don't know... Has it got an oldstyle gaming port then?
Have a search around at www.ebuyer.co.uk , they might have something. Service is great and prices are brilliant. I built my PC from them.
By: 2nd July 2004 at 12:40 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-It has the old style gaming port connector. Unable to find an adapter.
By: 2nd July 2004 at 14:14 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-I may have one l will have a look
By: 2nd July 2004 at 15:02 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-Billy Banana, one of these?
http://www.usbgear.com/item_9.html
http://www.trianglecables.com/usbtojoydbad.html
You don't say where you are, but they are US sites - maybe ask them about international delivery.
By: 5th July 2004 at 12:24 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-Thanks for your help Monkey. I'll have a look later when I have a bit more time. Fingers crossed for a positive outcome.
By: 6th July 2004 at 22:22 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-Yes exactly my problem. These are ghastly joysticks - bin it!!!!
Thanks, Chris. I shall definitely avoid buying another Logitech product now.
Regards,
Paul
By: 7th July 2004 at 09:17 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-Saitek are the best 'budget' sticks around now. I remember when you could walk into PC World and have an 10m entire shelf full of sticks. Seems like only a few are manufactured now :mad:
If you want a budget HOTAS then go for the X45, or wait for the X52 out later this year. If you don't have space for stick and throttle the next best IMHO is the Evo, again by Saitek
By: 3rd June 2005 at 13:18 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-I have managed to get hold of a MS force feedback 2 joystick but I am having trouble assigning buttons.
I have just plugged in a played but something seems wrong.
On my first original MS joystick you can adjust the forces and test the buttons, e.g. chainsaw, rockets etc. This one just lights a button but nothing else.
I was wondering if anyone out there has an original driver disk that could be used to copy the files from.
If there is, could they PM me so I can send a blank disk to them?
I have searched MS website but this throws up blanks or the wrong information, also Googled with no avail. Driver guide has a driver but not sure of the source or compatability.
Thanks in advance.
Brian.
Posts: 645
By: Chris Broad - 26th June 2004 at 20:24
I am in desperate need for an MS Sidewinder 2 (optional FF). I have a Logitech wingman FF3D and it's utter rubbish! It's binding, i've had to out-calibrate the yaw axis because it spasms and it's just horrible to use!! ARGH! :mad:
Thing is, i used to use my parents PC, which has an MSSFF2 (a dream of a joystick) but now with my own pc, they won't let me have it. (understandably!). Does anyone know where i can get one of these superb Joysticks, because i can't find them for love nor money!
please help!
TIA