MS Joysticks... HELP!!!

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Member for

20 years 9 months

Posts: 645

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

Original post

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 1,261

MS has stopped making joystickes.

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 1,537

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

Member for

20 years

Posts: 299

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.

Member for

20 years 9 months

Posts: 645

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.

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 243

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.

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 1,078

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

Member for

20 years 9 months

Posts: 645

USB for the sidewinder FF2

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 243

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

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 1,261

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.

Member for

20 years

Posts: 236

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

Member for

20 years 9 months

Posts: 645

Yes exactly my problem. These are ghastly joysticks - bin it!!!!
i'm gettin a sidewinder FF2, end of story.

Member for

19 years 10 months

Posts: 44

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 ?

Member for

20 years 9 months

Posts: 645

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.

Member for

19 years 10 months

Posts: 44

It has the old style gaming port connector. Unable to find an adapter.

Member for

19 years 8 months

Posts: 32

I may have one l will have a look

Member for

19 years 10 months

Posts: 44

Thanks for your help Monkey. I'll have a look later when I have a bit more time. Fingers crossed for a positive outcome.

Member for

20 years

Posts: 236

Yes exactly my problem. These are ghastly joysticks - bin it!!!!

Thanks, Chris. I shall definitely avoid buying another Logitech product now.

Regards,

Paul

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 243

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

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Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 872

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.