Not knowing one from another but seeing some decent reviews I bought a Logitech Freedom 2.4 cordless joystick. It was also inexpensive. I have since learned about MS's force feedback 2 which is supposed to be more realistic and have read mixed reviews on it plus it is pricey.What recommendations do any of you have for best results, reality and price? I don't mind paying a little more if it works with FS 2004 and there is less hassle with configuration. I have not figured out how to configure any buttons on the Logitech and continue to CRASH just using the stick and throttle.Louis Eagle Warrior

Joysticks are really a personal preference kind of thing. It really comes down to the opinion of the user. FS2004 supports just about any controller which will show up in the Windows control panel. Force feedback is another one of those preference kind of things. You just have to try it. Personally, I never cared for force feedback myself. A shaking stick just can't really simulate the forces felt when flying a real airplane.

The thing is I can't really have an opinion because I have nothing to base it on. What about the MS Sidewinder Precision 2. I can't help wondering what I bought although the Logitech Freedom cordless looks okay to this novice eye, but what am I missing when there is such a big difference in price between it and the sidewinder?I have seen mixed reviews on all the MS sticks and your comment about a shaking stick makes sense to me.Thank you.Louis

Louis,I would strongly suggest you look at the Saitek X45 USB combo.It is a joystick and seperate throttle and a neat rudder control with plenty of buttons which you can configure via the Saitek software.I have the earlier version (X36) and have had it for about 3 years and love it.The combo does not have FF but to be honest I feel it is only a gimick.The combo is reasonably priced as well and if at a later date you wish to add some CH rudder pedals they work with the Saitek stick without any problems.Years ago I started off with the MS Sidewinder FF and detested the twist stick rudder control and ineffective throttle, the Saitek combo made flying a pleasure.I would not recommend the new Saitek combo (X52 I think) as that uses the twist stick for rudder control, not good IMO.www.saitek.com

I'd get the Microsoft FF2 joystick....and I'd buy FSForce from Russell Dirks. His program makes FS9 a phenomenal simulator.Many may not agree with me...and that's OK, but I like it and I think it's great to feel forces. Soon , I hope, Russell will add "turbulence" to the forces. When that happens, we will have a good flight experience UNLIKE anything out there. Again...Purely MY opinion. Stan

I've been using the MS Force Feedback 2 stick for about 2 years and love it. It's smooth and precise. I cannot screw up landings or takeoffs using it. The trim is outstanding. Take off and let go of the stick and the bird will continue to point in the correct direction like in a real aircraft. It's superb with heavy iron.I may argue about the actual force being fed back since sometimes it is inappropriate or excessive, but it is a great piece of FS hardware and far superior to any other sidestick I ever used. Only trouble is that it now costs a fortune ($200) and is no longer supported by MS.JS

Forgot to say, I also have the LOGITECH 2.4 wireless stick and that's also very good, BUT it requires a lot of force to operate and gets uncomfortable. I somtimes found myself almost pulling it off my desk in an attempt to fly the way I wanted to fly. The throttle on the Logitech is superlative, however, and better than the MS FFB2 stick. But overall, the MS stick is better; different in a way, but still better.JS

I understand that FF2 is no longer available, plus didn't it cost about $299?What is FS Force. If it's another flight sim before I consider trying another one, I think I should become familiar with MS 2004(notice I didn't say 'master' - that would be way presumptuous at this point).Your opinion is valuable and I am very appreciative of all who take the time to answer my "newbie" questions. And I am really happy that I came across a forum like this where I can lean on experience and skill. Maybe one day I can help someone else.Louis Eagle Warrior

I use Saitek X45 USB as well and never been happier. I also have CH rudder pedals connected via and old CH Flightstick (gameport) and the whole rig works great.What I like about the X45 is LARGE travel of the stick and a fairly accurate center zone. I tried a few other sticks, including Logitech force feedback (forgot which) - now that was a nightmare! Small travel, the stick was wobbly, I never knew if it was centered or not. Throttle on the X45 is also good, again, large travel, no problem configuring it within FSUIPC to have a comfortable reverse zone. And it feels very solid, you have to PUSH it forward, there is just enough resistance. :)Regards,Jurehttp://www.globecargo.org/images/VAA_Captain.jpg

Over the years, I've tried several joysticks, including MS, but the best I have found is the CH Combatstick USB. It's a big, solid feeling device with plenty of travel and allows very precise control inputs. It has an 8-way hat switch for views and a 4 way switch I set up for trim. It has 5 other buttons you can program, plus a throttle wheel. CH products seem to last forever.I've tried force feedback joysticks, but don't care for them. IMO, it's better to spend money on a good joystick and rudder pedal combination than on an effect which has very limited use.Dale

I use a Saitek Cyborg 3D Rumble Stick and I'm very happy with it.

I'm using the CH USB pedals with the centering springs removed. It took some getting used to but I like them a LOT better that way. For yoke controlled aircraft I use a CH USB yoke, for a stick I still use my old MS SideWinder Precision Pro with the twist axis disabled. By the way you can assign the twist axis to panning in the VC, which is kind of interesting.David

None of the Microsoft joysticks are available anywhere that you can actually view them. Neither Best Buys, Electronic Boutique, Comp USA nor Circuit City carries them now. And the fact that MS does not support them anyway makes buying one a moot point.Thanks for your feedback.Louis Eagle Warrior

For anyone who hasn't used pedals, I forgot to mention they also give you progressive braking instead of just on/off brakes. Makes stearing tail draggers a lot easier, as well as slowing them down without doing a nose dive.David

This is my personal opinion and some maybe do not agree with me, but I have had Thrustmaster Hotas Cougar package for almost two years and it is good. You can feel the real iron and it's exactly like in real plane. I bought CH Yoke and Pedals USB in the beginning of this summer and the pedals add more experience to the joystick package indeed! But for Cessna ... Boeing flying, nothing can replace a yoke.Joystick is very quick in movements and good for fighters, aerobatic airplanes and ofcourse choppers. Yoke is good for real world training and you really get good experience when you then go and step into real airplane next day. Joystick can't give you that good feeling. If we even take that some airplanes like Marchetti and Rallye and many others fly using a stick, it is quite different stick in real airplane from a joystick. Its a lot more massive, bigger, feels different in your hand and flying the same plane with joystick does not give you that good practice as a yoke.So basically, if you don't plan to buy more hardware in near future, a joystick would be probably a best investment as you will then be able to fly everything. As rudder control is same important in an airplane like ailerons or elevator, be sure you get a joystick with twist or some other rudder control system if you are not going to buy pedals.