Hi. I have been abroad for several months, and as this is the case fairly regularly I have left my trusty MS Sidewinder 2 joystick over there for future trips - saves a bit of suitcase room. That means I have to use my Logitech Extreme 3D Pro back here in the UK. This is the 2nd. one I have had in two years - and the second one which has given up the ghost after a fairly short time - the rudder control is hopeless now, with planes swerving all over the taxiways with a mind of their own. (They behave impeccably with the Sidewinder). I've spent hours recalibrating, posting to Logitech forums - but the inevitable conclusion is that the joystick is a waste of space and I shall dump it..All of which waffle means I want to buy a new joystick ASAP. I would happily choose another Sidewinder 2 (ultra reliable), but maybe I can go a bit more 'up-market'? If anyone has a special favourite joystick for FS2004, I'd be very happy to hear recommendations before I part with my cash.Thanks,Martin S.

Sorry! This should have gone to the hardwrae forum!!! Maybe someone will move it. Apologies.M.

My Saitek X-45 has been working for years. It has a heavy duty feel, although I took out a few loops of the spring, and has a left handed throttle. Plenty of buttons & two hat switches. It's been replaced by the X-52, which appears to be a nice unit. Should be in the $80-90 bracket.L.Adamson

Since I can't actually fly FS properly till I get a new joystick (aaahh!!), I have been browsing reviews etc. for the past hour, since posting the above, and have just ordered a Saitek X52. Glad to come back here and see that you seem to agree with my choice!! M. :-)

I bought the X52 after my Microsoft Sidewinder Precision Pro 2 one broke after 4 years of use. I've been using it for the last 5 months and its perfect. I must admit the LCD display is rather useless but the joystick itself is flawless. I'm sure you wont regret your decision to buy this wonderful product. ;)Nick

I have the Saitek X52 and had the X45 before it. I agree they are very good.

Bought the Saitek X52 and am very happy with it. Thanks.M.

Unfortunatley I can't recommend a best joystick, as I've never had one that lasts long. Recent experience tells me this though: never buy a Saitek Evo Force. Sorry, don't mean to slander equipment, but I feel very ripped off with this bit of hardware and could not advise anyone to got near it.Cheers,Matthew.

Hey,I've been thinking of getting the Saitek X52 (which, by reading around, i gather it's the best for fs2004, yes?) and i was wondering, is it easy to program? I am completely new to joysticks...is the procedure done from within the fs2004 - controls setup, or does the joystick come with its own programming software? Thanks a lot,D

Sorry, but I just cant find any info about force feedback feture. So did I asume right that there is no forces?

>Hey,>>I've been thinking of getting the Saitek X52 (which, by>reading around, i gather it's the best for fs2004, yes?) and i>was wondering, is it easy to program? I am completely new to>joysticks...is the procedure done from within the fs2004 ->controls setup, or does the joystick come with its own>programming software? >>Thanks a lot,>D>>You have a couple of options. It is possible to do nothing with the stick, and just make joystick button and axis assignments in FS9. However, this limits some of the "bells and whistles". An important feature of the X52 is the "shift" key and "mode" keys. These keys allow you to assign different functions to the same button. For example, I had a mode which I used for props, which have a prop ptich and mixture increase/decrease assigned.I've found that for me at least, it works best to assign keyboard key functions to the stick buttons, and clear the joystick button assignments in FS9. This is done using the Saitek profile functions. The software can provide for some complex macro programming, which I haven't found a need for, but the main features are "basic" and "advanced" programming. The basic simply captures keystrokes. In advanced, you can set an action when you press the button, a repeat when you hold the button down, and an action when you release the button. You can set the duration of each action in 0.1 secs.there are 2 steps to programming the profile. First I create commands. For example, I create a command named "Gear toggle" which I have set to send the "g" key to FS9. then, I assign the command to a specific button/shift/mode combo. Normally I program the button for "unshifted" "mode 1" and the command is by default carried over for all the other modes/shift states. Then if I want to, I assign a second etc command to the shifted button or antoher mode.scott s..

>>Hey,>>>>I've been thinking of getting the Saitek X52 (which, by>>reading around, i gather it's the best for fs2004, yes?) and>i>>was wondering, is it easy to program? I am completely new to>>joysticks...is the procedure done from within the fs2004 ->>controls setup, or does the joystick come with its own>>programming software? >>>>Thanks a lot,>>D>>>>>>You have a couple of options. It is possible to do nothing>with the stick, and just make joystick button and axis>assignments in FS9. However, this limits some of the "bells>and whistles". An important feature of the X52 is the "shift">key and "mode" keys. These keys allow you to assign different>functions to the same button. For example, I had a mode which>I used for props, which have a prop ptich and mixture>increase/decrease assigned.>>I've found that for me at least, it works best to assign>keyboard key functions to the stick buttons, and clear the>joystick button assignments in FS9. This is done using the>Saitek profile functions. The software can provide for some>complex macro programming, which I haven't found a need for,>but the main features are "basic" and "advanced" programming. >The basic simply captures keystrokes. In advanced, you can>set an action when you press the button, a repeat when you>hold the button down, and an action when you release the>button. You can set the duration of each action in 0.1 secs.>>there are 2 steps to programming the profile. First I create>commands. For example, I create a command named "Gear toggle">which I have set to send the "g" key to FS9. then, I assign>the command to a specific button/shift/mode combo. Normally I>program the button for "unshifted" "mode 1" and the command is>by default carried over for all the other modes/shift states. >Then if I want to, I assign a second etc command to the>shifted button or antoher mode.>>scott s.>.>Thanks a lot for your detailed reply, i'll probably get it soon and we'll see then!D

i have the sidewinder (USB), I've used it with FS02/9/X and no complaints thus far i have to say.. im going to give the FF2 a try 

Is it me, or is this a topic resurrected from 8 years ago?

 

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