Logitech is still in business with their G940 combo and I think it's worth a look, especially when looking for a throttle and pedals too. http://www.logitech..../joysticks/5855

 

I came from the MS Sidewinder (which is now in use at a friend) and I can't complain, although the Sidewinder wins the FF feeling race. Still unmatched, but you don't lose much on the G940 stick, but gain a lot of buttons due to the combo setup.

 

For any FF setup, I'd recommend FSForce. Not that cheap, but well worth in comparison with the FSX default FF rendition. It also corrects the FSX trim system if you like, being closer to a real plane's trim model. It also offers a demo mode, just in case.

I think the big issue why we no longer have great FFB joystick is because for cars, everyone are used to driving one, so it was only natural for developing games that support FFB, to feel the shakes and movements they do when they are in control of their cars, since that's more realistic.

 

Airplanes, well, most of the people who use flight simulators has never flown a real airplane I guess, I haven't flown in one until recently, so they don't know how does it feel to be in control of an aircraft, and they don't expect their controls to feel the aerodynamic forces of flight, and most developers also don't push the envelope of that.

 

Try to develop a racing sim without FFB, and most people will say it's the most unrealistic thing ever, but a flight simulator with no FFB people don't even notice the lacking feel of the aircraft

For the trim alone, I'd go FF every time in flight sims. That's why I was also looking for some FF yokes. Thanks for the DIY tips by the way. The commercial stuff is too much to take in this one hobby for me.

If you want to "feel" your flights may I suggest Buttkicker Gamer. Then is doesn't matter what joystick you use, just where you mount the thing. I've got three of them suckers installed - one on the chair, one on my rudders, and a third near my yoke/throttles. My entire body becomes "one with the sim", ha! All the subtle bumps and bangs I now feel as well as hear. Landings are great.

 

Clutch

Yeah it indeed seems really nice but the FFB on the stick would give much more information to the pilot than shakes and bumps. You can feel the aircraft for an incoming stall, you can perfectly trim your aircraft for any flight regime. Just imagine how nice would be to trim the stick only one time and letting it go and watch the plane mantain the Regime, it takes at least 3 tries for me to get it with my Joystick inside FSX.

 

But the FFB motor would have to be really improved on the old ones I have tried. Just now Wheels are starting to come out with Smooth FFB motor with almost no deadzone, it needs to be precise, or it would be missing the whole point of having the feel of force on the control. Maybe the technology is already there, there isn't just anyone to make the first step, sure won't be Logitech, their current FFB Stick I read is awful!

some interesting discussion guys. I was going to bring the state of FFB in racing sims to the debate. I think there must be an extra element of difficulty emulating FFB for a flight title, given that forces can go in 3 directions rather than the 2. I think this would present difficulties for emulators as well as hardware manufactuters, maybe the cost is just too prohibitive these days to justify for all but the most hardcore.

 

I'll take a look at the G940... I must admit, even if their was just enough force so that trimming a aircraft felt right I'd be highly keen. just don't know about some of those negative reviews. TBH my saitek av8r has calibration issues, and I'd would by a trusted non FFB stick before 'taking a risk'...

 

oh the decisions.

 

seems the G940 is only available on the US logitech store anyway. Won't ship to australia. :(

http://www.flightillusion.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=ilvm_fly_admirable.tpl&product_id=87&category_id=26&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=58

 

Force feedback yoke, $$$

Hi,

 

FWIW, Google throws a "Reported Attack Site" message on the link in the message above. Downloading malicious software behind your back, things like that. You might want to avoid it.

 

Best regards,

 

- Bob

 

The StickWorks

http://www.stickworks.com

Hi,

 

FWIW, Google throws a "Reported Attack Site" message on the link in the message above. Downloading malicious software behind your back, things like that. You might want to avoid it.

 

Best regards,

 

- Bob

 

The StickWorks

http://www.stickworks.com

 

I think you got a false positive Bob. Norton reported it as okay.

NOD32 blocks this site, as well as google and my corporate McAfee AV.

 

Certainly no smoke without fire.........

seems the G940 is only available on the US logitech store anyway. Won't ship to australia.

 

Have you tried Amazon? I bought some saitek gear from there and got it shipped over here.

 

Even including the shipping it was cheaper than buying in store here. Just meant I had to wait about 2 weeks for it to arrive.

i did try amazon mate - they refused to ship both a satek x52 and the g940. pity because they are offering some really good prices.

 

I ended up settling on a x52 from pccg. so in a couple of days itll be here and i can sim again :D

<<bump>> Finally having to replace a Logitech Wingman FF that served for many years, but responding to the OP, I think the reason is the reliability. The flight controls on mine have become increasingly erratic. The twist yaw in particular is almost unuseable. Found a few discussions about disassembling and cleaning a stick, but seems one needs specialized microtools and a surgical hand to be successful. <sigh> Hoping to find another FF product that will fill the bill.

I'd get a used (are there any new ones?) MS Sidewinder or the new Logitech G940 combo. The latter being a nice but not that cheap thing. The first one still being the king of FF sticks. But it's all in one, so no pedals (you can add some though) and just a small single throttle.

I think the G940 is the only modern FF joystick around. I have mine on Ebay at the moment, since I'm over my VRS superbug/Evochron Legends fix, but Chris Roberts new game might make me pull it. Either way I enjoyed the FF was amazingingly strong and I had no issues with it.