Right now I use a Microsoft Sidewinder Precision 2 joystick, but I am going to need a new one soon. The rudder control on this joystick is not responding very good (like I will turn the rudder left and instead of returing to center quickly it will stay left for a few seconds)What joystick would you recommend? Something in the price range of $50-$100.I heard the Microsoft does not make joysticks any more, is that true?

I don't think Microsoft makes joysticks any more.The built-in rudder control is almost always really crappy and will often begin to cause problems after some time. If you're happy with the joystick except for the problems with the rudder control, I suggest you get the CH Pedals and keep the stick.

CH pedals do cost to much for what they give though. It will be more than the 50-100 buck just for rudder pedals :(.I would get a Saitek Cyborg3D stick and perhaps some cheap wheel pedals to go with it. Just make sure they got equal gas and break travel distance and resistance.

If you havent tried it already, you might go into Controls, and hit the Default Key. Mine was really messed up, and thought after over five years of flying daily from 3-8 hours, it was shot. Then remembered it might help to reconfigure it, saw the "Default" key and tried it. Immediately everything worked correctly again. Something must have been corrupted in memory, and saved with my "Previous Flight" so it kept that setting. When I looked at the settings, the rotary setting was all the way to the top. When tested it just stayed there. On "default" it went beck to the center as it should have been. Been using it almost two weeks since, with no problems.

Thanks guysI went go into the controls of the joystick, clicked on default settings and that did improve the rudder but it still is alittle slow. Luckly I can still fly, I just have to remember to center the rudder myself instead of relying on the joystick to return the rudder to center quickly.I guess I will start looking for a new joystick soon.

Guess from habit, I alway return the controls to center. Maybe that is why my stick still works so well. It is one of the first MS Precision Pro's which appeared in a Local CA store. Cant even remember how long ago that was... ;-) What I'd also do, is load up your aircraft, Go to Sensitivities and put it in spot view so you can see the control surfaces. Even if worn, when sensitivity and null is correct you can adjust it for the stick. Then watch it for setting the Null, if you move the stick, but the surfaces do not move, narrow the null space so they do. Setting it so you only have a little play, before they begin to move.Then, move them full swing in forward - back, to see if you get full movement of the surface, with full movement of the stick. If not, go to Sensitivities, and increase the sensitivity, then go back and check. Do that until you get about matching movement, with motion. Of course if you get full movement before you use full swing of the stick, then reduce the sensitivity. Then, do the same with Left to Right movement. The same with rudder control. Ive seen more complaints that the stick is too sensitive, that on final they swing back and forth across the ILS... If set correctly, you can also make slight corrections... Bob

If you do decide to buy one, here's one to consider:**************Saitek Cyborg EVO*********************I've been using a CH yoke for a few years but (reluctantly) had to remove it after I rearranged my comp setup. Even though I still prefer a yoke I am more than satisified with the Saitek stick; just bought it three days ago.Impressions:Easy setup: CD gives an option of a standard or custom config. I went for the standard and everything worked well. This is essentially a plug and play piece of gear: connect the USB, respond to the controls test and it's ready for use.Smooth control responses including the throttle lever which is located at the base.Rudder control is effected by a twisting motion on the stick.If you're a southpaw, you can rearrange the hand rests.I did a search on this site, tomshardware, and several of the vendors to get info before I bought this and was convinced that this was one of the best choices for flightsim because of its smooth control resposiveness. Logitech offers several products but they're reported to have more control sensitivity and are more suited to the other games/sims.Not a bad piece of gear for $40.00 US! Search around and you can probably save a little more...-GeorgeM at 5B6

I never thought about checking the sensitivity and null of the joystick before I will have to do that. I don't even know what it is set at now. :-lolGeorge- That joystick sounds real good and a good price too. When I do start shopping around for a joystick I will look at that one.

Null zone is always the first I check. Or rather uncheck. But with older joysticks they wear out and you may need to add some deadzone because it gets more inaccurate.

Thanks for the tip to check the sensitivity and null of the joystick. I played around with those settings and it is ALOT better now! :-)