Which controller?

BlueMak · Dec 22, 2004, 10:06 PM

I am thinking of buying a gaming controller. I am between either buying a Wheel+pedals or Joystick. Yes I know they are not used for the same games but that matters a little right now. I play both driving and flying games so no matter which one I will buy I will use it fully.
I am also considering about if it is going to be a force feedback controller or not. Tough choices I know. I would like to hear from you that have tried/use them :-)

As for specific models, well, money is a limitation, so I would say about 20-55 or so GBP.

I was thinking of getting Logitech's extreme 3d pro but one customer review in a site (the only review on that site) was saying that the joystick has severe problems with calibration and it loses calibration very often and that other customers should avoid it. I also found that it doesn't have FF and for some reason that put me off a bit. The first game that I will buy/play if I get this is X2 The Threat.

For wheels, I found the R440 from saitek being probably the best according to reviews, though a bit expensive. If I got this I would also buy Toca Race Driver 2.

Pleaaaaase help me decide! :-)

pr0digal jenius · Dec 22, 2004, 10:17 PM

saitek's, in my experience, have a habit of falling apart due to poorly constructed plastic parts

I'd go gravis or logitech

YAYitsAndrew · Dec 22, 2004, 10:20 PM

A good set of 'wheels' is going to be out of your designated range so I'd go for a high quality joystick. Take a look at microsoft's stuff in that department, too.

BlueMak · Dec 22, 2004, 11:43 PM

Ok, Wheels are out of the heh, question. Joysticks. Does FF worth the extra money? Any specific examples of joysticks? I am getting confused when one reviewer claims joystick A to be 40% the other 90% etc. I wonder if there is any good site that reviews joysticks.

pr0digal jenius · Dec 22, 2004, 11:44 PM

microsoft sidewinders are very nice

BlueMak · Dec 23, 2004, 12:25 AM

But MS has stopped supporting them and producing them. You can find one of course, but, isn't it risky considering the no support for sidewinders? I am sure they are nice controllers but if they are already out of their cycle for support, I do not wish to risk my few money on that.

I checked the gravis site and they only have pads.

Saitek and Logitech seem to be the only options.
There is also the thurstmaster but it is too expensive.

pr0digal jenius · Dec 23, 2004, 12:37 AM

thrustmaster is nice, but as you said...pricey...logitech is my vote, I used to have a wingman

Nuke209 · Dec 23, 2004, 12:38 AM

Logitech products > Anything else, hands down

Judas · Dec 23, 2004, 12:39 AM

i'm not sure, but i find joysticks are VERY useless enless your playing flight related games.. (were you need multple Axis rotations..)

IMO, the P880 USB controller is an excellent CHEAP buy that is similare to a PS2 setup but very excellent for any PC game considering the well balanced number of buttons

Nacht · Dec 23, 2004, 01:04 AM

logitech extreme 3d pro. no need for the wireless version.

BlueMak · Dec 23, 2004, 01:23 AM

First of all thank you all for helping me.

I already have a game pad the saitek p2500, which is no bad, but, not what I am looking for. If I do order the following joystick I will also order X2 The threat, which is a space flight sim. Hopefuly good. lol

I found this one http://www.savastore.com/productinfo...0250069&pid=44 Which is the Logitech wingman force 3d. After p&p it is 6-10 GBP cheaper than from amazon, dabs, logitech store. The joystick looks ok, the base is relatively small, which is a plus for me. I am worried a bit about the complete absence of any mentioning of how the joystick stays put in one place on the desk and not move, but I am willing to not think about it too much :-) It has FF, it is relatively cheap. Has anyone tried it?
What do you think?

pr0digal jenius · Dec 23, 2004, 01:16 PM

http://www.joystickreview.com/logite...manforce3d.asp

looks like a great choice

OldBuzzard · Dec 23, 2004, 04:45 PM

If you are doing racing games and flight sims, then a wheel would make more sence. If you are still leaning towards a stick, I highly recommend the Logitech Freedon 2.4 wireless one.

I used the MS Precision Pro for years, and really liked it, and I was seriously bummed when MS quit making sticks. However, I found that the Logitech Freedom 2.4 is (so far at least) every bit as good as my old beloved Precision Pro. It even has the same 'feel' that the Precision Pro had when you wrap your hand around it. And to tell the truth, I like their 'profiler' software better than the MS one.

I've tried Force feeback sticks, and I wasn't really impressed, Also, with all the extra components, they are going to be more prone to failure.

BWX · Dec 23, 2004, 04:54 PM

MOMO racing FF wheel by logitech for 52 dollars after rebate-- At least thats' what I paid a couple weeks ago. One of the best wheels on the market.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...&s=electronics

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0...1.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

A few dollars more I see now- when I got it there was a free shipping option too. .yup, still there.

BlueMak · Dec 23, 2004, 06:02 PM

OldBuzzard, why would a wheel make more sense if I want to play both types of games? I admit I cannot figure how you can pilot a plane....ahh, I see the point now. But I am not so much into civil sims so...Good idea though.

That looks like a sweet wheel. (MOMO). But I don't think there are rebates in the UK where I am now. The cheapest I can find it online is 70 GBP, a bit more than I could spend right now.
Still, the thing is that I am having second thoughts about the purchase of a wheel for the footpring and height of the (any) wheel. Considering I have a laptop (presario 2816ea nothing new), If I put the wheel infront then I will cover a lot of the screen space of it. (not elevated screen since it is a laptop). Also every wheel looks (though I have no numbers to back this up) that it has longer base than at least the above mentioned joystick. The screen for the laptop is 15.1" I think. I am afraid I would not be able to see clearly the screen at that distance, for playing a racing game that is.
The above joystick (or any other I guess) apart I could use it easier infront of the laptop, and having to push less back the machine, I could in theory place it on the right of the keyboard (where my moyse is (logitech mx500 great mouse :-) ) ) and play like that.
Damn it I want to have my own place one day with space to spare and money not to care :-)

Well, it looks like I am going for the logitech force 3d afterall.

Thank you all for your help!