Flight Stick Choices

[f4phantomii]

OK....following my rotary joystick post, here's another regarding flight sticks.

I built a multi-level control panel with the intention of eventually adding a flight stick and spinner (for Tron and Discs of Tron!) as well as a number of other flight sim type games (Afterburner, G-LoC, Air Combat).

I had an old ThrustMaster joystick that I was going to use, only to discover that the PC I'm currently using for Mame doesn't have a game port.

I decided I'd probably be happier with a USB analog stick anyway since I'll likely also play some PC-based games with it as well.

I've been looking at one of the older ThrustMaster "Top Gun" USB units.  I'm guessing the gimbal and centering spring assembly is very similar to the unit I already have.  I'll have to cut it down to mount it, but that shouldn't be a big deal.

I'm looking for something that looks like a real flight stick....are there other options out there I haven't considered?

-Michael

[Kremmit]

The Saitek line have a very military look to them, IMO.

Fair warning:  Any PC flightstick will be an analog stick- good for Afterburner and G-LoC, but bad for Tron and DOT, which want a digital stick.  You will not be happy with gameplay on those titles with that PC stick.

[f4phantomii]

Which Saitek would you recommend?  I know the ST-90 is supposed to be a fairly easy one to mount, but it doesn't look particularly military style like the older ThrustMaster ones do.

One concern I have about the ThrustMaster ones is that they seem fairly cheaply built with flimsy plastic parts....I'm a little concerned it won't hold up well.

As for an analog or digital stick.....right now I'm using a MicroSoft Sidewinder Active Force Feedback (it's probably 3 years old or so) and I thought I'd played Tron and DOT with it with no problem.  But I'll give it another try just to make sure.

I've also got a Logitech Attack 3 joystick sitting around I can try just to verify.

I guess I should have stated this up front, but I'm looking for something that looks like a military fighter grip (F-15, F-16, F/A-18 style), well built so it will last, and reasonably easy to mount.

[MinerAl]

If you're looking for a Tron looking (but not necessarily playing) analog stick, look around for the MacSense FunStick line.  They are still being sold by a number of places and have a translucent blue plastic that is similar to the Tron stick (and the blueberry iMac of 1998).

They are USB and analog, so they'll be good for PC games, but pretty bad for digital joystick games.

[f4phantomii]

Nope....looking for a realistic looking military fighter type grip like the one pictured here:



Oh, and I did hook up both my MicroSoft Sidewinder FFB2 and Logitech Attack 3 joysticks to play Tron.......Kremmit was right.....it wasn't a good match for Tron.

-Michael

[lanman31337]

If you're looking for a Tron looking (but not necessarily playing) analog stick, look around for the MacSense FunStick line.  They are still being sold by a number of places and have a translucent blue plastic that is similar to the Tron stick (and the blueberry iMac of 1998).

They are USB and analog, so they'll be good for PC games, but pretty bad for digital joystick games.

He hit the nail right on the head.  I used a happ joystick base, a hose clamp, and a piece of 5/16th brake line to make a joystick with one.  If you look around he's got a tutorial on how to do it, and i couldn't be happier with the results.

[f4phantomii]

Hmm....I've have to mull that one over.  It doesn't have the look I wanted, but the color would match my cab color scheme (black with electric blue grids, artwork, etc.) so I might have to think about it.

I dont' happen to have an extra happ base laying around, so that would be an additional cost, and the older Thrustmaster HOTAS sticks can be had for around $20.

-Michael