What's your favorite joystick?

**caddmannq** · March 10th, 2002, 07:15 PM

...and why?

Right now I have a Logitech Wingman Attack, which I think is mediocre at best. I also have a Gravis Blackhawk that I haven't used much.

My favorite was the Suncom F-15 series, evidently Suncom is now out of business

.

I have the F-15E Hawk. It was very durable and heavy. It had a quality feel and fit well in my hand. The motion was quite accurate, with little play in the mechanism even after years of use. Unfortunately, it never worked right in Windows with my Soundblaster 32, and I retired it to a drawer. I may try it again with this new AC97 setup. I really love that stick.

I've snapped off a couple joysticks in the heat of battle

(My Wingman Digital Extreme, most recently) So I like a bullet-proof model first. I've tried a lot of sticks in the store, and they all feel cheesy compared to the Suncom, so I've been loath to spend a lot of bucks on a high-end stick.

The Microsoft sticks, in particular, felt like expensive junk. Even the well-known ones like CH and Gravis didn't impress me.
The CH products felt the best, but the stick seems kiddie-sized, and doesn't fit my hand at all.

**Mann Slaughter** · March 11th, 2002, 04:27 AM

Panther XL!
What other joystick is there?

I got my first computer 4 years ago, and the next day went out and bought an MS Sidewinder Pro. I had no idea just what I needed in a stick at that time, but let me tell you, The Sidewinder ain't it. It's too loose, but I keep it around for use with my MAME games. It has that old arcade "rattle-trap" joystick feel to it, which is perfect for games like "Ms. Pac Man" and "Mr Do's Castle".

My second stick was purchased about 3 months later; A Logitech Force Feedback stick. I needed a tight stick for Novalogic's "F-16 M.R.F." That one seemed to last awhile, and I even used it for FPS games like Half-Life. Imagine using your side-to-side axis to turn, and your hat switch to look up and down. Needless to say, I sucked big time in DM.

That stick lasted until a furious bout of HL DM where I was surprised while turing a corner. In my attempt to beat a hasty retreat, I heard something inside my joystick snap. It was never the same after that. I could never seem to achieve top speed while running.

Soon after that I happened to see a magazine ad for what seemed to me to be the ultimate cross-breeding of a trackball and a joystick: The Panther XL! I went to CompUSA and got one, and I haven't looked back. Last year my original PXL died after more than 2 years of use, and I found that Mad Catz no longer sold them. I took a break from FPS games during this period because I could never get used to using the keyboard/mouse config. Until about 6 months ago. I heard of a guy at the PXL board who had found a stash of them in Germany and ordered a bunch, which he then sold to us, the diehard PXL fans.

I bought 3

**bilkaff** · March 11th, 2002, 11:23 AM

Panther DX is preferred however, buttons started failing and I don't feel like dealing with it so, I'm using a Suncom F15E talon which has basicly the same setup without the buttons on the base.

**caddmannq** · March 11th, 2002, 11:30 AM

BILKAFF: What sound/game card do you have? What O/S? I really want to use my old Suncom again!

**Epidemic** · March 11th, 2002, 12:30 PM

Microsoft Precision2

I liked my sidewinder precision pro but I pressed my fire button too many times and it died...

I have used thrustmaster but it cant cut the mustard.

I would like to see one a joystick with two hats 4 buttons for the thumb

and a button for the pinky.

I still need to buy it but I need a 5 button mouse. I am also considering the trackball due to the huge numbers of users who use them in my poll.

**caddmannq** · March 11th, 2002, 01:15 PM

Epidemic:
Check out the Kensington Thinking Mouse, as well as their other products. Some are a bit pricey, but the best stuff I've ever owned, and the best service policies too.
Cadd.

**NDC** · March 12th, 2002, 02:48 AM

My favorite's Creative Cobra game pad. The best one I've used to so far. It's been through a lot of abuse and the rubber bushing for the directional disk still hasn't worn out. Another great feature is the rubber grips for your palm which gives you better grip and comfort...

**bilkaff** · March 12th, 2002, 08:56 AM

"BILKAFF: What sound/game card do you have? What O/S? I really want to use my old Suncom again!"
_______________________________

I'm using a Forte media card and windows 98se right now.
It also worked on Win XP with an SB live value card but, I couldn't get the SB live card to work in DOS.

**Epidemic** · March 12th, 2002, 09:57 AM

Has any one used that MS Strategic Commander for FPS.

What is it a mouse or a joystick???

I also want to know why they dont get a hand held controller with track ball joystick combo...

**[A3D]Hatswitch** · March 19th, 2002, 02:41 AM

CH F-16 FighterStick USB

Why?

Buttons!

It's a tank. Just try and break it with normal use.

I pair mine with a Kensington Expert Mouse PRO for FPS's.