[EGD Eric]

I remember playing Freespace with my bro's Microsoft force feedback controller a long time ago, and it was a very satisfying experience. I'd like to try playing games like that again, but I'm afraid of getting burned. Can someone reccomend me a joystick? One that has good force feedback, that you can 'twist' to roll, maybe?

I noticed that MS has another one out that looks almost exactly like my bro's old controller, except its USB, and $300 US!! Plus, one user said that it has issues with force feedback: The strength is always all the way up, with no way to change it.

[GrimGriz]

I'm still recovering from the loss of my MS FF2.

I'm strongly considering getting an X52, but right now I'm still using the microsoft precision pro. It's shaped like the old FF2 at least

[Pyrophred]

my friends all have Logitech 3d pro and seem to like them. I have a Saitek st290 and will probably replace it with sometrhing similar when I finally wear it out

[Harvester]

I'd suggest, if you feel like playing Ebay, you could easily get the same Force Feedback Pro for around $100. Same goes for its little brother, the Force Feedback 2. Or if your in the market for something that was made more recently, try the Saitek EVO Force. The only problem with either of MS's offerings is that beyond Windows98-ME, full functioning drivers for their force feedback offerings haven't been released. (The only force feedback device I have is their force feedback wheel, I had to hack the Win98 driver to work with XP to get force feedback to work. So if this is different for the sticks, I'd like to know, since I wouldn't mind scoring one of the old FF Pro's for myself. )

[JoCool]

When MS stopped production of the sidewinder series I bought a sidewinder precision pro as backup to my MS SW FF 2.

It's really been the best stick ever. The FF 2 is still like brand new.. after 3 years of service. Everytime I touch it I get the gung-ho attitude and want to shoot stuff. It let you do ninja moves in your 'phoon. It's also black. Cool.

[Bingofuel]

Personaly I do not like force feedback on joysticks

• Centering is sloppy or gets sloppy
• Hand fatigue
• The throttle is allways built into the stick making you contort the left side of your body over to the right side of your body. Or, play with the stick infront of your keyboard.
• I have broken every stand alone stick I have ever tried. Some how I managed to break the trigger on a sidewinder.

There is no substitute for a separate stick and throttle.

• Your body is in a more natural and relaxed position resulting in a more pleasureable gameing experience.
• Neither your keyboard or monitor is blocked by a stick in the center position.
• Such Flight Control Systems often offer enough buttons and knobs so you never have to take your hands off the controls except to type. Cant say that for stand alone sticks.
• FCS are built more ruged than most stand alone sticks.

As far as I have seen, there ore only 3 viable FCS offerings

1. Thrustmaster Hotas Cougar Thrustmaster - Hotas Cougar - La réplique exacte du contrôleur en métal : la référence !
   • The 2 Cougars I got were so stiff my right hand was wore out within 2 hours. This was 6+ years ago I would imagine ther added a tention adjustment to the stick.
2. Saitek X52 and pro version (I have not tried the pro) Welcome to Saitek, Joysticks, Gamepads, Wheels, Keyboards, Chess and intelligent games Welcome to Saitek, Joysticks, Gamepads, Wheels, Keyboards, Chess and intelligent games
   • The x52 was my final pick. I'm tempted to get the pro but it's too expensive to just find out what the differences are when my x52 still has allot of life left.
   • comfortable
   • Great centering
   • More buttons than I can ever use. Mech Warrior I used all the buttons modes and shift state.
   • the mouse sucks but it can be turned into a 4 way hat switch through the profiling software.
   • Rudder control is on the stick. Direct brain to hand is allways a good thing
3. The next FCS is the saitek x45 (no longer manufactured)
   • Back in the day this was the FCS to use.
   • The differences between the x45 and x52 are
     • Rudder was on the throttle in such a way that only giant hands could work the rudder. My fingers were about 1/2 inch too short.
     • Centering was done by 4 springs which had the tendency to come off there mounting posts.
     • Tracking was done with Potentiomiters (Old school variable resisters) they had the tendency to wear out in a short omout of time. You can make them work like new for a few hours by spraying WD-40 in them. At the time all sticks were tracked like this.

After all that, I recomend the Saitek x52. If you have the extra greenbacks, get the pro, it has to be be better in some way.

[Algore]

MS FF2.
Now set forth and bid on Ebay young man.

[usalman]

I recently bought a pristine MS FF2 on e-bay for £67.00. There were lots out there about 4 weeks ago