Flying Preferences

[[Team] Bluegirl593]

Originally Posted by Pops23

Joystick for both, never could get the hang of the mouse & kb. I use a $20 Saitek from Wal-Mart.

Me too! Baggy and Sonic use that type of joystick as well.

[[Team] Mytrap]

Well if its joysticks you want to know about then you need to talk to the real good Flyers
For both helo and jets. Me im just an average flyer there are a lot better flyers out there that can answer your question. But my answer is, you need to find the one that’s comfortable for you, now im talking one that feels good in your hand that you can relax while holding no strain on the hand. One that feels right when you use the twist (yaw) tension that will spring back to center when you relax your hand. How I found the one that was right for me was (asking like you did) going to the computer store (like Best Buy,
CompUSA, places like that) and give them a feel find the one that fits your hand.
For me the best Joystick I have ever found (not made anymore but still some out on EBAY and places) was the Microsoft sidewinder Pro 2. That joystick lasted me almost 6 years. I am very hard on joysticks
And I went through 5 other brands of joysticks in 4 months before I found Pro 2.

I now use a Cyborg X it feels real good it’s adjustable to fit and it’s got all the buttons you’ll ever need to fly. Price was about $60.00. However the stick has a lot of week spots (For me) now remember im very hard on joysticks. If you want to fly helo and jet
With precision and smoothness use a joystick. Get one that has throttle control, hat, Twist (Yaw) Trigger and at least 8 buttons. You’ll have all you need in a joystick and once you get the feel of the joystick you’ll be flying like the rest of them out there.

[[Team] Mytrap]

Originally Posted by Praetorian999

I picked up a Logitech Extreme 3D pro last night and was messing around with it in a local server I created. So far I'm not impressed because with helo's I fell like I am all over the place. I do like how it reacts flying a jet and I feel like I can actually fly now but I just need more practice.

dont worry youll crash and burn a lot till you get the feel of the stick
you just need to work with it and most of all relax and enjoy the flight.

[Pops23]

You can learn alot by gunning with an experienced pilot. I learned from what was then the #5 in the BF2 world in a chopper.

If you get a chance get in a chopper with Bluegirl. Good pilot and rock steady for the gunner. I was very impressed with her skill level, I've gunned for alot of pilots and she is at the tops.

[Korg]

Originally Posted by Kilo

I use CH joystick, W/ a separate CH 4stickThrottle quadrant and foot pedals.. Flying w/ keyboard is extremely hard.
Try finding a server that there is no one in and practice flying.
I usually practice on the Project Reality Server, since the aircraft are more challenging and easy to get shot down in.Good luck and have fun

That throttle box can almost handle a B-52! Awesome setup.

[Korg]

Originally Posted by Korg

Well, just tried it locally and I have more percise control with kbd and mouse but can pull off maneuvers with throttle and joystick that are almost impossible with a mouse.

Very steep banked turns (60 to 90deg) Split-S, Barrel Rolls, and even a Loop.

But coming in for landing or hovering, then set the throttle at 50% and use kbd and mouse for that "fine adjustment" that I have trouble with using a stick.

Just wanted to clarify that the above was strictly about flying a chopper (AH-1W) in Vanilla.

For those of you (Kilo) that want the best stick out there and have $ to blow on it, then look at the Thrustmaster HOTAS Cougar and the Thrustmaster Warthog. They are very expensive but you get what you pay for. They are the actual stick and throttle from the F-16C Block 52 and the A-10C. They are all metal construction and would even withstand MyTrap at the controls.

Warning: Do not drop one on your foot as each piece weighs in at about 8lbs (4 kgs) and would cause some serious damage (not to mention pain).

For those on a budget, here is the new version of the one I use (the Thrustmaster Afterburner II) called the T.Flight-HOTAS-X. The throttle and stick are shipped as a single unit but can be separated and they pack an extra "cresent" base piece to attach to the stick portion for better stability.

BTW, HOTAS is an acronym for Hands On Throttle And Stick which has been a U.S.A.F. requirement since the design of the F-15 back in the 1960's. Almost 95% of all combat functions can be done with out removing your hands from the throttle and stick.