Hi,

because I haven't played "space shooters" (Freespace/Vendetta/Freelancer and so on) for a long time, I'm searching a good joystick.

atm I've a Black Widow from SpeedLink. Problem: the axis. It is not possible to make "fine/small" moves. Either no move or mid to max. turn/move speed (as for the x/y axis and the side rudder) but I'm not able to make a "small" move.

So, I'm searching for a joystick, that has:
* x/y/z axis (z = thruster)
* at least one cooliehat
* side rudder with which you can make small turns, too.
* at least 5 buttons (weapon1/2/3, afterburner, targeting)

I use the wired version of this one:
http://www.saitek.com/uk/prod/evowireless.htm
Has all the functionality you want. Mine is about 6 years old now and still works perfectly.

uhm...in the description it says that there is rudder control...but I don't see it?! Neither I see a thruster?!

*edit
I think I found a joystick that I would like: The Thrustmaster Afterburner 2

has everything I need...

If you're going to use a real flightstick, I recommend using 2 of them.

The rudder on the Saitek Evo is just twisting the handle and the throttle is on the base in front. When set to 0 it is flush with the base.

A number of people have found two joysticks to be more rewarding than one. Makes sense to me as this way it would seem that this way you could easily have fine tuned rolling control. But I use kb/mouse, so I can't vouch for it.

And of course, if you aren't satisfied with the response garnered here, in this thread, then consider searching the forum for past joystick discussions. This game has been around for a while.

I like my MS Sidewinder Pro a lot, but you can't buy that anymore (unless you go for used).
Btw of the thrustmaster, i'd advise against it.
You really need more buttons, at the very least forward/backwards and flight mode toggle in addition to the ones you mentioned,
there are situations you *need* to turn flight assist off and there's no way to set throttle to work well with that.
Which brings me to the separate throttle control, it won't work for vo, pretty much because of what i said above for above.
If go for that you'll be way better off with two joysticks.

I only fly with Flight assist disabled...else I could simple get my old StarLancer out... ;)

atm (as I said) I've a Black Widow from SpeedLink. The joystick has a nice throttle control with rudder control, a cooliehat on the main stick, 3 buttons on the main stick and a fire button on the rear and 4 buttons between throttle and main stick.

That's enough. IMO.

ATM I don't need more.

oh with the throttle and FA disabled: when you turn it at mid, there is no thrust, when pushing it forward, you'll fly forward and when pushing it back, you'll fly backwards. it works ;)

well if it helps you need:
3 axis for xyz control
10 buttons or more
Top hat for strafing

Some use pedals for speed or roll functions. Theres a diy thread to make them.

Dual sticks work well

The extreme 3d stick works good for a while

I also looked at the gamer keypads and liked some things about them.

Flight yokes work well if your willing to live with only 2 axis or use pedals.

Gamepads dont work well due to oversteer problems and so on. They also tend to be short a few buttons.

Some here just use the keyboard and mouse. Typing skill seems to be fairly important...

> 10 buttons or more

just curious: for what do I need so many buttons?

hmm...2 joysticks...strange...but I think I'll try that...have to think about that...

You might want to check out this thread on Saitek joysticks:
http://vendetta-online.com/x/msgboard/5/17934

Primary,secondary and tertiary fire switches

target selection for enemy/cargo/other - nearest/front in next and previous flavors

flight mode on/off
auto aim on/off
Turbo
Brakes
Push to talk (voice chat)
Accelerate/decellerate

Pretty much any thing that can be bound to a key. In short the more buttons the more choice you have over what can be at your fingertips. Swapping to the keyboard takes a moment and is not always conveinent in combat situations. Usually below 10 you have to sacrifice something important.

I've been using a Saitek ST290 PRO (i.e. the Walmart special) for the last 3 years. And it has been working great (well, some minor things, like i wore the coating of some wires and it was grounding on the metal weight plate in the base, and it sqeaks now something fierce). I just moved 1000 miles and had to leave the stick behind, not enough room, so said the wife (we had room for her 450 year old plant and settlement samples....for work she says...) SO, I used our credit reward points and ordered a new one. The Saitek Cyborg X. Just arrived today and haven't had time to test it out. But I'll let you know.

@vskye ty for the thread :)

@PaKettle

-> why should anybody enable the flight assist mode? Okay, maybe when I'm more into the game I'll see that...as of now I don't think I'll need it.

-> auto aim on/off
yep, that could be...but it happens atm for me not that often, so I've binded it to the keyboard

-> Turbo is on my joystick
-> Brakes -> space button on keyboard, I don't use it that often
-> Ptt uhm...doesn't work for me as of now, the game isn't able to work with PulseAudio in that case :(
-> Accelerate uhm don't know exactly what you mean with that...strafing? I do that with the cooliehat or thrust? I do that with the throttle/thruster control on the BlackWidow (left from the main stick it has the rudder control, too)

@Capt. Waffles hmmm, I'm waiting for your report about the Cyborg X. How you control your rudder? And do you use the 2 throttles?

Detructor, it's your preference to not use fa at all and to use accell on throttle,
but personally i find fa to be useful at times, and i hate the way throttle works in accel mode with fa off, which is why i need two buttons for moving forward/backwards with fa off.

I use the handle twist for rudder.

We value your input Waffles, even if it is nonsensical.

"We value your response"

@maq 'Detructor, it's your preference to not use fa at all and to use accell on throttle,
but personally i find fa to be useful at times, and i hate the way throttle works in accel mode with fa off, which is why i need two buttons for moving forward/backwards with fa off.'

hmm, okay. I like it :)

in FA: 100% = 100% 0% = 0%
in "normal" mode: 100% = 100%; 50% = 0%; 0%=-100%

Only, it doesn't behave quite the same way, but never mind really.

> Only, it doesn't behave quite the same way, but never mind really.

for me it does o_0

but explain how it works for you/other ppl? *want to know*