can anyone recommend a joystick that works well with Linux? I've seen the Extreme3D Pro and Saitek X52 mentioned in other threads. The X52 looks awesome but kind of pricey.

I use the saitek cybrog evo and love it! pretty much all modern joysticks work in linux, provided they are usb HID compatible, which pretty much all modern sticks are. Only problems might be from something like shift-keys not working since often they are software based, but you can emulate most of such functionality with binds/plugins so it shouldn't be an issue :)

I use Saitek Aviator, and it is awesome.

However i had to attach steel plate under it as it was too light. But otherwise it is an extremely good joy, especially for the price.

I use an x 52 pro. .Yes it is expensive, but the non contact technology leads to a long operational life. Cheap js use a potentiometer ( variable resistor ) which tends to wear badly over time. They can be stripped and cleaned, but still tend to exhibit deadband jitter. I realise that cost is a major factor, I wish the JS industry would make a medium cost non contact stick with no frills. Perhaps one day...

Both my Saitek ST90 and Logitech Extreme3d Pro work great in Linux.

@davejohn - do both of the sticks work well with VO, do you feel you're enjoying the $$s worth?

Do you happen to use linux with them?

I dont' mind shelling out the clams to have fun and $90 for months of weekly fun is a bargain in my opinion.

Don't worry, all modern joys will work with linux.

And they work flawlessly, i haven't had ANY problems whatsoever with the Saitek (and it is a cheap one, roughly 30 dollars).

Well, I use OS X, plug and play. When you say " weeks " of play, I have hit about 60 000 bot kills with the X 52. That is a few years worth of regular play. The previous 40 000 kills destroyed 3 logitech 3d pro sticks. This doesn't count all the general flying about, or my few attempts at pvp.

The x52 pro is a big stick, needs a solid desk to play on. It even has holes so you can screw it down.

As to whether it helps you in VO, the point is still very debatable. Some of the best fighters just use kbd and mouse.

As ever in this game it is all down to what suits the individual.

On a related note... Do you guys find the joysticks are significantly better than the mouse for game play?

They're more comfortable for me. Pressing 3+ buttons for strafes all the time with my left hand was killing my wrist.

@abortretryfail

Exactly. When i switched to joy + mouse from mouse/keyboard it was like heaven and hell.
With a joy, it is a pleasure to play Vendetta.
Without a joy, it is a pain - fingers simply hurt after few hours of intensive bot fighting... unless your hand/wrist is REALLY trained of course.

That's why I'm scoping a stick out. After a training session with strat, I had to untie the knot my fingers were in from strafing (my feeble attempts at strafing.)

Aside from the durability aspects davejohn pointed out, I'm thinking the X52 may have some nice immersion quality to it. I'm sure any method is going to require time and practice to affect actual game skill.

i didn't read any of this but DO NOT GET A SAITEK CYBORG X!!! Its a piece of crap.

@Waffles

I concede.

When i was buying my joy, i read some bad comments about Saitek Cyborg X.

I bought the logitech extreme 3d pro joy. Should be arriving today. Wings of Prey, Sturmovik, MSX play much better with it. Wasnt thinking about VO when I bought it, I can play VO just fine without one, but since I have one now, might as well use it...