janskjaer
Junior Member
There's a War, and it ain't Easy.
Posts: 89
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Post by janskjaer on Oct 2, 2010 5:35:28 GMT -5
I was wondering what flight control systems you pilots are using to play Hardwar?
I'm based in Warsaw, PL until Christmas, when I go back to the UK to see the family for the Christmas holidays. During that time, I can grab my beloved Suncom F-15E Hawk joystick, which I used to play Hardwar (F2.0) for the very first time, way back in '98. ;D
I'm looking at purchasing an alternative stick (and possibly throttle too) to play Hardwar whilst I'm in PL, and if I decide on leaving my F-15 at home. The main reason for that would be because the only machine I have in Warsaw to play Hardwar on, is my ASUS EEE 901 20G. So I need a USB-based stick or a recommended Gameport -> USB adapter.
1. Please post your flight control system (FCS) setup and brand, with what you are using to fly around Titan. (e.g. Stick, Throttle, Keyboard, Combos etc.)
2. Does anyone have a good recommendation for a Gameport -> USB adapter? They don't make sticks like they used to! Classics such as: Thrustmaster HOTAS, Suncom F-15 SFS, Saitek X36F + X35T. Why stop using these amazing devices just because we now have Windows 7 and USB?
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Jeff
Junior Member
Posts: 64
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Post by Jeff on Oct 2, 2010 11:22:12 GMT -5
I've played Hardwar with a Gravis analog gamepad, a ThrustMaster Mark II FCS analog joystick, a Microsoft SideWinder 3D Pro analog/digital joystick and a Saitek Cyborg X digital USB joystick. The Cyborg is ok but the spring is stiffer than I want and not adjustable as far as I see. My favorite is the SideWinder in digital mode but it needs a compatible gameport. One of my many projects to do sometime is to build a USB Converter for MS SideWinder 3D Pro, PP, and FFP. I haven't tried it but something like a Manhattan USB Game Port Adapter might work for you.
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Post by Pilot on Oct 2, 2010 22:27:47 GMT -5
I'm using a Saitek X45, www.amazon.com/Saitek-X45-Control-Joystick-Throttle/dp/B00005TOTGI got it at a consignment shop for 5 to 10 dollars (and it had a copy of Microsoft Flight Sim 2004 with it in about 2008, I love playing Freespace and FreeSpace 2 with it, and I even have several buttons unassigned, I have a Saitek ST290 Pro as backup as well as a copy of my original joystick a old Logitech umm... don't remember the numbers but it only has 2 buttons. ^^; But it was the first flight controller I used for Hardwar so it's always that special control, even if it is packed away and incompatible with all modern hardware.
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Post by Captain Zedo on Oct 4, 2010 15:59:32 GMT -5
I've played Hardwar with Logitech Joysticks forever. I'm currently using a brand new iteration of their Extreme 3D Pro. Hardwar doesn't need all of the buttons, but I really like the smooth, tight feel of this stick. It's got a thumb-trigger, too, which is a big preference of mine. I set it to Flare. Here's a link: www.logitech.com/en-us/gaming/joysticks/devices/291I've tried gamepads before, but have never really gotten used to them. They're taking over and it's hard to find a stick. Many stores have quite carrying them altogether (WalMart, Target). Hardwar just screams for a joystick.
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Post by Daedalus on Oct 4, 2010 16:01:59 GMT -5
I've been playing Hardwar on and off for the last eight years, and I've ALWAYS used the keyboard. But, after reading this thread, I thought I'd buy a Thrustmaster T-Flight Stick X. It comes in the mail tomorrow, so I'll see how that works.
P.S. - My only wish is that you could assign buttons to individual weapons instead of having to scroll through a list...
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Post by Pilot on Oct 4, 2010 23:06:05 GMT -5
Actually, I think most/all flightsims are strictly a Primary(InfiniteAmmo) and Secondary(Missiles) fire.
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Post by Captain Zedo on Oct 8, 2010 7:42:37 GMT -5
I've been playing Hardwar on and off for the last eight years, and I've ALWAYS used the keyboard. But, after reading this thread, I thought I'd buy a Thrustmaster T-Flight Stick X. It comes in the mail tomorrow, so I'll see how that works. P.S. - My only wish is that you could assign buttons to individual weapons instead of having to scroll through a list... I would also like to see individual buttons to go to Navigation Menu items like Radar Range. I'm thinking this can be done. Good luck with the joystick. I got my first joystick over 10 years ago just to play the Hardwar Demo.
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Post by Pilot on Oct 9, 2010 17:24:46 GMT -5
If you made a macro that should be possible, keep in mind that it would have to open up the Nav menu first then properly detect which link opens up Radar Range. Though if you knew the code for it would be possible to make a more direct macro or even add that to the control options.
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Post by Daedalus on Oct 11, 2010 14:44:29 GMT -5
I've been playing Hardwar on and off for the last eight years, and I've ALWAYS used the keyboard. But, after reading this thread, I thought I'd buy a Thrustmaster T-Flight Stick X. It comes in the mail tomorrow, so I'll see how that works. P.S. - My only wish is that you could assign buttons to individual weapons instead of having to scroll through a list... I would also like to see individual buttons to go to Navigation Menu items like Radar Range. I'm thinking this can be done. Good luck with the joystick. I got my first joystick over 10 years ago just to play the Hardwar Demo. Got the joystick in the mail last week and it's absolutely brilliant! In fact, it got me looking for more space combat/economy simulators, which led me to X2. It actually reminds me of Hardwar a LOT, at least in spirit.
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Post by Pilot on Oct 11, 2010 15:39:49 GMT -5
I have and played X3 I like it sort of, don't play it often though, it's massive and allows you to build yourself a personal fleet, but it lakes in the story department and is just too much sandbox, plus if you add a cheat script it allows you to spawn everything from allies to enemies to personal ships, cruisers, fleets of fighters, even bases and of course money, and building (noncheating) / maintaining (afterwords) it is cumbersome, I also greatly missed that Loner vs. everyone feel. It felt more like Freelancer to a degree and something else to another. Don't know just didn't really click for me though it has awesome concepts great graphics and good controls, tough opponents and lots of items, weapons, ships, and a few races to choice from, I guess I didn't like the Massively Huge Solar Systems, that was explore able, I'll also note it is impossible to fly straight from the Moon to Earth without using a space lane(?) or jumpdrive or whatever. And then me, a Terran! Got shot down by the defense platforms and guards.
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Post by Hammer on Oct 15, 2010 22:12:12 GMT -5
I started out using a Microsucks 3D analog joystick and loved the thing. For years I would buy them off of ebay and swap out the worn out hatswitches. Then....as those became obsolete with digital, USB etc I switched to a Logitech Extreme 3D pro. It works great, and has a great feel. I use the hatswitch for sliding the ship of coarse, and just like Zedo, I use the thumb button for flares. I remember the first time I used a joystick I had the throttle slider set all the way down to zero, which was actually full thrust reverse. I died and died slamming around in my hanger door I don't know how many times until I finally figured out to set the throttle in the center! Speed and Greed on Titan! Hammer
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Post by Daedalus on Oct 21, 2010 18:58:29 GMT -5
I also greatly missed that Loner vs. everyone feel. That is something that makes Hardwar great. Well, that and the ridiculously awesome cutscenes. I wish they still made those! Back to topic, though. Has anyone here played Hardwar with a force feedback stick? I think I saw support for it on the startup menu. If so, what's it like? I remember playing with a force feedback stick almost exactly eleven years ago, when my dad bought me Flight Simulator 2000 for christmas...I had to have been eight or nine.
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Post by Pilot on Oct 21, 2010 21:38:00 GMT -5
[Rant] Hey, I bet more than half of us was below the "age requirements" to play Hardwar when it was released. Though, by todays standards Hardwar is a "saint" of course if the stories that where not told... like life in Mines Prison, in the corridors, a more direct statement of the Pizza's top ingredients...[/Rant]
A good reader sees the world an author creates, a good writer creates a world the reader cannot escape.
Not saying Hardwar had the best story in 98 but I'd rather had Hardwar 2 than SC2 (I own SC2.)
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Post by Captain Zedo on Oct 22, 2010 6:35:37 GMT -5
I'm using a Saitek X45, www.amazon.com/Saitek-X45-Control-Joystick-Throttle/dp/B00005TOTGI got it at a consignment shop for 5 to 10 dollars (and it had a copy of Microsoft Flight Sim 2004 with it in about 2008, I love playing Freespace and FreeSpace 2 with it, and I even have several buttons unassigned, I have a Saitek ST290 Pro as backup as well as a copy of my original joystick a old Logitech umm... don't remember the numbers but it only has 2 buttons. ^^; But it was the first flight controller I used for Hardwar so it's always that special control, even if it is packed away and incompatible with all modern hardware. I had an X45 once and its throttle wore my arm out. I much preferred a quick throw of the thumb. I did like the myriad of controls. I never had to touch the keyboard. It was easy to program, too. What killed it was the trigger failing followed quickly by other buttons. It was annoying not having a working trigger, but eventually most of the buttons just quit and I replaced it with a lower-end Saitek which lasted forever. I've still got it, but am currently using a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro.
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Post by Pilot on Oct 22, 2010 21:12:07 GMT -5
Love Logitech my first joystick ever, and for Hardwar, was a Wingman, I have a replica of it stored somewhere.
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