Newcomer / Intro Joystick Drifting

[hawknerd]

Is it normal for the joystick center to drift away from where it was centered on the screen while traveling? Its not the mouse doing it as this is disabled. Sometimes it gives a sharp pull to the right but mostly it just requires minor tweaks to stay on course.

I am trying to work out whether this joystick needs returning.

 

[hawknerd]

Also how often should it need to be recalibrated?

 

[Maenden]

I had this problem and I found switching to a different USB port fixed it. I also found that mine worked better on a USB2 port than USB 3.

 

[Para Handy]

Is it normal for the joystick center to drift away from where it was centered on the screen while traveling? Its not the mouse doing it as this is disabled. Sometimes it gives a sharp pull to the right but mostly it just requires minor tweaks to stay on course.

I am trying to work out whether this joystick needs returning.

It is a function of the stick - not the game.

You can set-up dead-zones for the axes in game (Options/Controls) to overcome it.

I never have to re-calibrate my sticks in windows, once set they stay set. If your stick goes out of calibration then return it for replacement / refund.

 

[Morbad]

Sticks that use pots may need occasional adjustment of trim wheels or cleaning. Sticks using hall effect or other contactless sensors shouldn't need any calibration, unless they were held out of position when initializing...if reseting them to default in Windows and/or unplugging it and plugging it back in doesn't fix it, something may be wrong.

Some sticks, especially cheaper or well worn ones, may need a small deadzone.

 

[Faded Glory]

What stick are you using? A Thrustmaster?

If so, what you are describing sounds very much like the potentiometer that does the yaw is failing - happens a lot with the T16000M stick.

If it is that, I'd suggest you contact Thrustmaster support and get a replacement if it's still under warranty. You can take it apart and clean it, but frankly it's more trouble than it's worth (IMO) and it will just fail again down the line.

If it's not a Thrustmaster stick then start by re-calibrating it, then set dead zones as necessary.

 

[d8veh]

If it's an X52, make sure everything is centred when you plug in the USB.

 

[hawknerd]

Logitech Extreme 3D Pro.

 

[Zieman]

Logitech Extreme 3D Pro.

Yes, the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro has a tendency to drift on its Z axis (stick twist), that pot is the stick's weak spot. Setting moderate dead zones in the game can help.

 

[Arnak]

Hi,

Yes, I have experienced that a few times.

I have fixed it each time by unplugging the joystick from the back of the stick then plugging it back in during flight.

Strangely, that does not appear to cause any problems and cures the drift until next time.

Martin

 

[hawknerd]

Yes, the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro has a tendency to drift on its Z axis (stick twist), that pot is the stick's weak spot. Setting moderate dead zones in the game can help.

How far do I slide the slider to the right?

 

[Para Handy]

How far do I slide the slider to the right?

Suck-it-and-see.

It is just trial and error to find how far is required make a small adjustment at a time.

 

[Dr Seuss]

Alot of joysticks are 'self calibrating' each time they power up they zero to their current location. Which is why unplugging, plunging in works
Found this out cause where I store the joystick it was tilting the handle to one side

 

[the100thmonkey]

You should also run the Windows joystick calibration tool (run joy.cpl) - I found that it sorted the issues I was having with the dodgy way potentiometer on my T16000M.