Hardware & Technical Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback 2
- Thread starter AnnDroid
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Not many out there...very old joystick and most have broken and been recycled into action figures? I loved my MS Sidewinder but it sadly passed away when I joined the Alpha 2. Got an upgrade to the Fly 5 and its just fine for ED...not enough money or desk space for a HOTAS........but there must be several out there still using the excellent Sidewinder?
Yeah, I have one. It's still very accurate after many years use. There is no force feedback effects but rather a constant pressure on the stick which works nicely. The throttle is a simple lever but is accurate with no jitter and the twist grip action is perfect for yaw movement. The base is nice and solid and won't move about unless you fly like a gorilla. No extra drivers are needed, just plug and play. A 'figure-of-8' IEC power cable is needed to power it along with the built-in USB cable. It can be calibrated from within the Windows Control Panel if needed.
There were two versions of this joystick. The one with the silver buttons and dark red trigger, no.3 and no.4 buttons is the one to look for. I forget the reason why, I think it had a better firmware perhaps. Be aware that the 'rubberised' coating on the handle can get tacky after a while but only if not used for long periods. I have bought a second hand one that was like this but with a bit of use it reverted to normal (I maybe used a bit of talc on my hands to help the drying).
It's perhaps a bit short on buttons but it's not a big issue. I mapped mine:-
1 - Primary Fire
2 - Secondary Fire
3 - Turbo
4 - Lock Target Ahead
5,6,7,8 SYS/ENG/WEP/RST
The 8-way hat is used for lateral and vertical thrusters.
Keyboard for everything else.
(I use a TrackIR with this.)
I have bought a couple of spares for when my first one dies. Not happened yet! Overall the MSFF2 is a simple, reliable and accurate stick and definitely recommended if you can find a nice one.
There were two versions of this joystick. The one with the silver buttons and dark red trigger, no.3 and no.4 buttons is the one to look for. I forget the reason why, I think it had a better firmware perhaps. Be aware that the 'rubberised' coating on the handle can get tacky after a while but only if not used for long periods. I have bought a second hand one that was like this but with a bit of use it reverted to normal (I maybe used a bit of talc on my hands to help the drying).
It's perhaps a bit short on buttons but it's not a big issue. I mapped mine:-
1 - Primary Fire
2 - Secondary Fire
3 - Turbo
4 - Lock Target Ahead
5,6,7,8 SYS/ENG/WEP/RST
The 8-way hat is used for lateral and vertical thrusters.
Keyboard for everything else.
(I use a TrackIR with this.)
I have bought a couple of spares for when my first one dies. Not happened yet! Overall the MSFF2 is a simple, reliable and accurate stick and definitely recommended if you can find a nice one.
That is an old school joystick but still very highly regarded in the Flight simming community (particularly IL2 players). Basically they are built like tanks and seem to go on for ever.
I would have no idea how force feedback works in ED and finding one with a USB as opposed to gameport may be a job. I remember there was a German seller on 'that online auction site' who sold reconditioned ones. An old Il2 buddy of mine got one from them and said it was like new.
I would have no idea how force feedback works in ED and finding one with a USB as opposed to gameport may be a job. I remember there was a German seller on 'that online auction site' who sold reconditioned ones. An old Il2 buddy of mine got one from them and said it was like new.
There is no force feedback (requires programming support) but there is a constant spring force so it behaves like a normal joystick.
The Sidewinder version 1 was game port; you don't want this. All the Sidewinder Force Feedback 2s are USB.
Owned the original FFB 1 gameport joystick from when they were first available then got the FFB2 USB.
Mine is one of the first version of the FFB2 silver and black buttons and never had a problem with it. ( Apart from the top hat switch being a bit out of aline from new, but fixed that myself by opening the handle and bending the metal around the micro switch. )
Very solid construction, if its still working now then its unlikely to break from use. Only old age will kill one of these.
Force feedback is one of the best features of this stick so its a shame it not in the game yet.
Button wise it totally lacking with only the 8 which isnt enough to use it as your sole control device "IMHO" in fact I don't use the base buttons or the throttle.
Have had two setup so far on this
Current :
1 - Primary Fire
2 - Secondary Fire
3 - Cycle Next Fire Group
4 - Flight Assist Toggle
5,6,7,8 - Unused
The 8-way hat is used for Thrusters.
Keyboard for everything else.
Headlook with a ED Tracker, see "Head Tracker for a Tenner" thread.
Older :
1 - Primary Fire
2 - Secondary Fire
3 - Cycle Next Fire Group
4 - Lock Target Ahead or Hostile
5,6,7,8 - Unused
The 8-way hat is used Thrusters and Headlook with toggle button on keyboard.
Keyboard for everything else
Mine is one of the first version of the FFB2 silver and black buttons and never had a problem with it. ( Apart from the top hat switch being a bit out of aline from new, but fixed that myself by opening the handle and bending the metal around the micro switch. )
Very solid construction, if its still working now then its unlikely to break from use. Only old age will kill one of these.
Force feedback is one of the best features of this stick so its a shame it not in the game yet.
Button wise it totally lacking with only the 8 which isnt enough to use it as your sole control device "IMHO" in fact I don't use the base buttons or the throttle.
Have had two setup so far on this
Current :
1 - Primary Fire
2 - Secondary Fire
3 - Cycle Next Fire Group
4 - Flight Assist Toggle
5,6,7,8 - Unused
The 8-way hat is used for Thrusters.
Keyboard for everything else.
Headlook with a ED Tracker, see "Head Tracker for a Tenner" thread.
Older :
1 - Primary Fire
2 - Secondary Fire
3 - Cycle Next Fire Group
4 - Lock Target Ahead or Hostile
5,6,7,8 - Unused
The 8-way hat is used Thrusters and Headlook with toggle button on keyboard.
Keyboard for everything else
Anyone got one of these and using it for Elite Dangerous, would like to hear your views, ideas please...
The Force Feedback 2 joystick works well and it's a real shame that popular, modern sticks like the X52 and X55 are not even close to the build of the Sidewinder.
They are bullet proof joysticks, but you realise how short on buttons they are for Elite. It's a great piece of kit though and worth picking up for around £30 second hand if you want to try one.
If you don't mind using it combination with the keyboard, they are great, but don't expect any force feedback effects like there were on something like Freespace because there's nothing.
Was there any specific feedback you were after?
I echo all the positives about the stick....had mine for years through thousands of miles of Flight Sim, X series and now ED. Yeah, could do with a few more buttons but the primary essentials (weapon firing, system modes and PoV hat) are all there. With a keyboard in very close proximity to the throttle control I see it as a great alternative while I continue to delay purchasing a Saitek X52/55.
Using mine to run the premium beta while I am waiting for the X52 pro to come back into stock.
The only problem is that button number six on the base has jammed in and doesn't work. Apart from that it is good.
I was planning on moving it down onto the HTPC for when I will play elite on the TV.
This was made when stuff was still built to last, I still have a early Razer Diamondback and a Logitech G11 keyboard and both have lasted me years as well as the stick.
The only problem is that button number six on the base has jammed in and doesn't work. Apart from that it is good.
I was planning on moving it down onto the HTPC for when I will play elite on the TV.
This was made when stuff was still built to last, I still have a early Razer Diamondback and a Logitech G11 keyboard and both have lasted me years as well as the stick.
Thanks guy's, i managed to get my grubby little hands on one from Las Vegas of all places. It really was in brand spanking new condition, but it did come at a premium price...(feeling a little guilty).
Yes your right, their built like tanks and feel really good in operation.
Ive heard of lots of people having another one for spares, and their are some great customisations out there on the web.
Sure ill get many hour's with this beauty...
Yes your right, their built like tanks and feel really good in operation.
Ive heard of lots of people having another one for spares, and their are some great customisations out there on the web.
Sure ill get many hour's with this beauty...
But no force feedback with ED yet though. I wonder when they are planning on introducing it.
Just searched the forum to check that the Sidewinder FF2 will work with Elite. I was going to buy a new joystick, but remembered I had this packed away in a box; looks like new too.
Seems the Sidewinder FF2 stick is still well regarded, so it saves me from having to shell out more money for a new none. I really hope they add feedback support to ED though, as I remember it was really good when used it for Starlancer many years ago
Just got to wait for the Beta to finish downloading....
Seems the Sidewinder FF2 stick is still well regarded, so it saves me from having to shell out more money for a new none. I really hope they add feedback support to ED though, as I remember it was really good when used it for Starlancer many years ago
Just got to wait for the Beta to finish downloading....
Got mine there, too. Must be 5 years or so by now. Was indeed like new. And still is. This stick is nigh indestructable. That seller is still there, btw. Just purchased a second one a few minutes ago.
111 EUR, 12 months warranty. I'm using my old X45 throttle in Elite and DCS, Mad Catz TPM and CH throttle quadrant in FSX, so no problems here with buttons.FFB is somewhat useless in ED, but in FSX with FS Force 2 it's a dream! All other HOTAS sticks I have seen so far are just toys by comparison!
Got mine there, too. Must be 5 years or so by now. Was indeed like new. And still is. This stick is nigh indestructable. That seller is still there, btw. Just purchased a second one a few minutes ago.
FFB is somewhat useless in ED, but in FSX with FS Force 2 it's a dream! All other HOTAS sticks I have seen so far are just toys by comparison!
Quick question for you Mauser, I am interested in FSX but with MS dropping support for Games For Windows at some point do you know if you can still be able to play it once that happens?
I don't want to buy it only to be locked out of it.
+1 for Prepar3D. I moved there from FSX at one point in the past and never looked back.
This is my stick of choice for ED! I've had my trusty FF2 for a good ten years and it was already second hand £2 from a charity shop when I picked it up for playing Aces High with.
I've no plans to go to some fancy HOTAS setup as I've got the FF2 working just the way I like it in Elite (even when using the Oculs Rift).
I had a little back and forth feedback with the devs during the Alpha so that the hat switch can be used for both free look and U/D/L/R thrusters. So now when you go into freelook the thrusters don't fire when you look around if you map the hat to both actions.
I also did some comparison with an even cheaper Cyborg Gold 3D stick which has more buttons and is great for lefties but I didn't like it as much (it made my hand red and some of the buttons are blocked by the thrust position).
I've no plans to go to some fancy HOTAS setup as I've got the FF2 working just the way I like it in Elite (even when using the Oculs Rift).
I had a little back and forth feedback with the devs during the Alpha so that the hat switch can be used for both free look and U/D/L/R thrusters. So now when you go into freelook the thrusters don't fire when you look around if you map the hat to both actions.
I also did some comparison with an even cheaper Cyborg Gold 3D stick which has more buttons and is great for lefties but I didn't like it as much (it made my hand red and some of the buttons are blocked by the thrust position).
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Got mine there, too. Must be 5 years or so by now. Was indeed like new. And still is. This stick is nigh indestructable. That seller is still there, btw. Just purchased a second one a few minutes ago.
FFB is somewhat useless in ED, but in FSX with FS Force 2 it's a dream! All other HOTAS sticks I have seen so far are just toys by comparison!
Once they fully support force feedback in Ed it won't be useless, it will be great immersive aid. I for one hope they do add it it sooner rather than later.
