Returning player looking for advice on centering joystick and upgrading

[Libel]

Hi all, novice player here looking to return to return to the world of flight simulators. I originally picked up a copy of IL-2 about two, maybe three years ago, shortly before the release of CloD, where I spent a good few months playing about with the engine before joining and training with a squadron before RL got in the way. I'm now able to invest the time again and am looking to do so, so I've blown the dust off my ancient Saitek Cyborg 3d and looked into setting up hardware before I drop back into the pilot's seat.

 

First of all, I've a problem with my joystick I'd need to fix before I can really start playing again though I was hoping one of you hardware wizards could fix. The autocentre on the Cyborg seems a bit of a poor design decision: it's a force feedback joystick, so while there's no feedback, the joystick goes kind of limp. Annoyingly, that includes the autocentre, meaning it goes embarrassingly flaccid. Anyone got any way of forcing the feedback to stay on, or something that could be used to keep the autocentre without the need for force feedback?

 

Secondly, as it's one of the reasons I disappeared from IL2 in the first place, what would people suggest as a suitable next step hardware wise? I don't have pedals, which I remember was important enough to be considered nearly essential by my old squadron -in fact, all I do have is my pretty sub-par flight stick. What should I look into, and where should I get it?

[oneeyeddog]

Hi Libelnon, welcome to the Forums. I'm not familiar with the Cyborg, but if you're not happy with it or if its not functioning properly maybe the first thing you should do is replace it. The TM 16000 is an excellent stick and can be had for around $50 US. After a decent joystick I'd consider a TrackIR if you don't already have one, or something similar. Then I'd look into getting some Rudder Pedals. For me, these are the 3 essential pieces of Flight Sim equipment. 

[J2_Trupobaw]

There are programs to test FFB that can be used to apply constant centering force. I am using the simffb.exe, it works fine with DoSBOX, DCS modules with bad FFB support, one early access BOS version where FFB ceased to work, X-Plane... every sim with no FFB support except Aerofly FS, really

 

Installer should be here or here

 

http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=1394206&postcount=18

 

http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=1628706&postcount=43
 

If not, I've found it somewhere in this thread:

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=84883&highlight=force+feedback

Edited February 21, 2015 by Trupobaw