Is there any better Joystick as the MS Sidewinder Force Feedback 2 ???

[yeikov]

I tried all options and not solved. Do not know how to fix it. Working properly and suddenly I get this problem. I will continue investigating.

Thank You.

 

If you still didn't, the fastest solution I know is going to options->controls (options menu where you bind keys to the axes and buttons) then cancel and go back to sim. Leaving the controls menu resets the ffb software and it *may* restert without pulsing; if not, I repeat until successful.

 

Changing the FFB intensity in the options menu works too. I never tried just going to controls menu, next time it happens to me I'll try that...

Edited March 18, 2015 by yeikov

[361fundahl]

What is the current best mass produced FFB stick for IL2 BOS?

[J2_Trupobaw]

Changing the FFB intensity in the options menu works too. I never tried just going to controls menu, next time it happens to me I'll try that...

They seem to do the same thing, really (make the game re-detect and re-enable force feedback devices, hopefully this time working properly). The controls menu just gets you back in the cockpit fastest and with least fiddling: escape, click options, click cancel, back in cockpit already. 

[VR-DriftaholiC]

What is the current best mass produced FFB stick for IL2 BOS?

MSFFB2 followed by G940

 

but then both are discontinued lol

[=LD=Penshoon]

MSFFB2 followed by G940

 

but then both are discontinued lol

You prefer the MSFFB2 over the g940? I'm the other way 'round 

[361fundahl]

I'm willing to find a used g940.

 

I have a Logitech wheel a d it is great

[VR-DriftaholiC]

Sell you mine. PM me.

[6./ZG26_Emil]

I threw mine in the bin, it was in perfect condition but when CLOD came out I found it to be unplayable with the sidewinder so bought a warthog.

 

Unfortunately being a minimalist has it's downsides and I never keep things I think I wont use again.

[e345spd]

Small update...

 

 

I reformatted yesterday to clean up an accumulation of unnecessary rubbish. Suddenly, my MSFFB2 is correctly recognized in entirety, including the controller configuration panel. Sure enough, forces are now being applied correctly, prop wash is now on the elevator.

 

 

I did have the ffb2 connected throughout the entire windows installation, though I don't think that had anything to do with it.... I'm very happy to have things working properly, I just wish I had a known clear solution for the device name issue.

[zed-air]

Without a doubt the finest ever and -- when teamed with Russel Dirk's FS Force (Versions for FS9, 10 and for P3D -- and works well with others, too) -- Superlative! 

 

[javelina]

http://www.realsimulator.com/html/fssb_r3_warthog.html

[voncrapenhauser]

So any chance to find a joystick as good as the MSFFP2 that works on windows7?

????

I have MSFFB2,  it works just fine on Win 7 ?

 

Is still the best Stick I have used.....except the real thing IRL flying of course.

Edited April 28, 2015 by voncrapenhauser

[Dakpilot]

MSFFB2 is plug and play on Win 7, what does not work are the original drivers that were used to fine tune the FFB to personal levels, you can calibrate it in windows and use settings in game to change FFB, there are some issues when using it on USB3 ports, even though they should be backwards compatible. Plugging it into a true USB 2 port or a powered USB 2 hub has stopped all issues of FFB occasionally dropping out when used in USB 3 port

 

Cheers Dakpilot

[Sokol1]

 

http://www.realsimulator.com/html/fssb_r3_warthog.html

 

 

Force sense has no relation with Force Feedback. Force Feedback make the stick "move and jump" all around. 

 

Forse sense only allow the joystick move few milimeters, the small success of Saitek X-65F (discontinued) show that other for "F-something" games this is not practical/popular.

Edited April 28, 2015 by Sokol1

[361fundahl]

So.... G940 or Sidewinder?

[Sokol1]

Considering only the stick, on the paper G-940 is better, has ball bearings on gimbal, use HALL sensor in X and Y axis, and more practical grip, with more functions.

 

But was killed (commercially) be cheap potentiometers in other axis, in save 2 cm of wires...

 

Usually G-940 throttle and rudder requires DIY MOD to work properly (spike on pot's, reverse axis bug...)

[361fundahl]

Okay so g940 is better ffb strength and better built minus the potentiometers which can be modified? Plus it has rudders right? They are FFb too or no?

[Sokol1]

FFB is only in stick - no flight game provide support for FFB in rudder (or throttle).

[361fundahl]

Cool thanks for the info! Looking to pick up a used g940 when I have a spare $200

[VR-DriftaholiC]

good luck finding a g940 for $200

[Achim_1954undutchable]

Hi Guys   I AM DESPERATE

 

just bought il2 sturmovil battle of Stalingrad,  Have a Sidewinder Precision 2 Joystick

I cant even fly straight with it, take off is impossible, hitting (when yu fly starting flying of course) any opponent

It wobbles from left to right.

Nowhere I can find info how to set up the joystick.  I am about, after two days in throwing Eur0 35,00 (price of the game) in the wastebin.  Its unplayable

 

Would someone please be so kind and send me an email to   hjvdgraaff@xs4all.nl  with the settings so I can at least enjoy the game?

 

Many thanks folks

 

From Holland,  undutchable 

 

Cheers   
 

 

[Dutch2]

Hi Guys   I AM DESPERATE

 

just bought il2 sturmovil battle of Stalingrad,  Have a Sidewinder Precision 2 Joystick

I cant even fly straight with it, take off is impossible, hitting (when yu fly starting flying of course) any opponent

It wobbles from left to right.

Nowhere I can find info how to set up the joystick.  I am about, after two days in throwing Eur0 35,00 (price of the game) in the wastebin.  Its unplayable

 

Would someone please be so kind and send me an email to   hjvdgraaff@xs4all.nl  with the settings so I can at least enjoy the game?

 

Many thanks folks

 

From Holland,  undutchable 

 

Cheers   

 

Just like to know you have unchecked FFB, FFB sliders to zero just in case  and you are using the MS_SP USB version.  35,- euro's for a MS-SP2 that is to much even on marktplaats. Normally it is 12-20 euro's for a better MS-forcefeedback 2  Joystick. 

 

 

Here is something to read on: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/5853-63-windows-combat-flight-simulator-sidewinder-precision-working

 

Let me know if you can run it now, I'm not from Holland, but from the south of the Netherlands, near Belgium, maybe I can help you if you are in the Neighborhood. Let me know by PM. 

[zed-air]

I just bought a MSFFB2 stick off ebay as well, after years of reading how good they are in threads like these.

 

I currently have a full CH setup, and while I love the quality of their products, I just can't stand the lack of resistance. The stick especially is just way too soft, and, unlike many others, I do not like the long throw it has.

 

I got the MS stick mostly because people rave about how great FFB is -- I'm really hoping it'll help to "feel" the aircraft. Not just shooting and getting shot, which I don't care much about, but the various buffet levels ranging from energy sustaining turns to energy depleting ones.

 

But what I really want is more resistance in a stick, without spending so much coin on a Warthog when I already have somewhat-pricey CH stuff. Any input from others on this?

Russel Dirks' FS-Force (http://www.fs-force.com/) combined with MSFF-2 provides MSFS the absolute best add-on effect there has ever been. A real-life career pilot - I'm on my 3rd FF-2 and have been with FS-Force since beta testing. Superb! 

[Dutch2]

Russel Dirks' FS-Force (http://www.fs-force.com/) combined with MSFF-2 provides MSFS the absolute best add-on effect there has ever been. A real-life career pilot - I'm on my 3rd FF-2 and have been with FS-Force since beta testing. Superb! 

 

Are you sure this is also working on BoS, because this is, what I have been reading only for MS-FlightSimulator, or did you, by mistake, reply in the wrong forum  

If this is working in BoS please let us know how, because the force feedback in Bos and Rof using the MS-FF2 [still my first], does still have some room for improvements.   

Edited May 26, 2015 by Dutch2

[theSelf]

You won't exactly get more resistance with the MSFFB2, in fact you'll get no centering/resistance at all unless your at sufficient speed. Elevators center as soon as you apply takeoff power and I think the ailerons center at around 100 kph airspeed depending on plane model. 

 

The main draw FFB has for me is that you will always get a feel for how fast you are flying and how much more AOA you can pull. Just remember to keep the proximity sensors covered (I taped over mine) so you won't loose FFB if you shift your grip.

Hi- thanks for this tip- I've had a MSFF2 for aboiut 15 years and ('knocking on wood') it still works great- I'm just not clear on what you mean exactly by 'keep the proximity sensors covered' - do you have a picture to illustrate exactly what you mean and where on the joystick etc? thank you

[theSelf]

Ahha, I see the ffb2 modders are indeed still alive.

 

 

Anyways, I (and at least one other user who made a specific topic) have an issue with BoS and MSFFB2 force feedback axis reversal.  Currently, when resting at the airfield and applying throttle, my ailerons tighten rather than the elevator. I'm sure other forces are reversed, however I haven't put in enough flight time in BoS to get a clear reading on the FFB effects. Currently, the only other flight-based game that exhibits this problem for me is warthunder. All other il-2 titles assign the axis correctly, as does P3D, FSX (naturally), RoF, DCS...etc.

 

According to the other guy who created the specific topic (and received no replies), the issue stems from the device sometimes being reported as a generic x-button/y-axis device, rather than an msffb2 specifically. According to his post, if the device is presented properly, BoS will indeed automatically apply the FFB axis switch correctly. Currently, I do not know of a way to change how the device is presented to the device manager, as the generic driver is assigning the naming afaik.

 

 

So... a setting exposed in some sort of configuration file seems to be in order, a UI FFB reverse option really isn't strictly necessary, I would rather have the manual fix available sooner.  

 

Anyways, if any of you have found a solution to this issue, please let me know.

 

 

As for adjustment of FFB effects for the msffb2 in modern OSes, simffb (can be found on the DCS forums, along with source) can indeed adjust your forces, IF the end software doesn't completely override when directinput reinitializes. I haven't tested with BoS yet and I'm slightly reluctant to do too much messing about as I currently have the constant centering force disabled in WT and it can be rather difficult to get it disabled in the first place....To much messing about will often restore the hateful constant centering and I'm not entirely ready to abandon WT (yet).

 

 

Anyways, I'm enjoying BoS so far but I'm also a little annoyed at the rather 'closed' nature of the UI (specifically rendering settings) and a rather lacking manual config without properly exposed options...

 

 

 

All in good time I suppose...However, less options and control over my hardware are not desirable features in my book.  

Thanks for the tips- could you share a link to where I can download and find out more about  simffb as I cannot find it- thank you

Edited June 22, 2015 by theSelf

[=LD=Penshoon]

Hi- thanks for this tip- I've had a MSFF2 for aboiut 15 years and ('knocking on wood') it still works great- I'm just not clear on what you mean exactly by 'keep the proximity sensors covered' - do you have a picture to illustrate exactly what you mean and where on the joystick etc? thank you

There is a photodetector in the grip of the stick, kinda like the ones you have on your smartphone that turns off the touch screen when you hold the phone to your head.  But here if you don't cover this with your hand the stick won't get any power. Loosing force feedback in a fight is annoying so you can put a piece of masking tape over it and forget it. Just remember to either remove the tape or the power cord from the sick when you are done flying or else the motors will always stay on wearing them down. 

[Dutch2]

Thanks for the tips- could you share a link to where I can download and find out more about  simffb as I cannot find it- thank you

 

I do not think that software is working in Bos, it didn't in RoF, but if so, please let me know. 

 

Read this: http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=84883

 

note think using tape could reduce the motors lifetime if not removing or disable the 230Volt power lead!!!! 

Edited June 23, 2015 by Dutch2

[1PL-Husar-1Esk]

Do you guys notice any difference in Force Feedback feel from early access time? I have impression especially in 109 that plane movement in restricted by rubber like force not much wobbly like before more damped - hard to explain but definitely i feel difference after some patches... 

[theSelf]

There is a photodetector in the grip of the stick, kinda like the ones you have on your smartphone that turns off the touch screen when you hold the phone to your head.  But here if you don't cover this with your hand the stick won't get any power. Loosing force feedback in a fight is annoying so you can put a piece of masking tape over it and forget it. Just remember to either remove the tape or the power cord from the sick when you are done flying or else the motors will always stay on wearing them down. 

thanks for your reply- looking in that place on the grip of the stick I see two holes- one at the bottom and another at the top (see attached pic)- do I need to cover just the bottom one or the top as well? So this is mainly to prevent force feedback from being lost momentarily in flight because of my hand not covering the hole/s momentarily? Thank you

[theSelf]

I do not think that software is working in Bos, it didn't in RoF, but if so, please let me know. 

 

Read this: http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=84883

 

note think using tape could reduce the motors lifetime if not removing or disable the 230Volt power lead!!!! 

Thanks for your reply- I'll give it a read- I do not (yet) have BoS- but want to try it with Il2- Cliffs Of Dover, Rise Of Flight , DCS World and  Xplane etc.. thanks for the reminder about removing the tape afterwards, but putting the tape there does make a difference? FYI- I'm running the MS FFB2 successfully in WIndows 8.1- at least once on the desktop- if I leave it plugged in when I boot to the desktop from a shut down state or restart windows, it makes it hang on the motherboard loading screen and doesn't get to boot to windows- if I unplug it to restart/boot, windows boots fine and then plug it in again on the desktop and the joystick repsonds well too- this was really annoying- so I got a USB hub with switches as a work around to switch off if I ever reboot/restart windows- this is a pain still- wondered if anyone else had a similar issue and if there's a better solution for this? tempted to get a used logitech force 3d pro as backup in the hope it won't have that issue  (as even though it's old and can only get them used,  logitech has windows 8 drivers on their website for this product, seemingly still being supported by them..

 

[theSelf]

this quick video demonstartes teh photdetector/s in action- 

[Rota]

This thread convinced me to mod my old FFB2 so I have a Thrustmaster FLCS stick and a Teensy 2.0 on the way. 

 

For anyone that has done this mod, does it leave two USB plugs coming out of the stick? One for the axis controls that uses the original FFB2 hardware and one attached to the Teensy that sends the button presses? 

 

Can anyone provide some pictures of the process?

[e345spd]

I do not think that software is working in Bos, it didn't in RoF, but if so, please let me know. 

 

Read this: http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=84883

 

note think using tape could reduce the motors lifetime if not removing or disable the 230Volt power lead!!!!

 

 

Thanks for posting that . I haven't tried using it with BoS recently, it may not work. I don't have to use it with warthunder to get the constant centering off any more, either (spam load a saved control profile with isxinput=yes on runway until stick goes loose).

 

You're right, leaving the sensors blocked would likely shorten the lifespan.

 

 

Can't remember if I already said this, but I've been through multiple windows 10 builds now without any device name problems. Hope to never see that bug again. BoS now applies forces correctly and feels great, especially the large aircraft.

 

 

 

Thanks for your reply- I'll give it a read- I do not (yet) have BoS- but want to try it with Il2- Cliffs Of Dover, Rise Of Flight , DCS World and  Xplane etc.. thanks for the reminder about removing the tape afterwards, but putting the tape there does make a difference? FYI- I'm running the MS FFB2 successfully in WIndows 8.1- at least once on the desktop- if I leave it plugged in when I boot to the desktop from a shut down state or restart windows, it makes it hang on the motherboard loading screen and doesn't get to boot to windows- if I unplug it to restart/boot, windows boots fine and then plug it in again on the desktop and the joystick repsonds well too- this was really annoying- so I got a USB hub with switches as a work around to switch off if I ever reboot/restart windows- this is a pain still- wondered if anyone else had a similar issue and if there's a better solution for this? tempted to get a used logitech force 3d pro as backup in the hope it won't have that issue  (as even though it's old and can only get them used,  logitech has windows 8 drivers on their website for this product, seemingly still being supported by them..

 

That's really strange. I've only heard of that sort of thing happening to one other person with the msffb2. What's your motherboard chipset? Any updates for the chipset drivers or bios?

 

If you disconnect the power cable or remove the tape diligently, then you have nothing to worry about. Honestly, even if you forget from time to time, these joysticks are amazingly durable and well-engineered, you probably won't be able to kill it, buttons will die off first. Only problem is....One day the total supply of devices on sale will basically run out. I know people be stockpiling them, tsk tsk haha

Edited July 1, 2015 by e345spd

[doveman]

If you disconnect the power cable or remove the tape diligently, then you have nothing to worry about. Honestly, even if you forget from time to time, these joysticks are amazingly durable and well-engineered, you probably won't be able to kill it, buttons will die off first. Only problem is....One day the total supply of devices on sale will basically run out. I know people be stockpiling them, tsk tsk haha

 

Yeah, as long as you disconnect the power when you're not using it, it won't reduce it's lifespan as when you are using it the sensor is covered by your hand normally anyway. Some people mod a power switch into the base to make it easier than pulling the lead out of the base, which could cause the socket to fail over time, or trying to get to the other end of the cable and pull the plug, which in many cases is going to be so inconvenient that you'll just not bother.

 

I keep wondering why no-one's been able to reverse engineer it so that we can rebuild the FFB mechanism if it fails. I guess it must be more complicated than I imagine, or else I'm sure someone already would have.

[theSelf]

Yeah, as long as you disconnect the power when you're not using it, it won't reduce it's lifespan as when you are using it the sensor is covered by your hand normally anyway. Some people mod a power switch into the base to make it easier than pulling the lead out of the base, which could cause the socket to fail over time, or trying to get to the other end of the cable and pull the plug, which in many cases is going to be so inconvenient that you'll just not bother.

 

I keep wondering why no-one's been able to reverse engineer it so that we can rebuild the FFB mechanism if it fails. I guess it must be more complicated than I imagine, or else I'm sure someone already would have.

thanks- I already have it plugged into a powered USB hub with individual switches so I just switch it off when not in use and leave the tape in place..

[doveman]

thanks- I already have it plugged into a powered USB hub with individual switches so I just switch it off when not in use and leave the tape in place..

Does disconnecting the USB cable cut power to the motors though? I thought it was necessary to remove the mains power to do that.

[theSelf]

Does disconnecting the USB cable cut power to the motors though? I thought it was necessary to remove the mains power to do that.

it does seem to disconnect any force feedback with my MSFFB2 (the stick is not rigidly held in a position- it becomes 'loose'  after simply switching off the USB connector on my hub (which is the same as disconnecting the usb from the socket, whilst the mains power still remains connected (the green LED light goes off when I switch off the USB hub switch)

[doveman]

it does seem to disconnect any force feedback with my MSFFB2 (the stick is not rigidly held in a position- it becomes 'loose'  after simply switching off the USB connector on my hub (which is the same as disconnecting the usb from the socket, whilst the mains power still remains connected (the green LED light goes off when I switch off the USB hub switch)

That sounds OK then, I'll have to try that as I've got a 9 port hub with switches for each group of 3 ports.

[e345spd]

Honestly, I think the sensors are awesome. You only have to break the path between them with the very edge of your finger. It took me a bit to get used to it, but it's really handy for a sort of holding position if you need/want to leave the stick alone for a bit and your trim is off /damaged.

 

 

Yeah, disconnecting USB should be sufficient. To make sure, put your ear up next to the base and compare to what it normally sounds like with full power. Should be able to hear the difference.

Edited July 2, 2015 by e345spd