Lensman Posted October 2, 2017 Posted October 2, 2017 On the 21st of November 2000 I ordered a joystick from Amazon UK. A year later on the 10th of December 2001 I ordered a new game called 'IL-2 Sturmovik' and the joystick was ideal for it. I subsequently purchased every version of IL-2 over the next 16 years and the joystick was ideal for all of them. Now I'm experiencing IL-2 in virtual reality via the Oculus Rift (ASTONISHING!) and still the same joystick is in use. That stick is a 'Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback 2'. It's 17 years old, used very very extensively for a myriad of games including hundreds of combat hours in 'Elite Dangerous' and IL-2 and still as good as new! I felt the need to honour my old stick because it's wonderful. Has anyone else got an original one like me? 7
CanadaOne Posted October 2, 2017 Posted October 2, 2017 I have one and I can't remember when I bought it (10+ Yvyears) but I remember it was $166, and it still works. I love it!
Ribbon Posted October 2, 2017 Posted October 2, 2017 My friend has one and he doesn't want to order any other joystick even i told him about vkb gunfighter, it still works but he is waiting something similar to be released or same joystick (Mfbff2-something)in a good condition to pop up on ebay just in case this one wears off.
Lensman Posted October 2, 2017 Author Posted October 2, 2017 I find it amazing and delightful that I've been with IL-2 since the beginning and ALWAYS using the same stick. I can't say that about any other computer related product. Rumour has it that the first Sidewinder was rubbish and often failed so Bill Gates ordered a near indestructible replacement to restore Microsoft's reputation.
ShamrockOneFive Posted October 3, 2017 Posted October 3, 2017 I had a Sidewinder Precision Pro 2. What a wonderful stick. Eventually the triggers stopped working on it and I had to replace it but it was superb.
=EXPEND=Tripwire Posted October 3, 2017 Posted October 3, 2017 (edited) Yeah I still have my MS FFB2 purchased for the Original IL-2 Sturmovik. Its still on my desk today. I had to replace some of the internal switches as they wore out - and now Ive worn those same switches out once again. Ive pre-ordered a VKB MCG pro now. Hopefully it serves me for as long as my trusty MS FFB2 has. Edited October 3, 2017 by =TBAS=Tripwire
1PL-Husar-1Esk Posted October 3, 2017 Posted October 3, 2017 I have three, one is game port version still in original box ,used only to test special FF gameport to USB extension (half hour). They great joystick , I think of sending one to the guy who make extension to them. I telling to myself when it break I will buy Virpil or VKB but that probably never happened.
Dutchvdm Posted October 3, 2017 Posted October 3, 2017 I have a MSFFB2 as well. But mine is retired, and i use a VKB Gladiator pro now. I liked it for many years, but the VKB stick is better and way more precise. Cam't argue with the fact that it is strong and still works after all these years. Grt M
A_radek Posted October 3, 2017 Posted October 3, 2017 Roughly 5 billion years ago I bought a CH flightstick. Used it happily for everything from comanche maximum overkill to the original il2. Soon after il2 1946 was released I realized a usb joystick would be nice and perhaps some more buttons. So bought another CH stick after trying a friends cheap saitek. Recently moddded it for some more buttons and an analog thumbstick on top. 15 years old now and like new. Well,, better than new with the extra gizmos.
CanadaOne Posted October 3, 2017 Posted October 3, 2017 Roughly 5 billion years ago I bought a CH flightstick. Used it happily for everything from comanche maximum overkill to the original il2. That was my first flightstick, back in the Falcon 3.0 days.
CCG_Pips Posted October 3, 2017 Posted October 3, 2017 YES !!!!!!!!!!! I use a Microsoft force feedback 2 from about 18 years ago and still working and still amazing with it's force feedback effects !!! I can say : THANK YOU MICROSOFT ............ 1
663rd_Clutch Posted October 3, 2017 Posted October 3, 2017 Still using my Sidewinder Precision Pro 2's. I have 3 of them. One has developed some issues, but the other two work great!
Cpt_Cool Posted October 3, 2017 Posted October 3, 2017 I found my MSFFB2 5 years ago in my frathouse basement in a closet that had been locked for years when we had to get the locks replaced (that is another story all together and I don't want to derail the thread). It was a little dusty, but it has worked like a charm ever since. Man I miss college sometimes. 2
Lensman Posted October 3, 2017 Author Posted October 3, 2017 I found my MSFFB2 5 years ago in my frathouse basement in a closet that had been locked for years when we had to get the locks replaced (that is another story all together and I don't want to derail the thread). It was a little dusty, but it has worked like a charm ever since. Man I miss college sometimes. That's WAY better than my joystick origin story!
Cpt_Cool Posted October 3, 2017 Posted October 3, 2017 That's WAY better than my joystick origin story! hard to beat your 17 years of service though
Royal_Flight Posted October 3, 2017 Posted October 3, 2017 I had a Sidewinder 2 Precision as well, the non-FF one. A mate of mine (who I still fly with to this day, including in BoX) had the FF version and I tried it once, and as a naïve kid decided it wasn't for me because it wasn't as easy to move as the non-FF one. So I got the Precision Pro and passed up a chance to own the FF... which I now regret.
69th_chuter Posted October 3, 2017 Posted October 3, 2017 (edited) I've had to replace some switches but mine's working great. (I've got a spare I bought a while back just in case.) I originally had the FFB Pro (serial port) with larger, heavier base (included power brick) I but I upgraded to the FFB 2 (USB) after trying out my buddy's after Pacific Fighters came out. I've not found another stick that does force feedback so well and for the life of me I can't play without decent ffb. Edited October 3, 2017 by chuter
StaB/Tomio_VR*** Posted October 4, 2017 Posted October 4, 2017 I bought 3 in second hand in order to never change and they work perfectly !!!
Lensman Posted October 4, 2017 Author Posted October 4, 2017 I bought 3 in second hand in order to never change and they work perfectly !!! I have 3 spares too. Ebay was my friend a couple of years ago.
Turban Posted October 4, 2017 Posted October 4, 2017 I have a MS FFB2 too For at least 15 years Been thinking about getting a spare too, just in case. Best thing microsoft ever did. I don't think I could quite enjoy IL2 without the force feedback..
Dutchvdm Posted October 4, 2017 Posted October 4, 2017 I have a MS FFB2 too For at least 15 years Been thinking about getting a spare too, just in case. Best thing microsoft ever did. I don't think I could quite enjoy IL2 without the force feedback.. Do want my old unit? I'm super sure i'm never going to use it again. Grt M
Royal_Flight Posted October 8, 2017 Posted October 8, 2017 If there's one going spare I wouldn't say no...
Dutchvdm Posted October 9, 2017 Posted October 9, 2017 If there's one going spare I wouldn't say no... PM me, if you are interested. Grt M
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