Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback 2 Joystick?

[proton45]

I'm curious if anyone is experiencing any problems with the "Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback 2 Joystick" and "Vista" or "Windows7 beta"? I'm think about a new joystick and I have heard many people who claim that the "MS" is their favorite force feedback joystick...I'm curious what the future of this (old) stick is? Micro$oft no longer supports this product so how do the "old" drivers work with "vista" and "windows7"? Is their anyone (third party) modding the old drivers to work with "IL2 1946" and Vista & W7?

[Rango]

Vista accepts this stick as a standard stick with hat switch and throttle...
So it works generally.
But:
The MS-setup software and original driver software don't work with Vista.
There is no third party software available.
The a.m. standard functions don't include any force feedback features.
Therefore you won't have any force effects and even no 'back to center force'.

That means: The stick is working in a 'degraded' mode. You can use it to fly, but with the a.m. restrictions and by programming all button functions at the IL2-setup side.

That's why I sold my Sidewinder FFB 2 and got a Saitek X52 Pro system (which really rocks)

Rango

[KG26_Alpha]

MSFFB2 works fine in Vista32/64 and Win 7 Beta/RC 32/64bit's

With IL21946 You can fully program the sticks axis and buttons but not the tension.

As for Rangos "back to centre" problem I dont have this mine working fine on both sticks (green & red light) versions.

[proton45]

Thanks for the quick reply...

[Bearcat]

See this thread @ UBI.

The Pinnacle has FFB editing fetures in it.. but it is very system intensive... since I don't use the full FFB features.. I use the TGC software.. it lets me assign keystrokes to my MSFFB2 using XP-64.. and it works in Vista.

[Sokol1]

There is no third party software available.

Two freeware that allow programing buttons in any joystick's, with multiple profiles;

JoyToKey
SVMapper

Sokol1

[proton45]

Originally Posted by Bearcat

See this thread @ UBI.

The Pinnacle has FFB editing fetures in it.. but it is very system intensive... since I don't use the full FFB features.. I use the TGC software.. it lets me assign keystrokes to my MSFFB2 using XP-64.. and it works in Vista.

Wo, another response I didn't see... I remember that you are a long time M$ SW joystick owner. You don't use the FF feature? Are you only using the "centering" feature?

Sooo, would you (still) recommend shelling out the duckets for this joystick? Do you feel it has a future?

p.s. I will read the post you "linked" next...Thanks

[Sokol1]

My 0,02$

Well, many users say that M$ SW FF 2 USB is good (the best) for IL2 (or WWII sim) not because the FF feature, but from the point of view from the precision in put your crosshair over the enemy. So, they use only return to center force.

Sokol1

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by proton45

Wo, another response I didn't see... I remember that you are a long time M$ SW joystick owner. You don't use the FF feature? Are you only using the "centering" feature?
Sooo, would you (still) recommend shelling out the duckets for this joystick? Do you feel it has a future?
p.s. I will read the post you "linked" next...Thanks

I do.. I have a new unused spare in my closet that I got fior $50 6 years ago.. but my current one is still going strong.. I got that one in 2001.. it was my original spare.. when FB came out I put IL2 on another PC and let my son use my original FFB stick.. and I started using that one.. when I heard they were getting out of the business I got one of the last ones at my local Best Buy back in 03.

Originally Posted by Sokol1

My 0,02$
Well, many users say that M$ SW FF 2 USB is good (the best) for IL2 (or WWII sim) not because the FF feature, but from the point of view from the precision in put your crosshair over the enemy. So, they use only return to center force.
Sokol1

That is my opinion.. I like the FFB as far as feeling hits and the ground.. but the gunshake always did seem kind of hokey to me.. but IMO the solenoids in the MSFFB2 do things no spring can do.. I can sometimes feel damage before I realize I have it.. The stick is sturdy.. and feels good in my hand.. (If you ae left handed you might have some problems with it..) I think it is worth it for the stick forces alone.. If that glitch in FB that makes you loose FFB (Not the stick forces.. just the additional FFB features) when you ALT+TAB or WINkey out of the sim gets fixed it will be even better.

[KG26_Alpha]

Simply remove the gun shake file from IL2 FFB folder

The only file I have in there is "spring" , gun shake, bump and the others have >>>>>>>>>>>> GONE

Also I've been waiting over 7 years for mine to break yet and its in use daily sometimes for too many hours to mention

My spare ones still in its box brand new !!!!!!!