Sidewinder Competitors?
Moderator: Do_Checkor
Long live the 3D Pro!
Only one thing I'd like to add to this discussion- When you've been using your 3D Pro for 6 years of hard gaming, it might be time to tighten it up and give it that new feel again.
<plug>
http://www.cc.utah.edu/~dlg7/sidewinder/repair.html
</plug>
I've been using my 3d Pro for 7 years, and have never had a problem- all the buttons are fine, works great in XP for D1X, D2x and D3. Just have to do a little spring tightening (above URL) to keep it like new. Be sure to check out the frankenstick mod I did to make the lower handle button more accessable.
Only one thing I'd like to add to this discussion- When you've been using your 3D Pro for 6 years of hard gaming, it might be time to tighten it up and give it that new feel again.
<plug>
http://www.cc.utah.edu/~dlg7/sidewinder/repair.html
</plug>
I've been using my 3d Pro for 7 years, and have never had a problem- all the buttons are fine, works great in XP for D1X, D2x and D3. Just have to do a little spring tightening (above URL) to keep it like new. Be sure to check out the frankenstick mod I did to make the lower handle button more accessable.
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pipsqueak10
- DBB Ace
- Posts: 484
- Joined: Fri Nov 16, 2001 3:01 am
- Location: Staten Island, New York USA
Just to add my two bits to the discussion of newer generation sticks, I've been flying with the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro for over a year. And, yes, I've had to replace/rma a dozen of them. And it was always because the X axis went bad. Their pots are the pits. Recently the up hat went bad and it turned out to be a broken solder joint. A quick drop of solder and all was fixed.
Now, with the last two sticks I've had replaced, one from Walmart and one from Logitech, I've noted they don't say "Extreme 3D Pro" on the base sticker. They say "Wingman Attack" and the model and part numbers are different. Maybe there have been some changes made because the first one has lasted for three months before the X axis went bad. I will be calling Logitech tomorrow to rma that one. I have yet to break out the second one. Hopefully, as in the last two cases, they won't ask me to return the defective stick so I will have another to canabalize for parts as I've been doing lately.
And, for those of you who wonder why I've gone this long suffering with these sticks, it's because I love how they feel. I've never had another stick that feels so tight and precise. And I've been through a fair share of sticks.
Now, with the last two sticks I've had replaced, one from Walmart and one from Logitech, I've noted they don't say "Extreme 3D Pro" on the base sticker. They say "Wingman Attack" and the model and part numbers are different. Maybe there have been some changes made because the first one has lasted for three months before the X axis went bad. I will be calling Logitech tomorrow to rma that one. I have yet to break out the second one. Hopefully, as in the last two cases, they won't ask me to return the defective stick so I will have another to canabalize for parts as I've been doing lately.
And, for those of you who wonder why I've gone this long suffering with these sticks, it's because I love how they feel. I've never had another stick that feels so tight and precise. And I've been through a fair share of sticks.
Yeah, out of the ones I've looked at this one - at least on paper - looked like it would have the best feel.
I dont plan on haveing a lot of time to play even if I do come out of retirement, so maybe this will take my abuse to make it worthwhile
I dont plan on haveing a lot of time to play even if I do come out of retirement, so maybe this will take my abuse to make it worthwhile
Deadmeat wrote: I have yet to break out the second one. Hopefully, as in the last two cases, they won't ask me to return the defective stick so I will have another to canabalize for parts as I've been doing lately.
And, for those of you who wonder why I've gone this long suffering with these sticks, it's because I love how they feel. I've never had another stick that feels so tight and precise. And I've been through a fair share of sticks.
ok nice:
yeah that was the other thing. I busted out the
center mechanism in the base on a few of them ...
most likely trying to survive xciter, del, and peart in dogfights ... lol ...
what about the hat contacts tho? is there any way
to repair or replace those?
yeah that was the other thing. I busted out the
center mechanism in the base on a few of them ...
most likely trying to survive xciter, del, and peart in dogfights ... lol ...
what about the hat contacts tho? is there any way
to repair or replace those?
zapp wrote:Long live the 3D Pro!
Only one thing I'd like to add to this discussion- When you've been using your 3D Pro for 6 years of hard gaming, it might be time to tighten it up and give it that new feel again.
<plug>
http://www.cc.utah.edu/~dlg7/sidewinder/repair.html
</plug>
I've been using my 3d Pro for 7 years, and have never had a problem- all the buttons are fine, works great in XP for D1X, D2x and D3. Just have to do a little spring tightening (above URL) to keep it like new. Be sure to check out the frankenstick mod I did to make the lower handle button more accessable.
The fact remains, that the glorious SW 3D Pro is the best stick ever made.
Contrary to Mobius' statements, this stick is more accurate than any other stick I've tried since.
It has no center deadzone to screw up control. It is very quick indeed, due to short axis lengths.
It allows you to use small, precice hand movements, as opposed to large unwieldy arm movements, for accurate control.
The non-anatomical handle design was only an advantage - the hand-shaped handles never achieve the intentions, just make the sticks more prone to make the hand slip around it - move the thumb off the thumb-"pit" and it gets unstable.
The quirks of getting it to work is worth the effort.
The only negative thing about it was - button durability.
Alas, it is dead. It is a shame and a sin, but it is so. Living in Sweden, it's not as easy to buy one - I found one on a swedish auction site, but it was for the macintosh....
It was a great friend, and I mourn its demise.¨
I tried the logitech 3d pro as well - after three weeks the twist axis went haywire, living a life of it's own. Not to mention the hat.
Why can't they (the game controller manufacturers) build a good robust stick that doesn't break down? I'd pay more for a stick that doesn't break down after two months... Imagine if a fighter pilot suddenly discovered that a button malfunctions, or an axis has gone whack
The king is dead - long live the king!
Contrary to Mobius' statements, this stick is more accurate than any other stick I've tried since.
It has no center deadzone to screw up control. It is very quick indeed, due to short axis lengths.
It allows you to use small, precice hand movements, as opposed to large unwieldy arm movements, for accurate control.
The non-anatomical handle design was only an advantage - the hand-shaped handles never achieve the intentions, just make the sticks more prone to make the hand slip around it - move the thumb off the thumb-"pit" and it gets unstable.
The quirks of getting it to work is worth the effort.
The only negative thing about it was - button durability.
Alas, it is dead. It is a shame and a sin, but it is so. Living in Sweden, it's not as easy to buy one - I found one on a swedish auction site, but it was for the macintosh....
It was a great friend, and I mourn its demise.¨
I tried the logitech 3d pro as well - after three weeks the twist axis went haywire, living a life of it's own. Not to mention the hat.
Why can't they (the game controller manufacturers) build a good robust stick that doesn't break down? I'd pay more for a stick that doesn't break down after two months... Imagine if a fighter pilot suddenly discovered that a button malfunctions, or an axis has gone whack
The king is dead - long live the king!
