Reddit reviews Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback 2 Joystick

I see deadzones as a bandaid for sticks with physical difficulties to return center. I never, ever added a deadzone by myself.. Yesterday I tried again my Red Led Microsoft Sidewinder Force FeedBack 2 and I just can't fly with it.. There is no center bump which is great, that's why I tried it again, to remplace my T16000 but sadly it have either a hardcoded deadzone or a physical, mechanical deadzone I do not know.. Something like 2, 3%, original way, deadzone. I can't stand it as it kill my accuracy.


To test if your controller come back to perfect center, you should use DiView.

I use two joysticks I've had for years and years, long before ED was a thing.

Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback 2 mine is the circa 1998 version without the red highlights.

Saitek ST290 Pro cheapo one I picked up at Walmart that I've had for probably 10 years.

For joysticks if you want a real simulator experiance, you need a force feedback stick like the Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback 2. Rudder pedals would also be essential. Track IR or some headtracking setup would be very helpful as well. Good luck!

Sorry, it's just my joystick.

And also, release new and cool joysticks! REAL ones, like my old MS Sidewinder Force Feedback 2. I wish I could plug this into my Xbox 360 :-(

I use the now discontinued Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback 2. I use it all the time for flying GA Aircraft in X-Plane. Gives a really good feel for having to trim the aircraft properly, amongst other things.

It's the only thing i've ever had that feels like a real GA Aircraft does (I have a PPL(A) ).

You can pick them up for around £35-£75 on eBay.

I've had mine from new for around 20 years and it's just as good as the day I bought it. Natively supported in X-Plane too.

I know this is a bit of a late reply. Hope this helps someone out. Always baffles me there aren't many force feedback options out there even today.

Edit: For anyone that does get one, be aware its only the Force Feedback 2 that has the USB connection.

http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Sidewinder-Force-Feedback-Joystick/dp/B00005NIMB

Still got it! Though I did have to literally sand some rust off the USB connector the last time I tried it out... it's been sitting around for a while (still worked though). Sad, yet hilarious commentary on how long it's been since there's been a great dog-fighting space sim.


On a total tangent, I'm amazed Amazon marketplace still even has some available.

> It looks like a flight stick is a must, but I really have no idea what to get. Recommendations?

Get CH Yoke + CH Pedals + CH Throttle (and I recommend larger, real-size throttle clips) . If you like to fly multiengine as I do with Fokker 70/100, consider getting multiple throttle quadrants. If you get tired of sims, it's pretty easy to resell your hardware on sim forums, you may even try getting second hand hardware on eBay and forums such as Avsim. My yoke and pedals are second hand, and I got them for a third of their retail price.

Everyone else has so far suggested a stick, and I too had Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback 2 for years, and looking back I have to admit that I was missing out the whole time.

Nope, it's actually the Force Feedback 2! 10 years old and still running strong!

I for one still use my old and trusty Logitech RumblePad 2 on my Mac.

As for the rest, I'm sure people who've played on consoles/handhelds prefer to use gamepads on their computers whenever they can.

I just wish more newer games would support my Microsoft Sidewiner Force Feedback joystick. Playing MechWarrior on that will forever remain one of my most pleasant gaming memories.

Last decade called, and they'd like their force feedback technology back.