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Where is the JOY in my STICK ? (long)
Given the recent failure of my Gravis Blackhawk Digital to work properly with the standard gameport on my Yamaha sound card, I was faced with three options:
1. Get a USB joystick, circumventing the sound card
2. Get a new sound card which properly supports my joystick
3. Get both a new sound card and joystick
I chose option #1, as it was marginally the cheapest and theoretically (or so I thought) the least likely to upset my stable system.
So, after many long hours of searching the web and reading all the joystick reviews I could find in the sub $50 category, I settled on the Saitek Cyborg 3D Gold USB. This was based on all the glowing reviews, everyone saying how great this stick was. The final decision would be dependant on a test in person at CompUSA. Turns, out, despite their computer saying they had six in stock, they couldn't find a one! I swear, every time I go into that store I'm more disgusted. Nothing has prices, nobody is around to help, and there is no organization whatsoever. Anyhow! So, went to a 'software' store, who happened to have one of the Saitek Joysticks in stock (but no demo). Still, I got it and a new game to try out.
Taking it out of the box and getting my hands on it, I was immediately struck by how unergonomic it is compared to my Gravis Blackhawk. Now before you Cybog users go off on me, here are my reasons:
-The stick is too tall - the hand rest sits too far above the base - the throttle control cannot easily be used by just one finger/thumb - all the buttons on the base are awkward to reach - the trigger button is too touchy and too far forward - the buttons on top of the stick are too close together and not differentiated enough - and finally! - the head rocks back and forth slightly while using the HAT switch.
Now all that said, this is still a great stick. WHAT?! The handle has a sort of rubberized plastic that feels great and solid. All the buttons, and throttle, have a rugged feel, as does the rest of the stick with the exception of the aforementioned wobbly top. In game play, it's definitely a more precise controller than the Blackhawk, but at the same time not as easy to use. I figured I'd get used to it.
This is all well and good, so why am I posting, you ask? The installation was a snap, just installed the software and then plugged the stick into the USB port, check all the functions and calibrated it, easy as pie (though still not as cool as the Gravis Installation). Tried a few games, they all worked great and recognized it. Then it gets sticky.
I tried to load the software that came with the stick, called Saitek Gaming Extensions. First off, the shortcut it puts on the desktop simply opens one of the Saitek folders (why it made two on the same drive is anyone's guess) in Windows Explorer. Ok that is fine, I have Explorer set to open in my second monitor, which it does. However, as soon as this happens, my mouse becomes restricted to the primary monitor, and thus I can't access what I just opened! If I disable Dual Head multi-display and re-enable, I was able to get it back - sometimes without restarting, but mostly I had to reboot. So I finally try to follow the somewhat obscure instructions to custom program my joystick for this new game I got, and I get several errors. Seems Windows Explorer has suddenly performed an illegal operation and also cannot be shut down (CTRL-ALT-DEL doesn't even work). Reset again. Oh, great, upon loading I get a Windows Protection Error, I can only run in Safe Mode!!! ARGH. All I wanted to do was change some of the friggin buttons in my game, and now Windows won't run? Fortunately, unstalling/removing the joystick and it's associated software allowed me to get back into Windows normally.
If it hadn't been for these issues, I probably could have lived with the joystick, and I still might if someone has experienced this strange problem and knows a fix. However, given the better ergonomics of the Gravis Stick and hassle free use, I'm strongly thinking of going to route # 2 (remember that?)
and just getting a new sound card. Yes, the Gravis isn't as well built and won't hold up as long, but it IS half the price, I can buy two and enjoy using them more anyhow. Have also looked at the Gravis Xterminator game pad, as well as the Eliminator Extreme game pad, both feel very nice, but I still would prefer a stick and they still would face the same issues.
SOOOOOO, can anyone reccommend a decent soundcard that doesn't break that bank which has true support for a Digital stick on it's game port? Or alternatively, is there a game port card that anyone carries which could be installed separately?
Congratulations, you've reached the end!
Cheers,
Aaron
[This message has been edited by aaroncgi (edited 14 November 2000).]
[This message has been edited by aaroncgi (edited 14 November 2000).]
Sorry for all the edits, it's still early!
[This message has been edited by aaroncgi (edited 14 November 2000).]
1. Get a USB joystick, circumventing the sound card
2. Get a new sound card which properly supports my joystick
3. Get both a new sound card and joystick
I chose option #1, as it was marginally the cheapest and theoretically (or so I thought) the least likely to upset my stable system.
So, after many long hours of searching the web and reading all the joystick reviews I could find in the sub $50 category, I settled on the Saitek Cyborg 3D Gold USB. This was based on all the glowing reviews, everyone saying how great this stick was. The final decision would be dependant on a test in person at CompUSA. Turns, out, despite their computer saying they had six in stock, they couldn't find a one! I swear, every time I go into that store I'm more disgusted. Nothing has prices, nobody is around to help, and there is no organization whatsoever. Anyhow! So, went to a 'software' store, who happened to have one of the Saitek Joysticks in stock (but no demo). Still, I got it and a new game to try out.
Taking it out of the box and getting my hands on it, I was immediately struck by how unergonomic it is compared to my Gravis Blackhawk. Now before you Cybog users go off on me, here are my reasons:
-The stick is too tall - the hand rest sits too far above the base - the throttle control cannot easily be used by just one finger/thumb - all the buttons on the base are awkward to reach - the trigger button is too touchy and too far forward - the buttons on top of the stick are too close together and not differentiated enough - and finally! - the head rocks back and forth slightly while using the HAT switch.
Now all that said, this is still a great stick. WHAT?! The handle has a sort of rubberized plastic that feels great and solid. All the buttons, and throttle, have a rugged feel, as does the rest of the stick with the exception of the aforementioned wobbly top. In game play, it's definitely a more precise controller than the Blackhawk, but at the same time not as easy to use. I figured I'd get used to it.
This is all well and good, so why am I posting, you ask? The installation was a snap, just installed the software and then plugged the stick into the USB port, check all the functions and calibrated it, easy as pie (though still not as cool as the Gravis Installation). Tried a few games, they all worked great and recognized it. Then it gets sticky.
I tried to load the software that came with the stick, called Saitek Gaming Extensions. First off, the shortcut it puts on the desktop simply opens one of the Saitek folders (why it made two on the same drive is anyone's guess) in Windows Explorer. Ok that is fine, I have Explorer set to open in my second monitor, which it does. However, as soon as this happens, my mouse becomes restricted to the primary monitor, and thus I can't access what I just opened! If I disable Dual Head multi-display and re-enable, I was able to get it back - sometimes without restarting, but mostly I had to reboot. So I finally try to follow the somewhat obscure instructions to custom program my joystick for this new game I got, and I get several errors. Seems Windows Explorer has suddenly performed an illegal operation and also cannot be shut down (CTRL-ALT-DEL doesn't even work). Reset again. Oh, great, upon loading I get a Windows Protection Error, I can only run in Safe Mode!!! ARGH. All I wanted to do was change some of the friggin buttons in my game, and now Windows won't run? Fortunately, unstalling/removing the joystick and it's associated software allowed me to get back into Windows normally.
If it hadn't been for these issues, I probably could have lived with the joystick, and I still might if someone has experienced this strange problem and knows a fix. However, given the better ergonomics of the Gravis Stick and hassle free use, I'm strongly thinking of going to route # 2 (remember that?)
and just getting a new sound card. Yes, the Gravis isn't as well built and won't hold up as long, but it IS half the price, I can buy two and enjoy using them more anyhow. Have also looked at the Gravis Xterminator game pad, as well as the Eliminator Extreme game pad, both feel very nice, but I still would prefer a stick and they still would face the same issues.SOOOOOO, can anyone reccommend a decent soundcard that doesn't break that bank which has true support for a Digital stick on it's game port? Or alternatively, is there a game port card that anyone carries which could be installed separately?
Congratulations, you've reached the end!
Cheers,
Aaron
[This message has been edited by aaroncgi (edited 14 November 2000).]
[This message has been edited by aaroncgi (edited 14 November 2000).]
Sorry for all the edits, it's still early!
[This message has been edited by aaroncgi (edited 14 November 2000).]
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