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So, I original played Allegiance when it was released with an ancient three button joystick. I have no recollection how well I did with it then.

When I started playing Allegiance again after I got out of college, I played it with a huge, lumbering monstrosity of a stick a friend gave to me, whose brand I'm not sure of. It worked pretty well, up through November. For various reasons, I stopped playing at the beginning of December, only to resume recently.

And reliable uglystick no longer seems to work. I don't enjoy using mouseflight, and keyboard steering is right out, so I decided to give it a go with a logitech gamepad I have.

Long story short, it just isn't cutting it. So, I've decided to shop around for a new joystick. However, I'm heading into graduate school so the money isn't exactly overflowing. I budget enough that I can afford some fun expenses outside of day to day stuff, so I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for a reasonably nice joystick at a reasonable cost.

Look for an old MS Sidewinder. Joy users claim that is the best @#(! to hit the stores in the history of computer gaming /wink.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink.gif" /> Rumor has it you can find an unused one and that they are almost dirt cheap.

What ogo has suggested is the general consensus (not having used one, I've no opinion). Following that is the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro. Note, though, that there are two versions under that name AFAIK. One has a cheap, light, plastic base and the other has a heavy, metal base. The latter is much preferred.

And I can also confirm that the gamepad isn't suitable for Alleg (although I know of one person who used it with great effect but he's a freak /wink.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink.gif" />).

Yep, the Microsoft Sidewinder Pro Force feedback 2
Big heavy base and a separate power cord, the others use the power from the USB and are always powered on (thus burning out the FFB motors)
This has an eye that only powers up the FFB motors when your hand is on it...
Looks like this..

Go for the Sidewinder Pro. Its got more buttons, and will last forever. Mine is about 7 or 8 years old. Never had a problem

I like my Logitech Extreme 3D Pro.

FreeBeer wrote:QUOTE (FreeBeer @ Apr 11 2008, 05:35 PM) And I can also confirm that the gamepad isn't suitable for Alleg (although I know of one person who used it with great effect but he's a freak /wink.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink.gif" />).

There are a few people that play with Xbox controllers or similar. I do personally, but it takes quite a bit of getting used to. It also is very, very touchy. Tons of buttons though, so it's really great for scouting

I have been using SideWinder PPros for several years and really love 'em. In fact, I have one NIB just in case this one breaks.

However, I've noticed that after several hours (1000+) of use, it really starts to "stray". And this not only throws off your aim, but also disengages autopilot constantly. Now I know this can be fixed by enabling a larger deadzone, but that just makes aiming even more difficult.

So last year after I got back from Wyoming (and yet another broken stick), I hooked up a Precision 2. I purchased this (used) off eBay several months prior but didn't hook it up because it felt too "lose" for my liking.

Well, this thing really surprised me.

Yes, it looked lose, but this is barely noticeable in practice. I’m still using it 8 months later and it feels as good as the day I hooked it up.

Had the Saitek X52 for a few months now, I love it, precise and durable. Plus nice mapping system.

the Sidewinder PPros can get very erratic like aarm said. Mine will wander, however if you really calibrate it just right it will work fine.

take a bit of a while to get some of the older/more used ones into working condition. Alternatively, i believe you can do some repairs yourself and replace the springs.