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Logitech Extreme 3D Pro Review.
Cheap SF2 Review
CH Fighterstick/Pro Throttle
By Ruggbutt,
HOTAS
Hands On Throttle And Stick. The HOTAS can do many important functions in the cockpit without having to look down. It's how fighter pilots control their aircraft while keeping their heads out of their cockpit, increasing their situational awareness. It decreases workload. How can that help the virtual pilot? As computers get more powerful flight sims are becoming more complicated to navigate in. Even the most simple of flight sims has dozens of commands that need to be chosen quickly. There's an urgency. Looking down at your keyboard and remembering the right sequence comes only with lots of virtual flight hours under your belt. Many of us have a "cheat sheet" we rely on because time can be of the essence in a virtual dogfight.
There are several offerings of HOTAS available to us flight simmers. Some are inexpensive and some are (IMHO) overpriced and over-hyped. You can buy a joystick for as low as $30 or spend $600 or more on an old design heavily modified by aftermarket offerings. I'm going to review a tried and true design that has had longevity in the market for at least a decade. I'll explain the capabilities of the software as well, a good HOTAS isn't just a pretty piece of hardware.
CH Products
CH Products is located in Vista, California. It's literally in the shadow of Camp Pendleton. I say this because it's a product that's made in the U.S.A. They've competed with products produced cheaper elsewhere and still are a driving force in the market. There are several reasons why this is, and I'll get more into detail about that later. One thing that most people don't realize is that CH also produces joysticks for real aircraft. They produce commerical controllers for industry as well. If you've played a video game with some kind of joystick controller in an arcade you've most likely had your hands on CH Products.
Requesting units for Evaluation
I contacted Debby McDowell at CH Products and requested a Fighterstick and Pro Throttle for evaluation. The response was quick and a request back for my home address. I received the Fighterstick (FS) and Pro Throttle (PT) within a few days. That is by far the quickest I've ever received a unit for evaluation, including some that I paid for with my credit card! I'd like to say that I've heard that CH is on top of things customer related. I've had experience with CH Products in the past so it's much more than something I've heard. I've experienced it. More on that later.
My history with CH
I own several CH Controllers, the FS and PT being two of them. I'm a member of CH Products forums, the CH Hangar. I've uploaded profiles for the community as well as providing custom graphics for those that have purchased one of CH's MFP units. As a CH owner I've found the CH Hangar (or to us cool kids: The Hangar) to be one of the best resources available for programming the CH controllers. Since I've had my current CH HOTAS for 6 years I thought long and hard about what was the best way to do a review for CH Products. I've gone through more joysticks and HOTAS than I can shake a stick at. Some lasting only months.
Unpacking
I opened the boxes with the new controllers and found that nothing had changed with the packaging. It was the same as mine had been 6 years ago. I double checked to be sure, I still have my original CH Products boxes. The controllers haven't changed in appearance. They look identical to the ones I own.
Software - CH Control Manager
CH Products isn't just about hardware. A good HOTAS has programmable software that will allow you to customize which button/hat sends which commands to your game. CH's sofware is called Control Manager (CM). It's an extremely versatile software that allows the user to do everything from programming simple keystrokes and macros to full blown scripting of how your CH Products controller operates. Any new software can be overwhelming to the new user. I've helped out countless people over the years who had questions about how to do this or that with CH Control Manager. I've also been the guy who needed help and guidance. I found it at The Hangar. Bob Church, the creator of Control Manager was often one of the guys who answered my questions. He would carefully explain how and why things worked the way they did. He also offered scripting examples. If you dowload one of my profiles at The Hangar you'll see I have heavily scripted my controllers and Bob is just one of the guys there that has helped me learn how to use Control Manager. There are a few others as well, and I feel I have to name them by name: Ken "Ghost" King, Ulf, Michael CH (he works for them) and Revvin (who is the owner of The Hangar) are just a few. The answers always came quickly. Some answers I got in an hour or two. The worlds record for the longest wait (for me) was 18 hours! I've never seen this kind of tech support from anyone, regardless of whether they make shoes or computer gear. Where else can you talk to the guy who wrote the software? I dare say, nowhere. Except The Hangar.........
It's time for some examples of what scripting can do for you. Some don't fully understand what scripting is, so I'll give you the quick and the dirty. With scripting you can make a controller do something that isn't programmed for in the sim. For instance, I fly fast movers (jets) in the sims I own. I can't count how many times I'd forgotten to drop my airbrake over the years. That is, until I learned about scripting. I now have a script running in CH Control Manager that will automatically drop my airbrake if I move the throttle all the way forward. No more flying around in afterburner at 350 knots wondering what the heck is wrong with my jet..........Another example, programmed countermeasures: The main sim I fly has offerings of chaff, flare or chaff/flare on a toggle. I wanted something more along the lines of what the real jets can do so I scripted my Control Manager profile so that I can release a set amount of countermeasures in a set amount of time. One setting is 4 pairs of flares, one second apart. Instead of having to program the flare button and press it myself 4 times, I have it scripted so that once 4 pairs are dropped in the correct spacing the script stops. I also have another hat switch programmed that will release 4 pairs of flares and 4 chaff bundles 100 milliseconds apart. I start the sequence and it automatically stops. In the sim I fly when using wheel brakes there's only off and on for brakes. I have a script for that as well. When I press the wheel brakes on my CH Pro Pedals I get the equivalent of pressure sensitive braking. I press the brakes down 1/4 of the way and the script sends the wheel brake command 10 times a second to the game. I press halfway down it sends the command 15 times a second. 3/4 of the way, 20x a second and if I press the pedals all the way it sends the braking command constantly, as if I'd locked up the brakes.
"I don't care about scripting"
What about those people who don't want to mess around with scripting, what can Control Manager do for them? There's plenty. Control Manager by default has DX (Direct X) commands mapped, so you can program just a few buttons/hats while using default mapping for the sims you fly. You don't have to install Control Manager if you don't want to, the CH Products controllers are plug and play. You'll want to install Control Manager, trust me. You'll also want to peruse the fantastic Control Manager for Dummies guide that Ken "Ghost" King created. It's available on The Hangar. There are several different ways to program your hardware. You can use a CMC file for example. A CMC file is a text document that has all the available commands for your game/sim. You create a new profile by choosing from a list what hardware you have and you assign the CMC file to that profile. You can then pull down commands from the CMC file and assign them to the button/hat of your choosing. Say that flaps down is CTRL F, you don't have to remember that when you're programming. You choose the hat or button you want to program, right click and choose "Flaps Down" from the list of commands. You can download a CMC file for just about any sim made, they're all at The Hangar. You can also right click and choose to record your keystrokes and hit your control and f keys. You can also choose a "List Mode" to program your commands. Let's say you want to use your castle hat-right to send a zoom command, but your sim has two (or more) levels of zoom. Program them one at a time in List Mode. The castle hat right with repeated key presses will scroll through all your zoom levels and back to no zoom if you like. It couldn't be easier and with all the help available at The Hangar you'll be up and running in no time.
Installation
Installing Control Manager is a cinch. Go to the CH Products website and download the newest version Control Manager. They don't provide a CD with the software because often it will be an older version as Bob Church updates Control Manager regularly. You can run Control Manager with XP, Vista, Windows 7 in both 32 and 64 bit. Control Manager was first retail sim controller software to be available for the new OS platforms. CH and Bob are about leaving no customer left out. To install the software make sure your controllers are unplugged. Install the software and follow the prompts. Drivers will be installed. Then plug in the hardware. If you're using a USB Hub make sure you're using a powered hub. I'm running 5 CH controllers off of a 7 port Belkin powered hub and they never lose power. Once you've plugged in your controllers more drivers will be installed. You'll get confirmation that your hardware was installed correctly.
Hardware
CH's Fighterstick and ProThrottle are made of a glass filled polymer. Some folks call it "plastic" but that's like saying a Ferrari is just a car. Remember earlier when I told you that CH makes joysticks for real aircraft? It's not just "plastic" folks. I've dropped my Fighterstick several times from counter top height to the tile floor. There was no damage to the stick. CH uses quality parts in their controllers. They use high end pots (potentiometers) and switches rated for an extremely high amount of cycles. Don't let the word "pots" scare you away. Some of the competition likes to tout the fact that they're using "Hall Effect Sensors" in their hardware. They say that Hall Sensors are more "accurate" than pots. Maybe cheapie pots...... I have a 1961 Fender Stratocaster guitar. I played as a professional musician for 13 years and not once have I had to replace a pot in my Strat. That's because Fender used quality pots in the construction of that guitar. CH uses quality pots as well. There's no way they'd have survived 6 years of my abuse if they didn't. I used to own an X-45 HOTAS. At the time CompUSA sold warranties on them for about $25. It's a good thing I bought the warranty because I went through 3 of them in a year. Their cheapie pots kept dying on me.
CH is more than just tough on the outside, it's about tough on the inside as well. Once in a while their hardware breaks. I've seen people post at The Hangar asking how to warranty their hardware. Often a warranty rep will handle that right from the forums at The Hangar. If you need to speak to a rep you can reach him on the phone. There's very little time left on hold when you call. They want to help you, they don't treat it like a chore. And their warranty? Two years!!! There's no other HOTAS manufacturer out there that offers that kind of warranty.
Old v New, Calibration Test
I mulled over what's the best way to show prospective customers how reliable CH Products are. There are plenty of people who post at The Hangar that have had their controllers for years. I picked my brain for several weeks before I came up with the (obvious) answer! I requested a pair of brand new controllers that I would pit against my 6 year old controllers. I hadn't handled a new CH Fighterstick/Pro Throttle for many years so I was excited when my new package arrived. My criteria for comparison would be simple: I would test each controller side by side against each other for "feel". I wanted to test dead zones, spring resistance, etc between old and new. Then I would plug both in, run a calibration test on them and check the pots for spiking. In CH Control Manager when you calibrate you move your controller and the movement is shown not only in a digital graph but by numerical value. The value range is from 0-255. For example, when the Fighterstick is centered, at rest both X and Y value is 128. In moving the controllers to each extreme I moved as slow as possible to see if there was any spiking or "skipping" of the numerical values, which would show wear or damage to the pots. For the "feel" test I kept it simple: I wore a blindfold and my girlfriend swapped out controllers (several times) to see if I could feel the difference between my gear and the new test examples.
Test Results
I was mildly surprised at the results. For the "feel" test I couldn't tell the difference between my Fighterstick and the new Fighterstick. The same results occurred for the Pro Throttle. I had (incorrectly) guessed that the new gear would feel "tighter". There was literally no difference! Under the calibration tests both old and new performed identically. All pots went from minimum to maximum (0-255) with no spiking or skipping of values. For all intents and purposes there was no difference between old and new. This will surprise many of you. I'm used to offerings from other manufacturers that just don't hold up. I had a Cougar last 6 months before I needed replacement parts. I went thru 3 X-45's in a year. I've owned just about all of the joysticks available and CH Products are the first controllers that have 1) been used constantly for 6 years 2) that still work! To be fair, I got about 3 1/2 years out of my old Microsoft Sidewinder and it was still working last time I plugged it in. When comparing modern releases CH exceeds the reliability of everything else out there. As far as I know, this is the first test of it's kind and CH wins it hands down!
Final Thoughts
When I originally purchased my CH Gear I was fed up with my previous controllers not working when I expected them to. CH was roughly the same price as the several other offerings and I thought I'd give them a chance. I heard other CH owners speaking positively about them so I jumped in head first. I consider myself fortunate that the events laid out as they did. I've come to love CH and Control Manager and the fact that I can do absolutely anything I like with the software. I can speak to Bob Church directly on The Hangar regarding programming questions. Bob helped me out with a script not a month ago. No where in any flight sim community will you be able to speak not only to the software creator, but people like Debby and Michael who are instrumental in the every day operations of CH Products. Never have I seen customer service managers do their job sometimes as a result of a forum thread. These things are more common than not and they all happen on The Hangar. When you take all of these positives and add them up, you have a company who delivers a product that is superior to anything else available. The CH Community is amazing and way back when I was a newbie who had no clue about programming there was a forum dedicated to helping someone just like me. 6 years later nothing has changed, the new CH owner can post his concerns and have all his questions answered.
Bang for the buck CH Controllers are WIN! They're moderately priced and made in the U.S.A. You'll find no cheapie chinese electronics inside. This cannot be said about every other option from other manufacturers. You can pay $500 retail for some of these controllers and there have already been unacceptable failure rates along with software that's unfinished. Buy CH. It works. Every time.
I'd like to thank Debby for sending me the eval CH gear. Michael (CH), Bob Church, Ulf (and ex-Cougar guy) and Ghost 531 for all their help past, present and future for all their scripting help. Be sure to check out Ghost's "CH for Dummies Guide", it's a must read. Last but not least Revvin deserves a huge thanks for creating and keeping The Hangar up and running for the community.
Other Products
CH also offers two different kinds of yokes, Throttle Quadrant, Pro Pedals, MFP (Multi Function Panel), several other joysticks, and DT225 Trackball. The trackball is amazing, I use it for my radar and targeting cursor in game.
December Calendars Available
By Fates,
December Calendars Are Available.
You can download them here: GALLERY
F-22 aircraft overdue in reporting
Mad Catz® to Exhibit at 2010 AOPA Aviation Summit
By Dagger,
San Diego, November 11. 2010
Mad Catz® Interactive, Inc. (“Mad Catz” or “the Company”) (AMEX/TSX: MCZ), a leading third-party interactive entertainment accessory provider today announced plans to exhibit at the 2010 AOPA Summit, at Booth Number 1207, taking place at the LA Convention Center in Long Beach, California from November 11th through to November 13th 2010.
The AOPA Summit is an annual event for the Aircraft Owners & Pilot Association (AOPA) and is expected to be attended by over ten thousand participants, many of whom are certified pilots and aviation professionals.
At the summit, Mad Catz invites attendees to sample the Procedure Trainer Cockpit, a highly realistic cockpit simulator designed for the professional enthusiast or for those who wish to hone their piloting skills in the comfort of their own home.
Primarily targeting flight schools and the professional pilot training market, the Procedure Trainer Cockpit offers a complete flight training solution with a customizable cockpit layout which provides users with the ability to adapt to specific aircraft layouts. Equipped with all essential instruments and tailored to improve proficiency and skill set from the first steps in a PPL license to advanced flight training procedures, the Procedure Trainer Cockpit houses no less than twenty-two individual precision Saitek™ Pro Flight components which operate in unison to deliver an accurate replica of a genuine aircraft cockpit.
Products included as part of the Procedure Trainer Cockpit are as follows:
Saitek Pro Flight Yoke System: Engineered to meet the exacting needs of the true flight simulation enthusiast, the Pro Flight Yoke System is built using a stainless steel shaft and utilizes ergonomic controls, integrated chronograph and separate throttle quadrant to ensure a smooth, accurate and highly realistic flying experience. To deliver a fully accurate replica of all aircraft flight systems, the Procedure Trainer Cockpit includes two individual Pro Flight Yoke Systems.
Saitek Pro Flight Rudder Pedals: An accurate replica of the pedal system used aboard many aircrafts, the Pro Flight Rudder Pedals allows the user to control the rudder and toe brakes of their aircraft with ease. Adjustable, smooth action allows for optimum control and realism. To deliver a fully accurate control replica of all aircraft, the Procedure Trainer Cockpit includes two individual sets of Pro Flight Rudder Pedals.
Saitek Pro Flight Instrument Panel: Eliminating the need to display the main instrument panel on screen, the Pro Flight Instrument Panel utilizes a high resolution color LCD screen which displays real-time game content when used with Microsoft® Flight Simulator™ X. Utilizing the on-board controls, users can instantly switch between altimeter, vertical speed indicator, altitude indicator, air speed, compass and turn & slip indicator. Users can now download an additional five extra dials (HSI, VOR1, VOR2, ADF and engine gauges) via the Saitek website, which allows the Pro Flight Instrument Panel to be utilized as a true IFR training device. To allow for the full range of aircraft gauges and dials to be displayed accurately, the Procedure Trainer Cockpit contains no less than ten Pro Flight Instrument Panels which can each be individually programmed to match user preferences.
Saitek Pro Flight Switch Panel: The Pro Flight Switch Panel affords flight enthusiasts the opportunity to expand the number of controls available at their fingertips. Switches can be programmed to control landing gear, engine power, landing lights and 11 other important aircraft functions from one compact unit.
Saitek Pro Flight Multi Panel: Allowing users to tweak multiple in game settings, the Pro Flight Multi Panel brings detailed levels of control and customization to the fingertips of flight simulator enthusiasts. Featuring a full autopilot panel with associated setting controls for auto throttle, flaps and elevator trim wheel, the Panel is capable of displaying real-time game data when used with compatible software
Saitek Pro Flight Radio Panel: Featuring a unique selection of LED’s and Switches, the Pro Flight Radio Panel is used to control various aspects of communication and radio control featured in flight simulation software. When used with Microsoft Flight Simulator X the Radio Panel eliminates the need for on-screen radio display. To deliver a fully accurate control replica of all aircraft, the Procedure Trainer Cockpit includes two individual Pro Flight Radio Panels.
Saitek Pro Flight Backlit Information Panel: Compatible with Microsoft Flight Simulator X the Pro Flight Backlit Information Panel provides users with clear and authentic information during flight. Supplied with over 50 individual ‘command tiles’ which display a wide variety of in flight commands and information, users can customize their Information Panel to display flight information relevant to their aircraft or personal preference. In addition, users can assign a choice of three colors to each of the 24 segments, allowing different command tiles to light up with different colors during flight.
Saitek Pro Flight Throttle, Pitch and Mixture System: Fully compatible with all major flight simulation titles and pre-existing flight simulation set ups, the Pro Flight Throttle, Pitch and Mixture System replicates the control surface found in light aircraft, such as the Cessna®, Piper® and Mooney Bravo®. Three durable aluminium rods allow users to accurately alter throttle, pitch and fuel mixture levels and an additional 9 fully programmable toggle switches provide a host of user defined controls during flight.
In addition, the Procedure Trainer Cockpit comes complete with a TRITTON™ AX51 Pro Gaming Headset. When used in conjunction with the analog 5.1 audio connections from a PC (Separate 5.1 compatible PC soundcard required) the AX 51 Pro delivers true 5.1 surround sound via eight speakers (4 in each ear), which are capable of creating an accurate 5.1 sound field, ideal for bringing detailed in game flight audio to life.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to purchase a complete Procedure Training Cockpit for themselves, and Mad Catz representatives will be available during the summit to process orders.
Mad Catz will also be offering visitors the opportunity to purchase a selection of their best selling Saitek Pro Flight products and attendees are encouraged to visit the Mad Catz booth early in order to avoid disappointment.
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