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think most simmers will agree that each one of us likes to achieve the
most realistic flightsim environment that is possible. One important
aspect of doing this is the joystick and other peripherals. We all know
that we could spend hundreds, even thousands of dollars on yokes, throttle
quadrants, and avionics. But if you are like me, your budget is probably
limited.
One possible solution for the budget simmer is to obtain some type of
HOTAS (Hands On Throttle And Stick) that won't force you to sell your car
or go hungry for a month. There are nice products in this category, but
the problem I see with these products is that they are designed for combat
simmers. I would rather have something that is geared more toward general
aviation.
I currently use a Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback joystick that works great. The problem I was faced with was finding another device that even worked with it at all. I wanted something that was programmable and allowed me to leave my hands off of the cumbersome keyboard while flying, but also worked with my Force Feedback joystick.
Then I ran across the Microsoft SideWinder Strategic Commander at my local computer superstore. It was designed with the intention of being used with strategy and role playing games. It looked cool, was very programmable, but I wasn't sure if it would work with a flightsim. I noticed it connected via a USB port, not a game port. I thought what the heck, I'll try it and see how it works.
I took it home, hooked it up with no problem at all, read the instructions on how to program the buttons, and started flying. I used it with FS2000 and it worked awesome. What the device basically does is record keyboard input. I used it as a throttle, raised and lowered the gear and flaps, changed views, used it as a rudder, adjusted the trim, and a ton of other things. If a keyboard key is required to do a function, this thing did it for me. It can store over 72 functions. It has a multitude of buttons and also slides forward, backward, left, right, and rotates left and right. The possibilites seem endless. I plan on using it as a throttle as well as any other task that might be done on the keyboard. With this thing, you can basically throw away the keyboard while flying.
Microsoft doesn't advertise that the Strategic Commander works with other games besides strategy and role playing, but they should. It looks cool alongside my SideWinder Force Feedback, has a ton of functionality, and won't break your wallet. The other thing I like about it is that it doesn't make me feel like I'm flying an F-16 while I'm actually behind the controls of a 172.
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Jonathan Clay
Visit
Microsoft's SideWinder support site.
ljclay13@hotmail.com