M SW FF2 (USB) or TM Flight HOTAS X ?

[SKYFOXX]

I needed some help a day or two ago and the help given pointed me to a You Tube video. The person that made the video was flying a Huey and was using a Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback 2 joystick.

I have on order a Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS X, due to anytime at my PO Box any day now. I then remembered that I had the 1st MSWFF joystick and when it got broken I bought the MSWFF2. The MSWFF2 was USB and I could not use it. So I bought a Seitec low cost joystick to use with the BF1942 (Desert Combat mod) and some other games.

Today, I looked for and found the almost like new MSWFF2 that I did not use (due to the lack of usb ports on my old computer). I also found the original MSWFF2 setup/driver cd still in the original joystick box.

!OK, I'd like to use this wonderful joystick with the Huey and the KA50-2 along with the new Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS X. I'm running Win 8.1 pro and need to know if I should use the original MSWFF2 setup/driver cd or get a newer driver made for Win 8.1 pro?

The person in the You Tube vidio claims that the MSSFF2 is best for helicopters and the Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS X will work better for airplanes. So, if I have both joysticks plugged at the same time will there be a conflict?

 

Please reply if you can.... SKY_FOXx

Edited September 13, 2016 by SKYFOXX

[98abaile]

I think it just works natively. Just remember to flip whichever axis it was in the control bindings and delete the axis for your thrustmaster/sidwinder in the aircraft you don't use them in to avoid conflicts.

[Sokol1_br]

!OK, I'd like to use this wonderful joystick with the Huey and the KA50-2 along with the new Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS X. I'm running Win 8.1 pro and need to know if I should use the original MSWFF2 setup/driver cd or get a newer driver made for Win 8.1 pro?

Don't use this CD - is not compatible with latest Windows versions.

 

Just plug the joystick in USB port that Windows install the proper drivers embed in Windows. :joystick:

 

Check in Games Controllers ( type joy.cpl in start box) test and if need do the calibration process, and hit APPLY.

 

Go in DCS controls and assign axis and buttons for each plane.

 

If for some reason you need that "press joystick buttons to press keyboard keys to do commands in games" that some people need/love, use Joy2Key, Xpadder, SVMapper, HidMacros, Autohotkey...

 

And use your HOTAS X throttle and their stick as "button box" or better "stick". ;)

Edited September 13, 2016 by Sokol1_br

[Home Fries]

I use a Warthog HOTAS, but I also have a SWFFB2 for the Huey and Mi-8. You can use them in combination; just remember to disable the axes on the stick you're not using for that aircraft.

 

I also second what has already been said: don't use the software; you're stuck with the Windows driver. Also, swap the XY axes in the Force Feedback options in DCS World.

 

One last thing: you may not be able to directly program the SWFFB2, but you can do a whole lot within DCS. If you want to use modifiers (like a button on your throttle as a "shift" function), a modifier on your HOTAS X will work with the SWFFB2 in DCS as long as you map it correctly.

[Alterscape]

Another vote for "you really want to use the FFB2, particularly for helos."

 

There will be no conflict having two joysticks connected simultaneously -- just make sure you use the "Input" tab in settings to correctly configure which axis and which buttons you want to use for every module (there's no quick way to batch-assign across modules, unfortunately).

 

You could even use the T-flight's throttle control as collective for the helos, and the FFB2 as cyclic/rudder!

 

My setup, like Home Fries', involves a Warthog throttle, FFB2, and CH Pro pedals.

[SKYFOXX]

!Thank's All, for all Your replies.

Well, before I read the replies to my post, last night I took a chance and decided to install the MSWFF2. I plugged in the jousticsk into a rear pc usb port and started my computer. Win 8.1 pro gsve me no indication of any new hardware being found. Being mainly a Win XP and not to familiar with Win 8 I put in the SW cd and again nothing no start-up from the cd. I then opened up the cd and found a setup application and clicked it. The setup application started and installed the SWFF2 but did not allow me to test or configure the stick. However, when i checked the joystick in the devise manager it was there and working ok. I then found the calibration thinggy in the control panel and did the calibration. I tested the stick a Huey Hovering Practice mission and wan found the SWFF2 listed in along with the keyboard and mouse and the LE3D that i had already disconnected. the axis control setting were already populated. I wasable to get a better hover and i was able to fly around the map very well. Ao, it looks like the SWFF2 will be my helicopter joystick until I can test the TM Hotas X.

I do have a question or two.

1. Should I un-instal the Microsoft SW setup and driver software?

2. Can someone who is using a SWFF2 tell me where I can get a Profile for the MSWFF2?

3. Should I use any Deadzone and Curvature? If so, how much Deadzone and how much Curvature should I use?

Edited September 14, 2016 by SKYFOXX

[Sokol1_br]

.

1. Should I un-instal the Microsoft SW setup and driver software?

 

Yes, this software now is just junk in your Windows.

 

Joystick was installed PnP when you plug then and Windows inform a "New Hardware found".

[SKYFOXX]

I never saw any PnP 'New Hardware Found' notice the cd just sat there. I'm sorta a noob when it comes to win 8.1 I had to open up the cd and look for a setup application (.exe file) file to run the setup . However, my new TMTFHX arrived today and I'm gonna test it out and see if it is better for me to use on the Huey.

-----------------------

Post update: Yesterday, Thursdas, Sept 15, 2016 my Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS X arrived. I tried it out on the Huey and I gave it a test on the DCS Huey and the KA-50 BS2. I was able to control the choppers better and setting the rudder and cyclic thinggy worked better for me than the MSWFF2. I now have to customise it a bit.

Edited September 16, 2016 by SKYFOXX