Sidewinder Force Feedback 2 support

[sunjunkiesi]

I was just wondering when/if FF2 support will be coming? I am waiting patiently, but until it is fixed I can't use this sim for obvious reasons...

Cheers

[gspectre]

Does that joystick not work with FF turned off? I do recall the Sidewinder I had worked just fine, it just did not vibrate when FF was disabled.

[sunjunkiesi]

The joystick works in the sense that the axis respond, but there is no feedback at all - the stick doesn't return to centre or offer any resistance throughout its movement range.

[Silvia Dragoness]

Originally posted by sunjunkiesi:

The joystick works in the sense that the axis respond, but there is no feedback at all - the stick doesn't return to centre or offer any resistance throughout its movement range.

Does it work correctly in other games?

I used to have the same stick. On mine at least, there's some kind of sensor (an infrared beam across the front of the grip, I think) that tells it whether you're holding it or not, and if the answer is "no" it disables the motors/solenoids/whatever that are used for both force feedback and centering. If the sensor on yours is messed up, that would explain your problem.

Alternately, it could be a driver issue.

[sunjunkiesi]

Yeah, works fine in FSX, DCS etc. This is a known problem that was mentioned in release 2 and that hasn't been resolved yet.

[Jimmy★US]

The force feedback will not return. This is a bad thing. I liked to play with the Sidewinder. Anyone knows someone?

[Delcu]

Odd... mine appears to funtion just fine. Using default microsoft driver windows loaded.
Driver Date: 6/21/2006
Version: 6.1.7601.18199

[Duamutef_MC]

Let's be sincere guys... I've paid more than 100$ for a used SideWinder Force Feedback 2 in mint conditions... plus I've spent a lot of time fixing it up. It works flawlessly with FSX, Flight School, as well as most other simulations using force feedback (War Thunder, IL2, ...)

I *want* to be able to use it with this game! Flying without force feedback sort of sucks!

Also: other Force Feedback joysticks work just fine... for example, my Logitech Evo Force, which is as old as the Microsoft joystick, works like a charm! Only issue, it's vastly weaker than the FF2...

Please do something! The version 0.1 of FSW supported it just fine without crashing. If you don't want to fix this let at least us know how to manually unlock force feedback support by modifying the configuration files... thanks!

[gspectre]

Originally posted by Duamutef_MC:

Let's be sincere guys... I've paid more than 100$ for a used SideWinder Force Feedback 2 in mint conditions... plus I've spent a lot of time fixing it up. It works flawlessly with FSX, Flight School, as well as most other simulations using force feedback (War Thunder, IL2, ...)

I *want* to be able to use it with this game! Flying without force feedback sort of sucks!

Also: other Force Feedback joysticks work just fine... for example, my Logitech Evo Force, which is as old as the Microsoft joystick, works like a charm! Only issue, it's vastly weaker than the FF2...

Please do something! The version 0.1 of FSW supported it just fine without crashing. If you don't want to fix this let at least us know how to manually unlock force feedback support by modifying the configuration files... thanks!

"Let's be sincere"? Okay
What exactly do YOU want US to do about a joystick you overpaid for? WE are not the programmers of FSW or the makers of Your OVERPRICED Joystick.

If you had searched Ebay, you could have found a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro which works perfectly with FSW and has more features for a lot less:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/LOGITECH-Extreme-3D-Pro-Digital-Joystick-Video-Game-Controller-/382179513337?hash=item58fbac93f9:g:V-wAAOSw-wFZbVvN

If you want to contact someone that might be able to help you with your demands, I suggest you file a bug report with DTG, oh and watch the tone or you won't get mutch of a reply.

[Duamutef_MC]

I already own the Extreme 3D Pro, Einstein. You might have noted it packs no force feedback, though.

Also: I was under the impression Dovetail checked these forums. I was talking to them, not to smug nobodies with zero reading comprehension.

If anybody non DTG related with more brain mass than the genius above comes across a solution - be it a script or a configuration file mod - by all means let me know. Thanks in advance. :)

[gspectre]

Originally posted by Duamutef_MC:

I already own the Extreme 3D Pro, Einstein. You might have noted it packs no force feedback, though.

Also: I was under the impression Dovetail checked these forums. I was talking to them, not to smug nobodies with zero reading comprehension.

If anybody non DTG related with more brain mass than the genius above comes across a solution - be it a script or a configuration file mod - by all means let me know. Thanks in advance. :)

Hey Einstein, I too have the Extreme 3D Pro, so I already know what it does and does not have. Also, you never stated in your comment that you did, so please, don't get smug with me kid.

Good luck with your wait for DTG to read your comment. I told you the best way to contact them but hey, it's on you if you want to wait.

Word of caution though, if you really want a reply from them, try to check your attitude before contacting them.

[ZESTER]

Not stirring but I am not sure Force Feedback is really that good for you. Back in the late 60's to early 70's I used to be a telegraphist and used TRESS (electro mechanical device) to send messages 6-12 hours per day at 60 wpm. Being young and hungry for money I often pulled triple shifts too. Hour after hour of really heavy whacking of keys to punch holes in tape. Fast forward a few decades and my hands are so stuffed I can barely open a packet of biscuits. The Force Feedback joystick that I had a few years ago made my hands feel a lot worse. Not certain of my facts here but I am thinking that continuous vibration through your hands and up your arms is not good for your health. Now the only feedback device I have is a buttkicker that I occassionally plug in to get the vibration through my seat whilst flying.

[sunjunkiesi]

I'm the OP and whilst the conversation that has followed is a real popcorn moment, I just want an answer from someone as to what is happening with FF2 support.

I'll take my chances with RSI/White finger - I am a blacksmith so I imagine a ff joystick will make little difference, but thanks for the warning.

[Duamutef_MC]

Anybody from Dovetail? What is the progress on bringing this functionality back? Can we temporarily restore it by altering any configuration file? Please, let us know...

[Duamutef_MC]

Any news yet about this?

[Duamutef_MC]

Come on, do not ignore this post... I can see people from Dovetail roaming this place (I'm talking to you, Chris...)