This "schtick" is 22+ years and still playing the game like a pro! - whats your oldest HW?

Still using the same joystick I bought for Microsoft Flight Simulator some 20 years ago. A Microsoft Sidewinder force feedback. I don’t know how much computer equipment I have used up and thrown away since my introduction to computing in 1982, but this piece looks like a keeper. Whats your oldest HW still in use today?

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Awesome!

I have an old Thrustmaster stick from the '90s. Uses a serial port connection. Took me all the way through FSX.

Don’t know if it still works, but I have a hard time getting rid of it.

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I had a MS Sidewinder that I, Finally, let go of when MSFS2020 as released.
It was so worn out and just too far gone to save. Plastic parts inside were actually worn down and could not stay centered and stable. Mine lasted all the way to FSX also…
It was a sad day to see that “Fun” object go into the garbage can… Smile.

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My 12" Dell Laptop from ~2010. I use it for sometimes mirroring Little Navmap , flight planning and as a mobile music recording computer.

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Same, I use a stick bought around '99 :sweat_smile:

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Yep, similar, I have a MS Sidewinder from 2002 and still going strong. I’ve had to grease the gubbins inside just once as it started creaking when moving side to side. A bit of vaseline did the trick. I also have a wireless mouse and keyboard again from MS from 2007 that is also still going strong, the keyboard has since gone to retirement cupboard (still works) but I kept the mouse.

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Still using my precision pro sidewinder from the late '90s or early 2000s. How do I check the manufacturer date on it?

It uses a serial to USB adapter even. I use it alongside a honeycomb bravo which is an amusing odd couple. The joystick will lose connection every once in a while so I have to toggle the USB plug but it’s been working just fine otherwise.

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Still using my MS Sidewinder Precision Pro that I bought in 97. I guess it’s longevity is in part due to the optical pots and a hiatus from flying sims, etc., for several years. An interesting stick if you open it up…

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I gave away the first version of the Sidewinder FFB nearly 20 years ago and the second version around 15 years ago. Replaced with the Logitech G940 FFB (in fact, I have two) around 2009 and this still works very well indeed. Some sort of lottery win might see a Brunner FFB yoke, but no Force feedback means that I either give it all up or become an online controller again. That is how important FFB is to me.

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My brain ! :wink:

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I literally just bought one of these from ebay as unless you want to drop over 1k on a Brunner, it’s STILL the best force feedback option on the market.

I’m sure there must be some in development with all the new MSFS interest, the rumours about the patents being an issue expired ages ago

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I know they are simple in the way they work but do these still work with FS? Or do you have to do or download something special for it to work?

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I have a 24-year old Microsoft Sidewinder Precision Pro (same stick @SkipTalbot and @trgz posted above, complete with the 15-pin game port to USB adapter) from 1998. It still works to this day, but I’ve long since replaced it with other controls.

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XPForce (MSFS) is $9.99 and works great until the devs add native force feedback support

Never know, it could usher in more FFB hardware development if they did… nudge nudge Asobo :wink:

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I am using the exact same joystick (MSSW FFB 2) for all my Flight sims (DCS, IL2, MSFS). I also had this from new. Bought it specifically for “IWAR2: Edge of Chaos” in 2001 as that had FFB. That was a fantastic space game with great combat and story and brilliant hybrid newtonian flight model. Still one of the best I have ever played in the genre.

I’ll keep using this stick until it dies which it shows no signs of (touch wood). Microsoft really used to make some fantastic hardware in the old days.

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Mine is an X03-57540 - the only way I know it must be from 1997 is from a photo I have of my room from Dec '97 with it sat on top of my old Viglen PC, and this model was released in Aug '97.

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Been using a Microsoft Sidewinder Precision 2 for ages, I guess I bought it in 2002 or so, the stick was getting loose, so I replaced it just some months ago with a VKB Gladiator NXT. Teared it apart and saved the boards and sensors, I plan to build a throttle quadrant with them, they work as good as the first day still. Impressive pieces of hardware the Sidewinders.

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I’ve only been in Flight Simming for a little over a year, so my oldest Flight Control is a Thrustmaster T-Flight HOTAS one.

Peripheral-a 15 year old Dell Mouse and Keyboard :slightly_smiling_face:

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My TM Airbus sidestick died recently. Sent back under warranty. Saw one of these MS Sidewinder sticks on our equivalent of criagslist. Debated getting it. I figure if it’s still working then it’s gotta be built to last a lifetime. The only thing that puts me off is it only has 8 buttons, half the number of buttons the TM stick has.

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I have Logitech Attack 3, bought it in 2004 or 2005.
I came from Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator before I tried its general version, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2000/2002.
The stick still works now in MSFS 2020, the only cons for casual use is it doesn’t have rudder axis. I use it combo with Xbox Controller.

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