nowbotcove

I'm still tuning up my cockpit, but after an eBay punt on an ancient Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback 2, I may have just finished the job. It's a stunning bit of kit . They literally (and metaphorically) don't make 'em like this anymore.
I've been lucky enough to get hold of one in extremely good condition, having seen only light and occasional usage in MS Flight. It cost me though. Good examples don't come cheap. But, and here's the startling part, looking at every other joystick I own, it's worth triple the price I paid.
Build quality is just stunning. Forget CH, this thing is industrial plastic done properly. My one is somewhere in the region of 12 years old, yet looks and feels brand new. There's no slop in the stick and the force feedback is formidable. Running mine on Windows 8.1 64bit, games like Grid Autosport, Dirt 3, The Next Car Game and Cliffs of Dover, the FF grabs you by the arm and swings you around the desk! Interestingly, the force is equal in all directions, unlike attempts at FF by Saitek and Thrustmaster. Using the stick in E: D, the force feedback acts to stiffen the stick and provides a firm resistance in all directions. Combined with the stick's twist-yaw, it proves to be highly effective in combat.
The technology used in the stick is interesting. CH Products show us that very old designs don't mean reduced precision and effectiveness, but in the case of the MS Force 2, some pretty blue-sky tech has been used. From the sensor beam on the handle that wakes the stick to life, to the bizarre but highly effective optical sensor used inside the stick itself, it's pure old-school Microsoft Skunkworks stuff: The stick detects inputs though the use of a cluster of LEDs on the stick's internal termination. The light is picked up by a tiny digital camera fitted to the PCB in the stick's base. in real world play, accuracy seems identical to my other joysticks and game pads.
The rumour at the time of the stick's release was that Microsoft was loss-leading to take out the competition, and there does seem to be a degree of quality and engineering only seen in the very upper levels of gaming peripherals. A great example of this is the use of a Perspex dome at the external base of the stick, letting you glimpse the engineering inside. It's a cocky flourish by Microsoft.
The stick's designed to be used as a single input devise, and when used like this proves to be very ergonomic. The throttle on the base is operated by the thumb, while the four buttons nearby fall to hand like WASD keys. Simple, good design. The joystick handle is very comfortable; I like the CH Fighterstick, but this feels much more organic, more natural. The stick buttons are under-represented compared to modern sticks (or ancient CH sticks for that matter), but all fall readily to hand and cover the key functions. The only 'quality' issue I can see is the loose design of the highly effective hat. That might be a consequence of the stick's age though...
I've paired mine with a CH Pro Throttle. It's an unintentionally retro set-up, but it's highly effective. My 'internal Velcro' mod for the throttle gives it a smooth throw with a nice resistance, while the gorgeous CH buttons provide all of the functionality not covered by the Force 2's buttons.
So, if you're looking at a Warthog, take a punt on an eBay Force 2 instead. There's no risk of stiction, and with a reputation of indestructibility, you can easily sell it... someone else will always pay good money for it ;-)