I was using the newest released drivers (not the ones that came with the installation CD) and noticed no problem with neutral pitch position.

I think the sensor to detect hands-on-stick was already in the very first MS FF stick. It is indeed meant to protect the hardware.

There are also optical sensors on the lower-end Logitech FFB sticks (Strike Force, Strike Force 3D, etc.).

Man, this looks oh so very tempting...In the process of saving up for it some time will pass, so maybe we'll get a few good reports on its durability. Or i can simply take advantage of favorable Euro conversion rates and order from the UK, avoiding the local market's mark-up that makes us pay 150% of the price for most PC related items. (I got a 22" Dell 2209WA IPS monitor a month ago shipped from the UK for 290 Euros total. Price in the US was $200 and local prices start at 370 Euros or so, it's a freaking outrage when ordering from another country is cheaper, postage and packing included!)

I have an old MS sidewinder precision 2 that's been working very well for its age. It's got a couple of base buttons not registering well and minor spiking close to center, but it annoys me because in certain directions of movement it spikes the rudder axis and slightly spoils my aim, so i'm thinking of replacing it at some point during the year.
The reason i haven't moved on to another stick is that the sidewinder is so durable. I'm not going to fork over a load of cash on a customized cougar set or a CH collection, but the lower-end sticks don't seem as well made as the old sidewinders. I think this Logitech set could fill the shoes of an all-in-one middle ground package, as long as it's not proven flimsy during prolonged use.

Yeah..I'm actually torn. After having the benefit of toying around with the G940 for a couple weeks I was sad to have to package it up and send it on for further testing with another Staffer. So now I'm in a dilemma: I have a Saitek X52 (not the Pro version) that I like very well, but now that I've felt FFB I think I'd like to go that route. Question is..do I put out funds for the G940 or wait to see what the Saitek offering down the line (don't know when it will be coming out) will be like? Choices, choices...

I'd hold my horses for another three months and see if the Logitech has any problems reported from continued usage, and how the software support works out.

Then you can always ebay the Saitek.

The article compared the G940 to the X52. What I'd really like to see is a UNBIASED comparison with the Cougar and the CH products HOTAS. Mainly what I'd like to know is the software programing functionality of the G940. I've owned a Cougar and the software was top-notch in customization. I've done research and the CH products HOTAS meets or beats what can be done on the software side of things. Again, I'd like to know what the G940 brings to the table in this aspect. There are many like me that just don't plug in a HOTAS and fiddle in the in-game configuration screen and go.

I think our reviews are unbiased..so whatever we would do would meet with that qualification. Since I don't own a Cougar or CH HOTAS I couldn't do a comparison..but I could with what I do own (Saitek). I've already boxed up the G940 and sent it along to another staffer that is capable of doing a more thorough job on the software side, so look for that in the near future. I'm not a super-advanced user..so we'll have more in-depth coverage for the uber-users soon.

BeachAV8R

Sold ! Just two questions I'd like to ask :

How heavy are the stick and trottle ? Will they stay stable without having to bolt them to the desk ?

Could you comment on the stick's centering mechanism ? Is it spring or does it use electrical motors ? Did you feel any weaknesses or wobbles in the whole assembly ? I've had logitech sticks in the past and that was usually the first thing to show signs of intensive use, eventually making me change for Saitek's srping system (love my AV8R)

Other than this, thanks for the article, I've been waiting for reviews of this stick to confirm my first impression. I really think I'll be buying this one when it comes out. Sounds perfect for DCS:A-10

Cheers

Nico

An article right up your alley is in the works.