Big stick, small hands...

[Ghastly]

I've never bought a CH stick before, because each time I tried them, they just felt too "big" for my hand. And not just 'big', but "BIG". So when my second MSFF2 stopped working right (hat switch- again) and I finally decided to to give a CH stick a shot, I was concerned, but though perhaps I'd adjust. But... I haven't.

It's still just as awkward as when I first started using it in this sense. When I rest my hand on the base of the stick, I find that my thumb is at least an inch short of the hat switch. Even wrapping my hand around the stick is somewhat awkward, because it's just so big around. Between the two I don't feel that I have a good enough hold on the stick to fly well, and looking around is problematic - when I reach for the hat switch, I almost "stop" flying in order to wrestle with the stick.

I've made a sort of a "hand rest" by bending a "slot cover" into a square about 3/4 of an inch to a side, and doublestick taping it to the base, so that my palm can rest on that instead of the base, which helps a lot, but I still don't really feel that I have the as much control of the stick that I'd like because of it's size.

What's working for some of you other guys, who like me just find the stick to be a real handful? I'm going to make a "spacer" out of a piece of "hard" foam (the kind used to package hard drives) over the weekend, but wondered if someone has a brilliant idea that I haven't thought of to address this. I can't be the only guy with just average sized hands who has this issue with the stick.

<S>

Ghastly (-Ghost)

[Twilight]

I know what you mean. I think my hands are a little bigger than average and even so, when I just got my stick and throttle I had trouble adjusting to their size.

It took me a while, but I think I am used to it now, so I don't know what you could do to have a more confortable fit. I think its just a matter of adjusting your grip (which is what I think I did), but I am not sure.

Hopefully someone else might have had this problem before and knows a trick or two that can help you.


Good luck!! :thumbsup:


Twilight

[Sledge]

:idea: use a strap-on finger :wacko:

[smilinjack]

Happened to stop by the forum tonight and noticed your message. I too am a member of the "large hands but not large enough" club. I solved the problem with a spacer made from dense foam circular pipe insulation, super glued to the top of the hand rest on the stick.
The "spacer" obviously needs to encircle the stick but can't cover the button on the lower front. The pipe insulation can be cut so it can be "wrapped" around the stick yet still leave a gap for the button.
Anyhow, worked for me but I still have to "stretch" to reach the hat switch and the #2 button.
Good luck with whatever you use for a boost. I'd be interested in how you make out.
Smilinjack

[MichaelCHProd]

To be honest I never thought the sticks were too tall. I mean they are by no means as short as the Saitek X 36/45 series but I never had a problem reaching the POV hat. :unsure:

Are my hands just huge?
ftp://ftp.chproducts.com/pub/Postings/Grip.jpg

[MichaelCHProd]

Upon further study I have come to the conclusion that my hands are MASSIVE. Good Lord how do I type, with those things I could pass for Strongbad (http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail20.html).

[Typhoontony]

I have the same problem and here is what I did. I have my Fighterstick off to the side (F-16 style) and I rest my forearm on the arm of the chair. this positions my thumb in the right place to operate the POV hat switch. The bottom of my hand is nowhere near the flange on the Fighterstick. Fatigue has not been a factor and I have had this setup for months now.

Tony

[DNME]

The problem may be twofold.

I suppose that the F16 stick after which the fighterstick was modelled was supposed to be handled by a pilot wearing nomex gloves. Furthermore the real stick would prolly be situated lower than a Figherstick sitting on a desk. A lower situated stick makes it easier to access the switches and buttons on top.

Sticks like the FFB2 are designed to be handled by armchair pilots without wearing gloves AND with the stick sitting on the desk. So sticks like that fit like a glove because they were specifically designed with armchair pilots in mind.

[Flyhii]

:w00t:
Hi Guys!!

Yes, lower is better when using these CH sticks. I've got my CH USB HOTAS(Combatstick 568, Pro Throttle & Pro Pedals) mounted on 1 of them old H.O.T.A.S.S. system integrater stands that I bought some 9 yrs ago when I was a TM man. Been a CH user since 1996 and using this stuff on this stand is absolutely the best thing next to the real deal! When the stick handle is lower in relation to your forearm, it is much easier and comfortable to reach the POV w/ your thumb.
I use almost all wrist action in controlling this stick-very, very good.

Yeah, I know that the makers of this stand are out of business, but something similar to use with CH stuff will make a BIG difference!

CH Products-simply the best controllers, period!! :thumbsup:

Hope this helps! :salute:

[Writer]

Maybe CH should look into adding such a stand to their lineup?

Something with a flat metal base so office chairs would roll over it, and two columns (or something similar to speaker stands) at either end to support a joystick and throttle on either side of your chair.

There was a pic of something similar at arstechnica, only made out of wood (and having the joystick in the middle, between your legs when your feet are on the rudder pedals...no jokes now :)), but I couldn't find it just now after 15 minutes of searching. :(

(I'm planning to build such a beast myself when I have time.)

[Revvin]

Here (http://www.combatsim.com/htm/nov99/hotass2.htm) is a review of the HOTASS system at Combatsim (http://www.combatsim.com). A simple design yet such a handy platform for joysticks. Unfortunately they went out of business before I could get one. Perhaps CH could offer something like this for their users to buy?

[Typhoontony]

Here is another review of the H.O.T.A.S.S. setup from SimHQ, it has more pictures and a couple of diagrams with dimensions. I used this review to make my own setup and it took less than a weekend to build. I used pine instead of oak, but otherwise kept things the same. Anyway follow the link below to see it.

http://www.simhq.com/simhq3/hardware/revie...ss/review.shtml (http://www.simhq.com/simhq3/hardware/reviews/hotass/review.shtml)

Tony

[Spidey]

There is a good joke just waiting to come out in this thread... :cheers:

[Writer]

Ah, thanks guys...that's exactly what I saw a picture of.

I think I'd build one without any center post at all.

[BigBoy]

Guys,
I know what you mean and my hands aren't small. I found controlling the X-Y axis on the Fighterstick with finesse and trying to "look around" wasn't optimal. I solved it by using the 8 way hat on the Pro Throttle. Once you get use to it you'll never go back. And because of the way the throttle is designed with a straight level throw it's also a piece of cake to adjust thrust and continue to "look around" with ease. Serendipity.

[CA406079]

I BOUGHT A SPEAKER STAND SET from an audio video store and affixed large pads of velcro in the flat top of the stand and the bottom of my sticks. I placed the my Fighter stick stand between my legs so it is just an inch lower than my lap. This allows your forearm to rest on your thigh. I am a commercial pilot and one key to precise flying is to use wrist movements, by keepig your arm supported and free of tension. This helps to keep your flying precise. (especially IFR)

[SmuvMoney]

Actually, I use a LaunchPad, a custom made platic mold made to hold a CH joystick and a mouse of my choice. The web site for it can be found here (pics and order details as well) : http://www.launchpadadv.com/ . This allows me to play with a joystick and trackball on my lap instead of my desk. I can also put it on my desk or another flat surface. Even though it is somewhat large, it is not as heavy as it looks. I have used it for 2 to 3 months with my CH Fighterstick and Kensignton Expert Mouse. I don't know what I would do without it.

[MichaelCHProd]

Cool... I have never seen that before. It was nice of them to set it up for our controllers B)

[SmuvMoney]

It's an individual from the ClanA3D/PantherXL forum who creates and sells the LaunchPad. After the discontinuation of the Panther XL, many PXL users were looking for another joystick/trackball option. Some went the CH route like I did but wanted that old PXL feel. He had enough requests from that forum to start offering those molds. They were as close as you could get yet still be light and sturdy. Without this, I'd still be trying to use the CH FS on my desk - playing with it on my lap is much more comfortable (no puns OK? :P).

[BLAZERBRUCE]

I have never had trouble with the hands being to small for the Fighterstick, but I would have to say the launch pad looks like one sweet piece of equipment. Never thought about a setup like that before. I can imagine its easy on the wrists and a blast to play games with.


On another note, Micheal that better be the NVidia5900 :evil: chipset I see in the pic on here.


- Bruce :cheers:

[MichaelCHProd]

Alas my pocket book is not that deep and it is a 128MB GeForce FX 5600.

[BLAZERBRUCE]

I hear yea, Im still busting out the 5200FX, as long as DoomIII works smooth I am happy lol


-Bruce

[Dracon]

I just had a thought!!

Is it possible to physically interchange the POV on the FighterStick with one of the other 4-ways on the FlightStick??

If the wires are long enough and the holes are the same size it would seem a simple task.

Micheal??


PS: I'm surviving with my new stick but that old thumb gets tired. I figure I will adapt after a bit. I think I'm going to try using the POV on the Throttle. The 3 buttons on the Throttle handle I use for WEP (war Time Emergency Power), Look UP, and Look Down. This gives me awesome versatility. LOL! I can see myself gettin' killed.

S!

Dracon

[MichaelCHProd]

The holes are a different size but the big problem is that they (the hats) are not loose inside the unit, there is a PCB that holds and controls Button 2, HAT 1, HAT 2, and the POV. You would need to solder the POV and HAT 1 off of the board and then quite possibly make some changes to the PCB they are soldered to.

[Dracon]

Thanks! Just a thought....

Any plans to comne out with a smaller stick or a repositioned POV??

Txs,
Dracon

[Dracon]

Ok, here's what I did! It was suggested above! works great!

http://myweb.cableone.net/decon14/images/Stick_1.jpg

[MichaelCHProd]

No plans at the moment but I will keep little hands in mind when we start talking about stick shapes and designs.

In the mean time that "shim" looks like it will do the trick. B)

[Twilight]

Originally posted by Dracon@Apr 20 2004, 03:12 AM
Ok, here's what I did! It was suggested above! works great!


Simple and to the point!!! I bet it wouldn't be too difficult to make wrap-on "spacers" like this for different sized hands.

Cheers! :cheers:

[Revvin]

Nice job Dracon! perhaps this is something CH could sell on their site as this problem has cropped up a few times in the past.

[Dracon]

Thanks guys....

A bit more info. I was going to make a "Wrap-Around". Actaully the above started that way. I still wanted to have access to the pinky Button. I kept chewing away at it until the slope was right for the pinky button and the wedge was the right height. If you get it too high, then your hand doesn't wrap around the stick correctly and the "Thumb Hat" becomes quite ackward to use!

Thanks for the compliments......I do hope it helps others :)

<Salute>
Dracon

[FunYun46]

What is the material you used and how did you attach it? Thanks.

[Dracon]

Heyas!

I used hot water pipe insulation. The stuff that pipes from the Hot Water Heater are wraped with. I recently had to replace my Hot Water Heater and had some left over. Any plumbing store should have this in a variety of sizes. It is easily cut with a serraded <sp> kitchen knife. I had some double-backed sticky tape to tape it down.

Need any more info? Just ask :)

Dracon

[FunYun46]

So double sided tape holds it in place? I didn't think it would stick too well to the stick plastic.

[Dracon]

I use my stick a lot and the tape is holding great! I just tried to move it....No go solid as a rock :)

<S>
Dracon

[Jetb123]

Cool I think I will do that.

[EagleWarrior]

Reading this discussion I get the impression that the "hotass" device is suitable for the combat controllers. Is there something anyone would recommend to hold the flight sim yoke either as a desktop or floor mounted unit? And what about a place for the rudders?
Louis