ch combat stick maintenance

[gospel]

Hello,

I've been a long time ch user, and have had quite a few ch products over the years. I'm currently on my second set of pedals, throttle, and combat stick (switched from alalog to usb). I also still have my original flightstick pro!


My current joystick is a "Janes Combat Stick"
I purchased the stick over 6 years ago (purchased it used), and it is still going strong. The springs for the y axis are a little sloppy, and the elevator trim has to be taped because it moves when I push up or down on the stick.

Anyway, with the analog sticks, I have replaced the pots several times.

Now that I use a usb combat stick, does it still have pots? Is there any maintenance to be done?

If not, I may buy a new stick, and retire the old one.


Thank you for building such great products!!!! :thumbsup:


gos

[Bob Church]

Hi Gos,

They do still use pots, but because of the way they're set up in a USB stick they tend to cancel out the sort of spiking that was prevalent with the gameport sticks and so generally provide useable service for a longer period. The USB sticks also come with an 8-Way hat and (for the CombatStick anyway) the base is larger, being the same size as the FighterStick.

Hope this helps!

Best regards,

- Bob

The StickWorks
http://www.stickworks.com

[Revvin]

Maintenance??? I thought you were just suppossed to use and abuse them till they die? (or in Ghost's case take them apart, fiddle with them, add pieces etc :D )

I've never had to service my CH gear, as much as I used an abused my old gameport Force FX it's still working despite taking a thrashing in my years as a virtual WWII pilot in Warbirds and Aces High :D It must be close to 8 years old now.

[gospel]

Thanks for the replies.

I went and bought a new combat stick. My old stick did not have the 8 way hat, and needed to be calibrated (moving the stick to it's extremes) every time I played a sim .

I will put new springs in the old one and keep it as a spare.


Thanks again :)

[MrMudd]

Ive only had a set of rudders go bad in the 6 years ive had my set. (wow has it really been that long?)

Mine failed to a limited batch had short lead wires that snapped, Called Micheal and he sent me a replacement set.


Ya know ive beat the hell out of my sticks over the years, Their used nearly daily, and i take my HOTAS set with me on deployments. I'm sure if a scientist was to looke inside my sticks he would find some very interesting Dust and Dirt samples collected from various regions around the world. Not only to mention the fact that Copious ammounts of Beer, Chips and junk food found their way from my grubby hands on them for years!

My best Maintenance item, was not maintenance itself but of a set of preventitve maintenance covers! www.hotascovers.com

[gospel]

You know, that brings up a good point.

The only problem I've ever had with all the ch hardware was the Pro pedals.

The wiring comes in the back of the pedal base. Seems like no matter where I've had my pc over the years, the pedals always end up against the wall. The wiring ends up getting smashed.

I've went as far as to put a couple of blocks of wood between the pedals and the wall to protect the wiring.

Maybe it would be a good idea to relocate the point where the wiring enters the pedals to the right or left side? Just a thought :)

[Debby]

Very valid point. I will definitely bring this up with my QC manager.

Thanks!

[MichaelCHProd]

Even a cable that bent 90 degrees as soon as it came out would be nice.

But what I would really like to see would be a removable cable, like on my USB hard drive.

In fact I think I will bring that up in the next developement meeting :)

[gospel]

What an unusual company!

Their products pretty much look the same since day one, and have no flashy blue lights, or flip up launch buttons, or look like they belong in a space ship. :P


And they listen to their customers? :cheers:



You guys rock!!

[Debby]

Thank you Gospel! We listen! Michael and I are YOUR cheering section during those longgggg directors meetings! ;)

[Revvin]

Even a cable that bent 90 degrees as soon as it came out would be nice.

But what I would really like to see would be a removable cable, like on my USB hard drive.

In fact I think I will bring that up in the next developement meeting :) [/b]



Bluetooth? or would it cause laggy respose? too expensive?