Never had this older version. I got my Sidewinder force feedback 2 in 2001 and haven't stopped using it all these years. Every single game I have played since then supports ff (including FSX, all versions of IL-2 and DCS world--although some of the modules mess-up the trimming in force feedback). It's kind of strange that every single flight simulator developer still supports ff although there hasn't been any new decent hardware on the market for the last nearly 20 years! I've heard that the reason they don't make them anymore is some legal dispute related to the ownership of this technology. I've also heard that the relevant patent expires in 2021 and if this is true we're going to see lots of ff joysticks coming out on that year. I only hope my ff2 doesn't give up on me until then. Thanks for the vid! I always wanted to check out what's inside that joystick.
Thanks for the info, it's good to see the support is still there. I loved using it, but I stopped gaming completely and my curiosity got the best of me!
i still have this joystick and playing with force feed back used to shake the house, it would transmit the shake through desk and up the wall. remember the wife banging on the floor telling me to turn off that joystick. Another problem was the wrist ache from to much combat flight sim. it was the E.u. that effectively stopped Microsoft from making peripherals if i remember right because of potential monopoly.
I have a USB version...still works, although most newer games, including Flight Simulator on Steam, don't really support it. Sorry you had to tear it apart...but now you know! Cheers!
Didn't realize they had a USB version, haven't done any sims in quite a while. I did feel a little bad after it was apart, but realized I hadn't used it for over 10 years and that it probably wasn't worth that much at this point in time. Thanks for commenting!
There is an inexpensive device that allows this joystick to work through USB with force feedback working on supported programs that can be bought or built for about $25. In good working shape these joysticks are worth a lot of money. Don't destroy them.
@@heliflyer7 There is a RUclips video that shows how to make the adapter, just search for Sidewinder Force Feedback Pro. There is also a web page with the schematics and such under FFB-Vert Project.
Really is too bad force feedback is not a thing anymore, apparently it is because xinput (that PCs, consoles use nowadays) does not support force feedback, only rumble which is a different thing. That being said I am currently enjoying the original force feedback pro on a win98se machine!
I agree, it was a great game enhancement. Sort of like a physical VR effect. Yep, I've got a vintage 1999 Dell Pentium 500 with Win98 that still works fine as a backup, if needed!
This is obviously wrong, my Saitek Cyborg Evo Force and also my Logitech G940 are working just fine under Win10 with modern games (IL-2 Great Battle Series, War Thunder, DCS). As far as I know the problem is that the patent holder (for FFB in Sticks!!) asks way too much from possible manufacturers, so they all simply dropped the FFB and didn't develop new Sticks. What you mean is that the new PCs do not have a gameport anymore so you can't use your old hardware, but they produced FFB sticks with USB connector (MS Sidewinder Force Feedback Pro 2, Saitek Evo Force, Logitech G940). All of them are out of production but you can still get some of them (2nd hand/used!).
Why the heck don't the X52Pro and X55 have Force Feedback ? I had one of those MS stick a long time ago and LOVED the effect. Now I play ED with an X52Pro and, while it's a great joystick, I really miss that sensation. Removing FF seems like a step backwards...
i love mine, but it was in storage for more than 10 years, i decided to use again to play some games, but is not turning on, is not powering. i am looking around to see if i can fix it.
Hi. What is the name of the output of the joystick connector? I need to know to buy the corresponding USB adapter. Thank you and I await your prompt reply.
It's called a Game Port connector. Typically, the corresponding receptacle was found on the Sound Card of older computers. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_port
What type of connector is that brown connector where the game port connects into the FFB Pro's motherboard, shown at the 1:43 mark? I'm trying to build a USB adapter that doesn't require any soldering to the device by completely replacing the cable from that point.
@@heliflyer7 Thanks! I got my Sidewinder FFB pro yesterday and found that the connector is an 11-pin 2.0mm pitch pin header socket, with 10 wires connected. Unfortunately, it's soldered on so it won't be as easy as unplugging it, but that's not a problem. I'm putting this information here for those who might stumble on this video while looking for the same info.
@@halsmypal There is no need to try to fit in the converter (as the housing is a tight fit). You just need a female DB15 attached to an external converter board (and improvise some casing or get one 3D printed). IMO that YT video that shows how to try to fit it in the housing is just overdoing it.
hi, do you know what collour motor pwm. i want build force feed back at my yoke column. so i add some big power full motor for handle the yoke. i planning want to use pcb board side winder to ganerate my standing column yoke. . i want to find pwm output wire to connect the h-bridge and arduino board
These motors are strictly DC. The pulsing originated on the control board itself. I've since disposed of the controller, so have no way to check for wire colors. Hope this helps.
@@maskystudio9193 It's using an imaging sansor. Two LEDs on the bottom of the stick, and one on the throttle. From these three point the controller figures out the position of the 4 axes.
Bear with me as I'm trying to remember, but first, make sure all of the screws are out. I believe there may have been one underneath a sticker on the bottom?? The biggie is, if I recall, I had to pretty much destroy the case in taking it apart due to the way it snapped together at the seam, that pretty much ruined it. Bottom line, I wouldn't do it unless you're prepared not to get it back together.
Oh, I have one and I'd LOVE to convert it to be used on a Current PC (WIN10) for use in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020. Is this possible? what do I need?
@@heliflyer7 That won't work for the Force Feedback variants as it takes commands for the force feedback and has too many buttons. That adapter only works for old passive analog sticks. There are Teensy and Arduino-based converter kits (DIY or plug-n-play) if you google for them with Bill Of Materials, schematics (breadboard or PCB) and firmware .hex files in Google Code available if you want to start from scratch (well, apart from writing the firmware :-) ). scott R already posted a link in the comments to someone who composes, pre-programmes the Teensy dev-board and ships internationally the Teensy-based kits, either ready-made (plug-n-play) or for DIY assembly. I hope you reassembled your SideWinder because now there are supporting games/simulators again. Link: www.iowajohnsons.com/FFBVert/FFBVert.html
Yes it is possible, However most of converter won't work with FFB because MS wired the 15 pin gameport a non standart way. I just bought a custom made adapter on this site www.rg-software.de/ and with XP force it works straight out of the box for MSFS20. I'm glad I kept this stick for so long.
I know this is a long shot and this video is old but I got one of these recently and bought a rockfire but when i plugged it in the axis isn't aligned and it won't straighten up. I've had it open following this video but i have no idea how to fix it...
@@heliflyer7 I tried to use the windows calibration but it just whizzed through it without me touching anything so I feel I have a faulty component or the adaptor doesn't actually work with the stick...
Hopefully someone will see this post that can offer up more assistance. Also, I would imagine there are forums and Facebook pages devoted to this, you may want to check those.
nice
Thanks!
Playing Mechwarrior 3 and flight simulator on this back in the day man...flipin' legendary
Yep, great stick!
Mechwarrior was the best with the stick moving back and forth as the mech is walking. I miss force feedback, nowaday its just dumb rumble...
s a m e h e r e!!! also combat flight simulator
Never had this older version. I got my Sidewinder force feedback 2 in 2001 and haven't stopped using it all these years. Every single game I have played since then supports ff (including FSX, all versions of IL-2 and DCS world--although some of the modules mess-up the trimming in force feedback). It's kind of strange that every single flight simulator developer still supports ff although there hasn't been any new decent hardware on the market for the last nearly 20 years! I've heard that the reason they don't make them anymore is some legal dispute related to the ownership of this technology. I've also heard that the relevant patent expires in 2021 and if this is true we're going to see lots of ff joysticks coming out on that year. I only hope my ff2 doesn't give up on me until then. Thanks for the vid! I always wanted to check out what's inside that joystick.
Thanks for the info, it's good to see the support is still there. I loved using it, but I stopped gaming completely and my curiosity got the best of me!
So, if the patent expires in 2021... then that means that there may be hope for it!
Lets hope that, at least, it gets some popularity back.
Still my favorite of all the sticks I've used.
I agree, it's a good solid, responsive unit!
Thanks a lot for answering this question I have been asking myself since I was a child and used it.
Happy to help! It was interesting to see for myself as well!
Will never forget the in-store demo units at Costco back in the day
First time I heard about one, I knew I had to have it too!
Brunner is the leader now of ffb flight controllers
i still have this joystick and playing with force feed back used to shake the house, it would transmit the shake through desk and up the wall. remember the wife banging on the floor telling me to turn off that joystick. Another problem was the wrist ache from to much combat flight sim. it was the E.u. that effectively stopped Microsoft from making peripherals if i remember right because of potential monopoly.
That’s great that you’re still using yours, thanks for the info.
do know how I can get the Pots for this flight stick?
I have a USB version...still works, although most newer games, including Flight Simulator on Steam, don't really support it. Sorry you had to tear it apart...but now you know! Cheers!
Didn't realize they had a USB version, haven't done any sims in quite a while. I did feel a little bad after it was apart, but realized I hadn't used it for over 10 years and that it probably wasn't worth that much at this point in time. Thanks for commenting!
@@heliflyer7 but the USB Version is not this one. The USB version is the MS Force Feeback 2 !
@@heliflyer7 I'd have bought it,
@@spyder001 I have one for you if you are interested in making an offer.
There is an inexpensive device that allows this joystick to work through USB with force feedback working on supported programs that can be bought or built for about $25. In good working shape these joysticks are worth a lot of money. Don't destroy them.
Thanks for the info, wish I would’ve known that!
@@heliflyer7 There is a RUclips video that shows how to make the adapter, just search for Sidewinder Force Feedback Pro. There is also a web page with the schematics and such under FFB-Vert Project.
Too bad I threw mine away a year ago. Only kept power supply
Really is too bad force feedback is not a thing anymore, apparently it is because xinput (that PCs, consoles use nowadays) does not support force feedback, only rumble which is a different thing. That being said I am currently enjoying the original force feedback pro on a win98se machine!
I agree, it was a great game enhancement. Sort of like a physical VR effect. Yep, I've got a vintage 1999 Dell Pentium 500 with Win98 that still works fine as a backup, if needed!
www.iowajohnsons.com/FFBVert/FFBVert.html
This is obviously wrong, my Saitek Cyborg Evo Force and also my Logitech G940 are working just fine under Win10 with modern games (IL-2 Great Battle Series, War Thunder, DCS).
As far as I know the problem is that the patent holder (for FFB in Sticks!!) asks way too much from possible manufacturers, so they all simply dropped the FFB and didn't develop new Sticks.
What you mean is that the new PCs do not have a gameport anymore so you can't use your old hardware, but they produced FFB sticks with USB connector (MS Sidewinder Force Feedback Pro 2, Saitek Evo Force, Logitech G940). All of them are out of production but you can still get some of them (2nd hand/used!).
@@TheBod76 those apps support directx input still, but that is no longer developed like xinput and eventually windows will no longer support it
Why the heck don't the X52Pro and X55 have Force Feedback ? I had one of those MS stick a long time ago and LOVED the effect. Now I play ED with an X52Pro and, while it's a great joystick, I really miss that sensation. Removing FF seems like a step backwards...
It sure does seem like a step back. You'd think FF would be a logical inclusion!
Still got mine and use it now with xplane11.....next week it will be used with msfs2020.....still works like new
Awesome! I had quit gaming and really didn't have a use for mine. Curiosity got the best of me before I considered selling it.
I am missing my adapter.....do you think I can use a simliar adapter and solder it directly to the board?
It's possible..., but, be sure you know exactly what you're doing or else you risk damage to your board.
i love mine, but it was in storage for more than 10 years, i decided to use again to play some games, but is not turning on, is not powering. i am looking around to see if i can fix it.
Might want to check your power supply.
Hi. What is the name of the output of the joystick connector? I need to know to buy the corresponding USB adapter. Thank you and I await your prompt reply.
It's called a Game Port connector. Typically, the corresponding receptacle was found on the Sound Card of older computers.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_port
What type of connector is that brown connector where the game port connects into the FFB Pro's motherboard, shown at the 1:43 mark? I'm trying to build a USB adapter that doesn't require any soldering to the device by completely replacing the cable from that point.
I wish I could help, but I can't recall the name of it. Perhaps another viewer can assist.
@@heliflyer7 Thanks! I got my Sidewinder FFB pro yesterday and found that the connector is an 11-pin 2.0mm pitch pin header socket, with 10 wires connected. Unfortunately, it's soldered on so it won't be as easy as unplugging it, but that's not a problem. I'm putting this information here for those who might stumble on this video while looking for the same info.
@@halsmypal There is no need to try to fit in the converter (as the housing is a tight fit). You just need a female DB15 attached to an external converter board (and improvise some casing or get one 3D printed). IMO that YT video that shows how to try to fit it in the housing is just overdoing it.
hi, do you know what collour motor pwm.
i want build force feed back at my yoke column. so i add some big power full motor for handle the yoke. i planning want to use pcb board side winder to ganerate my standing column yoke. .
i want to find pwm output wire to connect the h-bridge and arduino board
These motors are strictly DC. The pulsing originated on the control board itself. I've since disposed of the controller, so have no way to check for wire colors. Hope this helps.
in side joystik have a potenmeter axis or using sensor
To be honest, it's been so long since I disassembled it, I can't recall which it was. Perhaps another viewer can help. Sorry.
@@maskystudio9193 It's using an imaging sansor. Two LEDs on the bottom of the stick, and one on the throttle. From these three point the controller figures out the position of the 4 axes.
My favorite Force Feedback Joystick, too bad I lost it in a move.
That is a shame!
How did you open it up? The gameport cord on mine(where it enters the joystick) refuses to let go!
Bear with me as I'm trying to remember, but first, make sure all of the screws are out. I believe there may have been one underneath a sticker on the bottom?? The biggie is, if I recall, I had to pretty much destroy the case in taking it apart due to the way it snapped together at the seam, that pretty much ruined it. Bottom line, I wouldn't do it unless you're prepared not to get it back together.
Thanks! I'm just getting the motor drivers out for the same force yoke Rolandvanroy built.
You're welcome. Yep, the motors are pretty healthy units!
What year of manufacture is this joystick?
I have one
I believe 1999.
You could use arduino with hid support to make it usb compatible, thinking of doing that to my own joystick
I would like to know more about this one!
Or you could just buy a gameport to USB adapter instead. LOL
@@floatingchimney They don't work for FFB
Oh, I have one and I'd LOVE to convert it to be used on a Current PC (WIN10) for use in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020. Is this possible? what do I need?
I believe it can be done with a USB to Game Port Convertor. www.amazon.com/USB-Joystick-Gameport-Converter-Adapter/dp/B078W1VT1R
@@heliflyer7 That won't work for the Force Feedback variants as it takes commands for the force feedback and has too many buttons. That adapter only works for old passive analog sticks.
There are Teensy and Arduino-based converter kits (DIY or plug-n-play) if you google for them with Bill Of Materials, schematics (breadboard or PCB) and firmware .hex files in Google Code available if you want to start from scratch (well, apart from writing the firmware :-) ). scott R already posted a link in the comments to someone who composes, pre-programmes the Teensy dev-board and ships internationally the Teensy-based kits, either ready-made (plug-n-play) or for DIY assembly. I hope you reassembled your SideWinder because now there are supporting games/simulators again.
Link: www.iowajohnsons.com/FFBVert/FFBVert.html
Yes it is possible, However most of converter won't work with FFB because MS wired the 15 pin gameport a non standart way. I just bought a custom made adapter on this site www.rg-software.de/ and with XP force it works straight out of the box for MSFS20. I'm glad I kept this stick for so long.
I know this is a long shot and this video is old but I got one of these recently and bought a rockfire but when i plugged it in the axis isn't aligned and it won't straighten up. I've had it open following this video but i have no idea how to fix it...
I'm sorry, I'm not sure what a Rockfire is?
@@heliflyer7 it's a Gameport to USB adapter device. As I didn't have the expertise to make my own one
Ok, gotcha. Does the Rockfire or the program you're trying to use it with have any sort of joystick calibration options?
@@heliflyer7 I tried to use the windows calibration but it just whizzed through it without me touching anything so I feel I have a faulty component or the adaptor doesn't actually work with the stick...
Hopefully someone will see this post that can offer up more assistance. Also, I would imagine there are forums and Facebook pages devoted to this, you may want to check those.
I have one
My 12v charger is delivering 15.7v. Is that normal?
Under no-load conditions, that’s OK.
@@heliflyer7 yep, it's under no load
Sounds good!
Mine came with the game urban assault and I still to this day have never beaten it 😂
Keep at it!