Logitech Extreme 3D Pro Joystick

Great joystick at first, but...

Strengths: Durable, precise, heavy (so it doesn't slip)

Weakness: It is big and takes up some space. EDIT: Loses calibration after an year of use.

I use this joystick with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004, and it's response within the program is excellent. My previous joystick before this one was a $10 generic model with an old game/MIDI port. With the USB plug, it is much easier to unplug the joystick and store it when not in use. This function is useful, since the joystick is quite big and does take up a considerable amount of desk space....
Read Full Review

I use this joystick with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004, and it's response within the program is excellent. My previous joystick before this one was a $10 generic model with an old game/MIDI port. With the USB plug, it is much easier to unplug the joystick and store it when not in use. This function is useful, since the joystick is quite big and does take up a considerable amount of desk space. The handle does twist, which gives you a new degree of control, depending on which game you play. The configuration software is easy to load, just beware: Turn down your speakers when using it, as the program makes a lot of noise when you are configuring the stick.

EDIT (5/31/06): I have had this joystick for almost 2 years now, and while it still functions well, it has lost its calibration pretty badly. I still use this stick with flight sim, and sometimes I may let go of the stick and the plane might begin making a right turn without me even touching the stick. I confirmed through the calibration settings that it was the controller that was the problem. Unfortunately, my stick is out of warranty, so I cannot have it replaced. I do plan on purchasing a new joystick soon to replace this one, as the calibration issue is very annoying for me. I probably will not purchase a logitech.
Please note that with this long-term issue in mind, I am downgrading my rating from 5-stars to 3-stars.

By bezboruah - Jul 18, 2004

Never again

Strengths: Stable on my desk

Weakness: Will not hold calibration

I bought this stick specifically for FS2k4 in January. It works great for the first 20 or 30 minutes of flight; after that, things get hairy...Usually, it loses the ability to recognize full right; lean the stick over to the right, and the plane makes a very slow and deliberate right bank. Lean it left, and things work perfectly. (This is particularly frustrating when trying to line up a 777 on...
Read Full Review

I bought this stick specifically for FS2k4 in January. It works great for the first 20 or 30 minutes of flight; after that, things get hairy...Usually, it loses the ability to recognize full right; lean the stick over to the right, and the plane makes a very slow and deliberate right bank. Lean it left, and things work perfectly. (This is particularly frustrating when trying to line up a 777 on approach to JFK). Other times, it won't recognize Up elevator, and recently two of the buttons on the base have been unresponsive. I downloaded a patch from Logitech's website, but it says that there are no calibration problems with the stick. Un-istalling and re-installing don't help. I'm throwing this out and getting the CH Products HOTAS at the end of the month...

By justin3546 - Oct 19, 2005

If the problem I am having is the...

Strengths: It was a near perfect joystick, for 2 months.

Weakness: 2 months and 2 days after I bought the movement has become twitchy and thus no longer accurate.

If the problem I am having is the same problem that Logitech users have been complaining about on their forums for SIX MONTHS it wont be long before the stick no longer detects right movement and with that totally unusable.

By SporeCloud - Mar 13, 2004

Great for battlefield 2, very easy to install

Strengths: very good value for the money, smooth feel & handle

Weakness: the little black botton in the middle of those 4 grey ones on the top is hard to control, could use a throttle bookmark, stops working properly after about 8 months

I bought this joystick primarily to play battlefield 2 because flying a jet with a mouse + keyboard in that game is nearly impossible and I have to say this joystick is pretty amazeing it made my flying alot easier with the throttle I only wish it had something to mark the speed or like a bookmark on the throttle instead of a slider because I usually have to change my throttle speed alot when...
Read Full Review

I bought this joystick primarily to play battlefield 2 because flying a jet with a mouse + keyboard in that game is nearly impossible and I have to say this joystick is pretty amazeing it made my flying alot easier with the throttle I only wish it had something to mark the speed or like a bookmark on the throttle instead of a slider because I usually have to change my throttle speed alot when doing bomb runs (slower throttle) then switching to dogfighting with other jets (faster throttle) and bf2 is very precise on how fast your going with the smallest difference meaning your going like 100-300 speed higher or lower ... that little black botton they have by the middle of the 4 grey ones is also pretty useless because you can very easily push it up and the botton thinks you pushed it left or right causeing you to perform the wrong function so I just dont use that botton. The grey botton on the side I use to drop bombs and the front fire botton to shoot at targets with your guns then you can set the 4 grey top bottons to switch weapons from bombs to missles, flares, and afterburners (for tighter turns). The other ones on the bottom of the joystick are commonly used to switch cameras when your flying a jet or to switch seats.

The joystick was very easy to install just plug it in and go to your battlefield 2 controls then twist the joystick in the direction you want when assigning the keys :) no special software needed at all

I would highly recommend this joystick to other gamers :) it sure improved my flying

Edit: After about 8 months my joystick no longer worked as it did when i purchased it, the joystick would have problems when moveing it left or right and it constatly moved my plane to the left even when I wasnt touching the handle at all ... It was a great when it actually worked but im not going to be buying another one for $40 or so id rather buy a joystick that is more reliable from a different company

By Asuka Langley - Nov 28, 2005

When you first start to fly, it...

Strengths: it has none

Weakness: When it dies a few weeks after I got it, I couldn't even get a response from the company

When you first start to fly, it works good, then it's like you unplugged it. You have no control at all. and the only thing it will do is eventually crash. It's a piece of junk, and the company won't even respond when I ask where I should throw it away at. I wouldn't buy from Logitech again if they paid me.

By cmaier1950 - Jan 23, 2005