Fixing Saitek joystick's "roll reversed" problems

[Phrag]

Backstory
So I was recently looking to buy a joystick to go with BF2 so that I could try to fly the jets and do those crazy flips in the helicopter. I researched it a bit and found that logitech and Saitek are some of the most popular joysticks out there. I went down to the mall and picked up a Saitek ST290 Pro for $20. Its a respectable joystick for the price and not overly complicated. I installed it without issue and liked it alot, until I got into a jet.

Problem
It seems that the Saitek joysticks have this quirk of reversing the roll in jets and helicopters in BF2. I don't know why and I don't really care. I just wanted it fixed. I do more research on the net and get alot of 'try configuring it backwards' or 'change the file so that the 1 is a 0' answers that either did not work or were too complicated to try. When I did figure out the solution, I nearly smacked myself for being so stupid.

Solution
So here is the fix that worked for me that I did not see posted anywhere else. The big, amazing answer is 'don't configure the joystick'. I know what you are thinking but stick with me. In the software that came with the joystick you can configure how much your joystick controls the movement of your mouse cursor. I turned it all the way up so that if I move the joystick, the mouse cursor flies to what ever side of the screen I pushed it to.

Now go into BF2 and configure the aircraft/helicopter controls to use the joystick buttons, yaw and throttle but leave the pitch and roll alone (should be mouse axis by default). You will have to also click the invert mouse option to get it to feel right. This fixed my roll problem and gave me the added benefit of being able to control the joystick sensetivity via the mouse sensetivity setting in the game controls. I hope this helps.

[unununium]

Re: Fixing Saitek joystick's "roll reversed" problems

So does this mean that if you crank up the plane mouse sensitivity in game you can make really hard maneuvers?

[WarGimp]

Re: Fixing Saitek joystick's "roll reversed" problems

You can't make a plane turn harder than it's in-game limits no matter what input device you use. Ramping up sensitivity would just push you into those limits faster. You'd lose your fine control in favor of not having to push the stick as far. Bad trade.

Thanks for the head's up Phrag. That stick is on my shopping list. Trying to avoid Logitech because I've been horribly dissapointed with their construction standards lately (I've had too many Logitech products break on me for no good reason).

[unununium]

Re: Fixing Saitek joystick's "roll reversed" problems

Bad trade.

Definitely. Thanks for the clarification. I guess it's back to learning the old fashioned way.

[Blackburn]

Re: Fixing Saitek joystick's "roll reversed" problems

good stuff with the info.

i have a saitek and it works awsome. the only thing thats messed up is only in BF2 the throtle can sometimes (more often than not) be backwords (push throtle forward go back)

[BigFinger]

Re: Fixing Saitek joystick's "roll reversed" problems

ive got a saitec evo and ive never encountered this 'reversal' problem at all...



.

[ThoughtForm]

Re: Fixing Saitek joystick's "roll reversed" problems

I have the Saitek Rumble Force and haven't experienced that problem either

The problem I do have is just as annoying though, my joystick constantly turns left and yaws right, making jet piloting more 'interesting' lol

If I try to take off along the runway without making any corrections, I crash into whatever is on the left hand side

[frazzman]

Re: Fixing Saitek joystick's "roll reversed" problems

Thanks for the head's up Phrag. That stick is on my shopping list. Trying to avoid Logitech because I've been horribly dissapointed with their construction standards lately (I've had too many Logitech products break on me for no good reason).

Umm think you may be a little disappointed then. Why? .., well, break open ANY pointer/controller peripheral, have a look in the guts.., you will ALWAYS find logitech hardware somewhere inside. If it doesnt say logitech on the chip/board/w/e then it will be by a subsiduary company that logitech own or heavily subsidise.

[BigFinger]

Re: Fixing Saitek joystick's "roll reversed" problems

I have the Saitek Rumble Force and haven't experienced that problem either

The problem I do have is just as annoying though, my joystick constantly turns left and yaws right, making jet piloting more 'interesting' lol

If I try to take off along the runway without making any corrections, I crash into whatever is on the left hand side

i have a little of that unless i move the stick to the limits of all its axis once i turn the pc on then it seems to rember the settings and is ok.


.

[imported_TheDragon]

Re: Fixing Saitek joystick's "roll reversed" problems

there is a MUCH BETTER and EASIER solution
and it is NOT just for Saitek - but ALL joystcicks
the BUG is IN BF2 - duh -what else is new?
here is the solution
configure your joystick NORMAL either in Windows and/or its internal software
now here is the 'tricky part'
when you go into game options/controls/aircraft
clear out the settings for joystick roll/pitch/yaw/accel
(ie - place pointer into box and hit escape key to clear the entry)
now the ORDER of your entry is CRITICAL
(if done wrong - you get axis reversal problem in game)
1.do roll RIGHT box first, and the left roll will auto-complete
2. do pitch UP, then down will auto-complete
3. yaw right
3. accel

I have helped neraly 50 visitors to our server with this issue, several clan members
and have posted this many times here with positive results

to the original poster
thanks for the great effort and sharing with us what was obviously considerable effort on your part
but the solution is much simpler
(not being sarcastic)

semper fi

[imported_TheDragon]

Re: Fixing Saitek joystick's "roll reversed" problems

If I try to take off along the runway without making any corrections, I crash into whatever is on the left hand side

have you gone into Windows Control Panel and or its internal software control panel
and just run the setup
it will recalibrate its 'center' position
and make life MUCH more fun

[Talus]

Re: Fixing Saitek joystick's "roll reversed" problems

Moved to support.

[Phrag]

Re: Fixing Saitek joystick's "roll reversed" problems

there is a MUCH BETTER and EASIER solution
and it is NOT just for Saitek - but ALL joystcicks
the BUG is IN BF2 - duh -what else is new?
here is the solution
configure your joystick NORMAL either in Windows and/or its internal software
now here is the 'tricky part'
when you go into game options/controls/aircraft
clear out the settings for joystick roll/pitch/yaw/accel
(ie - place pointer into box and hit escape key to clear the entry)
now the ORDER of your entry is CRITICAL
(if done wrong - you get axis reversal problem in game)
1.do roll RIGHT box first, and the left roll will auto-complete
2. do pitch UP, then down will auto-complete
3. yaw right
3. accel

I have helped neraly 50 visitors to our server with this issue, several clan members
and have posted this many times here with positive results

to the original poster
thanks for the great effort and sharing with us what was obviously considerable effort on your part
but the solution is much simpler
(not being sarcastic)

semper fi

I know your fix is easier and should be tried first. Mine was for the people (like me) who, no matter how they configured the joystick in game, it still rolls wrong.

[Eden]

Re: Fixing Saitek joystick's "roll reversed" problems

I hate to say it but thats old news and you will have been told not to use the Saitek profiler if you had asked about it. BF2 has a lot of problems when it comes to compatability with other software. You configure your joystick with the ingame contol options and it works fine.

[ThoughtForm]

Re: Fixing Saitek joystick's "roll reversed" problems

Yes I have run the setup and it always shows a little turning to the left

Re-occurs on every restart of windows. I essentially have to 'recalibrate' the joystick in game on my first flight, if I don't and leave the controls to their own devices, it can evade AA missiles all on its own