The Joystick/Controller discussion thread

[heartorhead]

Nice one, but I'm using Arduino Micro for the psp joystick. I can't do it your way as the two rotarys are very useful in ww2 sims for trim

http://www.instructables.com/id/Add-a-little-two-analog-axis-thumb-joystick-to-you/?ALLSTEPS

 

[Qwii]

Joystick use ingame

So I'm very new to this type of game and would like to learn to play it using a joystick of some sort. With so many (i.e. tons ) of forum posts to look thru thought I'd ask for some help in finding any that talk about the different types of joysticks that are available so that I can get more informed b4 making a purchase. I was wondering if an 'old hand' here could possible hook me up with a link or two to some posts concerning joysticks and possibly recommend one or two that I may want to use. Thanks in advance for any and all assistance in this.

 

[Kaprylo]

I just bought a hotas warthog 2 days ago I hade the money and wanted the best after alot of reserch. It has been working great. Best part of it is the thruster it helps alot in this kind of space games. But I am haveing a hell of a time with the joystick. I think it's just the learning to stear and dock with it. Takes me 3-4 extra to dock and leave the station. But in combat it's better then a mouse.

 

[666]

Xbox controller works really well if you have one.
Check out

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=10967&highlight=joystick

for more info on joysticks

 

[theEmohawk]

I think budget plays a big part in choice of stick, there's several popular sticks that are widely discussed on here.

Best reasonable priced stick is the Thrustmaster Hotas X (around £35-40 I think).
Then you have the Saitek X52, which should be available for around £100.
I use a Saitek X52 Pro, which set me back £140 last month.
There's an X55 too at closer to £200.
Top of the tree at nearly £300 is the Thrustmaster HotaWarthog og.

There's so many threads that searching for the model names is the best bet. When I was looking last month it was a case of finding so many pros and cons for each that I just decided how much I wanted to spend, for me it was either X52 or the Pro. The thing that swung it was that the Pro uses Hall Effect sensors, so as you move the stick it's not moving switches to detect the movement.

Happy hunting.

 

[Flappers]

Got my X52 a couple of months ago, and I really love it.

It does take a while to get used to though, so my suggestion would be, first thing to go into training missions and master each one until you feel confident enough.

Remember, these things come with practice and the first couple of weeks it will be a battle if you don't use a joystick regularly

 

[andyraptor]

If you are really stuck Qwii,,, just go for a cheapo generic joystick and give it a whirl


Basically ... as Flappers suggested above ... have a taste and see if you like it first


Then..... If you get on with it and want more move up a level.... donate the generic to a worthy cause

 

[Engadine]

Bought myself the Thrustmaster Hotas X after a few weeks of playing and it's great, especially when you consider the price.

If you don't get on with it or feel like going for something a little more expensive of with more features, just put up for sale on the bay. With the current demand for them there's a good chance you're not going to loose any money on it.

 

[SpydersByte]

If you are really stuck Qwii,,, just go for a cheapo generic joystick and give it a whirl


Basically ... as Flappers suggested above ... have a taste and see if you like it first


Then..... If you get on with it and want more move up a level.... donate the generic to a worthy cause

I agree, you should probably just buy a dirt-cheap 20$ joystick to see if it's a control method you like and/or are good at. Personally, like anyone else who has used joysticks for years, I think it's incredibly easy and intuitive. But I've seen from friends trying to play that not everyone can get a feel for it

If you have the money, a HOTAS is definitely the way to go. Any one of your options will likely have enough buttons for you, so it's probably down to personal taste. I think those thrustmaster warthogs are pretty ugly, I love the Saitek x52/x55 though, those are beautiful sticks and they function perfectly for Elite.

 

[Gutfright]

Logitech Extreme 3D Pro

My wife bought me this joystick. It's excellent. Throttle control, 13 other buttons you can assign to whatever commands suit you (boost, deploy landing gear etc) and it also has yaw control. An xmas present so I don't know what they cost

 

[Serkor]

I'm using now a Thrustmaster T16000 M (I also play flight sims since many years ) after using Logitech Extreme 3D Pro for a long time.
Same range of price (45 Eur by Amazon iirc), very precise, 16 buttons which I find enough for Elite, Hall effect so no potentiometer wearing out. Very happy with it.

 

[Midgardsormr]

I'll second the recommendation for the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro at the bottom end of the price scale. I had one for years and liked it a lot for Independence War. I currently use the Saitek X55. If you want a serious immersive experience and are willing to part with a bit more cash, that's what I recommend. The Warthog is definitely a superior build quality, but that's a heck of a lot of money to shell out for a toy.

I found my X-55 for US$170 during a sale at Pilotmall.com. They typically go for US$190. Plus import costs if you're somewhere other than the U.S.

I tried the low-end Thrustmaster HOTAS, but I didn't like the set-up. The throttle and stick were a single unit and too close together to be comfortable. I prefer to have my hands a little further apart than that.

 

[TheBahrbarian]

I am planning on getting X-55 HOTAS in the coming months. Elite has lots of controls, and the X-55 seems to have the right amount of programmable switch and buttons for the job. I also LOVE the look of them. Unfortunately I won't have them for a couple of months so I can't tell you how I like them

 

[SpydersByte]

and it also has yaw control

I don't think it'd be a joystick if it didn't have yaw

 

[noisegrrrl]

I tried the low-end Thrustmaster HOTAS, but I didn't like the set-up. The throttle and stick were a single unit and too close together to be comfortable. I prefer to have my hands a little further apart than that.

They aren't. There is an Allen key you can use to separate them. It's really easy to do.

 

[Midgardsormr]

I did not know that. I was playing at a friend's place, and I didn't closely examine the stick. In that case, I'd rate the TM a little higher. Not that I'd ever give up my X55!

 

[Garibaldi]

Just bought the game and an X52 Pro to go with it.
Aside from horrible firmware in the X52 Pro requiring me to disable USB3 for it to work at all, on an Intel Z87 based motherboard, I'm quite happy.

Went with the X52 Pro instead of the X55 since it registers as a single joystick, and then is usable in X-Wing, Tie Fighter, and X-Wing Alliance which only sees one joystick. Thought about getting a Warthog, but since it does not allow for rotations around the Z-axis, ie. twisting the stick, I skipped it.

I had a Saitek Cyborg F.L.Y. 5, and that was rubbish... Bad build quality and imprecise...

Good luck in choosing your own setup!

 

[Mad Pete Trollo]

I started with the Thrustmaster HOTAS which was fine but not enough buttons/switches for full HOTAS. I had some spare cash and went for an X52. However, this bricked within seconds (googling shows it is incompatible with some motherboards of which mine was one) and got really terrible customer service out of Saitek. I've now got the Warthog and, once it's et up and you get used to the switchology, you literally do not have to take your hands off the stick or throttle. It's expensive but I love it.

 

[mistohise]

I have the Thrustmaster t16000m which is your basic joystick (with yaw). Does the job. I use that for direction and pew pew and keyboard for throttle and other bits (though it has a throttle and buttons you could use instead if you prefer).

 

[Serkor]

I have the Thrustmaster t16000m which is your basic joystick (with yaw). Does the job. I use that for direction and pew pew and keyboard for throttle and other bits (though it has a throttle and buttons you could use instead if you prefer).

I set all mostly needed controls on my T16000M : on top Shoot 1 and 2, Target ship, Deploy hardpoints (the last three also being used to navigate top rows and select in panel mode) thumbstick used for assigning power pips / navigating inside panels.
Left base buttons : Assist on/off, Inverse power on/off, Boost, Next weapons group, FSD SC and FSD Jump
Right base buttons : Gear up/down, Cargo scoop, Lights

Still have 3 buttons available on the right, but they are more difficult to access and I didn't find anything important to assign there. I use keyboard only for thrusters up/down and right/left. ( and F10 to take screenshots ! )
Also to save time I have direct keys for Chaff (C) and Shield cells (X), faster than switching weapons group. (and you're usually in a hurry when you use them... )

The throttle is not ideal, but in Elite you don't use it that much. I'm used to my Saitek Quadrant for my flight sims which is a lot more precise, but impossible to have it work in Elite, I have to unplug it as the three axes are in conflict with joystick.