Newcomer / Intro Best controller components and configuration suggestions please

[Darkkhelmet]

This old fart really loves his gaming and Elite: Dangerous looks like it might be worth a try. I'm sure many of you have played flight simulators and combat games but for me the last game I played I used the Logitech Wingman Extreme and the MS force feedback controllers (which I still have). Try and find a serial port on a PC now though. Besides, I'm sure both of these are outdated.

I have seen other threads with suggestions but still can not make up my mind. Many people recommend the Thrustmaster T-16000 but it's so inexpensive compared to most of the others I can't help but wonder what it is missing. Along with that I see some suggest rudder pedals.

Some questions:

As I recall the old controllers I used have a yaw ability. That is, I can twist the stick for rudder control. I do not see that ability mentioned for the controllers I have been considering but if it is is there still a need for separate rudder controls?

Does a throttle controller come into play with this game?

I am looking most at the line of Saitek and Thrustmaster controllers but am open to all suggestions.

 

[Jericho]

Hey Old Fart!
(I'm a middle-aged fart myself)
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I have a couple suggestions for you:
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1. Yes, this game is worth checking out. It is beautiful, and the sense of flying in space is second to none.
Yes, it is a work in progress as many of the game mechanics are being refined as we speak, but it is certainly ready to be explored and enjoyed; the combat is fun, the scenery is amazing, and the sound design is genius.
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2. I started playing E D with a Logi 3D and a CH Products Throttle. I quickly realized (for me) that this game screams for dual Joysticks, considering the use of the thrusters.
I then purchased a Thurstmaster T16000 and it was a great purchase.
I no longer use the CH Products Throttle, instead I use the Logi 3D in the Left hand and the T16000 in the Right hand.
Left hand does the thrusters, throttle, and secondary fire and the Right hand does the pitch, yaw, roll and primary firing.
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The T16000 has the twist-yaw feature, and IMO is a great value. It is a VERY accurate joystick and is reported to have great reliability.
My only gripe is that the ergonomics and styling are a little lacking (and it has an annoyingly bright green LED on its base), but as far as function is concerned it is an excellent product.
I haven't yet found an 'expensive' flightstick that has twist yaw, so I went with the T16000.
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Throttle is very important. Like I said I have the throttle on the left hand stick (the Logi), and I also use VoiceAttack for certain throttle set points; as in, 'Combat Speed' is 50%, 'Full Throttle' is 100%, 'All Stop' is 0%.
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Good Luck and Have Fun!
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Cheers,
-Jericho-
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PS: If you'd like I am happy to send you my controller layout, just send me a PM if you're interested. (I don't have it on my PC here at work, but as soon as I get home I can send it along)

 

[Kuroshio]

The Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS, as well as the Saitek/Madcatz X52, X52 Pro and X55 all have twistable sticks for rudder/yaw control. I'm on a T.Flight right know - it does its job reasonably well, and I wanted to try a HOTAS without paying much. After a while, I began to crave for more controls (heads, especially), so I'm waiting for my X55 to arrive.

While I was more than comfortable playing with keyboard/flightstick (and others are with gamepads or mouse), I'd personally recommend a HOTAS, and one with a lot of buttons and heads, too. It makes the game experience much more immersive, and flying feels more naturally if your movements correspond to your ship's movement as closely as possible. Plus, you don't have to look down (or risk hitting the wrong key) as often.

 

[Ancipital]

As I recall the old controllers I used have a yaw ability. That is, I can twist the stick for rudder control. I do not see that ability mentioned for the controllers I have been considering but if it is is there still a need for separate rudder controls?

Does a throttle controller come into play with this game?

I am looking most at the line of Saitek and Thrustmaster controllers but am open to all suggestions.

Yes, lots of sticks have a yaw twist. The Thrustmaster T1600M, for example, is a reasonable standalone stick that does.

A throttle controller is great for ED, extra controls for things like directional thrusters and the like are worth their weight in gold.

The Saitek X52 and X52 work. The X55 does too (what I'm using). They all have yaw twist. However, I added rudder pedals to mine, as it's just nicer. Avoid the T-Flight HOTAS-X as it's horrible, inaccurate and flimsy.

If you genuinely want the "best controller components" as per the title, the most functional setup is to get a CH stick (e.g. CH Fighterstick- which doesn't have yaw twist), CH Pro Throttle and the CH Pro Pedals. They look really boring, and don't have all the toybox bling of the competitors (the manufacturer has a heritage in industrial automation controls), but they will provide years of steady service. They're also far too expensive, which is another issue.

My only gripe is that the ergonomics and styling are a little lacking (and it has an annoyingly bright green LED on its base), but as far as function is concerned it is an excellent product.

Silly question, have you tried "blob of blu-tack" technology on the annoying LED? Works wonders in such situations

 

[Jericho]

Silly question, have you tried "blob of blu-tack" technology on the annoying LED? Works wonders in such situations

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Indeed black tape does work.
I wear an Oculus so it bothers me not at all................. I just wanted to maintain full disclosure.
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My buddy has the same joystick and has taped his over.... poor guy doesn't have an Oculus.
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[purf]

Can't contribute much on the actual topic (using an old Flightstick I happened to have + keyboard) but
have a look at Voiceattack, too. Free to try. It's incredibly useful for replacing all the buttons
with very situational use (cargo Scoop, Landing Gear, Silent Running, ...) plus saying "Computer, engage" just never gets old.
(well, it does, but it takes a while)

 

[Trader38]

I use one of these http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/thrustmaster-tflight-hotas-x-for-pcps3-n19nl with a Logitek G15 keyboard and a RAT mouse.
Could do with more buttons on the joystick but i keep the keyboard nearby and just put essential combat stuff on the joy buttons.

 

[Derpster Frey]

I use one of these http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/thrustmaster-tflight-hotas-x-for-pcps3-n19nl with a Logitek G15 keyboard and a RAT mouse.
Could do with more buttons on the joystick but i keep the keyboard nearby and just put essential combat stuff on the joy buttons.

I have a T.Flight as well, and don't need keyboard at all (I use it for navigation Galaxy map anyway though, easier).
Don't forget ED supports modifiers, so you can use the same key for different things.

Also conditional keys, like if your landing gear is out the hatswitch can be used to make micro adjustments for example.

For reference, this is my basically my setup:

Spoiler

 

[Faded Glory]

I really like the T.Flight too. I did try the Saitek X52, but actually didn't like it as much so returned it. It didn't seem to fit my hand that well. Personally, I don't mind using a combination of HOTAS and keyboard, so I find the number of buttons / controls on the Thrustmaster to be quite adequate.

 

[the100thmonkey]

I really like the T.Flight too. I did try the Saitek X52, but actually didn't like it as much so returned it. It didn't seem to fit my hand that well. Personally, I don't mind using a combination of HOTAS and keyboard, so I find the number of buttons / controls on the Thrustmaster to be quite adequate.

You can actually adjust the X52 to fit the size of your hand - there's a fancy looking dome-thing on the front of the guard which is basically a bolt you can unscrew and then move the pinkie switch up and down.

 

[Trader38]

I have a T.Flight as well, and don't need keyboard at all (I use it for navigation Galaxy map anyway though, easier).
Don't forget ED supports modifiers, so you can use the same key for different things.

Also conditional keys, like if your landing gear is out the hatswitch can be used to make micro adjustments for example.<snip>

Thanks, i have thought of modifiers and might have a fiddle one day. For now i have a setup that works for me (i get confused by too many combo's !).
Will note it down for Soon^tm

 

[who?]

I think rudder pedals would be a big advantage. It's a couple of limbs that are currently going unused! They'd offer more precision than a hatswitch / button combo, great for non-gimballed weapons. Plus if they have toe-brakes that's another two possible controls. I have rudder controls mapped to to a hatswitch, but find it awkward at times that I'm starting to run out of fingers!

I don't know if a throttle controller is much better than a keyboard controller, particularly if you're fairly good. But throttle control is very important in dogfighting. And having a solid, chunky throttle level to move a big ship around is a lot more satisfying than a keyboard button!

I have a TM Warthog, with TrackIR (frees up a couple of fingers and lets you identify/mark targets off-axis), plus have a set of rudder pedals on order. (Wanted a set of the Slav Bf-109s, but he isn't answering emails so ordered MFG Crosswinds instead.) Expensive, but Elite has become my new addiction!

 

[Ancipital]

I think rudder pedals would be a big advantage. It's a couple of limbs that are currently going unused! They'd offer more precision than a hatswitch / button combo, great for non-gimballed weapons. Plus if they have toe-brakes that's another two possible controls. I have rudder controls mapped to to a hatswitch, but find it awkward at times that I'm starting to run out of fingers!

I love my pedals, though it took a bit of relearning, as my stick has yaw twist, so I was used to that. It's probably a lot easier for you, with a Warthog, as you don't have to "unlearn" it. I didn't need pedals at all really- but really do prefer using them now.

I don't know if a throttle controller is much better than a keyboard controller, particularly if you're fairly good. But throttle control is very important in dogfighting. And having a solid, chunky throttle level to move a big ship around is a lot more satisfying than a keyboard button!

I think half the point of the throttle controller is that it's a good place to keep loads of extra controls- though I agree that a chunky throttle is quite satisfying in and of itself

 

[Jericho]

I think rudder pedals would be a big advantage. It's a couple of limbs that are currently going unused! They'd offer more precision than a hatswitch / button combo, great for non-gimballed weapons. Plus if they have toe-brakes that's another two possible controls. I have rudder controls mapped to to a hatswitch, but find it awkward at times that I'm starting to run out of fingers!

I don't know if a throttle controller is much better than a keyboard controller, particularly if you're fairly good. But throttle control is very important in dogfighting. And having a solid, chunky throttle level to move a big ship around is a lot more satisfying than a keyboard button!

I have a TM Warthog, with TrackIR (frees up a couple of fingers and lets you identify/mark targets off-axis), plus have a set of rudder pedals on order. (Wanted a set of the Slav Bf-109s, but he isn't answering emails so ordered MFG Crosswinds instead.) Expensive, but Elite has become my new addiction!

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Addiction?!?!?!?
But you haven't ordered an Oculus yet... how can you claim addiction?
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I couldn't make my brain use my Saitek pedals, so I just use the twist yaw.
Everyone is different, right?
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[Mad Jock]

I've just bought the Thrustmaster T-Flight HOTAS. Hope it's significantly better the my MS Force Feedback 2! Getting used to the joystick / keyboard / mouse combo

 

[quickr]

I started with keyboard and mouse, it's easy to learn and fly but you can't be competitive in combat with it. Than I switched to joystick (FLY5) and keyboard combo and it works much better than k/m. Next logical step would be HOTAS.

 

[Ancipital]

I've just bought the Thrustmaster T-Flight HOTAS. Hope it's significantly better the my MS Force Feedback 2! Getting used to the joystick / keyboard / mouse combo

Virtually nothing is as smooth and nice as the old Force Feedback 2, sorry. If you can get hold of the software to set sensitivity etc. up for it, it's more or less unbeatable. It's a weird stick that was way ahead of its time, and whose BOM may have made it somewhat unprofitable to sell. It's all down from here

The T-Flight HOTAS is unusually horrible, inaccurate and prone to deadzones, and quite badly made- it doesn't age well. You will, however, get more buttons.

(I would have just added a CH Pro throttle to the FF2, personally- that'd be an awesome combo. I'm a bit bitter, as I got rid of my FF2 before ED came out, and regret it now!)

 

[Darkkhelmet]

So many great comments and suggestions. Thanks for sharing your experiences. The X55 looks like the best of the group to me so far and is reasonably priced. Not sure I can remember the functionality for all those buttons though .Still more agonizing to do however.

 

[Ancipital]

Enjoy. I'd start with the game's pre-rolled X-55 layout, and gradually add things as you miss them.. it's a painless way to do it. If your X-55 stick is a bit creaky and scrunchy out of the box, drop me a PM or something, and I will explain how I made mine behave. CBA to retype it all on spec