Holy Crap.....HOTAS=work

Normally, I was using a Logitech 3d pro, with almost all
the buttons and throttle mapped out.
So, I thought, I am going to get a CH Pro Throttle.
WoW!!:eek:
It is ALOT of work using both hand, and trying to remember what
does what!
In the beginning, was taking it slow at RES sight, hunting....
Got into a skirmish with a baddie, and next thing I know
I engaged Silent Running(not good!).
But as time goes on I am getting used to using both hands,
and I would recommend the CH throttle to anyone.
The mini joystick is AWESOME!
I thought the Vulture was agile before.....
 
I was using the exact same joystick and it was starting to wander on me, so I picked up a Thrustmaster Hotas X for cheap. I love this thing. It's super comfortable, has the same number of programmable keys at the 3d pro and has a full handled throttle. It takes some getting used to, but it just feels that much more real. I especially like the fact that it has a detent in the center, so I can set Elite to use the throttle for both forward and reverse. For under $60 bucks it's a steal. It also has a twist grip for yaw, and a paddle on the throttle that I use for lateral thrust. Nice for precision docking.
 
I think my next upgrade will be a CH Fighterstick.
Then pedals, now I have to think how I would sneek
them into the house without the GF finding out.
 
The part i like the most on Elite is you can map all buttons as a combination!
(Just hold one button down and press another one when you bind a button in the controls)
I i.e. use the T2 and T6 pressed down at the same time on my X52 to get back on course for the planned route.
The Pinky switch as a pure modifier for nearly all other buttons being double used and some functions i use my trigger as a modifier and another button for special tasks.
I don't think i would ever achieved this grade of flexibility with my HOTAS Programing Software from Saitek alone. :)

The only things i am missing is button binding for screenshots.
If i map this into my saitek software i think i loose a button or make a screenshot every time using it.
(I already lost one for my docking request macro. :( )
 
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The part i like the most on Elite is you can map all buttons as a combination!
(Just hold one button down and press another one when you bind a button in the controls)
I i.e. use the T2 and T6 pressed down at the same time on my X52 to get back on course for the planned route.
The Pinky switch as a pure modifier for nearly all other buttons being double used and some functions i use my trigger as a modifier and another button for special tasks.
I don't think i would ever achieved this grade of flexibility with my HOTAS Programing Software from Saitek alone. :)

The only things i am missing is button binding for screenshots.
If i map this into my saitek software i think i loose a button or make a screenshot every time using it.
(I already lost one for my docking request macro. :( )

I'm interested to hear which button combinations you found useful. I've been using VoiceAttack for several tasks (request docking, lights, landing gear, navigation, contacts, cargo, etc), eliminating the need for me to make the buttons do double duty. However, sometimes I wish I could get faster response time than VoiceAttack can provide so button combinations sounds like the ticket. Also, did you have to set aside one button as the modifier button (e.g. Pinky switch) ?
 
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I'm interested to hear which button combinations you found useful. I've been using VoiceAttack for several tasks (request docking, lights, landing gear, navigation, contacts, cargo, etc), eliminating the need for me to make the buttons do double duty. However, sometimes I wish I could get faster response time than VoiceAttack can provide so button combinations sounds like the ticket. Also, did you have to set aside one button as the modifier button (e.g. Pinky switch) ?

Yes, the Pinkie Switch is the modifier for Elite (But a usual button as for the Saitek software. I unbound anything there, including the mode dial, which is my landing gear switch for the game now).
If i press the pinkie an rotate the mouse wheel i switch sub targets. The big E button on the Throttle is my Shield Cell button, but with pinkie my Chaff Dispenser.
A + B are Target ahead and the Jump/SC Button with pinkie they are my Galaxy and System Map. In the Galaxy map my Pinky is used with my HATs for different axis for the Map beside of the normal menu functions.
Left Upper HAT is used for cycle through targets. With Pinkie it is for the Menu views. (Like 1-5 on the Keyboard)
Pinky + start/stop under the MFD is for the Game menu. Pinky + Reset is Dev Cam. Normally those 3 buttons are for choosing my Wingmens Targets i think.
T1 + T5 is releasing all cargo. No way i hit that by accident (You have to lift the switches up for that). Them down brings me on Route again.
My Landing Macro is on the Crosshair button, and my Track IR to Zero Calibration is the tiny mouse button. Those are just that purpose since they are triggered by the Saitek software.
Thats all i can remember now. I hadn't any need for voice attack, Roccat Power Grid or something, because of my X52 have all functions mapped.
Only Screenshots are missing there. It would be cool if it could be mapped inside the game options sometime. Then i would find a combination for that. ;)
 
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I was just about to post similar. I've been playing since release with KB & Mouse with Voice Attack. I've been doing fine and combat was pretty good apart from significant amounts of pitch being an issue with mouse.

Just bought a T Flight Hotas X and whilst its much more immersive, I'm really struggling to keep a bead on target. More practice required I think! It is more satisfying bugging out of a RES with a genuine sweat on from working the controls! ;)
 
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Can you elaborate slightly, please? That might be a nice thing to have. I have a couple thoughts on how to do it but wonder how you did.

I don't know if i changed the default keyboard bindings, but MY sequence is: 1eefsfeee1 with a delay of 0,050 seconds for each key press.
(It is the 1 for the left side cockpit menu and then two pages right, select, one down, select, three pages right till start and then close the Holo Menu again. I think.)
I used the advanced command option for this. There is a option named "quantifizierungszeit" in my german saitek software. I think it could be "quantification time" in english.
This overrides the recorded time for the key presses and set 0,050 seconds on top of each step. The whole request takes about one second.
It can only be done if you are in the default state on that menu and don't selected other targets before it. But every time you leave SC it is set to normal state again i think.
It puts itself back to the original state, so you can trigger it again when the request was denied.
 
Yes, the Pinkie Switch is the modifier for Elite (But a usual button as for the Saitek software. I unbound anything there, including the mode dial, which is my landing gear switch for the game now).
If i press the pinkie an rotate the mouse wheel i switch sub targets. The big E button on the Throttle is my Shield Cell button, but with pinkie my Chaff Dispenser.
A + B are Target ahead and the Jump/SC Button with pinkie they are my Galaxy and System Map. In the Galaxy map my Pinky is used with my HATs for different axis for the Map beside of the normal menu functions.
Pinky + start/stop under the MFD is for the Game menu. Pinky + Reset is Dev Cam. Normally those 3 buttons are for choosing my Wingmens Targets i think.
T1 + T5 is releasing all cargo. No way i hit that by accident (You have to lift the switches up for that). Them down brings me on Route again.
My Landing Macro is on the Crosshair button, and my Track IR to Zero Calibration is the tiny mouse button. Those are just that purpose since they are triggered by the Saitek software.
Thats all i can remember now. I hadn't any need for voice attack, Roccat Power Grid or something, because of my X52 have all functions mapped.
Only Screenshots are missing there. It would be cool if it could be mapped inside the game options sometime. Then i would find a combination for that. ;)

I see. Thanks. You have a very unusual (and complicated) configuration. I think I'll stick with VoiceAttack as it simplifies the button configuration considerably. In addition to docking request, toggling lights, toggling landing gear, displaying all of the left and right panels, I use VoiceAttack to bring up the Galaxy Map, System Map. I'm currently using the Pinkey switch for Closest Threat. I also have the Pinkey switch + throttle hat to bring up some left and right panels.
 
the mode dial, which is my landing gear switch
Interesting. Did you have to program that for a KB press in the Saitek software or is it detected in game as a button? It's been a while since I used my old X52 but I don't really need to switch modes on my X55 and never even thought to try using the M1/M2/M3 switch for an input.

Just bought a T Flight Hotas X and whilst its much more immersive, I'm really struggling to keep a bead on target. More practice required I think!
I remember back when I first started using a stick and yeah, it takes some time to really get the hang of it. Once you do, though, it's like riding a bike. :)

I don't know if i changed the default keyboard bindings, but MY sequence is: 1eefsfeee1 with a delay of 0,050 seconds for each key press.
(It is the 1 for the left side cockpit menu and then two pages right, select, one down, select, three pages right till start and then close the Holo Menu again. I think.)
I used the advanced command option for this. There is a option named "quantifizierungszeit" in my german saitek software. I think it could be "quantification time" in english.
This overrides the recorded time for the key presses and set 0,050 seconds on top of each step. The whole request takes about one second.
It can only be done if you are in the default state on that menu and don't selected other targets before it. But every time you leave SC it is set to normal state again i think.
It puts itself back to the original state, so you can trigger it again when the request was denied.
Thanks. That's basically what I was envisioning but hadn't done just yet. I'll play around and see if I need to remap KB buttons or not. I changed a number of them and might need to redo a couple there. Sounds pretty straightforward, though, and would be much simpler than doing it manually all the time. :)
 
@OCFLyer: It isn't that complicated when you use it.
Just save your current settings and try to set up a new one. Go the way that feels logical to you.
It really was no work there with it to remember, because you set it up yourself by thinking what would work well and then you just do it that way.
(Actually its the same as remembering the words for your Voice Attack Setup.)
I changed my settings a few times till it worked all out. (Especially for some interferings with the galaxy map and the menu system.)

Interesting. Did you have to program that for a KB press in the Saitek software or is it detected in game as a button? It's been a while since I used my old X52 but I don't really need to switch modes on my X55 and never even thought to try using the M1/M2/M3 switch for an input.

This is detected ingame. But only the change to the middle one i think. So i turn it from mode 1 to mode 3 to lower the gear.
(Then the LED is green for flight and red for gears down. Its the wrong way when i think about it.... lol)
 
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This is detected ingame. But only the change to the middle one i think. So i turn it from mode 1 to mode 3 to lower the gear.
(Then the LED is green for flight and red for gears down. Its the wrong way when i think about it.... lol)
Huh. I just tested and on the X55 that isn't detected in game. Wonder if I could reprogram them using the Saitek software? It hadn't occurred to me to try before.
 
Huh. I just tested and on the X55 that isn't detected in game. Wonder if I could reprogram them using the Saitek software? It hadn't occurred to me to try before.

Yes, you have to unbind it somehow. Delete all Modes except one i think. There is a guide here somewhere.
 
Don't know there's a way to do it on the X55. If so, it wasn't obvious when I looked. I'll search around here later on, though it's hardly as though I need another input. Pretty sure I have 4 or 5 not used still. :)
 
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