With ED, the keyboard and mouse are more efficient that the X52 pro ?

Patrick_68000 · Jun 15, 2015

I just read on the forum, a person tried the X52 pro, with ED. But decided to let the X52 pro, to continue playing with the keyboard and the mouse. I've seen in the past many people who have done the same thing. The keyboard and the mouse are at least as well that the X52 ?

JeffRyan · Jun 15, 2015

I flew keyboard only for a year. It was fine. My joystick does make it better, but if it breaks I know I'll survive.

MVP_Bluntman · Jun 15, 2015

Patrick_68000 said:
I just read on the forum, a person tried the X52 pro, with ED. But decided to let the X52 pro, to continue playing with the keyboard and the mouse. I've seen in the past many people who have done the same thing. The keyboard and the mouse are at least as well that the X52 ?

I don't normally use peripherals, but I guess they augment your abilities compared to pilots of certain playstyles, but the one dependent variable is the pilot himself in reality. M+KB is enjoyable for me.

jou84 · Jun 15, 2015

For half my time playing Elite Dangerous I used just keyboard, I only used the mouse in the station or on the galaxy map. It just felt natural, like the old BBC-B. I now use a hotas and it is great.

JeffRyan · Jun 15, 2015

jou84 said:
For half my time playing Elite Dangerous I used just keyboard, I only used the mouse in the station or on the galaxy map. It just felt natural, like the old BBC-B. I now use a hotas and it is great.

We old timers don't freak out without the joystick.

dayrth · Jun 15, 2015

X52 pro has all sorts of problems working with USB 3. Recently upgraded my PC and it was terrible. Switched the ports to use USB 2 only and all was well again.

Now that it's working properly I wouldn't use anything else.

Viajero · Jun 15, 2015

Controller balance does not look to be a big issue in ED and it seems to come down basically to personal preference. I guess that is the joy of mouse VJoy mode.

Valethar · Jun 15, 2015

For me, the X-52 is far more efficient. I rarely have to touch the keyboard or mouse for anything other than typing in system names on the map or using the chat 'feature'.

That said, the X-52 Pro is plagued with a defective build process and apathetic QA. Looking at all of the problems people have had with this thing over the last several years, I wouldn't be surprised to find that they have a 50% or higher defect rate. Just as an example of how much they (MC/Saitek) don't care, the fabled 'weak springs' in the stick have been an issue for at least 4 years and never addressed.

It's a nice system, when it works. Getting one that works is on a par with the RNG lottery in most MMORPGs. You're rarely ever going to get a good one on the first drop.

Yodafone · Jun 15, 2015

Patrick_68000 said:
I just read on the forum, a person tried the X52 pro, with ED. But decided to let the X52 pro, to continue playing with the keyboard and the mouse. I've seen in the past many people who have done the same thing. The keyboard and the mouse are at least as well that the X52 ?

I'd have to agree, mainly being very similar control schemes, analogue control in one hand, digital control in the other (for the most part your pov/hat on your x52 is digital, so very similar to using keyboard. However one issue where the hotas wins, where have you mapped all the translation axes on your keyboard? WASD all for vertical/lateral? With forward/backward thrust somewhere else? That's the main issue with keyboard, you're missing an axis where it feels intuitive. Perhaps you use a couple of buttons on your mouse for forward/backward thrust?

Edit: stating the obvious but I suppose the same lack of a third axis can be said of the mouse too, either using Q & E for roll on the keyboard to make up for it or simply using the roll on yaw option, so the hotas joystick wins again, so.. perhaps I don't necessarily agree with you completely after all Patrick

MVP_Bluntman · Jun 15, 2015

As a mouse and keyboard user, who uses the variation thrust keys built around the throttle, a M+KB can be just as efficient as a X-52 Pilot because, it depends on a case by case detail, on the quality of the pilot. There are people who make it work using PS3 Controllers and Xbox 360 controllers, so I mean you can definitely play how you want, and be just as good as the next guy with a X-52 HOTAS system because you know the limitations of your craft and how to properly use it as much as they do.

Poseidal · Jun 15, 2015

I have a T-Flight, but I am far better with the mouse.

And by better, I mean I'm hilariously bad with the joystick.

NullAndVoid · Jun 15, 2015

For me it's not a case of better or worse control, the X52 Pro adds more immersion for me so that's my choice.

GammaZ · Jun 15, 2015

It probably depends on what are you used to.
I played so much different "space games" with KB+M that it feels just natural to me, like walking or breathing

And stick is more associated with flying planes, so ED flight mechanics seem unnatural and weird...

Hellhawk666 · Jun 15, 2015

It took me a while to get used to a HOTAS, having never used one before this game in 40 years of gaming, but now I couldn't imagine going back to a mouse + keyboard. When I have to (if on the laptop instead of the desktop) it feels clumsy.

Poseidal · Jun 15, 2015

GammaZ said:
It probably depends on what are you used to.
I played so much different "space games" with KB+M that it feels just natural to me, like walking or breathing
And stick is more associated with flying planes, so ED flight mechanics seem unnatural and weird...

Yeah, me too. ArcElite, FE2 and FFE, Tachyon the Fringe and probably quite a few more I played with M+K.

Hurricane Moon · Jun 15, 2015

Patrick_68000 said:
I just read on the forum, a person tried the X52 pro, with ED. But decided to let the X52 pro, to continue playing with the keyboard and the mouse. I've seen in the past many people who have done the same thing. The keyboard and the mouse are at least as well that the X52 ?

the pilot in the cockpit uses a hotas......so i use one......its the official flight control of elites spaceships.

im a pc gamer,but last time i used a mouse and keyboard to actually play a full game session was back in the 80`s on a spectrum.......if a game doesnt have native controller support i usually find a profile from somewhere that allows me.

you will get more response from a hotas...or even just a joystick on its own would suffice.

personally for me if i could not play this game without a hotas,or headtracking for that matter then i wouldnt bother lol

Kramster · Jun 15, 2015

I started with m&k back in beta and had real problems until I swapped pitch to keys and put yaw on the mouse. When I switched to my warthog I had problems adjusting but finally got the hang of it.
I would say that both are very viable with the stick probably having the edge in combat

c00ky1970 · Jun 15, 2015

I leveled up to an X52 and it improved my dogfighting skills no end, plus docking and negotiating the toast rack at coriolis stations is a breeze now.

I do occasionally use KB&M when logging in from my laptop, but as I am exploring at the mo, the degree of accuracy is not that critical, so I dont find it detriments my gaming experience.

AdoredTV did most of his initial run of videos using KB&M and it took him a whilr=e to adjust to a HOTAS.

AS said previously KB&M or HOTAS are both viable and if you good at either it doesnt show to other users....

Hurricane Moon · Jun 15, 2015

c00ky1970 said:
I leveled up to an X52 and it improved my dogfighting skills no end, plus docking and negotiating the toast rack at coriolis stations is a breeze now.

I do occasionally use KB&M when logging in from my laptop, but as I am exploring at the mo, the degree of accuracy is not that critical, so I dont find it detriments my gaming experience.

AdoredTV did most of his initial run of videos using KB&M and it took him a whilr=e to adjust to a HOTAS.

AS said previously KB&M or HOTAS are both viable and if you good at either it doesnt show to other users....

you cant tell sometimes? i notice when a k&m player is around....there actions dont seem to be as smooth in manouvers....some are good and you wouldnt notice.

like a racing game,i wouldnt play it without a wheel and pedal setup...you can certainly tell in those games whos using a wheel and whos using the k&m.

its all about the smoothness in motion.

Cmdr Ultra · Jun 15, 2015

Flight Pedals give you four more axes of control. Great upgrade for both Joystick and KBM users. I use a Logitech 3D Extreme joystick for the extra twist axis for yaw, so i can assign left, right, up & down thrust to the pedals. I leave the Warthog HOTAS in the cupboard for this game.