The Joystick/Controller discussion thread

[Suul Vellumcore]

I have a controller for my pc, but I've only ever used it for Darksouls, which was the only game I ever played where the controller was better. For Elite, I can vouch for CH Product FighterStick, Pro Thottle and Pro Rudder (don't currently have the rudders). I've had this same equipment for probably over 10 years, and they're still working great. I use the little swivel stick on the Throttle for yaw and it works well.
I wouldn't dream of using the controller for Elite, but that doesn't mean you would't like it. Give it a try or get CH... or, most guys here love the Saitek 52. I'm pretty sure that's alot better than the Saitek you have.

 

[AndiBcool]

I play with Xbox 360 controller, i think its the best option. Im using the option with giering on the 2nd joy. I only have to Use q,e ( for movingt to side for landing), J and L on keyboard and when i mine the key for lights.

Dont know about a expensive flight stick. I have no space for it and im fine with controller. Some ppl even prefer to play with keyboard and mouse only.

 

[SparksOfDeath]

i thought about using a 360 controller but the keyboard and mouse are responsive and i like it. With just a few custom keybinds i have all i need at the touch of a button.

 

[ArmoredMeat]

i havent bought a stick yet for the fact that im not sure i would like it any more than the keyboard and mouse option. you could always combine the keyboard with a contoller for core controls. i just wouldnt use a controller with the thought it would replace the keyboard/mice.

 

[M00ka]

I had a thrustmaster Tflight hotas X which for the money was pretty damn good. The throttle especially as it had a center detent. However the buttons started snapping off their mounts after about six months. Moved up to X52 and am quite happy with that(more than 6 months now) after modding a center detent on the throttle. It has been a total Biarch to set up though mainly due to drivers/mode programming.(all good now thanks to some posts on this forum)

Oh and I wouldn't touch a console controller with your barge pole let alone mine!

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Fully agree, I bought the TM TFlight for this game and so far it has performed petty well although the 'rudder' toggles on the throttle play up (just don't use them now). If it starts to fail I will probably go either the X52 or the X55 next time.
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For anyone toss up whether to use a controller or spending a few dollars and getting a HOTAS system, just google any decent HOTAS system and count the number of buttons, switches etc and then realise that when playing this game, all buttons and combinations of buttons get used. Then count the number of buttons on a controller, yep there is a lot less. In my current setup I don't use the keyboard at all except for typing naturally and only use my mouse when docked to navigate around the menus. When flying, my hands never leave the two controllers. That in itself should be enough reason to buy a HOTAS system.

 

[Acteris]

A HOTAS (Hands on Thriottle and Stick) is the way to go, I played ED with mouse and KB for a week (thats as far as I could last before I began to feel like jumping out the window). So I splurged and searched the web for reviews on good kit.....eventually settled on Saitek X-55 Rhino. I have not looked back since, the controllers really add to the immersive experience, the throttle has a real good feel to it and the amount of buttons/options is awesome, the only thing I use the KB for nowdays is to type in system names. Warning the Rhino is quite chunky, the other one that got good reviews is the X-52 Pro. Because of the chunkiness instead of having them on my desk I did some mounts on my arm chair,easy to do, took an afternoon and bingo now I feel like a real spaceship pilot yay

 

[Pazmino]

Used KB & a G300s mouse. The switchable DPI rate is pretty nice, high rate, very responsive to move the ship quickly, low rates, aim and fire. I gave a XBox controller a chance, and I liked it, but the on/off behavior for the analog nobs was a no-go. In the end I switched to a Logitech 3D extreme & KB, I use the mouse to look around.

 

[Gorr]

Does Aviator have deadzone in Elite Dangerous, or in every game?
I am using that same joy until I get X55, and all deadzone problems are gone when I saw this comment:
"Don't map the individual left yaw, right yaw, pitch up, pitch down, etc. Map just the axis (yaw axis, pitch axis, etc.) to your stick."
And it helped.

XBox is great controller, if it suits your play style I don't see any reason why not using it.

Ofc, I would put some nice HOTAS as nr. 1, but they are pricey indeed.

 

[lowlife]

Every game. It doesn't have any driver for Windows and with Windows default driver you can't change it. I've tried everything, it's hopeless.

Does Aviator have deadzone in Elite Dangerous, or in every game?
I am using that same joy until I get X55, and all deadzone problems are gone when I saw this comment:
"Don't map the individual left yaw, right yaw, pitch up, pitch down, etc. Map just the axis (yaw axis, pitch axis, etc.) to your stick."
And it helped.

XBox is great controller, if it suits your play style I don't see any reason why not using it.

Ofc, I would put some nice HOTAS as nr. 1, but they are pricey indeed.

About other options, like i said i dont want to spend any money on joysticks yet. I mean, X52 almost costs all of my wage, thats how stupid expensive they are here.

Actually i played DCS: Warthog with my Logitech so i'm kinda crazy. That game has like 150-200 usable buttons.

Don't you need camera controls while playing the game? Especially in dog fighting you need to have situational awareness? No?

 

[dryjoy]

Don't you need camera controls while playing the game? Especially in dog fighting you need to have situational awareness? No?

No, don't worry about the camera controls while you're dogfighting. You can't use the camera for that, it's been designed so that you can take selfies, but very much so that it isn't practical to use to gain an advantage in combat situations.

 

[lowlife]

You're serious right? I mean in almost every flight sim game you need to see around you. Maybe you don't need it in this game because of the radar?

No, don't worry about the camera controls while you're dogfighting. You can't use the camera for that, it's been designed so that you can take selfies, but very much so that it isn't practical to use to gain an advantage in combat situations.

 

[ArmoredMeat]

You're serious right? I mean in almost every flight sim game you need to see around you. Maybe you don't need it in this game because of the radar?

The external camera mode is for screen shots only. It's designed that way because the game is a simulation and you wouldn't be flyin in a dogfight from outside your ship.

 

[Dbrn47]

I started with keyboard and mouse, played just fine with it. Decided to pick up a Logitech 3D, plays just fine. Took getting used to since I was a kb/m warrior, but having the joystick now I'm more appreciative of the style. I wouldn't play it with an xbox controller but I'm sure there are many that do. It seems to me that due to how the game was designed you can easily play it with whatever control you prefer. You will just have to try it long enough to get some muscle memory.

 

[thearmysredneck]

I have a controller for my pc, but I've only ever used it for Darksouls, which was the only game I ever played where the controller was better. For Elite, I can vouch for CH Product FighterStick, Pro Thottle and Pro Rudder (don't currently have the rudders). I've had this same equipment for probably over 10 years, and they're still working great. I use the little swivel stick on the Throttle for yaw and it works well.
I wouldn't dream of using the controller for Elite, but that doesn't mean you would't like it. Give it a try or get CH... or, most guys here love the Saitek 52. I'm pretty sure that's alot better than the Saitek you have.

I can also vouch for the full CH Pro set up too. I was using Xbox one controller. There is absolutely no going back to it. I also use the rudder pedals too as I fly X-Plane too. The mini joystick on the pro throttle just puts this setup perfect if you don't mind the fighterstick is potentiometer and not halleffect and no twist rudder. But hey that's what the pedals are for.

 

[lowlife]

Okay but i'm talking about looking around in cockpit, top of your cockpit is glass right? So you can look around? Am i missing something here?

The external camera mode is for screen shots only. It's designed that way because the game is a simulation and you wouldn't be flyin in a dogfight from outside your ship.

 

[Entilzar]

Hey guys,

I've been following this game for like last 5 months and after the Steam Sale, i finally bought it.

I'm playing flight sims for decent time. I have few joysticks but they are pretty cheap models. I have this one but it's horrible. There is huge deadzone, i mean its unplayable, i won't play the game with this:?

When you set the controls with the 1st stick did you set the axis against the pitch and roll option that had the deadzone slider next to it or the ones below it that gave you the up/down left/right option?

I had mind on the latter and the dead zone was aweful., once I set it against the option with the dead zones slider it was perfect,, I use a different controller but the effect was the same

Enty

 

[Senex VII]

Okay but i'm talking about looking around in cockpit, top of your cockpit is glass right? So you can look around? Am i missing something here?

Use something like Track IR for this.

• It's more intuitive.
• It's faster.
• You can use your HAT switch for thrusters instead.

(The two of you were talking about two different things. )

 

[Dilain]

if you're not sure about getting a H.O.T.A.S. or turned off by the prices/amount of room they take up this one is cheap and not too large.
As a plus Elite comes with a preset for it.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CXYMFS?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

 

[lowlife]

When you set the controls with the 1st stick did you set the axis against the pitch and roll option that had the deadzone slider next to it or the ones below it that gave you the up/down left/right option?

I had mind on the latter and the dead zone was aweful., once I set it against the option with the dead zones slider it was perfect,, I use a different controller but the effect was the same

Enty

It's about joystick itself, not about the game. I've tried with special software, it's built-in deadzone.

Use something like Track IR for this.

• It's more intuitive.
• It's faster.
• You can use your HAT switch for thrusters instead.

(The two of you were talking about two different things. )

Yeah i actually build one for freetrack, it works fine but i'm not sure if it's highly required. If you can see enemy ships in radar easily, you don't need it so much. What do you think?

 

[Malek]

I play with Xbox 360 controller, i think its the best option. Im using the option with giering on the 2nd joy. I only have to Use q,e ( for movingt to side for landing), J and L on keyboard and when i mine the key for lights.

Dont know about a expensive flight stick. I have no space for it and im fine with controller. Some ppl even prefer to play with keyboard and mouse only.

You know when you have landing gear down you can map the triggers for left and right thrust instead of using q and e