The Joystick/Controller discussion thread
I've spent a good amount of money for the game and new components for the computer. I still have to buy the graphics card. So I shall content myself, of keyboard, mouse and I will buy the XBox 360 controller
I'm going to try out the razer hydra but no clue how good that will work out with thedifferent control modes. Certainly has more axis than any joystick.
Please forgive the naive question but why would most suggest a stick?
Is it to do with a finer degree of control than the smaller controller pads?
Until ED I haven't played games for 10+ years. I last used the original Xbox controller and years before that keyboard. I'm toying with buying either an Xbox 360 PC controller or (cheaper!) stick. I appreciate different people have different tastes but it's still useful to understand what others prefer and why. Thanks.
For me yes.
Tried the controller and it's okay - but I just find the stick easier.
I've tried more control systems than I care to mention.
For me, it's simple - the X52 pro blows everything else away. I'm sure higher specced HOTAS setups will be even better.
Xbox controller is playable, keyboard and mouse barely so. Do yourself a favour, and at least try out an X52 in a store or something. I think you'd really enjoy it
For me, it's simple - the X52 pro blows everything else away. I'm sure higher specced HOTAS setups will be even better.
Xbox controller is playable, keyboard and mouse barely so. Do yourself a favour, and at least try out an X52 in a store or something. I think you'd really enjoy it
I'm still grieving that the Logitech WingMan Force Feedback Mouse didn't catch on and that logitech didn't bother to update the drivers for Windows XP
I'm still grieving that the Logitech WingMan Force Feedback Mouse didn't catch on and that logitech didn't bother to update the drivers for Windows XP
A mouse that moves itself, requires a bespoke pad, batteries, and 16 bit drivers?
Yeah - that should really have caught on
I would definitely recommend a 3 axis joystick, and although it is true HOTAS controllers are best at the moment, we are limited to one controller being seen in this phase of alpha. Once we can see 2 or more controllers the options should open up a little more. I really wanted to try my MS Strategic commander as a left hand option, also toying with making a similar paddle, but floating so I can put a couple more axis on it.
The X52 is a very good piece of kit out of box (wish I had one), but the thrustmaster T-Flight I have works well. I wanted to wait for multiple controller support before settling....
The X52 is a very good piece of kit out of box (wish I had one), but the thrustmaster T-Flight I have works well. I wanted to wait for multiple controller support before settling....
I picked up the Thrustmaster T.16000M after some positive reviews here and on other forums. Budget too, around £40.
As I haven't owned a joystick since amiga-days I can't say I have a particulary good frame of reference (only tried real fighter simulators), but it feels stable even if the buttons are a bit volatile (lack a good English word right now, flapping?). I'm told that can be a good thing though. Overall a good buy I think.
Edit: Though as the thread title says the best, I guess it's not, but for it's price perhaps.
As I haven't owned a joystick since amiga-days I can't say I have a particulary good frame of reference (only tried real fighter simulators), but it feels stable even if the buttons are a bit volatile (lack a good English word right now, flapping?). I'm told that can be a good thing though. Overall a good buy I think.
Edit: Though as the thread title says the best, I guess it's not, but for it's price perhaps.
I also have a Razer Hydra but I've not really used it for much except Portal 2 and I don't have it set up at the moment due to redecorating. I have a STEM on the way in July with three trackers so I will have a play around with alternate control schemes assuming E: D eventually support alternatives to the anti competitive TrackIR protocol.
A mouse that moves itself, requires a bespoke pad, batteries, and 16 bit drivers?
Yeah - that should really have caught on
Hey the concept IMHO is still quite cool for players who prefer mouse/keyboard, just too bad the implementation and game support lacked. Didn't need batteries though. There where some cool demos where you could actually "feel" the surface of stuff when you move your mouse over it, like ice etc very realistically. It has lot of potential to convey information to the player, to explore and feel a scene with haptic feedback.
You can say exactly the same thing about game controllers with rumble motors playing a racing game. Or a guitar shaped object with buttons to clack.
Plonk them on a real motorcycle or give them a real guitar to play, and all that lovely haptic feedback means nothing
Stick with a controller suited to the job - i.e input. Leave feedback for things that can actually feedback to you in a appreciable way, i.e audio and visuals. An offset weight on a motor does not feedback make - they are hardly sensitive enough and tend to be either full on or full off. Their simple design means they cannot graduate, inertia sees to that.
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Thanks all for the replies. Forgot one important thing, doh, I'm left-handed!
From quick web-surfing it seems Saitek X52 should be ok and Thrustmaster T.1600.
From quick web-surfing it seems Saitek X52 should be ok and Thrustmaster T.1600.
Ah, I humbly beg to differ! I have an old (and inexpensive) Logitech Force Feedback joystick, which worked a treat with FSX, and whose motors where certainly variable in their strength. One of the things FSX got right was the control surface feedback. In real life, when you actuate airplane control surfaces, you're pushing them into the airflow, hence they have a "resistance" which is progressive, and the airflow creates a tendency to snap them back in place. Microsoft got this spot on with FFB support for FS, it really "made" the sensation of flying a plane, especially the heavies.
Now in a space flight sim, there is no air resistance and therefore no need for FFB.
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CH Flightstick
"Comfortable ambidextrous handle for both right and left handed use", See http://www.chproducts.com/Flightstick-Pro-v13-d-723.html
Edit, CH Products make simulation controllers for the US Military!
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Minti2
Deadly, But very fluffy...
I was an avid Keyboard man in the org Elite, ive now tried the 360 for the Alpha and it is very playable, it didnt take me to long to get the hang of it for ship control and aiming etc......however having now bought and played the X52 Pro, its a different class!
Its how a game like ED should be played, am still familiarizing myself on what all the zillions of buttons do!
but straight away playing with it, i was "Oh yeah, your my baby!" lol a joy to use.smooth control flying and *WHEN* you do know what each button does, its all very close to hand, no moving your hands off either the thruster or J/S
having said that one or two have tried it and not for them...but the mass majority love it so...