Well, you are always going to get different opinions as to which is better (joystick versus keyboard and mouse), but I use the Thrustmaster HOTAS X, and it does make ED far easier to play. It is within the budget (although it went up in price after ED was launched officially!).
The Joystick/Controller discussion thread
Docking manually at high speed. I couldn't do that with kb&m.
I use a cheap one with a proper throttle and rudder switch. In the UK the Speedlink Black Widow is significantly cheaper than the Thrustmaster T Flight. In the US it seems to be the other way around - at least on Amazon. If Elite is the only game that you might play with a stick then it makes sense to get a cheap one.
I use a cheap one with a proper throttle and rudder switch. In the UK the Speedlink Black Widow is significantly cheaper than the Thrustmaster T Flight. In the US it seems to be the other way around - at least on Amazon. If Elite is the only game that you might play with a stick then it makes sense to get a cheap one.
I played for six months keyboard and mouse - its fine. The key part is getting a key/mouse setup that suits you - once you get that its possible to fly smoothly.
I had an X52 for Xmas and for me it feels more intuitive and immersive. My combat skills instantaneously improved. I have some hand problems and moving about on a keyboard from key to key quickly is somewhat challenging, the stick seems to mask a lot of my problems and hence the improvement.
I had an X52 for Xmas and for me it feels more intuitive and immersive. My combat skills instantaneously improved. I have some hand problems and moving about on a keyboard from key to key quickly is somewhat challenging, the stick seems to mask a lot of my problems and hence the improvement.
It is much better, and in my opinion there is no sense to buy a cheap joystick, because you will want a hotas after few weeks. Flying on X52 is very very pleasure.
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Buying the peddle and hotas, x52 etc combo seems to be the best option for immersion for most people.
But if you want a game play advantage over joystick and mouse players. Dump them both.
Spend 30 years brushing up your pure keyboard skills and you will have a millisecond speed edge over both.
Its quicker to press your finger down 3mm than it is to whip your whole hand 20mm to the side.
And if your a trekkie you will notice they all used keyboard controls.... so much for the joystick immersion.
But if you want a game play advantage over joystick and mouse players. Dump them both.
Spend 30 years brushing up your pure keyboard skills and you will have a millisecond speed edge over both.
Its quicker to press your finger down 3mm than it is to whip your whole hand 20mm to the side.
And if your a trekkie you will notice they all used keyboard controls.... so much for the joystick immersion.
If that were the case why do fighters have hotas. And not keyboards.
one answer : get an X52
Then get another one three weeks later because it's broken, then a few months after that get another and so on and so on.
Saitek products are not known for their longevity.
The Thrustmaster HOTAS X is a third of the price and much better made.
I guess it depends; seeing this thread nearly everyone says that a joystick is better. I bought the Thrustmaster HOTAS X, used it for a week but never really got used to it. After an hour of combat my right hand was sweating and hurting, and I could never really hit anything with fixed weapons. So after this week I went back to Keyboard/Mouse and I felt more at home with them. I guess because I played many shooters I'm more comfortable with a mouse than with a joystick.
So now the HOTAS is gathering dust while I play with KB/M (even with FAOFF I don't really have a problem, although I haven't used it very much), and I don't think I will go back to the HOTAS any time soon.
So now the HOTAS is gathering dust while I play with KB/M (even with FAOFF I don't really have a problem, although I haven't used it very much), and I don't think I will go back to the HOTAS any time soon.
Started with KB/mouse and could happily go back to it, nothing wrong with it at all if you're comfortable with the setup.
I bought the T flight Hotas X at a local store as an impulse buy an really glad I did as its more relaxing to play. I'll definately be upgrading it soon as I can.
Best advise I could give is to save and buy a good hotas. I plan on get the CH stick, throttle and peddles seperately
I bought the T flight Hotas X at a local store as an impulse buy an really glad I did as its more relaxing to play. I'll definately be upgrading it soon as I can.
Best advise I could give is to save and buy a good hotas. I plan on get the CH stick, throttle and peddles seperately
Have you ever wondered why they don't fly real planes with a mouse or a keyboard? I use a Thrustmaster, less than 20€ in the shop in front of my house. The only and most important thing you have to take care is a fine tuning of response delay and button settings that fit you better.
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I suppose a lot depends on not only what your used to, but also where you will be using it.
I had the Logitech freedom 2.4 (similar to the extreme 3d pro, but wireless), but it recently died on me, so i have been using my wireless xbox 360 pad, as i tend to play from the couch using my big screen tv, i needed wireless.
I find the xbox pad useful, i can hold it in my hand, even lay down when just grinding or exploring, and i rarely need to touch the keyboard, (i also use voice attack).
With the xbox pad, you can map so many buttons to it. ( i have around 34 different functions on mine)
Yes i fancy trying the x55 or similar, but the cost is too much for me, and i would need to sit at a desk to use it.
I had the Logitech freedom 2.4 (similar to the extreme 3d pro, but wireless), but it recently died on me, so i have been using my wireless xbox 360 pad, as i tend to play from the couch using my big screen tv, i needed wireless.
I find the xbox pad useful, i can hold it in my hand, even lay down when just grinding or exploring, and i rarely need to touch the keyboard, (i also use voice attack).
With the xbox pad, you can map so many buttons to it. ( i have around 34 different functions on mine)
Yes i fancy trying the x55 or similar, but the cost is too much for me, and i would need to sit at a desk to use it.
IMO you have to try and decide yourself.
I have x-65f, used it for flight sims, tried for elite... and it just does not feel good/natural. You cannot do all weird stuff you do in elite on actual planes in atmosphere, and this control systems are designed for planes. Even in currently existing spacecrafts control systems differ a lot, in 3300 it will be something different alltogether. So for me it is KB+M. Just because it is unrealistic anyway, and i played a lot of spacesims on KB+M so it feels natural. And i do not care about "efficiency"
I have x-65f, used it for flight sims, tried for elite... and it just does not feel good/natural. You cannot do all weird stuff you do in elite on actual planes in atmosphere, and this control systems are designed for planes. Even in currently existing spacecrafts control systems differ a lot, in 3300 it will be something different alltogether. So for me it is KB+M. Just because it is unrealistic anyway, and i played a lot of spacesims on KB+M so it feels natural. And i do not care about "efficiency"
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flying space ships with a keyboard was good enough for star trek its good enough for me
