Is a HOTAS really worth it?

ScottCheggs

ScottCheggs
First off, let me, say I've had this game now for a couple of weeks, and have racked up just over 70 hours of game time. I just got a Cobra and am using to do missions/ occasional bounty hunting.
So here's my question: Does a HOTAS improve the game experience to a degree that it's worth buying one? Even just a relatively cheap one, like the Thrustmaster T-Flight HOTAS X. I've kind of been looking at getting one since before I actually bought the game, and I've seen a lot of people raving about them. Do they actually make playing more fun, or are they just yet ANOTHER peripheral that I'll buy and hardly ever use?
Just looking for some feedback, plus any recommendations for a good HOTAS if I do decide to get one. I only have a limited budget though, so keep that in mind please :)
 

Stressfest

Stressfest
Each to their own but I've been using the Thrustmaster since Beta and it made the game much more enjoyable to me. I've recently upgraded to an X-52 and loving it. Some players still play this with a mouse and keyboard so a HOTAS is purely personal choice. Personally I love being able to bind controls and having that versatility at my fingertips without grappling a keyboard.
 

IronGremlin

I
Yes.

It's not necessary but it is really, really awesome.

Some.go with twin joysticks instead of hotas - strangely, this can be a better budgetary choice.
 
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h347h

h347h
No, and yes.

It is not going to give you and advantage over using a mouse. It is however very fun. Look at it this way. A mouse has more precision where a HOTAS gives a feeling of immersion and can enhance the role playing aspect of the game. I currently have mine sitting on the shelf until I finish doing combat. Once I start to explore I am going to break it out. I might use it for trading to liven it up when I get around to trying to max out my trading rank. But other than that I don't have much use for one. So its up to you, many really enjoy their HOTAS set ups and some sell theirs off in favor of mouse and keyboard
 

Soopyyy

S
Absolutely. I've used mouse and keyboard, Xbox controller, independent joystick and now a HOTAS. The HOTAS is leagues ahead.
 

Pennilenko

P
I use the Thrustmaster T-flight HOTAS X, it was quite inexpensive and it makes the game pretty damn fun. I wish it had more buttons, but I don't want those extra buttons bad enough to spend a couple hundred.
 

Cmdr Rhott Roe

Cmdr Rhott Roe
Short answer - YES! You are cheating yourself if you are not going HOTAS. After HOTAS prepare yourself for the "Rift". Then you world will be complete. You're welcome. :D
 

kilvenny

kilvenny
Not required. However there is just an awesome feeling sliding the throttle forward and hearing the boom of the engines whilst pulling back on the stick as you launch away from a station. In combat, when you flick the safety catch off and arm the guns. Then there is that moment when you kill the last bogey and your hand flicks the catch down. "Let's go home, boys."
 

Evil

Evil
There are advantages and disadvantages to both, and mileage may vary depending on the hardware.

HOTAS :
Can yaw and rotate at the same time.
Auto centres on release, good for FAOFF.
Generally more key functionality on the stick hand.
Has an analogue throttle control.

Mouse :
Allows for more accuracy (on the fly sensitivity settings with dpi switching).

As an example, I have a stick, but I'm just more accurate with the mouse, simply because I can switch the sensitivity during combat, that doesn't mean someone will be less accurate with a stick.

Would be nice if FD could add a key toggle/held for relative mouse movement for mouse users.
 
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Banzz

Banzz
A Hotas is generally quite expensive, but it is worth every dime you put into it, provided you put a minimum to avoid the extreme low-end products.

Compare things with Hotas X52 Pro Flight Control System. People seem happy with it
 

Den Tarr

D
I never was much of a flight sim/space sim fan. So I never owned a HOTAS.
But right after starting Elite I followed countless recommendations and got me a X52. And this is awesome. Really. I would never play Elite without it again.
You cant beat the immersion.

(But dont forget you do need some space to set it up...)
 
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