Is a HOTAS really worth it?
- Thread starter ScottCheggs
- Start date
I don't get it? What's so lovely about Kiera feeding you ice cream with her hands? Sounds disgusting!
Who said she would be using her hands.......
A HOTAS is like a tub of ice-cream, Keira Knightley, and no spoon.
You certainly don't need it - but it's definitely nice!
And there is my quote of the day!!
i found playing with a KB and mouse absolutely fine tbh
Playing with my HOTAS totally rocks though
as Asp here says. It's not a necessity but it does enhance the experience
![[VR] Deggial](https://forums-cdn.zaonce.net/data/avatars/m/47/47252.jpg?1553527110){kind=avatar}
It is not only about the ability to controle your spacecraft. (At least when fighting, I don't want to miss my HOTAS, that's for sure.)
But I love, how physical it feels!
Playing with mouse & keyboard, all you do is resting your one hand on the keyboard in order to press keys while the other hand does small and sensitive movements to controle the mouse.
With a HOTAS, you use your whole upper body to play! Your whole left arm is needed to control the thruster and the the rigth arm/hand does large movements (at least when fighting) to rolle and pitch. This might sound wired, but it is really... satisfying!
Even though it is not needed with a X52 Pro HOTAS (as it has an additional joystick axis for yawing), I just went crazy and ordered a quite expensive rudder paddle in order to expand the body-involvement to my legs. That's how much I think it adds to the overall experience.
But I love, how physical it feels!
Playing with mouse & keyboard, all you do is resting your one hand on the keyboard in order to press keys while the other hand does small and sensitive movements to controle the mouse.
With a HOTAS, you use your whole upper body to play! Your whole left arm is needed to control the thruster and the the rigth arm/hand does large movements (at least when fighting) to rolle and pitch. This might sound wired, but it is really... satisfying!
Even though it is not needed with a X52 Pro HOTAS (as it has an additional joystick axis for yawing), I just went crazy and ordered a quite expensive rudder paddle in order to expand the body-involvement to my legs. That's how much I think it adds to the overall experience.
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Hotas + Edtracker = ED bliss to be honest.
A HOTAS is like a tub of ice-cream, Keira Knightley, and no spoon.
You certainly don't need it - but it's definitely nice!
Oh god yes haha.
Playing with a sidewinder (the joystick, not the ship!) that is older than the youngest ED players.
Nothing beats the sensation of a HOTAS in hand. I'd never play a combat sim with a mouse or a gamepad.
"Are your sure about this?"
"Definitely. I heard them player say they prefer a hot ass to a mouse."
Nothing beats the sensation of a HOTAS in hand. I'd never play a combat sim with a mouse or a gamepad.
"Are your sure about this?"
"Definitely. I heard them player say they prefer a hot ass to a mouse."
Yes, yes, yes.
\
Same here, I bought a Thrustmaster T-Flight X system and couldn't imagine playing without it, the only time I go near the keyboard is to type a message and the mouse only gets used when at the station. Everything else is on the HOTAS and to be honest I probably had just as much fun setting it up and tweaking it to exactly what I want
I have the Warthog HOTAS and it is very solidly made. I've only had it two months but all seems well so far and it has a wealth of buttons to map everything to. The only time I have to go near the K/B is to type messages.
VERY happy with it
I played ~30hrs with mouse and keyboard and i got around.
Then i bought a x55 HOTAS and i am some happy video gamer now.
I loved playing the game with mouse and keyboard, too but would never, never ever go back to keyboard and mouse. I don't know if it's my smaller hands or inability in general but i found some combinations of input you need to fly hard and sometimes not possible. With my HOTAS setup it felt more natural and feasable.
Just flipping the switches, even if it's only for cargo scoop or landing gear is much more immersive and fun for me.
I love my x55 as it serves me fine and didn't have any problems until now.
I played with HOTAS for some hundreds of hours and don't regret any penny spent on it. I even saved some money because i never bothered playing another game until now ;-) (ok, 13hrs of witcher, then i had to come back to ED)
I can not really recommend the X55 though because i didn't try any other setup, except the sidewinder for Xwing/ Tie fighter a long while ago and it is not cheap, compared to the budget ones.
That's only my experience, some people seem to differ and that's a good thing
Cmdr Lassan
Then i bought a x55 HOTAS and i am some happy video gamer now.
I loved playing the game with mouse and keyboard, too but would never, never ever go back to keyboard and mouse. I don't know if it's my smaller hands or inability in general but i found some combinations of input you need to fly hard and sometimes not possible. With my HOTAS setup it felt more natural and feasable.
Just flipping the switches, even if it's only for cargo scoop or landing gear is much more immersive and fun for me.
I love my x55 as it serves me fine and didn't have any problems until now.
I played with HOTAS for some hundreds of hours and don't regret any penny spent on it. I even saved some money because i never bothered playing another game until now ;-) (ok, 13hrs of witcher, then i had to come back to ED)
I can not really recommend the X55 though because i didn't try any other setup, except the sidewinder for Xwing/ Tie fighter a long while ago and it is not cheap, compared to the budget ones.
That's only my experience, some people seem to differ and that's a good thing
Cmdr Lassan
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I was initially a K+M user and a bit of a HOTAS sceptic... that was before I got a Saitek X52 Std.
K+M (G19s KBD+G700s MSE) works reasonably well but lacks the fine control achievable with a HOTAS solution (especially where the throttle is concerned).
With the X52 you never need to touch the normal computer mouse as there is a mouse-class HID device built-in to the throttle. The quality of my combat ability significantly improved after switching to the X52.
In general, any HOTAS type solution is probably better than just a KBD+MSE for Elite: Dangerous.
K+M (G19s KBD+G700s MSE) works reasonably well but lacks the fine control achievable with a HOTAS solution (especially where the throttle is concerned).
With the X52 you never need to touch the normal computer mouse as there is a mouse-class HID device built-in to the throttle. The quality of my combat ability significantly improved after switching to the X52.
In general, any HOTAS type solution is probably better than just a KBD+MSE for Elite: Dangerous.
Unfortunately, they ALL have issues!
The Warthog seems to have poor (inner) cables that will break at some point and do dammage to the platine. Additionally, the replacable handle is said to be in danger of "slipping" down the mount, losing contact to the... well... contacts - something that isn't covered by the warranty, as it seems. The customers relations seem to be very... improvable, too.
All in all, I abstained in buying a Warthog, even if the first impressions i've read about it were quite positive. Which is quite sad, as the Warthog seemed to be the HOTAS system of my dreams...
Short answer: yes!!!!!
Longer answer: a HOTAS is not a must, but in my case it really helped me improving my flying and fighting skills. The controls are easier, faster, and more accurate. Top of all, not using the keyboard (except for messages) makes the experience way more immersive and really gives you the sensation of flying something If you are broken and/or can't consider spending lot of money I suggest at least to try a joystick first. If you like it then HOTAS is for you. The alternative Thrustmaster you mentioned is also a good option.
Longer answer: a HOTAS is not a must, but in my case it really helped me improving my flying and fighting skills. The controls are easier, faster, and more accurate. Top of all, not using the keyboard (except for messages) makes the experience way more immersive and really gives you the sensation of flying something
If you are broken and/or can't consider spending lot of money I suggest at least to try a joystick first. If you like it then HOTAS is for you. The alternative Thrustmaster you mentioned is also a good option.A HOTAS is like a tub of ice-cream, Keira Knightley, and no spoon.
You certainly don't need it - but it's definitely nice!
+ Rep
Incredibly well put!!
Most def worth it, deepens the immersion and gives a whole round feeling of flying for me.
OP post doesn't really specify if it's mouse & keyboard vs joystick or another joystick vs HOTAS. I'm happy with my Logitech Extreme 3D Pro.
Couldnt imagine playing the game without my X52 pro - its just soooo much easier than everything else Ive tried - eg keyboard and mouse.