Is using a flight control stick or game pad better than keyboard?

Dimensions · Nov 13, 2015

I've been using a keyboard and track pad since I started elite, and I do okay with it, but I've watched some youtube videos where people are able to consistently pulling off fine manoeuvres, FA off and seem to be using fixed weapons with ease. For those of you who have used keyboard, flight stick and/or game pad, which do you find gave you better ship and targeting control?

Gregster · Nov 13, 2015

I started off with KB/M and hated it, tried my 360 pad and it did a good job but bought a Saitek X52 and the game has gone up to 11.

CMDR Heisenberg B. Damned · Nov 13, 2015

Yeah, far prefer a joystick, doesn't have to be anything fancy. I'm using a 20 year old sidewinder pro. Vast improvement from keyboard/mouse.

robbyp · Nov 13, 2015

Yes. To see, go and buy a T16000M - they are very cheap, and you'll see the difference.

Oheck · Nov 13, 2015

Lotta folks out there that are mouse and keyboard Aces. Its all in what you are used to, or put time into getting used to. HOTAS and such don't necessarily add accuracy over the other control methods. Does it feel great though, certainly. Adds to the immersion, atleast for me.

streki · Nov 13, 2015

I've gone from Xbox controller -> Thrustmaster T-Flight -> X52

Each one felt like a massive improvement over the last.

CMDR Heisenberg B. Damned · Nov 13, 2015

Oheck said:
Lotta folks out there that are mouse and keyboard Aces. Its all in what you are used to, or put time into getting used to. HOTAS and such don't necessarily add accuracy over the other control methods. Does it feel great though, certainly. Adds to the immersion, atleast for me.

This is totally true as well. If you have the chance to borrow a gamepad/HOTAS setup to compare do that, but for me the keyboard mouse took a lot more effort to get right.

MottiKhan · Nov 13, 2015

I'm using the X52 throttle and the Logitech 3D Extreme Pro joystick. Excellent combination and the individual parts are cheap and easy to find. I have 3 throttles from ebay and can get the stick from the local best buy if it ever goes out.

Using a keyboard might be ok, but a stick and throttle help immensely. I think there's a Thrustmaster cheapo HOTAS out there if you want to do a test drive without spending too much.

Dommarraa · Nov 13, 2015

I have a HOTAS but dont bother with it. I would rather be able to sit on the sofa with my laptop than be banished to a man cave.

I am sure a HOTAS FA-Off ninja would cream me, but I dont PvP, so it is a moot point. Keyboard only (no mouse) is ample for PvE

h347h · Nov 13, 2015

Mouse and keyboard are the best controls. However not every one likes them. So play with what you enjoy honestly. I use M/K for combat, 360 for exploration, and a HOTAS for trading.

Heavenly-Hammer · Nov 13, 2015

I haven't played a space combat sim game without a HOTAS/flight stick since Falcon 3.0 in 1993.

Get a HOTAS and except no substitutes if you want to actually feel like you're turning and burning rather than pressing buttons on a keyboard. controller is good too I'm sure. But there's a reason why most own or want to own a HOTAS.

Sapient6 · Nov 13, 2015

Yes. HOTAS is much better than kb/mouse. ALSO, kb/mouse is much better than HOTAS.

You know, however you want to play and whatever works for you.

Fost · Nov 13, 2015

HOTAS just adds to the feel of it all. I love a bit of HOTAS.

-VR- Max Factor · Nov 13, 2015

I can recommend the Thrustmaster Hotas X as a starter. The Throttle and stick can be seperated as well, got mine £30.

I have now got an x52 pro which is even better with more options, but far more expensive. If it goes wrong, I will happilly go back to my Thrustmaster.

CMDR Flaxton · Nov 13, 2015

Gregster said:
I started off with KB/M and hated it, tried my 360 pad and it did a good job but bought a Saitek X52 and the game has gone up to 11.

Exactly this..... I went through the same route.
Played with keyboard and mouse for about 2 weeks then ordered a gamepad. Within 24 hours of having the gamepad I ordered an X52 as they were on offer on the Frontier website at the time. Never looked back, definitely the best way to play Elite.

CMDR Flaxton

Navynuke99 · Nov 13, 2015

I can't even imagine playing E: D without my TM Warthog. The precision is so much better even than my old X52.

BadassPreacher · Nov 13, 2015

Recently bought a dual T-16000m setup. Sadly I couldn't quite get into the double joystick style of doing things, and almost started to regret my purchase. But then I discovered how much I enjoy playing with a joystick and mouse combo, it just feels natural to me. And now I have a back-up stick, in case the one I'm using breaks (which I don't expect to happen any time soon, as the T-16000m feels really good and solid).

Rado · Nov 13, 2015

Mouse and keys give the best aiming precision. Things like interdiction are much more finely done with the mouse and keys.

Joy stick feels better to me and I find more fun, but some of the best PvP pilots are mouse and keys.

Von Shadow · Nov 13, 2015

I got a T.16000M for xmas for Elite ..... probably should take it out of the box at some point and try it

Still KB/M'ing it

Zed · Nov 13, 2015

robbyp said:
Yes. To see, go and buy a T16000M - they are very cheap, and you'll see the difference.

I started with one of these and then upgraded to an X52pro, never regretted buying either.