The Joystick/Controller discussion thread

[Lirka]

I use the EDTracker so I can't give you an answer on headlook, but the CH Pro Throttle has a very precise thumbstick. Since I use the EDTracker the thumbstick is now assigned to the thrusters. Since that moment the docking procedure has become a really smooth procedure

Ah I might try the EDtracker after my joystick arrives. That will do until the Oculus Rift comes out.
I actually really like playing with mouse and keyboard, and I'm not bad with it either (yesterday I got inderdicted by 3 cobra's while I had was flying the starter sidewinder and won ). The main reason I'm buying a joystick is for added immersion, not for better controls.

 

[simenbh]

kddie sticks? lame lame lame... I think any stick can be deadly in the right hands and the other way around.

think my choice will go for the thrustmaster hotas, just a little worried that my resting position will affect my pitching, since it cant hange angle?

 

[Bootsock]

I think a really good combination would be a X52 throttle with Sidewinder FF2 stick. The throttle contains all the interface with the computer so it will run without the accompanying stick.

Interestingly, that was what I was after doing, but couldn't seem to find an X52 or X55 throttle going separate - shame Saitek don't sell them as such.

 

[Adept]

kddie sticks? lame lame lame... I think any stick can be deadly in the right hands and the other way around.

think my choice will go for the thrustmaster hotas, just a little worried that my resting position will affect my pitching, since it cant hange angle?

The T-flight is a good entry level HOTAS, and a lot of our pilots have had good things to say about it. You can't adjust it's response curves without 3rd party software though.

 

[Severian]

CH Fighterstick, Throttle, Peddles and TrackIR. Very precise, smooth, configurable, no dead zone, perfect centring, solid build, and the analogue nipple joystick on the throttle is perfect for thrusters. The other plus there is I can now tweak nipples with my thumb for hours without fatigue

 

[Reconcilliation]

I would recommend the forcefeedback 2.

Pros:
It's basically the best joystick for the price, and for forcefeedback is still the absolute best. A $500 Warthog joystick might outperform an FFB2, but it's a lot to invest in, when you can buy an FFB2 for $40-$150

Cons:
No longer produced, so you have to buy it used
Microsoft doesn't support the device anymore, so while it works in Win7, you can't tweak any settings, and I don't know of any unofficial programs for this.
Because it's so old, there are games that don't support it (I'm hoping ED will be an exception here)
It doesn't have an actual throttle, so no HOTAS setup unless you buy that separate.
Limited number of buttons on the stick (If you get a throttle from somewhere else, that would probably be the ideal solution to this)

 

[SpectralMeat]

CH Fighterstick, Throttle, Peddles and TrackIR. Very precise, smooth, configurable, no dead zone, perfect centring, solid build, and the analogue nipple joystick on the throttle is perfect for thrusters.

I wish the joystick would have twist, than it would be the perfect setup, but I do not want to buy pedals just for that

 

[Ottomic]

X52 (pro or regular, that's up to you) is probably the best reasonably-priced and complete joystick out there for now. I'm betting you won't use half of it on your regular day-to-day simming unless you are into crazy stuff like DCS games, though. X55 is even more complex, so double that.

For a third of that however, you have a HOTAS-X, which has more than enough buttons to control every aspect of ED and then some if combined with Xpadder. And if for some reason it breaks out of warranty or something you can still buy 2 more and still spend less than on a single X52. Of course, it lacks pizzazz, but I guess that depends on how much you want to pay for some extra bells and whistles.

I think the HOTAS Warthog has force feedback. It's the only thing that would warrant such a price tag for me.

 

[Severian]

I wish the joystick would have twist, than it would be the perfect setup, but I do not want to buy pedals just for that

Yes, more costly, they work really well will the low yaw in ED. Fine tuning aim with stick bobble, faster turns with yaw into roll, and just plain slamming peddles in combat feels great Plus they do double duty for Powerslide!

 

[SmoothRolla]

CH Products Joystick and throttle

Hey Commanders!

I love elite, so much infact i bought a CH pro throttle and CH fighterstick
Do any owners of such devices have any tips/resources or mappings to share?

Also, i have also bought some pedals for yaw, "Saitek PZ35 Pro Flight Gamer Rudder Pedals"

Should i have any issues running CH throttle/joystick along with this other brand pedals?

Cant wait to try it all

See you on the battlefield!

 

[Juppstein]

Hi SmoothRolla

You can have a try with my config but you'll have to change the headmovement assignments since they are linked to an EDTracker device:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/79233233/ED/CH_HOTAS_Reference_Sheet/Custom.binds

Here is an OPD (OpenOffice) file with the button overview for a Fighterstick and a Pro Throttle:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/79233233/ED/CH_HOTAS_Reference_Sheet/CH Layout.odp


Have fun!

 

[SmoothRolla]

Many thanks Juppstein, that's much appreciated! ill try it tonight

PS, Ill be using my OR DK1 for head movements, roll on next month for the DK2!

 

[prasak]

got 568 combatstick + pro pedals + pro throttle + trackir, my bindings are different from what you need. Anyway, good choice ! Today I would buy fighterstick anytime because of more buttons

 

[Witzo]

Hi SmoothRolla

You can have a try with my config but you'll have to change the headmovement assignments since they are linked to an EDTracker device:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/79233233/ED/CH_HOTAS_Reference_Sheet/Custom.binds

Here is an OPD (OpenOffice) file with the button overview for a Fighterstick and a Pro Throttle:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/79233233/ED/CH_HOTAS_Reference_Sheet/CH Layout.odp


Have fun!

Thanks!
Downloaded so I can map it when the complete game goes live.

 

[SmoothRolla]

Hi SmoothRolla

You can have a try with my config but you'll have to change the headmovement assignments since they are linked to an EDTracker device:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/79233233/ED/CH_HOTAS_Reference_Sheet/Custom.binds

Here is an OPD (OpenOffice) file with the button overview for a Fighterstick and a Pro Throttle:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/79233233/ED/CH_HOTAS_Reference_Sheet/CH Layout.odp


Have fun!

maybe im doing something wrong, but the opd file doesnt work for me, could you do a screenshot please kind sir?
im looking through the custom.binds but its all very new to me!

 

[Joe nose]

I'd suggest it's important to map the lateral and vertical thrusters to either the 8way hat as you have the oculus for view; or the ministick on the throttle. You (should) be using these a lot.

But don't be afraid to experiment with different bindings. As well as the thrusters, the functions I use the most are the various target selection functions (especially nearest enemy); boost; and power distribution. Bind them to whichever switches you feel comfortable with.

 

[SpectralMeat]

So does anyone own the CH ProThrottle and fighterstick but not rudder pedals? How do you get around the no jaw control?

 

[Joe nose]

I guess you could use the ministick as a rudder axis?

 

[SmoothRolla]

I'd suggest it's important to map the lateral and vertical thrusters to either the 8way hat as you have the oculus for view; or the ministick on the throttle. You (should) be using these a lot.

But don't be afraid to experiment with different bindings. As well as the thrusters, the functions I use the most are the various target selection functions (especially nearest enemy); boost; and power distribution. Bind them to whichever switches you feel comfortable with.

Thanks man, i mapped it to the ministick on the throttle, it was one of the main reason i bought it as i didnt like the placement on other throttles.

Getting some drift on it, but i have just discovered i need to calibrate the thing first! only cost me one round of insurance on my cobra, whoops

 

[drakmaniso]

Getting some drift on it, but i have just discovered i need to calibrate the thing first! only cost me one round of insurance on my cobra, whoops

You also probably have to put a generous amount of deadzone on the mini-stick, as it doesn't auto-center very well. But yes, it's awesome for the thrusters.