Joystick and VR - advice

[Olle3000]

So, i finally have an A-graded Python and want to get into some serious combat.

I play with HTC vive, and im thinking about buying a joystick, probably the Logitech G X52 Pro.

Now, how is this joystick with VR? Is it easy to find the different buttons or is there another one that better suits VR (not seeing)

I appreciate your advices

 

[FrankMurphy]

There are a few variables to consider, I use a warthog with my rift and have a t16000m for 2d/laptop/travel.

The x52pro is fine, I had an x52 before the warthog, reliability concerns aside the biggest factor to consider is your muscle memory.

There are a few good setups and bindings available online for all sticks, I studied these before deciding, when you find a comfortable logic that allows a competent flow that'll be the one for you. My perfect set up now is a t16000m throttle with the warthog stick, plenty of hat switches and it feels right.

Good luck with the choice and enjoy.

 

[Olle3000]

Hmm ok so i was also looking at the warthog.... obviously the price is a bit scary but it looks amazing! What are the biggest advantages of the warthog compared to the x52 in VR in your opinion?

 

[mp4x]

I had an old Saitek x52 which I really liked, I wanted something newer so now have the x56 Rhino and as FrankMurphy said it's muscle memory. I have had to learn to use the new sticks, and coolie hats etc but it has great switches to assign and it's more accurate with zero dead spots. Though I very much miss the hat on the 52x throttle index finger.

I was looking at the warthog, too, but it doesn't have yaw, and even though I have the flight pedals from the x52 I still twist the stick often to yaw.

 

[Olle3000]

Ah ok. No yaw. Well for the moment i play with an xbox 360 controller so i dont have yaw assigned. But what is the difference between the saitek x52 and the logitech? i know logitech bought saitek, but did they make any changes to the stick?

 

[Toumal]

X52 pro owner with Vive here. The stick is not a problem in VR. I'd love to recommend something better but as mp4x said, the warthog has no twist yaw. The X52 has sufficient buttons for Elite. I don't think any stick would be an issue in VR.

The only thing that still gives me grief in VR to this date is the keyboard when chatting. It's immensely painful to type blindly because I keep starting with some offset.

 

[mp4x]

Ah ok. No yaw. Well for the moment i play with an xbox 360 controller so i dont have yaw assigned. But what is the difference between the saitek x52 and the logitech? i know logitech bought saitek, but did they make any changes to the stick?

No, they didn't change it. I mean that I miss that hat on the x52 throttle, as it's not on the x56. The x52 is a good HOTAS for this game and a big step up from a xbox controller.

 

[TheChafing]

So, i finally have an A-graded Python and want to get into some serious combat.

I play with HTC vive, and im thinking about buying a joystick, probably the Logitech G X52 Pro.

Now, how is this joystick with VR? Is it easy to find the different buttons or is there another one that better suits VR (not seeing)

I appreciate your advices

I believe that's the stick that the game is actually designed for.

That said, CH Products is better, IMHO, if you can stomach the price. I paid $360 for my complete setup, including the stick, throttle, and pedals. I think that's about $100 more than the X52 Pro. It was worth it, to me, but may not be for everyone.

 

[Olle3000]

And what is that setup?

 

[space pilot]

Logitech G X52 Pro.

Now, how is this joystick with VR? Is it easy to find the different buttons or is there another one that better suits VR (not seeing)

I find it very good. It's possible to bind more buttons than allowed by default, using the Saitek Profile Editor, part of the driver. (I found some advice on this forum about how to do that.) The only times I have to take a hand off the controls are to adjust sensor range, open the comms panel, and type or hit the ESC key.

 

[TheChafing]

And what is that setup?

CH Products. Competing brand to Saitek. Their parent company makes the joysticks used in heavy industrial equipment like back-hoes and stuff. They really only offer one model of each of these; I figured you'd be familiar, sorry about that.

Anyway, for a complete setup, you'd need this:
https://www.amazon.com/CH-Products-...&sr=8-1&keywords=ch+products+fighterstick+usb

Plus this:
https://www.amazon.com/CH-Products-...6437&sr=8-1&keywords=ch+products+pro+throttle

Plus this:
https://www.amazon.com/CH-Products-...216498&sr=8-1&keywords=ch+products+pro+pedals

 

[vic]

Personnally using T16000M and love it! along with CH pro Throttle

 

[dogbite]

The x52 is what the Elite joystick graphic is based on. I recall Dave Braben doing a video some time ago saying Saitek was going to produce a series of controllers for Ed. Not sure if that is still happening since the Logitech acquisition. The Warthog is the top dog, but perhaps overkill for ED. I have used the same Saitek (non-pro) since it was released without issue. I did add a simple magnet mod that improves accuracy (brings the non-pro to around pro-level) and a tension mod. Both were extremely easy to do, inexpensive and quite successful. I don't use twist or my Saitek rudders in Ed. Not really necessary as at landing speed thrusters suffice. I suppose one might argue for twist for yaw if they are moving to fast while entering a station and misalign their approach. At combat speed the twist will only make pitch and roll less accurate (the twist can be locked off). If you fly prop jobs and helos in other sims you'll want dedicated rudders. Of course, if you intend on flying the A10C in DCS world, you'll lust for the Warthog-that's what it was made for- it's a replica of the stick used in a real A10 and it's controls match in DCS exactly.

 

[Strangepork]

So, i finally have an A-graded Python and want to get into some serious combat.

I play with HTC vive, and im thinking about buying a joystick, probably the Logitech G X52 Pro.

Now, how is this joystick with VR? Is it easy to find the different buttons or is there another one that better suits VR (not seeing)

I appreciate your advices

It lasts two years give or take, but the x55, or x56 is hard to beat.

 

[dogbite]

So, i finally have an A-graded Python and want to get into some serious combat.

I play with HTC vive, and im thinking about buying a joystick, probably the Logitech G X52 Pro.

Now, how is this joystick with VR? Is it easy to find the different buttons or is there another one that better suits VR (not seeing)

I appreciate your advices

Forgot to address your button question. The x52s offer all the buttons you will need for Ed.
https://www.google.ca/?hl=en#hl=en&q=x52+button+map&*&spf=1
It's programmable if you like. I never bothered.
For the price, the throttle is really exceptional. I really like that I can bind my thrusters to the hat on the back, so natural.

 

[Verlaine]

I use the X-52 Pro, which I love, with a Rift. The X-52's throttle is ergonomic and comfortable, and the joystick has enough buttons and hats - plus two triggers.

The key for getting at everything in Elite: Dangerous is using a shift button: I use the middle (D) button on the throttle. Additionally, the joystick's base switches are great for non-essential commands such as opening the galaxy map and heat-sink deployment.

I've had my X-52 Pro for less than six months, so I can't comment on its longevity. But so far it's performed great and without issue.

 

[dogbite]

I believe that's the stick that the game is actually designed for.

That said, CH Products is better, IMHO, if you can stomach the price. I paid $360 for my complete setup, including the stick, throttle, and pedals. I think that's about $100 more than the X52 Pro. It was worth it, to me, but may not be for everyone.

I still have an original CH 2button and Ch Combat Stick (gameport connectors). I also had a CH ForceFX (broke it). They stopped making that one (quality issues). I was also able to break 2 CH flight yokes. Also have CH rudders (gameport as well). We never did get the promised toe brakes for that model. The only reasons I didn't buy there usb Combat stick was lack of tension and programming. Also, didn't like the feel of their throttle and the lack of buttons and programming (it developed wiring issues). To be sure, though, their sticks last a long time. I put Rocketfire usb adapters on them so both all still work, except the Combatstick loses 2 buttons and I hat. The rudders still work fine , but still no toe brakes.

 

[Korben Dallas]

I had an old Saitek x52 which I really liked, I wanted something newer so now have the x56 Rhino and as FrankMurphy said it's muscle memory. I have had to learn to use the new sticks, and coolie hats etc but it has great switches to assign and it's more accurate with zero dead spots. Though I very much miss the hat on the 52x throttle index finger.

I was looking at the warthog, too, but it doesn't have yaw, and even though I have the flight pedals from the x52 I still twist the stick often to yaw.

Did you get the X56 Rhino recently? I had a X55 (which is almost the same) and because Saitek didn't bother to wrap the flimsy cables all the way into decent duct tape in the Throttle unit, the cobwheels ate through them and bit by bit the buttons stopped working, including the dials too.

If you feel confident enough, you might want to take a peek inside your throttle unit as well, and verify that with the X-56 they changed their modus operandi and did not half @ss their job.

---------------------

To OP, to each his own, but I would definitely recommend the CH fighter stick (usb) and the CH throttle. The pedals are not really required, since you can set the thumbstick for lateral rotation.

 

[[HJ]-RedRaven]

I forked out for a Warthog HOTAS because I wanted a peripheral to last - and a joystick often takes quite a lot of punishment/force, even when you're not really being rough.

The Warthog is heavy, mostly metal and heavy. Definitely durable. Did I say heavy?

The Warthog has no yaw, but that can be bound on a throttle thumb hat and can easily be used even while rolling/pitching and changing throttle setting. I find that superior to a twistable stick where you lose some orientation of the pitch and roll axes.

Pedals are not really required unless you do want max pilot immersion/use your feet/apply a lower rate of yaw. A 'nice-to-have' addition.

The button arrangement on any joystick should feel comfortable and natural, but a good logical arrangement of bindings. Many set similar bindings to real aircraft etc.
Constant use will burn the buttons into your muscle memory and you'll forget you'r even using them most of the time.

 

[Olle3000]

Its a tricky one, obviously i would like the warthog but as for the price... i think ill go with the x52 pro since many people here said it works well for them. And now is a good timing too bcs i have to send back my vive for dead pixel. So time to learn the joystick while being able to see it