Best joystick for VR?

[revvr]

I'm very new to the game, but can already tell that I'll need a joystick to play it properly. I'm currently on an Xbox controller.

Is there a joystick setup that is both reasonably priced and that works well with Rift?

Basically, I cannot have keyboard assignments because I can't see the keyboard with Rift on, so all controls should be on the stick and thrust.

Anything tried and true?

 

[Faded Glory]

I'm very new to the game, but can already tell that I'll need a joystick to play it properly. I'm currently on an Xbox controller.

Is there a joystick setup that is both reasonably priced and that works well with Rift?

Basically, I cannot have keyboard assignments because I can't see the keyboard with Rift on, so all controls should be on the stick and thrust.

Anything tried and true?

I'm using the Thrustmaster T.16000 M HOTAS. I was using it before I started with the rift, but find it works very well with it. There are a lot of buttons and hats on the throttle, and I use one as a 'shift' button that allows me to double up. The buttons on the base of the throttle aren't great for VR, nor were they great playing on a monitor.

You will likely need to use voice attack as well with VR for those odd functions that you can't / don't want to map to the HOTAS.

 

[revvr]

Thanks. I keep hearing about the Thrustmaster.

I found a used X52 for about $60 that I'm about to jump on. Any advice? Can't find a used Thrustmaster anywhere.

 

[Judz]

The most used stick for CMDR's is the HOTAS x, I used my brothers when I set up his controls and it was surprisingly good,I had to tighten the joystick center as it felt to be too slack, (part of the build, user discretion) . If money was no problem then I would go for an x55/56 or the top banana Warthog. But as you have stated reasonably priced then I would go for the HOTAS x. I may yet get a Warthog to replace my x-55...but as it is still solid I am undecided.

 

[revvr]

My concern about HOTAS x is that it seems to have a limited amount of buttons on the stick. Any thoughts around that?

 

[Judz]

My concern about HOTAS x is that it seems to have a limited amount of buttons on the stick. Any thoughts around that?

Shift keys. Press a button and hold it down, hit another button and program away. Basically you can use a button for 2 different commands.

 

[Chromezero]

I found a used X52 for about $60 that I'm about to jump on. Any advice? Can't find a used Thrustmaster anywhere.

A lot of us are using the X52 or X52 Pro;I'm surprised more people haven't jumped in here yet. Anyway, I've had good luck with my X52.

 

[Darkfyre99]

Shift keys. Press a button and hold it down, hit another button and program away. Basically you can use a button for 2 different commands.

Not to mention control buttons and alt buttons. Elite: Dangerous' control setup is one of the most robust I've ever seen.

As for an actual joystick.... I fly with a CH HOTAS: Fighterstick, Pro Throttle, and Pro-Pedals.

 

[Zeeman]

How much you willing to spend?

Z...

 

[Zeeman]

A lot of us are using the X52 or X52 Pro;I'm surprised more people haven't jumped in here yet. Anyway, I've had good luck with my X52.

A really nice stick with poor QC, thanks to Mad Catz. Shame... I do hope Logitech get the Saitek stuff sorted...

Z...

 

[Ulysses_W]

I've been using the same x52 stick since Alpha and it's still going strong, but... I use an X56 throttle, the second one in 3 years due to broken wires in the first. I find this combo perfect for ED.

Obviously ,this isn't an option cost wise, but I'm only emphasising the longevity of the. X52 (non pro) compared to the x-55/x-56.

o7

 

[Ozram]

I would consider a CH hotas OP (with pedals). Not cheap and not pretty but accurate and with more button choices than you will ever need and (according to some) extremely long lasting.

 

[kiario]

X52 pro since it had much needed yaw on the stick

 

[wstephenson]

Same CH Hotas + Pedals as Ozram and Darkfyre99 here. I've been using it constantly for Elite since August 2014. The only maintenance needed has been re-tightening (with needle nose pliers) the cable crimps that connect up the joystick potentiometers a couple of months ago, which fixed a bit of neutral position wobble that had crept in.

The setup has an immense number of buttons and I've never had to bother with Voice Attack.

 

[Enride]

The x52, both regular and pro, are fantastic hotas for the price and if you get a good one it can last for many many years.
But they suffer from quality issues and I would be weary about buying a used one.

Currently im using the thrustmaster 16000 hotas and it works very well. I wouldnt mind more buttons on the stick but its not difficult finding a setup that is manageable.
And it just works, no fideling and no complex configurations, just plug n play!

 

[Crank Larson]

I have an X55, and while it is excellent for E: D as it has enough switches/hats/etc. to control everything, I can't recommend it as the build quality is absolutely awful. I've already had to take it apart and repair it once (it's about 18 months old), and given the cheapness of the components I found inside (particularly the very thin wires), I expect I'll have to repair or replace again in a couple of years.

 

[shadragon]

I'm using the Thrustmaster T.16000 M HOTAS.

Same. The twist yaw avoids me having to get pedals, there's lots of buttons and it's not expensive.

My first impressions thread is here:
https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showt...16000M-FCS-HOTAS-Controller-First-Impressions

 

[shadragon]

You will likely need to use voice attack as well with VR for those odd functions that you can't / don't want to map to the HOTAS.

This, but ensure all necessary controls are mapped to the HOTAS in case VA wigs out or does not work. Anything related to combat or running away should be on the HOTAS. You can find examples on YouTube where players under stress are yelling at their VA without anything happening. Much easier to press a button.

 

[DaggerSnake]

X52 and x52pro, 16000m, and Hotas-X are the big 3.
I've been using a standard X-52 since launch. It's still working fine. A little care and most things will last, but there are some out there with manufacturing issues.

Whatever stick you find, just fly with it and avoid the keyboard until you've built up muscle memory and you'll be fine.

One thing to note is that the ingame Hotas is modeled after the X-52 pro which makes for a nice of immersion.

 

[Orvidius]

I'm using the Thrustmaster T.16000M HOTAS with my own custom config, which took me some time to settle on. I kept changing the mappings, so that the things I need to hit all of the time are easy to do, and things that are more infrequent are either on multi-button combinations, or on the buttons on the base of the stick (which are more difficult to feel for when in VR). I've been very happy with it.

I have them mounted using the MonsterTech table mounts, so I don't have to worry about them sliding around on a desk, and they're held at a comfortable height relative to the chair. Worth every penny.