Hotas for space games, help!

[Masteryopa]

Hey guys! Im really getting stocked about the upcoming space games! I bought the alpha for Elite, but the content wasn't just for me just yet. I've been playing a bit and i've started to enjoy it more and more. Though im playing on a dualshock 4 controller and would LOVE to get a more immersive feeling!

So what better way than to buy a freaking HOTAS?! I've been looking into these for nearly 2 months now. I've been playing SC (star citizen) aswell and im a HUGE fan, but the current state of the alpha just bores me too quickly! But to get ready for the two games Im looking to get a good hotas! Thing is... Im not sure what to get! I've watched plenty of ''best hotas for SC'' and comparisons for E.. But I wanted an opinion from you guys!

Im looking for something that isn't too cheap but at the same time not ridiculously expensive (Rhino, warthog). I've been looking at the Saitek x52 generally because they seem very popular. They seem to be a good mix of cheap and quality, and also they look -very- good. I know looks isn't of importance.. But im looking for immersion and if there is a good looking hotas for not a ridiculous price? I'll take it...

My price range I guess is... somewhere around the hundred.. I can stretch further if its something good. I think 200 would be the max price but that is very limited for me!

Does anyone here know about the Saitek x52? Is the x52 pro ALOT better? (too bad it looks worse).

What would you recommend for someone who doesn't want something overpriced and nothing TOO advanced.. I dont wanna have to buy extra material (magnets and stuff) and having to mix with the joystick since im not really a technician (lol).

Cheers for the help!

 

[Asp Explorer]

I've never tried the non-Pro, but the X52 does fly rather nicely in Elite.

As for looks - it's just like riding a motorbike. You don't care how cool it looks as you can't see it when you are riding it Just pay attention to what matters - the screen!

I'd avoid the FLY5.

As far as Star Citizen is concerned, unless things radically change in the next version - you are far better off with a mouse.

 

[Rhaedas]

Plenty of Thrustmaster HOTAS out there, new and used, but it sounds like it might be too low for you, if 200 is your ceiling. It's a great stick, enough buttons to get you into trouble, and it works well with the game.

 

[Masteryopa]

I've never tried the non-Pro, but the X52 does fly rather nicely in Elite.

As for looks - it's just like riding a motorbike. You don't care how cool it looks as you can't see it when you are riding it Just pay attention to what matters - the screen!

I'd avoid the FLY5.

As far as Star Citizen is concerned, unless things radically change in the next version - you are far better off with a mouse.

Could you please tell me what the difference is between x52 and x52-pro? Is the pro better quality in material?

Ehm, try not to use any advanced abbreviations and if you do, try to explain them please. I know little of the mechanics in joysticks, ha-ha.

 

[saviornt]

I decided to go "mid range" and get the x55 rhino.. as it is my first HOTAS, I do not have anything to compare it too, however, it freaking rocks!

ps: I also got the pz35 rudder pedals as well.

 

[Asp Explorer]

I have never used a plain x52 - but essentially it boils down to this.

The Pro has different button LED's (red, amber, green) and different mode LED's (red, purple, blue).

The multifunction display is programmable via software or game input on the Pro - but it's pretty useless at the moment anyway.

Pro uses more and better springs.

Pro has twice as many sensors, giving a "smoother" movement.

Pro has more metal bits inside. No idea if that makes a real difference.

 

[Masteryopa]

I have never used a plain x52 - but essentially it boils down to this.

The Pro has different button LED's (red, amber, green) and different mode LED's (red, purple, blue).

The multifunction display is programmable via software or game input on the Pro - but it's pretty useless at the moment anyway.

Pro uses more and better springs.

Pro has twice as many sensors, giving a "smoother" movement.

Pro has more metal bits inside. No idea if that makes a real difference.

Those all seemed to be very important bits.. I always heard that the x52 had some cheap and bad adjusted springs.. And the metal parts are always cool, but indeed not necessary. But its never bad to feel like you're holding a quality stick (if you know what I meant...). And the sensors? If thats really true then no doubt i'll probably be going for a x52-pro considering i've heard good reviews from it and it even looks pretty sweet! x52 looks better, but like you said.. Who cares in the long run? I just didn't want any plastic looking garbage! I'll look into it!

 

[Megalon]

get the x52 pro.

 

[Masteryopa]

Does the x-52 pro have any magnet issues? I heard the x52 had alot of magnet issues, which would force you to screw the bottom of the joystick and replace the magnets and use glue and whatever... Is this a problem with the pro edition aswell? I really dont wanna be forced to do alot of mixing... Im hoping for a joystick good from the box..

 

[Asp Explorer]

I'm not aware of any magnet issues - but it does seem quite popular to mod the magnets in these sticks to give a more "circular" as opposed to "diamond" response.

It's not been a problem for me - but I might give it a try sometime. I think this is more of an issue for the pro-simmers. I also want to add more buttons, some toggle switches, a USB hub and remove the detents and replace with a single detent at mid-throttle.

 

[Bird Man]

Can't go wrong with the X-55 (unless you end up with a dud; in which case just return it and get another one). The X-52 is good if you want to get a cheaper one. Also people say CH sticks are great although I've never actually used one (don't like the looks).

Incidentally, Star Citizen is really not optimized for HOTAS play at this point. That's one of the biggest differences between the 2 games. Elite is really designed to be played with a joystick wheres SC is more of a keyboard and mouse game at the moment. Not sure if that will remain the case but as of now, SC feels like an FPS on Ice Skates.

 

[InverseFalcon]

I love the look of the x55, would have gotten one myself, but the stick is a little big for my hands, harder to reach the upper hat and fire buttons.

I went with a x52 pro after finding the handrest was adjustable, and it's a perfect fit! The joystick works well, love the throttle (though I can't seem to find a use for the trim dials). I think the x55 throttle is better quality, and adds some thumb hats, but so far I'm satisfied with what I've got. If I had to make a replacement down the road, I'd probably pick up a CH throttle, heard nothing but good things there. I've got a Thrustmaster 16000M as a backup in case the Saitek goes bust (the handling is supposed to be fantastic), but I'm not too impressed with its button selection and only single hat. I'd probably try out the CH Fighterstick if I needed to, but again, the hand size is the only problem.

 

[Asp Explorer]

The joystick works well, love the throttle (though I can't seem to find a use for the trim dials)

I use my top dial for scanner range increase/decrease and the lower dial for lights/landing gear toggles. The slider is cargoscoop/frameshift drive. The mousewheel for target system up/down, and mousebutton for deploy/retract hardpoints.

The great thing is that all the controls are configurable. The bad thing is that until the devs decide on final controls, I have to keep changing stuff to find out what works best

 

[InverseFalcon]

I use my top dial for scanner range increase/decrease and the lower dial for lights/landing gear toggles. The slider is cargoscoop/frameshift drive. The mousewheel for target system up/down, and mousebutton for deploy/retract hardpoints.

The great thing is that all the controls are configurable. The bad thing is that until the devs decide on final controls, I have to keep changing stuff to find out what works best

I like the idea of the lower dial for landing gear, how do you have it configured? Seems awkward having to reset it and then rotate the same way until it triggers again.

Same question on the top dial scanner, if there's a way for it to work seemlessly as an axis, then I'd go for that, it's just awkward to use when you keep having to go forward and back to nudge it in one direction.

As for my setup, I currently have throttle mousewheel on scanner range, works well. Landing gear on the slider, simulates a toggle. Mousewheel click for frameshift, top button for FA on/off, clutch button as afterburner, thumb button as prev target (next target is on the stick). Mouse button as headlook reset (using the nub as full headlook, always on).

 

[Asp Explorer]

Nope - the controls are not axial just now - just simple toggles.

Just means I have to roll down / up and then roll back to enable the toggle - doesn't take long though

 

[Borgkube]

They are all good

Chose the one that feels right to you. They are all good and they can all be programed to suit your tastes and style. Any of them will do the job.

Having said that, I always liked the Standard X52 because I prefer the button setup on the base of the stick and throttle to the way they changed it on the pro model. However the Pro has more metal and better springs. The new X55 seems good. I have the X52 and the X65F, which is the force sensing stick which I like, but it is not for everyone. The X55 has a LOT of buttons and switches on the throttle base which is nice. My other favorite is the Thrustmaster A10 stick. A very solid well built piece of equipment, but twice as expensive as the others.

They all work, they are all good. Please yourself, no one else's opinion matters.

 

[M0b1u5]

No one has mentioned the option yet, so may I recommend a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro coupled with a CH Pro Throttle?

The 3D Pro is a VERY good budget joystick with an excellent twist axis. It auto-centres perfectly, has a light spring, is very accurate and is very ergonomic for right handers. It has six buttons on the stick, plus an 8-way hat switch which is made from rubber (I sanded mine down to ake it even more comfortable) which allows excellent control of lateral thrusters/sliding.

It has a built in throttle (zoom-in/out on the radar!) and six other buttons as well.

It's very stable and does not tilt unless you are a rock-ape. I always set my axes so that the ranges are reduced to 90%, so that it is not necessary to bang the stick against the stops to get full actuation on an axis. I keep the twist (roll) axis at 100% rage though, as it allows slightly finer control.

The CH Pro Throttle (USB) is a tried and true controller, with a joystick/mouse as well as 127 or so ways to control a game, from a small set of high quality components, using one of three modes, indicated by LEDs.

It's a slide throttle, so rather than pitching up and over, changing your wrist angle constantly, the Pro leaves your wrist orientation the same no matter what the throttle position is.

I think this combination is both cheap, and yet of high enough quality to allow a real sense of immersion in the game. If you chuck in Hifi 7.1, eyefinity and TrackIR like I have, the experience is truly compelling.

 

[forger]

i had x55 and while the throttle is great stick isn't, probably i will buy new one but for now i just play with trustmaster t16000m (stick is MUCH better than x55 stick and probably better than any other stick for less than 100$) and use keypad as a throttle, it's not as effective as throttle but it does it's job, so around 60-80$ you can get decent setup, of course i also use rudder pedals and those are expensive
but without pedals it's very hard to control 6DOF effectively.

 

[TastyRK]

Haven't used the higher end sticks and while they look cool and I could afford one I didn't bother. Upgraded from an old x45 to the standard X52 and it's great both for feel and function. It's very well made and while pretty new has been faultless.

I never touch the keyboard which is great when I strap on the Rift. Happy shopping.