The Joystick/Controller discussion thread

[kermit3]

black widow joystick

hi everybody i'm having a problem with my black widow joystick in that in game it keeps rotating to the left and i have to keep positive pressure on it to stop this. am i the only one having this problem or is this a general problem to many other users , I've tested the joystick in other games and it works fine which makes me think its a ED thing . Also does anybody else get the random case when in station your ship on undock just blows up as it just happened to me .
cmdr kermit3

 

[Seonid]

Does increasing the deadzone in the Controls menu help?

 

[Thelas]

I had this briefly with my X52 last week. Unplugging and replugging cured it. Dunno if that helps.

 

[kermit3]

I had this briefly with my X52 last week. Unplugging and replugging cured it. Dunno if that helps.

yep i have tried changing the dead zone and it makes no difference

 

[Brad Avidro]

I have the Black Widdow too, I haven't seen this problem.

 

[BigFW]

Does it start as soon as you've launched? Or is it ok for a while and then starts rolling?

I know this may sound silly but is there any key or mouse binding for roll that are still active and may be being triggered?

I recall having something similar with my T Flight a while back but I'm sure it cleared itself after a jump to another system.

 

[calculon68]

I would like to remap my hat control on my joystick to double as a "headlook" option. I normally use it as a thrust control which works great but would like it to double as a headlook option after I press a button to activate it much like mouse-3 does on the mouse.

Which option under controls would I alter to get this affect? I already have joy6 set to activate head look. Now I need to set my thumb-hat to allow me to look around the cockpit. Any ideas?

Thanks!!

My primary hatswitch is always set to POV. Just a legacy muscle memory thing dating back to 90s. I even have TrackIR, but its useful to disable the tracking now and then; and I use the primary hat for POV. (limited as it may be)

1. Under "HEAD LOOK" in the controls, you need to set HEADLOOK MODE to "DIRECT"

2. Assign the LOOK UP, LOOK DOWN, LOOK LEFT & LOOK RIGHT to the HAT (JOY POV1 in my case)

Not sure if you can toggle back between lateral/vertical thrusters & POV though.

 

[serrasalmus]

I bought a X52 Pro a couple of weeks ago, then sold it on ebay after 5 mins of use. Its a good stick, but I like my mouse and keyboard setup. Nothing will take me away from it. Im old fashioned.

 

[Caffinated]

I've been using my old saitek cyborg evo which has been pretty serviceable. I'm going to donate it to a friend of mine who after 10 years finally got an updated PC and is ready to try some simulators. I think it'll be a good starter stick for him. I have an original thrustmaster pro as well, but it uses the old joystick interface and without rudder pedals it'd be awkward - also the tension is so heavy that if it's not bolted to something it's unusable.

All this will be a thing of the past in a week when my new gear arrives - I went the distance and got a Thrustmaster Warthog (I have yet to find even one bad review) and a set of saitek pro rudder pedals. I really wanted to go with the MFG crosswind set, but I was already breaking the bank so I decided to compromise on the rudders.

I've owned many joysticks in my time and if I could give anyone advice it would be this - don't buy until you've put your hands on it. It doesn't matter if it has 500 buttons and 50 hats and a billion blinky lights - if they're positioned badly it's not going to help your game. You need to make sure it's the right design and comfort for you, and when you find the right setup everything changes.

 

[Tarman]

I got to pick out a stick, throttle and pedal combo for my birthday/Christmas. I went with the CH Fighterstick, with their throttle and pedal. Simple-looking but solidly made controls, they feel comfy and I like the amount, type, and placement of the various buttons. It's not flashy but my keyboard is already nearly blinding me anyway.

I did a lot of looking around because the X series is really popular (and I really really wanted the flip safe switch), but the QC stories I ran across made them seem like Saiteks are good IF you get one where the guy with two eyes is on the line that day. In that regard I kind of prefer buying sticks from a company that makes sticks for industrial use. CH also make a programmable keyboard with arrangeable keys that could potentially be useful; but IDK how decent that is personally, just saw it on their website.

Also thanks to brumster100 for his youtube videos, the first one I found about the CH Pro stick was his comparison one with the X-52, for Elite. Double convenient for me.

 

[Diablisko]

Saitek (Mad Catz) FLY 5

Im using FLY 5 and its awesome =).

 

[Okona]

Speedlink Phantom Hawk

Hi
Just came across think stick: Speedlink Phantom Hawk.
Looks kind of nice, has 8 way coolie hat, a 4 function D-pad and 12 buttons, plus it's cheap 8)

Has anyone here used it? Looks alot better then the logitech stick i was planning to get (Extreme 3) and did i mention it's cheaper?

I got one and returned it immediately, the x and y axis have quite a large dead zone. (Without one configured in ED itself) and the z axis was off center and had no dead zone at all, i.e. I always got some movement. I think the axis being off center had to be a defect.

All in all the joystick did not feel very precise, although the buttons were ok, the hats could be a little less stiff.

Definitely not a recommendation.

I also have the Logitech Extreme 3d and this stick feels better in the hand and is a lot more precise. Like the Phantom Hawk it wobbles a little around center, but not too much. Perhaps that depends on which model you get.

There would also be the Thrustmaster T.16000 in that price range. It ist the most precise of the three by a large margin and has quite a strong spring. Only downside is that I do not like how it feels in the hand, and the palm rest is quit uncomfortable. (that would require some modding, i.e. cushioning)

 

[Ironclad]

I got one and returned it immediately, the x and y axis have quite a large dead zone. (Without one configured in ED itself) and the z axis was off center and had no dead zone at all, i.e. I always got some movement. I think the axis being off center had to be a defect.

All in all the joystick did not feel very precise, although the buttons were ok, the hats could be a little less stiff.

Definitely not a recommendation.

I also have the Logitech Extreme 3d and this stick feels better in the hand and is a lot more precise. Like the Phantom Hawk it wobbles a little around center, but not too much. Perhaps that depends on which model you get.

There would also be the Thrustmaster T.16000 in that price range. It ist the most precise of the three by a large margin and has quite a strong spring. Only downside is that I do not like how it feels in the hand, and the palm rest is quit uncomfortable. (that would require some modding, i.e. cushioning)

Thanks,
I was on the verge of "dropping the hammer" on this stick.
The Logitech Extreme 3D was the alternative. I am seriously considering getting one of the CH sticks, although more expensive, I know they are top quality.

 

[Okona]

Thanks,
I was on the verge of "dropping the hammer" on this stick.
The Logitech Extreme 3D was the alternative. I am seriously considering getting one of the CH sticks, although more expensive, I know they are top quality.

I have two old (Gameport) CH sticks, and those are quite nice.
The only thing preventing me from getting the CH Fighterstick is its lack of a third axis.

I also tried the Defender Cobra M5, but it was wobbly beyond comparison albeit being precise. Its base feels rigid, but its stick feels cheap. And buttons and hats on the top are hard to press.

I am also still on the search of a higher quality joystick than the Logitech with tree axes and lots of hats and buttons on the stick. A three axis CH Fighterstick would be a very good candidate if it existed.

I am only on the lookout for a stick, since I have the CH Trottle which I like a lot.

 

[Ironclad]

I've had CH HOTAS in the past (back whem flight sims were all the rage).
Sadly i hadn't kept them. As for the third axis, i'm quite happy using they keyboard for that.

My plan is to use the 4 way hat for thrusters (up/down/side to side) and the yaw keys would remain on the keyboard. For now i have an Attack3 Logitech stick (very basic, but gets the job done) and i use it with the keyboard.

 

[Aldric]

I use an X52pro and i cant seem to be able to bind ANY button on my throttle to (Reset Occolus Rift view) in one of the boxes for that command is press F12 key which works fine but if i try to bind any throttle key to the second box for that command it takes me immediately to the desktop which is very annoying when you have the Rift DK2 on your head, does anyone know why it does this and is there a fix for it or something i am doing wrong ?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

[Luceferous]

CH HOTAS set

I'm attempting to run a CH HOTAS set, comprising of the Pro Throttle, Fighterstick and Pro Pedals. It's been a very mixed experience so far.

First up I'm not convinced by the legendary reputation for material and build quality these things have. The plastic is good, but it's ultimately just plastic. The buttons are very good however, while the LEDs used on the base of the throttle and stick are...industrial to say the least. Overall, nothing shouts 'high value'. But it all works really well, because it's CH, right?

No, actually it doesn't. If you ever felt a pang of guilt about the sense of dread you felt when you saw a sticker saying 'Assembled in Mexico' on a product, then don't worry. Embrace that dread! All three of my CH HOTAS elements arrived faulty.

Issue 01: The fighterstick, with its extremely cheap-feeling trim wheels had misaligned pots. This meant that calibration accuracy was very hit and miss. Back it went.

Issue 02: The pedals had a distinct and game=affecting 'bump' in travel ( not the centre area), that was so prominent that you could actually hear it. Back it went.

Issue 03: The throttle made a curious 'farting' squeak as it travelled through its stroke. '****** this', I thought, and pulled the thing apart (voiding the warranty) to see exactly what was going on inside. You certainly don't get a lot of craftsmanship for your money with these things. The cable routing is non-existent, and it was a free-floating rubber-sheathed wire cluster that was dragging along the units base, making the 'fart'. Examining the slider mechanism for the throttle, I found that it was just plastic sliding over plastic. It's so basic that you could build a replica in your shed. The sensor unit and mechanism is like something from a 1970's radio. It's positively Soviet. It's extremely difficult therefore, to see where the £100+ price tag comes from. Assembly quality clearly isn't a factor, that's for sure.

With the throttle slider action being basically a free floating design, I took a tip from another forum and added two narrow strips of Velcro to the throttle slider to increase resistance. Here's the link:

http://theairtacticalassaultgroup.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6098

It's a massive improvement!

So dismal assembly quality and antiquated engineering all round, but some good quality components. I'm guessing that things have changed at CH's production facilities over the years. Certainly, the products I've had in front of me have all been grossly overpriced and substandard. But...

Damn that Fighterstick is a good joystick. In fact, leaving aside the calibration issue, this is the best joystick I've used. The buttons are lovely, the throw resistance and distance is just about perfect, and the centre precision allows for the most delicate of long distance sniping.

The throttle is an ergonomic masterpiece ( now that I've buffed out the sharp plastic edge running along the two halves forming the handle). The buttons and hat switches are a physical pleasure to use, and the mini joystick is nothing short of brilliant. Certainly some parts being used to make these items are top quality. Unlike the assembly process of course. With the Velcro mod, the throttle is also has a very nice throw too. Just remember to fully Velcro it to your desktop to stop it moving!

The pedals...yeah, well, the plastic used in their construction is very thick. Didn't help them work though, did it?

So, I'll persist with the throttle and stick for a bit. Certainly they both have the potential to be fantastic, but there are major issues affecting their quality and functionality. They're also horribly overpriced. You sell and all-plastic item at a high price, using a design and components available for the last 25 years, you'd better make damned sure that the build quality is of artisan levels. CH Products fall far short of that level.

You don't get what you pay for with these items, but you do get the potential for some excellent gaming peripherals. The software and reprogramming capability of the CH HOTAS is it formidable and superbly implemented.

Better get that soldering iron out of the garage though, just in case....

 

[Spacehamster]

Are there any Joysticks that work for left-handed?

I've been looking but apparantly joysticks are not that popular these days

No information about left-handed on product page of:

Speedlink Black Widow
Saitek AV8R-03
Saitek F.L.Y. 5
Saitek X52 / pro
Saitek X55
Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas X


The only one that I've found so far that let's me change things to make it work for left-handed:

Thrustmaster T.16000M

Are there any others? I can't be the only left-handed here.

 

[Julmust Jaeger]

Well, out of all those joystick only the T-16000M is worth the price.

I used one for quite a bit and really the only downside of it is that the buttons aren't the best (they are some weird rubber "skin" and not actually hard buttons).

However, it's still a very accurate joystick due to the hall sensors and having tested everything else on the market at this point (barring a couple of Russian and custom sticks) if I couldn't use either a Thrustmaster Warthog or CH Fighterstick I would default to my trusty T-16000M.

The Saitek products are far too over priced and reliability is embarrassingly bad.

In summary I would rate (standard) joysticks/HOTAS on the market right now as:

1) Thrustmaster Warthog and CH Products Fighterstick & Pro Throttle
2) T-16000M or Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback 2 (if you can find it on ebay for a decent price, it's old school, but still great)
3) Logitech 3D (cheap but gets the job done)
4) Anything from Saitek (some of their HOTAS are pretty decent, but I don't like buying things for $$$ that have a decent chance of breaking within 3-6 months of normal use)

 

[Avelina Mortem]

Dual Joystick + Throttle Setup?

Hi, I'm a kinda new around here, but I have a question about joystick support.

I was thinking of buying a Saitek x52 throttle and joystick, but I was wondering if I could also buy another x52 joystick and use it for L/R/Up/Down thrusters as well. Would you guys recommend this? Is this even possible? Should I buy different controllers?

Thanks!