Analog vs digital yaw control - Is there really much difference?

[NeilF]

So I'm looking at a new joystick. Most of the joysticks I like the look of do not have twist (analog) yaw, which I am rather used to, so I'm wondering how much of an issue that really is to folks who control yaw with buttons or hat switches?

Surely most of the time on/off yaw is fine? Surely the only time it's an issue is during interdiction when fine control is probably useful?

ps: No I don't want pedals

 

[Snarfbuckle]

So I'm looking at a new joystick. Most of the joysticks I like the look of do not have twist (analog) yaw, which I am rather used to, so I'm wondering how much of an issue that really is to folks who control yaw with buttons or hat switches?

Surely most of the time on/off yaw is fine? Surely the only time it's an issue is during interdiction when fine control is probably useful?

ps: No I don't want pedals

I would suggest the Thrustmaster HOTAS if you are on the cheaper side since it has nice yaw flaps on the throttle instead of a twist stick (which is horrible for my wrist).

Otherwise I suggest the whole shebang of X55, Combat Pedals and TrackIR.

 

[NeilF]

I would suggest the Thrustmaster HOTAS if you are on the cheaper side since it has nice yaw flaps on the throttle instead of a twist stick (which is horrible for my wrist).

Otherwise I suggest the whole shebang of X55, Combat Pedals and TrackIR.

Thats what I've already got. The movement is becoming glitchy. eg: YAW potentiometer is going for one etc... And that's after about 8months only...

 

[Magic Man]

Depends on how you fly I guess. I like analogue yaw, wouldn't be without it for docking, landing and ship tracking.

If you've used anything other than full twist for yaw then you prefer analogue yaw too...

Go pedals, you know you want to really, especially if you are looking at a stick without twist...

 

[777Driver]

Thats what I've already got. The movement is becoming glitchy. eg: YAW potentiometer is going for one etc... And that's after about 8months only...

I would suggest pedals, they allow precise control over yaw & the toe brakes can be assigned to another axis (I use them for left/right thrusters) The level of control over twist action is on another level. I wouldn't even consider trying to fly the ship with yaw set to a button.

 

[Captain Fizz]

I use Yaw a lot when aiming weapons...
Less of an issue if gimballed of course.

Digital should be fine for general flying though.

 

[Monk]

I pretty happy with my Logitech Extreme 3D Pro. Was cheap and has been fairly durable so far...have only had to add a little dead zone after having it a few months. It has a responsive analog twist yaw. I used to do a digital yaw (w/ flight control override, had yaw on the stick during normal flight) when I only had the Xbox controller and the fine control of yaw is most felt when piloting a ship with a high yaw rate like the Clipper or T7.

I found that digital yaw on a ship with a high yaw rate lead to a lot of over correction during docking and complicates aiming a fixed weapon against a small ship.

 

[Bourrinopathe]

Fine control is also required to aim with the fixed weapons (and a twist axis provides a more intuitive feel), but when it comes to ergonomics, it's a personal matter.

I own a high precision flight stick with no twist (VKB Black Mamba - metal gimbal w/ magnetoresistive sensors) and (VKB) rudder pedals, but with Elite, I really enjoy controlling all the axis with one hand. I use my thumb on a hat to control the thrusters.
That's why I'm using a cheap Logitech Extreme 3D pro with Elite instead of the top quality VKB stick/rudder combo. Nevertheless, I won't recommend the 3D Pro because the gimbal is made of solid butter (ruining the feeling and overall precision) and the potentiometers tend to have a non-linear response.

The Thrustmaster T16000M seems to satisfy many users but I have no idea how precise the gimbal can be and how fast it will loose precision (wear).

With the Black Mamba, I tried controlling the yaw with a hat (on the stick and on the throttle (Saitek/Mad Catz X-55)). It wasn't comfortable or precise enough.

From what I've read (and heard from some friends), the X-55 stick ergonomics are uncomfortable.

You may want to take a look at Joystick Curves to ease your pain with the T-Flight Hotas yaw response (unless T.A.R.G.E.T already saves the day).

Imho, a proper yaw axis should be more enjoyable.



[EDIT]: the Defender Cobra M5 is also a very good joystick but you'll have to find a v2 (not a v3) (read the comments/review (w/ video))

 

[NeilF]

Fine control is also required to aim with the fixed weapons (and a twist axis provides a more intuitive feel), but when it comes to ergonomics, it's a personal matter.

I own a high precision flight stick with no twist (VKB Black Mamba - metal gimbal w/ magnetoresistive sensors) and (VKB) rudder pedals, but with Elite, I really enjoy controlling all the axis with one hand. I use my thumb on a hat to control the thrusters.
That's why I'm using a cheap Logitech Extreme 3D pro with Elite instead of the top quality VKB stick/rudder combo. Nevertheless, I won't recommend the 3D Pro because the gimbal is made of solid butter (ruining the feeling and overall precision) and the potentiometers tend to have a non-linear response.

The Thrustmaster T16000M seems to satisfy many users but I have no idea how precise the gimbal can be and how fast it will loose precision (wear).

With the Black Mamba, I tried controlling the yaw with a hat (on the stick and on the throttle (Saitek/Mad Catz X-55)). It wasn't comfortable or precise enough.

From what I've read (and heard from some friends), the X-55 stick ergonomics are uncomfortable.

You may want to take a look at Joystick Curves to ease your pain with the T-Flight Hotas yaw response (unless T.A.R.G.E.T already saves the day).

Imho, a proper yaw axis should be more enjoyable.



[EDIT]: the Defender Cobra M5 is also a very good joystick but you'll have to find a v2 (not a v3) (read the comments/review (w/ video))

Well, I really did like the idea of retaining an analog yaw control, ideally with joystick twist. So I've gone with the baby brother of yours, a Cobra M5, combined with a CH PRo Throttle.

Hopefully those togethor will be a good compromise...

As regards joystickcurves with my T-Flight, a section of the twist potentiometer is just dead, so for a section you turn over to the left, no movement is detected so as you twist left, the level goes up, then levels, then spikes up again. It's usuable, but not great... There's no way to make that good with joystickcurves

I believe the twist yaw in the M5 can be upgraded, so I'd love to get the kit to do that!

 

[Bourrinopathe]

That should be a lovely combination!
Just make sure you get the Cobra v2. It will have the nJoy32 controller and you should be able to upgrade the yaw axis to a DMaRS sensor (an upgrade kit was available). Don't hesitate to contact VKB if you need help. They're a great team.

 

[NeilF]

That should be a lovely combination!
Just make sure you get the Cobra v2. It will have the nJoy32 controller and you should be able to upgrade the yaw axis to a DMaRS sensor (an upgrade kit was available). Don't hesitate to contact VKB if you need help. They're a great team.

Got no idea which one it is... Suspect which ever one it currently being made?

If I can upgrade the YAW sensor (later) that would be nice!