Anyone playing with Dual Joysticks?

Kayvan

Kayvan
I'm using a Thrustmaster FlightX or what it's called -- the standalone Flightstick, not the HOTAS one. And I'm very happy with it basically. I do see the appeal of playing HOTAS -- but unfortunately I'm on a budget, and with the typical prices a proper Throttle/WCS is currently not on the cards. So I've been thinking, maybe I could get me a leftie-suitable joystick, like a Saitek Cyborg and use that instead. It would provide not one but three extra axes, so I imagine with some practice it would enable some really sick FAOff tricks if I get the setup right.
If the game can even tell the two sticks apart properly.

So, anyone here using dual sticks for flight control?
How do you set up the controls for the three translation thrust axes (F/R, L/R, U/D)?
Do you get by with the available buttons on the sticks? My flightstick has 4 buttons and a hat on the stick, so currently I use the keyboard for everything else, and sometimes I think even that doesn't have enough keys.

Thanks for your insight. :)
 

d8veh

d8veh
I use twin Virpil MongooseT-50s, with yaw and throttle on the left stick. I kept the spring on throttle axis so that it returns to zero when I let go. You need buttons assigned to 75% and 100% for cruising and approaching super cruise targets.
 

Kayvan

Kayvan
Those look pretty slick. ^^
I currently have yaw on the ("right") Z-axis and I guess I'm used to that. Do you have Up/Down thrusters on any axis? I guess that's the one I just can't figure out, other than mb put in on the left Z. Or buttons, but I'd prefer having it analog.
 

d8veh

d8veh
I have a hat on the left stick for vertical and lateral thrusters and another hat for 0%, 50%, 75%, 100% throttle. The only drawback I've found is that using yaw while you're set at 75% throttle approaching a super cruise target tends to disengage the 75% because you nudge the throttle a bit at the same time.
 

leeG

leeG
I use dual T.16000 joysticks.

Pitch, roll and yaw on the right stick. Fore/aft, left/right, and up/down thrust on the left.

The T.16000 also has a throttle slider. I use the throttle slider for forward thrust, so when in supercruise I don’t have to keep my hand pushing on the left stick. I also use the throttle to set the thrust in the blue zone when maneuvering. The left stick then adds or subtracts thrust about the set point as needed.

If you’re not afraid of writing simple scripts, you can use the Thrustmaster T.A.R.G.E.T software to easily double the functions controlled by the buttons on the top of the sticks. I use the TEMPO function. It’s based on real aviation ergonomics. TEMPO provides 2 functions on a single button. A short press will generate the first output; a long press will generate the other output.

I also use VoiceAttack for a lot of the key presses.
 

Kayvan

Kayvan
That sounds pretty intricate ^^ That idea with the throttle slider sounds neat, as long as it can still be overridden with keyboard shortcuts (100% / 0%). Do you fly mostly FAOff or On?
Gotta say that in ED I haven't gotten very far with FAOff yet; the ships behave extremely twitchy when I try. Back in E2F and also in iWar2 I only ever flew without FA, but they have a more realistic flight model to begin with.
 

leeG

leeG
Keyboard overrides throttle until you move the throttle again. I have a key set to 75% for approaching stations. Press it at 6 seconds out.

I only do FA off when getting away from pirates. Keeps my speed high until I can wake out.
 

Ashnak

Ashnak
Dual Virpils here. Buttons are barely sufficient, so I plan on extending my cockpit a bit - but then again, I haven't yet found my optimal configuration.

Rotational axes are on the right stick, translational axes on the left (throttle = stick twist). Secondary throttle is the little thumbwheel on the right stick (incremental encoder), set to 12.5% per click. So going from 100% to 75% is two clicks down. Playing in VR, so I don't need to waste any axes on headlook.
 
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