Best controller for ED and SC

Shads

Shads
Hi

I'm planning on playing bother ED and SC. At present I'm just playing ED on a crappy laptop with a mouse and keyboard but will eventually build a rig specifically for when both games are released. I was just wondering what combination of joystick/controller etc would best suit both games. Anyone else playing in both betas and what are you experiences with controllers.
 
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VanQ

VanQ
The Saitek X52 (Pro) works fine for me and isnt as expensiv as CH Products

Didnt played SC:AC so much (because my actual rig crumbles under the load)
 

sun_tzu

S
I got an X55 and its great - that said I think any of the Saitek Hotas would be a good option (X65 and X52 being ones I also considered)
CH products are good and I know friends who fly swear by them in their home flight sim set ups - similarly the thrustmaster warthog is supposedly fantastic (but a lot more expensive than the X55 or X52 and I believe the Thristmaster cougar (if you can find one) would also be a good option.

I have SC access but hardly use it at the moment but the X55 works well for each
 

Zephyriel

Zephyriel
I use the cheapest HOTAS available, the T-Flight HOTAS X, and it's great for ED, I haven't played Star Citizen. You don't HAVE to spend a lot on a fancy HOTAS if you don't have the money, the HOTAS X is good quality and will get you the most bang for your buck. With the remaining money you could almost buy rudder pedals, which are also a nice addition.
 

Rog

Rog
Just to say, you could use the CH Pro Throttle (which with the mini-stic for thrusters is fantastic - better than the Saitek for ED, IMHO) with *any* other flightstick of your choice to make a custom HOTAS.

The CH Fighterstick would be my preferred choice (had an X52 Pro), but the lack of twist yaw might be an issue for you.
 

NapalmJunkie

NapalmJunkie
Generally it comes down to how much you want to spend. If not much then it appears a T-Flight HOTAS X is probably your best bet. If you can stretch several times further, then one of the X52 are rated (disclosure, I have an X52 Pro). But if you've got even more to burn, then maybe something like the X55 or something from CH.
 

Philip Coutts

Volunteer Moderator
Philip Coutts
Depends on budget. You can pick up the Thrustmaster T-Flight Hotas x for under £40 and it is brilliant for the money. If you have more cash go for the X52 and if you have even more the X52 pro. All will work perfectly well.
 

Fost

Fost
Would actually say that the ever so slightly cheaper CH combat stick is better than the CH fighterstick for ED. I have had the fighterstick for years and managed to grab a bargain combat stick on ebay. The differences are that 2 of that hats are instead buttons on the combat stick and the fighter stick can also have three togglable modes.

I never used the three modes thing anyway and for a secondary fire the buttons on the combatstick are MUCH better - especially when you want to use secondary and primary fire at the same time. On the fighterstick the top left button is in a bit of an awkward place and I often push the hat when it happens.
 

Lendri

Lendri
I wouldn't bother with rudder pedals, since yaw in ED is deliberately underpowered; you'll hardly use them.
 

blacky75

blacky75
your question is a bit... difficult... there is no BEST controller. BEST controllers are only those which are used by the users :) So for ME the best is of course TM Warthog & saitek pro pedals... now I'm SURE there are other BEST joysticks to use around :)

Now, to make your choice easier: find a shop who sells some, and try em out, I mean just grabbing them and see how you feel with it... :D

good luck commander :)
 

v01i0

v01i0
Shads said:
Best controller for ED and SC
Click to expand...

Don't know about SC, but Saitek X-52 Pro seems to work well. The throttle controller in it has "sections" to which ED seems to recognize. I mean, when you pull the throttle forwards, there's a slight resist approx around 75% as well as when pushing it down around 25%. For instance, if I am in supercruise, pulling the throttle to absolute maximum causes the ship "overspeed" when approaching stations and planets. But if I keep it around 75% where the resist can be felt, the approach speed seems to be near "optimum", not throwing my ship past the target.

I don't know if this is case with other HOTAS controllers as I have no experience about them.

-v
 

kursah

kursah
The BEST controller is the one you enjoy the game with the most without frustration.

Many use HOTAS setups, and I hope to get to try one in the future when I can afford to. I picked up a new open box CH Fighterstick from fleabay last week, waiting for it to show up eagerly. I currently run a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro which I've used for years in Evochron Mercenary as well. The Logitech has been an amazing stick, and I picked mine up from the local Walmart for under $30 several years ago. Still holding up quite well. It took me a while to get used to a stick again...hadn't had one since the 90s.

I'm looking forward to the Figherstick for now because of the fact that I WANT all the HAT switches, especially since I cannot afford the CH throttle yet...I want to assign as much within thumbreach as I can so I can utilize what I use the keyboard for.

I have changed how I use controls in the game to mix stick and keyboard (I use mouse and keyboard on the laptop). I use preset throttle, 1-5, 0-100% in 25% increments, and it works quite well. A/D keys for yaw, W/S keys for finer throttle (though the throttle on the Logitech works quite well.). The reason I assigned these to the keyboard is both hands were glued to the Logitech, and there just aren't enough buttons now that I've advanced more into the game. Hence the figherstick... I want more buttons on the stick, not on the base. Which is why I didn't buy the Thrustmaster T16000M yet (another good stick to look into and popular to combo with the CH THrottle for a HOTAS setup)...it has 12 buttons at the base + throttle too.

You need to experiment, keep it cheap. Many have recommended the HOTAS-X because of its budget-oriented price and that is a good route to take. Had I not already had the Logitech stick (which I have read many state is better than the HOTAS-X stick...and some say the that's not the case...I can't afford to validate either side of the coin..), I would've went with the HOTAS-X.

Some play with XBOX360 controllers, including Braben himself while commuting on the bus and gaming with his laptop.

Keep it cheap, and once you find what you like and is comfortable and enjoyable, stick with it or upgrade if you feel you want more from that option. Good luck commander and see you out on the frontier! :)
 

1500

1500
Shads said:
Hi

I'm planning on playing bother ED and SC. At present I'm just playing ED on a crappy laptop with a mouse and keyboard but will eventually build a rig specifically for when both games are released. I was just wondering what combination of joystick/controller etc would best suit both games. Anyone else playing in both betas and what are you experiences with controllers.
Click to expand...

ED? Flightstick >Mouse (you can use the mouse and do well, but its clear the Dev had a flightstick in mind, I use a x52 pro and love it)

SC? Mouse >>>Flightstick (Freelancer chase the mouse flight controls, aim your weapons and the game flies the ship for you. As the best option is the ability to point the guns the mouse wins. This gets a little muddy when you look at fixed weapons as you end up using the mouse as a V/J. )
 
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Unreal555

U
Best Hotas

For me my good old and authentic 'Thrustmaster Warthog' have the most precise controle function and lot of switch and buttoms. The only think you need as well is theruder becuase the hotas is without RZ-axis
 

Wullail

W
Personally , I'm doing quite well with a high precision mouse and keyboard , mixed in with "voice attack" , sure the kids look at me funny when I'm sitting there saying 'launch' , 'galactic map' , 'target threat' etc etc...but they already did look at me funny normally anyway....
 

Iskariot

Iskariot
I bought a new HOTAS for this game (Saitek X55). It is great. A HOTAS really helps with making space flight intuitive and precise.
 
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