Don't we need a 6-dof HOTAS setup now? (My suggestion inside)

eobet

E
Am I the only one thinking that the current HOTAS setups, with a single axis on the throttle, isn't optimal for space flight games?

I know that you can use a hat switch to get sideways thrusters and up and down, but would't it be more comfortable to just be able to move the entire throttle lever itself in the direction you want your ship to go?

Also, am I the only one being a little scared of the very intricate looking HOTAS products, with buttons all over the place, each one working slightly differently from the other? I get that this may help with muscle memory, but it feels like a big threshold to overcome.

So, for everyone here to pick apart, I made the following quick mock-up:

hotas.jpg


Now, everyone who is currently comfortable with their HOTAS setups will probably not like this, and that's fine, because I'm afraid you're not the target audience for this. This is more for people like me who considers what's currently on the market to be a tad intimidating.

The big thing here that I think is new is the throttle stick, which can be moved not only sideways, but up and down as well (hence the suction cups on both sticks). I'm currently contemplating wether to move the four buttons to the side, and move the thumb rest that's currently there to the bottom instead because of this.

Ok, feel free to tear my ideas apart!
 

Ortikon

O
I can imagine my hand would get rather sore with that kind of throttle control. I see where you are going with it. I really like having my thumb controlling the X52 d-pad shaped pov hat as it is nice and clicky for minute lateral and horizontal adjustments.

However, modelers at my work are using an interesting 6dof control which I thought would be great for space games. It is more of a ball shape. Used kind of like a mouse joystick.
 

TANDKO

TANDKO
Ortikon said:
However, modelers at my work are using an interesting 6dof control which I thought would be great for space games. It is more of a ball shape. Used kind of like a mouse joystick.
Click to expand...
You mean a Trackball? If I am correct it's made for precision and comfort but lacks the speed. It used to be very popular not so long time ago, now i rarely see one.
 
Last edited:

nightlurker

nightlurker
Very interesting concept, I would certainly give it a try. I am still using keyboard and mouse at the moment and hope to go to HOTAS soon. BTW anybody else noticed there is a distinct lack of availability of decent sticks at the moment and those that are available are more expensive (for the same model) than a couple of months ago?
 

Ortikon

O
No not a trackball. Those things are nightmares.

Its about the size of a tennisball. Let me find it..
Its great for navigating 3D space.

http://www.3dconnexion.com/products/spacepilot-pro.html

hah..its actually called the "SpacePilot-Pro"

Ah. Ninja'd by Lasse B.

I like that it is intended to be used with a hand on the mouse. So imagine using that in conjunction with a non-hotas joystick. And re-binding all those fantastic buttons.
 
Last edited:

TANDKO

TANDKO
Ortikon said:
No not a trackball. Those things are nightmares.

Its about the size of a tennisball. Let me find it..
Its great for navigating 3D space.

http://www.3dconnexion.com/products/spacepilot-pro.html

hah..its actually called the "SpacePilot-Pro"

Ah. Ninja'd by Lasse B.

I like that it is intended to be used with a hand on the mouse. So imagine using that in conjunction with a non-hotas joystick. And re-binding all those fantastic buttons.
Click to expand...

That's interesting haven't seen it before, definitely need to try it for work. Thanks for idea.
As I can see it has two vertical position that change "modes" and it locks in those positions. In the bottom position you can control the throttle by rotation and vertical and lateral thrust by XY movement. You can change the mode and make it a joystick with small trajectories.
There are a couple of problems that I can imagine - the throttle control doesn't have limits and vertical thrust still isn't controlled buy vertical hand movement.
And then there is the price. If the only purpose for this device is gaming the CH throttle is better choice.
 

TANDKO

TANDKO
eobet said:
Ok, feel free to tear my ideas apart!
Click to expand...
Not intended to tear apart, the concept drawing are nice, but in terms of ergonomics it will be difficult to control. And in terms of production of a gaming device very expensive to make.
It seems quite challenging to do all three movement at once precisely, especially when you need to pull it up. It might work with a helicopter lever design but again at what cost.
 

Snow-man

Snow-man
ok so why not just run two joysticks? call it a day? but get like a ambidextrous or left handed joy for throttle, i feel this is how it is/should be done in real life i swear i remeber seeing mock ups of space controls having dual flight sticks
 

TANDKO

TANDKO
Snow-man said:
ok so why not just run two joysticks? call it a day? but get like a ambidextrous or left handed joy for throttle, i feel this is how it is/should be done in real life i swear i remeber seeing mock ups of space controls having dual flight sticks
Click to expand...

Where will you put the throttle then?
 

Snow-man

Snow-man
TANDKO said:
Where will you put the throttle then?
Click to expand...
the throttle is the left handed stick, forward is throttle up, back is throttle down, left/right is strafe left/right, trigger would be full stop.

was actually looking at buying a g13 and doing this with the programmable thumb joy
 

Saiidin

S
I'm playing with two sticks now, too cheap to buy a good HOTAS so I have my ollllld Saitek ST290 configured in lefty mode, and my somewhat less old (only 8-10 years I think) Logitech Extreme 3d Pro in my right hand.

Left stick is my translation thrusters...up/down/left/right. Right stick is pitch/roll and yaw is on twist (I am also too cheap for pedals, but those will come eventually...before HOTAS in fact).

I am actually tempted to commit a Cardinal Sin in the eyes of flight sim afficionados and configure the rudder pedals I will eventually get as accelerator/brake pedals for this game specifically.

Right now, left stick throttle is set for forward/reverse thruster axis, right stick throttle is set for throttle axis for supercruise. It's a bit annoying to try and adjust thrusters and then switch back to translation stick but it's "working" for now.



Right trigger is primary fire, left is secondary fire. Right thumb buttons pop chaff, boost, cycles fire group, and I can reach a bit farther up and hit buttons 5 and six for UI focus (hold mode) and activate FSD. Hat controls energy management.

Left thumb has target sub/target hostile/target ahead/target threat, and a headlook (toggle) button that changes the left hat from being UI arrow keys to head look (I don't have trackIR either...want it but...bills food and furballs first).

The extra six buttons on the base of the logitech just give me easy access to hardpoints, landing gear, cargo scoop, heat sinks, shield cells, and silent running.

I basically almost never touch my keyboard at all for E:D.


I like it that way!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom