Dual Joysticks - any success stories?

Greetings commanders,

I am contemplating a dual joystick setup, as I am not quite happy with the digital thruster control setup I currently have on my Warthog HOTAS. Have any of you transitioned from a quality HOTAS to a dual stick setup? If so, what are your experiences?
 
I'm playing ED since 1.0 with dual sticks. I like it. Set up was without any problems.

Sometimes Windows decides that the sticks change places in the USB - stick 1 gets stick 2 - and I have to plug the sticks into the other USB slots - other than that. No problems.
 
I've had multiple duel joystick set ups. All of them have been awesome fun to use.

None of them used identical joysticks for each hand, so never ran into the problem above.

My advice is look for joysticks with as many buttons/hats etc on the top.

Buttons on the base of joysticks seemed pretty pointless to me as you don't really want to be removing your hands from the sticks, especially in combat.

Pinky switches are REALLY handy for using as "Shift" buttons, allowing you to hold them down, and press other buttons, almost doubling the amount of buttons/hats at your disposal. You can map that just using Elite's control functions too as it recognises multiple button presses.


I've also always had foot pedals with my set ups, and I use those for throttle(s)
 
Also be aware that some sticks are for right handed use only. Some of the old Saitek ones could be switched from left to right, assuming they still work ;)
 
As I'd be swapping out a Warthog setup I reckon I will aim for something fairly high end, like this:
https://virpil.com/en/

Couple of questions:

1. Do you use a throttle in addition to the sticks? Or a throttle on one of the sticks?
2. Do you use pedals for yaw, or the left hand stick? I was planning to use the left stick for back/forward and left/right thrusters, and the right stick for pitch and roll as usual, but unsure how to map out the rest.

Video of the controllers in question:
-remove direct link to video with swearing in the captured frame-
 
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Two T.16000m here, best thing ever - thrust is on the secondary's sticks twist axis.

The only Problem is, that Windows re-indexes the gamepad devices sometimes and mixes them so Elite recognizes the left for the right stick and vice versa - it helps to unplug the sticks and replug them on different ports.
 
Greetings commanders,

I am contemplating a dual joystick setup, as I am not quite happy with the digital thruster control setup I currently have on my Warthog HOTAS. Have any of you transitioned from a quality HOTAS to a dual stick setup? If so, what are your experiences?

I use dual joystick with a thruster, with some settings on multiple devices. Best of both worlds. :)
 


1. Do you use a throttle in addition to the sticks? Or a throttle on one of the sticks?
2. Do you use pedals for yaw, or the left hand stick? I was planning to use the left stick for back/forward and left/right thrusters, and the right stick for pitch and roll as usual, but unsure how to map out the rest.


(I use two T1600)

Throttle up, down, 100% revers/forward and 0% thrust on keyboard.
Maneuvering thrusters on sticks.
Left stick:
Up/down: forward/backward thrusters
left right: left/right thrusters
twist: up/down thrusters
3 buttons for PIPs
fire trigger: boost

Right stick:
up/down: pitch
left/right: roll
twist: yaw
Buttons used for target selection and secondary fire

Buttons on base left stick: 50% reverse and forward thrust and 0%.
 

ALGOMATIC

Banned
Using dual joysticks, main activity is pvp.

T16000 on the left and logitech 3d pro on the right.

I dont use the keyboard at all except for comms.

The only issue is fixed weapons with FA off, so I resort to being a gimbaled scrub with fa off.
 
I'm playing ED since 1.0 with dual sticks. I like it. Set up was without any problems.

Sometimes Windows decides that the sticks change places in the USB - stick 1 gets stick 2 - and I have to plug the sticks into the other USB slots - other than that. No problems.

Try JoyID to assign the devices to specific outputs. Take it out of window's hands!
 
There is a not so good review on Amazon that was just posted today. This review mentions a new (as in still prototype) Logitech stick that is apparently very good. I can't believe I'm actually sort of excited about a Logitech product.

Thanks for the link!

Ah that's surely a disappointing review. Here it is btw:

1.0 out of 5 starsHeavily built, but poorly designed tension system leading to inaccurate aiming
ByDavidon 18 October 2017
So I was extremely excited to test out my VPC Mongoos T-50 flightstick, which was gifted to me by a friend. However, I quickly discovered that the T-50 flightstick suffered from the same poor tension design that the VKB flightstick had where there is little tension in the center with increasing tension as you deflect the flightstick. As any competitive pilot knows, this is HUGE problem as you need tension at the center for precise shots, and you need less tension at the outside so you can quickly deflect the flightstick to maneuver. Since I noticed this huge design flaw I ended up asking my friend why he truly gifted it to me and it turns out the tension system was the reason. He had actually seen his performance drastically drop compared to when he was using his Saitek X-55, TM T16000m, or TM Warthog. Personally I also so my performance drop compared to when I used my X-55 despite the X-55 have worse sensors because it had a much better tension system located at the center. I also noticed that my T-16000m outperformed the VPC T-50 as an aiming-stick (right) and drastically outperformed the VPC T-50 as a strafe-stick (left) since strafe-sticks demand low-tension at the outermost deflection. Please note, I have hundreds of hours worth of flight experience and have lead number leaderboards in Kill/Death and Damage ratio in Star Citizen. I even hold the highest recorded Squadron Battle score so I know exactly what type of equipment it takes to play at the 1% level and this VPC T-50 flightstick just didn't make the cut. Please note, the top pilots, including myself also returned our VKB Gunfighters due to the poor tension design system as well so things aren't great with VKB flightsticks either. I guess it's back to using the TM Warthog in the right and TM T16000m in the left for Star Citizen.

However, if you are a very casual flyer and have no interest in competitive play and want something to last this flightstick will certainly fulfill that need.

Remarks for VIRPIL, if you would redesign your tension system to have tension at the center and decreasing tension as the flightstick is deflected you would have the flightstick crown. If you are serious about making changes to the tension system you may send me a prototype. Honestly, I have Logitech's prototype high-end flightstick on my desk and I can tell you right now if you don't fix your tension system you might not sell anymore flightstick once this Logitech's flightstick gets released as it's built as tough as the T-50 and uses a center tension system with incredibly good sensors.
Read less
https://www.amazon.co.uk/VIRPIL-Controls-VPC-MongoosT-50-Flightstick/dp/B075Q1813X

Does anyone else here havea T50 or the VKB sticks that would care to comment?
 
There is a not so good review on Amazon that was just posted today. This review mentions a new (as in still prototype) Logitech stick that is apparently very good. I can't believe I'm actually sort of excited about a Logitech product.

Thanks for the link!

Hmm, seems he was using the standard cam profile that comes installed on the joystick. The youtube review mentions the same thing, and then notes that changing the cam solved the whole issue.

I am tempted to just order one stick (left hand) and use the Warthog on the right together with the Warthog Throttle. I am sure the lack of symmetry will drive me insane though ;) If the left stick works I could always order the right stick and a new throttle later and sell the Warthog as a complete setup.

Note - as a VR player I love joysticks with lots of easily identifiable buttons, means I never have to use the keyboard for anything. I reckon this setup would be pretty damn good for this usage, even without resorting to "shift" buttons.
 
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Dual T1600M here myself + VoiceAttack, though I do have most controls bound to the stick in some way or another (using shift keys).

Right stick is Roll, pitch yaw.

Left stick is Lateral and Vertical thrust, I use analogue throttle on the twist, but generally, I use buttons to control throttle at 25, 50, 75 and 100%.

I am shortly getting pedals which I intend to use for throttle.
 
I use a Thrustmaster Warthog HOTAS in combination with t.flight rudder pedals for a full analog control setup.


Rotation:
Joystick - Pitch and roll axis
Pedals central axis - Yaw axis

Translation:
Right throttle - Main throttle axis (full range forward / backward)
Left throttle - Vertical thrusters
Toe brakes - Horizontal thrusters (combined both single toe brake axis´ into one axis, using an input mapper)


Two joysticks might work well, but as i play in VR exclusively, i want to use a setup, that is similar to what i see in the game.
 
I use a Thrustmaster Warthog HOTAS in combination with t.flight rudder pedals for a full analog control setup.


Rotation:
Joystick - Pitch and roll axis
Pedals central axis - Yaw axis

Translation:
Right throttle - Main throttle axis (full range forward / backward)
Left throttle - Vertical thrusters
Toe brakes - Horizontal thrusters (combined both single toe brake axis´ into one axis, using an input mapper)


Two joysticks might work well, but as i play in VR exclusively, i want to use a setup, that is similar to what i see in the game.

That is my current setup, although as my rudder pedals have died (toe brake on one pedal is gone) I have the opportunity to re-think it all a bit. I would probably keep the Warthog Throttle, and use that for cruising while using the left stick for fine manouvering and combat. The challenge of course is if I ditch the pedals, how do I map Yaw and lateral thrust.... need to think about this!
 
Like many other here I have a T1600 as a left stick and an ancient MS Sidewinder FF2 as the right stick. Been flying like this since Horizon released. I have bindings with shift keys so I seldom need to take my hands of either stick - Throttle overrides so I can have throttle set independently while resting my hands and forward/backward thrust on left hand Yaw - I'm not sying it is an excellent setup but I found it working very well for me.
 
Having to put one of the translation axes onto a wist axis will take some getting used to, although it's possible to adapt.

I use a 3D mouse - basically a small joystick with six bindable axes. I use the translation axes for movement, and the rotation axes in the galaxy map only. On the right hand, there's either a T16000m or the stick from an x52 Pro.
 
I use twin sticks for combat, and it works pretty darned well.

My setup:
Right stick: CH Fighterstick for pitch, roll, weapons, utilities, targeting, and panel selection
Left Stick: CH Gamestick 3D (with game port to USB adaptor) for yaw, thrust, boost, FA/O, high/low waking, and Vert/lat thrusters

In addition I run a Nostromo Speedpad for my power presets, silent running, and miscellaneous functions.

I can do everything except type when I'm in VR.

Frankly, the only thing I'd change is making the throw on the left stick a bit tighter. I prefer the easy throw (and bulletproof durability!) that CH provides, but I'd like my throttle stick a smidge stiffer.
 
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