I went from a controller to a x52 pro, and yes there is a steep learning curve. Obviously practice helps, but I noticed that it helps not to be jerky with the stick, smooth out your movements and don't always push the stick to the edge. The stick is a lot more sensitive than a controller, can't really speak for kb/m, never used it, but I imagine it's also less sensitive than a stick. Don't know if that helps at all, but don't give up on the stick, once you've learned it, it should definitely improve. your skill. I've had mine around 2 months and I'm much better with a stick than without, accept for FAOFF, still working on that.
Getting used to HOTAS...or not
- Thread starter UOcUKAkira
- Start date
The x52 is great for the srv. Just put steering on the yaw twist and you drive from the turret cam.
Flossy
Volunteer Moderator
Congrats on your new HOTAS! I've only ever used a HOTAS, with rudder pedals, since I started my first flight sim (Air Warrior) in 1998 and could not use anything else. It is definitely worth persevering with a HOTAS.
While you are getting used to which buttons to use for different functions, you may find this thread useful, as the X52 is one of the HOTAS setups currently supported. It is great for getting printed diagrams quickly whenever you make changes without having to resort to your own 'Paint-type' program every time. The Warthog, which I have, was not supported when I first discovered the thread, but was added by the OP within 24 hours of information being provided.
Good luck getting used to your HOTAS!
While you are getting used to which buttons to use for different functions, you may find this thread useful, as the X52 is one of the HOTAS setups currently supported. It is great for getting printed diagrams quickly whenever you make changes without having to resort to your own 'Paint-type' program every time. The Warthog, which I have, was not supported when I first discovered the thread, but was added by the OP within 24 hours of information being provided.
Good luck getting used to your HOTAS!
Just give it time and practice.
Even going from one HOTAS to another can be a learning curve. When I switched from a Thrustmaster T-Flight HOTAS to the X55 I was totally lost. I ended up taking a break from the game for two weeks and, when I did get back in, I spent the next month doing nothing but exploring. Once I got used to the new controls doing basic tasks I went back into civilized space and got used to docking and then, eventually, combat again.
Even going from one HOTAS to another can be a learning curve. When I switched from a Thrustmaster T-Flight HOTAS to the X55 I was totally lost. I ended up taking a break from the game for two weeks and, when I did get back in, I spent the next month doing nothing but exploring. Once I got used to the new controls doing basic tasks I went back into civilized space and got used to docking and then, eventually, combat again.
Hi,
Like some others recently gone HOTAS instead of kb mouse and as mot used for too long am already feeling the benefits
Can someone explain about the deadzone settings and why they should be set to mimimum? Thanks!
Like some others recently gone HOTAS instead of kb mouse and as mot used for too long am already feeling the benefits
Can someone explain about the deadzone settings and why they should be set to mimimum? Thanks!
Yes, might have already been said but don't try and migrate all your control in one go.
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Gradually creep more over as you get used to each new one.
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Gradually creep more over as you get used to each new one.
Biggest problem with a HOTAS is often remembering which button does what. Use the reference sheet generator at http://www.mcdee.net/elite/ to create a custom reference sheet for your configuration.
I'm getting better with mine. But it's not just lots of practice, it's also constantly re-evaluating my bindings. It's hard getting everything where it feels comfortable, and sometimes after you change a default setting, 10 hours later you say to yourself, "Oh yeah, now I see why that was like that."
One thing I still had to carry over from being a mouse/keyboard player though, was this setting:
One thing I still had to carry over from being a mouse/keyboard player though, was this setting:
I'm in a similar situation, I've been playing about 200hrs with an Xbox 360 controller and I've also recently been gifted an X52, I totally share your pain, I fly like a complete numpty with the stick! I'm kind of getting used to it but find myself going back to the controller a lot. I must admit though, using the X52 in VR is fantastic
To me the question of HOTAS or not is mainly about immersion. Same with TrackIR.
Deadzone is from a bygone era when analog joysticks used mechanical potentiometers. They were prone to wear quickly and were generally noisy anyway. If you've ever turned a volume or tone on a guitar and heard the scratching noise from worn pots?
Any modern joystick uses digital position or pressure sensing. Magnetic hall or pressure in some cases.
Before digital: deadzone was a band you adjusted around the joystick axis to which the game wouldn't respond until you pushed the stick beyond the deadzone circle you set. Thus you could compensate for a joystick with noisy pots. If you didn't have an increased deadzone on one of those old pot joysticks then it would trigger movement in error so you'd have a hard time driving or flying.
Deadzone is not needed for any modern digital control... yet it is still included on many games. Pro flightsims like DCS set deadzone to a minimum. I believe Elite pretty much sets a minimum. Problem is when you get to crappy arcade games like GTA or Battlefield. Those developers include deadzone for some bizarre reason. The more you increase (widen) the deadzone circle... the more your joystick behaves like a key-press. You lose sensitivity. I absolutely detest deadzone.
There are maybe a couple of places where you might use a little on a throttle or one of the wheel dials on Saitek X52 pro but I don't.
Deadzone still has its uses, so you say yourself. Anyway, response curves are much more useful.
I have been PC gaming for well over 25 years and ED with hotas is my first foray into stick use.
Still getting to grips with it but I'd a far more natural feel to flight than KBM.
I'll get there in the end and will stick with it, so far really enjoying flight with an hotas.
I'm using a Thrustmaster T-Flight X, cheap and very adequate.
Still getting to grips with it but I'd a far more natural feel to flight than KBM.
I'll get there in the end and will stick with it, so far really enjoying flight with an hotas.
I'm using a Thrustmaster T-Flight X, cheap and very adequate.