Going with T16000M or Fighterstick, seeking experienced suggestions...

[StayFrosty]

I recently gave a look to APEM joysticks.

You probably don't know the name, it's the company CH Products is part of. They make joysticks, switches and indicators for a variety of applications that aren't video games, and they have more than a couple interesting things, such as three axes Hall effect joysticks:

Some have customizable face buttons (and have no shortage of possibilities nor buttons), and come with a USB 1.1 interface, which is well enough to have it recognized as a basic HID device usable in Elite: Dangerous.

What is CH Products waiting for to make some 3 axes Hall Fighersticks? Could it be worth it to get one of these directly from APEM, or its German branch, Megatron? Would the prices be acceptable? I'm hoping to have an answer to that by the end of the day.

 

[kursah]

I opted for a dual joystick setup, appropriate for both left and right handed peeps. I use T16000M as my main, and a Logitech Attack3 for throttle and strafing. Absolutely wonderful, and not too pricey. The Attack3 have buttons that happen to match what I need in ED perfectly: power dist up top, and panel selector at the bottom, near throttle.

I've read quite a few folks going this route and loving it...definely an interesting thought. I would have to buy a 3rd joystic as neither the Fighterstick nor the 3D Pro would be comfortable for a LH applicaiton. Would be pretty cool to try out though!

I recently gave a look to APEM joysticks.

You probably don't know the name, it's the company CH Products is part of. They make joysticks, switches and indicators for a variety of applications that aren't video games, and they have more than a couple interesting things, such as three axes Hall effect joysticks:


Some have customizable face buttons (and have no shortage of possibilities nor buttons), and come with a USB 1.1 interface, which is well enough to have it recognized as a basic HID device usable in Elite: Dangerous.

What is CH Products waiting for to make some 3 axes Hall Fighersticks? Could it be worth it to get one of these directly from APEM, or its German branch, Megatron? Would the prices be acceptable? I'm hoping to have an answer to that by the end of the day.

Please do keep us posted! I checked out their site, and maybe if the prices are right this could lead to some DIY HOTAS solutions???

 

[kursah]

I'd like to hear more about the dual joystick setups out there. Doubtful I'll do such a thing at this point, seeing as my budget is nill and I have two RH sticks. But the concept is interesting based on what I've researched over the past week...it doesn't seem to be nearly as popular of an option...but seems like it could be good fun!

I played some more with the Logi3D doing just pitch and roll, targeting, lateral, afterburner and weapon groups.

My keyboard controls aren't finalized yet...but they were easy to fall back into again. Once again the predefined throttle positions was really quite nice and I felt more agile with that than I did the throttle on the Logitech. Also having a pretty good time with yaw...again just takes time to remember to use the keys and not twist!

Anyone out there using a CH stick without the pro throttle?

Until I can snag a throttle for a very good price, and have money again, I'm SOL on a throttle. So CH + Keyboard it'll be. Hence why I'm going through the work of a custom layout tuned to my needs. Hoping it might help others here and gives me a good place to leave notes and bounce ideas off of fellow commanders. Cheers!

 

[Tarman]

I'd like to hear more about the dual joystick setups out there. Doubtful I'll do such a thing at this point, seeing as my budget is nill and I have two RH sticks. But the concept is interesting based on what I've researched over the past week...it doesn't seem to be nearly as popular of an option...but seems like it could be good fun!

I played some more with the Logi3D doing just pitch and roll, targeting, lateral, afterburner and weapon groups.

My keyboard controls aren't finalized yet...but they were easy to fall back into again. Once again the predefined throttle positions was really quite nice and I felt more agile with that than I did the throttle on the Logitech. Also having a pretty good time with yaw...again just takes time to remember to use the keys and not twist!

Anyone out there using a CH stick without the pro throttle?

Until I can snag a throttle for a very good price, and have money again, I'm SOL on a throttle. So CH + Keyboard it'll be. Hence why I'm going through the work of a custom layout tuned to my needs. Hoping it might help others here and gives me a good place to leave notes and bounce ideas off of fellow commanders. Cheers!

Custom control schemes are THE way to go for this type of game imo. Like, before you even play it. I've done this in any game that let me rebind 50+ controls. You end up with a setup you immediately understand better, and can tweak more easily.

I like to use a template of the keys and HOTAS controls, and work from scratch, mapping functions to what look like decent arrangements. Then you also have a handy refsheet. I've found it's a lot easier to make small adjustments to the setup if I've determined what goes where in the first place. It also prevents fun stuff like finding out where the Throw All Your Stuff Away button is by throwing away all your stuff.

 

[kursah]

I have to agree customized control schemes are the way to go. We should find a way to share these with our fellow commanders. I hope once I have my hardware and control schemes figured out I'll be set and hopefully help others in the same boat.

An applet that has a basic keyboard image and the more popular sticks and hotas setups that could be filled out or captured from the current active scheme and submitted and printed in PDF would be epicness IMHO.

I am not 100% on my keyboard scheme yet...but then again I also really like it for the assigned uses.

Not missing twist yaw as much as I thought I would though. Thinking this won't be so bad after all.

Now if that Fighterstick would just get here already!

 

[Penderin]

I have been using the 3d Pro since I joined premium beta in June and it has been a great stick, however I have now ordered a x52 pro as I really wanted the separate throttle and for me the twist yaw is essential. I have had a few hours playing on a friends x52 and IMO it's a great bit of kit. If you look around you can get a x52 pro for £126 not sure what this in USD at the mo but if you keep looking they are out there for a good price.

 

[kursah]

Still eagerly awaiting my Fighterstick to show up. I see that the T16000M has a 5-vote lead over the Fighterstick now, which is a clear indicator I may need to check that stick out too. I can find them back at about $45 shipped on fleabay and $48 shipped on Amazon.

I'm hoping the price will drop or I'll find one at a better price. I paid not much more than that for the Fighterstick and I can't wait for all the extra switches!!!!!!

I am using the left side of the keyboard and the stick + thumb accessable buttons with great success. I feel I am enjoying the game more and my combat is benefiting as well!

I changed the number keys throttle scheme to:
1 - 0%, 2 - 25%, 3 - 50%, 4 - 75%, 5 - 100%

Works pretty well... 25% is barely used unless in a station in my experience, but is useful when it's there, more than using W/D for throttle...those work for fine tune and respond well..but I would rather be ready to press another key asap..so a predefined throttle position has proven valuable with this setup.

I am debating moving afterburner/boost over to the keyboard and remapping my number 4 button as well. Overall, been very happy with the change. Looking very much forward to the extra HAT switches, will be nice to have one for power management within thumb's reach. Will be nice to have POV look or something else...and finer targeting options, etc.

Cheers!

 

[kursah]

UPDATE

So I recieved my CH Fighterstick a couple of days ago...granted I've been in the middle of semester finals and job field-based certification testing, and have one more week to go so my time has been greatly limited.

But a few things to note is that so far I really have enjoyed the CH Fighterstick, it is SOOOOOOO much more accurate than the Logitech. The force to move is much lighter, but the stick itself feels much stronger and of better quality. The CH is larger in every dimension over the Logitech unit, and honestly I like the looks of it.

At this point I have not set a concrete scheme, but I have it like this:

Trigger - Weapons group 1
Button 2 (top left) - Weapons group 1
Button 3 (front right) - Hardpoint Deployments
Button 4 (pinkie) - Flight Assist

Thumb HAT - L = Landing Gear R = Cargo Scoop U = Boost D = Reverse Throttle
LH HAT - Lateral Thrusters
RH HAT - Power Distribution
POV HAT - Targeting Friendly/Enemy/Subsystems.

I do not use the throttle on the stick, but have considered attaching a flap or thumb rest on the wheel to use it. Not too worried as I'm used to my keyboard scheme mostly.

For the keyboard scheme, I have reset to ED defaults, except for running Supercruise as J and Hyperspace as K, 1-5 for throttle like this:
1 - 0%
2 - 25%
3 - 50%
4 - 75%
5 - 100%

I use F1, F2, F4 for menu access options along with LH Shift still. I use the mouse for menu and mouse-look, but also have settings for using the flight stick for menu options...honestly I use the default keyboard keys the most for menu options since that's how I use it on the laptop.

So far the experience has been great. I have no qualms with the stick at all, feels solid and I have no doubt that it'll last me many years into my space sim piloting career. The Logitech is temporarily retired until the kids show more interest.