Well, as you may have surmised,I am left handed, as are 10% of the population. Are there any lefties persevering with playing HOTAS right handed? I'd buy a HOTAS, but I'm not confident I could adapt to changing to right handed playing, thus my other thread query about Xpadder profiles, though for immersion,I would prefer HOTAS.
H.O.T.A.S & left-handedness
- Thread starter Hipporider
- Start date
I suggest that you try one out if you can. I'm a lefty, and had a go on the x52 at E3... It was nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be, but obviously not perfect straight off.
Yup, leftie with an x52 and I don't have any probs. It's a bit like learning to drive a manual car from anywhere other than england, (or one from england if you're not from here 
). Changing gears witht eh other hand feels weird, but you get used to it.
). Changing gears witht eh other hand feels weird, but you get used to it.
Cross dominant here. I write and hold eating utensils with my left hand, but primarily catch, throw, bat, and lead my punches with my right. My left hand is more dexterous, my right stronger.
I can shoot equally well with either hand and I've never had any issues using a joystick with either hand.
I can shoot equally well with either hand and I've never had any issues using a joystick with either hand.
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Just fly it right handed. I've had to fly the A320 left handed from the left Seat and there were 150 people in the back! It's no problem for a right handed person. it's not like trying to write with the other hand.
Thanks for the input ,fellas.Very helpful. I may try using the HOTAS right handed then. Now all i have to figure out is which one to get . Warthogs are too dear for me .
Left-handed helicopter pilots seem to manage without killing us all
And the guys and gals flying Airbus's in the left seat!
I always play flightsims with my left hand on the stick and Elite is no exception. I learnt to fly in an aircraft with a stick rather than a yoke and I had to use my left hand in the left seat since the other controls were in the middle of the cockpit. Whilst I can play flightsims with either hand on the stick, it feels more natural using my left hand now. I'm right-handed for everything else, btw, not ambidextrous.
Honestly, I wouldn't worry about it and just learn to use whatever controls you like the look of
M
Playing ED using a X52 Pro and i'm one of the 10%
Made a post a few months back trying to find out what it was that makes left handed people think it so hard to used a HOTAS thats been laid out Throttle on the left Stick on the right as I have been flying right handed for years.
What you need to remember unlike a single joystick the controls and buttons are split 50/50 between both hands and if you set it up right then the workload should be split about the same amount.
I have mine set up:
Right Hand: Weapons fire, general flight control (Roll, Pitch, Yaw), Targeting, and Menu navigation.
Left Hand: Throttle, fine flight control ( thrusters), weapons select and deployment, sub system navigation, scanner, power management , Hyperspace and boost keys.
In most cases ie combat both hands share the workload and im not trying to steer the ship, make fine adjustments, fire the weapons and set power levels all with the right hand on the stick leaving the left to just run the thrusters.
The only time my hand needs to leave the stick is to deploy the cargo scoop.
Made a post a few months back trying to find out what it was that makes left handed people think it so hard to used a HOTAS thats been laid out Throttle on the left Stick on the right as I have been flying right handed for years.
What you need to remember unlike a single joystick the controls and buttons are split 50/50 between both hands and if you set it up right then the workload should be split about the same amount.
I have mine set up:
Right Hand: Weapons fire, general flight control (Roll, Pitch, Yaw), Targeting, and Menu navigation.
Left Hand: Throttle, fine flight control ( thrusters), weapons select and deployment, sub system navigation, scanner, power management , Hyperspace and boost keys.
In most cases ie combat both hands share the workload and im not trying to steer the ship, make fine adjustments, fire the weapons and set power levels all with the right hand on the stick leaving the left to just run the thrusters.
The only time my hand needs to leave the stick is to deploy the cargo scoop.
I'm left handed and am using T Flight Hotas X reasonably well. I won't lie and say it was easy to pick up but determination and practice has paid off.
The Hotas X has the advantage of costing £40 so if it is not for you, it is not going to be as painful a dent on the wallet as the Warthog
The Hotas X has the advantage of costing £40 so if it is not for you, it is not going to be as painful a dent on the wallet as the Warthog
Am left handed with a X-52 HOTAS setup and saitek rudder pedals. I really prefer hand flying with my left hand, bought a logitech attack 3 which works perfectly, use the X-52 throttle in my right hand but it's backwards.
Spent a fair bit of time in the past flying an A320 simulator, instructor was always in the left seat so I had to fly with my right hand on the side stick. felt weird at first but to be honest it's not that hard to adapt.
I also have A330 replica thrust levers, cost me quite a bit, can also be used left and right handed obviously. Doesn't work with ED unfortunately
Spent a fair bit of time in the past flying an A320 simulator, instructor was always in the left seat so I had to fly with my right hand on the side stick. felt weird at first but to be honest it's not that hard to adapt.
I also have A330 replica thrust levers, cost me quite a bit, can also be used left and right handed obviously. Doesn't work with ED unfortunately
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Hello fellow Commander. Left anded pilot here, too. For years, I have the same problem. Companies only make HOTAS for right anded people. Don't buy a "normal" right anded one. You will not like or be good using it. It's hard to explain it; the sensitivity on you're right hand will make you "slow" on a dogfight. I have a great "Cougar" HOTAS; well, it is only here to look at it!
The solution... If you buy the cheap Thrusmaster X, you can swap it around and use the joystick, on the left and throttle, on the right. You're hands will permit, some medium time play and you'll manage to adapt easy, to the reverse power position; forward = deceleration and back = acceleration. If you can, buy the X52 Pro. Same situation; just swap controllers and adapt to the reverse power use. That's my current HOTAS and I'm very happy, with it. For light play, a XBOX controller is a lot of fun, too.
Regards
The solution... If you buy the cheap Thrusmaster X, you can swap it around and use the joystick, on the left and throttle, on the right. You're hands will permit, some medium time play and you'll manage to adapt easy, to the reverse power position; forward = deceleration and back = acceleration. If you can, buy the X52 Pro. Same situation; just swap controllers and adapt to the reverse power use. That's my current HOTAS and I'm very happy, with it. For light play, a XBOX controller is a lot of fun, too.
Regards
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I use the mouse with my right hand, play guitar right handed, yet write with my left hand lol
I am left handed as well and using the T.16000M. I doubt a HOTAS would work well for me since I need my right hand for the mouselook. Especially in combat situations. And before anybody asks, yes I have heard of TrackIR. Just can't afford one.
Anyway, good to know I'm not the only left handed guy in this game.
Anyway, good to know I'm not the only left handed guy in this game.
Strange business. I play bass guitar right handed ,but am totally uncoordinated more than normal,trying to use a mouse right handed. strange indeed. I am very left handed. Something tells me I will be playing in the training stuff a loooong time before i venture out into space with the rest of you,LOL