HOTAS & E: D

shadragon

shadragon
I'm looking to establish a list of HOTAS that are compatible with E: D. The reason, I'm looking at upgrading my cheap n' cheerful Thrustmaster X to a better model, but there are lots of choices out there. If you want to promote a certain model, that's fine, just add on how reliable it is as I've heard some models do have issues.

(Full declaration, I use the throttle from a Thrustmaster X and a Logitech 3D Extreme joystick as it has a lot more buttons than the Thrustmaster joy.)

Cheers.
 

lysan

lysan
I think most HOTAS are covered in the controls thread, however a HOTAS setup is more of a personal opinion, but I love my Thrustmaster Warthog HOTAS with rudder pedals.

BTW Thrustmaster are releasing a new HOTAS line, I don't know if they will be high end or budget related. Very exciting though.
 

Flossy

Volunteer Moderator
Flossy
I use the same as Lysander - Thrustmaster Warthog and Rudder Pedals. I can't abide 'twisty' sticks! :D
 

the100thmonkey

the100thmonkey
Basically, if the stick/throttle/whatever presents itself to the computer as a human interface device (which they all do since, like, 1999), the game will recognise it and allow you to assign any input to any axis or behaviour from the game. It would be interesting to see how many HIDs the game allows, although I suspect that this will be the same number that Windows itself allows.

Just count yourself lucky that you're not playing Battlefield, where only one HID is recognised.
 
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Kristov

K
I've got the X.Flight HOTAS, enjoy it, but I'm about to get an x55 Rhino from a friend who bought it and hasn't ever opened the box, and I'll be passing my X.Flight on to a buddy who has no stick or HOTAS.

I'll let you know after I get the x55 and get it setup how I feel about it. Right off the bat, just looking at all the extra buttons and knobs and controls, I'm excited. I WILL miss my mid throttle stop however, it's awesome in E: D, I can go from full forward to full reverse with just a single motion. I'm sure I'll manage however...so many buttons and knobs and lights!
 

lysan

lysan
Found it, I'm very excited to see what they are going to show us.

Thrustmaster_news2.jpg
 

Heavenly-Hammer

Heavenly-Hammer
I'll certainly stan for my CH Products setup.

CH Fighterstick
CH Pro Throttle
CH Pro Pedals

Reliability? People are still using their CH setups that they bought 15 years ago. CH reliability embarrasses every other company in the business. The analog stick on the throttle is a game-changer for fine thruster movements in ED. In my setup, the only time I have to touch the keyboard or mouse is when I want to type in chat. Everything else I can handle easily with the HOTAS thanks to its extremely flexible customization features.

I wouldn't trade any portion of this setup, though I haven't tried a Warthog stick to have an opinion on whether it can offer a better experience of not for the increased price, but it certainly can't match the reliability or number of buttons.

shadragon said:
Does the Warthog have Twist Yaw on the stick?
Click to expand...
No. Neither do the CH sicks.
 
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lysan

lysan
ianw said:
Nope - I got one thinking I could manage without it.

I couldn't.

The 'hog is gathering dust in it's box on the shelf..
Click to expand...

Just the stick or a full HOTAS? you can map the yaw on one of the HATS on the stick or the throttle control.
 

Julio Montega

Julio Montega
Lysander lysan said:
Just the stick or a full HOTAS? you can map the yaw on one of the HATS on the stick or the throttle control.
Click to expand...

The Problem with the Warthog is if you map the yaw to a hat
you have digital input, so full yaw left or right, lacking precision.
You can map it to the analog mini-stick on the throttle,
but that thing is super sensitive, i use it for lat/vertical thrust,
as alternate input (hat for primary when i need to land spot on).

With the Warthog your best bet is pedals,
takes time getting used to, but it feels right
and you also train your legs a bit;)
 

CMDR MAIN SEQUENCE

CMDR MAIN SEQUENCE
shadragon said:
...but there are lots of choices out there.
Click to expand...

I'd have to disagree with that, IMO there's a distinct lack of choice, particularly in the middle price bracket. The buttons on my T.Flight are starting to die and like you I'm considering upgrading but there doesn't seem to be anything suitable at a reasonable price (say £120 max). I'd consider the X-52 but then there are the stories of hardware failures and lack of decent support. Saitek have just announced the X-56 so I'm hoping they might bring out an X-53 (with improved build quality) later in the summer.

Also, you might find this previous thread useful: https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=232727

Lysander lysan said:
BTW Thrustmaster are releasing a new HOTAS line, I don't know if they will be high end or budget related. Very exciting though.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the heads-up, will wait for the product launch before I make a decision.
 
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lysan

lysan
Julio Montega said:
The Problem with the Warthog is if you map the yaw to a hat
you have digital input, so full yaw left or right, lacking precision.
You can map it to the analog mini-stick on the throttle,
but that thing is super sensitive, i use it for lat/vertical thrust,
as alternate input (hat for primary when i need to land spot on).

With the Warthog your best bet is pedals,
takes time getting used to, but it feels right
and you also train your legs a bit;)
Click to expand...

Yeah, but if he can't have pedals (space reason) then this could be an option. Right now I'm using that as I'm in transition of pedals :) sold my pedals and ordered a new set.
full-35902-115749-_xyz.jpg
 

Insomnia

Insomnia
X55 user here and I haven't had any issues so far (knock on wood). But I am slightly worried sometimes the one of the hat switches will stop working or a spring brakes.

OP
You could wait for Saiteks new X56 which is a continuation of the X55. The new model apparently has a better build quality. :)
 

shadragon

shadragon
Insomnia said:
X55 user here and I haven't had any issues so far (knock on wood). But I am slightly worried sometimes the one of the hat switches will stop working or a spring brakes.

OP
You could wait for Saiteks new X56 which is a continuation of the X55. The new model apparently has a better build quality. :)
Click to expand...
Thanks. I've seen that, it looks nice. I'd like to get the new HOTAS before my Vive arrives as I will no longer be able to see keys.
 

who?

who?
I really love my Warthog, though it has had its issues (one faulty button, stiction issues on the flight stick). Feels very, very solid. I think I'm more likely to break my desk than the stick or throttle.

The only real drawback is the controls on the throttle don't match up too well with ED. Too many switches (which ED doesn't support well), not enough buttons and only one wheel. I'd be happier with a throttle which had more buttons and wheels. The split-throttle sounds like a really cool idea but I haven't found any in-game use for them. I considered de-coupling them and using one throttle stick for vertical thrust on landing, but with no mid-range detent it'd be horribly difficult to land accurately/safely.
 

ianw

I
Lysander lysan said:
Just the stick or a full HOTAS? you can map the yaw on one of the HATS on the stick or the throttle control.
Click to expand...

I got the full thing - tried that too - I'm just so used to using twist that nothing else seems as easy or instinctive.

Peeps have recommended pedals but I imagine that would feel the same. Twist yaw is just too easy..
 
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