Newcomer / Intro HOTAS or M/KB?

Strykar · Apr 18, 2015

Hi guys

So having played Elite for around 2 weeks I finally ventured into Bounty Hunting. A fairly well equipped Eagle and off I went.

However I have read a fair few posts from people saying how a HOTAS setup drastically improved their dog fighting abilities and question how people can even consider still using a mouse and keyboard!!

My question is: I've never used a stick for games, always M/KB, my dog fighting (albeit against the computer AI) seems pretty good and as long as I pick my fights I have very few troubles. So as I venture more into PvP dog fighting should I be using a HOTAS setup as people seem to suggest? Can anyone explain exactly what the benefits are for someone who has never used one or indeed never played a space/flight sim game please?

Many thanks guys

Zeeman · Apr 18, 2015

HOTAS. Easily.

Every wonder why fighter pilots have a HOTAS, not a KB/Mouse?

Z...

magot · Apr 18, 2015

for pvp m+k works better but for overall game experience sticks are better ofc .

adoredtv · Apr 18, 2015

If you're really good with a mouse you'll never be as good with a stick.

quickr · Apr 18, 2015

started with m+k, thought that's the best it can get but few weeks ago i bought joystick and it's so much better and easier to play.

joystick/HOTAS over m/k setup anytime

Strykar · Apr 18, 2015

adoredtv said:
If you're really good with a mouse you'll never be as good with a stick.

Hey i'm a subscriber on your youtube channel, just been watching A Space Farce hahahaa.........the crash right at the beginning was pretty great!

Sapient6 · Apr 18, 2015

For dog fighting I think the biggest difference between m/kb and HOTAS is the behavior of FA Off. Using m/kb turning FA off zeroes your throttle, and turning FA back your throttle setting attempts to match your current vector. With a HOTAS your throttle controller continues to control your thrusters both with FA off and when you turn FA back on. Additionally, a find a stick to be a better directional control with FA Off, where directional control with a mouse is a bit more fidgety (quickly resulting in erratic movement and a need to turn FA back on sooner). I believe this gives the edge to a HOTAS when it comes to dog fighting since FA Off is very important to keeping your target under fire.

adoredtv · Apr 18, 2015

Strykar said:
Hey i'm a subscriber on your youtube channel, just been watching A Space Farce hahahaa.........the crash right at the beginning was pretty great!

Yeah flight-assist off at Z and set speed to zero at X, not good keys to get mixed up after boosting towards a landing zone.

I would concur that flight assist off is a fair bit easier with a stick.

Dommarraa · Apr 18, 2015

If you currently use your thrusters in combat well, then hotas will probably not improve your performance very much. It probably will improve your immersion.

I just use keyboard so I can play on my laptop anywhere

Scapegoat · Apr 18, 2015

I agree with the immersion comment, this was always my problem with Freelancer, only being able to use M+KB meant I always knew i was playing a PC game rather than "piloting a spaceship". Doesn't have to be expensive, the Thrustmaster T-Flight Hotas X can be found for around £35 with a bit of searching, i I can personally recommend it for making the experience feel that little bit more special.

Brieus · Apr 18, 2015

For so long, there were very few games worth using a Joystick. Now that there is one, it seems a shame not to enjoy it.

I'm using the Thrustmaster T Flight HOTAS as well, and I recently added a Razer gamepad with a directional switch. This lets me put my keyboard up out of the way. About the only time I have to use it is when typing in a star name on the galaxy map.

Lasse B. · Apr 18, 2015

[video=youtube;XMeDExipHhU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMeDExipHhU[/video]

Para Handy · Apr 18, 2015

Brieus said:
I'm using the Thrustmaster T Flight HOTAS as well

Ditto. I tried the X55 but that was cumbersome and the throttle way too stiff. The T flight HOTAS X is much better and £100 cheaper.

Dave1235 · Apr 18, 2015

MalcYorks said:
Ditto. I tried the X55 but that was cumbersome and the throttle way too stiff. The T flight HOTAS X is much better and £100 cheaper.

I played KM/M for a few months and was ok with it, I then bought the Tflight Hotas X too.

I prefer the stick, I still use a few keys but not many, using one of the buttons as a "shift" when you map them gives a lot more buttons.

Had mine about 6 months and am happy with it, I am even more happy it only cost me £35.

Crash1099 · Apr 19, 2015

Strykar said:
Hi guys

So having played Elite for around 2 weeks I finally ventured into Bounty Hunting. A fairly well equipped Eagle and off I went.

However I have read a fair few posts from people saying how a HOTAS setup drastically improved their dog fighting abilities and question how people can even consider still using a mouse and keyboard!!

My question is: I've never used a stick for games, always M/KB, my dog fighting (albeit against the computer AI) seems pretty good and as long as I pick my fights I have very few troubles. So as I venture more into PvP dog fighting should I be using a HOTAS setup as people seem to suggest? Can anyone explain exactly what the benefits are for someone who has never used one or indeed never played a space/flight sim game please?

Many thanks guys

Get the Hotas. I even got rudder pedals.

the100thmonkey · Apr 19, 2015

MalcYorks said:
Ditto. I tried the X55 but that was cumbersome and the throttle way too stiff. The T flight HOTAS X is much better and £100 cheaper.

Say that again when the potentiometers fail.

Hall effect sensors > pots.

Additionally, you can adjust the stiffness of the throttle on the X52, X52 Pro and X55.

Inb4: I don't own an X55, so no fanboy.

Architecture · Apr 20, 2015

Everything I've read about the Saiteks has hinted that they're fun to use but not a permanent solution--Lots of stories of broken or dying sticks a year or two after moderate to heavy usage.

flAzer · Apr 20, 2015

Sapient6 said:
I believe this gives the edge to a HOTAS when it comes to dog fighting since FA Off is very important to keeping your target under fire.

Can you please elaborate regards NOT using FA in a dog fight? Especially when it comes to thrusting, if u pull back (decrease acceleration) on the thuster, inertia still keeps you moving?
(While awaiting a reply, I'll go back to the training sim to experience the difference - yes i'm using HOTAS, btw)

flAzer · Apr 20, 2015

okay i see - omg take about vertigo flying without FA !!!

I'll take the question into a new thread.

ttm · Apr 20, 2015

Strykar said:
My question is: I've never used a stick for games, always M/KB, my dog fighting (albeit against the computer AI) seems pretty good and as long as I pick my fights I have very few troubles. So as I venture more into PvP dog fighting should I be using a HOTAS setup as people seem to suggest?

I've been playing flight sims for years (since the first Elite, back in 1984). One thing I can tell you is, A HOTAS does not a pilot make. Flight sims in general, are down to personal preference. You can be an excellent dog fighter on either a HOTAS or KB+Mouse. What matters, is your preferences.

If you prefer immersion, then a HOTAS is the only way to go.

If you prefer precision, then a KB+Mouse is the only option.

Not only that, but it also comes down to your key bindings. A simple and easily remembered set of key bindings, will benefit you more than a comprehensive; complicated and difficult to recall set of bindings.

This is evident when you're in the heat of battle. When you are fighting, and your heart is pounding, you dont want to have to scramble to find the keys you assigned to your shield batteries etc.

Good luck though, and I hope you find what you need.