Horizons Is it possible to set the Throttle Mid-point?

[althaz]

So I've been getting back into Elite lately, having bought Horizons. It's pleasing to see lots of little things that were a bit clunky are nicer now.

However, one thing that has seemingly changed that I *don't* like is my throttle's mid-point. I use a full-range throttle (Saitek X52). Before playing with Horizons (back in 1.3 is when I last played a lot) my ship would kick into reverse when I went over the "bump" near the bottom of my range. This was perfect - pulling back until I feel the bump stopped my ship. Now, I have to have my throttle precisely in the middle to acheive that - something nigh-on impossible without looking away from the screen - even harder were I to be playing with a VR headset.

Is there a setting somewhere I can change to fix this? It's not the end of the world, but it *is* annoying.

 

[Para Handy]

So I've been getting back into Elite lately, having bought Horizons. It's pleasing to see lots of little things that were a bit clunky are nicer now.

However, one thing that has seemingly changed that I *don't* like is my throttle's mid-point. I use a full-range throttle (Saitek X52). Before playing with Horizons (back in 1.3 is when I last played a lot) my ship would kick into reverse when I went over the "bump" near the bottom of my range. This was perfect - pulling back until I feel the bump stopped my ship. Now, I have to have my throttle precisely in the middle to acheive that - something nigh-on impossible without looking away from the screen - even harder were I to be playing with a VR headset.

Is there a setting somewhere I can change to fix this? It's not the end of the world, but it *is* annoying.

Have you tried changing the dead zone setting in the options controls menu?

 

[Mike Evans]

You need to change Throttle Axis Range to Forward Only and bind a button to Forward Only Throttle Reverse so you can change to reverse flying in game.

 

[CMDR_UKmouse]

As MalcYorks has said, adjust the dead zone for the axis.
I have the X52 Pro and have it set for that reason.
It makes a big difference.

 

[althaz]

You need to change Throttle Axis Range to Forward Only and bind a button to Forward Only Throttle Reverse so you can change to reverse flying in game.

Obviously I know I can do this - but it doesn't accomplish what I'm attempting. I want all the way back to be all the way back and all the way forward to be all the way forward - but I would like to set where is the Zero point. Right now it's in the middle, which is annoying, I'd much rather set it at about 1/4 - where there's a bump you can feel when pulling back on the throttle.

EDIT: @ CMDR_UKmouse and MalcYorks - I have set the dead zone - it's what makes things usable. It's still pretty far from ideal. Resting on the bump is always going to be going backwards (making that feature of my joystick totally useless, sadly) - unless I also have the forward bump (which is approximately at the high-edge of the blue zone) also be stopped. That would give me three speeds only instead of a nice continuous gradient..

 

[craylad]

I found the centre detent a pain so I removed it. So if your out of warranty try that. It is very easy and there are instructions online. Make sure you store the removed detent inside the throttle though in a small plastic bag. Makes it much easier to find if you need to put the throttle back to it's original state.

 

[Mike Evans]

Obviously I know I can do this - but it doesn't accomplish what I'm attempting. I want all the way back to be all the way back and all the way forward to be all the way forward - but I would like to set where is the Zero point. Right now it's in the middle, which is annoying, I'd much rather set it at about 1/4 - where there's a bump you can feel when pulling back on the throttle.

EDIT: @ CMDR_UKmouse and MalcYorks - I have set the dead zone - it's what makes things usable. It's still pretty far from ideal. Resting on the bump is always going to be going backwards (making that feature of my joystick totally useless, sadly) - unless I also have the forward bump (which is approximately at the high-edge of the blue zone) also be stopped. That would give me three speeds only instead of a nice continuous gradient..

My bad, I misunderstood.

 

[Gramps]

Cut a thin strip of Velcro about 2mm wide and stick it over the 50% line, (use the spiky side) then add a small about of dead zone to your game settings. You will feel the slight residence through the throttle handle so you'll know when you hit 0%, you may also hear it. Well it works fine for me on my X52.
.
Edit: I should add I removed the 75% indent from my throttle due to it jamming and it made the stick feel so much smoother.

 

[Shadowdancer]

With the X52 throttle, I'd generally recommend you open the thing and remove the "stop". It's a chunk of greased plastic rubbing against two rubber nubs, and as such it's extremely imprecise.

 

[Mr_sukebe]

Another option might be to use VoiceAttack. Before getting a Hotas, I used voiceattack, with a set of options including "Full ahead", which set throttle to 100%, "Half", 50% throttle etc. Can't say I have a problem now setting throttle to 50%, but then I use a CH setup, not Saitek. The other thing I tend to do in combat is to set my throttle to 50%, and use my rudder pedal "brakes" to override that I either brake or max our throttle during combat.

 

[wstephenson]

Another hygiene feature in this area would be some audible feedback from the game when the throttle moves into the "reverse gear" range either by going negative on the 'full range' throttle axis, or when "Forward Only Throttle Reverse" is activated. It wouldn't have to be a ship computer voice message, just a gearbox clunk, or for a T6, a looped, tinny "Caution! This vehicle is reversing! BEEP" emanating from the rear of the ship.

 

[Shadowdancer]

Another hygiene feature in this area would be some audible feedback from the game when the throttle moves into the "reverse gear" range either by going negative on the 'full range' throttle axis, or when "Forward Only Throttle Reverse" is activated.

Any feedback really. When you set the throttle to zero and then hit reverse a few times without keeping count, there's nothing in the entire game indicating what will happen when you throttle up. I've proposed at least having the "speed lollipop" immediately go to the top of the range when you're in reverse, but I've been laughed out the door pretty rudely. It's especially painful after having played with the debug/classified camera for a while and then reversing into the launchpad tower full tilt.

 

[lemny]

i don't know if this possible with the X52 but the software of my X55 allows me to edit the curves... maybe it's possible to edit them in a way which outputs 50% value @ 25% of the physical axis.

 

[Dielos]

Interesting discussion... The only reason I didn't go with the Saitek hotas is because the detents being in positions for standard flight sims. I finally went for the Thrustmaster T-Flight as it has a central detent and makes using the throttle without looking at it in full range a dream. Might consider the Saitek ones if it would be possible to adjust these things though...

 

[vitz3]

Cut a thin strip of Velcro about 2mm wide and stick it over the 50% line, (use the spiky side) then add a small about of dead zone to your game settings. You will feel the slight residence through the throttle handle...

This right here. Tactile feedback will always trump auditory and visual feedback IMO.

Great idea!

Edit*
Of course it would be nice to have all three.

 

[Shadowdancer]

This right here. Tactile feedback will always trump auditory and visual feedback IMO.

I'd like me some tactile feedback that presses microswitches and sends signals to the game so it can add A/V feedback

 

[CMDR_UKmouse]

I'm at work at the moment, but as Lemny says, can you not go into the Saitek software and adjust the sliders for the throttle so that the dead zone is in line with the detent?
I never thought of that before, and have removed the detent from my X52 Pro.
I will have a look tonight if no one else can check before.

 

[Pazmino]

You need to change Throttle Axis Range to Forward Only and bind a button to Forward Only Throttle Reverse so you can change to reverse flying in game.

Yes, that button is very useful in the SRV to collect the fragments of stuff. Scoop, reverse, turn a bit, scoop, etc.