Hey folks, I've been experimenting with a variety of control schemes for Elite while using a Rift. I've tried several of the popular controllers and I'll try to give a pretty thorough run-down of each so new players maybe won't have to sink as much cash as I have into input devices...
I'll cover the following devices:
Logitech Extreme 3D Pro
Thrustmaster t16000m
Saitek X52
Saitek X55
Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog
Saitek Pro Flight Cessna Pedals
Logitech Extreme 3D Pro:
At about $30, this is a nice little inexpensive joystick. The X and Y axes are nothing really to write home about. They get the job done, though. The button placement is excellent. The hat is easy to manipulate and there are 4 easy-to-reach buttons on top of the controller and a thumb button on the left side thumb rest, all of which feel good to use. Satisfying to press. The 6 buttons at the base of the joystick are nice when you're holding the base with your left hand, well-spaced and easy to reach. The throttle doesn't feel very nice at all, but it is functional. I get the feeling you're meant to operate this joystick with two hands - it slides around my desk unless I do. It feels solid and more well-made than I think it actually is... I had reliability issues with mine. Spontaneously the Y axis failed. Not cool. This joystick is right-hand only.
I cannot recommend this joystick for use in VR. It's much nicer when you pair it with a mouse and keyboard. I'm not sure I can recommend it at all, really, considering mine broke after not really all that much use at all.
Thrustmaster t16000m:
This joystick is deceptively inexpensive at $40-$50. The stick itself has the best feel of any of the joysticks I've used except the Thrustmaster Warthog. It pushes solidly back against you and returns sharply to the neutral position when you let it go. Seriously, the X and Y axis feel is incredible for $50. This is the only joystick out of all of them that I can completely zero out the deadzones on.
The POV hat is difficult to use. It's kind of a featureless round bump. I don't like it. The buttons also feel cheap and unsatisfying. The rudder twist action is poor, it feels worse and less satisfying than the Extreme 3D Pro. There aren't enough buttons on the joystick itself (no thumb button and only 3 buttons on top) while there are too many buttons on the base. Each side, left and right, has an array of 6 buttons that are too close together for me. The throttle is about as unsatisfying as the one on the Extreme 3D Pro.
When you move the stick, the green base lights up. I haven't checked to see if there's a way to disable that, yet. You may want to look into this or consider moving the joystick to a place where you won't be able to see the bright green glare through the gap between your nose and the Rift.
All the negatives melt away when you use the actual joystick X and Y axes, though. The action is really incredible and it doesn't slide around or move much at all during use - I don't know why. There doesn't seem to be anything special about the base, and it has no suction cups. It just stays planted. Also, it comes with extra parts that will allow you to reconfigure it for either left or right-hand operation, making this joystick one of your only options for a dual-joystick setup. This is a steal for $50, and I strongly recommend it for use in either hand (or one for each!). You can get a seriously awesome dual-joystick setup going for Elite with two of these babies.
Saitek X52:
At $140 to $180 (depending on whether you get the X52 or the X52 Pro) this joystsick is fun to use for Elite and has adequate functionality in all areas. There's no significant difference between the X52 and the X52 pro, so I recommend the slightly less expensive X52 but it looks a little foolish with all the bright blue and silver, so YMMV. The X52 uses a spring on the base to tension the stick and return it to the neutral position. I don't really have a problem with this - it makes a little noise and it's not amazing like the t16000m, I'd say it's "normal". Average. The twist input on the X52 feels good and satisfying to use. The wrist rest is adjustable over a pretty wide range and will fit both abnormally large and abnormally small hands.
The feature I missed the most when I moved away from the X52 was the button layout on the stick. I feel that 2 hats on top of the stick is enough, and with 4 buttons also there's a lot you can do with it - the buttons are all very unique and look and feel different which is great for use in VR. I especially like the safety hood on the center button, I like to bind this to "deploy hardpoints". This is the first joystick that has a pinkie switch, which is awesome. There's also a 3-position switch on the top right - I like to bind this so center is "off", up is "flight assist off", and down is "UI Focus Mode". When in the down position, you will not trigger your side context menus by looking at them while using the Rift. This is awesome. The stick has suction cups to keep it attached to your desk. They work well for keeping it down, but it slides around an awful lot.
The throttle button layout is pretty poorly thought out I think, but the throttle itself can be adjusted to be pretty light and is excellent for quick throttle changes in combat. The throttle doesn't slide around the desk as much as the stick does, but it does move around a bit.
The official X52 drivers suck. Don't bother installing them, is my advice. Just use the default Windows drivers or whatever. Also, it's worth noting that the X52 joystick plugs INTO the throttle and does NOT have its own USB connection, making this stick a pain in the butt to use in a dual-stick setup. The X52 is right-hand only.
Overall, the X52 is the least expensive satisfactory HOTAS experience. I recommend it for use in VR.
Saitek X55:
At $185-$200, the X55 is a more expensive and significantly higher quality version of the X52. It has a rubbery matte finish that feels good in the hands, plenty of buttons in the right places, and plenty of toggle switches and hold switches to map everything you need to the joystick without using the keyboard at all.
The stick has 3 POV hats in a somewhat awkward layout and shape. The tan hat (bound by default to systems power) is really nice, but the other two require moving your hand in strange ways to use. Especially the left POV hat, which has a weird saucer shape that makes it difficult to confidently press a single direction. There are now two pinkie switches and an index finger switch on the right side. The most awesome new feature on this stick for me was actually the thumbrest button on the left side of the joystick, which is huge and feels really satisfying to press. The base of the joystick is significantly larger than the X52's, and it no longer slides around the desk even without suction cups.
The throttle has a ton of momentary switches, hold switches, encoders, and buttons. Enough to map every function you could possibly want. On this stick, I like to map "UI Focus Mode" to the Mode switch so, when engaged, I can look around my cockpit while exploring without triggering the side menus with headlook. The actual action of the throttle is poor for combat in Elite, but feels solid and satisfying to operate. It's hard to perform rapid throttle changes, there's a ton of resistance to throttle input. If combat is your bag, this may not be the throttle for you.
Again, the Saitek drivers are trash. It's easier to use without installing them.
The X55 is right-hand only, but the right hand stick has an independent USB cable and if you have deep pockets this stick is excellent for the right-hand side of a dual-stick setup. I strongly recommend it for use in VR.
Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog:
At about $500, the Warthog stick is a serious piece of kit. It is big, it is heavy, it is metal, and it is rock solid. This is the only stick of the bunch that has a superior X/Y action to the t16000m.
Where the X55 used to have a big, satisfying thumb button, there is now a big, satisfying POV hat. I still miss the X55's button, but the POV hat is growing on me. Gone are the obnoxious POV hat layouts of the X55, and in there place are 3 excellently designed POV hats that are smaller, rubbery, and all of them easy to use. The flappy pinkie switch feels good but somehow the one on the X55 actually has a marginally nicer position to me and is more satisfying to use. It is adjustable on the Warthog but it won't extend as far away from the grip as the X55.
The throttle has a much lighter action than the X55 and there are no issues with rapid throttle changes. This throttle is a strict upgrade over the X55. There are no downsides whatsoever in my opinion to replacing the X55 throttle with a Warthog throttle. It is just a little bit superior in every possible way.
The only real drawback of the Warthog compared to the X55 is the lack of twist rudder input. If you are a pilot who does not like twist rudder input, the only thing that should keep you from choosing the Warthog over the X55 is price.
Saitek Pro Flight Cessna Pedals:
At $180-$190, these pedals are, in my opinion, too expensive for what you get. There's an issue with these pedals that prevents you from using the toe brakes as forward/reverse throttle or as any other control axis - they show up to Elite as diagonal inputs on a joystick X/Y axis. You lose the ability to use the analog input of the toe brake as a result.
However, you can still use the rudder action as full-range forward/reverse throttle and this works exceedingly well.
Pedals are a core component of a dual-stick setup. I think, though, that you should consider either one of the less expensive pedal solutions or one of the more expensive, higher quality solutions. If you can get a deal on these pedals I recommend them for use in VR, otherwise you are wasting a good $30-40.
Final input decision:
After trying out a variety of input methods, I decided that a dual-joystick setup with a Thrustmaster Warthog stick on the right for pitch/roll, a Thrustmaster t16000m on the left for vernier up/down/left/right and twist yaw, and a set of rudder pedals for full-range throttle is the ultimate Elite: Dangerous control setup for VR. The amount of fun that you can have in resource extraction sites and an Eagle with this is literally out of this world. After some (lots and lots and lots of) practice, it's possible to orbit an opponent while boosting constantly and never letting him leave your crosshairs. Fixed weapons and an agile ship with this control scheme are just incredible. There is no comparison.
For a budget setup, two Thrustmaster t16000m joysticks and your foot pedals of choice are an extremely close match. Note that it is possible to use the foot pedals of some car racing controllers instead of rudder pedals to save a little bit more dosh, especially if you already happen to have a controller for use in racing sims.
If you aren't too serious about combat and mining, freighting, or exploring is more your deal, it's my opinion that the X52 and the X55 are both similar values for your hard earned cash. You get a little bit more controller with the X55, but you pay a little bit extra for it, too.
I'll cover the following devices:
Logitech Extreme 3D Pro
Thrustmaster t16000m
Saitek X52
Saitek X55
Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog
Saitek Pro Flight Cessna Pedals
Logitech Extreme 3D Pro:
At about $30, this is a nice little inexpensive joystick. The X and Y axes are nothing really to write home about. They get the job done, though. The button placement is excellent. The hat is easy to manipulate and there are 4 easy-to-reach buttons on top of the controller and a thumb button on the left side thumb rest, all of which feel good to use. Satisfying to press. The 6 buttons at the base of the joystick are nice when you're holding the base with your left hand, well-spaced and easy to reach. The throttle doesn't feel very nice at all, but it is functional. I get the feeling you're meant to operate this joystick with two hands - it slides around my desk unless I do. It feels solid and more well-made than I think it actually is... I had reliability issues with mine. Spontaneously the Y axis failed. Not cool. This joystick is right-hand only.
I cannot recommend this joystick for use in VR. It's much nicer when you pair it with a mouse and keyboard. I'm not sure I can recommend it at all, really, considering mine broke after not really all that much use at all.
Thrustmaster t16000m:
This joystick is deceptively inexpensive at $40-$50. The stick itself has the best feel of any of the joysticks I've used except the Thrustmaster Warthog. It pushes solidly back against you and returns sharply to the neutral position when you let it go. Seriously, the X and Y axis feel is incredible for $50. This is the only joystick out of all of them that I can completely zero out the deadzones on.
The POV hat is difficult to use. It's kind of a featureless round bump. I don't like it. The buttons also feel cheap and unsatisfying. The rudder twist action is poor, it feels worse and less satisfying than the Extreme 3D Pro. There aren't enough buttons on the joystick itself (no thumb button and only 3 buttons on top) while there are too many buttons on the base. Each side, left and right, has an array of 6 buttons that are too close together for me. The throttle is about as unsatisfying as the one on the Extreme 3D Pro.
When you move the stick, the green base lights up. I haven't checked to see if there's a way to disable that, yet. You may want to look into this or consider moving the joystick to a place where you won't be able to see the bright green glare through the gap between your nose and the Rift.
All the negatives melt away when you use the actual joystick X and Y axes, though. The action is really incredible and it doesn't slide around or move much at all during use - I don't know why. There doesn't seem to be anything special about the base, and it has no suction cups. It just stays planted. Also, it comes with extra parts that will allow you to reconfigure it for either left or right-hand operation, making this joystick one of your only options for a dual-joystick setup. This is a steal for $50, and I strongly recommend it for use in either hand (or one for each!). You can get a seriously awesome dual-joystick setup going for Elite with two of these babies.
Saitek X52:
At $140 to $180 (depending on whether you get the X52 or the X52 Pro) this joystsick is fun to use for Elite and has adequate functionality in all areas. There's no significant difference between the X52 and the X52 pro, so I recommend the slightly less expensive X52 but it looks a little foolish with all the bright blue and silver, so YMMV. The X52 uses a spring on the base to tension the stick and return it to the neutral position. I don't really have a problem with this - it makes a little noise and it's not amazing like the t16000m, I'd say it's "normal". Average. The twist input on the X52 feels good and satisfying to use. The wrist rest is adjustable over a pretty wide range and will fit both abnormally large and abnormally small hands.
The feature I missed the most when I moved away from the X52 was the button layout on the stick. I feel that 2 hats on top of the stick is enough, and with 4 buttons also there's a lot you can do with it - the buttons are all very unique and look and feel different which is great for use in VR. I especially like the safety hood on the center button, I like to bind this to "deploy hardpoints". This is the first joystick that has a pinkie switch, which is awesome. There's also a 3-position switch on the top right - I like to bind this so center is "off", up is "flight assist off", and down is "UI Focus Mode". When in the down position, you will not trigger your side context menus by looking at them while using the Rift. This is awesome. The stick has suction cups to keep it attached to your desk. They work well for keeping it down, but it slides around an awful lot.
The throttle button layout is pretty poorly thought out I think, but the throttle itself can be adjusted to be pretty light and is excellent for quick throttle changes in combat. The throttle doesn't slide around the desk as much as the stick does, but it does move around a bit.
The official X52 drivers suck. Don't bother installing them, is my advice. Just use the default Windows drivers or whatever. Also, it's worth noting that the X52 joystick plugs INTO the throttle and does NOT have its own USB connection, making this stick a pain in the butt to use in a dual-stick setup. The X52 is right-hand only.
Overall, the X52 is the least expensive satisfactory HOTAS experience. I recommend it for use in VR.
Saitek X55:
At $185-$200, the X55 is a more expensive and significantly higher quality version of the X52. It has a rubbery matte finish that feels good in the hands, plenty of buttons in the right places, and plenty of toggle switches and hold switches to map everything you need to the joystick without using the keyboard at all.
The stick has 3 POV hats in a somewhat awkward layout and shape. The tan hat (bound by default to systems power) is really nice, but the other two require moving your hand in strange ways to use. Especially the left POV hat, which has a weird saucer shape that makes it difficult to confidently press a single direction. There are now two pinkie switches and an index finger switch on the right side. The most awesome new feature on this stick for me was actually the thumbrest button on the left side of the joystick, which is huge and feels really satisfying to press. The base of the joystick is significantly larger than the X52's, and it no longer slides around the desk even without suction cups.
The throttle has a ton of momentary switches, hold switches, encoders, and buttons. Enough to map every function you could possibly want. On this stick, I like to map "UI Focus Mode" to the Mode switch so, when engaged, I can look around my cockpit while exploring without triggering the side menus with headlook. The actual action of the throttle is poor for combat in Elite, but feels solid and satisfying to operate. It's hard to perform rapid throttle changes, there's a ton of resistance to throttle input. If combat is your bag, this may not be the throttle for you.
Again, the Saitek drivers are trash. It's easier to use without installing them.
The X55 is right-hand only, but the right hand stick has an independent USB cable and if you have deep pockets this stick is excellent for the right-hand side of a dual-stick setup. I strongly recommend it for use in VR.
Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog:
At about $500, the Warthog stick is a serious piece of kit. It is big, it is heavy, it is metal, and it is rock solid. This is the only stick of the bunch that has a superior X/Y action to the t16000m.
Where the X55 used to have a big, satisfying thumb button, there is now a big, satisfying POV hat. I still miss the X55's button, but the POV hat is growing on me. Gone are the obnoxious POV hat layouts of the X55, and in there place are 3 excellently designed POV hats that are smaller, rubbery, and all of them easy to use. The flappy pinkie switch feels good but somehow the one on the X55 actually has a marginally nicer position to me and is more satisfying to use. It is adjustable on the Warthog but it won't extend as far away from the grip as the X55.
The throttle has a much lighter action than the X55 and there are no issues with rapid throttle changes. This throttle is a strict upgrade over the X55. There are no downsides whatsoever in my opinion to replacing the X55 throttle with a Warthog throttle. It is just a little bit superior in every possible way.
The only real drawback of the Warthog compared to the X55 is the lack of twist rudder input. If you are a pilot who does not like twist rudder input, the only thing that should keep you from choosing the Warthog over the X55 is price.
Saitek Pro Flight Cessna Pedals:
At $180-$190, these pedals are, in my opinion, too expensive for what you get. There's an issue with these pedals that prevents you from using the toe brakes as forward/reverse throttle or as any other control axis - they show up to Elite as diagonal inputs on a joystick X/Y axis. You lose the ability to use the analog input of the toe brake as a result.
However, you can still use the rudder action as full-range forward/reverse throttle and this works exceedingly well.
Pedals are a core component of a dual-stick setup. I think, though, that you should consider either one of the less expensive pedal solutions or one of the more expensive, higher quality solutions. If you can get a deal on these pedals I recommend them for use in VR, otherwise you are wasting a good $30-40.
Final input decision:
After trying out a variety of input methods, I decided that a dual-joystick setup with a Thrustmaster Warthog stick on the right for pitch/roll, a Thrustmaster t16000m on the left for vernier up/down/left/right and twist yaw, and a set of rudder pedals for full-range throttle is the ultimate Elite: Dangerous control setup for VR. The amount of fun that you can have in resource extraction sites and an Eagle with this is literally out of this world. After some (lots and lots and lots of) practice, it's possible to orbit an opponent while boosting constantly and never letting him leave your crosshairs. Fixed weapons and an agile ship with this control scheme are just incredible. There is no comparison.
For a budget setup, two Thrustmaster t16000m joysticks and your foot pedals of choice are an extremely close match. Note that it is possible to use the foot pedals of some car racing controllers instead of rudder pedals to save a little bit more dosh, especially if you already happen to have a controller for use in racing sims.
If you aren't too serious about combat and mining, freighting, or exploring is more your deal, it's my opinion that the X52 and the X55 are both similar values for your hard earned cash. You get a little bit more controller with the X55, but you pay a little bit extra for it, too.
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