[MAC] What joysticks do people use?

Ericksson

E
I have an iMac and was wondering what joysticks people use. I'm hoping that I can get a fairly cheap one as I'm only going to be playing Elite on it.
 

Satsuma

Satsuma
You should be able to get a cheap copy of Windows 7, which should run just fine on your iMac. Personally I wouldn't want to wait until the release of a native Mac client to play it. :D

Joystick-wise I'm using a Saitek X45 setup. It's older, but very solid, and it doesn't have twist-to-yaw (which I'm not a fan of). You can still find these things on eBay all the time for around $50-70.
 

MrFatwa

M
I'm using an x52 Pro on a bootcamp macbook and it works excellently. I have all I need on the various buttons so don't need to touch the keyboard!
 

Ericksson

E
Someone said the 360 controller might be compatible. That would give me two sticks, 8 buttons and the d-pad. Anyone else tried this? I like the idea because I'm a 360 gamer and wouldn't need to learn another skill. I've not touched a joystick for years.
 

NapalmJunkie

NapalmJunkie
I've got an X52 Pro which seems to be OK on my 2008 Mac Pro (works on X-plane), but for various reasons I can't Bootcamp it. In a few weeks I hope to get a new 2013 iMac, to Bootcamp Win 7 x64 whilst I wait for the native version. The catch is that the iMac is USB 3 and it's a well known fact that the X52 Pro doesn't like USB 3...
 

Ulysses_W

Ulysses_W
X52 here, in conjunction with Voice Attack (it rocks) on a bootcamped Win 7. The only problem I have is that a couple of buttons on the throttle don't register in ED. Odd, but not a big deal.

Oh dear... I've just realised that I'm going to need something to replace VA when I switch to ED in native Mac mode... That might be troublesome. :S
 

Demonic Squid

Demonic Squid
Ericksson said:
Someone said the 360 controller might be compatible. That would give me two sticks, 8 buttons and the d-pad. Anyone else tried this? I like the idea because I'm a 360 gamer and wouldn't need to learn another skill. I've not touched a joystick for years.
Click to expand...

360 controller works just fine, both in bootcamp and under OSX for other games. It even worked in a wineskinned Skyrim...
 

NapalmJunkie

NapalmJunkie
Ulysses_W said:
The only problem I have is that a couple of buttons on the throttle don't register in ED. Odd, but not a big deal.
Click to expand...

This could be if clutch mode is on. Go to Control Panel -> Printers and Devices, right click on the X52 icon and choose game controller settings (at the top of the menu). Then on the box it brings up click properties, and finally in the next window it brings up on one of the tabs (second from right?) there's a checkbox you can un-select.
 
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Doomus

Doomus
I'm running a PC with Win 7. I started out using an Xbox 360 controller which works really well. However, I've been exploring DCS World as well so recently invested in CH Products Fighterstick and Throttle Pro. Absolutely fantastic kit with great built quality and solid features. I'm pretty sure it works with Mac as well.
 

Draven Darken

Draven Darken
I'm using a CH Fighterstick and Pro Throttle with ED in a Bootcamp partition on my iMac, very successfully. I have also used both of these controllers in OS X with X-Plane 10, and they have worked fine for me in that environment as well (as do the CH Pro Pedals and Flight Yoke). Very nice, solid gear … I've had them for so long that I don't remember when I got them, but they still work perfectly. The tiny analogue thumb stick on the Pro Throttle is perfect for controlling lateral and vertical thrust in ED.
 

technome

technome
I believe any of the popular sticks will work just fine in OS X with no driver issues. The only thing to be aware of is that most of the software offering functionality beyond standard USB HID is Windows only. For example, the mode switches on Saitek sticks aren't supported and there's no way to set the dead bands and response curves on an X-55. However, although I know of no way to configure the mode switches to work on a Mac, once the X-55 response curves have been set using Saitek's Windows software, this functionality stays with the stick and works in OS X (and Linux) too.

I believe the same is true for CH Products and the more expensive Thrustmasters as well.
 

PGleesonuk

P
Thrustmaster HOTAS X
For the money you beat it. Got mine for 25 pounds

Having the detent at half throttle is great. Perfect if you want the full forward & reverse engines, or in forward only the detent is just right to arrive in super cruise without overshooting.
 
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