The Joystick/Controller discussion thread

[Tox Laximus]

Looking at the default binds for x52 from the link below, I'm guessing there is a hat called 'P OV1' or a button P + OV1 hat.

I don't have the x52 so what I said might not make any sense, lol.

Head Look Pitch Up.........Joy P OV1 Up
Head Look Pitch Down.....Joy P OV1 Down
Head Look Yaw Left.........Joy P OV1 Left
Head Look Yaw Right.......Joy P OV1 Right

http://troynt.github.io/elite_dangerous_controls_reference/

 

[Sid]

It depends on what your "HEADLOOK" is set to in the controls menu i think (about 3/4 way down the controls list under "mode switches". The direction to look is bound under "Interface Mode - Panel Up/down/left/right".

For my X-52 I have HEADLOOK bound to joystick button "E" (The big button on the throttle). I then hold this down and use the Bottom "Hat" on the flightstick to look up/down/left/right.

 

[Strange Orange]

Transitioning from joystick without yaw to one with

Hi everyone. I've been thinking for a while about purchasing a new joystick. I am and have (for a while now) been using a Logitech Attack3 joystick that I've owned for at least 8 years. It's served me very well and it's very simple to use, but sometimes I think I could benefit from yaw support.

Recently I had been thinking that I really don't need a new joystick because I have really learned to use this one quite well- I use the left- and right-thumb buttons on top for their respective yaw. However, just today I noticed today that my forward-thumb button on top isn't working well, and many buttons on the base don't work quite well. Because of this I've decided it might be time for a new joystick.

This is why I ask you now- is it difficult transitioning to a joystick that utilizes yaw after using a non-yaw joystick for so long? Do you find yourself sometimes yawing when you don't mean to, or not yawing when you should?

 

[Aussiedroid]

I would say it will be a pretty natural progression to upgrade, but I guess at the end of the day if it really doesn't suit you, then you can always map it the same way you have it now. Well worth considering a Throttle too if you are upgrading.

On my X55 I actually have the Yaw and Roll swapped so Roll is on the twist and Yaw on the X Axis. I don't find myself accidentally yawing or rolling at any rate.

Got a good run out of the Logi!

 

[simonyee]

Hi everyone. I've been thinking for a while about purchasing a new joystick. I am and have (for a while now) been using a Logitech Attack3 joystick that I've owned for at least 8 years. It's served me very well and it's very simple to use, but sometimes I think I could benefit from yaw support.

Recently I had been thinking that I really don't need a new joystick because I have really learned to use this one quite well- I use the left- and right-thumb buttons on top for their respective yaw. However, just today I noticed today that my forward-thumb button on top isn't working well, and many buttons on the base don't work quite well. Because of this I've decided it might be time for a new joystick.

This is why I ask you now- is it difficult transitioning to a joystick that utilizes yaw after using a non-yaw joystick for so long? Do you find yourself sometimes yawing when you don't mean to, or not yawing when you should?

Thrust Master HOTAS

 

[DCello]

Do you find yourself sometimes yawing when you don't mean to, or not yawing when you should?

I do, but that's because I hold a PPL and I tend to instinctively auto correct without even noticing =P Rare are the times I consciously use any of the axis.

I have a X-52 (blue one, not the Pro) and I seriously recommend it. It's lovely.

 

[Mr_Blastman]

Get pedals. They are more natural than a stick with yaw.

 

[Spacey25]

lOL My stick has Jaw attached right in front of it. I bought it cause I wanted to try out the stick itself and It works rather good. I don't use the jaw though, still on keyboard for that. I want to get HOTAS eventually.

 

[Trondster]

Pedals may feel more natural for yawing for those used to flight sims where yaw is controlled by pedals, but it's just a matter of what you're used to.
I love the twist axis on my own stick - I have mapped roll to the twist axis and yaw to left/right, but you'll quickly get used to any configuration you want to use. Many use yaw on the twist axis and love it.

Just think of a nice scheme and go with it. I went from a lone stick with throttle to a setup with two sticks and pedals, and it felt nice and natural after just a short while.

 

[kursah]

Honestly it took me longer to learn twist yaw than to learn to live without it. I used a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro for years and years...with its twist yaw. I upgraded to a CH Fighter Stick just before Elite officially released, that has no yaw...but has A LOT of HAT switches. I use that and my keyboard for most everything, use the mouse for look around and some menu navigation, map nav, etc. Couldn't be happier.

It took me weeks to unlearn what took months or even years to really get used to. Yaw on a different control works fine, some like pedals...I use the A and D keys and much prefer it honestly. The fighter stick is also a well built tank, isn't pretty but that's something else I like too...it reminds you of a time when they built things to last and be durable. So far so good!

Just a few cents from a guy that took the route you're going and then went back. Twist yaw isn't bad...but it can take a while to learn...and in the end really isn't a game changer, at least in Elite imho. You have to get used to different sticks and how their center detents feel, you might be all over the place for a while...the Extreme 3D Pro was that way. Good budget stick with yaw, but for just about twice the price, this CH was a steal and MUCH better!

 

[Calvert]

I built my own pedals using junk from the garage and a teensy 3.1. I really don't find twist axis stable enough. But that might be my clunky ham fistedness!!

 

[Pete]

I think this is going to be a far harder transition to make (if/when they ever finish the thing):
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/70308014/kings-assembly-a-computer-mouse-full-of-awesome
http://solidartlabs.com

Not sure if I'll manage to master it, but I'll give it a fair go!

-- Pete.

 

[Zelos1983]

I find flying with a gamepad is far easier for Elite. Ships behave rather sluggish, so you don't need the precision of a flight controller - an analogue thumbstick does the trick really well.

That said, for space simulations you usually have yaw on the x-axis and roll on the z-axis, as you rarely need to roll.
However, due to E's arcady flight model, sometimes you are forced to roll more often than one would anticipate in order to save time.

 

[Ben_BigBen]

Having yaw really helps line up with stations - loving my TM 16000M. I used a Dualshock 4 before that and spent a couple of days getting used to it but now yaw using the stick is second nature. One thing though is that it might be starting to make my wrist ache a little as I have it centred in front of me to use the throttle - needs a companion throttle like the CH Pro but I'm not sure I can justify the £105 or so.

 

[robbyp]

On my X55 I actually have the Yaw and Roll swapped so Roll is on the twist and Yaw on the X Axis. I don't find myself accidentally yawing or rolling at any rate.

I also work like this, with Roll on the twist.

I also invert Pitch from its normal aircraft meaning (Pull down = climb). In my setup, you push the stick in the upper left direction, the ship moves to the upper left. This makes it much easier to track ships when firing. its a natural thing to push the stick in the direction of the enemy. Having pitch in the same way as an aircraft makes it much harder for me to do this.

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Having yaw really helps line up with stations - loving my TM 16000M. I used a Dualshock 4 before that and spent a couple of days getting used to it but now yaw using the stick is second nature. One thing though is that it might be starting to make my wrist ache a little as I have it centred in front of me to use the throttle - needs a companion throttle like the CH Pro but I'm not sure I can justify the £105 or so.

I have a T16000m + CH PRO Throttle, you won't regret it. You will have to relearn the switches when you move all the controls to their new natural positions.

 

[Nagual]

Based on what I've done and a couple of mates.. At first you may get a little muddled up but it doesn't take long to adjust. I couldn't go back to a non-yaw stick.

 

[Narius Cen]

I am using a Saitek Cyborg Evo (predecessor of the F.L.Y. 5, very similar layout) and it is great for a budget stick. Simple, comfortable, good feel and precise control.

I was using the throttle paddle at first, but I switched to digital throttle control on the keyboard (analogue emulation setting) because I really needed to control a lot of other stuff with my left hand. After getting used to it it is almost as good as a real throttle control, with the added benefit of not going accidentally into reverse.

My setup right now is full HOWAS (Hands On WASD And Stick - that means that my keyboard hand stays in a fixed position, as if using a throttle control), only needing to use the mouse for the galactic and system maps. So if you only have a joystick with few buttons and a single hat switch it is definitely possible to set it up for a HOTAS experience.

 

[iSteel]

I use 2x Saitek Cyborg 3D sticks. They are old but still function well. Right hand has the normal flight controls and targeting, the left hand one has the thrusters and power distribution control. I am planning to buy some HOTAS when I have time to go to shop to try one.

 

[SurrealKiller]

Budget Joysticks?

Hello,

I'm new to this game and thinking of getting a joystick but don't want to spend $100+ on one since it's the only game I play that uses one.

Any suggestions? How well does mouse and keyboard work for this game?

 

[the100thmonkey]

The Thrustmaster T Flight HOTAS is a good, cheap joystick that works beautifully with the game.