The Joystick/Controller discussion thread

[Adept]

I just ordered the Thrustmaster T.16000M Should arrive tomorrow. Hmm with game should I use to try it out?

For strafing, you could also use WASD. Also leaves you plenty of keys and key combinations.

I recommend using the hat for translational thrust. One hand on stick, other on the keyboard never worked for me. Instead I keem my left hand on the base of the stick (6 bottons + throttle)

 

[Dirtmuncher]

I am also looking at different joysticks and its down to the trust master t16000m and the madcats cyborg fly 5.
Everyone is full of praise about the trust master but does anyone have any experience with the cyborg? The duals throttle sounds appealing but the trustmaster might last longer.

 

[Jack Schitt]

I had the exact same experience as the originator of this thread on the Asus support forum, symptoms which are replicated here, here and here.

The interim solution is to turn off xHCI support in the UEFI / BIOS.

A blast from the past, but just in case anyone's still in the same boat...

I've pretty much given up on the idea of Intel or Asus fixing this issue. It only seems to affect a subset of boards, and then only under some circumstances. The main complainants seem to be X52 Pro owners, and since the X52 Pro is now effectively legacy with the advent of the X55 I can't imagine Saitek will be falling over themselves to address it either.

So, annoyed at having lost my USB 3.x functionality I figured the answer might be a third-party USB 3.x PCIe card that used a chipset other than the problematic Intel one.

Long story short, I installed a four-port version of the Inateck KTU3FR and everything's working perfectly. I've re-enabled xHCI for the built-in USB ports, all of the first- and third-party USB 2.x and 3.x ports are working as expected, the X52 is happily behaving itself plugged into the new card and Windows is stable.

The Inateck card uses the Fresco Logic FL1100 host controller so I would guess that any card using this chipset would probably do the job, although obvious disclaimers apply: I can't guarantee success on anyone else's system, and other cards and chipsets are available.

 

[electricsheep]

Just started using my t16000m but i'm flying sideways. I guess i should calibrate this thing!

 

[Rog]

A blast from the past, but just in case anyone's still in the same boat...

I've pretty much given up on the idea of Intel or Asus fixing this issue. It only seems to affect a subset of boards, and then only under some circumstances. The main complainants seem to be X52 Pro owners, and since the X52 Pro is now effectively legacy with the advent of the X55 I can't imagine Saitek will be falling over themselves to address it either.

So, annoyed at having lost my USB 3.x functionality I figured the answer might be a third-party USB 3.x PCIe card that used a chipset other than the problematic Intel one.

Long story short, I installed a four-port version of the Inateck KTU3FR and everything's working perfectly. I've re-enabled xHCI for the built-in USB ports, all of the first- and third-party USB 2.x and 3.x ports are working as expected, the X52 is happily behaving itself plugged into the new card and Windows is stable.

The Inateck card uses the Fresco Logic FL1100 host controller so I would guess that any card using this chipset would probably do the job, although obvious disclaimers apply: I can't guarantee success on anyone else's system, and other cards and chipsets are available.

Maybe just inserting a recent cheap usb 2.0 hub between the stick and computer would fix?

 

[Jack Schitt]

Maybe just inserting a recent cheap usb 2.0 hub between the stick and computer would fix?

Nope, I tried that first using one of these that I had lying around. It didn't help.

Although I will concede that this is a five-year old design and may not meet the strict definition of "recent", I suspect the problem is to do with the way USB controllers work and that it's the last thing in the chain that determines which drivers get invoked.

Actually I nearly mentioned it in an early draft of the post above but figured it was an open invitation for some smart- USB expert to wade in with "of course that was never going to work N00B ROFL LOL" so I took it out

 

[Rog]

Fair enough. Wasn't the problem with the initial Z87 chipset steppings? If so, I think you'd have ample reason to get a replacement motherboard simply due to it being faulty.

The last build I did recently used and Asrock Z87M pro4 with 'new C2 chipset stepping' emblazoned on the box.

You could also try the latest Intel USB drivers HERE, but if it was me, I'd want a replacement mobo.

 

[Jack Schitt]

Fair enough. Wasn't the problem with the initial Z87 chipset steppings? If so, I think you'd have ample reason to get a replacement motherboard simply due to it being faulty.

I don't think anyone is entirely sure what the problem is. I'm certainly not.

A quick search of some pertinent forums suggests some of the Asus boards that had USB problems did have later revisions that solved some of the issues, but it's all very hit and miss. For every customer praising them for resolving their issue, there's another claiming that it's made no difference to theirs. According to CPU-Z my Asus Sabertooth is a C2 anyway so some of the very early problems (HDDs that won't wake from sleep etc.) shouldn't affect it.

The mainboard came as part of a custom build from UK Gaming Computers who, to be fair to them, offered to swap out the mainboard for a different brand even though I'd effectively declined their warranty by opening the case and installing a load of my own bits. But it would have meant a couple of weeks without a PC over Christmas and New Year (or a 500 mile round trip to Colchester and back for an on-site replacement) so I kept the Asus.

Aside from the X52/USB problem, it hasn't given me any long-term cause for concern. There were some teething problems with a freezing RTC and non-functional WOL, but those were quickly cured with BIOS and driver updates. I suspect there's also a simple theoretical firmware/software fix for the USB thing, but whether it ever sees the light of day is another matter. If the main complainants are a handful of legacy joystick users I'm not going to hold my breath.

I'll keep installing updated BIOSes and drivers as and when they appear. If the X52 issue gets resolved it's a bonus, if not... well, as long as everything else works I'm not going to rock the boat too much. My days of excessive tinkering for the fun of it are well behind me (although my wife would no doubt disagree[1]) and I'm happy just to leave well alone when it works.

[1]she thinks I spend way too much time "tinkering" with the current computer but it's nothing compared to how I was in my 20s. I showed her an old photo of what my bedroom/workshop used to look like in the mid 1990s with the guts of at least four PCs spilling onto various surfaces and it's a wonder she didn't divorce me on the spot. I've never seen such a look of horror.​

 

[BlueThunder]

I have a 2nd hand Warthog coming again after my failed X55 experiment (shame that).

However, I'd love to try an X65f. If anyone has one or knows where to get one please please PM me.
Edit: just found one. Fingers crossed it arrives from the US safely.

The other option is an RSSB 3 Warthog mod, but that is £400!!!

 

[Blakeys7]

Controller vs joystick vs mouse

Hi

I was a mouse user but recently tried a thrustmaster hotas but i cannot get on with it.

Anyone using a playstation style pad to play ?

If so what sort and how is it configured to play either elite or similar space flight game like JG

Thanks

 

[Mark Boss]

Which Joystick do you currently own/plan on getting?

Hey everyone, quick poll on favoured Joystick.

If selecting 'Other' please leave the name below.

Thanks for your votes!

 

[Aewarin Jameson]

X52 Pro ... 2 of them

 

[Cody]

Logitech Extreme 3D Pro - and no plans to upgrade.

 

[Robert Maynard]

You forgot the sinistral preference - the Thrustmaster T.16000M. I have one and so does my son.

 

[Lochemage]

Logitech Extreme 3D Pro - and no plans to upgrade.

I really liked the feel of that one, I just didn't like the throttle because it always made me accidentally press one of the buttons on the base.

 

[Juniper]

I have an X52 (non Pro) but also a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro... so +1 for that one.

No plans to get a new HOTAS, although I might get something to use with the Occulus Rift when it's released and I get one.

 

[Adept]

The poll leaves out very important sticks, like all CH gear :S and the Thrustmaster T.16000 I wonder why Saitek takes half the slots...

I'm currently debating whether to get the Thrustmaster T.16000 or the CH FighterStick USB. Definitely getting the CH Pro Pedals and CH Pro Throttle either way.

 

[graham.reeds]

Surely the hardware survey gives you this information?

 

[Shigawire]

I originally have a Thrustmaster HOTAS Cougar, modified with Ian Johnston's ÜBER2NXT gimbals, and Cubpilot's hall sensors.

But in the long term, I plan to play Elite Dangerous, Star Citizen etc.. with the King's Assembly.

https://www.kickstarter.com/project...bly-a-computer-mouse-full-of-awesome?ref=live

This is basically TWO mice (one on each hand), and on each of these mice, there are keys. So you have access to a full keyboard, without having to take away your hands, and without having to take off your Oculus Rift to write. It's also got joysticks for your thumbs on both. This is the controller that makes the most sense to me. Having access to a keyboard at my fingertips without lifting my hand away from the joystick & mouse.. is simply brilliant.

I told him that he needs to do some serious outreach to the VR games communities out there.. since this is a must-have for VR games, especially those played in a cockpit. The creator told me that
I did reach out to Cloud Imperium (Star Citizen) and have an open invitation to demo the KA to Chris and his engineers next time I'm in LA

But until getting the King's Assembly.. which is due August-September.. I will be using my Cougar
This is why I voted for both "Other" and "Thrustmaster HOTAS"

 

[[VR] Mad Mike]

I currently have a sidewinder precision pro which I plan to , if supported, combine with an xbox 360 pad. If this works great, if not then I will look for a proper flight stick, but I can't afford at moment