Each to their own - but I really like my Saitek stuff
GF's X52Pro arrives tomorrow (finally!) so she's looking forward to that.I just like the glowy lights on them
The Joystick/Controller discussion thread
Each to their own - but I really like my Saitek stuff
GF's X52Pro arrives tomorrow (finally!) so she's looking forward to that.I just like the glowy lights on them
I just like the glowy lights on them
He he, I can relate... since I - most likely - will use the HOTAS only for ED and SC, I finally settled for the x52 too... although I think the Rhino might be a tad better as far as general (realistic) flight sim sticks go... pity I had to order is from the US for 190$, since it's pretty much sold out in Europe.
This coming from an avid WW2 and recently, arma heli jock.
I've owned the X52 /w rudder pedals
A complete CH setup, minus pedals. Sliding throttle and CH fighterstick.
And now a G940. Dual throttle, force feedback, etc.
The G940 is by far the best setup I've owned. However. I kept the Saitek rudder pedals thru all three setups. I like them that much.
I found the CH slider throttle annoying, after using the Saitek lever-style.
The CH and Saitek joystick itself are both good. I prefered a bit of resistance, I ended up preferring the Saitek, could be biased as I logged 5,000 kills before I used the CH stuff.
If you can front the $$, the G940 is the way to go. Very solid design. You don't slide these things across your desk, unlike other stuff.
I have the same exact issue.
I have a mut of setups. G940 throttle and joystick with Saitek pedals.
The pedals and one of the throttle axis are the same, buttons overlap as well between the throttle and joystick.
It's currently unplayable for me as well, as the craft spins endlessly and it seems predicated on the throttle axis position, despite not having lateral controls set to any axis.
TrackIR was also oddly inversed, every axis in fact. Can be fixed with a profile however.
Having said all this. For the 10 seconds I spent in an inverse spin bouncing off a rock in space, I can tell I'm gonna spent lots of hours playing this game. It rocks.
I was having Descent 2 flashbacks with those red lobster clawed robots.
I have a mut of setups. G940 throttle and joystick with Saitek pedals.
The pedals and one of the throttle axis are the same, buttons overlap as well between the throttle and joystick.
It's currently unplayable for me as well, as the craft spins endlessly and it seems predicated on the throttle axis position, despite not having lateral controls set to any axis.
TrackIR was also oddly inversed, every axis in fact. Can be fixed with a profile however.
Having said all this. For the 10 seconds I spent in an inverse spin bouncing off a rock in space, I can tell I'm gonna spent lots of hours playing this game. It rocks.
I was having Descent 2 flashbacks with those red lobster clawed robots.
Actually, this is a very common mistake. I have given this solution in another thread yesterday:
http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showpost.php?p=422162&postcount=3
http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showpost.php?p=422162&postcount=3
This sounds like an interesting proposition, I have not yet looked into fine tuning my T Flight HOTAS set up, and I also have Voice Attack and TrackIR to try and set up before the Premium Beta release tomorrow :S good job I'm not working today, any helpful hints anyone?The latest Alpha build has a button you can use to lock-out the yaw-on-roll setting, so you can enable yaw on a button-press if you want to. I use the pinkie on the CH stick to toggle it. The docking overrides also mean I can turn off yaw-on-roll while on final approach (basically, any time your landing gear is down) so I'm pretty happy with the CH setup now, even without pedals.
With gear down, I have pure roll, with the option to toggle yaw with the pinkie button.
With gear up, I use low yaw-on-roll since most of the time it's desirable away from a station (combat, aligning with cargo on scooping). If I ever want pure roll, I can always drop my landing gear
I switched from an XBox 360 controller (dual analogue joysticks!) to a Saitek X55 and I'm not blown away with the difference to be honest. I think there's a learning curve but I found it easier to fly with the controller. Small movements are much easier with the X55 but just generally flying around seemed easier with the pad. The lack of buttons was, of course, a big minus.
There is a more visceral feeling using the HOTAS though - it just feels more plane/spaceshippy than a gamepad. I'm sure I'll get used to it in time.
There is a more visceral feeling using the HOTAS though - it just feels more plane/spaceshippy than a gamepad. I'm sure I'll get used to it in time.
HOTAS on a budget
Hi EDers,
Really looking forward to Friday now, to get a better feel from ED I'm looking for a HOTAS but I'm on a really limited budget.
I've found the Thrustmaster T-Flight HOTAS on Amazon for a nice price, it has a load of positive reviews and seems to be a good buy...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thrustmaste...?ie=UTF8&qid=1401260621&sr=8-1&keywords=Hotas
That said I'm pretty clueless about flight sticks so before I buy anything I'd love to hear what you peeps think. Mainly 2 questions, is this a good stick and is there anything better for a similar price. £40 is really my limit (was hoping for £30 but can't find anything)
Thanks all
Hi EDers,
Really looking forward to Friday now, to get a better feel from ED I'm looking for a HOTAS but I'm on a really limited budget.
I've found the Thrustmaster T-Flight HOTAS on Amazon for a nice price, it has a load of positive reviews and seems to be a good buy...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thrustmaste...?ie=UTF8&qid=1401260621&sr=8-1&keywords=Hotas
That said I'm pretty clueless about flight sticks so before I buy anything I'd love to hear what you peeps think. Mainly 2 questions, is this a good stick and is there anything better for a similar price. £40 is really my limit (was hoping for £30 but can't find anything)
Thanks all
I finally broke down last night and ordered a X-52 pro myself... after playing with a basic stick (Logitec Attack 3) and keyboard for years (sims like Freespace, Starlancer and H.A.W.X), I found that I finally reached my limits with ED. I also was thinking going for the Rhino at first, but some reviews stated that it feels somewhat more flimsy and cheap then the X-52... and it looks abit more realistic, not as scifie as the X-52.
I'll post my sexperiences as soon as I get it... can't wait.
I'll post my sexperiences as soon as I get it... can't wait.
I think the T Flight is the best budget bang for your buck. It's certainly up to the job and is well built. It doesn't have the X52 or up (Warthog) bells and whistles, but it's a great budget stick and E D and HOTAS seems to be a marriage made in heaven. There are slightly more esoteric sticks - the T1600m name pops up a fair bit round here, but I think the T Flight is one of the best basic HOTAS setups you're going to find.
I finally broke down last night and ordered a X-52 pro myself... after playing with a basic stick (Logitec Attack 3) and keyboard for years (sims like Freespace, Starlancer and H.A.W.X), I found that I finally reached my limits with ED. I also was thinking going for the Rhino at first, but some reviews stated that it feels somewhat more flimsy and cheap then the X-52... and it looks abit more realistic, not as scifie as the X-52.
I'll post my sexperiences as soon as I get it... can't wait.
Where did you get it? The UK was sold out last time I checked...
It's a good stick for the price, but has a few disadvantages. I would suggest the alternative would be a Thrustmaster 16000m (which is just a regular stick).
Pro Hotas:
-It's hotas obviously
-it has 5 axes; 3 on the stick, throttle and a great little rocker under your middle fingers on the throttle. This can be tied to the twist grip on your stick or separated at the flick of a button. Given that some dislike twist, you can lock the twist with a screw, and use the rocker instead. Alternatively, it binds nicely to 'translate left-right' ('strafe'). Love this feature.
-I really like the throttle feel and action. There's a detent at 50%, which is perfect for ED, particularly in FA-off mode.
Pro T16000m:
-By most accounts, the stick accuracy and fine control is superior. This is a big point, as the deadzone and twist tension on the HOTAS can have you wobbling around the target. Please note this hasn't stopped some from using it with great accuracy (in case you are unfamiliar with the game, hitting things with railguns and FA off is about as hard as it gets).
-T16000m can access TARGET software, where the HOTAS cannot. For older games, this means the HOTAS axes and possibly key bindings may be fixed by whatever the game decides for you. TARGET allows you re-assign axes and set up virtual controllers; so you should always be able to reprogramme outside of the game. I personally think this is a big factor. The HOTAS allows no axis reassignment and the only programming possible is by 'swapping buttons' hardware side on the fly.
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I've been using this stick in the Alpha and it's a step up from the Xbox 360 controller I first used. It's got just about enough buttons but I can imagine the extra ones on the X52 Pro etc. would come in handy - ED does have a lot of controls to map!
If you're on a tight budget then I would certainly recommend it.
If you're on a tight budget then I would certainly recommend it.
Amazon US still has it on stock (well, not Amazon themself, but they aren't used ones either), and it's actually cheaper then the privatly sold ones you get in Europe... including shipment costs.
http://www.amazon.com/Saitek-X52-Fl...2?ie=UTF8&qid=1401264276&sr=8-2&keywords=x-52
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I will check this closer to the evening, right now I am away from my gaming rig.
Yes that's how I feel about it too. I just associate them with playing other types of game. A nice chunky flight controller feels much better.. but a hat switch for the directional thrust is the opposite!
I agree with that, to a degree. I'm getting used to using the thumb hat on the throttle for this, but it took me thrusting down, full speed, into the landing pad and dying to remember that it's now digital and not analogue! To be fair, in normal flying I would say I used full thrusters 99% of the time, it was only when docking I would take advantage of the analogue stick on the XBox controller for thrusters.
Philip Coutts
Volunteer Moderator
Like Jabokai I switched from a 360 controller but I went to a Thrustmaster T-Flight Hotas. I wasn't blown away at the start but now I love it. It feels right and I think I have improved as a pilot as well. Ultimately it's all down to what you feel most comfortable with.