The Joystick/Controller discussion thread

[Ironclad]

2 joystick setup anyone?

Hi
Before spending tons of money on HOTAS (been there, done that, CH stuff rocked but got thrown in the bin years ago, age before USB and all that).

Has anyone tried a 2 joystick setup? how would that work?
How would you map throttle control?

I'd love to hear someone who has tried that. I have a Logitec attack 3 gathering dust on a shelf and would not mind shelling out for Logitec Extreme 3D Pro as they are dirt cheap.

Thx

 

[Okona]

Two Joystick setup

I got an Extreme 3D pro and a T 16000 (which can be adjusted for the left hand)

And everything works like expected. You can configure every axis and button of both joysticks in the game.

A picture of the setup:
http://t.co/OiZ2Lrddd7

I mapped throttle control onto the pitch axis of the left joystick, but I am pondering on mapping it to the yaw axis.
Nontheless, if you do not touch that joystick, the ship does not move. You have to hold the joystick in the position you want the throttle to be. (Which I quite like)

Any specific questions?

 

[Stoo]

I've enjoyed using my T-Flight HOTAS, but today I've ordered an X52... I needed more buttons!

It'll take me hours to set it up I bet

 

[Ironclad]

I got an Extreme 3D pro and a T 16000 (which can be adjusted for the left hand)

And everything works like expected. You can configure every axis and button of both joysticks in the game.

A picture of the setup:
http://t.co/OiZ2Lrddd7

I mapped throttle control onto the pitch axis of the left joystick, but I am pondering on mapping it to the yaw axis.
Nontheless, if you do not touch that joystick, the ship does not move. You have to hold the joystick in the position you want the throttle to be. (Which I quite like)

Any specific questions?

Thx,
The other stick is used for thruster control i take it?
i actually think it's more "accurate" if the term serves, to use a stick to control thrusters.

 

[Vereena]

I use Razer Tartarus for my left hand, Dpad under my thumb works for up/down/left/right thrusters, W S forward and backward thrust, and I try not to use throttle as its not needed as much to fly and the number of key combinations is enough to cover all functions.

 

[Okona]

Two Joysticks

Thx,
The other stick is used for thruster control i take it?
i actually think it's more "accurate" if the term serves, to use a stick to control thrusters.

Yes the left stick is set to thrusters (x and y axis) and throttle (twist). This configuration made most sense at the time.
And each axis has a lot of travel, so it is very precise.

Throttle or forward/backward thrust is the same on the joystick, but in frameshift only the throttle does register.

What i very much like is that all axes spring back, so the zero point is clearly defined. That especially helps when docking.



However I also got a CH pro throttle which has an analog stick for the thrust. Which also allows precise control.
This is slowly winning over the two joystick combination. (And this has joyously many buttons and hats)
For that see also the excellent Video by brumster100 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceOdOytgT64

Now a joystick with a bit more buttons and hats (and still twist axis) would be perfect.

 

[Ironclad]

Yes the left stick is set to thrusters (x and y axis)
However I also got a CH pro throttle which has an analog stick for the thrust. Which also allows precise control.
This is slowly winning over the two joystick combination. (And this has joyously many buttons and hats)
For that see also the excellent Video by brumster100 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceOdOytgT64

Now a joystick with a bit more buttons and hats (and still twist axis) would be perfect.

Yeah,
CH was my first HOTAS setup back in the days of joystick ports...
Had a combat stick and pro throttle back in my "flying" days.
Thing is, i'm not willing to spend that much money on a game.
I'll probably try the 2 joystick setup when Elite releases.

Thx

 

[dalek501]

I wonder if somebody could give me some help with installing the correct drivers for the Thrustmaster Hotas X please?

I've downloaded from the thrustmaster site but every time I plug in the joystick it seems to install default windows versions. If I try to update them from the installed locations its reported that the lastest are already installed.

I'm sure I must be doing something wrong! I have windows 7 btw.

 

[Runepriest]

Basic Stick

OK, my old stick does not seem to be working anymore, tis a fair few years old mind. This means getting a new stick for this game. Not looking to spend hundreds as just want something to make play easier than basic keyboard so.....can anyone recommend a reasonable product please?

 

[Omegahunter]

OK, my old stick does not seem to be working anymore, tis a fair few years old mind. This means getting a new stick for this game. Not looking to spend hundreds as just want something to make play easier than basic keyboard so.....can anyone recommend a reasonable product please?

Thrustmaster t-flight hotas x joystick can be found for about £35 in the UK

Its not overloaded with buttons and switches but has a separate stick and throttle and can hold its own with the bigger boys toys.

 

[Okona]

Two Joysticks

Yeah,
CH was my first HOTAS setup back in the days of joystick ports...
Had a combat stick and pro throttle back in my "flying" days.
Thing is, i'm not willing to spend that much money on a game.
I'll probably try the 2 joystick setup when Elite releases.

Thx

The two Joysticks might be the most cost effective solution, especially if you already have one.

If you still own the CH setup, I would research, if it is still possible to connect it. Either through converting it to USB, or by retrofitting a game port to your pc.

Brumster100 mentioned something about converting his CH Stick to USB.

 

[Ironclad]

The two Joysticks might be the most cost effective solution, especially if you already have one.

If you still own the CH setup, I would research, if it is still possible to connect it. Either through converting it to USB, or by retrofitting a game port to your pc.

Brumster100 mentioned something about converting his CH Stick to USB.

Hi.
The CH gear got tossed years ago (stopped flying sims).
I'll try the 2 stick setup, I think that it has an element of immersion to it and that it fits space sims better then HOTAS, on the plus side, the joystick is dirt cheap. It might also help with flighing without flight assist.

 

[Queebatron]

The manual for the Thrustmaster HOTAS X doesn't say a thing about drivers, IIRC. In fact when I look in the Device Manager I don't even see the HOTAS X. It still works in ED though. Depending on what you want, you should press the home button (the one at the top of the triangle on the base) to put it in five or four axes mode (5-axes is what i use).

 

[Blairvoyach]

I have converted my old, old Thrustmaster F22pro and TQS setup to USB and replaced the pots with Hall sensors. If you have one of these HOTAS or any gameport (CH etc.) stick, I highly recommend doing the conversion. The hardest bit was fitting all the wires into the stick shaft, throttle was easier still. If you don't want to go the hall effect route, just leave in the pots, they will be fine.

I used the board from Leo Bodnar http://www.leobodnar.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=67&products_id=180 and for anyone wanting to convert a TQS, the tiny POV hat switch he sells is a direct replacement for the one on the throttle.

Cost me £60 quid to upgrade my £300 gameport HOTAS to the 21st century, bargain!

Jeff

 

[Thelamon]

Funny that the various MS Sidewinder Joysticks are not mentioned...
(They still have a wide userbase despite being out of production and many People swear by them.)

I'm using the MS FFB 2 2. Rev.

I just ordered a CH Pro Throttle USB - in order to create the "optimal HOTAS" for ED (and maybe SC later). The Problem is that it is very hard to get a CH Throttle in Europe - for whatever reason.

Amazon.com charged heavily for sending it to GER (Tax + shipment).

 

[Ironclad]

Funny that the various MS Sidewinder Joysticks are not mentioned...
(They still have a wide userbase despite being out of production and many People swear by them.)

I'm using the MS FFB 2 2. Rev.

I just ordered a CH Pro Throttle USB - in order to create the "optimal HOTAS" for ED (and maybe SC later). The Problem is that it is very hard to get a CH Throttle in Europe - for whatever reason.

Amazon.com charged heavily for sending it to GER (Tax + shipment).

Can't go wrong with CH, their stuff lasts forever. My HOTAS got yanked and banked for years without showing any signs of wearing down. Amazing quality.

 

[calculon68]

If you still own the CH setup, I would research, if it is still possible to connect it. Either through converting it to USB, or by retrofitting a game port to your pc.

I kept my gameport CH HOTAS from the 90s (couldn't bear to part with it) and it will work through the Rockfire RM-203 USB/Gameport adapter. It's a multi-mode adapter that works extremely well with the CH Flightstick Pro compatibles. (all of CH's gear pre-2001)

Downside is you have to configure it in Windows as a generic "4-axis, 4button joystick w/view finder". You lose all the other buttons and hats, which defeats the purpose of a HOTAS in first place.

But you can find legacy gameport controllers very cheaply on eBay.

 

[dalek501]

The manual for the Thrustmaster HOTAS X doesn't say a thing about drivers, IIRC. In fact when I look in the Device Manager I don't even see the HOTAS X. It still works in ED though. Depending on what you want, you should press the home button (the one at the top of the triangle on the base) to put it in five or four axes mode (5-axes is what i use).

Ah right ok. I seem to recall reading somewhere that you had to use the thrustmaster drivers to get the best response. Maybe I dreamt it?!

 

[DeepFried]

The manual for the Thrustmaster HOTAS X doesn't say a thing about drivers, IIRC. In fact when I look in the Device Manager I don't even see the HOTAS X. It still works in ED though. Depending on what you want, you should press the home button (the one at the top of the triangle on the base) to put it in five or four axes mode (5-axes is what i use).

I haven't installed any drivers but i can see it just fine in the control panel and from there i can do calibration.

 

[Okona]

rare CH pro throttle

Funny that the various MS Sidewinder Joysticks are not mentioned...
(They still have a wide userbase despite being out of production and many People swear by them.)

I'm using the MS FFB 2 2. Rev.

I just ordered a CH Pro Throttle USB - in order to create the "optimal HOTAS" for ED (and maybe SC later). The Problem is that it is very hard to get a CH Throttle in Europe - for whatever reason.

Amazon.com charged heavily for sending it to GER (Tax + shipment).

Yes, the CH pro throttle seems to be quite rare.
Fortunately I found a seller on ebay (GER) last week which did not have to import it, so it was shipped in two days. (The seller was sabasoft but now seems to be out of stock)