The Joystick/Controller discussion thread

[Antmax]

I heard that the CH fighter stick likes to track across the two axis and the transition takes some getting used to.

The X52 silver needs the magnet mod otherwise the joystick itself is not very accurate my old Extreme3D was better till I did the mod.

The X52 also has quite a bit of play in the center that makes it feel less accurate around the center, I ended up opening the handle and letting some superglue wick into the connection between the metal shaft and the plastic handle. The plastic vs metal rub and 2mm pin that locks them together develops quite a lot of play.

The bottom of the metal shaft also rubs against the insulation of the dozen or so 1mm wires that come out the bottom eventually wearing through and severing the wires.

So not the best design but it's what I have and I like it a lot. You can use the rubber analog mouse nub to control thrusters on the x52 but it's not that great. I actually prefer the hat set as an 8 way hat.

Most important thing for a hotas is to have at least two hats on the stick to navigate the ship system menus properly. And another preferably on the throttle for lateral thrusters. Otherwise it comes down to what kind of yaw control you want. Twist stick, pedals or a toggle/rocker. I find the twist stick most convenient if a little over sensitive in most flying games. Not such a big deal in ED with it's weak rudder though.

 

[1500]

I have the x52 pro and love it. Purchased it for CIG's SC (joke is on me), purchased ED for my x52 pro and have not turned back.

 

[sun_tzu]

X55 love it
But x52 x65 warthog or ch setup would probably be great as well

 

[Andrej]

Your question is like what car is better, BMW or Mercedes? And why so much people are driving Volkswagen or even Opel, if those are not extremely cool? It is just a personal preference. Joystick that you see in your cockpit is designed looking on x52. But... As proud owner of Warthog, for me there are only two types of joysticks: Warthog and everything else. I'm honestly think that Warthog is this much better. But it is just me. Which owner of BMW will admit that Mercedes is better, or vice versa?

 

[Non Grata]

I don't want to use pedals though and as far as I know the competitive product of CH has no z-axis, right?

The CH throttle has a thumbstick with 2 axis - one of which can be used for yaw if you want to. Personally I don't think yaw (or lateral/vertical thrusters) demand an analog axis in Elite (especially with yaw into roll enabled) - putting them on a hat works just fine (which is what I do for yaw, which I only use when docking - a few dabs of left or right works great).

 

[MacArthur]

I bought an X55 and returned it due to a faulty twist rudder. What I didn't realise until I replaced it with CH products stuff was that it also has a horrible sticky centering mechanism and wobbly hats. Downside is the price you have to pay for pedals to replace the twist function.

The mini stick is great as mentioned. The saitek has umpteen hats, knobs and switch on the throttle but the positioning is so poor compared to the CH throttle that they might as well be on the keyboard.

 

[OVMorat]

I am borrowing a friends X45 until i can get an X55 in a couple weeks. Are there any issues with the X45 with this game?

Not really, but it's an old stick with poor driver support and it was always sticky round the centre point where you want to do the most accurate adjustment. I brought mine out of retirement for beta, did the ziptie mod to reduce the spring tension and still bought a Warthog. If i was just into Elite I probably wouldn't have bought the Warthog but since I've flown flight sims in the past and would like to have a go at the A-10C in DCS, the warthog was - still very expensive
But, oh so worth it. It is so smooth and precise it's a joy to use.

 

[Andrej]

Oh, and regarding stick twist. I never really get used to it, so I like very much that Warthog do no not have it. Rudder pedals are so much better.

 

[Apec Valorian]

For quality there is only one choice - CH products.
There are many that are lucky with their Saiteks but for me it's just toys, cheap and fragile plastic.

Thought so as well - until I got my hands on the Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog.

If Joysticks were music, the Warthog would be Heavy Metal. Well, it is, actually.

 

[Conestoga]

Thrustmaster T.16000m + CH Products Pro Throttle.

The T.16000m is just an amazingly good joystick, and it's cheap. It doesn't look like much. The CH Pro Throttle has all the buttons in the right places and is just silky to use.

If you happen to be in Russia, make sure to check out the Defender Cobra M5.

 

[Antmax]

The mini stick is great as mentioned. The saitek has umpteen hats, knobs and switch on the throttle but the positioning is so poor compared to the CH throttle that they might as well be on the keyboard.

I didn't notice but then I have full range on my throttle so 95% of the time I only use the front half of the throttle. The CH throttle slides in a straight line while the saitek rotates on an axis which can feel weird. I put my own center bumpstop on the x52 for the center of the throttle and find everything pretty easy to reach on the throttle. Probably the main reason I don't use the mouse nub for thrusters is that my primary fire button and boost are in that area an the hat at the back is easier to reach with my index finger.

RE the Warthog. I read that it was huge. The saitek sticks are quite large and the Warthog is even bigger and supposedly much stiffer.

On the X52, after I did the superglue mod to get rid of the play in the handle I didn't need the heavier spring spacer mod that is so common. The heavier spring just helps mask the play of the stick and isn't needed when it's gone.

 

[Apec Valorian]

for me there are only two types of joysticks: Warthog and everything else. I'm honestly think that Warthog is this much better. But it is just me.

Nope, it's certainly not just you

 

[aRtFuL]

Thrustmaster T.16000m + CH Products Pro Throttle.

The T.16000m is just an amazingly good joystick, and it's cheap. It doesn't look like much. The CH Pro Throttle has all the buttons in the right places and is just silky to use.

The problem with that setup is, the CH Pro Throttles brings the T16000M from a cheap setup right up into a expensive setup - because the Throttle is almost double the price of the T16000M

If you start from scratch with no joysticks you might as well go for x55 for the same price.

Joystick manufacturers really need to start making some cheaper fighter throttles again.

 

[OVMorat]

I didn't notice but then I have full range on my throttle so 95% of the time I only use the front half of the throttle. The CH throttle slides in a straight line while the saitek rotates on an axis which can feel weird. I put my own center bumpstop on the x52 for the center of the throttle and find everything pretty easy to reach on the throttle. Probably the main reason I don't use the mouse nub for thrusters is that my primary fire button and boost are in that area an the hat at the back is easier to reach with my index finger.

RE the Warthog. I read that it was huge. The saitek sticks are quite large and the Warthog is even bigger and supposedly much stiffer.

On the X52, after I did the superglue mod to get rid of the play in the handle I didn't need the heavier spring. The heavier spring just helps mask the play of the stick and isn't needed when it's gone.

The Warthog is quite stiff, but it's smooth and accurate with it. You can remove the spring if you want a light self centering action but I like mine as it is. As for size, they're a full size replica so yeah, bigger than most. It's a real shame these HOTAS are such niche products, it would be great to be able to walk into a computer shop and try them back to back.

 

[Max Thundercrock]

I just ordered a thrustmaster 16000M. Haven't tried it yet. Have played pc games for about twenty years and this is my first joystick. I went with the cheaper but also wanted something with the twist axis so I can do flight assist off flying. I play on a laptop with a lap board so throttle isn't something I have room for. I'll use a keyboard combo and I'm checking out Roccats power grid for the cool factor lol. I'll let you know how it works out.

 

[Borgkube]

hi Folks
i can't Play frontier with Keyboard oder mouse

In that case i am looking for a good Joystick (HOTAS) for the game.

have anyone one of These:

X52 Pro
x55 (Madcatz)
Thrustmaster Warhog

(sry english is not my native speech)

All three of the sticks you mention are great choices. They all work equally well with ED. Therefore your choice comes down to your own personal preference.

 

[Andrej]

If you happen to be in Russia, make sure to check out the Defender Cobra M5.

Well, I'm not from Russia, but I was able to track discussions about those joysticks very well (I have no troubles reading Russian). VKB products are available outside Russia trough http://flightsimcontrols.com/, but from Russian forums discussions the are quite specific (have some great technical solutions, but sometimes questionable ergonomics). I can't really judge them (never seen one "in the flesh"). My general expression was that it is better to buy a product from more recognizable manufacturer, such as Thrustmaster. I could be wrong

 

[Morrain]

I use the X55 but I've found the build quality to be very variable. Get a good set and you're sorted, get a duff one and... not so much.
I would however like there to be more use for all the rotary controls (e.g. setting power distribution).

 

[Venkman]

Getting an x55 very soon

 

[SharkH]

I have had both the X55 and X52 pro. I prefer the X52 pro as I have like how the stick is adjustable for the size of your hands and the 55 was not comfortable to play with for me.

You are right I have pretty big hand but I feel its "barely enough" to fit to my stick of the x55 , I wondered how someone with small hand would reach the top switches and secondary fire button.