I use a cyborg F.L.Y. 5. Cheap and cheerful flight stick. No way would I even think about using a mouse or gamepad after using this properly configured.
The Joystick/Controller discussion thread
Started with the F.L.Y. 5 (was brand new) hat stick was knackered out of the box, so sent it back. Tried kbd/mouse but hell no! So for now i am not playing till replacement arrives...
I use Oculus, Keyboard and Mouse. Most keys I have mapped in a square from Tab down-right to C so I can touch-pilot without having to look down my nose!
I started with keyboard and mouse, and I was abysmal - didn't enjoy the game at all because I couldn't hit a barn door (yeah, there's not that many floating in space) at three yards.
So I got an Xbox controller, tried it and while I was slightly better, I was still terrible. This bummed me out but I was determined to persevere, plus I was also getting into other flight sims at the time so could justify the expense of a HOTAS.
I bought the Saitek X55, and it has made a huge amount of difference to my ability. My skill level has skyrocketed to ''really bad." Still, it's progress
But seriously, get a joystick at least, and a HOTAS if you can.
So I got an Xbox controller, tried it and while I was slightly better, I was still terrible. This bummed me out but I was determined to persevere, plus I was also getting into other flight sims at the time so could justify the expense of a HOTAS.
I bought the Saitek X55, and it has made a huge amount of difference to my ability. My skill level has skyrocketed to ''really bad." Still, it's progress
But seriously, get a joystick at least, and a HOTAS if you can.
Thanks for the lots of answers, so i'm best with a joystick. When i remember, original Elite i played with a joystick also.
I just have the little problem i don't have that much space to build up throttle and stick, i would have the joystick holding in hands, like left hand is holding the base of the stick, maybe the thumb could press a button but most things i would do with the right hand, is there a stick(a very solid one pls, i remember in old Elite i ate through breaking sticks), i could use that way ?
I just have the little problem i don't have that much space to build up throttle and stick, i would have the joystick holding in hands, like left hand is holding the base of the stick, maybe the thumb could press a button but most things i would do with the right hand, is there a stick(a very solid one pls, i remember in old Elite i ate through breaking sticks), i could use that way ?
Be assured - the Thrustmaster Hotas Warthog is expensive - but if you can afford it, you won't regret getting it. Once you've used Hall effect gear you won't use anything else. I was using old Saitek stuff when I started beta 2 and decided I liked ED enough to buy the TM gear. It's like night and day. No comparison, The TM gear is in a totally different class. It is big and heavy, so give some thought to where you're going to set it up before you buy.
Joystick > Pad > Mouse/Keyboard
A lot of people tend to use the X52 which is by far one of the most superior set of controls for the game.
However, if you don't want to spend over £100 then I'd recommend the Thrustmaster T-Flight HOTAS X. You can pick one up for less than half the price of an X52 and the quality is surprisingly high for the cost.
A lot of people tend to use the X52 which is by far one of the most superior set of controls for the game.
However, if you don't want to spend over £100 then I'd recommend the Thrustmaster T-Flight HOTAS X. You can pick one up for less than half the price of an X52 and the quality is surprisingly high for the cost.
I used to play flight sims with an xbox360 controller, but it lacks the accuracy you need for precision shooting (and stabilising a plane in some flight sims)
Now I use a thrustmaster T16000M, which is arguably the best bang-for-buck joystick and isn't that expensive.
A big advantage over other similarly priced sticks is that it's possible to switch the grips and make it left handed;
So I did that and I control flight with my left hand while using the mouse with my right hand for looking around and pressing buttons.
I did put some electrical tape over the green light at the base, which is a bit annoying.
Aside from that I use a Korg-nanocontrol MIDI board, which has several sliders and some nicely separated buttons. I don't really need it for ED, but I'm used to it from flight sims.
Now I use a thrustmaster T16000M, which is arguably the best bang-for-buck joystick and isn't that expensive.
A big advantage over other similarly priced sticks is that it's possible to switch the grips and make it left handed;
So I did that and I control flight with my left hand while using the mouse with my right hand for looking around and pressing buttons.
I did put some electrical tape over the green light at the base, which is a bit annoying.
Aside from that I use a Korg-nanocontrol MIDI board, which has several sliders and some nicely separated buttons. I don't really need it for ED, but I'm used to it from flight sims.
The Thrustmaster Flight Hotas X works fine with me. It's a bit more affordable than the Saitek Variants.
Well this joystick would serve me well when it comes to my space problems, the hotas thing takes much to much space, my table is to high also, my arms would hang in the air all the time.
Is there another/better of these normal joysticks that you can suggest ? the throttle-and-stick-setups are not working for me unfortunatelly
Flying with Keyboard and mouse and it works fine for trading, but i start to notice more and more the lack of feedback for throttle. Next upgrade most likely to the thrustmaster HOTAS X thingamajig to be better prepared for battles...
I like the idea of the korg nano controller too, maybe not the perfect solution but I swear I had one lying around here somewhere for those rare music making sessions....
Maybe I'll try to set it up somehow, don't think it will beat the HOTAS X though
I like the idea of the korg nano controller too, maybe not the perfect solution but I swear I had one lying around here somewhere for those rare music making sessions....
Maybe I'll try to set it up somehow, don't think it will beat the HOTAS X though
Mouse and keyboard user, here (pirate essentially, both vs npc and players.)
The hardest part at start is controls fine tuning (I think it's the same problem with other control, that said) and choosing between flight assist off or flight assist on as a main flight mode. And you'll have to choose just because there's no ingame option to switch between relative or absolute mouse control.
Mouse control mode will determine which flight mode you'll mainly use : FA/OFF will require relative mouse mode, while FA/on needs absolute mouse control.
A decent mouse with good resolution helps a lot and after a while it becomes easy to always fly and fight with FA/OFF.
I hope this will help
The hardest part at start is controls fine tuning (I think it's the same problem with other control, that said) and choosing between flight assist off or flight assist on as a main flight mode. And you'll have to choose just because there's no ingame option to switch between relative or absolute mouse control.
Mouse control mode will determine which flight mode you'll mainly use : FA/OFF will require relative mouse mode, while FA/on needs absolute mouse control.
A decent mouse with good resolution helps a lot and after a while it becomes easy to always fly and fight with FA/OFF.
I hope this will help
I tested mine prior to my daughter wrapping it for Xmas. It was very stiff at first, until I operated it a few times. I'm wondering if it's possible to take a look inside and perhaps mod it some way. Apply some Krytok grease or something.
Left Handed Joystick thingymajig's...
I have been told by my other half that I can have a Joystick for Xmas
But I have never used one as I have always used a mouse and keyboard.
I'm left handed as well which kind'a always put me off bothering with.
But as its will be a pressie and i'm not paying for it ill be getting one.
the questions I need answering is.
Which one? or Which ones are decent.
Any advice for this leftie would be nice.
I have been told by my other half that I can have a Joystick for Xmas
But I have never used one as I have always used a mouse and keyboard.
I'm left handed as well which kind'a always put me off bothering with.
But as its will be a pressie and i'm not paying for it ill be getting one.
the questions I need answering is.
Which one? or Which ones are decent.
Any advice for this leftie would be nice.