The Joystick/Controller discussion thread

[Shotgun2097]

Is it even worth trying to play with a basic xbox360 controller? Still fighting myself over new gear purchases...

i love my controller it gives me a more relaxed feel no probs at all if some one kills me so be it not gona worry tried a cyborg but found it too stiff , not the joystick but my stiff rigid playing position prefer having my elbows on my knees lol for fine controls .. gimbals

 

[Leslie]

Logitech Extreme 3D Pro - works great for me.

 

[Red-i]

i like this , i take it the thumbs click too
i could have dropp out of sc on pad and jump .. think they are only ones a really miss im using std 360 plenty fun

Yes the thumb buttons click. They're a bit sensitive while in the heat of battle, so I only use them with another button pressed simultaneously. It also has the L1/L2 and R1/R2 buttons that are standard on this controller type.

 

[mr_mojo97]

TM Warthog with Saitek combat pro pedals here. My main sim is DCSW A-10C and just bought this today so my simpit is ready made. It's still downloading so am hoping it's better than my
BBC Model B 32k version!

 

[bluehair666]

Logitech Extreme 3D Pro (plus controls spreadsheet)

Good, solid, inexpensive joystick with hat switch and 12 buttons. Heavy base stays put on my desk. May eventually get HOTAS for DCS A-10C.

I made a spreadsheet (starting with Warthog's original) that has a nice re-use of the hat and 4 top keys. I use key combinations with F11 for tracking, F9 for weapons, F7 for miscellaneous, and nothing for flight. I have highlighted important controls as well. (For reference, I included the default keyboard+mouse assignments in a separate column.)

PDF
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-2o7VV-8jPoRUFZdjVnajBUSk0/view?usp=sharing

Excel spreadsheet
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-2o7VV-8jPoRzFzQXRFa3hMS0k/view?usp=sharing

 

[BudBomberz]

Nice one Grumbleweed, a nice and easy idea. Thanks for sharing the pics.

 

[Acidictadpole]

I own a HOTAS Warthog and couldn't be happier with it. It is designed for atmospheric flight, but all the additional hats and whatnot make it pretty easy to accommodate the multiple dimensions.

 

[ceeldee]

I am using CH FighterStick,CH Pro Throttle with profile downloaded from Dom Davis site. Works well. Cannot believe no CH options in questionnaire.

 

[NullBy7e]

Recommended Joystick?

I have never used a Joystick before but I want to try it out with ED.
Budget: $150

So, what would be a good choice?
FYI: I hate cables!

Another question:
In a few months I will get three screens, does ED support NVIDIA Surround/SLI?

 

[theirongiant]

I got a rhino, very happy with it.

 

[Newt_Othis]

I'm loving my Thrustmaster T Flight HOTAS X. Might be a bit below your budget though.

 

[KillaALF]

Well, the Saitek X-52/pro falls right into your budget and quite a lot of people like it, so there's that.

Don't know of any HOTAS that is wireless, though, so you'll have to live with cables.

 

[bh808303]

2138

I bought a thrustmaster T16000m which is around 50$, its one of the better stick and for that money its a steal. For a full HOTAS set i'd suggest getting a CH throttle pro for a Throttle stick. They layout of the buttons etc is just perfect imho.

 

[Sandmann]

I have never used a Joystick before but I want to try it out with ED.
Budget: $150

So, what would be a good choice?

Saitek X52 is the dev's weapon of choice, and mine, and fits your budget.

FYI: I hate cables!

Ahh. Oh well. Tough luck. They all have cables.

 

[Deadly Chicken]

I went cheap with a Logitech wxreme 3d pro, which was like 30 bucks or something, its much better than a mouse, but I cant say how much better the other recommendations would be ?

 

[Marc Alexander]

I'm loving my Thrustmaster T Flight HOTAS X. Might be a bit below your budget though.

I concur! An excellent HOTAS setup for the money - not as many buttons as the Saitek X-52/pro but you can still bind everything to it. Maybe save the money for Track IR?

 

[NullBy7e]

SAITEK FLIGHT SIMULATION X52 PRO is $170 and it looks good, maybe I'll go with that.

 

[Keys135]

I am using a X52 pro and it is great. My only concern is the quality control of Saitek. When I bought the joystick, I had to send the first 2 back as button 1 (fire button) either failed to work or broke in a week. This 3rd one is so far reliable and I have been using it for the last 2 months on a daily basis.

 

[Indeo]

I concur! An excellent HOTAS setup for the money - not as many buttons as the Saitek X-52/pro but you can still bind everything to it. Maybe save the money for Track IR?

Agree. I have an X55 rhino and it's awesome but it typically goes for $200. It got it at newegg with a $30 gift certificate, making the effective price $170. The X52 comes in around $130 and the X52 Pro at around the $150-60s if you can find it right now (I presume there are a lot of ED players out eyeing this specific joystick.

With 3 screens, the TrackIR is just about $150 and might be another option for increased immersion if you want to do that and get a cheaper joystick (Extreme at $30 or the Thrustmaster HOTAS at $50). I did some research and those seem the best options out there. The CH joystick and separate throttle is an excellent option as well, and can be purchased piecemeal. Each are around $100. Downside is that there is no Z-axis (twist) on this controller, which is also a limitation of the Thrustmaster Warthog ($450 top of the line, 10 lb beast!). Both sell separate foot controlled flight rudders as an option.

Finally, the cheapest option is a mouse and keyboard. Free!

Good luck on your search.

 

[Raz0rking]

Get the X-52 or the X-52 pro.
Don't get the Thrustmaster X. Is lacks buttons. The X-52 has about 30 or so buttons you can map =)