The Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas X is cheap and from what I have heard so far does the job quite well. Havn't tried it myself though.
But if you need over 10 minutes for docking better hardware will most likely not help you.
The Joystick/Controller discussion thread
The Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas X is cheap and from what I have heard so far does the job quite well. Havn't tried it myself though.
But if you need over 10 minutes for docking better hardware will most likely not help you.
They dont need to make anything. But you should consider changing your controls. I use keyboard/mouse myself and docking takes 15-30 seconds.
Mouse for pitch/yaw. WASD for thrusters up/down/left/right, R/F for thrusters forward/backward, Q/E for roll and X for throttle to 0. I mapped increase/decrease throttle on mouse wheel.
As soon as I enter the station I hit X and use the thrusters to maneuver to the landing pad - works like a charm.
I have to disagree, after I got the hotass X it was much much easier. I now glide into my slot. ;o)
+1 on that. I had one before I "upgraded" to CH Hotas and pedals. I don't regret my decision since the HOTAS certainly helps with combat but the T16000m is very good indeed. For trading and exploring it's absolutely fine.
Indeed, I switched from Mouse & Keyboard to the Thrustmaster HOTAS.
The steering on my end is much better, however my accuracy when fighting is appauling.
I just can't get the small adjustments right to shoot with fixed weapons.
Err.. Which country are you in?
If Scotland/England/Ireland/Wales - Avoid major outlets, like Overclockers, Scan, etc. They are seemingly out of stock of everything. Try dedicated sim-stores:
Pilot Shop | Pilot Supplies | Pilot GPS at Flightstore UK
SimWare Simulations - Your 360° Simulation Store
I used my 360 pad for ages, in conjunction with the keyboard of course, we got on just fine. But I bought the Thrustmaster T.16000m and CH Pro Throttle.
The CH Throttle is the star of the show, but the joystick is so accurate that even the slightest and lightest of touches can make it move.. All-in-all, it costs about the same as an X52 Pro but you get kit that doesn't break after a few months
The T.16000m has a 'z-axis' (yaw), which the CH joysticks don't - Therefore, for a full CH setup you'd either:
1) Need pedals.
2) Need pedals.
Unfortunately, I don't want em'. They can be loud.
If you want just a joystick I can wholeheartedly recommend the T-16000m. It has a small throttle slider on it and it comes with 12 programmable buttons on the base. There's another joystick out there that is a little better, called the Defender M5 Cobra, but you need a throttle to go with.
If Scotland/England/Ireland/Wales - Avoid major outlets, like Overclockers, Scan, etc. They are seemingly out of stock of everything. Try dedicated sim-stores:
Pilot Shop | Pilot Supplies | Pilot GPS at Flightstore UK
SimWare Simulations - Your 360° Simulation Store
I used my 360 pad for ages, in conjunction with the keyboard of course, we got on just fine. But I bought the Thrustmaster T.16000m and CH Pro Throttle.
The CH Throttle is the star of the show, but the joystick is so accurate that even the slightest and lightest of touches can make it move.. All-in-all, it costs about the same as an X52 Pro but you get kit that doesn't break after a few months
The T.16000m has a 'z-axis' (yaw), which the CH joysticks don't - Therefore, for a full CH setup you'd either:1) Need pedals.
2) Need pedals.
Unfortunately, I don't want em'. They can be loud.
If you want just a joystick I can wholeheartedly recommend the T-16000m. It has a small throttle slider on it and it comes with 12 programmable buttons on the base. There's another joystick out there that is a little better, called the Defender M5 Cobra, but you need a throttle to go with.
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The 360 controller is OK. I used it in Gamma for a bit, but I ended up back with mouse/keyboard. I like the look of Rapscallion74's advanced layout though, and playing with mouse/keyboard in my living room is messy. What ship are you piloting? I can easily dock everything up to a Type-6 in under 90 seconds from Docking Request.
Nice to see everything people have said about HOTAS-X too. Thanks everyone! I was going to buy one next week, but Mrs Me just lost her job, so that (and the Xbox One I was considering!) are on ice for a bit.
I use the Thrustmaster Extreme 3D Pro (£20 on eBay), which is pretty awesome. Solid, single stick (Not HOTAS) and can take a lot of punishment. Seems to be perfect for my gaming needs.
When I get the Oculus Rift eventually, I'll upgrade to a full HOTAS, because using the Rift and trying to find the right keys on my keyboard for the extra stuff may become a bit of a pain! Heh!
When I get the Oculus Rift eventually, I'll upgrade to a full HOTAS, because using the Rift and trying to find the right keys on my keyboard for the extra stuff may become a bit of a pain! Heh!
I have a Thrustmaster T Flight HOTAS X and I concur. I still use keyboard for precise SC station approach and docking. But for 40euros, I'm not disappointed I bought it.
I'm a lefty so +1 for this stick
I'm a lefty and still use the Thrustmaster T Flight HOTAS X. But if you want a good peripheral for easier docking, the keyboard is the most precise.
put "speed increment" to 25%, set Z/W to forward and S to backward, A/Q to left thrust and E to right thrust, R for upward thrust and F to downward thrust, and you're set.
I'm playing with the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro joystick and I'm pretty happy with it. Not a bad stick at all, for the asking price. I don't have any issues with the drivers or the hardware itself. No drifting, no squeaking or anything like that.
I have an X-52. But I play with my Logitech Gamepad. It has two analogue sticks.
The reason is: Ships turn really slow in this game, so you don't really need the precision of a joystick. But with a gamepad, you can have both orientational and diagonal axis on the analogue sticks (with exception of throttle and roll in my case), you you can fly quite naturally and controlled.
It also has the upside that the keyboard is always easily reachable, so all the "advanced" stuff is mapped to the keyboard.
The reason is: Ships turn really slow in this game, so you don't really need the precision of a joystick. But with a gamepad, you can have both orientational and diagonal axis on the analogue sticks (with exception of throttle and roll in my case), you you can fly quite naturally and controlled.
It also has the upside that the keyboard is always easily reachable, so all the "advanced" stuff is mapped to the keyboard.
Another one here with the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro. Have basically all main piloting actions binded to the base, only need to move my left hand to the keyboard for quick power adjustments (arrow keys are simple to hit quickly) or for any cockpit UI moves (yeah a bit of a pain but I survive).
If I switch to voice attack then the joystick would do everything I need.
If I switch to voice attack then the joystick would do everything I need.
I've had my Logitech Extreme 3d Pro for probably about 5 years now and it's never let me down. It's a nice stick with twist for yaw, and a little throttle lever on the base.
It has plenty of buttons - I use the hat for looking around, two of the four buttons around the hat for targetting, and the other two for boost and to toggle faoff. Two main triggers for weapons of course, and there are an extra six buttons on the base, i use these in pairs for hyperspace/supercruise, heatsinks/silent running, and firegroups +/-.
The position of the throttle is a little awkward but you get used to it.
It has plenty of buttons - I use the hat for looking around, two of the four buttons around the hat for targetting, and the other two for boost and to toggle faoff. Two main triggers for weapons of course, and there are an extra six buttons on the base, i use these in pairs for hyperspace/supercruise, heatsinks/silent running, and firegroups +/-.
The position of the throttle is a little awkward but you get used to it.
I fly with a T-Flight. I find directional and throttle control much easier with this setup.
I use a custom mapping that gives each button on the stick and throttle two functions, one default and one shifted using button 3. With that and VoiceAttack I have no need to touch the keyboard at all during play.
I use a custom mapping that gives each button on the stick and throttle two functions, one default and one shifted using button 3. With that and VoiceAttack I have no need to touch the keyboard at all during play.
I played with keyboard and mouse before my Saitek x55 HOTAS arrived. To me it massively improved gameplay - combat is more natural, landing is easy - and the fine control you have over the throttle makes it a no-brainer for which is better. If you can't afford one of the high end ones, the thrustmaster HOTAS is probably also great as (IMHO) having an continuous axis for throttle, as well as yaw and roll (and pitch) is what makes it.
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Philip Coutts
Volunteer Moderator
I started with an xbox 360 controller that I had lying around and got on just fine. I moved up to a Thrustmaster T-Flight Hotas X and it is brilliant for the £40 I paid. The only thing is Hotas set-ups are quite big so if you are struggling for space the 360 controller (or other controllers I dare say) work pretty well.