The Joystick/Controller discussion thread

[OamodSias]

Gimballed weapons will indeed stop firing if the target is out of their firing arc, which can also be affected by the position of the hardpoint. I've seen some inconsistency with that behaviour, but I think the intention is that the weapon should stop firing.

Of course, this doesn't mean that you don't have a faulty stick. If you're unsure, just use fixed weapons for a while and see if they behave or not.

It just seems that even though the target was in the centre of my view screen, my cannons wouldn't fire. Will try that tonight. Thanks.

Multi-cannons will pause firing each time their clip limit (90) is reached. Beam weapons will eventually drain your available power depending on where you have your pips allocated.
:
Apologies if I you have eliminated these causes, but it's always best to consider the obvious before moving onto other theories

Beams I'm okay with, they've always fired when I've needed them and they're assigned to my secondary fire button hence my concern my trigger might be faulty. The cannons would stop randomly, even mid-clip sometimes. I can try swapping the firing buttons around and see if the cannons still do it. Thanks

 

[fleetdoc23]

YES!!

It makes all the difference in the world! I own the Saitek x55 Rhino, and I don't have to go to the keyboard for anything except sending messages during flight ops. When dogfighting, I have my thrusters mapped to a multidirectional switch on the throttle. This allows me to keep my guns on target, while doing F/A off maneuvers. I promise you with experience, you can tell which PC pilots are using mouse/keyboard by their flight characteristics. Joystick pilots will always get the most out of their craft, and will be the most deadly in pvp. I can quickly hit a switch to correct any flight condition (Hardpoints out/in, Landing gear, scoop, etc), without my hands leaving the stick/throttle. I promise, once you get used to playing this way, you won't go back!

 

[Speculative]

I started with the Saitek Cyborg 3D, then upgraded to the X52 just because of this game. Definitely get a HOTAS if you can, a stick is essential though for max fun! (please ensure that you get one with a twist control for yaw though!)

 

[Pasilius]

when i play with a joystick i'm like the same except its like i have parkinsons and i can't aim


with mouse i can aim static weapons fine and pewpew all i like

I find it to be the other way around.
I have no problem staying on target with my x52.

 

[Hellhawk666]

Yes.

<8 characters needed >

 

[Zplintz]

Cannot imagine playing ED without my X52p + Voice Attack, certainly wouldn't want to be playing on mouse.

 

[jannix]

A resounding YES imho. I got myself a CH products hotas setup. I had the throttle and stick and was on the fence about the rudder (do I really need it?). I won't say you need it, but once you get used to it, it just feels so intuitive and natural. There is no going back to KB and mouse.

 

[Belsameth]

Bought an x52 or Elite. Loving it a lot.

 

[Aussiedroid]

I couldn't imagine playing without my joystick and throttle.

 

[Mungrul]

A joystick is a must. But then you'll need TrackIR if you don't already have Oculus Rift.

This. Don't discount head tracking.
I was using just my X52 Pro up until a couple of weeks ago, but then plonked down the cash for a TrackIR, and I'd say it makes an even bigger difference to the game than a HOTAS set-up.
I couldn't imagine playing Elite without either now, but I'm sure I would miss TrackIR more if forced to choose between the two.

 

[cpy]

X55 here, and i hate mouse, i feel like top gun with X55 compared to mouse. I guess on cheap joysticks there might be problem with accuracy.

 

[clarkjbaker]

Yup...do the HOTAS setup if you can. Added a standard X52 along with TrackIR Pro 5 and haven't looked back (no pun intended). Yes, it makes the game even more fun and realistic when you can emulate the controls depicted in the graphical cockpit along with actual head movement.

 

[bassman]

Ok, so I said to myself a couple months ago I would buy elite and see how it went, see if I liked it.
Well now I can't even think of playing any other game, and I have an anaconda.
But I only have a basic computer and no Oculus, and I am using my mouse and keyboard.
Does getting a flight joystick make the game more enjoyable? Because I am willing to dump money into anything that makes this amazing game even better. Does it give better immersion to have a joystick?
Is it easier to control?
Thanks

IMO a good throttle such as CH pro is the best upgrade pound for pound and if your handy with a mouse I see no reason to change that.

 

[Jubis]

CH pro Throtle, CH fighterstick, CH pro pedals, Track IR 5. Thrusters in throtle ministick. I suggest for everyone. If I buy Lakon-9 someday Maybe switch fighterstick to CH eclipse wich is in shelf now.

 

[OamodSias]

Ok, so I said to myself a couple months ago I would buy elite and see how it went, see if I liked it.
Well now I can't even think of playing any other game, and I have an anaconda.
But I only have a basic computer and no Oculus, and I am using my mouse and keyboard.
Does getting a flight joystick make the game more enjoyable? Because I am willing to dump money into anything that makes this amazing game even better. Does it give better immersion to have a joystick?
Is it easier to control?
Thanks

I bought a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro (that name right? lol) to test it out.
My findings:

Does getting a flight joystick make the game more enjoyable? Yes.
Does it give better immersion to have a joystick? Yes.
Is it easier to control? Yes.

I am most definitely saving up for a X-52: http://www.saitek.com/uk/prod/x52.html

 

[Eisdrache]

I got a X-65F http://www.saitek.com/uk/prod/x65f.html and I can barely imagine how to fly (especially in combat) without a proper HOTAS. I tried a day with mouse and keyboard and would never have continued playing that way.

 

[Phyl]

I started using a cheap Xbox 360 controller. I found it worked really well - the twin sticks gave really good control of the ship and there were enough buttons to map to all the essential operations. I then changed to a Warthog HOTAS after reading reviews saying it was the nuts... It make the experience seem more authentic I suppose, but didn't add much in terms of control of the ship or ability to fight etc. I am also struggling with a stability problem with some of the buttons on the flight stick - which seems worse after the 1.1 release. The feel of the HOTAS is really nice, and I'm not going to go back, but in hindsight the money would probably have been better invested in an oculus rift than a HOTAS.

I can't imagine playing with a mouse though...

 

[Vandaahl]

Get a decent joystick and your ability improves. Mouse movement is too twitchy and lacks accuracy.

Lacks accuracy? Thats a 1000% disagreed. Have you played with it? A mouse grip and movement allows more accurate movements than a joystick. If it was the other way around, the whole world would be using joysticks to navigate through applications, OS's, websites, you name it.

I am using both. A joystick to fly around a little bit more immersed than with a mouse, but gently push it asside when it comes to a dogfight.

 

[Nox Latro]

Ok, so I said to myself a couple months ago I would buy elite and see how it went, see if I liked it.
Well now I can't even think of playing any other game, and I have an anaconda.
But I only have a basic computer and no Oculus, and I am using my mouse and keyboard.
Does getting a flight joystick make the game more enjoyable? Because I am willing to dump money into anything that makes this amazing game even better. Does it give better immersion to have a joystick?
Is it easier to control?
Thanks

Hands down I could not even imagine this or any other sim without a HOTAS. Period. I have also spent a life time on sims and am as comfortable with a HOTAS as a steering wheel. I have np with accuracy and made Master in under a month. 200K belt runs killing pirates is a common occurrence.

 

[Shads]

Played all through Beta with a mouse and keyboard. I only changed to my thrusmaster at launch and have to say I hated it at first. I'd never used a stick for any game not just ED. But have to admit I would never go back. Its much more controlable and techniques that are vital to combat like FA off are almost impossible with a mouse.