The Joystick/Controller discussion thread

[Bran Tse Mallory]

I've been using one of these: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Saitek-MCB4...?ie=UTF8&qid=1436865947&sr=8-1&keywords=fly+5

It's the upgrade of the 3D Pro already mentioned. The throttle is split in two but can be linked to act as one. Well placed buttons all respond to key mapping and the base feels stable. A nice feature is that the legs fold away for easy storage/preserve desk space when not in use.

 

[Zenith]

I started on KB/M for the first few weeks and it was ok.
Then I borrowed a friend's Saitek Cyborg 3D joystick (yeah, a number of years old now). That was like a big step up in feeling like I was actually flying my ship.
Then I got a Thustmaster HOTAS Flight-X for £40 and I've been using that for the last 5 months.

As to why, once you have the throttle in your left hand and the josytick in your right it just feels like you are flying the ship.

Whiterose nails it. There's a certain joy to requesting launch, using your hat switch to vertical thrust upward, while flicking your landing up and throttling forward at a crawl until you're lined up with the slot then BOOST out of the station, performing a roll and pitching up hard toward your jump target. Your hands are on controls and it feel like you are actually flying your ship, even if it is just a game.
It appeals to the big kid in me.

 

[Ozimandeus]

The biggest difference is in the amount of controls you can pull off at once, take this scenario - docking.

On a HOTAS I can pitch, yaw, roll, thrust up, down, left and right as well as go forward and backward, all using intuitive controls. Its possible to do the same on mouse/keyboard or gamepad but no where close to being as easy.

In addition, most HOTAS also have many more buttons available to you than any Gamepad, and more accessible buttons than a mouse/keyboard combo.

On just the flight stick alone, I can pitch, yaw, roll using the main stick. I have three hat switches on my X55 which I can assign one of to thrust direction. Another one for head movement, another one spare. I have 6 trigger buttons also on the same stick, so it is possible to map 21 different button conditions as well as the pitch, yaw and roll all on a single hand.

Add in the throttle and that number goes through the roof.

Now imagine a different scenario - Combat, you have an immediate advantage.

So in summary, I can dock better and faster, I can attack and win many more combat encounters; I can exert a level of control on my ship well in excess of anything possible on a mouse/keyboard or gamepad. Finally the most important part... its more fun to play Elite using a HOTAS - and I suspect the same will be true of Star Citizen and No Man's Sky.

Hope that helps.

 

[Bokugo]

You could go for a console gamepad even. I use a PS3 controller (I prefer it over the 360 for the ability to claw and never let my thumbs leave the sticks) and I absolutely love it. Apart from being very effective, I also like the fact I'm not bound to any one sitting position like a KB/M or joystick would make me.
But whatever you do, I recommend spending as much time as it takes to get the controls the way you want them. It took me over a day (as well as a few tweaks later on) to set up my controls but it was worth it as I have access to everything on my gamepad and thanks to Planetside 2 the flying twitch reactions come very naturally to me already. Only real issue I have is I have to stop shooting for half a second when I boost otherwise I change firegroups :T but it's pretty easy to get the muscle memory down.

 

[yyy]

I started off with keyboard and mouse and after switching to joystick it makes a big difference especially in combat. It will also make flying in FA off easier.

 

[Starbuckz]

Of course, some KB/M players will say HOTAS setups suck because they are not precise enough or control-delay is too long, and keyboard access is badly restricted. They are absolutely right too.

I would like to protest here. There is no greater delay nor is it not as precise. And that's not a subjective opinion.

Depending on setup and placement it does of course restrict keyboard access, true. You won't actually need it tho, if you got a HOTAS with enough buttons.

 

[Bokugo]

I would like to protest here. There is no greater delay nor is it not as precise. And that's not a subjective opinion.

Depending on setup and placement it does of course restrict keyboard access, true. You won't actually need it tho, if you got a HOTAS with enough buttons.

Theres probably enough buttons on a snes controller with the modifier button feature. One of the best features for control I have seen.

 

[Maxulic]

This is probably your best bet - it's not under $20, but it is very good value. Quite a few of us use that 'stick, including myself.

I would advice not to invest into that crap. I should have trusted the reviews.

That joystick has been fine all the time I had only done trading with a little bit of combat. Yet one evening (yes, I did say "one") of undermining - which means repeated interdictions - have completely ruined my stick, I have to recalibrate it every couple of days because it keeps rolling to the right, I had to set a huge amount of dead zone because the rest position moves too much with a slight push now...

In other words that crap can't stand extensive play.

 

[clouddancer]

If you are use to flying with mouse and Keyboard try to borrow a joystick and try it. If you like it buy a cheap one, Start saving for a complete HOTAS and TrackIR.

 

[Jukelo]

Pretty much is down to whether you want accuracy (m&k) or endurance in turn fights (joystick).

 

[Cody]

In other words that crap can't stand extensive play.

It seems to have done pretty good for quite a few of us. My 3D Pro has been thrashed in several space games for years, and still functions well. Yes, it's beginning to wear a little now, but after four years heavy use that is hardly surprising - and it is a budget 'stick, after all.

 

[Razor Romero]

Flying with a joystick is really fun and intuitive. I just have an old sidewinder. Whatever you get, I'd recommend making sure it has a twist rudder feature and 8 way hat-switch.

 

[mbar]

Please give me some reasons why you think playing with a joy stick is better. Even if you just think it "feels better than a mouse" that's fine too. Just give me your opinions. It would also be cool if you could give me some links on Amazon to a good joystick under $50.

I am an avid keyboard and mouse user. Used nothing but K&M with X-Rebirth and was perfectly happy with it. I had bought DCS World (a flight sim) and was playing that using an xbox controller. I was getting pretty good at setting up the controller for the F-15 but began eyeing up a HOTAS. I bought an X52 (regular not Pro) and began to learn how to set it up and was doing some touch and goes with it in the F-15. I had been looking at getting Elite so I bought it knowing it was designed around the X52 stick. I've played Elite with nothing but the X52 and I can't imagine trying to play Elite without it. I'm sure it's possible but now that I have it I wouldn't want to bother. Elite has been a great time sink and it's been a while since I've played DCS World.

 

[Skillet]

I tried HOTAS with great expectations, maybe tooo great. An hour later I was back to m/kb/voice attack. So much easier for me since my wrists are always rested and not elevated.

 

[tengri]

Well, only started playing yesterday and today for a couple of hours each but I found given the choice between mouse/thrustmaster/x-box controller for flight control my x-box thingie wins by a land slide.

 

[Hoderi]

I tried HOTAS with great expectations, maybe tooo great. An hour later I was back to m/kb/voice attack. So much easier for me since my wrists are always rested and not elevated.

You must be sitting in a wrong position then. Getting your chair up a little so you won't have to raise your hands will do wonders.
I'm playing with a HOTAS myself and I don't have to elevate my hands, it seems natural and my arms don't tire (well maybe after a looonger brawl in RES or combat zones)

 

[CMDR Derrida]

I reckon mouse and keyboard in the hands of the right persona might give you a more steady aim with fixed weapons. But I'm not that right person.

 

[Dipso]

I found that for pure playability m+kb is fine and gets the job done. But i play Elite for the immersion, the feeling of actually flying my own spaceship, and for that, you have to have a HOTAS.

I Bought the Thrustmaster hotas X, and for its price its amazing.

I also set up a webcam with facetracknoir for headtracking in the game and that adds a whole extra layer of immersion to the experience. Now i can fly where i want and look around in my cockpit while flying.

Now I just wait for the retail release of the occulus for that final step into the universe of elite.

 

[Mikey2305]

Plus one for the logitech...

 

[jimglot]

With hotas I never need to look at the keyboard unless to type a message I have trackir and rudder pedals but I dont use either in elite. Just don't find them very useful in my profession of explorer. But the hotas I could never fly without. If you paired it with a rift, would be pretty awesome.