The Joystick/Controller discussion thread

[Jpotter]

Here is the lawsuit that was mentioned:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immersion_v._Sony

Basically - any manufacture that want to implement a FFB device needs to pay Immersion. Hence the lack of supported devices.

 

[Drugs]

Literally bought a hotas controller but I play Smash competitively and will go to my grave with a gamecube controller.

Throttle up/down = Y and X
Left stick = Pitch and Roll with light roll as yaw
Right stick = Thrust up/down and left/right
Dpad = Firegroup cycle, ship cycle, cycle subsystems, and landing gear
A = Target ahead
B = Boost
Start = Hardpoints
Left Trigger = weapon 2
Z button = Weapon 1
Right Trigger = Silent running
Y+B = Frameshift
UI = dpad, triggers, A, and B
everything else is on the keyboard

 

[WR3ND]

Hmm... you make me want to share my control assignment as well.

So, Logitech Wireless Gamepad F710, set to Direct mode instead of X (Xbox) mode which is necessary for greater controller functionality. I'd recommend the Logitech Cordless Rumblepad 2 instead, if you can still find it, with a similar setup, since it has full multi-axes range of motion and reception at greater distances, about 25 feet line of sight instead of 10.

This control setup is very extensive and will essentially provide all needed and currently available control options at easy reach with an intuitive layout.

If you're using a similar style controller (Xbox/PS), I recommend using a similar setup, especially for the flight controls, power management, UI panels, and headlook.

Spoiler

These bindings are secondary and on top of the classic keyboard only preset so that the keyboard can be used as an emergency backup controller device and to avoid mouse control interference.

- Left stick vertical movement: set throttle location up or down with movement; and landing override to thrust forward and backward; and galactic map forward and backward axis control

- Left stick horizontal movement: yaw axis control; and galactic map yaw axis control

- Left stick button: boost

- Right stick vertical movement: pitch axis control (pull back to pitch up); and galactic map pitch axis control

- Right stick horizontal movement: roll axis control

- Right stick button: target ahead object

- Direction pad up, down, left, right: thrust up, down, left, right; and galactic map move up, down, left, right; and UI panel up, down, left, right

- X button, Y button, B button, A button: increase power to systems, engines, weapons (and UI panel/menu back), reset power distribution (and UI panel/menu select)

- Left brake button: use secondary weapon/scanner; and galactic map zoom out; and UI panel previous

- Right brake button: use primary weapon/scanner; and galactic map zoom in; and UI panel next

- Left trigger: hold for flight assist off

- Right trigger: target highest threat

- Start button: hold and direction pad up, down, left, right to rotate headlook POV up, down, left, right; release to reset POV forward

(For the following combos hold the back button first, press and release the additional button/trigger as many times as desired, then release the back button.)

- Back button & right stick button: target next system in route

- Back button & X button, Y button, B button, A button: use shield cell bank, use FSD, launch chaff, toggle landing gear

- Back button & left brake button: toggle weapons/sensor deployment

- Back button & right brake button: cycle target to next ship

- Back button & left trigger (as needed for ship role and loadout): set throttle to 0; or toggle silent running; or toggle cargo scoop; or deploy heat sink; or toggle lights

- Back button & right trigger: cycle target to next subsystem

- Back button & start button: cycle UI panel focus

 

[BacchusZA]

And here's a pretty good illustration of the difference a decent HOTAS makes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zYPkvb4QmM

You can definitely play the game quite successfully with a mouse & keyboard, or without spending a fortune on an expensive HOTAS, but good peripherals add a huge amount to the immersion & functionality.

 

[WR3ND]

And here's a pretty good illustration of the difference a decent HOTAS makes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zYPkvb4QmM

You can definitely play the game quite successfully with a mouse & keyboard, or without spending a fortune on an expensive HOTAS, but good peripherals add a huge amount to the immersion & functionality.

They're nice for a simulated cockpit feel and setup (I have had and used them in the past), but I actually don't prefer them for general ease of use. My gamepad controller more accurately simulates a real professional controller (for hobby RC aircraft, which I fly) than a hotas setup, and let me assure you that some of these kinds of controller setups and aircraft are capable of amazing control functionality and precision, almost unimaginably beyond what is possible in ED with its comparatively extremely slow paced, "boat-like" mechanics and maneuverability.

I actually also have an RC style controller for my computer for use with an RC simulator. It's a bit more clunky than I prefer with the seated, laid back gaming in ED.

I guess you could say I use a totas (thumbs on...).

 

[Kione]

I dusted off the old microsofts sidewinder force feedback 2 the other day and have had no problems and bound all the buttons on it(w/win10)...still need to use the keyboard for some things.
A big plus i found using this joystick over keyboard and mouse is flying while using the pov hat button. Being able to turn and look over your shoulder is a +++!

...
Kione

 

[TESI303]

Thrustmaster Warthog vs CH

I've been researching and have narrowed down my choices to either the Warthog or CH (with adding CH or other pedals). I'm curious if anyone can recommend one over the other. For me, although I like the aesthetic and (metal) look of the warthog, I'd rather have more function over form.

So which one would be better for this game?
The CH throttle has an analog gamepad thumbstick for 6-dof. Does the Warthog throttle have anything comparable or good enough for 6-dof?
What about the flighsticks. Warthog or CH? Mix and match CH throttle with Warthog flighstick? Why or why not?
Is the Warthog flighstick TOO stiff for Elite? CH better?

Thanks for your input.

 

[Witcherman]

If you can afford it, get the CH Pro Throttle and Fighterstick, and some pedals of some description. I had an X-55 for a while, until it went RMA, and it was OK (I enjoyed using it), but the CH products are so much better. I'm still using the Saitek Pro Rudder pedals and they work fine, the only drawback with them is you can't adjust sensitivity profile which you probably can on the CH pedals (never had the opportunity to try them tho).

The CH products are very well made, more ergonomic than X-55 (for me anyway), have way more buttons, and the software is infinitely better / more configurable than the Saitek software. Highly recommended!

Yup! I have the full CH line-up, Fighterstick, Pro Throttle and Pedals and they work like magic. Lots of buttons, and excellent build quality. Plus, if you search around on the net, you can find lots of help setting up your button config. You can even find people who've setup profiles for ED and just download those.

If you can't afford all that (it is expensive) then I'd recommend the T16000 and a CH Pro Throttle. Those two items will run you about $150 together and should provide you with everything you need. The T16000 has been mentioned by many as the best feeling flight stick out there and it has a twist grip that gives you "peddle" controls as well.

Good luck!

 

[Witcherman]

I've been researching and have narrowed down my choices to either the Warthog or CH (with adding CH or other pedals). I'm curious if anyone can recommend one over the other. For me, although I like the aesthetic and (metal) look of the warthog, I'd rather have more function over form.

So which one would be better for this game?
The CH throttle has an analog gamepad thumbstick for 6-dof. Does the Warthog throttle have anything comparable or good enough for 6-dof?
What about the flighsticks. Warthog or CH? Mix and match CH throttle with Warthog flighstick? Why or why not?
Is the Warthog flighstick TOO stiff for Elite? CH better?

Thanks for your input.

Here's a few excellent reviews that might help you decide.

This one's from Brumster, he's on the forums here and you might be able to ping him with a question or two.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceOdOytgT64


And here's an extensive HOTAS roundup from Kirk Fickert
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQ5lLhp7XPQ

 

[Ving]

I've been researching and have narrowed down my choices to either the Warthog or CH (with adding CH or other pedals). I'm curious if anyone can recommend one over the other. For me, although I like the aesthetic and (metal) look of the warthog, I'd rather have more function over form.

So which one would be better for this game?
The CH throttle has an analog gamepad thumbstick for 6-dof. Does the Warthog throttle have anything comparable or good enough for 6-dof?
What about the flighsticks. Warthog or CH? Mix and match CH throttle with Warthog flighstick? Why or why not?
Is the Warthog flighstick TOO stiff for Elite? CH better?

Thanks for your input.

I can't comment on the Warthog as I've never used one, but the videos that Witcherman linked have some useful info.


One reason not to mix and match with CH Products is that you will lose some functionality:

1) Multiple CH devices can appear as one device to windows, which can be useful if you are using lots of controllers (stick, throttle, rudders, head tracking, gaming keyboard etc) as E: D only supports 4 max

2) The assignable 'shift' button function works across controllers, e.g. assign shift to a pinky button on the stick or throttle, and then you have all other buttons on the stick & throttle available for shifted functions

3) Mode switching. CH Control Manager allows you to define actions for 3 different modes and then switch them with one global button on the stick or throttle (with corresponding green/red/amber light), so one button press and your whole config can be changed across all CH devices. I love this feature so much and make extensive use of the 3 different modes, which I use for 1) general flying, 2) combat, and 3) exploration / Supercruise / forum browsing (alt-tab on thumb hat/trigger ftw)

If you're the sort of person that likes to tinker you may also like the fact that the CH software allows you to program all the devices, buttons, and axes via scripting. You can also control what scripts execute based on which of the modes you are in. For instance, I have a normal throttle profile for general flying, a scaled profile for combat where 50% of the throttle throw is in the blue zone (instead of the normal 20%), and a stepped profile for exploration and Supercruise with increments of 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%. I don't know of any other products where you can do that kind of crazy stuff


Hope that helps.

 

[Lowievisser]

Thrustmaster x , cheaper as my mouse and a nice feel to it.

 

[coder1024]

I'm using an X-52 with Elite Dangerous on Windows 10 64-bit and am having trouble with the pinkey switch.

If I pull up the "Setup USB Game Controllers" control panel app, it shows the X-52 and when I push the pinkey switch it lights up button 6.

But, inside Elite Dangerous Controls when I click the space in the right column beside "UI FOCUS" and it prompts me to push the desired button and I press the pinkey switch, nothing happens. It almost appears to be ignoring it.

So, I instead pushed the Function button which is on the throttle base. This worked and it registered it. But the pinkey switch would be more ideal.

If I pick the default X-52 profile, it appears to have mapped the pinkey switch to the UI FOCUS command but it doesn't actually work while playing.

Anyone else have strange behavior like this when trying to setup an X-52 with Elite Dangerous?

 

[Pazmino]

keyboard + Logitech 3D extreme

but might upgrade in the future, sine he says...

Spoiler

 

[Mohrgan]

I use a pair of Logitech controllers. A G-13 for Throttle/Thruster/Multi control, and a 3D Pro Flightstick. I am very pleased with the combination. The G-13 I've had for years and serves me well in all of the games I have on my hard drive. The 3d Pro was bought after I got Elite, and it was/is a godsend. It has overwhelmingly improved the Elite Experience for me.

 

[Insomnia]

X55 Rhino setup here. Works flawless for Elite. Some have said the X55 has a really bad build quality but I think it's quite nice. I mean it cost a third of what the Warthog cost...
I'm super satisfied with mine.

 

[bootsam]

I have an x55. It works fine yes. But if i had a choice over again i wouldnt buy another. It can be uncomfortable. The yaw twist is tight. It squeeks and groans. Altho im using it okay, i think it mediocre and poorly built. I cant see it lasting too long.

 

[Serpentis Ictis]

Well, since my thrustmaster hotas x broke last night, I certainly wouldnt recommend one of those. Most upset.

 

[M.E.A.T]

I enjoyed my x52 pro since premium beta. You might want to do some magnetic mod to increase the precision though.

 

[DNA-Decay]

Warthog.

 

[Guyvergamingtv]

i have a X-55 myself and love it. had an X-52 before hand and never had any problems. for the price it is smashing. build quality is good, feels sturdy and like the adjustable springs which is handy as i fly a lot of flight sims as well. plenty of buttons and nice layout. id recommend one