The Joystick/Controller discussion thread

[Cataclysm72]

I'm actually using my own custom DIY joystick/hotas controller:

It is still a work-in-progress but it is already playable. Check here for more info

 

[lenna]

I would steer clear of Saitek solutions as the drivers are extremely poor quality IME (had to mothball my X52 after only a couple of months, at least until Saitek/Mad Catz address the issues)... they are not fully compatible with USB3/XHCI for starters (a problem on at least some Z97 motherboards with Windows 8/8.1/10).

I have had a Logitech Wingman Extreme 3D Pro for several years but the micro-switches for the buttons on the base of the controller started to be unreliable (not all clicks registering) and I have recently bought a Thustmaster T-Flight HOTAS X to replace it based on the recommendation of a friend (who has had years of heavy service out of one and still has it). Both I would recommend to anyone looking for a 12-button Stick+Twist+Throttle joystick but the Thrustmaster is possibly better for Elite (especially since it has a 5th Analog axis that is naturally positioned/devised for allocation to sideways straff control).

 

[Insomnia]

I was planning to get the HOTAS X but after some thought I realised it didn't have enough buttons and I don't like the fact I have to let go of the stick or throttle to use the keyboard for a function. And the X55 drivers worked right out of the box. I guess its all abiut personal preference and anticipation. But IMO the X55 is amazing. Yes the twist squeaks, but it's easy to get used to.

 

[lenna]

I was planning to get the HOTAS X but after some thought I realised it didn't have enough buttons and I don't like the fact I have to let go of the stick or throttle to use the keyboard for a function. And the X55 drivers worked right out of the box. I guess its all abiut personal preference and anticipation. But IMO the X55 is amazing. Yes the twist squeaks, but it's easy to get used to.

I find the 12-buttons plus POV of the Thustmaster/Logitech more than adequate, I find I rarely have to take my hands off the device when it matters. The Saitek X52 has not that many more buttons, but the additional Hat switches can add to the experience (though they are only a convenience IME).

The Saitek kit is a nice piece of hardware but as it is dependent on the Saitek drivers it may cause an impasse on some more modern systems. On Windows 8/8.1, the drivers work most of the time but there are sporadic issues (at least on my system) which require either a re-install of the drivers or a computer reset to get the drivers to play nice again (can be problematic if it happens in the middle of docking or a fight). On Windows 10 the Saitek drivers can even cause system issues (e.g. loss of mouse control) whether the Saitek hardware is connected or not.

If you have an older PC without USB3.0, with USB 3.0 as secondary USB chipset or with the ability to disable XHCI then you may find the Saitek drivers ok. However, there are other non-critical driver issues (at least with the X52) as well.

 

[Battlax]

Two Thrustmaster T1600 sticks + voice attack for some keyboard macros. That has analog controls for all directions for nice thruster flying. Additionally shouting commands to your computer game looks extremely cool for outsiders Then add some TrackIR antennas for boosting the effect

 

[Wicz]

I use a combination of the CH pro throttle with the Thrustmaster T-16000M ( this has yaw control ), and I would recommend them without hesitation.

I would also suggest that, whatever you decide, avoiding Saitek is a good policy.

 

[Hellhawk666]

I find the 12-buttons plus POV of the Thustmaster/Logitech more than adequate, I find I rarely have to take my hands off the device when it matters.

Same here, although I also use VoiceAttack so that fills in some of the gaps with only having 12 buttons. For a relatively inexpensive device the Thrustmaster T-Flight X punches way above it's weight class. It's also a very comfortable stick.

 

[Gimmename]

Currently I'm using Saitek X52 Pro and it's really good, but I'm thinking about switch to Thrustmaster Warthog. Saitek have big problems with drivers and it's such a pain.. I'm still can't get it fully functional. Also it's too light weighted and sometimes after action I find it somewhere on other side of the table

But Warthog also have his cons. It does not have yaw. So you will need to program some additional buttons for that or buy a pedals.

 

[nosscar]

I got my Thrustmaster t flight x a week ago now, i love it, it has made such a difference to my game over from when i was using the (now dead an buried ) logitech and after that the xbox pad.
I never used to do much dog fighting, but now i am actually enjoying undermining for a power, and getting the connected bonuses.
This Hotas is great for a small price if you can't or don't want to justify more expense.
I combine it with a 7" tablet using Roccat power grid, and i have all the options i need now, in fact i rarely even use my Voice Attack any more.
Plus i use an ED Headtracker.
(keyboard only used for typing messages, map locations ect)
A great tip for tablet users, as seen in the pic, i use a gooseneck tablet stand.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/SAVFY-Table..._sim_23_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=02FCK9FMWX3F8AH304M1

 

[5thNovember]

Had an X55. It was 'OK' but didn't last long before buttons started messing up, and I was never happy with the accuracy. Upgraded to Warthog. Took a while to get use to having no twist yaw, but I found a way around that. Accuracy is so much better with Warthog, and the build quality is infinitely superior to Saitek. My X55 lasted 6 months. This Warthog will last 6 years, at least. Should have bought it from the start. Only reason I didn't was the twist-yaw thing. Now I know that twist yaw creates more problems than it solves.

 

[Chaz]

I got my Thrustmaster t flight x a week ago now, i love it, it has made such a difference to my game over from when i was using the (now dead an buried ) logitech and after that the xbox pad.
I never used to do much dog fighting, but now i am actually enjoying undermining for a power, and getting the connected bonuses.
This Hotas is great for a small price if you can't or don't want to justify more expense.
I combine it with a 7" tablet using Roccat power grid, and i have all the options i need now, in fact i rarely even use my Voice Attack any more.
Plus i use an ED Headtracker.
(keyboard only used for typing messages, map locations ect)

That's more or less the same setup I'm using at the moment. Although I went for a Track IR (this was before I knew about the Ed Tracker) and at the moment I'm not bothering with the power grid as I'm out exploring and don't need the extra controls right now. Once I'm back I plan to get into combat a bit more, so I'll set my tablet back up then.

 

[Mendelt]

I have an X55 right now and I'm reasonably happy with it. The quality is ok for me. It creaks a bit with heavy use and the secondary fire button occasionally gets stuck but other than that I have no problems. Recently I've been looking at doing something else than a HOTAS though. Two joysticks looks like a good setup. I have the left-right and up-down thrusters on a hat on the throttle now and that does not give me the control I want. I can borrow a CZ flightstick and rudder pedals from a friend so I'm going to try the two stick plus pedals setup for a while. Eventually I might buy those and add a CZ combat stick to go with it completely replacing the HOTAS.

 

[pargyrak]

Had the X52 but after some signs of fatigue got the X52 Pro as I am used to the layout. Accompanied by the Logitech G13 so I don't have to use the keyboard unless I am using the map

 

[WhitePony1216]

Can anyone tell me how long the USB cable is on the X55? Just ordered one and need to know if I should bother ordering a USB extension at the same time. My desk setup is about 1.5-2m away from my pc so its something I need to consider. Thanks

 

[lenna]

The X55 requires TWO USB ports for starters... don't know about the cable lengths but I suspect you will need either a small powered USB hub or a pair of short (1m or less) USB extension cables based on the X52. I would probably go with the Hub option though as extension leads may reduce the power to the device(s) too much.
---
Update
The following review may be of help: http://asn.aerosoft.com/?page_id=27150

According to that the devices have approximately 2m cables, based on that the Powered USB Hub I suggested earlier may be the best option.

 

[CMDR Enceph Sagan]

I'm looking into the Saitek (since it's the one in the game) but currently I use a PS4 controller

 

[WhitePony1216]

The X55 requires TWO USB ports for starters... don't know about the cable lengths but I suspect you will need either a small powered USB hub or a pair of short (1m or less) USB extension cables based on the X52. I would probably go with the Hub option though as extension leads may reduce the power to the device(s) too much.
---
Update
The following review may be of help: http://asn.aerosoft.com/?page_id=27150

According to that the devices have approximately 2m cables, based on that the Powered USB Hub I suggested earlier may be the best option.

Thanks for this. A 2m cable should be able to reach my PC from where I'll be playing so that's exactly what I wanted to hear

 

[Roland2]

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

Spoiler

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.

I don't fully agree with this. I am using 5 devices with Windows and Elite: Dangerous with no problems. I have the warthog HOTAS (2 devices), CH pro pedals, TrackIR, and a Logitech G13 gaming keyboard.

 

[Ving]

I don't fully agree with this. I am using 5 devices with Windows and Elite: Dangerous with no problems. I have the warthog HOTAS (2 devices), CH pro pedals, TrackIR, and a Logitech G13 gaming keyboard.

Ahh OK, fair enough, maybe it changed somewhere along the line. I'm sure there used to be a limit as I couldn't use all my devices in E: D. (I use a similar setup to you)

 

[lenna]

I don't fully agree with this. I am using 5 devices with Windows and Elite: Dangerous with no problems. I have the warthog HOTAS (2 devices), CH pro pedals, TrackIR, and a Logitech G13 gaming keyboard.

Keyboard and Mouse devices (including gaming Keyboards and Mice) are not normally considered as devices in the context Ving was using... what was probably meant was a maximum of 4 gaming controller class devices (e.g. Joysticks/Joypads and other devices that use the gaming controller windows APIs).

Not sure if there is currently a 4 gaming controller limit with ED and do not have a sufficient number of this type of device to confirm/refute the assertion that there is.