I have a HOTAS but was perfectly happy with my razer naga gaming mouse before I got it......
The Joystick/Controller discussion thread
No problem, happy to help 
Apologies if this has been asked before (there are 26 pages of comments and I did a Google search first)
I have a Saitek X52 pro, and it's okay, but when it is plugged in I get this problem of the pointer wandering across the screen. It seems the PC is confusing the thruster with the mouse. If I put the thrust on full it makes the pointer zoom up to the top of the screen. If I close the thruster, it slows down the problem and the pointer is almost useable with the mouse (for doing things like selecting stars or planets on the navigation views). If I click the mouse button on the thruster, it stops it temporarily, sometimes. It's a real pain it the , and it makes a lot of things difficult. The X52 seems to be properly calibrated. The mouse is a cheap gaming mouse from ebay, but that shouldn't be the problem.
I'd appreciate any comments from someone who has this problem.... I have a Win10 set up on a home-built machine.
for the sake of the poll:
my favourite joystick is actually the Sidewinder Precision II pro, but it didn't have enough buttons. I had an X55 Rhino, and I loved the thruster but hated the joystick (I have problems with my wrists and this stick was hurting me). So I returned it and bought an X52 pro. I find the joystick OK and the thruster OK. Both are...meh. Ultimately I would have liked an X55 thruster in combination with the Sidewinder. Maybe I should have tried just to sell the X55 joystick. I think the cheap £30 Hotas from Thrustmaster would also have been a good buy, but at the time they were out of stock on Amazon.
I have a Saitek X52 pro, and it's okay, but when it is plugged in I get this problem of the pointer wandering across the screen. It seems the PC is confusing the thruster with the mouse. If I put the thrust on full it makes the pointer zoom up to the top of the screen. If I close the thruster, it slows down the problem and the pointer is almost useable with the mouse (for doing things like selecting stars or planets on the navigation views). If I click the mouse button on the thruster, it stops it temporarily, sometimes. It's a real pain it the , and it makes a lot of things difficult. The X52 seems to be properly calibrated. The mouse is a cheap gaming mouse from ebay, but that shouldn't be the problem.
I'd appreciate any comments from someone who has this problem.... I have a Win10 set up on a home-built machine.
for the sake of the poll:
my favourite joystick is actually the Sidewinder Precision II pro, but it didn't have enough buttons. I had an X55 Rhino, and I loved the thruster but hated the joystick (I have problems with my wrists and this stick was hurting me). So I returned it and bought an X52 pro. I find the joystick OK and the thruster OK. Both are...meh. Ultimately I would have liked an X55 thruster in combination with the Sidewinder. Maybe I should have tried just to sell the X55 joystick. I think the cheap £30 Hotas from Thrustmaster would also have been a good buy, but at the time they were out of stock on Amazon.
Pure HOTAS user here, but IMHO there are very skilled people using any setp: HOTAS, double joystick, K/M, gamepad: it appears there isn't one better than the other. I'd personally find gamepads and k/m less immersive, but I dont think its giving me an otherwise unreachable skill level. Far from it!
If I'm totally honest.. Yes I love my HOTAS and as my wife forked out for it as a. Birthday gift (it's an A10 Warthog) I'd have to be suicidal to put it down but..... Whilst the keyboard side of k/board and mouse was rather imprecise the mouse side of the set up was really accurate down to tiny twitch adjustments. My keyboard is a mechanical gaming board but as there is no level of graduation in the switches it felt clumsy but the mouse was sweet to use
Thanks Comrads, it is now obvious to move from a weaponless (yeah i removed them all as i dont fight anyways and it loaded me down) sidey hauler to one with teeth and perhaps go on a hunt or two, this has to be figured out. This game has shown me how much i was missing out on re these peripherals!
I have this problem occasionally, I just wiggle the mouse stick on the Pro and it stops. If it is a real issue, you can increase the deadzone slightly in the Control Panel. If you still have the issue, then I have no idea.
I've got a CH Throttle and a T1600M, I use the three buttons on the throttle like shift keys for the T1600M and this works great for me. This gives me seven alternate functions for all of the T1600M buttons by holding down different combos of the throttle buttons (1, 2, 3, 1 & 2, 2 & 3, 1 & 3, 1 & 2 & 3). Elite allows combining 3 button combos for a function, so it's really easy to setup. I also use these buttons in combination with the hats on the throttle for even more
That's actually a pretty good idea, thanks!
Good Afternoon,
I wondered if anyone has made the upgrade from the Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS X to the X52 Pro?
If so what are your thoughts on the X52 Pro compared to the T.Flight, and is it an upgrade that you don't regret?
I'm asking as I'm currently using the T.Flight and fancy a change/treating myself to a new HOTAS.
I don't have any issues with the T.Flight, although a few more buttons wouldn't go a miss. One thing I do like is that once split I can place it either side of my keyboard (G15), is this possible with the X52 Pro?
Another great thing about the T.Flight is the fact that it is a case of Plug 'n' Play and only uses one USB Port, which from what I've read regarding the X52 Pro isn't quite the same and time is needed to configure it for Elite.
Any feed back, views, thoughts and opinions greatly appreciated.
Thanks & Regards
I wondered if anyone has made the upgrade from the Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS X to the X52 Pro?
If so what are your thoughts on the X52 Pro compared to the T.Flight, and is it an upgrade that you don't regret?
I'm asking as I'm currently using the T.Flight and fancy a change/treating myself to a new HOTAS.
I don't have any issues with the T.Flight, although a few more buttons wouldn't go a miss. One thing I do like is that once split I can place it either side of my keyboard (G15), is this possible with the X52 Pro?
Another great thing about the T.Flight is the fact that it is a case of Plug 'n' Play and only uses one USB Port, which from what I've read regarding the X52 Pro isn't quite the same and time is needed to configure it for Elite.
Any feed back, views, thoughts and opinions greatly appreciated.
Thanks & Regards
I made just that upgrade earlier this year.
They are dramatically different. The X52Pro is much more accurate. Having more buttons than I need means I am not worried about complicated Layouts to get all the controls I want. The only miss for me is the centre detent on the T.Flight throttle. I wish the X52Pro had that.
The link cable between the throttle and stick is about 3-4 feet long. No issues setting it where you want. And the X52 is also plug and play, though I did use the Programming software. You don't really need it.
As far as the Elite setup, I was not happy with the defaults that Elite gave me so I customized mine to my liking. It took a bit of time, and a bit to get used to, but after a week of getting it where I like it, its like being able to type without looking at the keyboard. It just happens. It is a part of me.
I also use voice attack because 1) it is cool to talk to my ship and 2) voice attack can do some things faster than I can, like request docking permission. But there is NOTHING I cannot do on the X52Pro. In fact it has MORE buttons than I can use. I am sure there will be more features in later updates to ED that will make me program more of the buttons.
Would I do it again?
Hell Yeah, without a doubt. The only issues I have had was a Bad USB extension cable on my PC and the fiasco that is Windows 10. The stick has been a dream.
Enjoy it.
Not to be nagging or anything, but I got my X52 Pro yesterday. Connected it to my Mac, and it worked as a charm with ED, no driver needed. I really appreciate that ED will recognize it. Well done, Frontier!
Many thanks to you both for the replies.
Regarding the Centre Detent that isn't there. Although possibly a daft question, but how do you engage reverse thrust?
I also notice in pictures I've seen that the X52 Pro doesn't have the rocker on the throttle, what do you use instead, if anything?
Although the X52 Pro claims to have more buttons, the throttle seems to be lacking them compared to the T.Flight, which has the six (4 accessible with your thumb and two with your index finger) or is it just that they're different button types/switches?
What button configs do you both currently have?
I see that there is the option for 3 modes/configs on the X52 Pro, do either of you use this option?
Thanks & Regards
Regarding the Centre Detent that isn't there. Although possibly a daft question, but how do you engage reverse thrust?
I also notice in pictures I've seen that the X52 Pro doesn't have the rocker on the throttle, what do you use instead, if anything?
Although the X52 Pro claims to have more buttons, the throttle seems to be lacking them compared to the T.Flight, which has the six (4 accessible with your thumb and two with your index finger) or is it just that they're different button types/switches?
What button configs do you both currently have?
I see that there is the option for 3 modes/configs on the X52 Pro, do either of you use this option?
Thanks & Regards
The X52 throttle has 3 buttons easily accessible, one POV hat and 2 sliders. There is also a little rocker on the handle. By default, ED map the pov hat to the thrusters: up, down, left, right. The reverse is done by pressing one of the button (the "D" one if I recall correctly). It will then immediately engage. The button acts as a toggle. The little rocker on the main lever works with the lever itself. This is hard for me to explain but suppose I want to come to a full stop. I'll bring the main lever down and it will slow down to approximately 25% of thrusters. To accomplish the full stop, I have to rock the little rocker on the handle. Not initially intuitive, specially that I had it for only one day. The little rocker is also used to precisely set the thrusters, very useful when landing. I'm still getting the kick out of it but when landing, I use very low speed when over the pad. If I want to achieve low speed, I discovered that I can move the main lever a little, then use the little rocker to give thrust. This part is not very intuitive and I'm not sure I've got the hang of it yet. I never used a T.Flight so I don't know how the X52 throttle compares to the T.Flight throttle.
Sorry if my post is not clear. I'm trying to understand how to use the thing myself!
Sorry if my post is not clear. I'm trying to understand how to use the thing myself!
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I appreciate the reply and think I know what you're getting at, but it could be one of those things that you need to try hands on to full understand/get to grips with.
Enjoy your learning
They're basically "PS/2" keyboard connectors. Effectively.
If you're not too careful they can pull out. Just be slightly careful and you're fine.
Button to toggle between Forward and reverse.
Stick has twist for Rudder, the rocker on the T.Flight could be set to duplicate a twist or separate action. I think I had mine set to Thrust Fore/Aft.
Might seem that way, but the stick has six toggles on the base which makes up for it.
That would take a while to list. Let me get back to you on this as it is after midnight here
Not as of yet, I don't see a need in Elite.
I will see what I can list for my mappings tomorrow.
I went from T.flight to x52pro. I really didn't like the looseness of the stick (can be adjusted on T.flight) so I modded it with a washer that compresses the spring. The stick is also a little slim compared to T.flight but you get used to it. Then I really missed the center detent so I added a little bump with tape and a piece of those cablestripes (don't know the word) at the deadzone. I don't like having reverse behind a "mode". Then the full forward and full reverse detents really bothered me so I removed those too (internally) easily. Lastly I even made new holes and moved the entire connectors to the inside of the bases so they would not bump into (and break) the table (have x52pro mounted to my chair armrests). There are YouTube videos of these mods (maybe not the cable connection thing). With these alterations I am personally very happy with X52pro. I wish there was a HOTAS out there combining the best of both the T.Flight and x52.
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Button to toggle between Forward and reverse.
Stick has twist for Rudder, the rocker on the T.Flight could be set to duplicate a twist or separate action. I think I had mine set to Thrust Fore/Aft.
Might seem that way, but the stick has six toggles on the base which makes up for it.
That would take a while to list. Let me get back to you on this as it is after midnight here
Not as of yet, I don't see a need in Elite.
I will see what I can list for my mappings tomorrow.
Many thanks for the information, much appreciate it.