I agree with what toffa said Because best is a relative term. Id say the best quality joy stick or hotas is a Warthog, However it is really expensive and in my own opinion not nearly as functional as it should be for the price tag, I personally use a X55 with a mostly good experience, though I am on my second unit now so I'm not sure I would recommend it, Suppose that could change depending on how they handle the repair / replacement of my first X55. (I have heard horrible things about their customer support but I can't speak from experience). In terms of slightly less functional joysticks/ hotas I have heard good things about the X 52 pro, the thrustmaster cougar. That Logitech G940 mentioned earlier looks like a pretty solid hotas.
The Joystick/Controller discussion thread
Whichever fits your hand best, treat it like buying a pair of gloves.
I'd like to point out that everything posted above me is totally valid information.
In Addition, it also depends on what type of player you are. If you're someone who is totally chill, even in the most dangerous situations, you might enjoy a more expensive and precise setup, which are in many cases not very, well "imperishable". If you're someone who gets pretty driven by the intensity of a dogfight, you might want to look for cheaper, more robust setup, like the Thrustmaster T Flight HOTAS X.
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In Addition, it also depends on what type of player you are. If you're someone who is totally chill, even in the most dangerous situations, you might enjoy a more expensive and precise setup, which are in many cases not very, well "imperishable". If you're someone who gets pretty driven by the intensity of a dogfight, you might want to look for cheaper, more robust setup, like the Thrustmaster T Flight HOTAS X.
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Came for the Hotas, stayed for the Lego City.
Came for the Hotas, stayed for the Lego City.
You like it? It's still a work in progress, but it grows (I don't know how, but I'm pretty sure my wife has a second bank account somewhere to fund it) every month or so. Currently takes up the entire 'formal dining room'
I miss mine so much
Most joystick threads end up getting joined to this one
https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=10967
The top five in the game so far are X52, X52pro, X55, HotasX and Warthog.
https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=10967
The top five in the game so far are X52, X52pro, X55, HotasX and Warthog.
I have an X-52 Pro. It's priced sort of in the middle range, and will set you back (depending on whether it's on sale, etc.. ) around $140 to $200.
For ED, it's a great setup. It has plenty of buttons, and you can literally eliminate having to use the keyboard for most things once you've set it up and gotten used to it.
That's assuming you get one that works right out of the box, something that's far less common than it should be.
The major drawbacks to the X-52 are the build quality and the institutional apathy at Saitek/Madcatz. Most of the time, you're not going to get a solid unit the first time, right out of the box. Most people I know (including myself) have had to deal with faulty units and RMA's. If not immediately out of the box, generally within weeks or a few months. The spring tension on all of them is rather weak, and has been a known issue for years, and has had absolutely zero attention by the manufacturer to correct it. Most people end up modding their joystick to tighten it up a little so it's not so sloppy. The detents on the throttle are frequently an issue (some people just take them off) and have been known to come loose and jam the throttle. Other times it can be one or more of the buttons or HAT switches that act up.
The software is somewhat quirky and poorly written, and doesn't play well with any flavor of Windows I've used. Don't be at all surprised if all of your settings in the X-52 control panel revert to 'factory'. This was likely caused by unplugging the unit at some point, and plugging it back in, which makes Windows spaz and 'install device drivers for new hardware', despite the fact that it's already installed and configured.
It's a great setup, when you get one that works. It's made flying and fighting in ED an amazing experience, despite the flaws and the fact that mine developed multiple defects within weeks of getting it. I'm not looking forward to having to send it back and trying to play with mouse and keyboard while the RMA is processed. If you don't mind taking a gamble on getting a good one the first time, or possibly having to RMA the one you get, I'd say give it a try. For the money, especially if you can get it on sale somewhere like Amazon, it's not bad. If you can afford something more expensive, I'd say go for the X-55, or bite the bullet/save some more and go for one of the higher end HOTAS setups.
Once you've played a bit with a HOTAS, you'll never want to go back to KB/M, and you'll wonder how you managed to survive without one. It's a definite game changer.
For ED, it's a great setup. It has plenty of buttons, and you can literally eliminate having to use the keyboard for most things once you've set it up and gotten used to it.
That's assuming you get one that works right out of the box, something that's far less common than it should be.
The major drawbacks to the X-52 are the build quality and the institutional apathy at Saitek/Madcatz. Most of the time, you're not going to get a solid unit the first time, right out of the box. Most people I know (including myself) have had to deal with faulty units and RMA's. If not immediately out of the box, generally within weeks or a few months. The spring tension on all of them is rather weak, and has been a known issue for years, and has had absolutely zero attention by the manufacturer to correct it. Most people end up modding their joystick to tighten it up a little so it's not so sloppy. The detents on the throttle are frequently an issue (some people just take them off) and have been known to come loose and jam the throttle. Other times it can be one or more of the buttons or HAT switches that act up.
The software is somewhat quirky and poorly written, and doesn't play well with any flavor of Windows I've used. Don't be at all surprised if all of your settings in the X-52 control panel revert to 'factory'. This was likely caused by unplugging the unit at some point, and plugging it back in, which makes Windows spaz and 'install device drivers for new hardware', despite the fact that it's already installed and configured.
It's a great setup, when you get one that works. It's made flying and fighting in ED an amazing experience, despite the flaws and the fact that mine developed multiple defects within weeks of getting it. I'm not looking forward to having to send it back and trying to play with mouse and keyboard while the RMA is processed. If you don't mind taking a gamble on getting a good one the first time, or possibly having to RMA the one you get, I'd say give it a try. For the money, especially if you can get it on sale somewhere like Amazon, it's not bad. If you can afford something more expensive, I'd say go for the X-55, or bite the bullet/save some more and go for one of the higher end HOTAS setups.
Once you've played a bit with a HOTAS, you'll never want to go back to KB/M, and you'll wonder how you managed to survive without one. It's a definite game changer.
I checked out the thrustmaster warthog flightstick and i think its a bit to overpriced to me x_x not only that, but my currency is currently dying right now so yea it just continues to add more dirt to the grave but thanks for the suggestion though
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The thrustmaster t16000m flightstick definitely looks interesting and its also pretty cheap compared to the other sticks. Anyone has any opinions on it comparing it with the CH fighterstick?
I am sorry not being able to compare them as I only own the T16000m. But its the only one you can set up for left-handed use. I didn't saw any HOTAS configuration that is able to support this and on sticks there are a few 'both-handed' and very most 'right-handed only'. As a player heavily left handed the thrustmaster is the best option. Maybe it doesn't look that fancy and bit like plastic but its very precise and stable with almost no dead-zone and fully programmable to the buttons.
Regards,
Miklos
I have a a Saitek X52-Pro, my first was replaced under garanty by the actual cause I had problems with connection cables between joystick and hotas and a problem with the propulsion contact on hotas.
Good joystick, but it seems the actual one is not exactly the same as the first one, as if they did make two generation of X-52 pro and the new one is a bit better.
As said before, the driver/interfacing program is really primitive and I need such trick as having the configuration program open on my desk in order to access to all buttons.
Good joystick, but it seems the actual one is not exactly the same as the first one, as if they did make two generation of X-52 pro and the new one is a bit better.
As said before, the driver/interfacing program is really primitive and I need such trick as having the configuration program open on my desk in order to access to all buttons.
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I use Thrustmaster T16000M for my joystick ($44 from Amazon). It's a good joystick for the price. I later upgraded my setup by adding a CH Pro Throttle. Beware of quality issues with Saitek products. Read some of the earlier comments in this thread about joysticks.
I use the X-52 exclusively for Elite: Dangerous-- as it matches up so well with the game; and I have an X-55 which I bought originally for both Elite: Dangerous and Star Citizen, but now I find I prefer to have different controllers for each, as the X-55 seems to match up much better with Star Citizen, but doesn't suit well with Elite.
Having different controllers for each also helps to underline the control differences: which can be confusing. On Elite of course it's a roll/pitch method so stick twist is set to yaw. On Star Citizen it's a yaw/pitch method, so on the X-55 it's twist for roll.
The other issue with the X-55 is the hats on the throttle are really unsuited to careful thrusting when trying to land.
Oh, as a side question: does anyone else find that having thrust forward and backward essential mapping? Thrust backwards is particularly useful as a speedbreak in combat; and the forward/backward 'trim' is really nice for lining up with the landing pad. I find on the X-52 the mouse button button is really good for backward thrust, or speedbreak; and the Roll wheel press on the front is pretty nice for thrust forwards (those buttons aren't mapped to anything by default anyway).
Does anyone else also remap the pinkie for secondary fire? I find it makes much more sense as it then frees up the thumb for other actions during combat.
Having different controllers for each also helps to underline the control differences: which can be confusing. On Elite of course it's a roll/pitch method so stick twist is set to yaw. On Star Citizen it's a yaw/pitch method, so on the X-55 it's twist for roll.
The other issue with the X-55 is the hats on the throttle are really unsuited to careful thrusting when trying to land.
Oh, as a side question: does anyone else find that having thrust forward and backward essential mapping? Thrust backwards is particularly useful as a speedbreak in combat; and the forward/backward 'trim' is really nice for lining up with the landing pad. I find on the X-52 the mouse button button is really good for backward thrust, or speedbreak; and the Roll wheel press on the front is pretty nice for thrust forwards (those buttons aren't mapped to anything by default anyway).
Does anyone else also remap the pinkie for secondary fire? I find it makes much more sense as it then frees up the thumb for other actions during combat.
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I wonder...
Many PC players play with joystick (including me). After all its a space ship simulation but in horizons driving a car with joystick, how ? I wonder
Many PC players play with joystick (including me). After all its a space ship simulation but in horizons driving a car with joystick, how ? I wonder
Joystick confuguration (thrustmaster t16000m) question's
As title.
Just recieved my Joystick today and plugged it in to lappy, laptop reports it as a thrustmaster t16000 which is good however Elite Dangerous in the control options just has the generic joystick profile. Now it has been almost 20yrs since i last used or configured a joystick to a game so i am a little green round the edges (think last time i used joystick was for "wings" on the amiga)
Q1. is the generic joystick profile the profile i need to use and edit for the t16000 or should the game recognise the t16000 and create/genertae a profile for it?
Q2. are there any pre defined config files available for download?
Q3. i have found the original config files i guess i should make a backup of these unedited files before i do any configurating?
thanks
As title.
Just recieved my Joystick today and plugged it in to lappy, laptop reports it as a thrustmaster t16000 which is good however Elite Dangerous in the control options just has the generic joystick profile. Now it has been almost 20yrs since i last used or configured a joystick to a game so i am a little green round the edges (think last time i used joystick was for "wings" on the amiga)
Q1. is the generic joystick profile the profile i need to use and edit for the t16000 or should the game recognise the t16000 and create/genertae a profile for it?
Q2. are there any pre defined config files available for download?
Q3. i have found the original config files i guess i should make a backup of these unedited files before i do any configurating?
thanks
Edit: Removed - Merged
On topic: It's actually a pretty good question. Especially given that the SRV's are meant to have thrusters and rocket jumps and such, I imagine it will require some controls tinkering.
A lot of people that use HOTAS joysticks have their keyboard in between the two. I use keyboard for thrusters, certain toggle keys like FA off and landing gear/cargo hatch. So as long as they put an alternate control scheme in I will be fine to just swap over when landing...
Edit: This was actually my 3000'th post. Not sure if I should be proud or not...
On topic: It's actually a pretty good question. Especially given that the SRV's are meant to have thrusters and rocket jumps and such, I imagine it will require some controls tinkering.
A lot of people that use HOTAS joysticks have their keyboard in between the two. I use keyboard for thrusters, certain toggle keys like FA off and landing gear/cargo hatch. So as long as they put an alternate control scheme in I will be fine to just swap over when landing...
Edit: This was actually my 3000'th post. Not sure if I should be proud or not...
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