Was thinking of doing exactly this recently, unfortunately I can't afford it at the moment. It is definitely a really good idea. Well done for actually doing it
The Joystick/Controller discussion thread
Was thinking of doing exactly this recently, unfortunately I can't afford it at the moment. It is definitely a really good idea. Well done for actually doing it
Two or so years ago I replaced my X45 with an X52Pro, for FSX, after the X45 finally just gave up entirely. I'd had the X45 for many years and was pretty happy with it, though the goofy rudder setup on the throttle was hell on my non-child-sized hands. The stick twist works much better.
Your thrust setup caught my eye though, as I do things a bit differently for different reasons.
If you're using the profiler and different modes, I find the pinky switch to be the only "proper" switch to use as a modifier, not what the software calls the 'clutch'. It's one of only two buttons (the other is the trigger) that's always in the right place, because you don't use that finger for any of the other controls. The normal 'clutch' can't be used at the same time as the mouse for example.
Currently I'm playing ED without the profiler though, except to disable the mouse stuff so I can use those buttons like the wheel-click for things in the game, and have my controls mapped to make landing/takeoff easy, and combat evasion.
Throttle: Normal mode (0..100).
Throttle hat down: hold for reverse.
Throttle hat up: Frame jump.
Throttle "E" : supercruise.
Throttle "E" slider: vertical thrust.
Throttle "I" : boost.
Throttle "I" slider: lateral thrust.
This makes landings and takeoffs a piece of cake, since there is slider thrust control in all three directions.
Other buttons and stuff are setup as well of course but not related to thrust.
When I finally get around to making a profile specific for the game, if I actually need one (so far I don't, plenty of buttons), then the pinky is going to become the modifier button as I mentioned and I'll find something else for UI pullback.
That is the stick I have atm (logitech extreme)... Been happy so far with it + keyboard + voice attack.
I use the KB for the standard speed and thruster controls.
Voice attack is awesome for those often used but don't want to waste prime realestate button actions... like landing gear, lights, scoop. Next step will be to program a few preset power allocations (all shields, engines etc).
I use the KB for the standard speed and thruster controls.
Voice attack is awesome for those often used but don't want to waste prime realestate button actions... like landing gear, lights, scoop. Next step will be to program a few preset power allocations (all shields, engines etc).
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I bought Hotas X after 40h played with K+M. Generaly, hotas setup feels way more natural. But, i can't recommend the Hotas X stick. I read before, it does cracking sound, but i thought, its the plastics. But its not. First, the stick has big amount of dead zone in the centre (to my taste). Second, the stick does stumble when i perform little adjutments around the centre and that's where you can hear the creaking (not cracking as i thought before) sound. And this is a game breaker for me. BUT .. the throttle is OK and if you buy T.16000M and use it instead the Hotas X stick, you have a very good hotas setup for very nice price. At least, this is what i'm going to do.
I found the creaking sound if I squeezed the Hotas X joystick hard, I honestly thought it was cracking but it has not done so in over 6 months of daily use in E D. However it does creak if the heel of the hand squeezes too hard into the wide region towards the upper end of the joystick. It has taught me to not squeeze the joystick, which is a good thing really.
My old Thustmaster (over 20 years old) USB joystick is built like the real deal, solid and ripe for all the squeezing you can put into it! LOL If it had a twist axis I would probably use that with the throttle lever but I have got so used to using the twist in E D that I don't want to do without it.
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I guess it all depends on how much your house is worth...
If you want the best it's the Warthog setup, but it ain't cheap. In addition, it doesn't include rudder pedals. If you want "the best" in that department it's the Slaw Device hand made set.
If that's not in your wheelhouse, I'd seriously look at CH products, especially for the rudder pedals. Saitek pedals are terrible. the CH pedals get good reviews, although I've never personally owned a pair.
http://www.chproducts.com/Fighterstick-v13-p-181.html
The rest of the stuff is a step down in terms of quality.
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Another vote for the Thrustmaster T-Flight HOTAS X. It really is a very good product.
There are some compromises: Firstly it has a limited number of controls on the stick and throttle. If you like to bind as much as possible to the HOTAS then you might find it lacking, however if you are fine with also using the keyboard for some controls then it's no issue. I use VoiceAttack to supplement the lack of controls on the HOTAS X and the combination is excellent.
Secondly, the HOTAS X is not actually two separate devices. Both the throttle and stick are on the same USB cable. This has positive and negative aspects. On the good side, it is an easy plug-n-play setup with no configuration or dedicated software needed. On the negative, the cable has a maximum length and the throttle and stick can't be separated. If you put them on a desk in front of you on either side of the keyboard it works just fine, but for mounting to a chair or any other sort of configuration you'll need to look elsewhere.
Thirdly, it is a little less "accurate" than more expensive devices. I need to ride the throttle to keep the precise speed I want.
The HOTAS X is certainly capable enough for serious play. It is a well built, durable product, but it necessarily incorporates the design compromises I outlined above in order to meet its price point. However it is certainly not built down to a price just to be a cheap product.
If you've never used a HOTAS before and just want to try one out and see if you like it, or if money is a consideration, then don't hesitate to try the HOTAS X. You will not be disappointed, and you may well find it is all you need. I bought mine two years ago just before the ED alpha tests started. It was the first HOTAS I'd ever used and it took a while to get used to it. Now I can't imagine playing the game without this sort of peripheral. I've used mine now for over 2,000 hours without a single problem.
Final comment - the HOTAS you choose is no guarantee of success in-game. The player's skill far, far outweighs anything to do with the control interface. A Thrustmaster Warthog will not automatically make you a great pilot, and some of the best pilots out there use the HOTAS X, a game controller or mouse and keyboard.
There are some compromises: Firstly it has a limited number of controls on the stick and throttle. If you like to bind as much as possible to the HOTAS then you might find it lacking, however if you are fine with also using the keyboard for some controls then it's no issue. I use VoiceAttack to supplement the lack of controls on the HOTAS X and the combination is excellent.
Secondly, the HOTAS X is not actually two separate devices. Both the throttle and stick are on the same USB cable. This has positive and negative aspects. On the good side, it is an easy plug-n-play setup with no configuration or dedicated software needed. On the negative, the cable has a maximum length and the throttle and stick can't be separated. If you put them on a desk in front of you on either side of the keyboard it works just fine, but for mounting to a chair or any other sort of configuration you'll need to look elsewhere.
Thirdly, it is a little less "accurate" than more expensive devices. I need to ride the throttle to keep the precise speed I want.
The HOTAS X is certainly capable enough for serious play. It is a well built, durable product, but it necessarily incorporates the design compromises I outlined above in order to meet its price point. However it is certainly not built down to a price just to be a cheap product.
If you've never used a HOTAS before and just want to try one out and see if you like it, or if money is a consideration, then don't hesitate to try the HOTAS X. You will not be disappointed, and you may well find it is all you need. I bought mine two years ago just before the ED alpha tests started. It was the first HOTAS I'd ever used and it took a while to get used to it. Now I can't imagine playing the game without this sort of peripheral. I've used mine now for over 2,000 hours without a single problem.
Final comment - the HOTAS you choose is no guarantee of success in-game. The player's skill far, far outweighs anything to do with the control interface. A Thrustmaster Warthog will not automatically make you a great pilot, and some of the best pilots out there use the HOTAS X, a game controller or mouse and keyboard.
With the use of shift buttons the options on the Hotas-X are more than you need.
Also if you look for and download a free program called Joystick Curves it will give you amazing fine tuning of the Hotas-X joystick and throttle controls. Agree with you that the interconnective cable could be longer though I saw a video on YouTube where someone had extended them.
I have Saitek Cyborg Evo Force (PS27) which is pretty old by now and it still works like new. However I'm trying to find another used one in decent shape as a spare for it as it seems to be dying out breed and nobody makes any quality feedback joysticks at the moment. Another thing is that joystick in general is not too good for flying in space, I've tried it an found it rather difficult since you have too many things to control (your conventional pitch, roll and yaw, plus lateral and vertical thrusters). So I keep my joystick for flying airplanes (and with feedback it is really great at it) and I have X52-PRO for flying in space. If you going to spend more time in space than in the conventional flight sim skip joystick and go for HOTAS setup as it gives you better control with everything you need right at your fingertips. X52 PRO is the decent one, but not the only one and there are options too choose from.
I've been using a ch combat stick (That just exudes quality) with my own home made throttle for a while.
I just ordered a VKB Cobra M5 and a Gametrix ECS throttle for my son. Looking forward to when it arrives. It looks like they may be ideal for elite.
I just ordered a VKB Cobra M5 and a Gametrix ECS throttle for my son. Looking forward to when it arrives. It looks like they may be ideal for elite.
You don't need to load a profile for the stick (to program it), profiles called *.binds files are plonked in the game folder. Voice Attack do a great one to match their program and I think that the latest ED update may have added binds files (profiles) as well.
Make sure that you have loaded the latest drivers from the Saitek site. Install the programming software as well. If your game can't load a profile, then start off with Custom and edit it yourself. If you cannot do that, then it strongly suggests incorrect drivers loaded.
Make sure that you have loaded the latest drivers from the Saitek site. Install the programming software as well. If your game can't load a profile, then start off with Custom and edit it yourself. If you cannot do that, then it strongly suggests incorrect drivers loaded.
Joystick Axis Query
Just joined and struggling with set up. Logitech Extreme 3D pro not working properly on Generic set up.
query on custom set up e.g Understand how to set roll left and right but what us roll axis field above? What has to be done to register in this field. Also on Pitch roll field how is this set?
looks like I may have to get Saitek X55 but not sure there is a Windows 10 driver yet.
Just joined and struggling with set up. Logitech Extreme 3D pro not working properly on Generic set up.
query on custom set up e.g Understand how to set roll left and right but what us roll axis field above? What has to be done to register in this field. Also on Pitch roll field how is this set?
looks like I may have to get Saitek X55 but not sure there is a Windows 10 driver yet.
Help to configure a Cobra M5 joystick
As for the thread title, I finally got my joystick (Still need to buy the handle.), and need some help with its configuration...
At the moment I'm using 3 positions switch, the one with BVR/NAV/VIS to make it clear, for now to switch between Battle-Flight-Launch/Dock configurations. It seems solid enough to last, so I don't think it will loosen anytime soon...
My main concern is about how to use the 'smaller controllers', especially since I seem unable to perform precise movements with the one aligned with the stick, and the two Red buttons.
So far I have the Thruster Up/Down/Left/Right bound to the leftmost mini-controller when in Launch/Dock Mode and to partially cycle targets when in Battle Mode.
But honestly I don't really know from where to go after that... Just to make it clear, for now I'm using Hand on Stick and Keyboard mode right now, especially because I couldn't even configure the small throttle like thing on the left of the stick...
Also, I'm debating about which throttle I should get to go with the Joystick, some friends advised me to get the Gametrix ECS but apparently it seems to have issues with Elite itself...
As for the thread title, I finally got my joystick (Still need to buy the handle.), and need some help with its configuration...
At the moment I'm using 3 positions switch, the one with BVR/NAV/VIS to make it clear, for now to switch between Battle-Flight-Launch/Dock configurations. It seems solid enough to last, so I don't think it will loosen anytime soon...
My main concern is about how to use the 'smaller controllers', especially since I seem unable to perform precise movements with the one aligned with the stick, and the two Red buttons.
So far I have the Thruster Up/Down/Left/Right bound to the leftmost mini-controller when in Launch/Dock Mode and to partially cycle targets when in Battle Mode.
But honestly I don't really know from where to go after that... Just to make it clear, for now I'm using Hand on Stick and Keyboard mode right now, especially because I couldn't even configure the small throttle like thing on the left of the stick...
Also, I'm debating about which throttle I should get to go with the Joystick, some friends advised me to get the Gametrix ECS but apparently it seems to have issues with Elite itself...
Cyborg V1 Joystick binding
Hi Guys,
please forgive me this trivial question but this is my first joystick. Honestly. 20 years playing on PC and I never had one. With Elite sort of I decided that is worth to try. So I bought something really unexpansive and... I have no idea how to make it work and cooperate with keyboard?
Please! Do not tell me that I should buy something more sophisticated like HOTAS etc. I know - they are better etc. But for now I would appreciate some good and honest advice how to bind things into Cyborg V1
Please accept gratefulness in advance good players of Elite Dangerous
Hi Guys,
please forgive me this trivial question but this is my first joystick. Honestly. 20 years playing on PC and I never had one. With Elite sort of I decided that is worth to try. So I bought something really unexpansive and... I have no idea how to make it work and cooperate with keyboard?
Please! Do not tell me that I should buy something more sophisticated like HOTAS etc. I know - they are better etc. But for now I would appreciate some good and honest advice how to bind things into Cyborg V1
Please accept gratefulness in advance good players of Elite Dangerous
There is no real magic to it. In the controls section (Options/Controls) of ED you have all the operations that can be mapped to anything (keyboard, mouse, joystick, etc).
Since it is only a joystick you've got then the options you need to map are pretty limited and therefore straight forward.
Just edit the particular control you want (e.g. pitch up, pitch down, etc) and then move your joystick in that direction. This will map that joystick switch to that operation.
Simple as.
Since it is only a joystick you've got then the options you need to map are pretty limited and therefore straight forward.
Just edit the particular control you want (e.g. pitch up, pitch down, etc) and then move your joystick in that direction. This will map that joystick switch to that operation.
Simple as.
Making some progress now but roll very sensitive and tricky to control even with deadzone set high.
Main problem now is being granted docking permission but then finding the docking port closed. Has happened several times.
Frustrating after spending twenty minutes trying to find dock 2!
Main problem now is being granted docking permission but then finding the docking port closed. Has happened several times.
Frustrating after spending twenty minutes trying to find dock 2!