The Joystick/Controller discussion thread
Personally, I'm using a hotas X with a few additions/modifications
There will eventually be a pair of PSP thumbsticks added to the throttle and another to the stick. I think that should give me about enough controls then
17 axis of control in total once I'm done.
(Hotas X with 7 + 3 analogue thumbsticks and 2 digital)
I added my G13 last night but didn't get to set much more up on it as it was to my HOTAS setup. I'll be getting the Saitek AV8R this weekend, figure on doing something along the lines of
this mockup I did. How'd you do your current pad? I like that! More buttons isn't necessarily better when they're all on a single location. Might as well be a keyboard so I don't know if I'll like the G13 with my setup, or even need it once I get through with it.
Just an FYI.
I have an X52
The programming software was causing all kinds of errors on my machine, mouse pointer going crazy etc.
Deleted the software, but left the drivers in place.
I could then not use a load of the buttons in E.
I found by mistake, that the buttons would then all work (including the MFD buttons) if I leave the controller properties open (Windows) whilst playing the game.
Not sure if this has been mentioned anywhere in the previous 115 pages.
I now have every command mapped to the Joystick/throttle and don;t need the keyboard at all.
Also less crappy software on my PC.
A shame you can't use the programming software, with that you can set up the mousestick as a makeshift headlook. Try turning down the sensitivity on the mousestick maybe
I switched from a Xbox One controller to Saitek's X55 Rhino just last night. The difference for me is amazing, it's more immersive to play and fine control for dogfighting / docking etc is allot easier. All I did was install the driver and software and start the game, I'm using the default X55 profile and it feels pretty spot on to me. Although there are a few extra functions I'd like mapped to the stick so that I don't need to use the keyboard at all in game.
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I've just bought myself some CH gear- the Fighterstick and Pro Throttle.
They're ridulously 90's, all industrial plastics and lumpy old LEDs, but I kind of love that about them.
The Fighterstick has a lovely light precision moving away from centre and the analogue stick on the Pro Throttle will be very useful for vertical/lateral thrust, I'm sure.
They're ridulously 90's, all industrial plastics and lumpy old LEDs, but I kind of love that about them.
The Fighterstick has a lovely light precision moving away from centre and the analogue stick on the Pro Throttle will be very useful for vertical/lateral thrust, I'm sure.
Using Saitek X55 and it is incredible... the immersion is amazing, I would recommend it to any serious player. The in game profile is pretty much ok, I had to change a couple of keys to suit my needs but other than that it was perfect, the build quality is superb, the throttle feels sturdy and reliable, the stick returns to centre excellent, the spring set provided means you can select the tension you require on the stick, and since you can replace the springs at will, it will never go "slack"
Well, the idea was that I'd have a few keys within easy reach on the throttle hand (landing gear, lights, power management, cargo scoop, etc) the first stick is for impulse throttle and yaw in dock, the second for menu and the button down next to them for select.
The pad I basically made quickly in tinkercad, downloaded a 3D printer file and got printed for £6
(ok, the extra keys etc were expensive, it's about... £40 all told but... could be done much cheaper, I "do" crazy controllers so had parts handy).Feel free to use/abuse as you like. Mines got a ultimarc I-PAC2 (PC arcade cabinet programmable controller) handling the inputs but you could do the same with arduino/teensy
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Wasnt trying to be smart showing off the pit just getting two posts up, cheers
How the heck you get in that thing! Love your setup! Been thinking about creating a custom cockpit of my own, that is, if I can ever get to my wood benches and tools in the garage through the clutter, oh and the mile long list of other things to do!
Sorry, hit the wrong reply button. This was intended to be a response to Strut. Sorry
Wasnt trying to be smart showing off the pit just getting two posts up, cheers
I'm really really tempted by an Obutto, but my Mrs would kill me if I bought that into the flat. I've got the same controllers as you, Warthog stick and throttle, Saitek Pro pedals, and an X52 pro set for when my arms ache.
Can I also suggest:
http://power-grid.roccat.org/en/Home/
Completely customizable "make a bunch of controls on your smartphone/tablet screen" software. It's free too. (Use it in addition to whatever you prefer, I think it might kinda suck as a main input)
Actually kinda thinking about how much easier it would have make my "additions" so far but meh, it's done now
http://power-grid.roccat.org/en/Home/
Completely customizable "make a bunch of controls on your smartphone/tablet screen" software. It's free too. (Use it in addition to whatever you prefer, I think it might kinda suck as a main input)
Actually kinda thinking about how much easier it would have make my "additions" so far but meh, it's done now
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Well, the idea was that I'd have a few keys within easy reach on the throttle hand (landing gear, lights, power management, cargo scoop, etc) the first stick is for impulse throttle and yaw in dock, the second for menu and the button down next to them for select.
The pad I basically made quickly in tinkercad, downloaded a 3D printer file and got printed for £6
Feel free to use/abuse as you like. Mines got a ultimarc I-PAC2 (PC arcade cabinet programmable controller) handling the inputs but you could do the same with arduino/teensy
Nice. Thanks for the information. I found USB PCB boards and switches but never thought about designing the board in CAD and having it 3D printed. How durable is it?
-V
After having been forced to play using a xbox 360 controller for days on my laptop while my joystick while obviously on my main computer at home, I'm telling this to people using a controller:
Do not hesitate to switch to a HOTAS or even a normal joystick one single second.
Playing without one was an absolute pain. I don't even want to hear the "but I find it easy" argument, if you haven't tried a joystick. Because it would sound the same as console peasants playing FPSes with gamepads and saying there is no problem with it.
You have to put yaw on the triggers, which is a pain. a lot of axises are useless considering their position, and it REALLY lacks a good number of very important buttons.
I have not been able to fight properly using a gamepad, and that isn't because I am not skilled with them, as I play a lot of racing games, platformers, and third person games without aiming that rely on that.
It's better than flying with m+kb, but I'm just never going back.
Flying with a joystick feels utterly intuitive, I can do low passes, advanced maneuvers in assist off mode, and do extremely precise shots and preshots.
With a gamepad, I felt utterly handicapped, it felt like a mkb emulation.
Do not hesitate to switch to a HOTAS or even a normal joystick one single second.
Playing without one was an absolute pain. I don't even want to hear the "but I find it easy" argument, if you haven't tried a joystick. Because it would sound the same as console peasants playing FPSes with gamepads and saying there is no problem with it.
You have to put yaw on the triggers, which is a pain. a lot of axises are useless considering their position, and it REALLY lacks a good number of very important buttons.
I have not been able to fight properly using a gamepad, and that isn't because I am not skilled with them, as I play a lot of racing games, platformers, and third person games without aiming that rely on that.
It's better than flying with m+kb, but I'm just never going back.
Flying with a joystick feels utterly intuitive, I can do low passes, advanced maneuvers in assist off mode, and do extremely precise shots and preshots.
With a gamepad, I felt utterly handicapped, it felt like a mkb emulation.
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Mine was printed in ABS. It's 5mm thick and basically next to no flex in the board. Pretty solid plastic.
They printed it with about 60% density (standard apparently).
You could have it CNC'd if that works easier. I had a £10 voucher for some 3D printing (would have been £16 otherwise - a little expensive for what it is, really) so figured that would be cheaper
For the electronics the absolute cheapest way to do it would be an Arduino pro micro (or clone of) for about £6. There's loads of guides around for adding joysticks/buttons etc. I'm using that too to control 3 more thumbsticks that would be used to repair a PSP (basically analogue hat switches for the size of them) but there's nothing you can't do in plastic with a decent bit of planning and time even in something as simple as tinkercad.
Actually taken the stick of my hotas X apart. It's 4 piece of plastic (left side, right side, palm and top) that fit together really nicely with 4 screws, very easy to dis/re-assemble. Currently tempted to get the part that's normally on the left face of the stick (furthest from my hand) 3D scanned so I can add to it, get that printed then rebuild the stick with more switches
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Before downloading Elite Dangerous, I was in need of something not used in years....a joystick! Just on a pure whim; I decided to look out my old Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback 2 Joystick.... it was in the roof, covered in dust and spiders. It had ended up there because as I upgraded my PC's to remain cutting edge, the support Microsoft gave to what was an expensive piece of kit, had rapidly dwindled to nothing! Vista and beyond refused to support or even recognize the joystick! I plugged it into my latest kit (admittedly only running Windows 7 Ult.) and once again "no go!"....but once Elite Dangerous (Beta 2.06) was installed the joystick came to life and Windows 7 even (THEN!) downloaded software support...go figure But thanks to Elite Dangerous for giving this old (but nice to use) joystick a second lease of life after all this time.
Here is another SW2FFB owner, only mod I did is to put a tape on the IR, at least you won't have your stick turning your ship if you accidentally hit it.
My stick is like 12years old and works like new.
Now is coupled with a T16000M.
I wanted to use 2 T16000M but they go in conflict with each other. I will keep one for spare parts.
I don't understand what you did but my stick works and is detected by Win7.
Thrustmaster Hotas X here. I was going to upgrade to the X52 pro until I realised it didn't have the rudder on the throttle (I dislike twist sticks and don't own pedals). It's a great flight stick, and not very expensive. I really cant justify spending over £100 on a joystick and also buying pedals.
Thrustmaster T HOTAS for me. I have not played Elite in any form since the original and being married with 3 kids I do not have the time nor want to do many other games apart from World of Warcraft a few years ago, however Elite was the game that always filled me with the best members as a teenager, way ahead of anything else at the time.
I had to buy a a rig and invested in Trackir IR, so to add another £150 with a top of the range HOTAS was out of the question so £35 for the Thrustmaster T was ideal. May be short of a few buttons but with Voice Attack at $8 is perfectly fine. I have no idea how people play ED with m&kb or even a game pad, would fill me with dread. For what it's worth if you can afford a HOTAS invest in one, it will only add to your game experience not to mention enhance your piloting skills.
I had to buy a a rig and invested in Trackir IR, so to add another £150 with a top of the range HOTAS was out of the question so £35 for the Thrustmaster T was ideal. May be short of a few buttons but with Voice Attack at $8 is perfectly fine. I have no idea how people play ED with m&kb or even a game pad, would fill me with dread. For what it's worth if you can afford a HOTAS invest in one, it will only add to your game experience not to mention enhance your piloting skills.