To prepare for E:D, if you could only buy one of these 'Immersive Peripherals'...

CapnSnuggie

CapnSnuggie
Oh my god. I have kept just about every major PC accessory and game I've ever purchased. Everything from waaay back like Star Control II, StarFlight, Star Wars (X-Wing). I was also a flight sim junkie, and even have Falcon 4.0, which may have been the last big Flight Sim before the drought (Which has recently revived again), i was into EarthSiege, MechWarrior, Heavy Gear, etc...

I have so many Flightsticks it's not even funny. CH Products and Thrustmaster were my two favorites. I even have Hotas with Keyboard plugs to pass the commands directly to the PC (before the USB revolution). In fact, I have force feedback sticks (My favorite was the ForceFX) that used Serial connections to pass the feedback to the device. I've got 5 joysticks, 4 throttles, and 3 sets of pedals... **ALL 15-PIN JOYSTICK ANALOG PORT BASED**, Sigh... The amount of money I've spent.

The latest thing I have is an old Trusty Microsoft Sidewinder, the first stick that came with a 15-PIN Analog to USB adapter (Why that adapter doesn't work on my ForceFX, I'll never know). As much as I hate to say it, "I've spent more on Joysticks that most have spent on a Gaming PC" (Sigh, I said it, now I can go die alone while talking about the good ole days of Elite: Plus.. Oh wait..)

I've got a great gaming notebook, and a good 'Home PC', but the problem is I'm never in one place enough to truly enjoy the full experience of the game.

So here's where I'm at. I'm going to take a serious break this Christmas, and just get into the game. I wanna step away from my (Convenient and Effective) Xbox-Wireless controller and get immersed in Elite.

Decisions decisions?!? I'm curious about your opinions, and what you felt brought the most to the game (and maybe it will help others decide their gaming purchasing choices as well).

Assuming you've already got the Gaming Rig, and a decent setup, but you wanted Immersive Peripherals, what would you choose and why?

The list:

1) $300 - Oculus Rift DK2
2) $300 - Thrustmaster Warthog HOTAS
3) $150 + $142 + $8 - TrackIR, Nice Gaming Headset, Voice Attack.
4) Anything else I've missed?

Tell us your experience as well, was it worth it? Best purchase ever? Or would you choose differently.

At least one inquiring mind wants to know, and I thank you in advance for sharing!

Thanks,

Snuggs...
 

reload

reload
I went with...

1) 2 x 22" 1080p monitors to sit either side of my primary screen - £200 ish total. Graphics cards can just about handle 5760 x 1080 resolution on low settings, and I'm running two HD 7850s in crossfire!
2) Saitek x45 - predecessor to the x52 Pro that everyone loves. Solid old sticks, can occasionally be had on Ebay for around £30.
3) Edtracker - £30 ish prebuilt. Already had the headset to stick it to, so no extra cost there.

Totally, totally worth it :D
 

Thespen Tombs

Thespen Tombs
If you're on a budget I'd wait till the CV OR comes outs.

Track IR and Voice attack does take the game to a whole new level in my experience and IMO would give you the most bang for your buck.

I wouldn't rule out a HOTAS thou :)
 

CapnSnuggie

CapnSnuggie
It's weird. The DK2 OR gives you the immersion, but it's a 'temporary' version knowing that next Summer the Consumer Version would be out (and I would've added another damn piece of tech to my 'pile', sigh x2).

The HOTAS seems to be the way to go. And as /COOL/ as the Saitek looks, it just feels... Well, let's just say that when you've used to playing with Thrustmaters with a 5lb to 20lb tension spring in the stick, and the ability to adhere the base to your surface... Everything else feels a little off...

And with the Head Tracking, I mean $150 for it? The DK2 is only 2x as much and you get Vision and Head Tracking (also, I've thought about it being portable, and I could take it with me with the notebook, the HOTAS, not so much).

I did like the suggestion for eBay used sticks and tracker. :)
 

Robonator

Robonator
The list:

1) $300 - Oculus Rift DK2
2) $300 - Thrustmaster Warthog HOTAS
3) $150 + $142 + $8 - TrackIR, Nice Gaming Headset, Voice Attack.
4) Anything else I've missed?
Click to expand...

Why TrackIR if you have Oculus Rift? Why a Headset when you can get WAAAY better headphones for the same prices or even less? :D

But i recently got myself TrackIR Pro + Saitek X55 Rhino Hotas and i don't regret it :D
I didn't got the Oculus Rift because i want to wait for the full version.
 

Kraft

Kraft
the Warthog is not made for games like Elite, BF, Warthunder etc. it's spring is supposed to support the tiny correction one has to do when flying huge sims like DCS A10C, it would not only be overkill (price for what you need) the spring is very stiff making the fast "throw around" motion that is common in Elites combat harder.
I stopped using my Warthog hotas for that reason (it also wear&tears significantly faster). I would recommend pretty much anything below the X52, aslong as the stick has enough buttons to give you the option to change pips+vert/hor. thrusters+yaw and weapon profiles without a problem during combat they're good enough.

TrackIR (I own v5) is not really required to enhance gameplay but it does a lot of magic in the immersion department so if you got the money and want to get the feel of being in a space ship (sadly very limited 6dof implementation) this is the most important thing.

I'm currently playing with mouse+kb and trackir, way more efficient for me and I don't have to trash my Warthog after a year of abuse because the sensors suffered too much and aren't good enough for DCS anymore :)

I have not used voice attack and I doubt I'll use it, not because it might not enhance the immersion but I don't want to have my mic infront of me all the time.

As for the DK2, from what I've heard the performence and resolution aren't that sweet right now, I wouldn't risk the money for it yet.

so I'd pick TrackIR, headset and if you want voice attack.
 
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FX2K

FX2K
Personally, I would skip the rift... yes its great... yes its puts you right there in the cockpit... but its not ready for prime time just yet. Resolution is lacking and screen door effect plays havoc with text in ED. Besides, If you really wanted one, it would have been on order already :p

TrackIR doesn't quite give you the same immersion (imo) but it does give you the high res and gorgeous graphics.. and is better than not having it. Mind you, facetracknoir with a webcam is ok too.

Edit: So I would have to say, go for the Hotas... and find cheap alternatives for trackir.
 
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CATPAIN KIRK

CATPAIN KIRK
CapnSnuggie said:
The list:

1) $300 - Oculus Rift DK2
2) $300 - Thrustmaster Warthog HOTAS
3) $150 + $142 + $8 - TrackIR, Nice Gaming Headset, Voice Attack.
4) Anything else I've missed?

Tell us your experience as well, was it worth it? Best purchase ever? Or would you choose differently.
Click to expand...

I personally own all items on the list except voice attack.

It depends - here's my personal ranking:

1. Oculus Rift DK2. I have it since early August and couldn't imagine playing ED on a screen again - I'm still blown away on a daily basis. However personal experiences differ, you need a decent enough computer to run it and I've read reasonable posts from people who say they have one but don't like it. Maybe test it first if you have the opportunity. Might want to wait for CV1 too.

2. Warthog. I'm biased because I hate plastic. I love the haptics, own it for over 2 years now and still get a satisfied feeling each time I grab it. It's sturdy, I didn't notice any wear so far and flipping the rugged switches still feels awesome. Careful though if you have small Hands. Moreover, some think it's too stiff, but that can be modified. [edit]: see Krafts post - Quot capita, tot sententiae...

3. TrackIR - well - I used to love it - it works perfectly and I've played DCS world and other games for literally thousands of hours using a triple 24" 3d screen setup. Haven't used it a single time since I received the DK2, though.

I personally consider VA quite useless since I play using 5.1 speakers at high volume for that visceral experience and listen to music whilst playing. It surely is a great piece of Software, but I tried the Trial and personally found it unusable for me. I also refuse to wear a Headset (despite owning two), so it's just me.

Whatever you go for, I'm quite sure you'll enjoy it :).
 
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CapnSnuggie

CapnSnuggie
Kraft said:
it's spring is supposed to support the tiny correction one has to do when flying huge sims like DCS A10C, it would not only be overkill (price for what you need) the spring is very stiff making the fast "throw around" motion that is common in Elites combat harder.
Click to expand...

Even on the ThrustMasters *YEARS* ago (I'm talking the late 90s) they used to send you 'replacement tension springs' for *FREE*... I even remember they sent me a replacement potentiometer for one of my throttles (Which required some Solder and a few screws to replace).

I'd be really surprised if Thrustmaster didn't offer a 'softer' spring for the Warthog, or a tension adjustment. But I agree. Before I knew that the spring could be replaced in my Thrustmaster, I ended up switching to a CH Products Force FX (Which was awesome, because you could adjust the tension as part of the force feedback Option).

I can't get over you're playing with a Mouse/Keyboard after coming back from a Stick/Throttle. To tell you the truth, I've done really well with the Xbox controller, the problem is the 'Deadzone' is completely random, which makes it nearly impossible to do precision aiming, but for everything else (Including Directional thruster, yaw and roll control) it's perfect, but it really takes away from the game...

I'm gonna have to do some checking on the Tension Spring availability for the Warthog... I agree, no need to get a workout while playing in Zero-G of space!
 

Shoklar

Shoklar
I just bought a new gaming computer. It's a monster, but Franken-I7-six-core-stein will not be complete until I have the occulus rift and the warthog HOTAS. ;)

Shok.
 

Ref Minor

Ref Minor
I have an X-55 and a DK2, I would trade down on the Hotas if required, but wouldn't swap the Rift for any monitor even with its limitations, I bought it knowing it would last me a year until CV1 and so far am considering it money very well spent.
 

Knot2clever

Knot2clever
I am now waiting for the CV rift.

The reason, I went to the EGX show in the UK last month to try the rift and ED.
The only way I can describe the experience was, it felt like a full assult
on my senses that I still haven't recoved from. Must have it.

But a HOTAS would be more beneficial in the first instance. I read today that the Samsung rift dev will
be available in December, if you people have the Note 4 might be worth looking at.
 

CapnSnuggie

CapnSnuggie
Kraft said:
the spring is very stiff making the fast "throw around" motion that is common in Elites combat harder.
I stopped using my Warthog hotas for that reason
Click to expand...

I found this Simple Warthog HOTAS Mod video. I don't think you need to take the bottom plate off, nor have any idea on what the mod does to the other springs, but I do believe it's just that easy to fix up.

Again, I remember one of my ThrustMaster sticks having something like a 10-20lb 'pull' on it (They called it). When i called their support number, they sent me a set of replacement springs (for free). The effort to replace the springs on mine was MUCH harder (and there was no video :) ), but it was worth the change.

Hope it helps. Seems a shame to not have that coolness available for some Elite Pew-Pew!
 
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Kraft

Kraft
CapnSnuggie said:
I found this Simple Warthog HOTAS Mod video. I don't think you need to take the bottom plate off, nor have any idea on what the mod does to the other springs, but I do believe it's just that easy to fix up.

Again, I remember one of my ThrustMaster sticks having something like a 10-20lb 'pull' on it (They called it). When i called their support number, they sent me a set of replacement springs (for free). The effort to replace the springs on mine was MUCH harder (and there was no video :) ), but it was worth the change.

Hope it helps. Seems a shame to not have that coolness available for some Elite Pew-Pew!
Click to expand...

The thing is I need the stiffness for hard core sims like DCS A10C where the spring needs to be very tight and precise - while it makes sudden tiny movement harder a sloppy Warthog wouldn't work in both situations although it might be better for Elite but it would make flying in DCS a nightmare and having to work on my stick everytime before I can play either one again is really not the way I want to do it, the KB servers me well so far and I can keep the Warthog for the more serious games, nevertheless thank you for the link, maybe I'll need it someday.
 
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