Using a Game Pad for the PC Version of Elite Dangerous

[MissMeYet]

I have a "standard" HOTAS/pedals setup for Elite on my gaming rig, but I also have a laptop that could be used to play on the road. I'm also not a huge fan of KB/M for this particular game. Does anyone have any experience with using a game pad of some sort on the PC version of Elite? I'm assuming there's some difference in accuracy, and maybe some manoeuvres are impossible without HOTAS, but I'd like to hear your thoughts.

Thanks

 

[missmartian]

I use a 360 controller and I'm not doing too bad. Just bind your silent running onto your keyboard, I wish I could tell you how many times I accidentally activated that whilst flicking fa on and off. But combined with a few bits on the keyboard for chaff etc you're pretty much golden.

 

[MissMeYet]

I use a 360 controller and I'm not doing too bad. Just bind your silent running onto your keyboard, I wish I could tell you how many times I accidentally activated that whilst flicking fa on and off. But combined with a few bits on the keyboard for chaff etc you're pretty much golden.

Thanks for the info. Are you using a wireless 360? Any problems with lag?

 

[goemon]

yep ... 360 controller here, too - exactly for the travelling/working abroard/laptop situation.

i might look into a "better gamepad" if somebody has a tip... with more bottuns maybe...

anyway bought one with a cable, afraid of wifi/bluetooth disconnects ad lag, and it works very nicely.

 

[missmartian]

It's wired as it's lighter than the wireless one which is good for my dinky hands.

 

[Bakerloo]

I use this with my ROG laptop. I bought it as a backup for my HOTAS but now use it pretty much exclusively (I have arthritis in my right wrist so the thumb sticks are easier for me to use). Not as much fine control obviously but it does alright. It's wireless, and I have no problem with lag.

Logitech F710

 

[Jon flint]

I use the xb1 elite controller with a chat pad attached, works a treat. No lag, and to be honest, I prefer it over my hotas setup, I find my reaction times are quicker and have a higher degree of control over my ship + it's undeniably superior to hotas for controlling the SRV!

Only complaints if have over it are, the cost! It cost as much as my x52 pro, and the fact that you need another £20 wireless dongle for it to work with pc and a £20 play&charge kit unless you can settle for using AA batteries.

not my photo, but just to illustrate, it's a snazzy looking bit of kit

 

[MissMeYet]

I use the xb1 elite controller with a chat pad attached, works a treat. No lag, and to be honest, I prefer it over my hotas setup, I find my reaction times are quicker and have a higher degree of control over my ship + it's undeniably superior to hotas for controlling the SRV!

Only complaints if have over it are, the cost! It cost as much as my x52 pro, and the fact that you need another £20 wireless dangle for it to work with pc and a £20 play&charge kit unless you can settle for using AA batteries.

http://i.imgur.com/GIg2M8A.jpg
not my photo, but just to illustrate, it's a snazzy looking bit of kit

Very nice. I don't see the keyboard thing on the site; was it a limited deal?

 

[Sup3rfluiD]

I also use the XB1 Elite controller. When used in combination with voice attack it is brilliant.
the chat pad is also handy and can be bought from the Microsoft store,
but as I hate typing I find pre bound macros triggered by VA to be quicker to use for many frequently encountered situations.

 

[buellpilot]

i might look into a "better gamepad" if somebody has a tip... with more bottuns maybe...

Don't forget you can assign multiple actions to a single button and a long hold will pop up the context menu.

i.e. I use 'A' for attack so single A press locks a target, A + left = Cycle modules , A + right = hostile target, A + up = chaff, A + down = heat sink, A + L bumper = next fire group, etc at first it can be a bit of finger fumble but if you long hold the context menu pops up to remind you of your bindings and in no time at all it becomes second nature.

If you apply button combos to enough buttons you can actually start to run out of ideas.