Using a gamepad as a throttle.

[JRok]

Hello all,

I've been on the fence in regards to getting a CH Pro Throttle to go with my CH Combatstick as I've made it this far without. I don't really care about all the extra buttons, etc as I've pretty much got everything covered with the Combatstick and I can use the shift button to switch roll to yaw on the fly, I just can't do simultaneous combinations of roll and yaw... so being only concerned with yaw and throttle for combat, I really didn't want to buy pedals to accompany the throttle. The throttle does have a mini-stick, but I thought... what about the mini-stick on a gamepad?

Sooo... I picked up an Xbox style gamepad for Windows and just using the left stick with my thumb (Y=throttle and X=yaw) and it's works pretty well. The way that I have it set up, the throttle doesn't work in super-cruise, but I just revert back to my Combatstick's throttle and it's on-the-fly yaw adjustment for lining up nav points.

Anyway... I might end up with a two joystick setup eventually, but I was just wondering if anyone else had tried a gamepad for this?

 

[IndigoWyrd]

I'm currently using a Logitech 3d Pro fight stick along with a PS4 DualShock 4 controller (I hate the XBox controller design), and it works beautifully for me. I use the left analog stick to navigate my menus, and the right analog stick as a throttle, which works in Supercruise just fine.

I also use the PS4 controller for driving around in my SRV, and it works wonderfully there too.

I'm planning to pick up a CH Pro myself, along with a switch controller, one of those obnoxious gaming pads, and possibly a set of pedals too.

For all the things Elite doesn't, it does do controller options very well.

 

[Truesilver]

I use my left hand for up/down thrust, yaw and a ton of other stuff.

I considered using a gamepad over a keyboard for my left hand but I just couldn't justify the loss of the number of possible inputs by the benefit (if any) of analogue.

 

[JRok]

I was never completely fond of the Xbox controllers either, but in this case, I have large hands and my Playstation type controller was awkward for me to manipulate the left stick holding it one-handed. This was never really a problem when I was using the controller by itself with other games. Anyway, the reason why I chose the Xbox controller is that my thumb just falls naturally were the left stick is, but yes either can work.

In playing with this setup more, I was pleasantly surprised how well it works for landing. I had always fought my joystick's throttle when landing until I found out about the forward only option. Anyway, my mind is still leaning towards dual joysticks, but it will be fun playing with this for now.