VR, HOTAS, Voice Attack - essential commands?

[Thirith]

So far I've only put in an hour or two of flight time, but since I'm now the owner of an Oculus Rift CV1 I want to get into Elite Dangerous more seriously.

My problem is, though, that I'm a bit overwhelmed by the various command options. I know *how* to use HOTAS and Voice Attack, but lacking experience I don't know what kind of setup makes most sense. Which commands are best put on the HOTAS, which are best done via Voice Attack, and are there some where I'll best use the keyboard (or the gamepad) after all, as seems to be the case with the galaxy map?

My current thinking is to start from the Thrustmaster Hotas.X defaults (https://troynt.github.io/elite_dangerous_controls_reference/) and put the following commands on Voice Attack:

• Balance systems
• Deploy hardpoints; Deploy weapons; Retract hardpoints; Retract weapons
• Deploy heat sink
• Deploy scoop; Retract scoop
• Eject cargo
• Galaxy map
• Lights; Lights on; Lights off
• Next target
• Reset Oculus Rift
• Silent flight; Silent running; Silent
• Supercruise; Jump; Frame shift drive
• Target threat; Target nearest
• Zoom in
• Zoom in max
• Zoom out
• Zoom out max

Does this make sense? What sort of changes/additions would you suggest? And while planetfall on my part is still a long time away, what's the best option for the SRV with the setup I have?

 

[Tuub t Tute]

My advice would be go into the tutorials and keep tuning the setup until it "feels" right. Also if you use VA, you need to have a keystroke assigned, it can't pick up from joystick inputs alone.
Also, if you haven't already, add a shift function to eject all cargo to stop you hitting the single key by accident!

 

[Thirith]

That's definitely a good suggestion (especially re: "eject all"), though I'm hoping to find a good, solid basis to build on, especially with VR making it more difficult to make quick changes on the fly. There are some commands I've read about that I suspect I can do without, especially at the beginning; I'm thinking of the various targeting options, for instance, and everything that's to do with focusing on specific panels, as I can just turn and look at them to bring them up.

 

[JerryLove]

My current thinking is to start from the Thrustmaster Hotas.X defaults (https://troynt.github.io/elite_dangerous_controls_reference/) and put the following commands on Voice Attack:

• Balance systems
• Deploy hardpoints; Deploy weapons; Retract hardpoints; Retract weapons
• Deploy heat sink
• Deploy scoop; Retract scoop
• Eject cargo
• Galaxy map
• Lights; Lights on; Lights off
• Next target
• Reset Oculus Rift
• Silent flight; Silent running; Silent
• Supercruise; Jump; Frame shift drive
• Target threat; Target nearest
• Zoom in
• Zoom in max
• Zoom out
• Zoom out max

Does this make sense? What sort of changes/additions would you suggest?

Shield Cell
Landing Gear
Target Ahead
Target Hostile
Target Next [hostile]
Run [4 sys / 2 eng]
Weapons [4 wep / 2 sys]
Shield [4 sys / 2 wep]
Cycle [weapon groups]

Also think of the less common ones:
Galactic Map
System Map
Contacts
Comms

I mapped PTT and subsystem targeting to the sick. If you've got the space, I'd also map thrusters and next/prev target to HOTAS.

And while planetfall on my part is still a long time away, what's the best option for the SRV with the setup I have?

Brakes
Target Ahead
Turret
Shield
Weapons
Lights
Cargo Scoop

 

[Thirith]

Great, that gives me something to work with already. I was wondering: with respect to the SRV, would switching to the gamepad (which I can do blind) make sense? I've seen a number of threads that suggest HOTAS isn't the best option for zooming around on planet surfaces.

 

[JerryLove]

Great, that gives me something to work with already. I was wondering: with respect to the SRV, would switching to the gamepad (which I can do blind) make sense? I've seen a number of threads that suggest HOTAS isn't the best option for zooming around on planet surfaces.

I haven't found any real problem with using a joystick. Just make sure you map the turret controls the way you want them (it's possible to drive while in the turret operating it; but you need both sets of controls)

You might prefer the gamepad (and later gameplay may demand more of an SRV driver)... but I believe actual rovers are piloted with a joystick.

 

[Chaz]

I have no problems using a HOTAS with my SRV. The throttle control for speed and the stick for steering and tilt when airborne, it's quite intuitive. It also keeps everything seamless, no need to switch controllers which is more of a consideration in VR. Also your in game char still uses the same HOTAS setup in the SRV as in the ships, so sticking to a HOTAS just lends more continuity to the proceedings in terms of visual feedback and immersion. Once you have it setup to your liking it feels quite natural. Another thing is that not all the ship controls need to be remapped when in the SRV, like the menus, the inputs will still be the same. So if you swapped to a pad you'd have to do all that stuff as well. Personally I think it just makes more sense to use the HOTAS for everything.

 

[Technomancer]

All of the above suggestions are sound.

JerryLove's set-up is very similar to mine.

You'll probably figure it out as you play: "Meh, I'd rather just say, 'Landing gear' than fumble for a button." (I know you're already using that, it was just an example).

As I play, I've been adding more commands to customize the experience.

Matter of fact, I'm going to be posting the "modularized" profiles, in case there's any interest, you can just choose the profiles that interest you and import them into an existing profile. Instead of completely replacing the profile, which you might really like, and just wish you had a couple of other commands to use.

 

[TheThingIs]

for me, I only set quick action things to the joystick. Things like shield cell, heatsink, chaff etc. Also menu navigating onto a hat. Everything else is done with VoiceAttack. Unless it's right under my finger then I can't find anything with my Rift on, let VA do all the work

 

[Possum]

I originally setup all of my own commands but recently I ended up buying one of the pre-configured voice packs from hcsvoicepacks.com. I really like some of the pre-configured commands.

There were a couple that I'd never have thought of on my own like:
- Request Docking (saves quite a bit of time)
- Departure Handoff (lift 30m and retract landing gear)

Most of the important ones have already been covered.

 

[Thirith]

Thanks to all who have answered! I think I'll try to stick to HOTAS for the SRV, though if necessary I can change to gamepad pretty quickly.

Matter of fact, I'm going to be posting the "modularized" profiles, in case there's any interest, you can just choose the profiles that interest you and import them into an existing profile. Instead of completely replacing the profile, which you might really like, and just wish you had a couple of other commands to use.

I'm definitely interested. Where are you planning to post those modularised profiles? I'm still very new to the forums and haven't yet got the lay of the land.

Edit: @Possum: I like what I've seen of the voice packs, but I don't like that they don't seem to blend in all that well with the voice that's in the game already. Did that ever bother you, and if so, is there a fix?

 

[JerryLove]

I originally setup all of my own commands but recently I ended up buying one of the pre-configured voice packs from hcsvoicepacks.com. I really like some of the pre-configured commands.

There were a couple that I'd never have thought of on my own like:
- Request Docking (saves quite a bit of time)
- Departure Handoff (lift 30m and retract landing gear)

Most of the important ones have already been covered.

They use an API thing of some sort (I believe) to be able to request docking. It's not trivial to program that into Voice Attack (AFAIK)

 

[Possum]

Thanks to all who have answered! I think I'll try to stick to HOTAS for the SRV, though if necessary I can change to gamepad pretty quickly.


I'm definitely interested. Where are you planning to post those modularised profiles? I'm still very new to the forums and haven't yet got the lay of the land.

Edit: @Possum: I like what I've seen of the voice packs, but I don't like that they don't seem to blend in all that well with the voice that's in the game already. Did that ever bother you, and if so, is there a fix?

That hasn't really bothered me. In fact, I get so much feedback from the astra voice pack that I feel like it is the voice of my ship... not the in-game voice. The astra pack is more text-to-speechy than one of the celebrity packs. I barely even notice the in-game voice anymore. I guess it also helps that ASTRA is louder for me than the in-game voice.

 

[Thirith]

Is there a list of commands available online that shows me what's built into the voice packs?

 

[TheThingIs]

Verity from HCS Voicepacks is the lady who does the Elite voice so if you want it to be the same then get that one. Personally I like the different ones and switch off the in-game voice.

Thirith

If you take a look on HCS support forum then you will find a profile called Multi-Crew. It has pretty much anything and everything you could ever want it to do within Elite and if there is something specific you want or don't like then ask and it can be added for you.

 

[Thirith]

Brilliant, that's all very useful and it's also making me excited to get into the game more. I expect I'll be using Verity, though I'll check out the other options.

 

[dogbite]

Flight assists on\off commands are useful in battle. I also have added and continue to, a bunch of music mp3 that I call up by title when on long exploration trips and of course a music off command.

 

[JerryLove]

Flight assists on\off commands are useful in battle. I also have added and continue to, a bunch of music mp3 that I call up by title when on long exploration trips and of course a music off command.

Incredibly useful: but I like it on my stick.

 

[Phord Prefect]

SRV. Set up and use the Gamepad that came with your Rift. NO HOTAS. You'll thank me later.

Voice Attack. I personally don't care for the free or paid profiles for DL. Rather set up my own. Have you "Trained" your windows voice recog? Very important. Spend a half hour reading the text. Massive improvement overall.

Voice commands I use the most are, in no particular order..

1) Guns.
2) Engines.
3) Shields.

Four Pips to each.

4) Landing Gear
5) Supercruise
6) Frame Shift ( which Voice Attack doesn't like how I say it. So it's now Light Speed ). My wife laughs at me, but I don't have to repeat myself. So, NYAAH! wife. I've experimented with burping commands on beer nights. You'd be surprised how often it works! A perfectly enunciated burped "Landing Gear" that actually kicks through the command is far more awesome than said wife thinks it is. Women... *shrug * No attaboys around here for such accomplishments, I tell ya.

There's others like cargo scoop etc, but those 6 are the ones that get a ton of use. X52 Hotas has enuff buttons toggles and scroll wheels to cover the rest of my day-to-day.

Galaxy map, set up one of your thruster dial wheels to move up and down vertically on the plane. And the index finger hat to scoot around forward back left right. Stick for pitch and turn. Works great for me at least.

 

[TorTorden_VR]

I have the Kate HCS pack but I also have a Hotas capable of mapping every command I can actually think of to it.

So mostly VA is a secondary set of controls, most replacing the macro buttons on G13 or similar.
Also recommend at least figuring out the basics of making your own commands in VA and if you an HCS voice pack you can add Inn the various affirmative or negative stock remarks.

For instance I have added the toggling of orbit lines and the HUD to VA so I toggle those at will or as needed.