What type of controller will you be using for Elite Dangerous
- Thread starter fikuserectus
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Mouse control is great for those instances where you need two axis movement.
I've tried mice, rollermice, xbox controllers, trackpads, rollerballs, keyboards, keypads, thumbsticks and a touchscreen so far.
The only controllable movement I've achieved so far has been with the joystick. The flight model is actually really complex with regard to the possibilities of simultaneous control, and I have fears that mice/keyboard players are going to be at a serious disadvantage.
Of course, if that is how you like to play, then go for it! This has been the only game so far I've played that I actually prefer with a joystick. I even bought one especially for it.
Being able to yaw to correct line, pitch and roll to orient, vertical/lateral thrust to maneuver all at the same time is a lot of scope.
The ideal controls for me look like this:
- Freelancer style "drag the nose" virtual joystick on the mouse. Pitch and yaw.
- WASD for vertical/lateral thrust.
- Q and E for roll.
- Target throttle on the scroll wheel.
You lose some fidelity on the keyboard controls, but with a proper "soft" sensitivity it can be almost as good. Basically if you have to hold the key down for a little bit to reach maximum roll thrust, it will be more precise.
Roll and laterals are not as important as pitch and yaw either so the lack of precision isn't so important.
You have full function and great precision with a layout like this. Unfortunately I don't know of many games implementing it. X3 I know. Ironically since I don't otherwise like X, at least the controls are good.
- Freelancer style "drag the nose" virtual joystick on the mouse. Pitch and yaw.
- WASD for vertical/lateral thrust.
- Q and E for roll.
- Target throttle on the scroll wheel.
You lose some fidelity on the keyboard controls, but with a proper "soft" sensitivity it can be almost as good. Basically if you have to hold the key down for a little bit to reach maximum roll thrust, it will be more precise.
Roll and laterals are not as important as pitch and yaw either so the lack of precision isn't so important.
You have full function and great precision with a layout like this. Unfortunately I don't know of many games implementing it. X3 I know. Ironically since I don't otherwise like X, at least the controls are good.
I think this is very do-able in the alpha. I'm using mouse pitch-and-yaw myself, with A/D to roll and W/S thrust. But the mappings you suggest sound interesting, the default vertical/lateral thrust controls are R/F and Q/E which are tricky to reach, I find, so just don't use them. I'll try your mappings.
Edit : just tried them. Unfortunately, whilst it lets you map the mouse wheel to increase & decrease throttle, it doesn't actually work. The wheel works fine to e.g. cycle through "fire groups" (pairs of weapons on hardpoints) but doesn't seem to work on the throttle. Probably a bug, I'll log it.
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No twist! Mmmmmm looking for twist as well.
going to splash some cash on this - Saitek X52 Pro Flight Control System
This looks the dog's nuts!!!!! the new X55 Pro
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I might dig out my Kraft.
Whadddya think?
Whadddya think?
It is, in my opinion.
It's the best joystick for under £45 that I've ever owned, and I've tried various ones over the years. Good sturdy solid build, the eight small rubber pads underneath the base keep it firmly in position on your desktop. Very ergonomic in design and it looks and feels like a quality bit of kit.
Also comes with two thumb rests you can fit for either right hand or left hand use, in conjunction with a switch underneath the base plate.
I've had no problems with this joystick at the moment, and I've been using it fairly constantly for over 2 years.
Jack
![[VR] Mad Mike](https://forums-cdn.zaonce.net/data/avatars/m/27/27910.jpg?1553527108){kind=avatar}
Hi, has anyone played the alpha using an old microsoft sidewinder precision 2 flightstick?
I tried a google but due to the unfortunate name of the stick (sidewinder) it is not a good search name with elite dangerous for obvious reasons.
stick here, whilst it is old, it has a few buttons, twistable grip for extra axis as well as a throttle and the 2 axis hat thing. is anything missing from it i will need?
thanks
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...Microsoft_SideWinder_Precision_2_Joystick.jpg
I tried a google but due to the unfortunate name of the stick (sidewinder) it is not a good search name with elite dangerous for obvious reasons.
stick here, whilst it is old, it has a few buttons, twistable grip for extra axis as well as a throttle and the 2 axis hat thing. is anything missing from it i will need?
thanks
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...Microsoft_SideWinder_Precision_2_Joystick.jpg
Let's start with the ooold Thrustmaster Topgun afterburner. After we'll see..
Wahoo! My x52 is on the way and might even arrive while I'm available to collect it!
Yes the X52 has an analogue mouse pointery thing (on the throttle) which works for free look. For me it's not as easy as using a real mouse but it is at least properly analogue.
Can you use a PS3 controller? It took me bloody ages to get to grips with that and feel learning to master anything else will probably take until the expansions are released....
How does that work out of interest? If you look to the right, how do you return your view to center again?
Same as with a real mouse really - navigate manually or press the "free look" control again to re-centre.
Sounds perfect! Are there quick keys to jump directly to viewing the HUD elements left/right?
Not sure to be honest, I just do it via the "UI Focus" control (mapped to the lower trigger by default), which is quick enough for me.
My plan is very similar, use the mouse for pitch and yaw, however rather than the keyboard on the left hand, will use the T.16000M on the left hand, which will have strafe up, down, left right, and on the twist will be roll. This will give more control than the keyboard. Will let you know how this goes!
UKBananas