What type of controller will you be using for Elite Dangerous

k10

k10
I recently bought into the alpha, I have a w8 PC with a logitech g710+ keyboard and a corsair gaming mouse. just adding my experience(s).
I started with the keyb/mouse and immediately felt I wasn't getting the turn rates from the mouse I should be getting. so I looked into alternatives and decided to try the xbox 360 for windows controller. I'm not a current console controller user which might be why I found my movements over-amplified to the point I was unable to hit anything. the throttle requiring constant application on the right thumb was impossible for me also.
next I dug around in the cupboards and pulled out an old saitek X45, a predecessor to the x52/pro. software support was via an old calibration utility which seemed to work. however, pitch/roll were no better than the keyb and still my actions were over-amplified/inaccurate.
so I went back to the keyb/mouse and have been improving. target tracking is getting better, I've started to use a & d for improved tracking now and will be starting to used w/s (accel/decel) more as I get more comfortable.
generally I've found that I only have to point the mouse a touch to get the direction I need so it's been a learning experience to reduce my mouse movements. this has also reduced fatigue from over mousing/gripping too hard. the turn rates didn't improve, I just started getting better at fine control and economy of movement.
I've purchased a used x52 which I will try out. I'm hoping driver support & calibration software will improve my experience over the x45. I don't doubt a hotas setup with everything mapped would be great.
I read that some players think that keyboard/mouse use needs to be nerfed so it is never as good as controllers. to me, that's absurd unless I'm mis-reading the intent. having tried three methods myself, keyb/mouse doesn't make the game easier but it does allow me to use methods I'm most familiar with.
In order of comfort/ease of use for me (worst last): keyb/mouse, x45 and finally xbox 360 for windows controller.
no claims whatsoever about what is best for anyone else.
 

Rog

Rog
Hi k10, and welcome to the forums! :)

Interesting take on the controller thing, have to wait for beta here to see what suits (me), so thanks for the info.

BTW, if that's an X52 (non pro) you've bought, and there are any dead-zone issues, there's a fairly simple fix HERE.
 

Zieman

Zieman
k10 said:
I read that some players think that keyboard/mouse use needs to be nerfed so it is never as good as controllers. to me, that's absurd unless I'm mis-reading the intent. having tried three methods myself, keyb/mouse doesn't make the game easier but it does allow me to use methods I'm most familiar with.
Click to expand...
I think it is more about balancing control methods, so no single method is clearly superior than the rest, thus "forcing" everyone to use it. 'Nerfing' the yaw from "the usual (FPS, and sadly FE2/FFE) insta-turn" to slow "fine tuning your aim tool" has caused some ripples in the teacup. IMHO the design decision was good, coming from pure pitch/roll Elite the current control scheme felt "right" from the first moment.
 

Bikerix

B
Toggit said:
Have any Alpha testers had any success with a Saitek FLY 5?
Click to expand...

Interested in this one as well, bought it a few weeks ago just in case the keyboard and mouse proves difficult.:rolleyes:

But for reference according to the latest alpha 3 testing ED is very playable with mouse.:eek:

so its literally a preference.
 

metanoia

metanoia
Bikerix said:
Interested in this one as well, bought it a few weeks ago just in case the keyboard and mouse proves difficult.:rolleyes:

But for reference according to the latest alpha 3 testing ED is very playable with mouse.:eek:

so its literally a preference.
Click to expand...

I had a FLY 5 that I bought for Elite, turned out it was faulty, before I realised that I searched to see what I was doing wrong, turned out lots of people had the same problem (my ship was constantly going right). So it's worth checking out in another game to make sure it it's ok.
 

Bikerix

B
sounds like maybe ED designers have made a game of which no method is superior, if they have this is a clever design and a step forward in leveling the playing field.
But there is only one way to find out, I am hopping on hot bricks for Beta testing to get underway.
 

Bikerix

B
metanoia said:
I had a FLY 5 that I bought for Elite, turned out it was faulty, before I realised that I searched to see what I was doing wrong, turned out lots of people had the same problem (my ship was constantly going right). So it's worth checking out in another game to make sure it it's ok.
Click to expand...

Mmmm! interesting, thanks for the info.

there must be some calibration software somewhere as I don't play flight simms.

I will have a look through some bundled software c*ap and see if there is anything I can test it on.
 

HaB1971

H
Pity I can't use this
figure29.png
 

Ulysses_W

Ulysses_W
The problem I'm having with the FLY 5 is that even though I select it as my controller of choice from the Options menu I get zero response when entering the game. nada, zilch, nowt. It's like it's not plugged in even though I can calibrate it. Odd.

Anyway, I've just ordered an X52. Lets see if that's any better.
 

Bikerix

B
HaB1971 I don't see why not, although function may be limited; :)
up, down left, right, fire canons, fire rockets.

Who wants to look around the cockpit anyway, that's what a keyboard is for.

In fact I think it would be a great video, see how far I can get using this joystick.

Ah, I remember the day's of the first Atari console.:rolleyes:

GO FOR IT!!!
 
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Bikerix

B
Toggit said:
The problem I'm having with the FLY 5 is that even though I select it as my controller of choice from the Options menu I get zero response when entering the game. nada, zilch, nowt. It's like it's not plugged in even though I can calibrate it. Odd.

Anyway, I've just ordered an X52. Lets see if that's any better.
Click to expand...

Have you voiced the issues with ED Development section?

:rolleyes:not teaching grandmother to suck eggs or anything:rolleyes:

but its the point of alpha and beta testing
 

Gibbonici

Gibbonici
Bikerix said:
HaB1971 I don't see why not, although function may be limited; :)
up, down left, right, fire canons, fire rockets.

Who wants to look around the cockpit anyway, that's what a keyboard is for.

In fact I think it would be a great video, see how far I can get using this joystick.

Ah, I remember the day's of the first Atari console.:rolleyes:

GO FOR IT!!!
Click to expand...

I remember seminal space shooter Star Raiders on the old Atari. It even came with it's own keypad peripheral for extra functionality. Pre-Elite it was exactly like flying a real space ship in the future.
 

k10

k10
Toggit said:
from the Options menu I get zero response when entering the game. nada, zilch, nowt.
Click to expand...
maybe when in the options menu you need to map in the joystick movements by clicking on the right hand box for each control (direction) you wish to assign to the joystick and then prodding the joystick up/down button (whatever).
(sorry if you might have done this already).
 

Ulysses_W

Ulysses_W
Bikerix said:
Have you voiced the issues with ED Development section?

:rolleyes:not teaching grandmother to suck eggs or anything:rolleyes:

but its the point of alpha and beta testing
Click to expand...

Thats a valid point, but to be honest, I think the fault is with my setup, and not the Alpha. It's an old joystick that has since (apparently been upgraded according to the Mad Catz site). and I'd like to confirm that before submitting a ticket.
 
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