Whats a HOTAS

[Suter1972]

Sorry for being dumb but whats a HOTAs?

Im assuming its a flight stick of some kind. Will one of these help a noob? or should I stick with the control pad.

I haven't anywhere to 'stick it' so to speak, so it will be on my lap

 

[NVranya]

Hands On Throttle-And-Stick.

So, basically a joystick with a separate throttle.
The only one supported (atm) is the Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS 4

Note that the accompanying rudder pedals (sold seperately) are NOT supported.

Spoiler

 

[DustyArne]

controller is the second best thing, after a HOTAS.

With a HOTAS you are able to finetune your movement better. And thrust control is better. Besides this, its pretty much only great for immersion.


It doesn't make you a great pilot though.

 

[iadesdragon]

A HOTAS is a lot bigger then a DS4. Especially the Forces generated by the Springs inside the Stick is a lot higher. You sure need something to support it. Simply putting it on your Lap will not be good enough since the Hotas will Move around while you making your control inputs a mess.


Lot´s of people here use a Laptop Support from IKEA to attach the HOTAS to which seems to do a good job.

That said, playing with HOTAS is a totally different experience than using the DS4. Especially when maneuvering Large Ships in close quarters ( on the Landing Pad ) the DS4 lags the precission. After playing Eltie with Hotas on PC for quite a while a gave the DS4 a try on the first night. With my first few dockings I am sure the Habor Master of my assigned Landing Pad screamed in terror about what I did to his perfectly serviced Landing Pad , the shiny new golden Paint on that Sidey did not survive long

 

[Suter1972]

thanks guys, that explains it.

It seems it may quite an expense for what is mainly better immersion, especially when I would need to buy a lap top support as well.

(ive just sold a wheel and support stand not long ago so my wife will probably just change the locks when I go to work if I spent another £100 on a control stick)