Which joystick to get for Elite?

Spidyy

S
Hello ! I'm new and totally getting addicted to Elite Dangerous, and as such I want to invest some hardware to improve my imerssion in this beautiful game. Per say, a trackIR and a pair joystick/throttle. But I don't know what to aim for, so I ask you who must be playing with your joystick since ancient times : Please, which joystick model would you recommend that is well built to enjoy Elite to the fullest?

My criteria :
  • Not more than 300€
  • Good quality of the sensors
  • Enough buttons to use the keyboard the less possible.
 

ethelred

ethelred
Hello Commander,

I use a Saitek X52 Pro Flight System https://g.co/kgs/3St1jo

It's around £160, but you'll need to check what it goes for locally.

If you look carefully, it's the same stick as your CMDR uses in game.

Whatever you choose to use (I'm sure others will recommend what they use below) the biggest thing that helped me was using Voice Attack with a HCS voicepack. This let's you use simple voice commands for things like pip management, lights, landing gear etc meaning you very rarely have to use the keyboard for anything, unless you want to ofc.

Good hunting.
 

Ashnak

Ashnak
At that price, you'll be looking at the X-56, maybe a VKB NXT series setup. I own(ed) neither, VKB reviews and reports are somewhat more positive than the Logitech ones.

If you're lucky, you might be able to shoot a used Virpil.
 

Terekhov

Terekhov
I've experience with x-52 pro and VKB (both NXT premium and the higher end VKBs).

My x-52 pro is a recent stick (mid 2020, since. logitech purchased the product) and was awful quality - many issues. Mine is now sitting on a shelf gathering dust. I've heard things about poor reliability of Virpil not owned Virpil myself, so here-say (but from sources that I trust).

I have VKB NXT Premium (dual stick) + a. VKB THQ throttle unit on my second PC. The NXT sticks are excellent, even though they are pro version of VKBs entry level product.

On my main PC I have.Dual higher end VKB sticks and a logitech flight throttle quadrant.

What I'm thinking might be in your price range is single stick hybrid between my two setups. A rhght hand VKB NXT premium and a logitech flight throttle quadrant (about £50-60 GBP). I think that would work well. The pair would simulate a hotas setup. Whilst the logiitch throttle does not look very 'space shippy', I find it fits my hand nicely (I use the left hand lever for throttle, and span my left hand over the side of the quadrant manipulating the lever with my thumb.
 

avow555

avow555
I have been using the X52 pro since launch and in fact bought it originally when I was playing Star Wars Galaxies!
Solid stick with plenty buttons.
On my second PC I have a T1600m which is a cool stick also, no throttle for this yet though.
 

psefergr

psefergr
Spidyy said:
Could you elaborate on the T16000? Does it answer my needs that much? :p
Click to expand...
It has elite dangerous support, it is superb value for money , doesn't empty your pocket ,it has good precision and very is convenient in VR
If 300 was not a matter you should have got the warthog with throttle , the best money can buy!
 

STRONTIUM DOG

STRONTIUM DOG
for max savings and superb functionality in flight assist off mode for fine adjustments cant go wrong with a cheap wired x box controller.
but if you like the looks and feel then a hotas setup it is
coupled with voice attack and decent head tracker like IR the latter being a tad demanding on spondoolix
it makes for a very cheap viable control solution imo
 
Last edited:

Spidyy

S
And after some reviews watching, I went for the Logitech X56. Not ship feely but I really like all the buttons and switch placements. Might have to find a way to fix the throttle but appart from that, looks great. Warthog was a bit over budget and honestly intimitading. (Plus no yaw, meaning the need to buy pedals.)

Thanks for all your advices ! :)
 

d8veh

d8veh
X52 is very nice to use, as it has nice button layouts that suit the game well. The quality problems are mainly minor and can be fixed yourself if you have any diy abilities. My first one broke (yaw spring) within a year, but with 1000hrs use. Thy sent me a new one FOC, which also broke (yaw spring) after 1000 hrs, but I fixed the old one, so I could carry on playing, and I fixed the second one, so I still have a spare. These have lasted me since 2015 - probably 6000 hrs between them. Not bad for £100. I used Virpil for a couple of years, but they require permanent fixture to my desk and I don't have much room in my new house, which is why I went back to X52. X52 is more convenient.
 

wrmiller

W
Spidyy said:
And after some reviews watching, I went for the Logitech X56. Not ship feely but I really like all the buttons and switch placements. Might have to find a way to fix the throttle but appart from that, looks great. Warthog was a bit over budget and honestly intimitading. (Plus no yaw, meaning the need to buy pedals.)

Thanks for all your advices ! :)
Click to expand...
I don't think the X56 was available when I got tired of cheap sticks and just jumped into the Warthog pool. ;)

I do a lot of flight sim stuff (love the P51 in DCS), so the extra money was somewhat justified. I added a set of VKB pedals and have been happy for years. But if I was in the market for a hotas today, I'd jump all over the X56. (y)
 

d8veh

d8veh
wrmiller said:
I don't think the X56 was available when I got tired of cheap sticks and just jumped into the Warthog pool. ;)

I do a lot of flight sim stuff (love the P51 in DCS), so the extra money was somewhat justified. I added a set of VKB pedals and have been happy for years. But if I was in the market for a hotas today, I'd jump all over the X56. (y)
Click to expand...
I bet it has the same yaw spring as the X52!
 

Elfie

E
My advice for your price range; 1 vkb gladiator nxt for the left hand, keyboard for the buttons and mouse for precision aiming.
 

El Guido

El Guido
Could anyone recommend to me a HOTAS setup for anti XENO FA off and cold orbiting?
At the moment I use a Saitek X52 for everything.
Together with voice attack, it works fine for me in flight, SRV, or on foot.
Then I was desperate to get gud as a goid killer and went and blew a packet on a Lexip P94 gaming mouse.
Big waste of money, I still suck. Can't steady my aim on the flak cannons to take down the swarm. Never mind maintaining an effective cold orbit.
Whilst I'm prepared to admit that I probably need (even) more practice, I just cannot progress with the kit that I have.
 

Ashnak

Ashnak
El Guido said:
Could anyone recommend to me a HOTAS setup for anti XENO FA off and cold orbiting?
At the moment I use a Saitek X52 for everything.
Together with voice attack, it works fine for me in flight, SRV, or on foot.
Then I was desperate to get gud as a goid killer and went and blew a packet on a Lexip P94 gaming mouse.
Big waste of money, I still suck. Can't steady my aim on the flak cannons to take down the swarm. Never mind maintaining an effective cold orbit.
Whilst I'm prepared to admit that I probably need (even) more practice, I just cannot progress with the kit that I have.
Click to expand...
Well, instead of heating up a year old thread, you could have started a new one, or at least read the other threads on this theme.

Nevertheless, let me start with the (unfortunately) default first question: what's your budget?
Immediately followed by: HOTAS, HOSAS or Stick plus Omnithrottle?
The second one also goes into the direction of: do you want to put the emphasis on ED (or other spacey games), or are you more interested in flight sims and a realistic cockpit for winged aircraft?
 

Tandros Kreel

T
Spidyy said:
Hello ! I'm new and totally getting addicted to Elite Dangerous, and as such I want to invest some hardware to improve my imerssion in this beautiful game. Per say, a trackIR and a pair joystick/throttle. But I don't know what to aim for, so I ask you who must be playing with your joystick since ancient times : Please, which joystick model would you recommend that is well built to enjoy Elite to the fullest?

My criteria :
  • Not more than 300€
  • Good quality of the sensors
  • Enough buttons to use the keyboard the less possible.
Click to expand...
I pretty recently picked up the Thrustmaster T16000M FCS and am extremely happy with it. Went from a Logitech 3d Pro to that, and am kind of wishing I had made the switch years ago.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom