X52 Pinkie Button

[Javert]

Is the X52 Pinkie button supposed to work as a binding in ED?

I'm sure when I first connected it up, the default was that the pinkie button would trigger headlook mode. However now it doesn't do anything, and I can't bind it to anything within the control settings.

If I go into the X52 programming app, the pinkie button responds normally, so it doesn't appear to be a hardware issue.

cheers

 

[Jenner]

Probably a 'clutch mode' issue. Try disabling that in the x52 config.

 

[number2301]

If you mean the one at the bottom of the stick, by default it's bound to 'interaction mode' to let you select the different menus.

 

[Shadowdancer]

If you have the programming software installed, you will need to disable shift mode IIRC.

Or just remove the software, that was always the better problem solver while I was still using that stick

 

[Kyennamo]

If you are talking about the pinkie "trigger button" on the stick then YES.

You can absolutely map that button to anything you damn well please. I use it as my secondary fire

 

[Baelydon]

In short, yes.

Currently, I have mine bound as my secondary weapon, and is listed in the bindings as a picture representation, as most of the other buttons/dials (etc etc) are. I've done nothing special and just double checked to make sure that the current version of the game can still detect it as it should, I unbound it & re-bound it to check.

Spoiler

In the X52 software, make sure you have the pinkie switch set to "Fallback".

Spoiler

Lastly, if you make any changes to the profile in the X52 software, make sure you save it before closing the program, and then make sure you "clear profile" and then make it active again. (in Windows, the task bar icon on the bottom right by the clock, right click on the X52 icon, then "clear profile", and then re-select the correct one.) I've made the mistake of messing with my profiles, and have forgotten to clear/reset the profile for the changes to take effect.

I hope this helps.

 

[Javert]

Hmmm - my issue is that in the software when I right click on "Pinkie", all I see is the option "Latched" which I can switch on or off.

There is also another option for "Clutch" which I think might also refer to the same switch, but even when I have this on "Fall Back" it doesn't seem to make any difference.

FYI I am using the latest X52 software which has a Logitech branding on it. I couldn't figure out how to get the Fall Back option to appear above the Pinkie. Maybe I need to just completely uninstall the software as mentioned above?

I also couldn't seem to find an option to "Disable Shift Mode" anywhere in the software either.

Edit - I have now found the option "Enable Clutch Mode" in the control panel devices, but after switching it off, it still didn't make any difference - the Saitek software seems to override it and there is no option to change to Fall Back mode for me when I right click the pinkie button in the software.

 

[metatheurgist]

The profile software precedes an other functionality. If you want the pinky switch to work as anything other than a shift for the profiler you first have to remove all the shift-modes for the profile you're using when you play E:D.

 

[Javert]

The profile software precedes an other functionality. If you want the pinky switch to work as anything other than a shift for the profiler you first have to remove all the shift-modes for the profile you're using when you play E:D.

Thanks to everyone who replied. Seems like the profiler assumes that by default you want the pinkie switch to be a shift key, even if you have cleared all profiles

This post was actually the key to my issue - I had to go into the programming software and change the view to the "grid view" where you see all the different controls in a matrix with all the different modes and shift modes. There is an option to delete an entire column, so you have to delete all the columns with a shift in them, and then change the pinkie button on mode 2 and mode 3 to fallback.

At this point you can then change the pinkie to "Unprogrammed".

Now it works.

I assume that if I wanted to I could program my HOTAS for all the different modes and shift combinations within each mode, and this would then override the controls within ED (?) but this would be quite a lot of work.

By the way whilst I'm hear, my X52 stick is squeaky - is there any issue if I put some WD40 down into it?

 

[Baelydon]

Awesome! Glad metatheurgist caught that, I had forgotten all about the shift profiles... it's been some time since I've set mine up from scratch.

As far as the squeak, if it's anything like mine, it was the black plastic part that centers the stick, the centering spring rests on it, or in between it and the stick handle. Where the shaft runs through this plastic part, when I'd move my stick even just a little, it would squeak from that area. That being said... petroleum based oils may very well cause the plastic to deteriorate and/or wear quick than they should. I myself couldn't find my little tube of graphite dry lube, so I ended up using some generic black & white chapstick!

I put some around the shaft so it would work it's way in between the plastic and the shaft... and haven't had any squeak since... which was well over a year ago! Chapstick is also petroleum based, but being more like a wax and not a liquid, it's not ~as~ likely to eat the plastic up. I've had no abnormal wear on anything since then, but I do wish I had tried graphite first. Hrm, well, my stick does have some play in it now, (again, going on almost 18 months old I think...) but I don't know if the wear is normal or sped up by the chapstick because I have nothing to compare it to. I think, to be safe, I'd try graphite first. You can always clean it out if it fails.

Good luck!

 

[Crank Larson]

By the way whilst I'm hear, my X52 stick is squeaky - is there any issue if I put some WD40 down into it?

I wouldn't recommend WD40 for that - it will work short term, but it won't last and will most likely make a mess (as it leaks out ). My X56 had the same problem, and I just used engine grease (removed the stick and liberally greased underneath). Much better movement now.

 

[Javert]

Awesome! Glad metatheurgist caught that, I had forgotten all about the shift profiles... it's been some time since I've set mine up from scratch.

As far as the squeak, if it's anything like mine, it was the black plastic part that centers the stick, the centering spring rests on it, or in between it and the stick handle. Where the shaft runs through this plastic part, when I'd move my stick even just a little, it would squeak from that area. That being said... petroleum based oils may very well cause the plastic to deteriorate and/or wear quick than they should. I myself couldn't find my little tube of graphite dry lube, so I ended up using some generic black & white chapstick!

I put some around the shaft so it would work it's way in between the plastic and the shaft... and haven't had any squeak since... which was well over a year ago! Chapstick is also petroleum based, but being more like a wax and not a liquid, it's not ~as~ likely to eat the plastic up. I've had no abnormal wear on anything since then, but I do wish I had tried graphite first. Hrm, well, my stick does have some play in it now, (again, going on almost 18 months old I think...) but I don't know if the wear is normal or sped up by the chapstick because I have nothing to compare it to. I think, to be safe, I'd try graphite first. You can always clean it out if it fails.

Good luck!

Silly question, but when you say Chapstick you mean the stuff that you put on your lips normally in winter?

Also when you say Graphite powder you mean this : https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kasp-K3005...=UTF8&qid=1504009926&sr=8-1&keywords=graphite

 

[OnePercent]

turn off your profile, for some reason profiles prevent the pinky from being used in Elite Dangerous specifically, idk why but that's how it is for me.

EDIT: seems you figured it out and I forgot about the real way to fix the issue

 

[Baton]

as for "clutch mode" this is how "i" button on the throttle works. For me from time to time the "i" button stops working, then I go to control panel, tick (or untick) the box, and it works again. Never had time to figure out what is going on, as I am usually in the middle of something important (for me it is the "boost" ).

 

[Baelydon]

Silly question, but when you say Chapstick you mean the stuff that you put on your lips normally in winter?

Also when you say Graphite powder you mean this : https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kasp-K3005...=UTF8&qid=1504009926&sr=8-1&keywords=graphite

Yes to both.

The graphite (powder) will most likely make a mess if/when you first apply it, the goal would be to get enough in between the shaft and plastic part to get everything coated...think about taking a pencil to a piece of paper, you rub that pencil all over the paper and it coats it, making it slick, but dry. Graphite is pretty much the same thing, comes in a very fine powder (as in your example)... get it in between the parts, work the stick and it'll rub onto the surfaces, creating a slick yet dry surface, usually lasts a while too. Apply, work it (hehe), then lightly blow the rest of the dust off any exposed areas.

I've used graphite on other controllers/joysticks and it's worked out ok, the chapstick thing was what was handy at the time, it was just sitting there on my desk next to my wallet & keys, figured why not, it keeps my lips from squeaking, maybe it'll work on my hotas too.

 

[metatheurgist]

I assume that if I wanted to I could program my HOTAS for all the different modes and shift combinations within each mode, and this would then override the controls within ED (?) but this would be quite a lot of work.

You can program the x52 to do the keypresses for the various keyboard bindings without actually binding the X52 itself and it would still work. Or you could just have certain buttons send phrases or greetings for the chat. Before bookmarks I'd have system names macro'd to certain buttons on mode 2 so I could just input them into the search with a press of a button on the stick.

By the way whilst I'm hear, my X52 stick is squeaky -

Everyone once in a while I polish the base of the stick (minds outta the gutter) with turtle wax (the car product). That works for a while and doesn't seem to be detrimental to the stick at all.

 

[Magic Man]

Don't use WD40 on plastic - it's not a lubricant anyway.
Don't use a chap stick neither, being that it's probably petroleum based.

A silicone based lubricant/grease is best on plastic parts.

 

[Nasc]

Edit - I have now found the option "Enable Clutch Mode" in the control panel devices, but after switching it off, it still didn't make any difference - the Saitek software seems to override it and there is no option to change to Fall Back mode for me when I right click the pinkie button in the software.

Necro post to thank you for this suggestion. You may lock now.