In case you haven't heard, Microsoft have a new controller inbound, the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller (afaik nothing to do with Elite: Dangerous 
)
The main reason I am excited is the extra paddles on the back. I was JUST thinking that the Xbox controller should have these literally today. Sometimes your prayers are answered instantly
I have a flightstick+hotas and they are great. Took a while to get used to but overall, it's much better flying with such a setup. For immersion, for control, because it's natural, because it's easier.
But flightsticks are big and clunky. My desk-space is limited so I have to set them up each time I play and put them away after. When they are there, I have no room for the keyboard so that's annoying. They can hurt my wrist as it's hard to get the right alignment and elbow-grounding necessary. I have to sit upright, in a specific position the entire play time. So for these reasons, I don't always use the flightstick, and often prefer the comfort and portability of a controller. Plus I'm probably still more used to piloting with a controller (shame on me).
So yeah, now a controller is coming out with ENOUGH controls to properly fly. What was the main thing missing? Controls for lateral thrusters! No matter how you arrange it, it is simply not possible to have yaw, pitch, roll and all 3 lateral thruster dimensions assigned in such a way that you can do them all at the same time, and certainly no way to do that and still have spare "fingers" for shooting, power management, targeting etc.
So with the Elite Controller, that's going to be a piece of cake. I'll finally be able to play FA-off with a controller as well, finally be able to have full maneuvers at the ready for combat.
Only down side is that it's going to be $150, the price of a good flightstick/hotas
Well, have till October to save up
)The main reason I am excited is the extra paddles on the back. I was JUST thinking that the Xbox controller should have these literally today. Sometimes your prayers are answered instantly
I have a flightstick+hotas and they are great. Took a while to get used to but overall, it's much better flying with such a setup. For immersion, for control, because it's natural, because it's easier.
But flightsticks are big and clunky. My desk-space is limited so I have to set them up each time I play and put them away after. When they are there, I have no room for the keyboard so that's annoying. They can hurt my wrist as it's hard to get the right alignment and elbow-grounding necessary. I have to sit upright, in a specific position the entire play time. So for these reasons, I don't always use the flightstick, and often prefer the comfort and portability of a controller. Plus I'm probably still more used to piloting with a controller (shame on me).
So yeah, now a controller is coming out with ENOUGH controls to properly fly. What was the main thing missing? Controls for lateral thrusters! No matter how you arrange it, it is simply not possible to have yaw, pitch, roll and all 3 lateral thruster dimensions assigned in such a way that you can do them all at the same time, and certainly no way to do that and still have spare "fingers" for shooting, power management, targeting etc.
So with the Elite Controller, that's going to be a piece of cake. I'll finally be able to play FA-off with a controller as well, finally be able to have full maneuvers at the ready for combat.
Only down side is that it's going to be $150, the price of a good flightstick/hotas
Well, have till October to save up
