Haven't used a stick in years, but I used to take my flight sims quite seriously. I went through quite a few flight controllers playing Tie Fighter, Wing Commander series, Privateer 1&2, etc.
I switched to a trackball mouse to cover all my bases (for games like BF42: Forgotten Hope mod, regular use, design), and I haven't looked back. Though using it to fly planes is more difficult, due to gravity (though helis work great), for space sims it works very well.
Accuracy and response (when clean) is top notch, but using it to pilot capital vessels is less than stellar. For the big ships I have to switch to the keyboard.... otherwise my thumb wouldn't work the next day .
Doktor Teufel wrote:I haven't used a joystick for gaming for almost a decade now, but at this point, I really want to get one for use in X³. Controlling with the mouse is okay, but not really ideal for me since you have to keep scooting the mouse sideways over and over to make a long (or slow) turn, instead of just holding the cursor at the edge until you've completed the turn (like in Freelancer).
Plus, using a joystick (and perhaps throttle) adds to the fun.
Since I know next to nothing about PC joysticks at this point, which models have you tried with X³ that seem to work well (especially if they have a third axis for rolls)? I've been browsing Newegg, Amazon, and doing some general Googling for a few days now, and I just can't make up my mind.
I've been considering the Saitek X52 Flight Control System, which is a tad pricey, but also comes with a throttle and isn't nearly as expensive as some others.
The Saitek stuff is nice. I'm using a Cyborg Evo Wireless and it's nice. I opted for it over the X52 as it has a built in anologue throttle and was less than half the price. Good enough for what I need as nice as the X52 is, I couldn't justify the outlay/usage quota.
I'm using a Logitech Force 3d Pro. It is a force-feedback joystick, but is otherwise identical to a Extreme 3d Pro. I would highly recommend either one, there's enough buttons on the joystick for everything you'll need for flying around and is very responsive. It's lasted for over a year now, and is still going as strong as it was the first day.
I would recommend the non-force feedback variety over the feedback one, the extra investment is not worth it unless you've got other games that support it. The only times X3 uses it is when ramming things, and possibly when hit by missiles. I'm not sure about the missile one - I usually too distracted by the damage caused to notice which direction the stick is wanting to move. Also, the force feedback variety needs a larger dead zone. The centering spring effect is not perfect; you'll be confused as to why SETA keeps flipping off or your ship pitch drifts downwards unless the dead zone is set to about 20% in my experience.
However - M$ Flight Sim X is a much more involved experience when you can feel the stall coming on or the weight of that 747 on the stick.
I use a Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback 2. They don't make them any more sadly but I have a spare one in case my current one breaks
I can highly recommend the forcefeedback sticks because although the feedback in X3 is virtually non existant using one with feedback turned off results in a completely neutral spring free stick (assuming others behave the same way as the microsoft stick). This makes for extreme precision flying once you get used to it.
My stick performs exactly the same way with the force feedback disabled, however I dislike doing it that way. First off, the joystick itself is not properly balanced - it will tip forward with no hands on it which translates into downward loops when using keyboard menus. Secondly - flying straight and level is next to impossible without autopilot. This might not seem too bad, but I fly manually when off exploring and that little drift to the right or left that needs constant correction is annoying.
Also you can forget SETA while flying like that unless you're using autopilot; and trust me, you'll want SETA when flying thru all 120km+ of Emperor's Wisdom or similarly large system.
can u tell me how you configured the hat switch to do the straffing? I use the same joystick & 'cause I have only two fingers use of the keyboard/mouse combo is a bit hard. Maybe you could send me the profile u use.... that would make it easier.
Regards,
JB.
John Barker wrote:can u tell me how you configured the hat switch to do the straffing? I use the same joystick & 'cause I have only two fingers use of the keyboard/mouse combo is a bit hard. Maybe you could send me the profile u use.... that would make it easier.
Regards,
JB.
Given that the last post was a year ago, I rather suspect you would have been better off making a new thread.
If an injury has to be done to a man it should be so severe that his vengeance need not be feared. ... Niccolò Machiavelli
John Barker wrote:can u tell me how you configured the hat switch to do the straffing? I use the same joystick & 'cause I have only two fingers use of the keyboard/mouse combo is a bit hard. Maybe you could send me the profile u use.... that would make it easier.
Regards,
JB.
Old Thread, just in case anyone wonders why the info is (possibly) out of date. Logitech Rumblepad FTW! Nah, not really, I hear the multibutton Saitek is a better option for X3:R. Maybe X3:TC will change that...
Agree - old thread but info still can be useful, Just recently got a Saitek Cyborg EVO and it works great - red LED's for the base buttons with a blue LED on top of the button cluster, looks nice.
[XTrilogy]: Holy Argnu cows! I have found it! An asteroid of pure ore - 100% - I am rich! Now, I just need to find one like that made from silicon. hmmm, where do I want to go today?
X REBIRTH? "JUST A TOURIST until X4 IS RELEASED! Because That SUPERNOVA sure went FUBAR" (Quoting T.Hawk. Read all about it at: http://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=353678)
I'm using a Saitek Cyborg 3D Gold. and also still using mouse for some parts and keyboard for others. Its a superb stick with ten buttons, throttle, top hat toggle and twist grip for spinning into turns etc.. The only prob for me is I cant remember which button does what lol.
Its a must for my slow reactions and old man co-ordination lol.
Enjoy the good and Endure the bad as you don't know whats hiding behind the next star cluster
all you people gonig on about whats good/bad etc. I use a £2 joystick that I purchased from a Bootsale. A Logitech Attack 3. I only use the throttle control and main trigger the rest of which (10 buttons) I dont use. I'm to lazy to configure the buttons. Spending over $20/£10 on a joystick is a complete waste of money IMO. Save it to upgrade your PC for when the next X game gets released. When X3R was released I had to upgrade my PC with over £100 of hardware upgrades, guess what..... 10 days to go for X3TC and I have to upgrade my PC again.
I know what you mean. I have only recently got hold of X3 after playing X2 till I upgraded pc . The joystick was domated so not a problem but its impossible for me to be able to afford a game at new issue.
I'll probably get TC in a year or so once bugs etc are sorted and game station has it on budget shelf
Enjoy the good and Endure the bad as you don't know whats hiding behind the next star cluster
I use Logitech Wingman Attack3. Simple, effective, and very good price.
I bought one about two weeks ago.
Throttle control is just brilliant. Combined with use of mouse it is very effective for claiming capped ships.
Great for battles in my Hyperion if used with Q and E keys.
It has enough programmable keys to make life much easier. My favorite is assigning a single key for Docking Computer instead of SHIFT/0.
And yes, less than £20 sterling , around here.
The Rogue Trader wrote:Spending over $20/£10 on a joystick is a complete waste of money IMO.
I completely disagree. The 20USD I spent on a Logitech Rumblepad 2 was the best thing I bought for X3. All my fight controls are in one small spot, and I can strafe, roll, pitch, yaw, control speed, and fire all at the same time. Second best thing was a new graphics card.
The Rogue Trader wrote:Spending over $20/£10 on a joystick is a complete waste of money IMO.
I completely disagree. The 20USD I spent on a Logitech Rumblepad 2 was the best thing I bought for X3. All my fight controls are in one small spot, and I can strafe, roll, pitch, yaw, control speed, and fire all at the same time. Second best thing was a new graphics card.
ThommoHawk wrote:Agree - old thread but info still can be useful, Just recently got a Saitek Cyborg EVO and it works great - red LED's for the base buttons with a blue LED on top of the button cluster, looks nice.
The Rogue Trader wrote: Spending over $20/£10 on a joystick is a complete waste of money IMO.
That is your opinion but if you play other flight sim too that are a bit more demanding then X3 then those joystick that cost 150€ and more come into there right.
And besides an rarly use the keyboard with my fully configured X52pro.
And my dogfighting had improved quiet a bit with this stick over my old sidewinder stick.
Saitek X52 and very happy with it. Some day I will add the pedals.
One of the reasons I love X3 is its joystick support.
No car racing game would be any good with only mouse/keyboard control, the same rule applies for flight games.
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