Joystick Selection

[strude]

Hi people

I'm comming back from a break from X3 and looking forward to getting into some simulated space. Only problem is I'm a fan of using the joystick to control my ship, and my new system doesn't support the old gameport joystick I used to use.

So now I'm looking for another, and asking for model suggestions and comments from people who use a joystick to play. I'll be pretty much using the stick only for X3, as I don't play any other games that lean towards joystick support. I know force feedback was flaky at best initially, is that still the case?

Any suggestions, comments and complaints about different joysticks are welcome.

Simon

[wathman00]

the market for joysticks has shrunk somewhat, I was in a similar situation a few weeks ago. I went with a Logitech Attack 3 since that was the best one my local Best Buy carried that was within my price range. I used to have a Saitek Cyborg EVO which was nice, it did have problems with axis calibration between gameplays, but that was it. I wanted to get another Saitek, though the only one they had was a fancy $100 one with lots of bells and whistles, a seperate hand throttle too... wouldn't work well for me since I prefer left hand for joysticks.

The logitech I use now works well, doesn't have a z-axis for rolls that I kind of miss, but I just use the q/e keys when dogfighting now. no POV hat either, but didn't use it much when I used the EVO either.

As for force feedback, I would have loved to get one, but couldn't find one locally and didn't want to wait for a mail order.

[LeeE]

I use a saitek X52 and find it really good...only ever have to touch the keyboard to name ships, everything else is assigned to a button and the separate throttle makes combat a lot easier...

if you do go for one chuck me a pm if you want a profile for x3 ready set up, saves some time getting it playing

[nirwin]

I'll reinforce LeeE's suggestion.

I too own the X52 and it is a dream. I only use it for X3 but it was still well worth the money, it adds a real sense of immersion to the game (for me). Pretty much everything I do is done via the joystick (it is a HOTAS after all), and the only time I need my keyboard is to rename things or use the script editor.
The fact that the keyboard becomes largely useless once you have this joystick is a fortunate one, because quite frankly my desk does not have room for both.
One of the major advantages of the X52 is the sheer programmability of the device. If you regularly perform some action that you feel is cumbersome or longwinded, just assign it to a joystick button as a Macro, and you can then perform said task at the click of a button.

The only problems with it in my eyes are the lack of Force Feedback, and the fact that you can easily become obsessive about the setup, and although powerful, the software to set up the controls is... a little tricky at times (strafing was a bit weird to get sorted).

Benefits of the stick IMO are:
Sturdy, I've had mine a while now and it's in great condition still.
Centering, let go if the joystick and that heavy-duty spring makes sure your ship won't start listing in any direction.
Style, cool flashy lights, and a real HOTAS look.
MFD, the display on the throttle, which is fantastic for reminding yourself which button does what.
And finally, it has a safety cover over one of the buttons. A safety cover!!! Even if you don't really need to use it, it is cool, no matter what anybody says. I have that button mapped to launch missile (obviously) and eject (don't want to do that whilst tackling the Xenon. Still need a use for it on mode 3 though....

Good luck with your decision.

[simonnance]

you really have to use an X52 to experience the speed at which you can do different tasks.

I can order my wingmen to attack (hat switch), target the nearest enemy (joystick switch), turn and accelerate to towards it (x/y axis & throttle), hit the afterburner (throttle button), flip my weapon loadout (throttle hat), change missile selection (throttle slider), fire a missile (joystick button), strafe (joystick hat), change target (joystick button), fire another missile, and then open up with guns (trigger) pretty much instantly without having to move my hands off the controls.

[Gweenz]

Hi everyone

I picked this game up when the price on Steam dropped to $9.99 (best gaming bargain EVER) and have been loving it. Great game, great community.

I've got a Saitek X45 (and an x36 previous to that) that's 7 or 8 years old, I pulled it out recently to try it with X3 but it's got some sticky key/calibration issues that I can't seem to get worked out, and the darn thing doesn't want to center anymore without futzing with deadzones. Anywhoo, I've decided to get an x52.

My question is, how do you handle strafing? Long ago in X-Wing Alliance I set a button as a strafe "modifier", that is, when the button was held down the joystick was used to strafe in all directions. This worked OK, but the limitations to it are obvious; I want to be able to turn and strafe at the same time.

To the person offering an x52 X3 profile, I'd love one. I've spent waaay too much of my time setting up Saitek profiles =/

[pjknibbs]

The "sticky button" might actually be the Saitek's MODE switch, which constantly sends signals to the game; if that's the case, then getting an X52 won't help because it has exactly the same system. Try having a search in the Tech Support forum for this issue, because it's come up many times and there IS a fix (it involves using -ignorejoy X on the command line, where X is the number of the joystick button to ignore; you'd need six of these for buttons 9 to 14).

[simonnance]

Hi everyone
My question is, how do you handle strafing? Long ago in X-Wing Alliance I set a button as a strafe "modifier", that is, when the button was held down the joystick was used to strafe in all directions. This worked OK, but the limitations to it are obvious; I want to be able to turn and strafe at the same time.

bind an 8-way hat switch to the strafe directions

[Gweenz]

The "sticky button" might actually be the Saitek's MODE switch, which constantly sends signals to the game; if that's the case, then getting an X52 won't help because it has exactly the same system. Try having a search in the Tech Support forum for this issue, because it's come up many times and there IS a fix (it involves using -ignorejoy X on the command line, where X is the number of the joystick button to ignore; you'd need six of these for buttons 9 to 14).

The problem wasn't with the game persay but with the stick itself. I just plugged it back in so I could remember exactly why I shelved the thing over a year ago, it seems the rotary on the throttle (thumb one) isn't working properly and won't calibrate. So, if I could somehow disable that rotary I might be in business, I'd just have to put up with the non-centering stick and rudder =/ I suppose I could physically disable that rotary by taking it apart and cutting a wire or 2, but I would rather do it through software if possible. Does the rotary have a button # assigned to it?

Edited to fix quote

[edammer]

I'm using a Logitech RumblePad 3.

Plenty of buttons to configure and 2 analogue sticks for direction and strafing.

Not a proper joystick though.

[alpharomeo81]

I use Microsoft Sidewinder. Perhaps not as cool looking, but it has worked fine to me, without those calibration problems for years.

[em3e3]

I've got both the Logitech RumblePad 2 corded and cordless models. Both work well, but I find myself going to the keyboard more often than I'd like to. But flying/dogfighting is so much easier now!

[pjknibbs]

I use Microsoft Sidewinder. Perhaps not as cool looking, but it has worked fine to me, without those calibration problems for years.

The OP wants to buy a new joystick...not going to be easy for him to buy a Microsoft Sidewinder considering they stopped making them years ago!

[Premier2k]

I use Logitech Xtreme 3D Pro, and I love this joystick! I use it for Microsoft Flight Simulator X and X3 and can't praise it enough!

Just my 2 cents....


Premier2k

[natha]

After 10 days of playing X3 i decide to buy an X52 myself. It isn't only the great number of keys and operations that joystick has, but mostly the feeling that you realy fly .... great stuff.

[jaguarskx]

You know, it's been a long time since I played a game with a joystick. I think the last game was X-Wing: Alliance.

I've played X2 with a mouse and I am currently playing X3 with a mouse. I think it's time to switch back to a joystick.

Since I am left-handed, I cannot use the Saitek X52 or the CH Products 200-571 Fighterstick. Besides, it seems some people are having issues with the X52 anyway. Therefore I am looking for a good, sturdy joystick with plenty of buttons and twist control for the rudders. I may decide to buy feet peddles later.

Suggestions are appreciated. Thanx.

[Harlock776]

Being left handed doesn't affect me using my x52 at all. Lefties can simply put most of the functions over on the throttle so all the complex stuff can be done while the right hand is busy flying without confused thumbs.

I've had my X52 since july of last year, I bought it from a local big box store because I had read a lot of stuff here and there about how x52 breaks easily but so far I've had ZERO problems with mine. Who knows maybe the store owned units are genuine and the units on the net only stores have some strange reason why they are slightly cheaper? I dunno but mine is still workin.

I didn't like the thumb wheels on the throttle of the x52pro they seemed to be much harder to adjust during combat because it takes additional effort besides using my left thumb to move them but the wheels on the standard x52 are bigger and easier to move.

I had an x45 for the longest time and it took a few months to get used to that rudder not being under the throttle anymore.

Oh also those rudder pedals are not as easy to use as they appear to be. I used to have some thrustmaster pedals years ago and all they did was slide around on the floor no matter what I did to them even on carpet. It would be nice to see some pedals that need to be pushed down like a car gas pedal instead of twisting a bar left and right. Push down one pedal and the other pops up like they are on a seesaw lol. that would eliminate a lot of the sliding around thing.

[pjknibbs]

I have a Saitek Cyborg Evo, and all the stuff which is specific to one hand (mainly the wrist support at the bottom of the handle) can be removed and switched to the other side for left-hookers. I'd be surprised if they didn't provide a similar option on their more expensive joysticks!

[simonnance]

actually, the X52 is righty-only...... adjustable grip size, but the throttle assembly is too complicated to reverse, and the grips are moulded specificaly for righties.

I'm a lefty who flies with my right hand, so it isnt a big deal for me though.

[nirwin]

I'm also a leftie who flies with my right hand. I think with the X52 it makes little difference, both hands need a lot of control because they have buttons to press, sliders to move, throttles, attitude, yaw etc. to adjust.
As far as holding the joystick goes I think you should be able to get comfortable doing it with either hand, after all, you could use the throttle with either hand right? (if it wasn't moulded for a specific hand) Maybe I'm just a little ambidextrous.