Saitek Cyborg Command Pad as a supplement to TM HOTAS

[GeneralDynamics]

Well folks, I was trying to sort out how to get some additional functionality out of my budget pit, and I stumbled across an old Saitek Cyborg Command Unit gamepad I had in the closet. Turns out, it worked really well for me to supplement my TM HOTAS and Helios in A-10C so I thought I'd share what I'd done for what it's worth and point out some of the features that I found very useful:

 

1. Quite inexpensive - I saw two on Ebay for $25 - $35.

 

2. Backlit, although it's hard to see in the photos because of the camera flash.

 

3. Very easy to program, even with complex key macro sequences (if you need that).

 

4. Relatively compact.

 

5. Each key profile you define has three separate sub-profiles that are selectable with a slider in the upper left corner of the device, so it's like having three separate controllers at your fingertips. Each of the sub-profiles backlights the keys with a different color, red, amber or green, so you always know which sub-profile you're using.

 

6. Has a mini joystick which can be programmed as a mouse, and you can configure keys as your two mouse buttons.

 

7. Controller is old, but if you can find one, drivers and software for Win 8.1, 8 and 7 are still available from Saitek/MadCatz.

 

Pardon the mess in the photos, work in progress. As you can see, I made a simple base out of plywood and attached it to the front of the HOTAS with the upright portion angled 40 degrees away from the throttle panel, and mounted the controller on that. I plan to take it back apart and paint the plywood black to match the rest of my little pit.

 

I've configured two sub-profiles thus far, one for mouse and keyboard functions necessary to select and start a mission, and one for functions in mission. In mission, I have all the F keys for the radio comms and various views set up, and can use the mini joystick to pan around my F2 external view for instance. I have two keys set as mouse wheel up and mouse wheel down for zooming in external views. Also set up a macro for CNTL+E+E+E on one of the keys in case I need to eject. Worked like a charm.

 

Along with Helios and the HOTAS, I never have to touch a keyboard for anything with this little controller from start to finish. Select the mouse and kbd sub-profile, get the sim up, then switch to the in mission sub-profile once you've selected your mission with a flip of the slider.

 

Because the radio knobs have issues in Helios, I plan to set up a third sub-profile and map radio increment/decrement keyboard commands for VHF AM and FM radios, and anything else that's twitchy in Helios.

 

You can also set up a shift key which doubles the functions available in each sub-profile. I think I've just scratched the surface with this little controller thus far.

 

Flying Smerch Hunt tonight, the radio comms were a snap with this controller. My main in-flight sub-profile is backlit green which looks nice with the HOTAS. Very easy to hit F2/F6/F7 and then pan around with the mini joystick.

 

Some of you guys have very elaborate setups, but for those of you that are on a budget like me (my wife says we are, anyway) I thought this might be an inexpensive way to get a lot of added functionality in a compact space if you can find this controller on Ebay. I just checked and as I mentioned there are two out there on ebay right now for $25 - $35.

 

I hope someone finds this useful - maybe there are controllers out there now that are much more full featured, but I had this one laying around and it worked very well for what I needed, so I thought I'd share.

Edited January 21, 2015 by GeneralDynamics