What do you use as mouse when flying?

[Ala12Rv-watermanpc]

Hi guys!, may sound stupid, but I have seen lots of videos out there where people using track-ir look at some place of the cockpit and INSTANTLY (some times even in the middle of a manouver) use the mouse over clickable switches/bottons on the cockpit :huh:...how the hell are they doing that??

 

I mean, when I fly, I have to stop grabbing the stick (Im right handed) to grab the mouse so there are no control over the plane in those seconds wich is "dangerous" in many critical moments...I have tried using mouse with the left hand so I dont have to drop the stick but...:lol:...no way :D

 

 

I could use the mouse in the X52, but I tried once and its just unreliable/unusable...so am I missing something here?? or its just a matter of practice??

[Vitormouraa]

I use the stick with the right hand, but believe or not, I can fly with the left hand while I use the mouse with the right hand. :)

 

Of course it's not the same but I don't have to use the autopilot all the time (A-10C is an exception because the AP is very easy to engage and disengage)

Edited November 18, 2016 by Vitormouraa

[Aginor]

I am also right handed but I have gotten used to using a mouse with my left hand, and that's how I click stuff.

Perhaps not as quickly as some guys, and not as quickly as with my right hand, but fast and precise enough to flick switches in DCS.

[QuiGon]

I use the stick with the right hand, but believe or not, I can fly with the left hand while I use the mouse with the right hand. :)

 

Of course it's not the same but I don't have to use the autopilot all the time (A-10C is an exception because the AP is very easy to engage and disengage)

 

Same :)

[firmek]

I am also right handed but I have gotten used to using a mouse with my left hand, and that's how I click stuff.

Perhaps not as quickly as some guys, and not as quickly as with my right hand, but fast and precise enough to flick switches in DCS.

I've started to come to conclusion that this is probably the way to go - keep the right hand on the stick and use left hand to operate the mouse. The only reason why I didn't try it is that I've organized and pinned all of my cables together and don't want to ruin it.

Then however, usually if there is a need to operate a switch during the flight the best way to go is probably to map it to the HOTAS or asign it to an easy (one letter) keeboard shortcut which can be operated quicker than trying to hit something with mouse run by left hand.

[Ala12Rv-watermanpc]

Haha, I forgot to mention that I also use to control the plane with the left hand while using mouse with the right hand :)...using mouse with the left hand is a no no for me. So seems like there is not any "magical" solution for this...it would be great to have a little and clickable trackball into the stick being controlled by the thumb...

[Vitormouraa]

using mouse with the left hand is a no no for me.

 

Yeah same here.

 

But yes, it all depends on what kind of setup you are used to.

[Ala12Rv-watermanpc]

Yeah same here.

 

But yes, it all depends on what kind of setup you are used to.

 

Yes, you are right...but damn!, I have seen really fast guys using the mouse in the cockpit :shocking: guess I need a lot of training :P

[Dahlbeck]

Would it be possible to bind the mouse button function to a HOTAS button, then leave the mouse cursor somewhere on the screen and aim it using TrackIR?

[BadHabit]

Having the mouse on your right hand would be no problem if the stick is on the center. Then your left hand will not be that hard to maneuver with it. Viper style set up with mouse in thw right is a bit tricky

 

Sent from my HUAWEI G510-0100 using Tapatalk

[The Legman]

I have it that way: Throttle left, Joystick Center, Mouse right. In front of me on the tray of the desktop (it is a large tray, as wide as the table). The joystick on the center has helped me a ton to fine control but reaching the mouse is trivial.

[BadHabit]

So your problem is reaching it, not using it. Maybe an extension on your arm chair would help you.

 

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[Ala12Rv-watermanpc]

Would it be possible to bind the mouse button function to a HOTAS button, then leave the mouse cursor somewhere on the screen and aim it using TrackIR?

 

I think this is a good idea, but some places of the cockpit would be really hard to reach...but not bad idea, could work :thumbup:

 

Having the mouse on your right hand would be no problem if the stick is on the center. Then your left hand will not be that hard to maneuver with it. Viper style set up with mouse in thw right is a bit tricky

 

Sent from my HUAWEI G510-0100 using Tapatalk

 

Yeah, thats another point, I use the stick in the right side, so F-16 style :P, and cant change it so its very hard to manage the mouse when manouvering at the same time...

[BadHabit]

There are some nice gadgets mouse/wheels that some ppl use. Could.be puted on the throttle side. But i believe would.take time to get used to.

 

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[Deezle]

I really hate using the mouse while flying, it's why I bought Cougar MFDs and started making my own panels.

[grunf]

I hold the stick with my left hand when I have to use the mouse, which I try to avoid while flying by having as much buttons and switches mapped to my hotas as possible.

 

I would have no problem using the mouse with my left hand (in fact I'm doing it right now on my laptop because its more comfortable due to the way I sit), but I don't have enough room at my desktop table, so I keep the mouse on the right of my stick.

[Zimmerdylan]

I use the mouse with my left hand but I set it on a milk crate along with my HOTAS. I put my joystick between my legs. It's kind of a makeshift cockpit that didn't cost me anything to make.

 

[MikeMikeJuliet]

This was actually discussed in a couple of VR-wishlist threads, sort of. Point is, we should have a bunch of alternative mouse-modes. One thing that might help in your particular case, would be a sticky mouse, that would automatically go to the nearest switch if close enough.

 

The threads we discussed the methods in are here:

https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=168826

https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=173329

 

Regards,

MikeMikeJuliet

[Ala12Rv-watermanpc]

Thanks for the info, very interesting!!:thumbup:

[NeilWillis]

I use all the input facilities I can, like using Voice attack to issue verbal commands for radios, and having a good HOTAS. So, while "mousing" when flying is a compromise, by using all the available ways of interacting, you can minimize the awkwardness of swapping hands on the stick and reaching for the mouse by only having to do so for less essential functions.

 

With some planning and fore thought, you can make things a lot easier to accomplish.

[MikeMikeJuliet]

A good hotas would include all functions that you might need in combat in a pinch. Remember that in most aircraft you need to use some systems with the right hand and so need to control the aircraft with the left, but this should not be the case amidst combat... at least in more modern aircraft.

 

Given that cockpit ergonomics were invented from the problems of some WW2 aircraft, it could well be that still many cold war aircraft may not be super ergonomic to use, forcing you to use your right hand for critical functions.

 

Regards,

MikeMikeJuliet

[Ala12Rv-watermanpc]

A good hotas would include all functions that you might need in combat in a pinch. Remember that in most aircraft you need to use some systems with the right hand and so need to control the aircraft with the left, but this should not be the case amidst combat... at least in more modern aircraft.

 

Given that cockpit ergonomics were invented from the problems of some WW2 aircraft, it could well be that still many cold war aircraft may not be super ergonomic to use, forcing you to use your right hand for critical functions.

 

Regards,

MikeMikeJuliet

 

I tried using the nipple in my X52 pro as a mouse in cockpit and while it worked acceptable, and allowed me to keep hands in the hotas, it was a bit hard to control in busy situations like in combat...

[MikeMikeJuliet]

I tried using the nipple in my X52 pro as a mouse in cockpit and while it worked acceptable, and allowed me to keep hands in the hotas, it was a bit hard to control in busy situations like in combat...

 

That tends to be a problem. The only two things I can recommend at this point are:

Try to map all controls to your HOTAS that you might need during combat

and

Try to learn the rythm in which things happen in combat. If you can use the systems while you have a short breather, you don't have to click switches in the most intence moments. In AG operations for example, you can set up your weapon systems after breaking from the last run, before turning back in. This way you don't have to fiddle with the mouse while you should aim.

 

Regards,

MikeMikeJuliet

[BitMaster]

Now even add VR goggles to the disaster and you cant even find your mouse on the desk without raising the googles ;)

 

I am both handed with the mouse, that is no problem, but still, fumbling with the mouse in a dogfight is BAD, you need all that on your Hotas, instantly. All the rest can remain clickable by mouse, but get the core things to stick and throttle.

 

Still, you will have to find and make compromises, no doubt.

[Ala12Rv-watermanpc]

That tends to be a problem. The only two things I can recommend at this point are:

Try to map all controls to your HOTAS that you might need during combat

and

Try to learn the rythm in which things happen in combat. If you can use the systems while you have a short breather, you don't have to click switches in the most intence moments. In AG operations for example, you can set up your weapon systems after breaking from the last run, before turning back in. This way you don't have to fiddle with the mouse while you should aim.

 

Regards,

MikeMikeJuliet

 

Yeah, you are right, since that experience, I use to map all things I can to the hotas and directly in the joy's software so I can change between 1.5/2.0 no problems and just use the mouse for not very common things.

 

Now even add VR goggles to the disaster and you cant even find your mouse on the desk without raising the googles ;)

 

I am both handed with the mouse, that is no problem, but still, fumbling with the mouse in a dogfight is BAD, you need all that on your Hotas, instantly. All the rest can remain clickable by mouse, but get the core things to stick and throttle.

 

Still, you will have to find and make compromises, no doubt.

 

I can imagine the VR mess :D, with it, it becomes even more important to have a nice hotas and map as many things as possible...some kind of tracking gloves would be a dream, so we would be able to click things directly into the cockpit :happy: