X52 Owners....a few questions

[Mad Dog 7.62]

I have decided to add two pieces of hardware for BS, a TIR4 and a X52 stick. I used to fly with a nice Thrustmaster setup back in the old Falcon days and I think something similar is going to be helpful in BS.

Anyone using the X52 (not Pro) have any tips? Does it seem to be best to set the functions through the sim options or using the SST software?

I saw one post where the person mentioned using the thumb slider to zoom the view and that seemed like a good idea...just looking for ideas on how best to set up the X52 for BS. Thanks for any help!!!

MD

[Feuerfalke]

Well, that more or less comes down to your presonal preferences.

 

I prefer to program the stick, as you can assign a lot of complex key-combinations to the different sticks, with very little effort.

I have mapped resetting all warnings to the E-firebutton, by recording the keystrokes. So one hasty push of the button will reset any warning.

I did the same for ejection, as I cannot repeat the keystrokes or key-presses as fast as the computer can.

 

I also use the shifted functionality a lot. It helps me to access inputs that are not used that often, but vital to be accessable in emergencies or for special situations (like switching weapons modes, jettisioning stores, adjust HUD-brightness, etc). This functionality is not accessible with the ingame programming, so for *me* ingame programming is not a satisfying option, even with the great options BS offers.

 

To the slider-zoom: Yes, that works, but depending on the calibration and the age of your stick, you might encounter jittering and that is no fun while flying. So in the worst case you have to fiddle around a lot with input-filters or axis-adjustments.

[Slayer]

It really depends on how in depth you will go on programing. With the Saitek software you have 3 modes with the mode switch that enables you to remap all the buttons to 3 different sets of commands and with the pinky button you can add another 3. This was really useful in LOMAC where you had many aircraft and many modes. I used 1 mode for navigation, 1 for A2A, 1 for A2G.

 

Saitek has recomended on their forums to use the games native interface. Not specifically this game, but in general.

 

In DCS though the situation is different. You only have 1 helicopter and everything is clickable so I don't even use the programing software. Engine starts and such I do manual because I have the TIR4 and can pan around easily and the TIR4 frees up a hat switch so that gives you another 4 buttons. If you find yourself running out of buttons then go to the software.

 

I did notice 1 peculularity though. The manual has keypresses listed like: C + LCTRL when in reality you need to use the modifier key first (any shift, alt, ctrl etc.)

[deadsmell]

Well here's the deal as far my experience. The SST tools are easy to use once you get the hang of it, but there is a serious bug in the program where if you start making changes to the profile after it has been created, the profiles starts to get corrupted, and wont perform anymore. It has happened to me several times. So what you need to do is be patient, and really think about how you want things to be on the stick, and you will have to create newer more evolved profiles, as you go, because your gonna have things you want to add or change.

 

as far as setting the thumb slider for your zoom, its simple. just change its function from axis to buttons, and then split it into 1\4 sections (it has a function to split them evenly) then program the top two sections as * and the bottom two as /.

 

you will figure it out.

[crazysundog]

Personally I use the SST software; I have a lot of things mapped. I use the clutch button as a second shiftstate, like the pinkie button, so that I have 3 modes; each with 2 shiftstates...for a total of 9 options for (almost) every button. For example; my C button is mapped to Trim (press button), Cancel Trim (hold pinkie trigger and press button), and Emergency AutoPilot Off (hold clutch and button). I have the the Fire key mapped to Uncage Shkval (press fire button), Laze Target (pinkie and fire button), and Reset Targeting (clutch button and fire button). So far I've only got Mode 1 (Nav) and Mode 2 (Attack) programmed; but soon I will try to finish mapping Mode 3 to be a cannon mode, or maybe a weapons control panel switchology type of mode.

 

I do not use the slider for zoom view, I use the up and down on Hat2.

[Kurtz]

as far as setting the thumb slider for your zoom, its simple. just change its function from axis to buttons, and then split it into 1\4 sections (it has a function to split them evenly) then program the top two sections as * and the bottom two as /.

you will figure it out.

 

Ive used this method before in other games Deadsmell, but in DCS you can assign "zoom view" in the "axis commands" without adding it to your SST profile. Its fluid action. It can also be asigned to either the X or Y rotarys on your throttle.

 

Try assigning zoom view to JOY SLIDER1, or JOY RX, or JOY RY.

 

In DCS because of the clickable pit you dont really need to assign as much to your joystick.

 

My cyclic configured similarly to the LLTM08 pic on page2 of this thread in URZE's post.

 

Link- http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=32467&page=2

 

On my throttle i use the throttle hat for the SHKVAL zoom, and Target frame, the throttle wheel is my scroll for turning knobs, wheel button for left mouse so i can click buttons in the pit, clutch=counter measures, D=LW reset, and E= route mode, ministick changes weapon stations.

 

Ive also cleared my my keypad of view commands, and offloaded the WIN key combinations there. That way i have a simple method of directing the wingmen without key combinations.

 

Offloading the WIN commands also allows me to utilize Cyborg mode "C" keys on my Saitek keyboard.

[pappavis]

I wanna use the throttle on my X52 for the collective. Which slider/Axis in BS must be assigned?

[Mad Dog 7.62]

Since BS uses so many commands that require use of a specific key like left alt or right ctrl, does using the SST software recognize the difference between left and right ctrl, alt, or shift?

 

Thanks for the info btw!

MD

[Kurtz]

I wanna use the throttle on my X52 for the collective. Which slider/Axis in BS must be assigned?

 

Go>game options>controls>drop down menu>axis commands>clear slider1 from collective>assign JOY RZ

 

If you want to have a heli pull type collective>choose axis tune>invert

 

Now your slider1 is free, you may want to asign it to "zoom view" in the axis commands, and invert if you like.

[crazysundog]

The SST does not recognize RightShift; all the others are fine...

 

To work around this issue, I substituted RShift for the Application (Right Windows) key in the game options... there are not that many commands to change!

[deadsmell]

cool, lot of good ideas in here guys!

 

I was thinking earlier, and I think what I might try to do is rearrange, or reconfigure the keyboard commands alot. I am still not sure if actually looking around and clicking is going to go so well for me, but if i could say set all the buttons on the num pad to operate say a certain section of buttons in the cockpit, or whatever, then i could just use my keyboard as a virtual cockpit thingy, sorry I worded this horribly, but im trying to make dinner and type at the same time.

 

you guys get wha tim saying though right?

 

oh yeah, i wanted to ask how to make the clutch into another shift state? I remember reading that it can be done, but i dont remember how.

Edited November 23, 2008 by deadsmell