Controllers

[Wolf85]

Hello, I am new here. I really love DCS: BS! But I play with a Thrustmaster Afterburner. The rudder is on the Z axis of the stick OR a handrudder on the throttle. Now I read more and more about the X52 and the Saitek pedals... Is this worth buying? Anyone playing with these? Wat are the pros about the stick and the pedals?

[delevero]

pedals

 

Hello.

 

I can recommend pedals for Black shark...

I had a saitek x52 before

( today i have a logitech g940 system with everything )

The reason why i changed was that black shark is quite demanding on the rudder and if i should twist my joystick again and again while flying for a long time my hand would hurt sometimes. So by using pedals i dont have to "fight" with the joystick twisting it again and again, now its much more relaxing to fly.

 

But its a little more difficult to fly with pedals you dont have the same precision as with the joystick, but if you practice you can become good.

 

Flying the ka50 is alot about "trimming"... so every time you make a manuver you have to press the trim buttom els you could easy end up "fighting" and using energy flying the helicopter rather than "relaxing" and flying the helicopter... it make a difference when you are flying long missions... But it take some practice the ka50 is difficult to fly compared to other flight sims.

 

So lign up the helicopter with the joystick and pedals and the press "trim" then fly..... after that you can release the pedals and almost the joystick and the helicopter will fly rembering your last joystick and pedals setting.. :thumbup: Trimming is highly recommended

[Frederf]

Your HOTAS controller should be fine. The X-52 isn't all that great. If you really want to compare them then look up the real Ka-50's cyclic and collective sticks in the manual and see if your Thrustmaster has enough buttons in the right places to reasonably replicate the Ka-50's equipment.

 

Rudder pedals, CH, Saitek, whatever are quite nice. It gives you a lot more control instead of overcrowding your hands which are doing plenty already. The Ka-50 doesn't have toe brakes so a simple 1-axis will do but if you play other sims with differential toe brakes then a 3-axis is better. The plus side of ditching the hands-controlled rudder is also that you can use that band for other commands if your programming software is worth its salt. For instance my X-45's rudder axis is broken up into bands and controls both collective brake and wheel brake.

 

Unless your stick is crap then your money is much better spent on pedals first than an upgraded HOTAS.

[StrongHarm]

I have a Cyborg 3d (bleh). I was just getting ready to buy a new HOTAS and pedals when I saw the news about the Thrustmaster A10 HOTAS! I'm not sure when it will be out, but I'm saving my money and dreaming steamy lurid dreams.

[Deigs]

I have the X52Pro, and I think it's great. I've played with Logitech ones in the past when I was starting out and this HOTAS is such a departure from the cheap crap out there. If you want a nice HOTAS now, then I'd look into the X52 range. If you can hang on, then wait 6-9 months for the A10 Thrustmaster stuff. I'm buying that for sure!

 

The software to configure your X52 is a bit tricky at first but very usable. I've just spent ALL day mapping out IL2, and I'm made a small start with DCS tonight. There is so many damn buttons.

[GuntiNDDS]

I also have the X52 Pro currently.

 

I am not very impressed by it.

 

For the price it did cost the build quality should be better.

The Joystick developed "play" within the center region of the X,Y Axis and in general is not very precise.

 

What i like/d about it tho is the form factor and button layout. it has many buttons and is very comfortable to hold. i am aiming to replace it soon by a CH Fighterstick.

[Bucic]

But its a little more difficult to fly with pedals you dont have the same precision as with the joystick, but if you practice you can become good.

You must be kidding me :huh:

 

Answer to Wolf85's question. The rudder pedals' advantages over grip twist are:

• higher precision / greater displacement possible
  
• no unintended rudder inputs during moving joystick on X and Y axis
  (unavoidable with grip twist unless you set up a large deadzone ; deadzone is not a good thing, as the name states)
  
• it's like it's done in the real thing
  

[Wolf85]

Thanks, I get the pedals but i like to get the X52 also, or is a FF stick better? But i love to have a seperate throttle too... choices, choices ;)

[Bucic]

Just remember to go through Logitech G940 threads on this forum before you buy it.

[Panzertard]

Hello.

 

I can recommend pedals for Black shark...

I had a saitek x52 before

( today i have a logitech g940 system with everything )

The reason why i changed was that black shark is quite demanding on the rudder and if i should twist my joystick again and again while flying for a long time my hand would hurt sometimes. So by using pedals i dont have to "fight" with the joystick twisting it again and again, now its much more relaxing to fly.

 

Indeed, you would want rudders pedals instead of a twisting joystick for your BS.

 

One of the good features with the old Thrustmaster Afterburner was that it could use rudders (implemented on the far side) on the Throttlestick - the only stick I've seen with this combination.

However on the throttle it was a "mini-pedal" in the backside, so you would have much greater control that any regular twisting stick.

It also had a classic twisting stick implementation - but it's as poorly as any other stick using that method.

 

Unfortunately Thrustmaster Afterburner also wears out after a couple of years usage.

 

As of today, I got a full set of x52 pro and rudder pedals. I see no reason to go away from this combination unless I really greater control over engines (dual throttle or something).

 

As for the g940 - there's alot of people being unsatisfied with the combination of DCS (or FC) and g940 centering. So do your homework if you're considering a Logitech G940.

And oh, you may want to get a TrackIR as well ;)

Edited January 16, 2010 by Panzertard

[Outlaw24]

I've been a Saitek user for several years using the X-45, X52 and currently the X-52 Pro which if find very reliable, I orginally used these HOTAS with a set of CH Pro Pedals, but recently purchased a set of Saitek Pedals which IMO is much better. Besides the CH Control Manager was giving me problems with Windows 7 no problems at all now.

[Prophet4no1]

Indeed, you would want rudders pedals instead of a twisting joystick for your BS.

 

One of the good features with the old Thrustmaster Afterburner was that it could use rudders (implemented on the far side) on the Throttlestick - the only stick I've seen with this combination.

However on the throttle it was a "mini-pedal" in the backside, so you would have much greater control that any regular twisting stick.

It also had a classic twisting stick implementation - but it's as poorly as any other stick using that method.

 

Unfortunately Thrustmaster Afterburner also wears out after a couple of years usage.

 

As of today, I got a full set of x52 pro and rudder pedals. I see no reason to go away from this combination unless I really greater control over engines (dual throttle or something).

 

As for the g940 - there's alot of people being unsatisfied with the combination of DCS (or FC) and g940 centering. So do your homework if you're considering a Logitech G940.

And oh, you may want to get a TrackIR as well ;)

 

The Saitek X36 (pre USB erra) had the rudder on the bottum of the throttle. It was very easy to use via finger tip. I liked that a lot better than twist sticks. No idea why they removed that feature and changed to the twist stick.

 

I've owned the X36, X45, and now the X52. I've had nothing but good luck with Saitek. I even use their Eclips 2 keyboard. Customer service is great too. They have sent me parts over the years to do DIY repairs. Thinks like POTs and switches. I jsut told them what I needed and it showed up in a couple days.

[Bucic]

I meant this thread

"Don't Walk...Run Away from the G940" http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=47236

 

Note that I have no idea about g940 operation.

[Wolf85]

It deffinitely gonna be a X52 with pedals :P Thanks!