NEWBIE HOTAS

[MeRLiNttu]

I have used the search function to find as much as I can on this topic but If you guys dont mind I would like to get some additional information about how you guys go about setting up your HOTAS.

 

Since I do not have a realistic A-10 setup.. I would like to know what Hotas function you would belive to Critical to have mapped to my Throttle/Stick.

 

Since I have knowledge of the f-16 hotas setup it should be easy to explain it to me. I know that slewing cursors and targeting displays is something that I want to have mapped.And be able to switch SOI on the FLY

 

Also I would like to add that I plan on doing most of my flying in the future in the multiplayer enviroment If that changes anything....

 

As of right now.. All i have on my HOTAS setup is Trim. Thank you very much for any input.

[WRFirefox]

First:

 

what kind of hardware do you use - HOTAS

[kylania]

Two stage trigger (for PAC and fun)

Weapon Release (obviously)

TMS Up and Down and Right (for setting and resetting SPI)

DMS Up and Down (For zooming TGP and changing steerpoints - add left and right for switching weapons and sharing SPI if you have enough hats)

Nosewheel Steering (For NWS and laser and refueling)

Trim if you have enough hats (Trim can be handy, but I went a long time without using it, but it's really useful once you learn it)

AutoPilot 3 way switch and toggle button (I use this all the time)

China Hat Forward and Back (constantly used for everything)

Slew mouse (TGP/TAD/MAV everything)

Master Weapons Mode (single button to change between weapon modes)

Coolie Hat (for changing SOI - three way hatswitch basically)

 

For what I do those are the critical buttons I use all the time. Others are ridiclously handy to have on HOTAS, like gear, flaps, speedbreak, CMS, zoom, mic switch, lights switch, but maybe not critical.

[Guest Fury_007]

Two stage trigger (for PAC and fun)

Weapon Release (obviously)

TMS Up and Down and Right (for setting and resetting SPI)

DMS Up and Down (For zooming TGP and changing steerpoints - add left and right for switching weapons and sharing SPI if you have enough hats)

Nosewheel Steering (For NWS and laser and refueling)

Trim if you have enough hats (Trim can be handy, but I went a long time without using it, but it's really useful once you learn it)

AutoPilot 3 way switch and toggle button (I use this all the time)

China Hat Forward and Back (constantly used for everything)

Slew mouse (TGP/TAD/MAV everything)

Master Weapons Mode (single button to change between weapon modes)

Coolie Hat (for changing SOI - three way hatswitch basically)

 

For what I do those are the critical buttons I use all the time. Others are ridiclously handy to have on HOTAS, like gear, flaps, speedbreak, CMS, zoom, mic switch, lights switch, but maybe not critical.

 

 

Good suggestions.

 

I would say: TRIM IS A MUST! You will constantly be trimming and I can't even see playing this sim without a trim on the HOTAS.

 

What I do with my HOTAS is set up some of the throttle buttons as modifiers and use the hat for up, down, left, and right in combination with those modifiers.

 

For example: One button on my throttle is DMS. I hold it and press hat switch up for DMS up. I can hold it and press hat switch down, for DMS down. And so on for left and right.

 

I have DMS, TMS, CMS, Coolie, Trim, slew control, China hat, mic switch (UHF, VHF AM/FM), and PAC-1 (because I only have a stage one trigger) on my throttle. I don't even need a Thrustmaster Warthog (althought I would love one).

 

Hope all that made sense

[aces_full85]

Two stage trigger (for PAC and fun)

Weapon Release (obviously)

TMS Up and Down and Right (for setting and resetting SPI)

DMS Up and Down (For zooming TGP and changing steerpoints - add left and right for switching weapons and sharing SPI if you have enough hats)

Nosewheel Steering (For NWS and laser and refueling)

Trim if you have enough hats (Trim can be handy, but I went a long time without using it, but it's really useful once you learn it)

AutoPilot 3 way switch and toggle button (I use this all the time)

China Hat Forward and Back (constantly used for everything)

Slew mouse (TGP/TAD/MAV everything)

Master Weapons Mode (single button to change between weapon modes)

Coolie Hat (for changing SOI - three way hatswitch basically)

 

Thats a good list. If you have a really basic joystick setup, you can probably even do without the NWS, AutoPilot and master mode switch (maybe even the coolie hat if he's dying for buttons).

 

You don't need a crazy, 500 dollar setup to play this game but the A-10 has a ton of functions on its HOTAS and it'll be difficult to manage effectively if you're bouncing back and forth to the keyboard. If money is the issue, I'd definitely consider saving up and investing in something like an X52 (about 80 bucks from amazon). I promise you that it will be worth it.

[Wichid]

Two stage trigger (for PAC and fun)

Weapon Release (obviously)

TMS Up and Down and Right (for setting and resetting SPI)

DMS Up and Down (For zooming TGP and changing steerpoints - add left and right for switching weapons and sharing SPI if you have enough hats)

Nosewheel Steering (For NWS and laser and refueling)

Trim if you have enough hats (Trim can be handy, but I went a long time without using it, but it's really useful once you learn it)

AutoPilot 3 way switch and toggle button (I use this all the time)

China Hat Forward and Back (constantly used for everything)

Slew mouse (TGP/TAD/MAV everything)

Master Weapons Mode (single button to change between weapon modes)

Coolie Hat (for changing SOI - three way hatswitch basically)

 

For what I do those are the critical buttons I use all the time. Others are ridiclously handy to have on HOTAS, like gear, flaps, speedbreak, CMS, zoom, mic switch, lights switch, but maybe not critical.

 

Yep this is pretty much bang on. You might want to include some other things depending on the HOTAS you get. I use my pinky switch to get alternate functions from my hats. This is what I based my commands on:

 

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=58484

 

If you get an X-52 you might encounter the issue I had where a programmed function in the Saitek software freezes the inputs if the command name is longer than the LCD. The name will hang on the LCD until you pull the USB plug out or the PC blue screens. Keeping the function names short avoids this.

Edited September 22, 2011 by Wichid

[jeffyd123]

Heres one I made thats generic.. not stick specific if that helps.

 

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=69610

[MeRLiNttu]

LOL so I read this post, and go grab a X52 on amazon.. Then I read that there is alot of problems with the X52. Am I going to have a big issue setting up a HOTAS with it? or are all these threads from the beta?> I assume that people have figured it out by now....hopefully

[kylania]

Don't think there's really problems with the X52, mostly just that there's not enough hat switches to match how many the A-10 has so there's a lot of "This Plus That" kind of mapping you need to do.

 

When I had one I used SF Jack Bauer's config and had a lot of luck with it.

[Sarge55]

I used the X-52Pro (actually still have it as a back up) and it is a good stick but as noted above lacks a bit in the "hats" catagory. The SST software is not great and I programmed in game but some have had success with the software.

[Wichid]

With the X-52 I hold down the pinky switch + buttons to get alternate commands. It really does the job that way and I'm quite happy with it. One other thing I did was

 

I only used the Saitek software to setup bands on the ministick to slew the targeting pod etc.

 

With the X-52 I also set the curvature for X & Y axis to 30 so it's nice and precise in the centre.

Edited September 23, 2011 by Wichid

[cichlidfan]

That is what I did as well, could not figure out a way to get slew to work correctly otherwise.

 

It is a good stick, you just have to double up some functions to get everything on there.

[Wichid]

That is what I did as well, could not figure out a way to get slew to work correctly otherwise.

 

It is a good stick, you just have to double up some functions to get everything on there.

 

How do you like the TM Warthog? I have one on order to replace my X-52.

[kylania]

How do you like the TM Warthog? I have one on order to replace my X-52.

 

It's amazing. You want it. :)

[Wichid]

Woo, yeah I'm counting the days.

[cichlidfan]

How do you like the TM Warthog? I have one on order to replace my X-52.

 

The 'hog is an excellent bit of hardware. I used an X-52Pro for six months and just got the warthog a week ago. Nobody ever raves about the the throttle but they should. My control over my engines is double what it was before all due to the sensitivity and long travel of the throttle.

 

I actually find the stick a bit large for my hand when it comes to reaching the trim hat but I am a little guy so that is to be expected and it is a minor issue to be sure.

 

To be honest, even the price is really not that bad. I look at my Saitek Combat rudder pedals that cost nearly two hundred and only does three things and then look at the warthog. Of course, it feels a lot better paying $350 than $500 but now that I have seen it even at $500 I would not feel bad about the cost.

 

Make sure you have a sturdy desk, it is a heavy beast. I still ended up bolting it down though!:D

[Wichid]

Excellent! I've been moving back and forth when refueling as the slightest change in throttle is too much.

 

I have a glass desk so will see how I go.

[cichlidfan]

A suggestion I spotted here somewhere regarding refueling and throttle adjustments.

 

For really fine control move them separately very little at a time. I have not tried it yet but it makes sense.

 

As for the desk. I was fine without bolting the stick down until the first time I used in another sim where the flying is a bit more dramatic (ROF) or at least the way I fly is.

 

The only issue I had with the throttle moving is when I was moving it over the idle detent. Otherwise it was not an issue.

[aces_full85]

LOL so I read this post, and go grab a X52 on amazon.. Then I read that there is alot of problems with the X52. Am I going to have a big issue setting up a HOTAS with it? or are all these threads from the beta?> I assume that people have figured it out by now....hopefully

 

I've never had any problems with the hardware but the software that comes bundled with it is completely archaic. Fortunately, you don't have to do much editing with Saitek's software (If any, tbh) to get a good A10 profile going.

 

Definitely check out SFJackBauer's profile here: http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=58484&highlight=jackbauer+profile

 

I think almost everyone with an X52 uses it or at least tried it at some point. Nearly all of the commands are setup through DCS but you'll have to use Saitek's software to setup your slew hat and speedbrake switch--there are pretty good instructions throughout that thread on how to do it, just browse around a little.

[Mt5_Roie]

Is the X52 Pro worth it over the normal X52? Can't seen to tell by looking at the pictures. I don't mind shelling out a little more for the Pro version.

[Lane]

you can modify some functions ( Speedbrake, the slew ) for use them a different way too.. like that you can have all set to the A10configuration tool.

 

I keep the driver, but no more use the SST, like this no conflict, no bugs.

 

For the slew i use the little joystick on the back of the throttle ( instead of the mice in the throttle )... it work extremely well and it is really easy to setup in the A10 controller configuration.

 

For the speedbrake, i use one of the three switches on the base of the Hotas (T1/T2/T3).. ( Up> open - down > close )

 

 

Sadly the Hotas of the X52 miss one hat, so you will need make some choice if you don't use a Track IR. when you start to know exactly what you use the most and you need on the Hotas, you will surely start to configure it like you want. but the Bauer profile is a good profile to start with.

Edited September 23, 2011 by Lane

[Wichid]

The X-52 Pro is a better colour and the LCD will show some meaningful information from the game I think. I have the X-52 and don't really miss anything.

 

I prefer to use the mini stick for slewing and use the front hat for countermeasures.

 

I just found out that the X-65 doesn't have the two stage trigger. So clicking the first stage to lock on to the target would be hard. I love that feature of PAC.

[nomdeplume]

The X-52 Pro is a better colour and the LCD will show some meaningful information from the game I think.

But it's not magical, it won't do it by default (except maybe for MS Flight Sim?). So unless you're willing to put in the time to learn how to export data from DCS and have the Saitek software put it onto the display, it's not really a selling point. Also, I'm not really convinced of the utility of putting information on the throttle, given that you're not supposed to actually be looking at the throttle...

[Wichid]

But it's not magical, it won't do it by default (except maybe for MS Flight Sim?). So unless you're willing to put in the time to learn how to export data from DCS and have the Saitek software put it onto the display, it's not really a selling point. Also, I'm not really convinced of the utility of putting information on the throttle, given that you're not supposed to actually be looking at the throttle...

 

Agreed