Controlling helicopter with gamepad....

[Rushup]

Please can anyone suggest whether I would be wasting my time with a gamepad controller to operate a helicopter ?

 

I already have a gamepad that I use for other games. It's a very basic model with an 8-way pad on the left, 4 buttons on the right, and 4 large buttons at the back.

 

Is it feasible to configure the 8-way pad for the cyclic, 2 buttons for the collective (one for up, one for down), and a couple of rear buttons for the anti-torque, and the rest handled by keyboard ?

 

Perhaps I should just stick to the keyboard overall ?

 

At present, I'm not wanting to purchase a dedicated joystick, I'd just like to get my gamepad working. If I had the money, I'd like to get a proper helicopter controller. I already have a wheel and pedals for playing Dirt 3, so kind of like realistic controllers !

 

But within the DCS options, I can't seem to assign all the gamepad buttons to the axis configuration. Is this due to local hardware driver issues, or does the DCS application not permit the use of substandard controllers, i.e. do I need a proper flight-sim joystick ?

 

BTW - I'm totally new to flight sims. I pondered for a while, and finally decided to go the straight to DCS 1.2.6 with Mi-8MTV2 :doh:yes, a bit crazy, but hey, why not :prop:

[Flying Penguin]

It all sounds like a bit of a faff to be honest. If you don't have analogue sticks on your gamepad you are probably not going to have enough fine grain control for most purposes and you might as well fly by keyboard only rather than do the four arms and six toes routine.

 

Is it possible to use an old school pad? Almost certainly, assuming you can program key commands to the pad, there is no game imposed requirement for a controller to be specialised, nor for your setup to be in any way reasonable. Is is a good idea? No.

 

People can and do use XBox controllers, but I've never heard of anyone using an old school 8 way pad. Perhaps you could upgrade to an XBox style pad if you don't want a flight sim specific controller at this stage...

[Cnuke]

Just find a good secondhand MS Siderwinder 2 force feedback stick <30$

 

You will love it!

[xxJohnxx]

Hi,

 

Most buttons can't directly be assinged as an axis, but you should be able to assing them at the same place where keyboard commands are assinged.

The place to find those depends on the module you want to use. With the A-10 for example it is in "Flightcontrols", with the UH-1H it is in "Ins Cyclic".

 

However, I totally do not recommend using a game pad for flying, neither do I recommend a keyboard. The problem with the UH-1H and the Mi-8 is that they need precise and very small control inputs to do the fancy stuff, like formation flying and hovering, but also aiming and (hot-) landings require precise controll movments at all points.

 

Obviously you will be able to fly, but it won't be fancy and you will lose many birds. Get yourself a decent joystick, like the TM Warthog. It is expensive, but definatelly worth it. And you spent 50$ allready, so it is to late now anyways. :P

[Rushup]

Thanks for the replies guys - much appreciated.

 

Hi,

 

And you spent 50$ allready, so it is to late now anyways. :P

 

Quite true :thumbup:

 

I'm trying really hard not to get too sucked in at this stage....most people in my position (2 young kids, F/T job, evening studies etc..) would just get a quick shoot-em-up game and be done with it. The problem is, I've always been interested in how helicopters fly, and my curiosity got the better of me. And [don't laugh] but I've got two young kids who both love helicopters. So I'd like them to learn, and of course with DCS, respect the machines, and go through the cold-start procedure. And with the Mi-8MTV2, a chance to learn some Russian too !

 

I'm a nice dad, honest !!

 

I'm not really into the whole 'shooting the enemy' type of game - part of the appeal of the Mi-8MTV2 module was cargo/support missions. But I'll certainly enjoy a quick blast when the need arises !

 

One thing's for sure, I've well and truly thrown myself in at the deep end !

[whartsell]

If you want a very precise but inexpensive stick check out the Thrustmaster T16000 Its less than 50 bucks and very precise. The buttons on it are average but it makes up for it with its precision. Talk to the aerobatic guys and you will see that alot of them use this stick (with a saitek throttle).

 

If/when you outgrow it you will also have a great "backup" stick

[Rushup]

If you want a very precise but inexpensive stick check out the Thrustmaster T16000 Its less than 50 bucks and very precise. The buttons on it are average but it makes up for it with its precision. Talk to the aerobatic guys and you will see that alot of them use this stick (with a saitek throttle).

 

If/when you outgrow it you will also have a great "backup" stick

 

Thanks - that looks really nice, and only about £30 over here. I'm sure it would do me for the foreseeable future. And most importantly, my 4 year old son will find it easier than using the keyboard :smilewink: