Hard Light Productions Forums

General FreeSpace => FreeSpace Discussion => Topic started by: sixtimesnine on September 23, 2006, 03:11:35 am

Title: Controls systems
Post by: sixtimesnine on September 23, 2006, 03:11:35 am
I want to know everyone's opinion on this :

Keyboard, mouse, or joystick?

Which one works better and all. I'm on a laptop keyboard so keyboard is pretty much crippled for me... unless someone knows a way to squeeze all the commands onto a sub-sized keyboard?

Title: Re: Controls systems
Post by: 666maslo666 on September 23, 2006, 06:57:33 am
mouse+keyboard is best, but i have never played fs with joystick...
Title: Re: Controls systems
Post by: castor on September 23, 2006, 07:41:27 am
Mouse+Keys is best for aim accuracy.
J/S is best for for turning (and ship control generally) and it is also the most fun to fly with.
Title: Re: Controls systems
Post by: Prophet on September 23, 2006, 08:01:16 am
It's a matter of personal preference. Try the search and you'll find a crapload of opinions and discussions...
Title: Re: Controls systems
Post by: muttoneer on September 23, 2006, 09:36:29 am
Joystick (what I use now) is more intuitive but less accurate for distance. I used a laptop keyboard. arrow keys. q for shields. ;)
Title: Re: Controls systems
Post by: Dysko on September 23, 2006, 10:01:45 am
I use joystick + keyboard. I have difficulties maneuvering the ship using the numpad and I never tried the mouse (except for the mousestick with Edivad's notebook, which is pratically impossible to use!)
Title: Re: Controls systems
Post by: Trivial Psychic on September 23, 2006, 09:29:29 pm
X52
Title: Re: Controls systems
Post by: Scooby_Doo on September 23, 2006, 10:37:44 pm
Ohhh I've been wanting one of those Trivial  :p

I've got an old topgun thrustmaster.   I like the jetfighter appearance but the thing is so damn hard to move.  In fact I've unscrewed the flexable rubber plastic covering that covers the base of the stick and still ugh... after a mission my hand is froze LOL
Title: Re: Controls systems
Post by: Trivial Psychic on September 23, 2006, 10:45:03 pm
It took some getting used to.  I previously used my trusty Logitech Strike Force 3D, but the force-feedback was getting poppy, and the the centre-spring relied on FF, so when it popped it would cause severe overcompensation.  It would take less than 10 min of use for the FF to overheat and the popping to begin.  The X52 seemed a bit on the loose side when I got it, being used to the stronger centering action of the FF, so maneuvering took more concentration.  I was also getting some over-compensation in my maneuvers, which I fixed by reducing the dead-zone to minimal.  I'm not sure what I'm gonna do for "Red Baron-II" though.  There's no dead-zone controls in that game.
Title: Re: Controls systems
Post by: Unknown Target on September 23, 2006, 10:57:43 pm
Stick, with mouse for precise shooting at long range.
Title: Re: Controls systems
Post by: Turey on September 23, 2006, 11:10:23 pm
I'm on an IBM T30 laptop.

I'm using keyboard + BUILT-IN TRACKPOINT!

that requires REAL skill.
Title: Re: Controls systems
Post by: karajorma on September 24, 2006, 02:54:00 am
Oh great. Another joystick thread. I usually stop reading these the second people start bragging about their HOT ASS. :p
Title: Re: Controls systems
Post by: Kosh on September 24, 2006, 04:29:02 am
Quote
I used a laptop keyboard. arrow keys. q for shields.


That's what I have always used, and probably always will use.
Title: Re: Controls systems
Post by: castor on September 24, 2006, 05:07:38 am
Oh great. Another joystick thread. I usually stop reading these the second people start bragging about their HOT ASS. :p
:wakka:
Or maybe you're just envious :D
Title: Re: Controls systems
Post by: Bob-san on September 25, 2006, 09:28:12 am
I use joystick 100% of the time....

reflects my playing style.

I like fast, stable fighters. The herc mkII isnt my favorite, but I definately like the Myrmidon.

Primary Master: anything good
Primary Slave: Subach HL-7

Secondary Master: Stiletto II
Secondary Slave: Rockeye or Hornets or Tornados
Secondary Slave 2: Tempest

I love my subach hl-7 due to the fact that my Logitech Wingman Force 3D is so damn inaccurate at more then 500m. I fire off thousands of shots and aim generally at my target... i use primaries so much and inaccurately, i should prolly put a piece of tape on the trigger; i never stop firing them cause I can drop primary power and then up engine power (1-5-3, G-E-S). I up my normal speeds and have normal shields... it's great for me.

Anyways, Ive played with keyboard though i dont like it... too accurate  :lol:
Title: Re: Controls systems
Post by: Col. Fishguts on September 25, 2006, 09:32:33 am
Oh great. Another joystick thread. I usually stop reading these the second people start bragging about their HOT ASS. :p

You're just jealous because you'd like to get your hands on some HOT AS(S) too ;)
Title: Re: Controls systems
Post by: Mathwiz6 on September 25, 2006, 05:54:35 pm
Bah, I use joystick, and am lucky to hit anything over about 1500 m. Slow lock missiles are a pain, as I have to change the deadzone, and the only time I had OK accuracy was in the derelict mission with...
(You can tell I did this mission too much)
the Sobek, and 4 perseus, where you kill 4 maras, then 4... really bad fighters, then 4 more of those, then a rakshasa with 2 tauvris, with 2 waves of those, 4 astaroths, with 2 waves of those, then a lilith, a moloch, 7 tauvris, with 2 waves, then 2 waves of 4 astaroths, and 4 nahema.

Yeah... that was a pain. I ended up trying to take out the moloch beams at 2Km, and hit something like 20% of the time with maxim (the beam, not the lilith).


Ah w/e. Basically, use a joystick if you want, it's fun, good for flying, and somewhat handy for turning to keep hitting something  (:p to the people who have a hard time with small turns). If you don't want to spend the cash in getting a good joystick, use the keyboard and mouse.

I like my joystick. It's hot  :D. But I still use q and tab. Righthand, joystick, lefthand, everything else  :lol:
Title: Re: Controls systems
Post by: Schyzzo on September 26, 2006, 01:38:52 am
Well.... I use often the WASD+mouse control and put some functions (like target subsystem) on the numpad...


Wht kind of config u guys use?
Title: Re: Controls systems
Post by: Mobius on September 26, 2006, 05:38:01 am
Oh great. Another joystick thread. I usually stop reading these the second people start bragging about their HOT ASS. :p

:lol: I have intention to create another one!
Title: Re: Controls systems
Post by: karajorma on September 26, 2006, 05:45:23 am
Another thread or another HOT ASS? :D
Title: Re: Controls systems
Post by: Mobius on September 26, 2006, 05:48:47 am
Another thread :lol:
Title: Re: Controls systems
Post by: bfobar on September 27, 2006, 06:09:07 pm
Logitec Joystick although it seems to be dying and loses its calibration constantly. It used to only do it once in a while and unplugging the usb, and replugging fixed it, but now it's pretty constant. Sucks. Guess I should buy a hot ass.

I loved my old sidwinder precision pro, but winders doesn't support it anymore so I can't program the buttons or use the shift key. It still works too, so that sucks.

I could never use mouse + kbd in flight simulators. sniping may be more accurate, but flying is far less graceful.
Title: Re: Controls systems
Post by: cvearl on October 11, 2006, 04:51:38 pm
I have/use the logitech Fox Pro2. Wish it was FF

I love the stick swivel axis and how it rotate the ship. That, and the normal stick operation, is great in dogfights. I love it.

I just wish I could use the slider for throttle.

The rest is all default keyboard controls.

C.
Title: Re: Controls systems
Post by: Styphelus on October 11, 2006, 05:08:09 pm
I don't think they would use a keyboard and a mouse to fly a ship, just like they don't use a keyboard and mouse on fighter planes.

Therefore I use a joystick. Sure it's not as acurate but it's more realistic and i believe it's the way the game should be played.

I also programed game commander with several voice commands, especially when trying to talk to my squadron. Much more realistic. I find game commander extremelly usefull for flight sims and space games. A must have!
Title: Re: Controls systems
Post by: Cyker on October 11, 2006, 05:34:41 pm
Still clinging onto my non-USB Sidewinder 3D Pro! ;)

This topic has been talked about many times before, 'tho I still don't understand how people can play with keyboard+mouse!  :eek:

I know they can (My friend thrashed my TIE Fighter speed-run with a mouse+kbd setup...), but I've tried it and just don't understand HOW!  :confused:
Title: Re: Controls systems
Post by: Mongoose on October 11, 2006, 09:59:12 pm
Funny you should mention that, Cyker; someone in the Descent community recently made a limited run of proper gameport-to-USB adapters for the 3D Pro.  Nothing beats it. :) I usually stick to my trusty Saitek Cyborg Evo for FS, though; the throttle has a really nice feel to it.
Title: Re: Controls systems
Post by: Kaboodles on October 23, 2006, 03:43:07 pm
Back before I played FPSes and before I owned a joystick, I would play with a racing wheel.  Actually, I think I did have a joystick, but I didn't use it as much because the wheel had more buttons.
Title: Re: Controls systems
Post by: Freespace Freak on October 23, 2006, 03:57:29 pm
I've always used Joystick, and never could get used to the mouse.  Maybe when they release the new mouse support for 3.7 like it's (supposedly) planned I'll try it.
Title: Re: Controls systems
Post by: Scooby_Doo on October 23, 2006, 05:54:41 pm
I've got a question... I acquired a Thurstmaster Afterburner joystick/throttle.  How do you get the throttle gear to accelerate/deaccelerate?
Title: Re: Controls systems
Post by: Cobra on October 23, 2006, 05:59:41 pm
go to control options, go to the ship section, select Absolute throttle, click bind, and push your throttle stick forward.

X52 all the way. I'll agree with Trivial Psychic, though. It's pretty loose, but it does wonders in-game. :D
Title: Re: Controls systems
Post by: Scooby_Doo on October 23, 2006, 06:36:30 pm
Thanks Cobra, that did the trick... plus figured out the rX rotation too..

Too bad this software drivers are quite buggy.  :(
Title: Re: Controls systems
Post by: Thor on October 23, 2006, 10:44:40 pm
I've played FS using a variety of inputs....

mouse and keyboard...not tactile enough
Logitech Attack 3....To impercise
Logitech Wingman Extreme gamepad...sweetness

the wingman is by far my favourite for any space sim.  super comfortable, fits all the commands i need, the rest the keyboard suffices.  just for the love of all things good and holy leave the tilt sensor OFF (ps: the SIXAXIS/wii controller are gonna suck ass!  don't let them tell you different.  Force Feedback is far more important to placing people into the game experience, tilt functions are just going to drive people up the wall.)
Title: Re: Controls systems
Post by: Nix on October 24, 2006, 01:11:31 am
After seeing some of the new plans for mouse control, it'd be interesting to play with those modified controls.
I'm still playing with the keyboard/mouse combo.  I actually have four buttons set for yaw and pitch.  I roll with the mouse, most of my throttle/weapon select functions are controlled on my mouse too. I constantly have to let go of the mouse and hit other keys to do certain functions, but it doesn't bother me at all. 

Title: Re: Controls systems
Post by: brandx0 on October 24, 2006, 03:51:48 pm
Still clinging onto my non-USB Sidewinder 3D Pro! ;)


As am I man!

Oddly enough, I didn't even buy it.  I had an old-school regular sidewinder (the 2 button one) and it broke, so I sent it back to microsoft (this was when I was like... I dunno, maybe 9?) and they sent me back a 3d pro.  Been using it ever since.
Title: Re: Controls systems
Post by: Hunterbaine on October 24, 2006, 04:57:20 pm
joystick and keyboard! saitek ftw :yes:
Title: Re: Controls systems
Post by: Iron Wolf on October 24, 2006, 05:34:02 pm
Quote
usually stick to my trusty Saitek Cyborg Evo for FS, though; the throttle has a really nice feel to it.

That's what I use too... Although it kinda creeps me out. With those lights, I keep thinking it's gonna become self aware and kill me...

 :nervous:  :headz:
Title: Re: Controls systems
Post by: Zacam on October 28, 2006, 12:03:35 am
I still preffer my old 'n trusty Saitek Cyborg 3D Gold (USB). Replaced the trigger with a molded graphite one.

I don't like the centerlined throttle in the Evo's, drives me bonkers.
Title: Re: Controls systems
Post by: At on October 28, 2006, 10:16:00 pm
Logitec Trackman + laptop keyboard.

I don't think I've touched a joystick for ten or more years.  Well, on computer, anyway.

I'd really like to try a custom two-joystick setup I have in mind...  It'd take some extra hardware and drivers, though.  And it'd be much more suited to Newtonian physics.  But it'd be fuuuuun...
Of course, if I'm gonna do that, I might as well build a cockpit, too...  Mmmmmh.

It'd go nicely with that external data thingers cockpit thing that someone brought up earlier.  And I've already got one old CRT sitting around... I'm sure I can find more at a compufest.  Or ebay.