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General FreeSpace => FreeSpace Discussion => Topic started by: Inglonias on January 10, 2010, 07:39:15 pm

Title: Do you use a joystick to play?
Post by: Inglonias on January 10, 2010, 07:39:15 pm
I'm curious as to what everybody here uses to play Freespace/FS2/Whatever's related.

So, If you use a joystick, what kind?
I use a Logitech Extreme 3D. Its actually grown on me quite a bit. I also use the voice recognition too.
Title: Re: Do you use a joystick to play?
Post by: The E on January 10, 2010, 07:51:23 pm
Mouse and Keyboard. Yay.

BTW, you forgot "Keyboard only" as an option.
Title: Re: Do you use a joystick to play?
Post by: General Battuta on January 10, 2010, 08:03:56 pm
Where's keyboard only? I added it for you.
Title: Re: Do you use a joystick to play?
Post by: Droid803 on January 10, 2010, 08:54:06 pm
I use Joystick + Keyboard (+ Mouse for sniping off stuff (with maxims, etc))
Title: Re: Do you use a joystick to play?
Post by: Thaeris on January 10, 2010, 09:01:55 pm
You also forgot Joy+Mouse. I'll use the keyboard occaisonally as well, though that's a little rare.
Title: Re: Do you use a joystick to play?
Post by: Blue Lion on January 10, 2010, 09:31:20 pm
Keyboard only, as I've always played it
Title: Re: Do you use a joystick to play?
Post by: Nuclear1 on January 10, 2010, 09:32:57 pm
You forgot Snuffleupagus.

I vote Snuffleupagus.
Title: Re: Do you use a joystick to play?
Post by: deathfun on January 10, 2010, 09:41:15 pm
Joystick

Logitech Attack 3
Though in the earlier days, mouse and keyboard for FS1 (going back twelve years)
Title: Re: Do you use a joystick to play?
Post by: Mongoose on January 10, 2010, 09:48:13 pm
Joystick-only primarily, though I obviously have to hit up the keyboard for the more esoteric targeting features and wingmen commands.  I'm rocking the Saitek Cyborg Evo.
Title: Re: Do you use a joystick to play?
Post by: Inglonias on January 10, 2010, 10:37:06 pm
Joystick

Logitech Attack 3
Though in the earlier days, mouse and keyboard for FS1 (going back twelve years)

Used to use the attack 3 myself. Liked it, but it had no hat switch.

I didn't know that Joystick and mouse was even an option, nor was keyboard only. Sorry about that!
Title: Re: Do you use a joystick to play?
Post by: JGZinv on January 10, 2010, 10:59:55 pm
Can we get one of these?
http://kotaku.com/5443755/solid-steel-no-moving-parts-this-flight-stick-is-a-pricey-wonder

Logitech Trackman Marble Wheel (15 years old now) and generic rebranded 12 year old keyboard.
Title: Re: Do you use a joystick to play?
Post by: IronBeer on January 10, 2010, 11:44:34 pm
I used to use a Logitech Wingman Force, but now I use a wired Xbox 360 controller- I like having the extra buttons. Technically, I guess it would fall under joystick + keyboard, but it isn't quite right.
Title: Re: Do you use a joystick to play?
Post by: Sushi on January 11, 2010, 10:32:32 am
Mouse + Keyboard, although the mouse is set up as a virtual joystick (via PPJoy).
Title: Re: Do you use a joystick to play?
Post by: Renegade on January 11, 2010, 10:49:22 am
I use Mouse+Keyboard.
I have a Sailtek Evo Joy, but with mouse i had a very better aiming.
With the Joystick i don't hit any target well enough.
Title: Re: Do you use a joystick to play?
Post by: captain-custard on January 11, 2010, 11:31:00 am
saiteck cybourg evo , logitech force 3d pro , modified numpads ....... and im still crap
Title: Re: Do you use a joystick to play?
Post by: Vip on January 11, 2010, 11:39:30 am
Logitech Attack 3 + some keyboard commands + mouse for Maxims.
Title: Re: Do you use a joystick to play?
Post by: ChronoReverse on January 11, 2010, 05:25:25 pm
Mouse+KB.  I also have an old Sidewinder Precision Pro but it's so much easier with a mouse =)
Title: Re: Do you use a joystick to play?
Post by: MatthTheGeek on January 12, 2010, 11:03:07 am
Mouse + Keyboard. Never played with a joystick and even never bought one.
Title: Re: Do you use a joystick to play?
Post by: TopAce on January 12, 2010, 01:27:37 pm
I prefer keyboard + mouse. I tried it with a joystick, but it becomes unstable and generally uncontrollable.
Title: Re: Do you use a joystick to play?
Post by: Dragon on January 12, 2010, 01:34:08 pm
Joystick+Keyboard.
Even though the joystick is the old WingMan Force 3D, it works great with FS2 (though Force Feedback system in FS2 could use some upgrades).
Title: Re: Do you use a joystick to play?
Post by: lostllama on January 12, 2010, 02:00:40 pm
A Microsoft SideWinder Precision Pro (the non-force feedback version), keyboard and occasionally the mouse.
Title: Re: Do you use a joystick to play?
Post by: Rodo on January 12, 2010, 02:07:05 pm
only keyboard.
Title: Re: Do you use a joystick to play?
Post by: torc on January 12, 2010, 02:16:04 pm
joy hotas and keyboard is the best...  :nod:
Title: Re: Do you use a joystick to play?
Post by: FreeSpaceFreak on January 13, 2010, 01:38:21 am
Joystick and keyboard, Saitek Cyborg-something
Title: Re: Do you use a joystick to play?
Post by: headdie on January 13, 2010, 02:45:35 am
currently play keyboard only, i used to use a joystick but it broke and i haven't gotten round to replacing it
Title: Re: Do you use a joystick to play?
Post by: Aardwolf on January 13, 2010, 03:47:42 am
I used to only use keyboard, but my laptop has no numpad, so I learned to play it with a USB optical mouse.
Title: Re: Do you use a joystick to play?
Post by: Wobble73 on January 13, 2010, 04:32:51 am
Erm...... You also forgot Gamepad.

I use Gamepad and keyboard! So Voted Joystick and keyboard as it's the nearest option!
Title: Re: Do you use a joystick to play?
Post by: Eltrotraw on January 13, 2010, 01:56:09 pm
Eh, I've mostly used Keyboard in most of my playthroughs of the game, but I've attempted to play the game using the Ace Combat flightsticks (http://gearmedia.ign.com/gear/image/article/562/562988/ace-combat-flight-stick-2-20041102054311956.jpg) that run about like what, $200 with the game and all that?

It wasn't bad by any means, and I don't have much of a preference, though I'd usually stay away from the mouse... Even though I do prefer mouse+keyboard for FPS, for some reason it just doesn't flow with me very well when I play Freespace.

So I just stick with default keyboard controls, though I do have to compensate a bit when playing on my laptop.
Title: Re: Do you use a joystick to play?
Post by: Sarge126 on January 15, 2010, 04:38:12 pm
I use Joystick only. I use a Saitek X45, as it has more than enough buttons for everything I need. Using a TrackIR also gives me 8 more functions on my hat switch. Pretty nice setup, but X45s are getting rare and expensive.
Title: Re: Do you use a joystick to play?
Post by: Androgeos Exeunt on January 18, 2010, 06:26:20 am
/me has voted.

Keyboard ONLY for me. I can't handle a joystick, and the mouse sensitivity in Mac is crap.
Title: Re: Do you use a joystick to play?
Post by: TopAce on January 18, 2010, 07:20:08 am
Quote
...and the mouse sensitivity in Mac is crap

You can get used to it, like driving.
Title: Re: Do you use a joystick to play?
Post by: Dilmah G on January 18, 2010, 07:25:01 am
I don't know how you can't handle a joystick. That said, I've used one since the age of four.. So..
Title: Re: Do you use a joystick to play?
Post by: Androgeos Exeunt on January 18, 2010, 07:28:32 am
You can get used to it, like driving.

Sure, but I can't be bothered. Keep in mind that I'm so used to flying like rubbish in D3 using only the keyboard that I don't really care about my performance anymore.
Title: Re: Do you use a joystick to play?
Post by: Toekutr on January 19, 2010, 10:37:19 pm
I played through FS2 for the first time last year on my 360 pad, it worked quite well for me, but it felt like I was missing something compared to a joystick.  I found a nice deal on a Saitek X45 on ebay sometime last year, but I can't get used to the stiffness of the stick, especially in a fast paced game such as freespace.  In most sims, I still seem to play better with a 360 pad.  Do I just lack joystick experience and need to work on it, or should I get something that isn't so stiff?

I use Joystick only. I use a Saitek X45, as it has more than enough buttons for everything I need. Using a TrackIR also gives me 8 more functions on my hat switch. Pretty nice setup, but X45s are getting rare and expensive.

Do you have a FS2 profile for the joystick?
Title: Re: Do you use a joystick to play?
Post by: Klaustrophobia on January 19, 2010, 10:57:00 pm
the x45 IS a bit stiff, but it will both break in a little and you'll get used to it.  you can also aleviate some pressure by twist-tieing the spring, and get a smoother feel by rubbing a dryer sheet on the underside of the baseplate and the rim it touches.  i've seen vasoline recommended here too, but i personally didn't want to put that on my hardware.
Title: Re: Do you use a joystick to play?
Post by: Toekutr on January 19, 2010, 11:06:13 pm
the x45 IS a bit stiff, but it will both break in a little and you'll get used to it.  you can also aleviate some pressure by twist-tieing the spring, and get a smoother feel by rubbing a dryer sheet on the underside of the baseplate and the rim it touches.  i've seen vasoline recommended here too, but i personally didn't want to put that on my hardware.

Thanks for the help, another problem, a couple of the rubber feet on the joystick are missing (I bought it used), so it moves around quite a bit in dogfights.  Would suction cups work in stabilizing it at all?
Title: Re: Do you use a joystick to play?
Post by: Iss Mneur on January 19, 2010, 11:26:15 pm
the x45 IS a bit stiff, but it will both break in a little and you'll get used to it.  you can also aleviate some pressure by twist-tieing the spring, and get a smoother feel by rubbing a dryer sheet on the underside of the baseplate and the rim it touches.  i've seen vasoline recommended here too, but i personally didn't want to put that on my hardware.

Thanks for the help, another problem, a couple of the rubber feet on the joystick are missing (I bought it used), so it moves around quite a bit in dogfights.  Would suction cups work in stabilizing it at all?

Keeping the joystick from moving is vital for dogfighting with a joystick. So anything that will keep the stick from moving is good, I would personally stick with rubber feet though because they will keep the base from wiggling as much.

I personally hold the base of my joystick (a Saitek Cyborg EVO) when dog fighting, either on my lap, or on the desk (mostly in games that require the keyboard like Freespace).  That being said, my joystick still has its feet.
Title: Re: Do you use a joystick to play?
Post by: Dilmah G on January 19, 2010, 11:32:25 pm
I usually have my left hand on the throttle control, and right hand on the stick, so my 'Throttle-Hand' also keeps the stick in place. After washing the feet of my Cyborg Evo, it stays in one place now, though. :)

A Microsoft SideWinder Precision Pro (the non-force feedback version), keyboard and occasionally the mouse.
What OS do you use? I've got my Precision Pro sitting here on my desk, and I still love it more than my Saitek.
By the way, does anyone know how to loosen the spring on the Cyborg Evo? It's gotten quite stiff as of late, making precise targeting a pain in the ass, since the joystick doesn't want to let me move it less than two centimetres.
Title: Re: Do you use a joystick to play?
Post by: Klaustrophobia on January 19, 2010, 11:48:43 pm
use the same twist-tie trick.  run a tie through two of the rings and tighten it down, compressing the spring a bit.  it pulls some tension off the base.
Title: Re: Do you use a joystick to play?
Post by: Dilmah G on January 20, 2010, 12:41:10 am
:)

I think it's just the way the spring-base works on the joystick, it still feels like I'm pulling back the stick in increments.
Title: Re: Do you use a joystick to play?
Post by: Kolgena on January 20, 2010, 01:11:42 am
Used to play FS retail on an ancient joystick that had an analog output. This was easily 6-8 years ago.

After I discovered HLP, I hunted around and finally found the joystick again, only to realize that the last computer that supported its plug got tossed 5 years ago.

So, mouse and keyboard for now, although I really do miss using the joystick.
Title: Re: Do you use a joystick to play?
Post by: lostllama on January 20, 2010, 12:48:33 pm
What OS do you use? I've got my Precision Pro sitting here on my desk, and I still love it more than my Saitek.

Win XP with service pack 3, I've had hardly any problems aside from having to recalibrate on rare occasions (probably due to it's age, as it's about 10.5 years old). I bought a Saitek Cyborg X a few months back because I had a feeling that my old stick was on the way out, but I just couldn't get used to it, despite it being highly adjustable (which was one of the main reasons I got that model). Suppose I'm just too fond of my old stick.

It's this particular model, just to clarify: http://www.rpgcodex.net/phpBB/viewtopic.php?p=554629#554629 (http://www.rpgcodex.net/phpBB/viewtopic.php?p=554629#554629)

Woah... I did a random search for a pic of that stick and I randomly chose one that's embedded in a thread which is also, in part, about which controller to use in FS2... :wtf:
Title: Re: Do you use a joystick to play?
Post by: Dragon on January 20, 2010, 01:07:10 pm
Used to play FS retail on an ancient joystick that had an analog output. This was easily 6-8 years ago.
I also used to fly with an ancient joystick with outdated output, two buttons with autofire swith below the secondary trigger (some old games require continous tapping on a trigger and autofire emulates it while trigger is pressed continously) and annoying centering spring with tendency to break. (I got it from my father who played Wing Commander with it, the first installment of which was a DOS game, which my father played in original, not long after it's release). WingMan force 3D is newer, but still quite old. It serves me well though, so I'm not likely to be getting a new stick anytime soon.