Hard Light Productions Forums

General FreeSpace => FreeSpace Discussion => Topic started by: Venicius on April 21, 2015, 05:40:15 pm

Title: Rabbit ate my joystick cord...time for a new setup!
Post by: Venicius on April 21, 2015, 05:40:15 pm
I'm thinking of getting my first stick/throttle setup but I know there are limitations on FSO for multiple controllers.  This is what I'm considering getting:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16879337003

Or maybe an older Saitek X45?

Does anybody here use these for freespace?
Title: Re: Rabbit ate my joystick cord...time for a new setup!
Post by: Phantom Hoover on April 21, 2015, 05:45:58 pm
i'd look into how rabbit-resistant the cord on any replacement is
Title: Re: Rabbit ate my joystick cord...time for a new setup!
Post by: Gee1337 on April 22, 2015, 03:51:54 am
That thrustmaster isn't meant to be very good.

My first hotas is the x52 which I have now. I didn't mind voiding the warranty so I did the magnet mod and tension spring mod and it is great! :)
Title: Re: Rabbit ate my joystick cord...time for a new setup!
Post by: AV8R on April 24, 2015, 08:51:10 am
I have that exact HOTAS setup and it has served me well for the past year and a half. It works using digital positioning and signaling so it does not require calibration (everything self-zeroes at boot up). The buttons have a nice click response, are well-positioned and both the throttle and the joystick operate smoothly and without binding. The joystick itself can be physically adjusted for tightness with a knob under the joystick base. The two pieces (throttle and joystick) can be separated but the cable connecting them cannot be disconnected.

This only niggle I have with the setup is the positioning of the button just above the trigger (right side front of joystick). It's easy to accidently press it during heavy joystick movement. I have mine programmed to choose my primary weapon so during combat I would constantly have to reselect my primary weapon because I kept accidently pushing that button. I "cured" the problem my inserting a small piece of cardboard under the button so it requires a little more push effort to activate - problem solved.

For the price, it's a great deal and works very well. I say go for it.   :yes:
Title: Re: Rabbit ate my joystick cord...time for a new setup!
Post by: Venicius on April 24, 2015, 12:49:11 pm
What program do you use to get fso to see it as one device? ppjoy/vjoy?
Title: Re: Rabbit ate my joystick cord...time for a new setup!
Post by: deathspeed on April 24, 2015, 05:59:27 pm
You might want to check out this thread:

How to use multiple game controllers in Diaspora (or any fs2_open based game) (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=81953.0)
Title: Re: Rabbit ate my joystick cord...time for a new setup!
Post by: Venicius on April 24, 2015, 07:43:28 pm
Oh, cool. I ended up getting an almost new X52 off of ebay today so that will be very helpful! Thanks!
Title: Re: Rabbit ate my joystick cord...time for a new setup!
Post by: AV8R on April 28, 2015, 02:23:13 pm
I know you already made your choice but the Thrustmaster uses a single USB cable to connect to a PC, so FreeSpace sees all axis as a single unit - no other software is necessary. Just set your axis, buttons and go. Makes for easy setup.

Have fun with the X52, also a good choice.
Title: Re: Rabbit ate my joystick cord...time for a new setup!
Post by: Venicius on April 28, 2015, 09:20:47 pm
I actually got it set up rather decently without any extra software...no mode selection though. I'll figure out what to do about that later though.  I'm loving the throttle!
Title: Re: Rabbit ate my joystick cord...time for a new setup!
Post by: Gee1337 on April 29, 2015, 01:05:29 pm
I highly recommend doing the magnet mod and the tension spring mod. They are VERY easy and VERY cheap to perform and you will love the X52 more for it.

However, like I said in my earlier post, the magnet mod will void the warranty!

Magnet mod is this... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JGZSx7UaVU

Tension spring mod... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TewzmOoysDw

Edit:- With the tension spring mod, I only needed 1 piece to do it! :)