[kludermor]

I have just bought a Saitek x52 joystick.

I have used a lot of time setting up the perfect profile for freespace 2 in the saitek profile editor. But when I launch FSOPEN 3.6.12, the joystick profile is ignored. There is no use of the switch button on the joystick or different modes.
I can set up the joystick in the game controller settings, but this menu it is not able to use the x52 many nice functions.

Can someone please tell me how to make it work?
I want to be able to use all the x52 functions.

In the launcher I have selected to use a joystick, and the driver selected is Microsoft PC-joystick driver. (The only option)
I run FS2open 3.6.12 on a Win7 64 bit in XP compatibility mode.

I hope there is a solution.

[The E]

The only controls you can use are those you can assign in the options menu in-game. Sorry.

[kludermor]

Thats really dissapointing 
New joystick and "new" game but totally overkill with the x52 joystick.
I hoped it was just a problem with fs2open using the microsoft driver instead of the saitek driver.

I found a lot of talk on different fanpages about people wanting a x52 profile for Freespace 2. But no talk of a problem when trying to use the profile.

[Herra Tohtori]

I'm not certain why it's not working. I can't see any reason it wouldn't work, since you definitely can assign buttons to the joystick keys on the profile editor. Or macros, even. You could set up the profile based on the default button layout, so that when you press joystick button it reads it as a keypress instead of joystick button press. You do have Saitek Magic Mouse and Magic Keyboard (the virtual mouse and keyboard devices that the X52 controls when it's set to do so) installed...?

Whether or not the profile is automatically selected when you start FreeSpace2 is a different matter. If you make a profile named FreeSpace2, then that profile name should be shown on the MFD on the throttle. If there's no profile selected, the display says "No profile", so that's easy to troubleshoot.

I have an X-52, so I can definitely help you get things working. Could you upload your profile so I can take a look?

[kludermor]

Thank you Herra Tohtori.

I have assigned the default button layout in my x52 profile.
But the MDF says no profile.   

Don't know if I have magic mouse or keyboard installed.

I will start to look at the profile selection on the MDF.

I'll be back

[kludermor]

I will start to look at the profile selection on the MDF.

I'll be back

    

That did the trick.
Just had to tell the x52 to use the profile.
Did some testing. I can use the pinkie switch now. So I guess everything works perfect.


But I could use some advise on using the x52. I think it is to responsive. What would be recomended sensitivity settings for a novice. (Well I used to do great in x-wing with a joystick)

[Herra Tohtori]

Great to hear the problem was solved!

As for sensitivity... I use full sensitivity and zero deadzone. You can try different sensitivity modes on FS2 setup, but note that the blue X52 (non-pro) already has a non-linear control response curve (reduced sensitivity around the middle of the pitch and yaw axes).

Then again I have the reflexes of jedi and manual accuracy of CNC machinery so that may not work for all.


...well, not really. But I have modified my X-52 by removing the gimbal and twist handle return springs altogether, so the stick doesn't center itself but remains easier to control right around the deadzone. Also reduces mechanical wear and tear since there's less pressure on touching surfaces.


It is unfortunate that the basic X52 software doesn't allow control response adjustments on the profiler...

[kludermor]

@Herra Tohtori

Yes I'm so happy it works. Thank you. Maybe I can get on with the game now.

Will try different adjustments of sensitivity. Because I really suck at digfighting with the joystick compared to the mouse. It's like playing battlefield with a joypad. Impossible! But as said, I used to be an ace in x-wing 15 years ago. So I hope I will learn to use the joystick again.

Any good sources of x52 modding?

I'm about to configure more buttons and play some Freespace :-)

[kludermor]

I have found some new sensitivity settings, that works out better for me. I suddenly gets way more kills.
I found the tips at a Star Wars Galaxy forum.

I you have trouble with the joystick being to responsive, then go to the control panel of the x52. Under "deadzones" change the outer marker of the x and y axis to be 2/3 of the distance.
Also set the deadzone in Freespace 2 to be 0 and lover the sensitivity slightly until you get the hang of it.

Is there any brilliant profile settings x52 players can recommend?
For example: I have set the small mouse wheel to toggle weapon firing modes. Works great in close combat.

[FreeBass]

My setup is roughly thus;

Pinky; Shift (of course)

Hat 1; Target Hostiles/ Shift; Tgt Friendlies

Hat 2; Subsystem Targeting

Hat 3 (on Throttle); Augment Shields (fwd, back, L, R)

Fire, Fire A, Fire B; Missiles, Countermeasures, & Weapons Select

Fire C; Match Speed

Fire D; 'Burners/ Jump

Toggles 1-6; Energy Mgmt

....more or less.


I won't bother givin' a more specific description as I tend to change things up more often than I prob'ly should. But these ones tend to stay fairly similar. And I also won't bother postin' up any actual profiles as I figure is in yr best interest to actually learn to use the programming software. I've had the X36, X45, & now the X52 & I've never found a profile for any game that I was as satisfied with as one I set up myself. Just find what works for ya & roll with it.

[marajin]

Hey out of curiosity.... any chance I could grab a copy of your profile? I've had a coupla x52 profiles I found around, the most modern looking was the TBP dvd one but even that won't open in my profile editor so I'm guessing it's the issue I heard about with versioning?