Focus on peripheral options for SC.
Focus on peripheral options for SC.
The joystick choice is quite solid. I even have one on my right side with a mouse nearby, enabling me to switch to fine aiming when needed—especially useful in tight combat or when someone bothers me. If you're using a joystick with a twist for the third axis, it's better to use it for rolling instead of yawing. This is because twisting with yaw makes the control overly sensitive and precision suffers. A decoupled version would be nice so you can get used to each method. If you're going with rudders, just skip that note—it won't matter much. The main drawback of joystick controls is the limited sensitivity options (though they promise more). I'm not sure if dual joysticks are available yet, but it seems some people have already found a way.
@rentaspoon @ Nathan, I enjoy my flight sims—especially when I played them intensely before. But jet piloting in BF4 was a real letdown. That experience was a huge disappointment.
When comparing elite pilots versus star citizens, elite ones tend to feel more atmospheric, moving and pushing through pitch and roll quickly. In contrast, star citizens focus on thrust and momentum, letting you control yaw effectively and maintain speed regardless of orientation, depending on the ship and its thruster layout.
This post might help in some way.
P.S. Good quality affordable joysticks include the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro (20-35 USD) and the Thrustmaster T-16000m (25-50 USD). The latter is superior, though the former is easier to locate. If you're curious about joystick orientation, give it a try. Popular choices are CH, Saitek, and Thrustmaster CH (around 300-400 USD for a full set with rudder). You can purchase parts separately. Depending on your game and controls, mixing brands works well. They’re durable and rarely have quality control problems. Hard to find outside North America. Saitek, now owned by Madcatz, has poor quality and service. For the X55 model, about 3 out of every 5 units need a return. The X52 Pro is decent but has a big deadzone. The X6* variant uses force sensing and doesn’t move the stick at all. Thrustmaster options range from a cheap $40 one with few buttons to a $420 model that’s top-notch—though you’ll need pedals for full yaw/roll. You might want to wait for a sale, as it dropped to $350 on Newegg with pedal discounts.
I understand the traits of SC really well, but it seems the closest match I've found is asteroids! I crafted my own pedals for SC, though I wasn't impressed by how heavy they felt with the resistance. My plan is to use some inexpensive eBay parts and add switches at the base so that when you fully press the throttle, they trigger the boost.
I purchased x55 rhino hotas and they work well for me. I avoided warthog because of its high cost and lack of features; opting for pedals would only raise the price further. I prefer this model for FPS, relying on mouse and keyboard instead. @ drewjn I think I was lucky—my x55 is fine and has been in use for a few months now. The downside is it appears designed for users with larger hands, making some buttons harder to reach.
The stick's hat count matches the ch sticks and the warthog, yet it remains less comfortable to use. Congratulations on securing a solid option—this is uncommon. I haven't found a compelling reason to switch my dual stick configuration right now. Personally, I prefer the free-flying approach with the decoupled setup. For those unfamiliar, this style operates without throttle input and relies solely on side movements. My go-to setup combines the left stick with the right hand mouse or uses a dual stick configuration.
I was thinking about dual joysticks, didn’t actually try them but honestly they’d be my second pick. Seems like a great way to play.
I reviewed the complete CH Products configuration but after learning about the updated Steam Controller, I plan to test it out. Currently, my kb/m remains my main profile.
It seems like a durable piece of hardware originally from an old crane, still functioning well after ten years. People have used it reliably without issues. Although it came at a higher cost when purchased in Europe.
Considering a CH in Europe can be difficult. Better organize your vacations in the US and complete the process while you're there. It's more affordable this way.