USB HOTAS remarks at Combatsim.com

[Cobra]

Some favorable remarks from Combatsim.com on AH's ability to handle and configure USB HOTAS setups....


There are a few flight sims that currently recognize multiple controllers through DirectX. The Flight Simulator line, MiG Alley, and Aces High all allow the user to select specific devices seen in the Windows game controller panel and assign them to specific axis' of movement. We decided to configure Aces High using the X36 USB combo and USB CH Pro Pedals as a test. Even though the stick/throttle combination and pedals are plugged into separate ports, and are recognized as separate devices in the control panel, Aces High's in-game joystick configuration menu will see both of these devices, allowing the user to configure them accordingly. We have every button and axis on this setup mapped to a function in Aces High, including the toe brakes on the Pro Pedals, and we have to say that this functionality is a HOTAS programmers dream come true. Our question is, why the hell doesn't every game have this capability, especially when nearly every new HOTAS device coming out is going to be a separate USB device?

Can't wait to get my USB set-up now.

Cobra

[Yeager]

HEY!!!!

Does that mean I can get a CH USB throttle
and use it in conjuction with my Precision Pro?

hmmm.....

Im still waiting for the complete HOTAS set-up using both USB and Digital Optics instead of ANY sort of mechanical meters.

YYYYeager

[Azrael]

Az stands in row behind yaeger  

Az

[Gman]

Heh, that article at Combatsim.com was written by yours truly.  

The great thing about the CH USB pedals Saitek USB X36 combo for AH is that you can configure the toe brakes for the pedals, and every button on the sticks right in the AH configuration menu.  Very, very, very cool.  

Thrustmaster's new USB combo is in the works, rumoured to be called the "USAF" series, and it'll have interchangeable F22, Eurofighter, and Su27 grips, as well as a new "stick" mouse instead of that stupid eraser head.  F22/TQS is my favorite combo of the 4 HOTAS's I've got, and I can't wait to see this new series, with toe braking rudder's and all metal construction.  

In the interim, the $99 dollar X36 USB kix bellybutton if you want to be USB until the new TM line is out.

I should mention CH, as their stuff will be out very shortly: New USB Pro Throttle with USB Fighter/Combat stick with the USB Pro pedals will work awesome in AH, just not in much else since each device is recognized separately in the control panel.

Go HiTech!  Only guy around of the 15 or so people I talked to regarding that article I wrote who was pro-active and made something work (recognize multiple devices through the game).  I think WB might have fixed theirs so that multiple USB devices are recognized too, but since I never play that, I'm not sure.


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Gman - JG2/1
editor@combatsim.com

[This message has been edited by Gman (edited 03-30-2000).]

[JFalk]

WB's has not fixed the multiple USB problem, the email I received back from WB's tech support says that it is a "bingo extreme" problem they are working on.

No date given on the fix for this, I am very glad AH allows me to use my USB pedals and USB stick.  Its one of the reasons I fly more often in AH then WB's, the other factor is the unlimited play here in AH vs the hourly rate of WB's.