Author Topic: Anyone use a Nostromo game pad before? (Read 302 times)

Reschke · « **on:** April 14, 2006, 11:46:35 AM »

I have one on the way and was wondering if any of you guys have ever used one? I have seen a few guys over on the PF forums who have setup "radio" commands and other functions on the pad to work with their CH or TM gear. This is the one I have coming to me.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=6184764&type=product&id=1067389784805

StarOfAfrica2 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 14, 2006, 12:31:42 PM »

I use an N50. You getting the N52? It has 4 more buttons up top than mine, 1 button on the side I dont have. I use the throttle wheel for my AH throttle, the middle 8 keys for combo views (since I only have the 4 way hat), one key for gear and one for WEP, the two left most keys (top and bottom) are for elevator trim. With an 8 way hat you can cut combo view buttons down to 2 instead of 8, and you have more buttons than mine too ............ all kinds of things you can do there. Only thing I havent found a use for is the Dpad on the side.

Reschke · « **Reply #2 on:** April 14, 2006, 12:37:52 PM »

Yep I probably will have it next week and then get to spend a little time learning how to use it. I am thinking that I will put all my trim functions over on it and radio PTT stuff there as well. The D pad will probably be where my trim functions go. Its just a thought for now but it would help to eliminate a lot of the switching of the dogfight switch on my throttle and stick. Also gonna get Track IR4 in a month or two and really freak out my wife.

StarOfAfrica2 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 14, 2006, 12:43:05 PM »

If I get TrackIR I wont need those view keys, frees up alot for me.

The D pad wont work for trim. Thats what I wanted it to do. The problem is it resets to center when you take your finger off the pad. So if you adjust rudder trim, as soon as you take your finger off the pad the rudder trim resets to where it was before. If there was a way to disable the centering function, it would be ok.

I had one back in AH1, and I swear I remember using the D Pad for trim. Either there's a way to disable the centering and I've forgotten it, or they changed it at some point before I bought my current one, or I'm just nuts. Any one of those is possible.

ramzey · « **Reply #4 on:** April 14, 2006, 01:55:01 PM »

som time ago i use saitek GM2 (mouse + left hand pad) pad and mouse as throttle and additional keys for AH2. Mouse was useless and lay under the desk, since i use wireless one. (i pay like 5 $ in fry's for this miracle).
It was very usefull when i had logitech or saitek evo stick. But after i bought X52 this pad was uselles.
So, if you have "hotas" or plan to buy one , forget about this one, its waste of money

StarOfAfrica2 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 14, 2006, 02:22:06 PM »

Probably. But considering the Cougar HOTAS is $240, the Saitek X52 is $110 and the N52 speedpad is $30, which do you think fits into more people's budgets? Not to mention that both of the above sticks have numerous complaints on these boards from their owners about problems they have out of the box, compare that to the ease of use and lack of parts to screw up on the speedpad.

I'd say its a decent investment for the casual user unless you ARE planning to buy a HOTAS right away, and want to invest that kind of money and time learning the setup into your flying.

ramzey · « **Reply #6 on:** April 14, 2006, 02:34:41 PM »

i have x52 now, and i asure you there is more then enough buttons and modes for all AH commands if you set them up correct and with a little bit of patience. For regular AH use i have only mode 1 set. And even if i have configured buttons on the stick box (this bottom one) i dont use them, they are too far to reach ) ;-).
Same its going to happend with N52 when you got throttle, swiching between throttle and pad take too much time and effort.
But if you plan to stay with twisted stick like logicrap or saitek, N52 is great solution as replacement for throttle buttons and sliders.

Bronk · « **Reply #7 on:** April 14, 2006, 02:37:58 PM »

Recently switched to X-52 no complaints. Feels like my old sidewinder PP2, with a bit more throw. Once you figure out the software its nice.

Bronk

Reschke · « **Reply #8 on:** April 14, 2006, 02:43:13 PM »

Sorry forgot to say that I have a Cougar as my setup and as I said a few posts back I am wanting to move radio commands and some other stuff that are not related to the actual flight onto the Nostromo. Plus I fly a few other games aside from AH and have a couple of profiles that utilize these other gamepad setups.

ramzey · « **Reply #9 on:** April 14, 2006, 02:47:44 PM »

so say it:) you like to have it for FPP ;-)
for that is good choice, but as for moving radio commands....... well you will see its not works well, at last was not working for me (too far to reach and take space on the desk, i have two 21'' monitors on it)

StarOfAfrica2 · « **Reply #10 on:** April 14, 2006, 03:28:53 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by ramzey
i have x52 now, and i asure you there is more then enough buttons and modes for all AH commands if you set them up correct and with a little bit of patience. For regular AH use i have only mode 1 set. And even if i have configured buttons on the stick box (this bottom one) i dont use them, they are too far to reach ) ;-).
Same its going to happend with N52 when you got throttle, swiching between throttle and pad take too much time and effort.
But if you plan to stay with twisted stick like logicrap or saitek, N52 is great solution as replacement for throttle buttons and sliders.

Absolutely, if you want to invest the money in a HOTAS and think you will use it enough to justify that and the time it will take to truly get an advantage out of it, that is the way to go. Many people getting started in AH dont have that kind of money or arent sure they will stay with it long enough to justify it. In such cases the speedpad is a great investment. For me it works because I dont ever plan to buy a HOTAS. I'm quite happy with my old analog CH stick and rudder pedals, it just needed more buttons to get me away from the keyboard and needed a more ergonomic throttle. Both of which I get from the speedpad. To each his own.

ALF · « **Reply #11 on:** April 14, 2006, 05:04:53 PM »

I use my n52 for Battlefield 2 and other fps, I have it programed for a few other tasks, but in AH2 theres not much need for more than a good hotas can do......excepts Id love to see some g15 lcd support:D

Reschke · « **Reply #12 on:** April 14, 2006, 06:10:36 PM »

Trust me when I say this Ramzey. I can't stand playing FPS games and only play games like Rome Total War and various flight sims. I simply get violently ill with headaches, dizziness and nausea when I play games like Unreal, Doom, Rainbow 6 or any FPS. So I choose to not play those types of games and haven't played them.