Author Topic: gaming flaps......... (Read 847 times)

Tilt · « **on:** September 06, 2007, 08:04:10 AM »

OK not getting straight to the point..........

The Saitek X52 is a wonderous joystick...well at least it lets you do some clever stuff.

Its got this slider on the throttle which at first sight is pretty useless unless you want to use it to control RPM or maybe trim some stuff.

But with Saiteks programming software you can band it and stuff macro's into the zones.

You can even make the macros repeat them selves whilst you leave the slider in the band and you can make them repeat themselves at differing rates in differing bands.

Well I have not gone this far but I do have some nice bands set up to raise and lower flaps. (and change gear in a vehicle) A quick slide of my thumb and the flaps start to lower at either my predetermined rate (without having to keep hitting a flap index button) or at the rate set by AH's flap/ airspeed thresholds.

and there it is because when I combine this with AH's lovely program stopping me from damaging my flaps I can even dial stuff in and let it all happen automatically such that whilst entering a manouvre I can set (in advnce) the X52 to give me a notch as soon as AH says its safe and not a moment before............max speed scrubbed...........max lift for turn......earliest opportunity........... and when it happens and I hear the flap driving into position I can decide if I want more at the next speed increment or leave it where it is.

Of course if I want 2 notches and I am slow enough I just get them at one request............

and if its time for nose down get the hell out of here then I raise them from what ever position they are at at one request......

I dont really have to think much about flaps.....I can just decide that I think I might need them soon and pull the slider back and they lower automatically when combat has slowed to that point that AH COAD lets it happen.

My aircraft has a computer onboard!

I am not "hacking" any thing just using the tools provided to play the game.

But am I "gaming" the fact that AH COAD protects the flaps the same way it does not protect the gear............. well you decide

and would you then wish that flaps did not auto retract (unless modelled to do so in the original bird) and if lowered left down inapproriately would groan a bit before breaking off as does the gear.

btw these macros are inconvenient in another respect. Sometimes I can be flying for several minutes with my X52 continually inputting flap up or flap down Q's and W's. (usually when I have left the flap up command macro running)

This has caused my text line to fill with the damn things when opening a channel to write a message such that trying to write "urgent messages" is impossible as the first thing I have to do is reset my flap slider and delete a row of Q's. On some occasions it has caused (well I think this is the cause) my text line to be totally unusable where by what ever I write just dissappears as I write it. To solve this I have to re log although on one occasion lowering and raising flaps cleared it. (or seemed to)

Meatwad · « **Reply #1 on:** September 06, 2007, 08:10:18 AM »

Thats neat!

I have my X-52 slider set for wheel brakes

Spikes · « **Reply #2 on:** September 06, 2007, 03:02:38 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Meatwad
Thats neat!

I have my X-52 slider set for wheel brakes

\

Me too

AirFlyer · « **Reply #3 on:** September 06, 2007, 06:24:44 PM »

I've always wanted to set mine as a zoom, but couldn't get it to work.

Bad31st · « **Reply #4 on:** September 06, 2007, 10:28:40 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by AirFlyer
I've always wanted to set mine as a zoom, but couldn't get it to work.

I've got mine set to zoom level - PM me your email address AirFlyer and I'll send you my profile if you like...

scottydawg · « **Reply #5 on:** September 07, 2007, 01:16:36 PM »

Tilt, great idea, thanks for the tip. And funny too. Can't wait for your next 'qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq' on ch200

Snubby · « **Reply #6 on:** September 07, 2007, 07:27:25 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by SpikesX
\

Me too

same here

I use the hat on the front of the throttle for flaps.

Spikes · « **Reply #7 on:** September 07, 2007, 07:42:05 PM »

Me too.

DustyR · « **Reply #8 on:** September 22, 2007, 11:33:34 AM »

Like y'all said the X52 is one fine system, until you hit the text screen & see a line of k,l, etc filling it up. I like the automatic flap deployment idea, I also can visualize alot of other ways the 52 can be custimzed to control/assist AC handling.

clerick · « **Reply #9 on:** September 22, 2007, 11:53:55 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Meatwad
Thats neat!

I have my X-52 slider set for wheel brakes

Elevator trim. Wheel brakes are on the main hat switch on the stick. Left for left brake, right for right and straight up for both. The flaps are on the indexed wheel on the front of the throttle.

Having a TrackIR frees up a LOT of switches and buttons for other things.

AirFlyer · « **Reply #10 on:** September 22, 2007, 01:14:22 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Bad31st
I've got mine set to zoom level - PM me your email address AirFlyer and I'll send you my profile if you like...

Nah I think I figured it out now that I played around with these bands a bit.

Also I use the hat on the back of the throttle for flaps and elevator trim.

Cypher · « **Reply #11 on:** September 22, 2007, 04:54:41 PM »

About how much would one of these X52 sticks cost me?

DustyR · « **Reply #12 on:** September 22, 2007, 07:57:21 PM »

They are avaliable directly from Saitek.com & Best Buy. Mfg refurbished at Saitek apx $75.00 US. Best buy apx $119 US. Nice thing about Best Buy is the extended Warranty.

Major Biggles · « **Reply #13 on:** September 22, 2007, 09:48:32 PM »

fave things i have programmed:

macros for salvo and delay, can set them pretty much instantly, big help when you realise your salvo is set to 1 moments before you need to drop on that CV or HQ lol.

wheelbrakes ssigned to bands on the mouse, throttle 2 on slider so i have differential engine control while flying 38s, mossies and things like that, it makes for brilliant reversals hehe.