Question on views setup.

[saggs]

So I'm in the market for a new joystick, (my last one having been fried) to get back in the game, .  I keep looking at the button layout on sticks and wonder about how to setup views.

My dilemma:

I used a Saitek 290 for quite a while.  Obviously I used the 8-way hat for view around, but it had a button right under the hat which I mapped for look up.  I could hold down "look up" button with the middle of my thumb and move the hat with the tip.  This way I could use all 17 views with just my thumb.

Well the Saitek died, and I pick up a Logitech 3d Pro, only had it for 3 weeks and it got fried. (see other thread)  But I could not figure what button to use for "view up" on it.  not having that button under my thumb meant I had to use my left hand for looking up.  Which meant I could not look "back up" or "forward up" or up at all with my hand on the throttle, which I used to do in dogfights with the Saitek all the time.

The only stick I've seen around today, with that layout is the Saitek Cyborg Evo FF.  So I've either got to get it, or figure out another way to map my views.

So, how does everybody use the view system?  Specifically what button do you use for "view up", and on what joystick?  or; How do you look up while keeping a hand on the throttle?

Any suggestions appreciated.  Thanks

[lyric1]

If you can afford it get separate controls for throttle & rudder/foot pedals this will simply give you more buttons & options.

[Shuffler]

Ch Pro Throttle, Pro Pedal, and Fighter Stick Lots of buttons and combos.

[saggs]

If you can afford it get separate controls for throttle & rudder/foot pedals this will simply give you more buttons & options.

Yeah, sometimes I lust for a nice HOTAS setup.  But I'm TRYING to be fiscally responsible.

[fd ski]

Saggs, go with saitek and use pinky trigger switch for view up.

I use it like that for over 10 years, doesn't require two hands, it's quite excellent.

Another thing you can do is use the same switch to chance control sets. You map 1 and 2 exactly the same for all settings, then chance views on hat to 45 angle on set 2. Use pinky in set 1 to switch to 2 and vice versa.

Either of the two works just as well. With second one you don't have to keep pinky pressed, which in some situations might be a problem ( maneuvering when looking at angle )

[saggs]

Saggs, go with saitek and use pinky trigger switch for view up.

I use it like that for over 10 years, doesn't require two hands, it's quite excellent.

Another thing you can do is use the same switch to chance control sets. You map 1 and 2 exactly the same for all settings, then chance views on hat to 45 angle on set 2. Use pinky in set 1 to switch to 2 and vice versa.

Either of the two works just as well. With second one you don't have to keep pinky pressed, which in some situations might be a problem ( maneuvering when looking at angle )

Ohhh, pinky button, hadn't thought of that, I've never used a stick with one, forgot they even existed.

Which Saitek are you using exactly?  I've looked at both the Cyborg Evo, and the Cyborg X neither of these has a pinky button that I can see.

Any other sticks in the $50 range with a pinky button?

[phatzo]

x 54 has a pinky button

[Grind]

I use one of these...

http://www.thrustmaster.com/product.aspx?ProductID=153&PlatformID=5

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&q=thrustmaster+t.16000m&cid=16686697976618954624&sa=title#p

If I can get 1 year out of it I'll be happy.

<S>

Grind

[saggs]

I use one of these...

http://www.thrustmaster.com/product.aspx?ProductID=153&PlatformID=5

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&q=thrustmaster+t.16000m&cid=16686697976618954624&sa=title#p

If I can get 1 year out of it I'll be happy.

<S>

Grind

Thanks, but that was only half of my question, how do you have the views set up on that stick so that you can keep a hand on the throttle while looking up?

x 54 has a pinky button

Do you mean X45?  I see folks selling used X45s on ebay, any opinions on what a fair price for a used one is?

[RTHolmes]

have the up/down modifiers mapped to something you can reach with your left hand on the throttle. on my old logitech I had the buttons on the base next to the throttle mapped, on my X52 I have buttons on the throttle itself mapped.

I have LH: throttle, rpms, flaps, vox, view modifiers.
RH: controls, views, triggers, station select.

[Anaxogoras]

Yeah, sometimes I lust for a nice HOTAS setup.  But I'm TRYING to be fiscally responsible.

If you enjoy this hobby long-term, then the fiscally responsible thing is to buy CH.  More expensive now, but it will last years and years, thus saving you money.  I've had the same CH stick for 11 or 12 years now.

[noman]

 I have a ch and i did the mod on rook switch but i use 1-8 way hat switch for 15 diff views using the control mode set-up in aces high. Control mode 1 i have look up,look front left, look left, look back left etc.etc.. Then control mode 2 is look up, look up front left, look up left etc.etc. I use the pinky switch to switch between control mode 1 and 2. I have control mode 3 set-up for gv's using another  buton to switch to that view.

[Noir]

I changed most of the keyboard keys to have everything on the keypad, for exemple "+" is view up and "enter" is view down, the flaps, trimming, autopilot, wep and more are there too, as you don't need the views on the keypad when you have a joystick.

That way you have a pseudo HOTAS setup that works with any stick. not having to look at the keyboard while fighting is a real advantage.

I'm willing to share my cfg files, just send a PM

[OOZ662]

Do you mean X45?  I see folks selling used X45s on ebay, any opinions on what a fair price for a used one is?

The X45 is the older brother of the X52, which is the older brother of the X52 Pro. I believe the X52 has a couple more buttons (though I don't remember) and more rugged circuitry than the X45. Also, the X52 tends to destroy its cable connection between the two bases much less; the X52 bases connect with what resembles a PS/2 (old mouse/keyboard) connector whereas the X45 uses what looks like a serial connector which screws in. Yank on an X52 cable, it pops out no sweat. Yank on an X45 and it may just tear the connector off the chip.

I highly recommend buying a NEW X45 or X52 and a wall-powered USB hub(they're pretty cheap, can't see more than $10 or $15 for a very good one). These joysticks are VERY heavily power hungry to the point where I think they ought to come with a wall adapter. If you plug them into an onboard or "unpowered" USB slot, the PSU will strain, you'll experience spiking, and the stick will slowly die to undervoltage.

One other complaint that some people have (that I certainly don't share) is that the spring tension is very low. You can hold the base in your hands and jiggle it to get the stick to flop around. I enjoy that because of the way I fly, but others like stiffer springs. This is easily remedied by inserting rubber washers (with a notch cut out to get them around the shaft) or even a cut-up top of one of those CDR/DVDR spindle cases. Anything that shortens the spring will bring up tension.

A short note, I recommend not using the "SST" software that comes with it. It provides the same functionality as most games already do and only seems to cause problems. After you plug it in, I also recommend getting the updated drivers from Windows Update.

So long as you go through this little hassle to set her up right and the way you want in the beginning, they'll last you a long time, give you precise control, and take your hands entirely off the keyboard. The "wonder" of the X sticks is that the X and Y axis are hall effect sensors that use a magnetic field to measure deflection instead of the old standard mechanical potentiometers. Hall sensors don't wear out in any appreciable manner and don't drift.

[fd ski]

Ohhh, pinky button, hadn't thought of that, I've never used a stick with one, forgot they even existed.

Which Saitek are you using exactly?  I've looked at both the Cyborg Evo, and the Cyborg X neither of these has a pinky button that I can see.

Any other sticks in the $50 range with a pinky button?

I'm using x3something. Old one. Had it for 7 years now and it works just fine. Then again, i don't play as often as i used to.

I live in europe so no idea on prices.