USB SaitekX36

[1776]

When I use the Mode Switch to change modes the screen freezes!! I have to ctrl-alt-del and restart my system.  Sometimes I get booted all the way back to the desktop, but still have to restart my system.

450 PII
voodoo2-sli
128megs mry
PCI 512(Creative)


Any other USB X36 users finding this problem??

[humble]

I've been flying with the x36 combo for about 2 weeks now. I don't use the modes at all in AH. The stick mapping provides 4 sets of inputs. I've got my trim on the throttle hat w wep on the big red button.

main views on 8 way hat and Up and rear left/right up views on 2nd hat with flaps etc on the stick itself.

[1776]

Am gonna use the Mode 2 for B-17 stuff,ya know, gunner positions etc.  Am using rotors for trim and using the throttle hat for 45 degree views(aint it wonderful to have so many buttons  )Big Red button is me gear and wheel brake.  Using mouse hat for flaps and RPM and shifted ail trim. This is gonna take awhile to find the best config for the stick, but it sure works great under USB!!!

Me thinks analog sticks are gonna be a dime a dozen!!  Digital is the only way to go!!

Let me know if you get booted using the mode switch.  Give it a test, will ya?

I can use it in AW and no problems.


 

[1776]

Hmmm,was just thinking.....

When ya move the mode switch, I wonder if the AH  program is seeing the stick being disconnected?? Well, just tried running AH and disconnecting the stick.  The program ran fine.  Now I tried the mode switch to see if the program would boot me.  IT DIDN'T!!!!  Wow, the cure may have been to unplug the stick and replug it in while AH is running!!<does little happy dance about the room  >

[eskimo]

Saitek Sucks!
I have been using the X-36 stick and throttle combo for over a year now (I returned one after it became too difficult to use)and am just fed up with it continually causing lock-ups.  The spiking in this stick requires huge Deadband and Dampening adjustments just to make it usable.
If anyone out there is thinking of buying Saitek, DON'T!  They wear out very fast and are a big pain.
eskimo

[1776]

I think you are using the old analog stick.  You will need to clean the pots, that will stop the spiking.  You will need to download "digital asprin" to fix most other stuff.

However, the real solution is to get one of the new digital(USB) sticks.  I struggled with the analog stick for 2 years and got it working real well in AH before using the USB X36.  The analog stick is a real challenge to get working right, but when it does it is and excellent stick.

Here's a couple of links to help you get your stick to work as advertized:
 www.just-saitek.co.uk/  www.migman.com

The migman shows how to take the stick apart.
I(Chas36) posted how to clean the pots in the forum at Just-Saitek.  I struggled for 2 years to find this cleaning solution.  Geez, it was so simple too!!!

I am extremely happy with the new digital stick.  

If you have an opportunity to try this stick, take it!!!  I got mine at Best Buy for $129.00 with a $30 rebate!!!  I don't think you will be able to find a better buy for this stick!!

I hope Saitek users will keep somthing posted about our stick in this BB.  Share your knowlege so all of us users can benefit!!

[humble]

Have you been able to set up trim on the rotory's??? I'm using the hat on throttle for that...would love to set up the rotorys for trim instead...?

I've got mixed feelings on the X36 combo so far, the rudder control is very inferior to my Ch pedals. If i could somwhow use my pedals with the X36 it would be great.

Otherwise I'm working on toning down the rudder input so its more managable.

[Lance]

I set up the trim on the rotaries when I originally created my game configuration for the x36.  To do it, you need to create the 6 trim keyboard commands in the Saitek gaming extention software so you can assign them to the rotaries.  Next, change the rotary's properties to banded.  Make two evenly-split bands for each rotary and then assign the opposing trims to each band (i.e. aileron trim left & right, or elevator trim up & down).  If you do this correctly, turning a rotary in a direction away from the center position should input the correct keyboard trim key.

With this set up, you have to remember to center the rotaries prior to heading to the runway or else they will not be in sync with the planes trim.  I kept forgetting to do this so I eventually reworked it to where the second stick hat and the throttle hat controls trims & flaps.  Now I have my rotaries cycle through primary and secondary weapons.

Gordo

[1776]

Did the same thing cep I used 3 bands.  I put the third band as a "no command" in the center as I found the rotory to be to touchy.

I have mode 2 set up for the B-17 and use one rotory for looking down and the other for zoom in & out.  Have found this to work well.

Do you guys use the Aux 1 switch for anything?

Will be very interested in how you set up your rudder.  Hope you will take a screenshot and post it here for us.

[Lance]

Ahh, forgot about that, I had to put a very small no-command band in the center as well.

I use the auxiliary switch for level, down and up viewing.  This lets me quickly choose my viewing plane with my left hand while choosing the direction with my right using the joystick hat.  It works well for me, and seems intuitive.  I generally never lose sight of an enemy in a dogfight unless he passes directly under me.

Here is how I currently have the stick & throttle mapped:

Mode 1 (Fighter) Button & Control Layout
Joystick Controls

• Joystick:  Pitch & Roll.
• Pinkie button:  Shift button.
• Trigger button: Fire both weapons.
• Launch: Fire primary weapon.
• Launch + Pinkie: Fire secondary weapon.
• Button A: Zoom.
• Button A + Pinkie: Start/stop film recorder
• Button B: Clipboard.
• Button B + Pinkie: Show damage.
• Button C: Autopilot.
• Button C + Pinkie: Autopilot angle.
• Hat 1: 8 position viewpoint.
• Hat 2: 4 position.  Up/Down=Raise/lower flaps.  Left/right=Trim aileron left/right.

Throttle controls

• Rudder:  Yaw.
• Throttle:  Throttle.
• Mode switch:  1=Fighter flight, 2=Take off/Landing, 3=Bomber/Gunner flight.
• Auxiliary switch:  1(back)= Normal view, 2(middle)= Look down, 3(forward)= Look up.
• Button D: WEP toggle.
• Index Finger Wheel: Cycle through secondary weapons.
• Index hat: 4 position.  Up/down=Trim elevator up/down.  Left/right=trim rudder left/right.
• Mouse stick: 4 position.  Up=radio 1, Right=radio 2, Down=radio 3, Left=radio 4.
• Mouse button: Roger Wilco transmission.

Mode 2 (Take off/Landing) Button & Control Layout
Joystick controls

• Trigger: Brakes
• Button A:  Engine on/off toggle.
• Button A + pinkie: All engines on/off toggle.
• Button B:  Gear up/down toggle
• Hat 2 + pinkie:  Individual engine selection.  Up=Engine 1, Right=Engine 2, Down=Engine 3, Left=Engine 4.
• Launch button:  Take off uber control.  Sets climb autopilot, starts engines, lowers flaps 20% and starts the film recorder.
• Launch button + pinkie:  Landing Uber control.  Lowers flaps 30%, lowers landing gear, stops the film recorder.

All other buttons and controls are mapped as mode 1.

Mode 3 (Bomber) Button & Control Layout
Joystick controls

• Launch + Pinkie:  Open bomb doors.
• Launch:  Drop bomb.

Throttle controls

• Thumb wheel:  Cycle through gunner positions.
• Button D:  Toggle between bombardier view and pilot view.

All other buttons and controls are mapped as mode 1.

If anyone would like the configuration file for the x36, I can send it to you.  It has a full command list for the default keyboard mapping, so even if you plan on changing every stick and throttle control, it would save you considerable time.

Gordo

[This message has been edited by Lance (edited 12-29-1999).]

[combat23]

I use the x36 combo (analog) and have it hooked up with ch peddles for rudder control. Works great in off line sims I have. Just started AH last nite and as you may guess I didn't stay airborn long unough to see if there was any problem with gear. I don't use the yaw feature on the throttle at all.

[Bullethead]

This USB stick is pretty cool, except for some annoying software problems (still waiting on updated CD from Saitek).  Interestingly, however, while it works fine in AH, AW refuses to recognize any of my programming.

One thing I can't do in AH, however, is figure out how to make radio macros work.  That is, I want to program a button to do "/ [text string] ENT".  However, all that happens when I set this up is the /.  Everything after that is ignored.  Any ideas?

In case anybody's interested, here's how I've got it set up so far.

Stick:

• Trigger:  fire primary weapons
• Button A:  WEP (wanted this a macro)
• Button B:  wheel brakes (ditto)
• Button C:  cycle 2ndary weapons
• Launch:  fire 2ndary weapons
• Pinky:  KP5 for up-view combos with hat
• Hat 2 (by LED):  8-way KP views
• Hat 1:  Mode 1 = elev/ail trim, Mode 2 = auto trims, Mode 3 = radios 1-4

Throttle:

• Rotaries:  unused
• Aux 1:  unused
• Button D:  KP0 for down view combos with hat
• Mouse Button:  t for Vox when implemented
• Mouse Stick:  up/down = flaps, l/r = rudder trim
• Front Hat:  up = ESC, l/r = zoom view, dn = declutter

I also have the Saitek PC Dash MFD thingy.  On this I have buttons set up for the 4 radios, the 3 auto pilots, all the engine and fuel tank controls, the gun camera, the damage report, and moving to the bombsight and opening bay doors.

-Bullethead <CAF>

[Minotaur]

BulletHead;

Try remapping the radio's default keystrokes to other keys.

EX: My radio keystrokes are set up as [` 1 2 3] for radio's [4 1 2 3].  (` I use for private channels) Easier to know which radio I am selecting, makes the keys hot and there is no {SHFT CTL ALT} keys to hold or to remember.

Another note:  Remember to put spaces between text characters, when building your joystick macros.
 
IE: / . s p e e d   1 8 0  ENT   -not-     /.speed 180 ENT

I tried the x36.  It seemed like a very good stick, but I went back to my trusty FLCS-TQS-Rudder set-up.  I was not able to get over the "Frustration Hump" with the x36.

Good Luck to You!    

Mino

[This message has been edited by Minotaur (edited 01-02-2000).]

[Bullethead]

Min said:
 

Try remapping the radio's default keystroke to another key.

I'll have to give that a try.  Can't remember right off the top of my head, but I assume those keys are open in the default, right?

-Bullethead <CAF>

[Minotaur]

Bullethead;

 

I'll have to give that a try. Can't remember right off the top of my head, but I assume those keys are open in the default, right?

Nope, they are gunners keys.  Alas, but I have moved my gunners keys to the [Home ---> Insert] cluster, so that I can find them really easily in the heat of battle.    

I have remapped my AH keystrokes extensively in order to build more efficient joystick macros.  Addtionally, some AH default keys are mapped for right hand use, by proximity.  I like to use my left hand for many keystrokes during flight, so I have remapped them for easier use.  That way my right hand always stays on the joystick while flying, and the keys I use alot are closer to my left hand.  It is easier to move my left hand on and off the throttle.

EX:  I use the [q w e a s d] cluster (set up in a array that matches the cockpit display) for trim control.  For OttoPilot I use x=OttoLevel, c=OttoClimb and v=OttoAngle.

Re: Good Luck!    

Mino

[This message has been edited by Minotaur (edited 01-02-2000).]