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Help and Support Forums => Help and Training => Topic started by: Latrobe on December 17, 2009, 05:43:47 PM

Title: Question about X52 joystick modes switch
Post by: Latrobe on December 17, 2009, 05:43:47 PM
Anyone who has a X52 joystick knows there's a mode switch on it for 3 different modes. A thought came to me today as to if there is a way to program those buttons to switch modes in-game. AHII has 3 modes (Air, vehicle, and god mode), so it would seem logical to set this switch to change modes in-game. Of course I have the option on in-game so the right mode is always on for every sortie, but still would be neat to do this.
Title: Re: Question about X52 joystick modes switch
Post by: 100Coogn on December 17, 2009, 07:37:51 PM
If you feel like messing with the X-52 software, you can do exactly that.
Program Mode 1 for fighter, Mode 2 for tanks and Mode 3 for what ever.
 :aok
Title: Re: Question about X52 joystick modes switch
Post by: Motherland on December 17, 2009, 08:49:13 PM
Anyone who has a X52 joystick knows there's a mode switch on it for 3 different modes. A thought came to me today as to if there is a way to program those buttons to switch modes in-game. AHII has 3 modes (Air, vehicle, and god mode), so it would seem logical to set this switch to change modes in-game. Of course I have the option on in-game so the right mode is always on for every sortie, but still would be neat to do this.
All you have to do is map it. You don't need the Saitek software. Each of the clicks on the wheel is a mode. I think mode selects are under global (in Aces High).
Title: Re: Question about X52 joystick modes switch
Post by: Lusche on December 18, 2009, 08:39:54 AM
I tried to map the AH modes to the mode selector wheel on my X-52 Pro. It did work, but not very good: I found that the mode "button" was being activated in regular intervals, which was getting a problem when holding down my gun trigger, shooting would stop for a moment. As I'm depending on short, but controlled & precise bursts, that was intolerable for me.
I'm now toggling modes with the pinkie switch. (Doing it quite often, for me the different modes are setting up my 2-stage trigger in different ways)
Title: Re: Question about X52 joystick modes switch
Post by: PFactorDave on December 18, 2009, 09:51:47 AM
As it happens, the hat switch on my MS Sidewinder is wearing out, so I picked up an X52 when I saw a cheap price a few weeks back.  Planning to get it out of the box eventually...  I was wondering how people who have been using an X52 for awhile have their stick mapped?  I'm going to have to relearn a new stick anyway, so curious about other folks' ideas.
Title: Re: Question about X52 joystick modes switch
Post by: Knite on December 18, 2009, 10:01:49 AM
I'm running Vista 64 with a X52, and I do not remember installing Saitek's software, only the drivers.
Using that little "rotate switch" on the joystick I have set up to do exactly what you are speaking of. Mode 1, 2 and 3. It's working great for me actually.

One thing to pay attention to however is that AH likes to set modes automatically based upon what type of "craft" you are piloting/driving, so sometimes you have to rotate the mode switch to the next mode and roll it back just to reset it. (i.e. if you like Mode 3 to bomb in, and get in a bomber, AH will reset to Mode 1, so you have to roll the mode switch back to Mode 2 then up to Mode 3 for your bomber settings to activate).
If that makes sense.
Title: Re: Question about X52 joystick modes switch
Post by: Lusche on December 18, 2009, 10:10:56 AM
One thing to pay attention to however is that AH likes to set modes automatically based upon what type of "craft" you are piloting/driving, so sometimes you have to rotate the mode switch to the next mode and roll it back just to reset it

Better just unselect "Auto select mode at start of flight" checkbox under Options->Map Controller. Problem solved.
Title: Re: Question about X52 joystick modes switch
Post by: Knite on December 18, 2009, 10:43:24 AM
Better just unselect "Auto select mode at start of flight" checkbox under Options->Map Controller. Problem solved.

Errr.... uhmm... yes.... well....
HEY LOOK IT'S ELVIS!!!
 :bolt:
Title: Re: Question about X52 joystick modes switch
Post by: RTHolmes on December 18, 2009, 11:41:39 AM
I use the X52 mode select wheel to select guns for the first pressure on the trigger; primary, secondary, or all guns.

I just set up the AH modes 1, 3 and 4 identically apart from the trigger1 assignment, assigned a key to each mode then used the SST software to map the wheel to each key. works well :aok
Title: Re: Question about X52 joystick modes switch
Post by: morfiend on December 18, 2009, 12:37:59 PM
Dave,

 When you get the 52 outta the box,try this,do a basic setup and dont program all the buttons.

 Then once it's memorized start adding new commands 1 or 2 at a time.

 Depending if you use the software or not will determine whats the "best" setup for you.

 Myself,I keep it simple,joystick has guns,views and comms. throttle has all flight controls with the addition of the view modifier{look up} which is on my throttle to force me to keep both hands on throttle and stick.

 If you look me up in the TA,I'll bounce some ideas off you!

   :salute
Title: Re: Question about X52 joystick modes switch
Post by: mtnman on December 18, 2009, 12:52:57 PM
As it happens, the hat switch on my MS Sidewinder is wearing out, so I picked up an X52 when I saw a cheap price a few weeks back.  Planning to get it out of the box eventually...  I was wondering how people who have been using an X52 for awhile have their stick mapped?  I'm going to have to relearn a new stick anyway, so curious about other folks' ideas.

I'll post a picture of my mapping, but in a different thread to avoid the hijack.
Title: Re: Question about X52 joystick modes switch
Post by: Tilt on December 18, 2009, 02:15:23 PM
You can map the mode switches in AH.

But to do this you do not need to use the saitek software.

The other problem with using mode switches is that their out put is constant. In efffect they output the equivilent of "press and hold down".

Hence (unless you want AH to respond to a button continually pressed) its best to use them for functions where the button remains pressed when in use for instance bomb sight calibration or perhaps an auto flap control. In either case "mode 2" position should be left unprogramed.

I use the MFD buttons (start/stop, reset)  and wheels in game as well as the scroll buttons and mode buttons and clutch buttons all programmed within AH without any saitek software running in the back ground. To do this you need to call the game control panel for the X52pro and leave it in the back ground. Then AH sees all the X52pro out puts as DX# functions. AH then uses these numbers (minus1) in its controller interface on the clip board.

(http://www.btinternet.com/~fulltilt/AH/x52pro.jpg)

To use it this way just leave the game controller panel running in the background then start AH and program every single button (except the mouse toggle ) in the AH map controller panel.
Title: Re: Question about X52 joystick modes switch
Post by: RTHolmes on December 18, 2009, 02:19:22 PM
The other problem with using mode switches is that their out put is constant. In efffect they output the equivilent of "press and hold down".

doesnt have to be, in SST you can set it to do just one keypress when the mode wheel is moved to a new position :)
Title: Re: Question about X52 joystick modes switch
Post by: Motherland on December 18, 2009, 02:52:08 PM
I use the X52 mode select wheel to select guns for the first pressure on the trigger; primary, secondary, or all guns.

I just set up the AH modes 1, 3 and 4 identically apart from the trigger1 assignment, assigned a key to each mode then used the SST software to map the wheel to each key. works well :aok
What's the second click?
Title: Re: Question about X52 joystick modes switch
Post by: Latrobe on December 18, 2009, 03:06:05 PM
Very interesting posts. I'm just gonna leave mine as is, but still very interesting reading.  :aok
Title: Re: Question about X52 joystick modes switch
Post by: Lusche on December 18, 2009, 03:10:34 PM
doesnt have to be, in SST you can set it to do just one keypress when the mode wheel is moved to a new position :)

How? I failed to do that so far...  :joystick:
Title: Re: Question about X52 joystick modes switch
Post by: Motherland on December 18, 2009, 03:25:20 PM
Very interesting posts. I'm just gonna leave mine as is, but still very interesting reading.  :aok
Might be a good idea.
When I first had it on manual switch a while ago I just copied mode 1 to mode 2 (for GV's) and reset the commands that would be needed for GV's (instead of having to reset all of my vox, views and such).
So most of the flight commands were still mapped... several times I would forget to switch, and go through entire fights without flaps, since I have them mapped to gear in GV mode (even though I thought I had them, but could not understand why I was doing so badly).
Now I've unmapped WEP and gear from mode 2 so I can't take off if I forget. :)
Title: Re: Question about X52 joystick modes switch
Post by: 100Coogn on December 18, 2009, 03:48:09 PM
One thing I do like about the sst software, is programming the throttle detent to Weps.  As soon as my throttle crosses the peak of the detent, it's Weps on and when I pull it back, Weps are off.  I just like to play with the band settings on there.
Title: Re: Question about X52 joystick modes switch
Post by: RTHolmes on December 18, 2009, 04:24:39 PM
One thing I do like about the sst software, is programming the throttle detent to Weps.  As soon as my throttle crosses the peak of the detent, it's Weps on and when I pull it back, Weps are off.

same here - top detent is wep, bottom detent is engine off. easy and instinctive to use, replicates breaking the wire for some RL WEP and saves 2 buttons :aok


What's the second click?

I set trigger2 to fire all guns in all 3 modes.


How? I failed to do that so far...  :joystick:

right-click in the slot above the x52 mode button in SST, select "new advanced command", name it, click in the "Press" box then just punch whatever key you have assigned to the AH mode (the quicker the better, it times the release). :)
Title: Re: Question about X52 joystick modes switch
Post by: Lusche on December 18, 2009, 04:42:43 PM
right-click in the slot above the x52 mode button in SST, select "new advanced command", name it, click in the "Press" box then just punch whatever key you have assigned to the AH mode (the quicker the better, it times the release). :)

Ah.. I never tried to program a "key" to it, I just wanted to behave like an ordinary button that I could then program in AH (i.e. move the whell=one "click" and thats it)
Title: Re: Question about X52 joystick modes switch
Post by: RTHolmes on December 18, 2009, 04:49:01 PM
well its a roundabout way of doing it but it works just that way. in AH I have modes 1, 3 and 4 assigned to keys 8,9 and 0, the mode wheel just does the keypress whenever you move to a new position. of course at the start of each sortie the wheel hasnt moved yet, so I have AH mode 1 (default) set to all guns, so every sortie defaults to all guns until I move the wheel and set it to another mode :)
Title: Re: Question about X52 joystick modes switch
Post by: Lusche on December 18, 2009, 05:22:45 PM
I experimented again with the mode wheel.. but whatever approach I try, I can't get rid of the "button" being triggered in regular intervals.

Well, back to my old pinkie solution *sigh*
Title: Re: Question about X52 joystick modes switch
Post by: 100Coogn on December 18, 2009, 05:26:10 PM
same here - top detent is wep, bottom detent is engine off. easy and instinctive to use, replicates breaking the wire for some RL WEP and saves 2 buttons :aok


I like how you have yours set for 'breaking the wire' on the throttle back=engines off.  I'm going to see how that setting works out for me.
 :rock
Title: Re: Question about X52 joystick modes switch
Post by: Latrobe on December 18, 2009, 07:58:55 PM

I like how you have yours set for 'breaking the wire' on the throttle back=engines off.  I'm going to see how that setting works out for me.
 :rock

Me too! That sounds so cool! I likey!  :aok :D
Title: Re: Question about X52 joystick modes switch
Post by: harry1 on December 19, 2009, 06:12:31 AM
One small suggestion, which works great for me.
 I assigned the "Fire D" button (blue light thumb button) on the throttle side, to "Fire All" this allows better control of the joy stick side when aiming, as you do not get unwanted movement when pulling the trigger.
 Try it, and you will notice how the trigger pull sometimes affects your aim.
  With the fire button removed to the other handle, there is no chance to come off target by an erratic trigger pull.
Title: Re: Question about X52 joystick modes switch
Post by: Koendog on December 19, 2009, 10:29:13 AM
same here - top detent is wep, bottom detent is engine off. easy and instinctive to use, replicates breaking the wire for some RL WEP and saves 2 buttons :aok

Thats sweet! Hopefully the big jolly man in the red suit brings me the X52 and this will be my setup!  :x
Title: Re: Question about X52 joystick modes switch
Post by: RTHolmes on December 19, 2009, 01:11:25 PM
I experimented again with the mode wheel.. but whatever approach I try, I can't get rid of the "button" being triggered in regular intervals.

heres my profile, have a play with it (I test it using Notepad not AH so you can see exactly what keypresses are sent and when):

http://www.lumbergh.aquiss.com/ah/stuff/aces_high_v2.pr0 (http://www.lumbergh.aquiss.com/ah/stuff/aces_high_v2.pr0)