My gunnery is horrible too!
I'm starting to wonder if some of it is the limitations of my joystick. I'm using the cheap logitech one. I managed to play with the deadband, dampening, and curves (I stick to linear, because I tried non linear and it messes with my brain) to get to a point where I can at least hit targets and shoot them down marginally well (before, it was nearly impossible), but now the precision of the stick itself seems to be the limiting factor.
Two things that would help immensely would be:
1. A longer stick, so that you have more leverage and minute range of motion (the stick in general having a larger range of motion, meaning more minute inputs can be easily managed). This would also reduce the jerkiness that occurs near the center due to strong springs, as it would give you more leverage.
2. More precision. My current stick just is NOT precise enough. It's like the "resolution" is low. The smallest movements are either too small to be registered or just big enough to still put me off target and there is a "jerkiness" about the input as well, with numbers jumping around sometimes by a surprisingly large margin even with the stick in a stationary position.
Same goes for the rudder input. The rudder pedals I bought have springs that are adjustable, but simply too strong even on the lowest setting, making them "jerky" near the center, right where you need that precision control. That, and I just can't seem to wrap my brain around around them. Head says feet control rudder. Hands twist on the stick under stress.
