X-52 Pro just arrived :D

[JohnLuke]

I just have to suss out the thumb slider & the 'mousepole' now.

Simples!

Great idea on the use of the rotaries! I use the upper one for sensor zoom, but hadn't assigned anything to the lower one. I think I'll be moving my landing gear and lights when I get home from work. thanks for the tip!

I use the thumbslider for FSD. It feels cool to slide a control to 'jump'. I use the mouse pole for 'push to talk' for in game comms.

[Cmdr Kharma]

I'm starting to get 'comfortable' with mine at last

Began doing some grindwork for Zach in solo, to fine-tune my bindings.

Think I've come up with a pretty ergonomic layout, making best use of the controls that some posts about the X-52 elsewhere describe as 'useless'. As in, the lower rotary is for landing gear & lights; the upper for supercruise/hyperspace; & the 'mousewheel' is for scanner zoom. I just have to suss out the thumb slider & the 'mousepole' now

What is becoming an increasing concern is the 'problem of stability', i.e. how to stop the damn things from sliding across my desk when the heat of combat strikes?

Up until now, I've had to satisfy myself with using large gobs of 'bluetack' but that's just no long-term solution for a former engineer. So, with a bit of research, I have a crafty plan.

By the middle of next week I'll be able to attach the controls firmly to my desk in seconds, in a manner which doesn't interfere with any other uses of the desk. Might even post a cheeky pic of my 'cockpit' when I've finished.

Want a clue?

4 x M5 x 60mm socket bolts
4 x M5 wing grip caps (for above)
4 x M5 x 13mm Screw-In Threaded Insert For Wood (Type D)

Simples!

Even simpler......

slipmat.jpg (11.54 KiB) Viewed 6720 times

Used to have it under my pedals on laminate flooring.....They never moved....

Might not help you if you yank up and back though....

[BrocMcGregor]

please don't think of this as an argument, instead it's my "resume" and I'm here to help if need be, and same for anyone else working with joysticks.

I've flown with:

Cougar, Rhino, X-55, X-52PRO, X-52, CH Combatstick, CH Fighterstick, CH Flightstick PRO, CH Throttle (and almost all the other CH products, and yes there is a trend there) and ironically right now:

I'm currently flying:
Logitech Extreme 3D PRO on my left (it's ergonomic enough, I actually use that "thumb" stick for "Flight Assist/Toggle") as my thrusters/throttle and function stick

and

a Speedlink Phantom Hawk on my right. Basically think of this one as a cheapy Saitek X-52, stick only, without, and it's a BIG WITHOUT "arm" button. Because of that button missing, I honestly tread very carefully when requesting docking I don't want to accidentally deploy hardpoints or worse yet, SHOOT THEM

and, for cheapies. They work.

I'd much rather have a Saitek X-52PRO... but then again, I wouldn't. I really enjoy the control this setup as given me as I like to fly FA:OFF.

BUT that is an EPIC HOTAS. Arguably the best out there "bang for buck" wise. Now learning what I have with these "cheapies" it's my intent to get two CH CombatSticks to replace them. Maybe. Believe it or not, the extra buttons on the left side of the logitech are amazing. I have them set for auto-throttle speeds 0-100% and FSD engage.

My only complaint with these two sticks is their "fidelity" their "accuracy."

Especially unfortunately in a game, like Elite:Dangerous that does not have the full joystick control that say, IL-2:1946 or DCS have. Those, I can set exponentially the control of my sticks. Pretty much negating any cheapness, drift, or deadzones these have. And unfortunately, using the debug camera as a guide, both these sticks do drift, and do have deadzones.

Something I never experienced in the Saitek X-52PRO once my friend and I got it squared away.

Good news is this: if anyone needs help with joystick peripherals, I believe I can hold my own in helping set them up. Particularly the "button mapping" in the game itself. I am proud to say I had one of the best instructors teach me the ways of HOTAS as a kid, the US Marine Corps. Long story short, growing up I had access to a MCAS's flight simulator... and took advantage of that OFTEN I also have real-world experience with flying HOTAS as well, albeit unfortunately I never did make the physical to get my wings of gold. I have thoroughly enjoyed earning them in my now soft, civilian life.

anyone needs help, feel free to PM me O7

[LionOfNarnia]

:P
CHEAP, EASY QD MOUNTING.
Thought I'd include this, just to finish the thread off neatly - Hoping others might be inspired to try something similar.

PARTS
4x 8mm M5 threaded inserts
4x 55mm socket-head M5 bolts (Allen key)
4x M5 spinners (wing grips for M5 hexagon socket screws)
a dozen M5 washers

All but the spinners I was able to source for a couple of quid on good 'ol eBay. If you live in the states, or northern Europe, the spinners are easy to find 'retail' but in the UK I could only find a wholesale supplier. A respectful & informative email to the sales manager secured me a 'free sample' of the 4 spinners I needed, so hats (helmets?) off to Paul Mulvey of Norelem LTD (Birmingham) for making this do-able

TOOLS
4mm, 5mm, 8mm & 10mm wood bits
Cordless drill
5mm & 6mm Allen keys

I don't see the need to do a full step-by-step 'how to', if you've got the tools & a smidgen of DIY skill, all will be obvious

Here's the assembled bolt & a spare insert lying beside an already-mounted one...


and a close-up of how neat the thing looks once attached to the desk....
(Yes, sprinkled with tobacco ash, already FD why don't even your 'luxury' ships have decent pilot ashtrays? )


A wider shot of my completed cockpit...


and a super-wide of it too!


Happy flying

[Loriath]

That is very cool.

My only issue is that desk height is too high for me. I need to bolt them to the chair, removable of course.

[FANTA5M1C]

Lol, my desktop is glass so adding bolts to keep my sticks in place could get a little messy ;p

Anyway, I just wanted to thank the maker of this thread because through you I've learned that shift states are naturally supported in elite. That's not a problem for my sticks, but I've been using my gamepad all kinds of wrong. Time for a serious remap so I don't have to hover close to the keyboard =]

[LionOfNarnia]

That is very cool.

My only issue is that desk height is too high for me. I need to bolt them to the chair, removable of course.

Thank you

Yeahmon, I think the stick is about 4" too high for perfection (though the throttle is almost perfect for the hight of my armrests) but if I went back far enough to even think about chair-mountings, I'm out of focus range for my PC-ing glasses

As I'm nowhere near sad/dedicated enough to build a dedicated cockpit, compromises have to be made, I suppose.

[LionOfNarnia]

Lol, my desktop is glass so adding bolts to keep my sticks in place could get a little messy ;p

Anyway, I just wanted to thank the maker of this thread because through you I've learned that shift states are naturally supported in elite. That's not a problem for my sticks, but I've been using my gamepad all kinds of wrong. Time for a serious remap so I don't have to hover close to the keyboard =]

"Let them lick suckers", she said

Well, thanks, I started the thread, but am very glad to see the 'community spirit' that has developed this into a seriously useful resource.

[Saberius]

My desk setup.

32inch main gaming monitor
24inch reference monitor/facebook/forums/thrudds
and 17inch Alienware laptop for showing my Teamspeak, VoiceAttack etc.

Seat is my comfy gamer/racer and I have bolted my X52 HOTAS with a couple of short VESA TV wall mounts to the base assembly.

Wireless Logitech mouse and Solarcharged keyboard.

and all important coffee mug... working on the cup holder for my beer...

[SquareBunny]

X52 Pro is really god piece of gear, but it have really big problems with drivers. I'm using it about couple of month and still can't get in work currectly and I stop trying. I'm thinking about swiching to Warthog.