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Posted on 02/28/05 06:38:14 AM
MDuncan
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What Joystick to buy for VO?
I have come to the conclusion that I need a Joystick for playing VO. I have never in my life bought or used a joystick. (except Atari 2600, hehe) So I would love to get some suggestions on specific Brand/Model that would be good. I want a USB connection of course and a 360 on the spot rotate function and programmable buttons of course. I use an iMac and I have a universal driver, so anything USB will work. I have heard though to stay away from Logitech as those have trouble with mac, is that true or BS?


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Posted on 02/28/05 1:56:53 PM
ArAsH Wu
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Re: What Joystick to buy for VO?
I use a Logitech Wingman Rumblepad on my iMac G5. It's a PS2 dualshock type controller with a throttle slider. Works great with VO for me.

Posted on 03/08/05 1:40:30 PM
vaegun
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Re: What Joystick to buy for VO?
I simply can't play VO with a joystick. Last time I did, I threw it at the nearest window, hoping it would go through.
So many wasted credits.. >_<

Then again, the joystick is old. It has a 15-pin connector.. Can VO be played with a steering wheel and peddles? That would be novel -_^

Posted on 03/09/05 9:18:59 PM
MDuncan
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Re: What Joystick to buy for VO?
Hm I am really not sure at this point. I think I will just wait for a while and see how it goes.

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Posted on 03/10/05 7:53:43 PM
Hoax
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Re: What Joystick to buy for VO?
I tried using an x-box controler, I like it a little better than the dual shock but I had too much trouble adapting and gave up. I might still try a flight stick with a hat switch if I ever come across one.

I'm usualy disapointed at having to use the controls on consoles so I don't see why I'd like them on my computer, but I try now and then.

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Posted on 03/10/05 7:55:28 PM
Hoax
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Re: What Joystick to buy for VO?
Oh I know: I always wanted to try one of those 3d controlers where you grip a sphere and can twist it on 3 axis. There used to be one called orb 3d or somthing. Now I only see them for CAD applications so they tend to be over priced.

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Posted on 03/22/05 03:22:54 AM
Seta Ralel
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Re: What Joystick to buy for VO?
MD,

I just bought a Saitek x52 system... mainly because it looked like it had more than enough "stuff" to make VO interesting (and it is programmable)... I'll put it on a new box for testing... My current rig is my "flight Sim" rig - with yoke, throttle quadrant, and rudder pedals... too danged hard to use for battles... but it killed over 10,000 bots... 8|

I'll let you know how it goes after I've had a chance to get used to it...

Here's the link: Saitek X52 Flight Control


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Posted on 03/30/05 10:13:03 PM
MDuncan
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Re: What Joystick to buy for VO?
any reports on performance with VO? I am still not decided. Also one reason is this stuff is either hard to come by or extremely overprized here in Brazil... :)

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Posted on 03/31/05 05:49:24 AM
Seta Ralel
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Re: What Joystick to buy for VO?
Well... I am slowly getting used to it... it's a lot different than the previous setups... seems slower on the aiming, so pilotage is *more* important... but I feel I have more control in the three axis... so, I guess I would say so far so good... I like the separate throttle/control... feels a lot like an australian airplane I got checked out in (throttle on the left, stick on the right)...

I need to work on the station, though... in battle, I sometimes get a bit "excited" and move the stick around the desk... hehe...

I understand the difficulty to get... this one only has drivers for Windows (although they say they are working on MAC - actually an "open" version)...

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Posted on 03/31/05 08:16:33 AM
Nerde Verde
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Re: What Joystick to buy for VO?
Mac drivers might not be as much of an issue. USB Overdrive should take care of at least identifying the joystick and allowing it to work, also allows for reprogramming some buttons. VO's built-in support should take care of the rest.

*Note: I have not actually tried this, and don't have a joystick or game pad with which to do so.

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Posted on 04/01/05 00:40:30 AM
volcan
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Re: What Joystick to buy for VO?
just gotthe extreme 3d pro from logitec and i am much harder to hit in combat and it has a very comfortable grip.I can turbo fire and steer very smootly.In battle against artemis fighters (bots) who battle in pairs i can usely kill about 5 before i have to go back.With my keyboard in the same ship i could barely kill one.


Posted on 04/20/05 00:57:49 AM
lebermac
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Re: What Joystick to buy for VO?
Heya Vipers!

I purchased a Logitech RumblePad 2 for use on my iMac G5, running OS X 10.3.8. It has analog controls like on an XBox controller or PlayStation 2 controller. Configuration was automatic, no drivers to install, and V-O's config panel works with it seamlessly.

It's done several things for me, all of them good:
1) Saves my keyboard (especially the <tab> key) from overuse.
2) Allows me to swing the nose around on my Rev C or Valk as fast as possible... instead of: move mouse, pick up mouse and transfer to other side of mousepad, move mouse, pick up mouse and transfer to other side of mousepad, etc. and this in turn has...
3) Completely helped me in terms of PvP. Where once I was a complete hack at PvP, the gamepad allows me to move instinctively and react FAR more quickly.

I recommend that anyone who pays to play V-O spend the bucks and pick up this gamepad ($30) or another joystick of some kind.

Posted on 04/22/05 00:01:20 AM
apex azimuth
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Re: What Joystick to buy for VO?
http://www.saitekusa.com/usa/prod/cyborg_evo.htm

There's the trigger i've used to kill hundreds of Yarrs.. it's worked beautifully for me.

Posted on 11/14/05 6:52:20 PM
lanzer
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Re: What Joystick to buy for VO?
I must echo the Saitek comment. I've got a Saitek Cyborg 3D Gold USB. It can be changed for either hand, has physically adjustable trigger button, grip height, grip support, centre spring, and an eight-way top-hat control. It has one forward/finger trigger button, three thumb buttons, as well as a further six programmable base-mounted buttons. It has a solid feel and actually IS built well/tough enough to stand up to the sweaty vice-like grip and extreme-to-extreme controller movements of even the most intense dogfights!! (It even comes with it's own alan key for user adjustments).

Nuff said?

Posted on 11/14/05 7:21:39 PM
MDuncan
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Re: What Joystick to buy for VO?
In the meantime I bought that exact same Joystick and I must say it is a great joystick, but I gave up using it. I am back to mouse and keyboard. :)

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Posted on 11/23/05 02:17:34 AM
ghost_of_cpt__overkill
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Re: What Joystick to buy for VO?
You should actually think about getting one of those custom keyboards where the layout has been changed. Some are pretty horrible but some are ingenious. Google it and you will be suprised about what you can find. 8)

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Posted on 01/07/06 06:27:04 AM
lord of blades
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Re: What Joystick to buy for VO?
I'm using a logitech attack 3, running a duel g4 tower, and it doesn't mess with me at all. Its actually improved my pvp ability if anything.

Posted on 06/29/06 02:30:09 AM
MDuncan
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Re: What Joystick to buy for VO?
OK, i bought one today. Its a CLONE Joystick Cobra:

http://www.clone.com.br/moz/detalhes_prod.asp?detalhe=06154

This thing is made in China (what isnt?) and looks extremely similar to a known Logitech Joystick. Might even be the same one, rebranded or so, who knows? So I decided to pick one up after trying it at the store.

I must say, extremely well put together. Robust and good materials. Features are: 12 programmable buttons, USB connector, suction cups, Vibration system, Turbo, Throttle, 4 axis, weapons/target selector, 3 fire triggers. VERY similar to the 3D Gold from Saitek in its handling (I used one for 2 months). Its supposedly Windows only, but as with most PC USB stuff it works out of the box with Mac OS X, no drivers needed. :) Now I need some tips on the configuration please! Thanks!



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Posted on 06/29/06 09:51:52 AM
Jolly Roger
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Re: What Joystick to buy for VO?
Hi Experienced pirate to your aid here, im flying with a Sidewinder Stick, wich has served me well, the most importent thing your stick must have is the ability to roll.

So choose a stick that has the roll feature.

Yarr!


Posted on 06/29/06 3:17:30 PM
MDuncan
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Re: What Joystick to buy for VO?
Thanks for the Tip! Yes, it does roll, too. What I am having problems with is to assing the functions, I am confused as to what is the best way to have it. Setting it up with x/y for turn/pitch is kind of odd. It simply isnt a mouse.... I am still experimenting. Also I have so many buttons on this thing I am still trying to figure out what function I want on what button.

Step out of the vehicle with the hands up, you are under arrest!

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Posted on 06/29/06 9:01:23 PM
Jolly Roger
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Re: What Joystick to buy for VO?
trust me, i flew the 3 first month with a mouce, and when i switched to a stick it was a living hell, takes some time to get used to, but after awhile you dont wanna go back to the mouse

Anyway, nailed my 1000th victim today, so 3 times yarr to me :P

Yarr! Yarr! Yarr!

:P

Posted on 06/30/06 02:42:30 AM
Seta Ralel
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Re: What Joystick to buy for VO?
Roll? *All* sticks have the ability to Roll...

It figures, though... trust a pirate, and they'll steer you *wrong* every time... hehe

I think you meant "yaw" (the motion induced by the rudder of an airplane or the thrusters shooting straight out the sides of our ships... nose side-to-side). Stick "twist" in other words.

The three axis of flight are: "roll" (x-axis, or longitudinal axis - nose stationary and rolling along the axis from nose to tail), "pitch" (y-axis, or transverse axis - nose up and down), and "yaw" (z-axis, or normal axis - nose side to side).

Commander, I will email you the setup I am using on my X52 stick - it's closer to what you have... on my dual-stick setup, I have stuff mixed between the two sticks, and it probably won't match very well... not going to publish it here, for... uh, obvious reasons.


Experienced pie-rat... ppppfffffuuuuppptttt! ;) :whistle:

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Posted on 06/30/06 10:50:41 PM
FreedomBird
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Re: What Joystick to buy for VO?
I have a Logitech Attack3... (It's a POS, but I can still shoot pie rats, so oh well) I've found setting up the strafe as either the swively thing at the top (my old Logitech Wingman... What? I'm cheap when buying gaming accessories) or the top four buttons that go like this: (up)
(left) (right)
(down)
and it works fairly well... Except the thing's a POS and has trouble shooting and turning at the same time... Wait... Isn't that control issue of mine classified? Whoops.... :whistle:

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Posted on 07/05/06 4:33:25 PM
MDuncan
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Re: What Joystick to buy for VO?
Seta,

I tried out your config, I like it best. But still, its not possible to pvp with a joystick. Totally unprecise, I cant even manage to dock right! Is that just me or getting used to?
I have strafing on my POV button now. hmm... still prefering the mouse for now, but have not given up.
I am doing x-plane with the joystick and that DOES work great. Something about the 3D/360 FPS way of VO that kinda makes it easier to play VO with mouse and keyboard. For me anyway. The only advantage I see in a joystick is the endless turning thing.

I still have another chance of trying something else: I got a gamepad, I will test that out this week.

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Posted on 07/06/06 02:33:04 AM
Seta Ralel
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Re: What Joystick to buy for VO?
Hehe... yeah, I switched three times before settling in on the dual sticks... and it takes a bit of time to get used to a stick (I killed a *lot* of bots before taking it out against a player).

I personally hated the strafing on the tophat (I ended up writing a module to move it to the "mini-stick" on the throttle of the x52) because it was not precise enough for me. I wanted to have some chance against flares... and I did alright, I guess. The dual stick setup made up for the lack of precision on strafing, at the expense of precise throttle control... but in PvP I think the strafe is the most important capability (my opinion)... I simply avoid getting hit as much as I used to... it takes time to get used to it... because it is a major change.

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Posted on 08/09/06 07:35:53 AM
Kira Yamoto
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Re: What Joystick to buy for VO?
I use a saitek x45

Mduncan I think it just takes time and practice. I don't have trouble fighting but I never played with KB or mouse. I do have my straffe set-up on the thumb top-hat. rolls set-up on the rudder and on the top of the right stick. It works well its only 2d tho which makes me sad :cry: but it gets the job done. I might upgrade to the x52.

Posted on 08/10/06 04:57:50 AM
Menendel
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Re: What Joystick to buy for VO?
Commander, I use a dual Saitek Cyborg Evo config. Strafe on the left and pitch/turn on the right. But it does take a lot of getting used to, sir.

Posted on 08/10/06 9:37:44 PM
phaserlight
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Re: What Joystick to buy for VO?
I'll swear by my Logitech Freedom cordless, and I just ordered a Cyborg Evo. I'm hoping to get comfortable with a setup like Menendel describes, gets around the "wobble" effect when piloting heavies, sir.

Posted on 12/06/08 8:41:20 PM
Atice
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Re: What Joystick to buy for VO?
Hey guys. Seems this thread has been inactive for a couple years but I have a small dilemma which I think might be solved from a joystick. I currently am a keyboard/mouse kinda guy, but I'll admit that my keyboard hand (left) get incredibly cramped in battles lasting more than a minute or two. What I was thinking was I would get myself a joystick for my left hand, and keep the mouse in my right (its a logitech 8 button glory, wouldn't give it up for the world).

The joystick would need to only do 4 things: strafe, yaw, roll, and speed control.
I was looking into the Saitek Aviator since its fairly cheap (and ambidextrous) and I think it could take care of most of this.

Here's my idea of how to set it up:

Y axis movement will deal with y-axis strafing
X axis movement will cause roll
twist for x-axis strafing
hat-switch for throttle (up-down only)
trigger for turbo (its my left hand... what else will the trigger be used for?)

Thoughts and comments are appreciated. Thanks in advance!


Posted on 12/12/08 6:06:32 PM
Atimus
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Re: What Joystick to buy for VO?
Heya Atice.

I use a Saitek Cyborg EVO for my left hand and have it set up as such:

X Axis=X Axis Strafing
Y Axis=Y Axis Strafing
Twist=currently does nothing.

For accel and Decel I use Trigger and middle thumb button respectively. I use the hat (up/down) for turbo and braking. Hats typically are a bit more fragile than triggers and buttons so be careful assigning them hard-use tasks such as accel and decel.

Hat left and right toggles my group display

left and right thumb buttons control Activate and PTT (not an ideal solution since I cannot fight and talk at the same time but ah well)

The buttons to either side of the hat are set to hails. Left for friendly, right for rats (and other miscreants)

Lessee...what else? I think that's it. None of the base buttons are used.

You might also look into a logitech Attack3D. It doesn't have a hatswitch (which is why I don't own it, not enough buttons in general) but I prefer the construction of logitechs. The EVO is very lightweight and I wind up using doublesided tape to stick it to the desk (since it has no screwholes, suction cups, or another other way of anchoring it). Someday I'm going to take some time and fabricate a base. The aviator does look a bit more stable so may very well be a good choice.

I have a Logitech Extreme 3D pro for the right hand LOVE it. Nice sturdy base and general overall construction. If only it came in a left-handed model.

Hope this helps.

Posted on 12/23/08 4:00:25 PM
MDuncan
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Re: What Joystick to buy for VO?
Thank you Atimus! It is incredible how this thread is still alive after 3 years :-)

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