I don’t see much here on this tip i found on another forum but lots of people using various soft and hard solutions to get extra hardware buttons. I use this all the time and think it’s a neat solution using the Asobo in built dual key function configuration. Choose one button to act as a “shift key” ie press this button and then a second button at the same time for a different function than the “unshifted” function of that or any button. Simply choose your command to program in controls option, choose the select input box and press the button and THEN the chosen “shift” button, this will then show as the first button followed by the shift button, this looks the wrong way round but is essential as your chosen “shift” button must have no action assigned to it so when pressed first followed by the action button it will work properly. Hope that makes sense and is useful. (One use for me is to shift the HAT button for extra views).
I use this on my Honeycomb Alpha. My thumb button on the right side of my yoke is the SHIFT button.
Not that I need more buttons, but I can’t believe I never thought of this.
Brilliant.
Jim-Sim
This method of setting a combination shortcut (i.e. with a shift key or whatever) by changing the order of the keys is an excellent tip I haven’t seen before, and it certainly is a workaround for some problems I was having - I’ve added a link to this topic in the bug-fix wishlist topic:
https://forums.flightsimulator.com/t/major-flaw-in-keyboard-shortcuts/316508
It’s a tip that Asobo should take on board as well, as it would solve some of the problems with their default keyboard shortcuts.
Brilliant tip. Thanks!
On my Alpha I use button 1
That’s the button on the left side defaulted to “smart view” so you gotta unassign that first
By using button 1 instead of your thumb button means your thumbs on both hands are free to use all the buttons while pressing the shift button 1
And don’t forget by using a shift button with in comb with the hat you now have 8 extra assignments!
I use the shift hat combo to select ATC responses
One quirk I noticed when assigning the shift key combo you first must press the main button and then the shift button
I just wish you could use a shift button on the Alpha in combo with a button on the Bravo
I considered that initially as it’s the easiest button to get to, but I use that button as ATC command 1 (90% of ATC replies will be Option 1). I plan to start using Vatsim as well, so I’d like to have that as my radio xmit button, much like it would be IRL. Going to be taking flying lessons once COVID dies down, so I want to get into that habit early.
Word. But shift commands are unique to their own controller unfortunately. That would certainly make things interesting if you could do that.
I can see it now… Shift, button 7 Alpha, with Bravo switch 24, then Logitech left rudder pedal, while telling Voice Attack what to do.
Ahhh… the possibilities.
Jim-Sim
Yup, That’s what I have mapped.
My red button on the right side of the yoke is my Push-to-Talk that temporarily activates the listen mode for Voice Attack.
Jim-Sim
My red button opens the ATC window.
90% of the time, ATC command 1 is what you need. Of that other remaining 10%, at least 8 of that will be ATC commands 2-5.
So I have the “trigger” as ATC 1. The up / down rockers (individually - buttons 5-8) are ATC commands 2-5. Using both the rockers is the default aileron trim (ironically, a SHIFT command by default as per the topic of this thread). And the red button opens the ATC panel so I can see what command I need to send, since I fly with the panel closed normally. That way I can basically do 98% of my ATC calls without having to take my left hand off my yoke.
And I have my XBox controller mounted to the middle of my yoke as per the link below. The D-Pad is ATC 6-9, and X is ATC 0.
And, I use a shift command there as well. LB + the D pad moves me around the cockpit like the arrow keys on the keyboard.
I keep the ATC and the Camera menu’s open, but on a separate monitor. I’ve read that this costs me FPS, but I don’t really pay attention to that.
I saw your thread on the X-Box controller mounted to the yoke, but I went a different way with my camera controls:
Jim-Sim
That’s actually pretty awesome. Use what you have! Any controller will work with MSFS. You just have to be creative in how you map it to work best for you.
It’s actually become particularly handy while in VR mode. I can reach over and use the three buttons I’ve mapped to the Cockpit, External, and Drone camera buttons (using Braille mode), and easily control the cameras with the joystick. I’ve really grown to like this device.
And given the OP’s advice… I’ve just doubled all these buttons now too.
Gotta try this when I get home.
Jim-Sim
Nice. That works well. I guess for VR it would be helpful.
I just can’t get into VR in this sim. I find it too choppy. Despite having a cast iron stomach and solid VR legs (had my Vive for 4 years now), I can’t play MSFS. A 30 min session was all I could take. That 20-30 fps frame rate and nasty warped tearing when it’s reprojecting frames makes me want to puke after a few minutes and gives me a horrible headache afterwards. And using a mouse to control the plane’s systems just kills any immersion that VR brings to the table. Not to mention I can no longer use my Stream Deck, nor my external tools like Navigraph. As of this time, MSFS in VR is a no-go for me.
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