Above is my setup ready for xbox release day.
I wanted the option of mouse and keyboard as well as the hotas setup, so attached a hard backed mousemat to the right of the joystick, as this is the side it would normally be on a desktop.
I’ve been thinking though about how practical this will be during flight?
I’ll need to take my hand off the joystick every time I want to use the mouse - would I need a lot of mouse inputs while still controlling with the joystick? If so, would the mouse mat be better on the other side, even though the mouse buttons would technically be ‘backwards’?
…or am I over thinking things? Any advice is welcome.
It’s quite solid, yes - I’m using heavy duty velcro / Gorilla tape attached to the underside of the vesa TV mounting plates I have the hotas on.
Will have to wait and see how it controls. I figured I’d use the mouse more in pre-flight set up than in flight but we’ll see.
Interesting set-up. I have the HOTAS (and Rudder pedals) but I hadn’t anticipated needing a kb/m, I had presumed that the Xbox interface would bypass the need for that.
It may well do - I gather a lot of focus of the team has been to make controlling the Xbox version feel natural, so my setup might be a bit overkill. I’d kind of anticipated using the mouse in the map etc.
This is one of the reasons I went with a yoke – most sticks available for computer usage are right-handed, and as a right-hander I need to be able to use additional controls via my switch panels and the mouse and keyboard with my right hand.
With a yoke I can continue to steer via my left hand while manipulating other controls, just as in a real GA plane or airliner with a yoke or left-handed stick.
Nothing wrong with overkill, @Eejayplay if you already have the kit. I’ve not used a PC for 15 years, so kb/m is rather alien to me now. I’m frankly fascinated to see how the Xbox controls will move you around the screen. My HOTAS has 14 buttons on top of the axes/D-pad, so I’m sure they will come in handy.
Yes, a yoke would be ideal as the dominant had you use would be the left - freeing up your right a bit more naturally.
I got the hotas back when I bought the series x in anticipation of MFS, and at the time it wasn’t clear what yokes would be available/compatible.
Eventually I might have to look at a yoke, as I’m mainly interested in flying GA anyway.
If you can figure out a way to control mouse via the hat on your hotas…… that might work fine actually. Unfortunately I can’t help with suggestions there, but I think I’ve heard of people doing this.
Can’t offer much help but I just want to compliment your setup!
I’m sure you thought of this but you could use HOTAS on your left hand and throttle quadrant on the right as we don’t need to mess around with that to much!
Haha, yeah - it’s been about ten years since I simmed on PC too. I suppose. It does sound like dev team are quite keen that it should control well, no matter what inputs you might be using.
Thanks! Yeah, that did cross my mind . I think years of Elite: Dangerous using the PS4 version of the same stick might have ingrained the layout in my mind though!
I use a similar set up throttle, joystick, mouse, and keyboard. It has never been an issue to let go of the stick to reach over grab the mouse and turn a dial even during maneuvers such as take off and landing, if your cruising you shouldnt even need to touch the stick if the plane is trimmed out, or your running with the ap on.
Good to know thanks, as the way I have it set up just now is pretty comfortable, with everything within easy reach. I was just concerned about the practicality.
Note to self : fly the plane properly…no pressure!
the way i found it to be most comfortable was to have my stick (t16000m) on my left hand, and my throttle (honeycomb bravo) and mouse on my right.
it had to be the t16000M for my stick because i think they’re the only ones that can be used ambidextrously. Also, the reviews i read for it were pretty good and it does live up to its reputation.
i use my mouse for viewing/clicking the cockpit. and if you’ve ever played fps/3rd person games, it almost feels natural to have it like this. other than that, airbus planes are setup where the stick is on the left too.
There is no problem to take your hand off the joystick after you have trim the aircraft to fly with no force from the joystick, and if you use the autopilot you can leave the seat and go for coffee
Yeah, the T-Flight I’m using is pretty obviously ergonomically moulded to be left hand throttle in terms of button placement etc. It is quite comfy to use in that configuration though.
What keyboard, is that. I am looking for one and i am not shelling out 250+ on the razer keyboard no matter how good it is. Now Razer is you want me to review it, sure I will review🙂
Unfortunately I can’t help with suggestions there, but I think I’ve heard of people doing this.