Do you have a joystick with multiple hat switches?

Bard · Post by **Bard** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 8:13 am

I've had my heart set on a particular toy for some time now.

But said toy has three hat switches (that I intend to map for targetting, thrusters, etc) And I'd like to make sure I'll be able to assign multiple "hat as buttons" values to varying key commands.

So who has more than one HAT on their joystick, and how do you go about mapping commands to each position?

(edit -- "valuse" is not a word)

AmigaKid · Post by **AmigaKid** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 12:21 pm

My joystick has 3 HATs as well (we talking about a Saitek toy here, by chance?). I'm using one for looking around, one for targeting (4-way button) and one for thrusters (8-way button). Programming the thruster was kind of an issue, I had to fiddle with the (joystick's) tools for about 30mins to get the diagonal thrusting correct, but now it works fine.
Said toy comes with an extensive programming software, so I never actually remapped a single command in Allegiance. You can just set everything up using the tool outside of allegiance.

Example:
My 2nd HAT is used for targetting exclusively:
Right = E (target next enemy)
Down = X (target nearest enemy)
Left = F (target next friendly)
Up = O (target enemy bomber)
(Actually, there are several more functions mapped to this HAT, but that's the standard Mode1 assignment.)

You see, no need to remap anything in Allegiance and hence it's no prob to do whatever you like to those HATs. /smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" />

AK

Bard · Post by **Bard** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 3:00 pm

Good to know, thanks.

For reference, it's a CH Products Joystick, not a Saitek.

Stain_Rat · Post by **Stain_Rat** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 3:04 pm

Bard wrote:QUOTE (Bard @ Aug 5 2006, 08:00 AM) Good to know, thanks.

For reference, it's a CH Products Joystick, not a Saitek.

I flew Alleg many times with that same stick along with their throttle. No problemo.

AmigaKid · Post by **AmigaKid** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 3:27 pm

Ah yes, I've seen the CH product line when I looked for a good joystick myself. I guess that's good stuff they make, but it's a wee bit too expensive for my likings.

I went for this instead. It was just 90€ in a store just next to me, definitly more affordable to a poor student than 300$ for the CH combo.
Not sure about the CH products programming software, but I'd recon it's very good as well. I like the X52 because you can program every single button with up to 6 different functions, so you could put 24 different targeting options on a single HAT alone (48 if you use it 8 ways). Also, the Saitek has one of the HATs on the throttle, which is a great one to use for the thruster.

AK

Gstar · Post by **Gstar** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 11:29 pm

Both of those joysticks suck.

NEITHER is left-handed /mad.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":mad:" border="0" alt="mad.gif" />

asheron2k · Post by **asheron2k** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 12:55 am

Ya well neither of may hands is left handed so it doesnt bother me much...

ImmortalZ · Post by **ImmortalZ** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 7:46 am

Gstar wrote:QUOTE (Gstar @ Aug 6 2006, 04:29 AM) Both of those joysticks suck.
NEITHER is left-handed /mad.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":mad:" border="0" alt="mad.gif" />

Seconded /mad.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":mad:" border="0" alt="mad.gif" />

Torke · Post by **Torke** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 12:51 pm

AmigaKid wrote:QUOTE (AmigaKid @ Aug 5 2006, 11:27 AM) Ah yes, I've seen the CH product line when I looked for a good joystick myself. I guess that's good stuff they make, but it's a wee bit too expensive for my likings.

I went for this instead. It was just 90€ in a store just next to me, definitly more affordable to a poor student than 300$ for the CH combo.
Not sure about the CH products programming software, but I'd recon it's very good as well. I like the X52 because you can program every single button with up to 6 different functions, so you could put 24 different targeting options on a single HAT alone (48 if you use it 8 ways). Also, the Saitek has one of the HATs on the throttle, which is a great one to use for the thruster.
AK

AmigaKid, are the bases on your stick and throttle heavy enough that they don't slide around on the desk (or whatever you set them on) when you are making lots of movements? I've looked at this joystick before and ended up settling for the Saitek Cyborg EVO, which has been a great stick but not working for my allegiance needs. I want to get something else but don't want to drop too much cash.

AmigaKid · Post by **AmigaKid** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 3:23 pm

I just weighed both pieces so I can give you some absolute values, they are both about 1kg. I usually don't have problems with sliding of the joystick itself, although admittedly the throttle could be a bit heavier. The good thing is you can set the resistance of the throttle piece itself, which removes that particular issue. Not sure how you handle a joystick /mrgreen.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="mrgreen.gif" /> , but imo the weight is alright.
I noticed that in Allegiance I jerk the stick around a lot more than in the flight sims I bought this stick for originally, were the weight was absolutely no problem. If you are having real probs with sliding, you could put some tape or other on the base to make it stick to the table. /smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" />

There are stores around here were they have sticks on display for people to check out, so I could get a feel for it before buying. I'd recommend you try that as well if you are unsure.
If you are looking for a really heavy stick, check out the Cougar from Thrustmaster. This one is completely metal and weighs something like 10 pounds. (The Cougar is a replica of the real US F16 controls, btw.) It's a bit more expensive, though.

Hope that helps.

AK