Thruster controls.

[Jeffers2112]

I'd long had the vague feeling that the thruster controls were a bit crude, with their ON/OFF states.
Then I saw something in a post that mentioned analogue control. I've had an X52 for a while now and I've gradually been refining my control configuration. So I take a look, and wow, I can assign analogue axes for the thrusters! So I've now made use of the slider and dials on my throttle and that feels a lot better.
I'm way out on an exploration trip so I'm going to try out a landing and see how much it improves things.....
As an aside, does anyone know of a way to print off the control bindings from within the game?

[KLED]

Not sure about printing as plain text, but someone linked me to this tool : http://www.mcdee.net/elite/

It'll give you an image of your control setup if you're looking for something more visual

[smartroad]

I have an X55 and have pitch and roll on the joystick, yaw on the joystick twist, lateral and vertical thrusters on the throttle thumbwheels

[Loriath]

Always wondered if I could map the Mouse Nub on the throttle .....

[thebs]

Always wondered if I could map the Mouse Nub on the throttle .....

Windows 7/8 usually require a registry hack to enable 5-6 other axes, including the limited variance (0-15 value) "Nipple Stick" (as I call it). I use the registry hack in Aussiedroid's Ultimate X-55 Rhino & TrackIR Mappings (Season 1 + 2).
NOTE: I do not use any other settings from his work, just the registry hack. I map everything else manually in Elite itself. Also, don't forget to "re-calibrate," as more axes will be added to your controller.

I use the nipple for up/down, left/right lateral. I then use the slider behind the throttle as my forward/backward, when I zero the throttle when I just want to "blip it" forward and back.

[Hrdina]

The CH Products Pro Throttle has a thumb stick, and it works great for controlling lateral thrust, both in combat and while landing.

[Loriath]

Thebs, does that hack work on a X52/Pro?

[Jeffers2112]

Not sure about printing as plain text, but someone linked me to this tool : http://www.mcdee.net/elite/

It'll give you an image of your control setup if you're looking for something more visual

That works really well.
I've now got a couple of nice printed sheets showing my control configuration.

[JustSomeGuy]

The CH Products Pro Throttle has a thumb stick, and it works great for controlling lateral thrust, both in combat and while landing.

Those CH products look quite promising, pretty much all complaints I've read about have been about the look of the stick and throttle. Should be very durable. Made me insterested.

[TorTorden]

The CH Products Pro Throttle has a thumb stick, and it works great for controlling lateral thrust, both in combat and while landing.

Those CH products look quite promising, pretty much all complaints I've read about have been about the look of the stick and throttle. Should be very durable. Made me insterested.

http://www.mcdee.net/elite/binds/dlxoyz
(haven't included buggy, but I have those as well)
I have never regretted buying mine

From what I can gather CH doesn't really make gaming peripherals but sell their products for pc as sideline, think their main cashflow is making control interfaces for large industry vehicles and that's pretty much what they look and feel like.

Zero driver problems, no need for reg hacks or anything, plug and freaking play baby, and binds directly to elite control settings.
AT WORST I recalibrate once of twice a week.

Yes they can be pricy, the stick and throttle costs about as much as the Warthog alone and you still need pedals.
Although the Warthog also needs pedals.
I use one tweak (done easily in the software) on the thumb stick and that's setting a ramp curve on the axis, that way I get really fine control close to center and full effect, it's really nice to feather down at 4ms when landing (the docking computer normally slams you down at 12-14ms)

Unlike so many other sticks these are feather light, I first balked at this but once you think about it, that's a lot better than having something that could double as an arm-wrestling coach.
It means less fatigue while gaming, it also means you can be lighter in your touch and faster, with more precision. Without straining.
Sure it feels cool having something fight you a little but everything these days is fly-by-wire anyway.

It's like moving to a car with power assisted steering, you don't really want to go back that old one that had you making weight lifting noises every time you took a sharp turn.

I haven't needed to but the software is very potent, if you can wrap your hands around the scripting language you can pretty much make it do whatever you want.

They do however fit horrible on a normal desk, you want them at appropriate heights, to me the throttle fits best seated slightly below my armrest, the stick is taller and therefor is best position just over your knee so using these on a normal desk height is not something I recommend, although it probably is true for most joysticks, even the saiteks and the Warthog.

Inow BUILD A PIT !