Can you use joypads and joysticks for this game and all other flight and combat sims | Forums

[rickywood1976]

Hi Can you use joypads and joysticks for this game and all other flight and combat sims , as ive only just brought an Alianware gaming laptop and ive never played a pc game before , and i really dont want to use a mouse and keyboard at all whatsoever while playing simply because im used to looking at the screen and if i look down for the keys i will die , plus i do like joypads and joysticks , if anyone can help me thats great , also can anyone recommend the best joypad and joystick and tell me which 1 i should go with out the pad and stick , as i dont want to buy them both if they will cost to much,
i know i sound thick but everyone has got to start somewhere,
cheers in advance,
Ricky.

[julian265]

Yes. But sometimes you need to manually assign the axes - in other words you need to go to controller setup, click the axis you want to assign, then move that controller axis to assign it.

Which stick or pad to get depends on you, although many people start out with cheaper stuff, then get tired of it (sometimes it becomes unreliable) and end up with higher end stuff anyway - so it might be cheaper to spend a bit more now, and avoid the need to replace your gear later. It all depends on your preferences and how much time you spend with sim. CH gear has a solid reputation, although last time I looked, they hadn't updated to Hall effect sensors (or equivalent) and high-res A/D conversion. Some people swear by Saitek, but others have had reliability troubles. Cheap logitech sticks have a tendency (according to forums posts) to be great for a few months, then behave erratically.

There's no need for a pad for flight sims.

Finally - you need rudder control, so either get a twist stick or pedals.

A throttle can help, but isn't a requirement if you're starting out. The throttle enables you to map all of the keys you need in-flight to it, and saves you from reaching for the keyboard whilst in combat, etc.

[Stiletto-]

yeah no one plays this game with a keyboard, so you are on the right track for not wanting to. You can't even play the game with the keyboard.. Well you would just crash all the time and wouldn't be able to play the game properly.

Don't get a gamepad.. I guess if you wanted to try.. You say you are new to PC Gaming, if you have a console such as an Xbox 360 or a Playstation you can put those USB controllers into your laptops USB ports and use those as your games controllers. I know people that casually fly using these gamepads with the 2 analog sticks, but I would not recommended it at all, they simply can not do everything you need to do in a realistic simulator and flying a plane that doesnt have trim will be very difficult and painful on your thumbs!

Basically, it comes down to what your price range is, the more money you spend the better stuff you can get and it really is worth it. a $200 joystick setup will make the game alot easier and enjoyable than a $30 joystick setup, but it all depends on how much money you can and are willing to spend and how much you really think you will enjoy playing a realistic flight sim.

There is a chance that you might find this game daunting and put it down quickly. If so you will feel much worse spending $200 on controllers than $30. If you are uncertain how much you will enjoy a highly accurate flight sim, I would advise as Julian stated, getting a decent joystick that has a twist rudder and some sort of slider for throttle. It is imperative you use either twist rudder or more realistic rudder pedals to control the rudders, instead of buttons or keys. The game is not intended to be played that way and it will completely hamper your flying ability.

[Ba5tard5word]

When I first got Il-2 I started out with an Xbox 360 stick. I used the left analog stick for ailerons and elevators (moving up and down and banking left and right) and the shoulder triggers for the rudder, and the right analog stick for the camera by using xpadder to have it emulate the mouse. Definitely the best way to move your camera view around without a mouse or Track IR, but control of the plane was pretty crappy. If you already have a gamepad then you can give this a try and see if you like the game or not, then if you get more serious about the game you can look into getting a flight stick. Look into the Logitech 3D Extreme Pro, it's not great but it's about $20 to $30 and has a twist rudder so you don't need expensive pedals.

[rickywood1976]

Hi thanks people for all your advice , i did try it with an xbox360 controller and im hooked on the game although it is crappy using the xbox controller , if im honest i really want the best of the best flight stick accessories etc , im no nerd but damn this game is good beats all my console flight sims hands down even tho i do get shot down all the time cuz of the crappy xbox controller , so im going to go all out and spend whatever it takes to get the very best stick accessories etc i will use half my holiday money lol i dont care i love it my woman will give me crap but so what that will ware off after a while this game and other flight combat sims will always be around forever , so if any of you can give me the name or model of the very best stick and whatever it comes with i would be so grateful , if i say to you without sounding cocky money is no option could you get back to me with the best please (i have to say without sounding cocky cuz im really not) like i said whatever the best costs i will use my holiday spending money and replace it later theres enough time lol , cheers people in advance , im really looking forward to this now

[rickywood1976]

Sorry i forgot to ask where can i buy these sticks and accessories from , and is it really that much better with pedals ? is there a specialist place where i can look at a few different 1's before buying , thanks again..

[Tully__]

Originally posted by rickywood1976:
... where can i buy these sticks and accessories from...

What country do you live in?

[rickywood1976]

Im from England UK.

[Ba5tard5word]

Sites like amazon should have sticks. Just pick one you are interested and do a google search.

I like CH products, very precise and they feel sturdy and should last a long time. There are other brands other people like.

Yes, pedals help a lot because they give you a lot of control over your rudder which lets you fly better. You'll be able to land and take off way better, maneuver better, line up shots better, etc. A cheap twist rudder stick doesn't give you the same level of control over the rudder as pedals do.

[rickywood1976]

Hi again people sorry to keep bugging you , but would something like this work ?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Logite...d=1303329879&sr=1-21

or is there a better 1 in your choices ?