Flying: What are the best tools out there? - Page 2

Death2All · 2012-07-17, 10:15 PM

As most others have said, I think your best bet is a mouse and keyboard. It will be the most inexpensive and most intuitive way to learn to fly. I know flight mechanics are different from PS1 and PS2, but in every game I've had to fly, a mouse and keyboard has sufficed just fine.

maradine · 2012-07-17, 10:16 PM

Originally Posted by LegioX

From the newest videos, it seems you cannot freelook while maneuvering the airplane. You have to fly level. I hope this is not true. I don't understand why we cannot look around while turning/ climbing/diving/ whatever else.

I wouldn't read too far into the videos until someone shows off an input configuration screen. There may just be a freelook modifier key.

Originally Posted by Electrofreak

A trackball is even better, IMO. Say what you will but I owned the skies in PS1 with a Microsoft Trackball Optical Explorer, and it also made me a mean sniper.]

The trackball is the Best. Pointing. Device. Ever.

Electrofreak · 2012-07-17, 10:20 PM

Originally Posted by maradine

The trackball is the Best. Pointing. Device. Ever.

I'm not alone!

Zulthus · 2012-07-17, 10:21 PM

I guess most of you who use a stick don't have experience flying with a mouse.

Shooting from an aircraft is always easier with a mouse. Don't deny it. It's so much more precise. None of that 'sniping' crap, in general dogfights, the mouse has an advantage over the stick in accuracy. That applies not only to shooting but to adjustments in direction as well.

Your advantages with a flight stick include better overall movement (large turns, barrel rolls, etc.) and the fact that you don't have to move your mouse everywhere. You, however, will have a very hard time hitting me in my jet because fine tuning your shot is extremely difficult with a stick.

They have their pros and cons. PlanetSide 2 won't be a flight simulator. Don't kid yourselves thinking just because you have a joystick you'll be king of the sky. Just saying, most of you seem to think the flight mechanics will be way more difficult and complex than they actually will be.

Sledgecrushr · 2012-07-17, 10:25 PM

For $50 I think the Thrustmastes T flight Hotas might be the best bang for your buck. Its cheaper than buying a AAA videogame and will be with you a lot longer.

maradine · 2012-07-17, 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by Zulthus

You, however, will have a very hard time hitting me in my jet because fine tuning your shot is extremely difficult with a stick.

This is an opinion that you're entitled to, but I am not inclined to agree. Which is fine - we will shortly have all the opportunity in the world to demonstrate our arguments.

I played PS1 exclusively with a mouse. That is what the model demanded. What I caution you on is assuming that any input device is optimal for all models. This is not the case.

Sledgecrushr · 2012-07-17, 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by Zulthus

I guess most of you who use a stick don't have experience flying with a mouse.

Shooting from an aircraft is always easier with a stick. Don't deny it. It's so much more precise. None of that 'sniping' crap, in general dogfights, the mouse has an advantage over the stick in accuracy. That applies not only to shooting but to adjustments in direction as well.

Your advantages with a flight stick include better overall movement (large turns, barrel rolls, etc.) and the fact that you don't have to move your mouse everywhere. You, however, will have a very hard time hitting me in my jet because fine tuning your shot is extremely difficult with a stick.

They have their pros and cons. PlanetSide 2 won't be a flight simulator. Don't kid yourselves thinking just because you have a joystick you'll be king of the sky. Just saying, most of you seem to think the flight mechanics will be way more difficult and complex than they actually will be.

Its funny you say that because Ive never really had an issue keeping the bullseye on target with a flight stick. Maybe its just you.

MonsterBone · 2012-07-17, 10:32 PM

Evil Pig is a pretty big tool and he flys.

Zulthus · 2012-07-17, 10:35 PM

Originally Posted by maradine

This is an opinion that you're entitled to, but I am not inclined to agree. Which is fine - we will shortly have all the opportunity in the world to demonstrate our arguments.

I played PS1 exclusively with a mouse. That is what the model demanded. What I caution you on is assuming that any input device is optimal for all models. This is not the case.

Many people have complained about it being difficult to track a target, and I know that isn't everyone. If you're really pro at it then that's great. I used a joystick in BF2 for the majority of my time playing it until I realized using the mouse is much more convenient and accurate. Yes, just my opinion. The same carried over to BF3.

But realize that you also said earlier in the thread that when flying there is no substitute for a stick. Don't call me out on saying that when you didn't take your own advice

Looopy · 2012-07-17, 10:37 PM

Thanks guys, very helpful (I knew this would be a very controversial subject haha) I may get the Logitech one to see if its for me, at 30 bucks there's not much to lose.

maradine · 2012-07-17, 10:42 PM

We fight because we care.

ChookWantan · 2012-07-17, 10:49 PM

Originally Posted by Sledgecrushr

For $50 I think the Thrustmastes T flight Hotas might be the best bang for your buck. Its cheaper than buying a AAA videogame and will be with you a lot longer.

Do you own it? I've been looking into getting one..

Sledgecrushr · 2012-07-17, 10:57 PM

I absolutely lve the thrustmaster. It does this neat thing wher it splits in half and you can have the stick and the thrust control on opposite sides of your keyboard. Its really comfortable, has like sixteen programmable buttons, an 8 position hat switch to freelook around with and what I like the best is the thrust controller has infinite reverse thrust as well as forward so it just makes everything about flying and speed control really easy and accessible on the fly. I love it and the price for me was just right.

Originally Posted by MonsterBone

Evil Pig is a pretty big tool and he flys.

Im looking forward to being the Bosses wingman, as a matter of fact Im looking forward to it.

Reizod · 2012-07-17, 11:16 PM

Originally Posted by Sledgecrushr

Its funny you say that because Ive never really had an issue keeping the bullseye on target with a flight stick. Maybe its just you.

I was thinking the same thing.

I'm VERY SURE that using a flight stick in PS2 is much better overall than using a mouse. Again, I'm surrrrrre!!!

Luieburger · 2012-07-17, 11:45 PM

Originally Posted by maradine

For maneuvering in 3 dimensions with 3 controllable analog axes, there's no substitute for a stick.

Truth, but it still depends on how the devs set up the controls. For helicopters in BF3 and Arma 2 I still prefer mouse and keyboard. For Jets... flight stick all the way. Even the attack jet/helicopter thing in BF2142 was good with the keyboard and mouse.