🚀 go-pugleaf

Evan Champion (ev...@orinoco.synapse.net) wrote:
: I'm looking for the ultimate controller for 3-d games (like Descent).

: I need something with a lot of buttons (two doesn't seem to cut it any
: more).

: I am also looking for something that is 3-d, supporting pitch, roll, all that
: kind of stuff.  Basically, I should be able to play Descent using all the
: flight controls using just the stick.  This is basically required since I am
: not coordinated enough to be able to use both the joystick and the keyboard
: at the same time :-)

: What about a Logitech Cyberman?

: Also, Descent supports VR head gear.  How much am I looking at for one of
: these sets, and what else do I need to control Descent?  Can I use a glove?

: If possible, could any replies go directly to my e-mail address?  It would
: be easier for me, though I will be checking up in alt.games.descent and
: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.misc.  I can summarise if there is interest.

: Thanks very much!

: Evan Champion [Team OS/2] ev...@orinoco.synapse.net Synapse Internet SysAdmin
: Synapse WWW Server: http://www.synapse.net  FTP Server: ftp://ftp.synapse.net

I think the VFX helmet runs like $800 or something like that

psy...@iglou.iglou.com (Mike Hill) wrote:
:Evan Champion (ev...@orinoco.synapse.net) wrote:
:: I'm looking for the ultimate controller for 3-d games (like Descent).
:
:: I need something with a lot of buttons (two doesn't seem to cut it any
:: more).
:
:: I am also looking for something that is 3-d, supporting pitch, roll, all that
:: kind of stuff.  Basically, I should be able to play Descent using all the
:: flight controls using just the stick.  This is basically required since I am
:: not coordinated enough to be able to use both the joystick and the keyboard
:: at the same time :-)

As far as joysticks go, my favorite (That I've tried so far) is the Flight Stick Pro.  I
tried the Thrustmaster FCS, but I found it awkward because of all the buttons.  I
kept accidentally pressing one.  With the FSP I was able to use only the accelerate
and decelerate keys on the keyboard, and occasionally the "f" for flares.  The set up
was the left and right buttons for barrel rolls, the finger button for primary fire, and the
center button for secondary fire.  Then use the hat for sliding.

Thrustmaster makes joysticks for left and right hands that would allow you to play
without the keyboard at all, but the FSP was only about $80.

In article <3g0km1$c...@sentinel.synapse.net>, ev...@orinoco.synapse.net
(Evan Champion) says:
>
>I'm looking for the ultimate controller for 3-d games (like Descent).
>
>I need something with a lot of buttons (two doesn't seem to cut it any
>more).
>

My advice (tho pricey) is the Gravis Phoenix joystick. It runs about
$120, but has 22 configurable buttons (keystroke or joystick button 1-4),
two triggers (same type of configuration possible) and rudder/throttle
controls (a bit clumsy, but completely configurable as well).

The interface is great, very graphical and easy to use. You can save
different configs for different games (one for Doom, one for Descent, one
for FS4, etc) and load them when you need them.  <End of sales pitch.
:-)>

>Also, Descent supports VR head gear.  How much am I looking at for one
of
>these sets, and what else do I need to control Descent?  Can I use a
glove?

I don't know about the glove, but the headset will run you $700-$900.

Steve

   Well, this is kind of expensive, but I think it works great!  I have
Wingman Extreme and a Thrustmaster WCS.  In addition to the hat on the
joystick and the throttle control, the WCS allows you to configure the six
buttons on it AND the four on the joystick, and you can vary that
configuration based on the position of a three-way rocker switch.  This
gives 30 different button actions.  (Actually, I don't usually program the
trigger, so make that 27.)  Also, you can configure the hat to send out
keyboard commands in games that don't directly support the hat.

   In descent, the throttle moves you forward and back, the joystick turns
the ship and the hat slides it.  (I believe you can change all of this in
descent, but I like the way it works.)  And I've programmed it so the
buttons change weapons, so I don't need to use the keyboard at all.

   I've never played descent without it (I'm going to have to try just to
see what it's like), but it's a great way to play the game.  Works great
for other games, too.  So, if you can afford it, I would highly recommend it.
--
Michael P. Plezbert         (plez...@cs.wustl.edu)
Department of Computer Science, Campus Box 1045
Washington University    One Brookings Drive    St. Louis, MO 63130
TEL: (314) 935-7526         (http://www.cs.wustl.edu/~plezbert)

>>>>> "MPP" == Michael P Plezbert <plez...@siesta.cs.wustl.edu> writes:

MPP> Well, this is kind of expensive, but I think it works great!  I have
MPP> Wingman Extreme and a Thrustmaster WCS.

If money is no object, what about the soon-to-be-released (yeah, sure)
Thrustmaster stuff?  I believe the stick has a built-in trackball in
addition to several four-way switches and I believe a pressure-sensitive
trigger.  The new WCS has even more stuff.  If only I could find the flyer
they mailed me...
--
 Jason L. Tibbitts III - ti...@tcamc.uh.edu - 713/743-8687 - 221SR1
   System Admin:  Texas Center for Advanced Molecular Computation
         1994 PC800 "Kuroneko"      DoD# 1723       GM/CS/S
d--- -p+ c++++ l++ u+++ e+ m---(++) n--- s/-- h* f+ g+ w+ t- r- y+**

Brendan (bpi...@bev.net) wrote:
: :
: :: I am also looking for something that is 3-d, supporting pitch, roll, all that
: :: kind of stuff.  Basically, I should be able to play Descent using all the
: :: flight controls using just the stick.  This is basically required since I am
: :: not coordinated enough to be able to use both the joystick and the keyboard
: :: at the same time :-)

: As far as joysticks go, my favorite (That I've tried so far) is the Flight Stick Pro.  I
: tried the Thrustmaster FCS, but I found it awkward because of all the buttons.  I
: kept accidentally pressing one.  With the FSP I was able to use only the accelerate
: and decelerate keys on the keyboard, and occasionally the "f" for flares.  The set up
: was the left and right buttons for barrel rolls, the finger button for primary fire, and the
: center button for secondary fire.  Then use the hat for sliding.

: Thrustmaster makes joysticks for left and right hands that would allow you to play
: without the keyboard at all, but the FSP was only about $80.

 I think you can get very simmilar results with a Logitech Wingman Extreme
for only $50.00!!  Four buttons and a "hat" switch.  I don't know how the
feel of the FSP is but the wingman is VERY fluid..  Highly recomended!!

				Take it easy!!

						 -=|Brutus

Does anyone know of a UK retailer for the Wingman Extreme?
-- 
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bpi...@bev.net (Brendan) wrote:
>
> psy...@iglou.iglou.com (Mike Hill) wrote:
> :Evan Champion (ev...@orinoco.synapse.net) wrote:
> :: I'm looking for the ultimate controller for 3-d games (like Descent).
> :
> :: I need something with a lot of buttons (two doesn't seem to cut it any
> :: more).
> :
> :: I am also looking for something that is 3-d, supporting pitch, roll, all that
> :: kind of stuff.  Basically, I should be able to play Descent using all the
> :: flight controls using just the stick.  This is basically required since I am
> :: not coordinated enough to be able to use both the joystick and the keyboard
> :: at the same time :-)
> 
> As far as joysticks go, my favorite (That I've tried so far) is the Flight Stick Pro.  I
> tried the Thrustmaster FCS, but I found it awkward because of all the buttons.  I
> kept accidentally pressing one.  With the FSP I was able to use only the accelerate
> and decelerate keys on the keyboard, and occasionally the "f" for flares.  The set up
> was the left and right buttons for barrel rolls, the finger button for primary fire, and the
> center button for secondary fire.  Then use the hat for sliding.
> 
> Thrustmaster makes joysticks for left and right hands that would allow you to play
> without the keyboard at all, but the FSP was only about $80.
I personally do not have one but a friend of mine whom I play
Descent,heritic and Doom with at least 4 time a week uses what
I have come to believe the ultimate games controller. Because
I work out of my home I get alot of practice on these games and
as of lately he has been kicking my ass in Descent. Last game the
final score was 15-32. <ouch> Anyways he has a Phenox control 
stick. I have been considering bying one but he has had a little
trouble with one of the trigger buttons breaking on him. He told
me he fixed it himself and has no other problems with it. The Phenox
is fully programable with about 25 buttons to program. The program
software is very user friendly and will even provide you with a
physical layout of the controller with each key labeled for each
differant game you have programed it for. You know in case you forget
what button does what. You need 2 hands to use this controller. The
left hand controlles a, for lack of a better term, slidder switch
that was designed for rudder controll on simulators. Its hard to 
describe but but it pivots and slides forwards and backwards. This
gives you excelent controll for sliding left and right in Descent.
So maybe you can go buy it and give me your opinion on it. I think
he payed about $110-120 for it. Hope this helps.

PS Not sure about the spelling.

Houston (hou...@onramp.net)