Custom X360 HOTAS project

PurplePenguin04 · #1 10-13-2009, 02:27 PM

I was planning on doing something like this. My original plan was to use a wired controller due to the price and because I didn't want to worry about battery placement. After a little thought I decided against using a standard controller and here's why.

The right stick on the controller is used for rudder and throttle as well as for free looking. I'm unsure is rewiring a controller would allow for throttle/rudder control while free look is being used. Were you able to overcome this obstacle using a regular controller?

My solution is going to be to rewire the Saitek Aviatar joystick since it come with the ability to control the throttle/rudder separate from the free look out of the box. It will also be cheaper in the long run since Amazon is selling the Aviator for about $35 right now.

I plan to wire the aviator into an X45, I was thinking of an X52 at first but am unsure if the X52's magnets would cause problems or not.

Draupnir2 · #2 10-13-2009, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PurplePenguin04

The right stick on the controller is used for rudder and throttle as well as for free looking. I'm unsure is rewiring a controller would allow for throttle/rudder control while free look is being used. Were you able to overcome this obstacle using a regular controller?

I have just rewired the button-press of the right stick to a button on my Thrustmaster throttle. At the moment I press the button on the throttle and use my toes on the "pedals" to view around horizontally. (the throttle position controls the vertical viewing angle in this mode, but that is not very practical)

Up to now I have been playing in arcade, and can use the target view instead of panning manually. I think I will try to rewire the whole paning to the hat-switch of the stick, if possible.

Another issue to solve is wingman commands which are not yet wired. I think I have to add some extra switches

PurplePenguin04 · #3 10-13-2009, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Draupnir2

Up to now I have been playing in arcade, and can use the target view instead of panning manually.

Just a quick note, you can use the target lock in 'Realistic' as well. So if you want to fly around with a bit less forgiveness you have that option.

Draupnir2 · #4 10-13-2009, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PurplePenguin04

Just a quick note, you can use the target lock in 'Realistic' as well. So if you want to fly around with a bit less forgiveness you have that option.

Thanks, forgot that. Tried it in the demo, and it was my favorite mode. Up to now in the full version, I have been locked to arcade if I havent misunderstood.

PurplePenguin04 · #5 10-13-2009, 08:26 PM

You can unlock the other difficulties by going through the tutorials for them.

Draupnir2 · #6 10-14-2009, 06:35 PM

Thanks for the tip Penguin !

Realistic is a much better setting, so I will go through the tutorial. It is a little confusing where you can change this setting and where not. Im used to the good old PC IL-2 which was much less restricted, more intuitive and flexible.
I hate all the unlocking in console games, but in IL-2:BoP its easily worth it

BTW: I finished an upgrade of my HOTAS today and will include some pictures in progress tomorrow morning. Now I have an analog joystick on top for viewing, and have wired up the Attack command to a throttle button.

Tonight I will do some flying

dazz1971 · #7 10-14-2009, 09:00 PM

cool i cant wait to see some pics do you think this could be done to av8r on 360 ???

also im a bit dense i know its something to do with flightsticks but what is hotas ???

Ancient Seraph · #8 10-14-2009, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dazz1971

cool i cant wait to see some pics do you think this could be done to av8r on 360 ???

also im a bit dense i know its something to do with flightsticks but what is hotas ???

Hands on throttle and stick

. Means you don't need to take your hands off of your controls to activate anything, because you have enough buttons on it. X52 is a good example.

Draupnir2 · #9 10-14-2009, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dazz1971

cool i cant wait to see some pics do you think this could be done to av8r on 360 ???

also im a bit dense i know its something to do with flightsticks but what is hotas ???

Rewiring of an Aviator just to swap button functions should be fairly easy, and nothing near the mess i will show you in the pics.

I have taken an old PC gaming gear from the nineties and completely wired up all buttons and potentiometers to the inputs of a wireless X360 controller.
The stick you have is after all a compatible device, that just need a couple of mods.

After another night of flying (tutorial on realistic with landing) I must say that this game really grows on me ! Its so rewarding to down a few BF109s after a long intense dogfight with spins and near crashes, then head home for a rough but safe landing. Brilliant !

The only bug-issue i came across was a total system hang in the menu just after successfully completing the tutorial. Have had one before already. Any clues ?