Controller/Joystick Recommendations for Linux Systems

[Cas Tell]

Hi there,

I'm not new to Elite, but very new to Oolite. And I like it so much that I consider purchasing a good controller/joystick which should be configurable on Linux systems and improve my not so good experiences with laptop keyboards. Combat on a keyboard is at the edge of feasibility. Docking is at least possible but not real fun.

I had a look especially at the Thrustmaster TCA Officer Pack which might be overkill, but it allows for thrust control, yaw via joystick as far as I understand it, and enough buttons for other keys especially needed in stressful situations.

My questions are:

1) Does anybody have user experience with the Thrustmaster products on Linux?

2) Are there safe recommendations of controllers?

Thanks beforehand

[Cholmondely]

Hi there,

I'm not new to Elite, but very new to Oolite. And I like it so much that I consider purchasing a good controller/joystick which should be configurable on Linux systems and improve my not so good experiences with laptop keyboards. Combat on a keyboard is at the edge of feasibility. Docking is at least possible but not real fun.

I had a look especially at the Thrustmaster TCA Officer Pack which might be overkill, but it allows for thrust control, yaw via joystick as far as I understand it, and enough buttons for other keys especially needed in stressful situations.

My questions are:

1) Does anybody have user experience with the Thrustmaster products on Linux?

2) Are there safe recommendations of controllers?

Thanks beforehand

The one thing which seems a spoiler is the programmable element which need a software package to interpret. This wrecks things for my AppleMac - almost all the HOTAS sets seem to include a programmable element.

References
Linux Joysticks and Gamepads - mostly 2011
Joystick problems (Linux) - mostly 2015


Joysticks and Gamepads
Joysticks: Guide to Setting Up (some key-binding suggestions)
Dizzy's guide to Setting up Joystick Axis Profiles


Buttonboxes

[Cas Tell]

Many thanks, will study this thoroughly right away!

[Cholmondely]

I should add: I've got the Thrustmaster TM4.

Like you, I bought a HOTAS specifically to play Oolite on my AppleMac. Unlike you, I did so for the immersion, not any ability to fine-tune my flying (I fly like a bilious, pregnant hippopotamus).

It is programmable. And the programmable element interferes with the signals sent back to the computer from the HOTAS, making some of it indecipherable without the windows-based software needed to interpret it.


I could not get the throttle to work - nor the twist z-axis on the joystick. After a month or so I came across a mention elsewhere on the web that if I held down two of the buttons on the throttle while I plugged it in, that I would then be able to get the joystick and z-axis twist to work. They did.

But Old Murgh bought the same HOTAS a couple of years later and could not get it to work on his AppleMac, buttons or no buttons.


There are also issues with CH programmable joysticks and throttles. The non-programmable ones work just fine.


Since you Linux chappies tend to be more clued-in than us AppleMac types, you presumably have a better chance of finding Linux programmes which make the HOTAS feedback more comprehensible to a Linux machine.

[Cas Tell]

Thank you, that's really interesting stuff!

I have now put some money at risk and ordered a Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas X Joystick. I also prepared Antimicrox as a utility pack on Linux to adjust some settings. In two or three days I'll start testing the system and will document it for others. I do hope that all goes well and that this joystick will enhance my Oolite experience .

Thanks to all of you who put valuable information on the system, I've read a lot of stuff already, there's nothing better than such a lively community

Cheers!

[Cholmondely]

... In two or three days I'll start testing the system ...

Any joy yet? I have to say that the "feel" of that Thrustmaster is top notch - I do think that it is a very well designed HOTAS, and should give you a lot of pleasure.

[Cas Tell]

YES, wonderful!

I've posted my first remarks on it in the Linux section!