what are the 4th and 5th axis on joysticks (red / green button)?

[testudine2002]

Hi guys,

 

I don't mean to unnecessarily nerd out here, but I can't figure out what this green / red button is doing on my ThrustMaster X.  A quick Google search explained it was switching from 4 to 5 axes on the controller.  I don't understand what this means.  My stick goes left and right (x axis), forward and back (y axis), and it twists around its vertical axis (z axis). 

 

1) Since the joystick doesn't do anything else, what do they mean by 4th and 5th axis?

 

2) Practically speaking, what do people use this button for in this game?

 

Thanks in advance

[Sokol1]

X = Aileron axis (joystick left - right)

Y = Elevator axis  (joystick back and forth)

Z  = Rudder axis (joystick "twist")

 

4th axis (name varies, e.g. U, Rz, Ry... no matter) = throttle axis 

 

5th axis - Say just "ThustMaster X" is little informative about the joystick model - because are Thrustmaster 'T.Flight Stick X' and 'T. Flight HOTAS X', but 5 axes suggest the Thrustmaster HOTAS X, being the 5th axis the 'rocker' in front of throttle, that can be used for rudder control instead the "twist" on joystick.

 

HOTAS X manual: http://ts.thrustmaster.com/faqs/eng/thr_eng_00124.pdf

 

"Twist" and "rocker" axes are spring centered - so have little use for command other than rudder. But can be used to press keys using an keymapper, eg. Joy2Key.

Edited April 29, 2018 by Sokol1

[testudine2002]

Ok, this was helpful.  So what I'm taking away from this is that the red / green button basically enables and disables the rocker on the front of the throttle.  What did you mean that the rocker can be used as a keymapper?  Like rock left is one command and rock right is the other?  Maybe flaps up and flaps down or something like that?  I have the Hotas X, so I am limited in the button department.  I use the keyboard a lot--I'm sure there are easier ways.  This is my first flight stick, so I'll need time to figure out a good mapping plan.  What do you guys think the three most important things to map to this joystick would be (outside of basic flight controls)?

 

So far, I use the hat to look around and another bottom to center my look immediately.  A couple more buttons are used to zoon in and out.  Other than camera controls, I haven't really mapped much yet.  I'm only flying the Lagg-3 and Yak-1 now which seem similar control-wise although feel quite different when flying.

 

I'm completely new to flying, but I like the learning curve of sims.  I do lots of iracing.

[Sokol1]

Yes, the green/red LED indicates if 5th axis are enable or not.

 

Rocker is an axis always on center (50%), what make then unpractical for, e.g. radiator control (need variate from 0 to 100%).

 

An keymapper software (Joy2Key, XPadder, Joystick Gremlim, UJR...) allow you map, for example 0-40% of this axis to press, e.g. 9 and 60-10% of axis to press 0.

 

If 9 and 0 are assigned for radiator control, the rocker not act like as ON-OFF-ON switch, you press rocker for right, this press key 0 and radiator start to open, when in desired position, e.g. 80% you release rocker - will spring back to center, but radiator keep open 80%, when nee close press rocker for left what press 9 and start close radiator until you release the rocker.

 

Can do different, assign this rocker axis for control rudder (YAW in key binds) and use half of "twist" on stick for control "Wheel brakes", e.g twist for left 0 - 30% press spacebar, in Key Binding assign spacebar for "Wheel brakes". Avoid use keymapper for controls that combine Alt,Ctrl, Shift+Key, BoS has problem with this seeing the Key before the Alt... etc.

 

Benefit of this last option: Wheel brake is little used command,  so their operation in "twist" don't became inconvenient.

By control rudder (YAW) on rocker you are avoiding undesired mix of rudder input and aileron and/or pitch, what happens using "twist".