Thrustmaster TWCS - a bit confused

[=X51=VC_]

I have a Thurstmaster T.16000M, the old one with the green tinted panel under the stick and green light.

 

I'm thinking of getting a TWCS throttle, but I see there is a new "T.16000M FCS" that has orange trim and lights and is sold in a pack with the throttle as well. They also advertise this as a "HOTAS FCS" package and they say there is a way to make the PC see both peripherals as one, since some games don't support multiple controllers.

 

So I'm confused, how is this done? Does the throttle plug into the stick or vice-versa? Or is it done through their T.A.R.G.E.T. software? Is the TWCS compatible in this sense with the old (green) T.16000 or only the new (orange) one?

 

Lastly, how does IL2:BoS support this arrangement?

Edited September 16, 2018 by =X51=VC_

[dburne]

It is done through TARGET. It will combine TM Throttle and Grip into one device which is how the game would see it. Then you can program functions in TARGET for individual game.

Personally I got away from TARGET some time ago and just directly assign in the game GUI. Lose some flexibility in programming but really for this sim I find I did not need it.

Some prefer TARGET and some prefer just using the game GUI. 

[Thad]

I have the Thrustmaster FCS system, sans rudders. It works in IL2 and I also don't need to use T.A.R.G.E.T at all. 

 

My 'current' aircraft FCS configurations. I'm still tweaking.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Edited September 16, 2018 by Thad

[Sokol1]

Quote

Is the TWCS compatible in this sense with the old (green) T.16000 or only the new (orange) one?

 

TWCS is compatible with both T.16000M versions -  and with other joystick brands.* 

T.16000M FCS - orange color, is the same T.16000 - green color, with small cosmetic changes in buttons shape and that "spacial" color for please space games crowd.

 

So buying an TWCS and using together with your actual T.16000M you have an "HOTAS". TARGET or Joystick Gremlin allow you create an unique virtual controller for use in old or even in new games - but may more hinder that help.

 

*An HOTAS mean have an stick and a throttle - not necessarily paired by manufacturer, neither of same brand.

 

 

 

 

Edited September 17, 2018 by Sokol1

[Garven]

3 hours ago, Thad said:

My 'current' aircraft FCS configurations. I'm still tweaking.

How do you keep the prop rpm from going to 50 percent when the finger joystick on the throttle is centered?

[Quinte]

As said, the only difference between the old and the new is that the orange now has slightly different button shapes and holes in the bottom to mount it on a plate, which the green one doesn't have.

I use the old green one with a TWCS and it works fine, but as I don't use TARGET, the game sees them as two different devices. Which is fine, it's easier to keep track of buttons that way.

Edited September 17, 2018 by Quinte

[=X51=VC_]

Thanks all, good to know modern games can handle the two devices separately. From what you've said I would also avoid the hassle of target if IL2 doesn't need it.

 

@Thad thanks for the layout, quite a bit agrees with how I was theorising from looking at pictures of the throttle. Why rudder on the throttle paddles though not the stick twist? Do those paddles act as a single axis or can you press both at the same time?

[Thad]

Reference to the rudder paddle selection over stick twist. Just personal preference. Paddles are single axis ie left-right. One cannot press both at the same time. 

[=X51=VC_]

20 minutes ago, Thad said:

Reference to the rudder paddle selection over stick twist. Just personal preference. Paddles are single axis ie left-right. One cannot press both at the same time. 

 

Ah, that scuppers my plan of using them for the 109 toe brakes! But I'm getting ahead of myself, haven't even bought the thing yet and I've already mapped most of it!

[=X51=VC_]

Thanks again for your advice, I bought one and am very happy

 

@Thad one more question if you don't mind. Your picture shows you mapped the mini-joystick on the front to various RPM and Mixture controls. How did you do this? They are axes so when I tried to map like that, they self-center, which makes them pretty useless for incrementing those controls.

Edited September 22, 2018 by =X51=VC_

[Thad]

I haven't.. I made the change to my mapping image based upon preference but hadn't really tested those out. Real life has gotten into the way. Sorry. ☹️

 

Since I posted that mapping image I had planned on moving those settings to the top four way switch on the side which is shown open. 

Edited September 22, 2018 by Thad

[=X51=VC_]

11 hours ago, Thad said:

I haven't.. I made the change to my mapping image based upon preference but hadn't really tested those out. Real life has gotten into the way. Sorry. ☹️

 

Since I posted that mapping image I had planned on moving those settings to the top four way switch on the side which is shown open. 

 

Well, from my experience you'll have to do that. My mini-joy is unmapped now because it doesn't work how I would expect for anything I would want to actually use it for. I'm sure some faffing around in T.A.R.G.E.T. could fix it but honestly I'm not desperate for the extra bindings anyway.

 

I'm also trying to create as much commonality as possible for basic flight systems between my IL2 mappings and my DCS mappings, so I'm less likely to accidentally do something stupid when changing between games!

[Thad]

I think the mini-joy is better suited for space game thrusters and the like.

 

Yes, it can be confusing when keymapping for different craft in different games. One should create as much commonality in keymapping for  the many aircraft in IL2 too.

 

For that matter, I created a separate Tank Crew 'input' file and a separate 'input' file for aircraft and swap them out as needed. Clunky but it works. 

[=X51=VC_]

Well, in DCS they have axes set up so there the mini-joy moves my target designator on my radar screen, which is super handy!

 

In IL2 there are a fair few mutually exclusive functions, so I've got multiple things mapped on a few buttons, they just do different things in different planes.

[Sokol1]

16 hours ago, =X51=VC_ said:

 My mini-joy is unmapped now because it doesn't work how I would expect for anything I would want to actually use it for. I'm sure some faffing around in T.A.R.G.E.T. could fix it but honestly I'm not desperate for the extra bindings anyway.

 

Why I used to say that  "mini-stick/thumbstick" has little use in WW II planes games,  because their spring that keep the X, Y axis centered, like an conventional joystick.

 

But you can make use of then through TARGET, setting bands of they X, Y axes to press keys, or set their analog output for work in "relative" move - in one direction increase, in opposite direction decrease and stay in last position, may are useful for secondary commands.

Edited September 24, 2018 by Sokol1

[Horna]

Have anyone been able to use both, the throttle paddle and the stick twist as a rudder? For some reason it does not work but you can still use the sticks throttle as a rudder in conjunction with the twist... Infuriating.