What do you guys use for controlling engine features like mixture and RPM?

[moeburn]

Been learning how to play on the full realism servers, and I think I got it, but it's kind of a pain to have to hit both full throttle on my joystick AND hold shift+equals on my keyboard for a few seconds to make max RPM AND do the same for mixture just to speed out of a dogfight.

 

But my Logitech Extreme 3D Pro only has the one throttle axis.  I'm looking around and I do have other options - I could use my Xbox 360 gamepad analog sticks, or something else...

 

If you don't have a console full of 5 potentiometer sliders or levers, what do you use?

[Raptorattacker]

MOST people tend to use a HOTAS (stick AND throttle) which pretty much gives you enough buttons and such that the keyboard becomes less vital. Not completely but definitely less.

I've a VKB Gladiator mk2 stick and a Thrustmaster TWCS throttle (a couple of hundred quid all-in), sort of lower-mid range setup but you can go from there right up the tree!

Edited February 23, 2022 by Raptorattacker

[WWChunk]

I have an old CH Throttle Quadrant that works like a charm for the other axis functions.

[BlitzPig_EL]

I have a CH Quadrant as well.  Six levers, and six two way toggle buttons, in addition to my CH Pro Throttle and CH Fighter Stick.  I use the throttle on the stick for the stabilizer axis on the Bf 109s.

[Guest deleted@83466]

CH Quadrant is good, or one of the ubiquitous Saitek 3 lever, 3 rocker things.  Used to cost 50 bucks, don’t need any more of them, so haven’t looked them up lately.

 

 

Edited February 23, 2022 by SeaSerpent

[357th_KW]

Some sort of dedicated throttle with more buttons is the best option, but if that’s not an option some other possibilities are using the numeric keypad (I found this was a fairly effective throttle quadrant, and by using modifiers like shift and alt you can get a ton of functions into a small space that you can get used to using with one hand without looking very closely) or using modifiers along with a hat switch on your stick.

[PaladinX]

Using a Warthog Throttle (for Throttle) + Logitech Throttle Quadrant (for RPM, Mix, Water Rad, Oil Rad, Cowls)

 

Will be extended in the future by this: https://virpil-controls.eu/vpc-sharka-50-control-panel.html

 

Edited February 23, 2022 by PaladinX

[Gr3y]

For single engine planes I use warthog + logitech quadrant (same as PaladinX), for multi engines I use Honeycomb Bravo Throttle Quadrant.

[cardboard_killer]

 

[KevPBur]

I have a very old Logitech Force 3D pro.

For extras including the  engine controls I use the pedals and gear shift unit from my Logitech racing wheel.

Pedals for rudder.

Gear shift does for flaps and landing gear.

Extra button and rocker on the unit does for radiators, rpm, etc.

 

Not exactly the inside of a Spitfire or a Yak but does the job. Therefore, if you have a way to hold the console controls to the desk then I'm sure you could use it for engine controls.

[Biggus]

Winwing Orion throttle, Warthog stick on Virpil WarBRD base.  VKB pedals.

 

Am about to start building the Authentikit Spitfire throttle quadrant too.

[Soilworker]

 

DIY is also an option, depends on your skill level of course but can be a great project if you're into that sort of thing. 

[DD_Arthur]

2 hours ago, Soilworker said:

 

Very nice!?

[Monksilver]

CH throttle quadrant as shown in Cardboard Killer's post above.

[40plus]

Iron Mechanic RUD4

 

'tis nice ?

[G_Schwarz]

you can bind it all to the throttle and it will workout just fine, you might after some test adjust the offset or deadzones but it will give you a better experience

10 hours ago, Soilworker said:

 

DIY is also an option, depends on your skill level of course but can be a great project if you're into that sort of thing. 

i want to know where to start

Edited February 23, 2022 by HBG-G_Schwarz

[CAFulcrum]

I use the base (joystick section removed) of a Saitek Av8R for throttle and prop, with the switches for radiators and the leftover stick base rod for pitch trim, and the small throttle on my MSFFB sidewinder for fuel.

[Soilworker]

42 minutes ago, HBG-G_Schwarz said:

i want to know where to start

 

Well I made a post about it a while back:

 

 

Happy to answer any questions. 

 

EDIT: But ask me there, I don't want to hijack this thread. ?

Edited February 23, 2022 by Soilworker

[nozedyve]

I use a Saitek X-55 throttle and a CH throttle quadrant. More than enough axes to control engine features. I just mapped most of them directly in game.

[FlyingNutcase]

18 hours ago, Soilworker said:

 

DIY is also an option, depends on your skill level of course but can be a great project if you're into that sort of thing. 

 

Bloody 'ell, you're more than just a soil worker then! Beautiful work. Checking out your thread...

 

My levers are from 2 x Saitek triple lever sets, one bought separately and one attached to a Saitek yoke, but I use a CH joystick for flying + CH throttle, and Simped pedals. Maybe will add a VR-friendly button box when I go VR late this year.

Edited February 24, 2022 by FlyingNutcase

[FTC_DerSheriff]

Testing this one the last couple of weeks and have a blast.
 

[CSW_Tommy544]

Or if you feel a bit more adventurous, 3D printing your own controls is super satisfying.

https://authentikit.org/

 

Edited February 24, 2022 by CSW_Tommy544

[[1Tac]DisCHQ]

On 2/23/2022 at 1:02 AM, moeburn said:

Been learning how to play on the full realism servers, and I think I got it, but it's kind of a pain to have to hit both full throttle on my joystick AND hold shift+equals on my keyboard for a few seconds to make max RPM AND do the same for mixture just to speed out of a dogfight.

 

But my Logitech Extreme 3D Pro only has the one throttle axis.  I'm looking around and I do have other options - I could use my Xbox 360 gamepad analog sticks, or something else...

 

If you don't have a console full of 5 potentiometer sliders or levers, what do you use?

 

Since I use mouselook instead of trackir with only a single stick I have both rpm and throttle set on mousebuttons. Mouse 1 and 2 for throttle with rpm set to the two thumb buttons.

 

This allows me to use both at the same time without having to move my hands. If you don't have extra mouse buttons you can always map one of the two to two buttons on the top of your stick.

 

 

[Mtnbiker1998]

I picked up a Saitek throttle quadrant for like $60 at Microcenter, its a little jittery, probably could be built better, but it was cheap and combined with my warthog I now have all the axes and switches I could possibly need for radiator control. 

[Tipsi]

On 2/23/2022 at 12:02 AM, moeburn said:

But my Logitech Extreme 3D Pro only has the one throttle axis.  I'm looking around and I do have other options - I could use my Xbox 360 gamepad analog sticks, or something else...

 

Hi mate, I use a similar joystick and ran into the same issues.

 

Things like RPM is too important NOT to be on the joystick. It should be easy to reach (its my side buttons on the left of the joystick, one for up RPM, one for down RPM.

 

Things like water and oil radiators, also very important and too much faff to use only keyboard. A solution is using SHIFT + HATSWITCH UP and SHIFT + HATSWITCH DOWN. to sort my oil radiators

 

And then water radiators(+-) SHIFT + HATSWITCH LEFT / SHIFT + HATSWITCH RIGHT.

 

Mixture(+-) ALT + HATSWITCH UP / HATSWITCH DOWN

 

TL:DR

 

Try using SHIFT or CNTRL or ALT + HATSWITCH to make engine management easier.

 

Hope helps.

Edited February 24, 2022 by Tipsi

[kestrel79]

Ch throttle quad. 

[Cravis]

TM Warthog throttle.

Granted I currently only fly Bf109, FW190, Spitfire Mk IXe and XIV and P-51D.

 

I use both throttles linked together for German planes as the Steuergerät controls RPM and mixture therefore only throttle control is needed.

 

For the Spitfires and P-51D I separate the throttles and use the right one for throttle and the left one for RPM. Mixture control isn't necessary as in these Spitfires and P-51 it is automated.

 

I guess one could use the "throttle tension" axis to control mixture... never tried that thought, on my Warthog that axis is very unstable. I use that for radiators if necessary.

Edited February 27, 2022 by Cravis

[Mollotin]

On 2/23/2022 at 2:02 AM, moeburn said:

 

If you don't have a console full of 5 potentiometer sliders or levers, what do you use?

Rpm and throttle both on mouse wheel. I have no hotas or track ir so i use mouse in my left hand to look around and control throttle and rpm.

[=RS=rulezcz]