XBOX 360 Aviator Questions

[Zensuji]

Just a few questions.

What's the overall build quality like?

How does the look work? is it digital? how does it feel?

Hows the dead zone?

Can anyone here that owns the stick record some footage of them flying and looking around. Would be great to see it in action.

Many thanks

[reverend66]

I'm curious about the button layout on the aviator flightstick. Also does the analog "thumb stick" on top of the flightstick control view or is it the D-Pad? I want to buy one after work today but want to make sure it's good for the game.

thanks in advance,
Rev :D

[44Runner]

the thumb stick controls view, there is a separate D pad on the base of the stick.

[Saturat]

I just bought the Aviator, only used it for 3 hours, so I may change my opinions, but so far:
pro:


not too expencive
I think the build quality is good.
buttons feel nice.
the point-of-view hat at the top is very good I think
does not take up alot of space on ur desk


con:

the base is quite light so you'll need to hold it down when bending the stick.
the stick has too much resistance in my opinion, I get tired in the arm from using it.
there is a deadzone that make it hard to fine-tune aim. In Il-2 PC I find that even the tiny movement of my old Sidewinder is picking up properly, but not so much in BoP with Aviator. You may learn to compensate for this, not a huge problem.
the buttons on the front are ok to use, but you have move you left hand quite a bit between throttle and front buttons (unless u got HUGE hands)
you may find it awkward if you want(you should) to hold your thumb at the POV at all time and it hurts after som time.
where the hell is the A button? it seems that the aviator-trigger is RT (guns) in BoP but on the Aviator the trigger is marked as A. you are in BoP supposed to use A for adjusting Trim, but with the Aviator there is no A? or did I miss something?
hrrrr...My arm hurts quite a bit, still

overall: 6.5/10

[sasquatch]

Doesn't the Aviator have a switch to change configurations. I don't have one so I'm not completely sure if it'll fix your "A" Button/Trigger issue or not.

[versapak]

where the hell is the A button? it seems that the aviator-trigger is RT (guns) in BoP but on the Aviator the trigger is marked as A. you are in BoP supposed to use A for adjusting Trim, but with the Aviator there is no A? or did I miss something?




BoP only shows us the controller layout for a standard controller, which is a different layout than the game uses with a flight stick.

The trigger is indeed the A button though.

[reverend66]

I found this PDF from Saitek that shows the layout for mode 2 on the stick. It would solve the A button problem but I'm afrais it will switch view control to the smaller stick on the front of the base.

http://www.saitek.com/manuals/Aviator%20for%20Xbox%20and%20PC.pdf

[l88bastard]

What's the overall build quality like? Its good, good quality

How does the look work? is it digital? how does it feel? The look works great like you are using a 360 thumbstick, however it is a little to sensitive...maybe there is a way to turn the sensitivity down.

Hows the dead zone? The deadzone is small, but that small amount messes with you when you are trying to fine tune a shot...however, i think with practice you will be able to compensate for it....For the record, the deadzone is nowhere near as bad as the ace flight stick is with ace combat!

Can anyone here that owns the stick record some footage of them flying and looking around. Would be great to see it in action. Im to lazy and for fourty bucks you are too cheap, lol. Just buy the dang things is well worth the $40.....I spent over $450 for my cpus CH setup so dont sweat a $40 investment!

Many thanks

[Saturat]

actually I may return the aviator for a refund. its the bloody deadzone. it super-hard to line up for a shot at the ground targets 'Tiger hunting'. I tried with the gamepad instead and its much more sensitive to small adjustmenst.
tho with the gamepad you loose the nifty POV and throttle

[guiltyspark]

actually I may return the aviator for a refund. its the bloody deadzone. it super-hard to line up for a shot at the ground targets 'Tiger hunting'. I tried with the gamepad instead and its much more sensitive to small adjustmenst.
tho with the gamepad you loose the nifty POV and throttle

ace edge brah

[l88bastard]

ace edge brah

Jeep brah, do you have an ace edge and can confirm that it kicks ass or are you just sayin to get one cause they are so friggin expensive?

[Raw Kryptonite]

Doesn't the Aviator have a switch to change configurations. I don't have one so I'm not completely sure if it'll fix your "A" Button/Trigger issue or not.

The switch is just to enable it to work on Blazing Angels which had a funky scheme. This game seems to detect the stick and adjust I guess, the controls are different than the layout on the menu, but work right.

The "A" button is the trigger, BTW.
The build quality sucks. Use it for a while and it'll be creaking like an old rocking chair.

[BadKarmaSutra96]

Q:What's the overall build quality like?
A:I wouldn't consider it to be heavy duty. It's good enough for recreational use, but far inferior to some of the PC quality fight sticks. It's better than a standard controller in my opionion tho. And like the previous poster said, it makes creeking noises as you're twisting and yawing. I think I might try greasing the spring which is external.

Q:Hows the dead zone?
A1:I had to turn down the sensativity a bit in the demo to keep from overadjusting on targets. I'm currently set at 3/4 and plan to turn the sensativity down a bit more. The plane tended to oscillate a bit while trying to fine tune my aiming on distant targets at max settings.
A2:The rudder controls(which you twist the stick handle to use) feels fine.

Q:I'm curious about the button layout on the aviator flightstick.
A:The top buttons are well laid out. B uses missiles, (I presume X uses bombs but havent tried yet) and the Y button toggles targets. I won't tell you what the trigger button does (incase you're following me).

Q:Also does the analog "thumb stick" on top of the flightstick control view or is it the D-Pad?
A:The thumb pad hat on top of the stick controls your view. You can pan around all over whichever way you want.

The one minor problem I've faced is that if you like using padlock to keep on targets I think you have to hold down the RB button. I don't think its an on/off toggle. So with the flight stick you need a third hand to keep padlock on and still use the throttle.

[Zensuji]

Many thanks guys.

[juz1]

IMHO
saitek (and I only bought it for this game-I'm a Saitek N00b
Pros
Cheap (ca 3.5times cheaper than Hori)
Commonly Available
After sales service was amazing (missing adaptor for live headset sent 1 day after email...!!!)
I quite like the twist rudder (then again I was unlucky enough to go to an all boys school- St.Ironwrists...:( )
The throttle stays where you leave it..so matching speed is easy with familiarity..
Thumb stick for viewing is really quick and handy(quick flick for mirror or glances to specific angles)
Good for lefties..
Stick gotta be better than controller!

Cons
Cheap (lighter than standard controller)
The throttle stays where you leave it-awkward as it won't come off WEP unless you throttle down enough..therefore precision required...
Ambidextrous at the expense of ergonomics (crap wrist rest)
No rumble/feedback
Hand juggling ( i.e leave throttle) sometimes required for front buttons...
Trim in Sim is still a mystery...
Some buttons don't toggle-
If you can't live with a compromise, DON'T get it.

If you can afford $240- Black Hori from Japan- I would, and still might depending on funding (and whether it transpires the Hori/Ace edge gives a massive advantage in online mp), but this stick will do just fine for now...I just wouldn't plan on lap play with either! Fine when used on desk as throttle hand keeps any unit movement in check unless you really wanna yank it around (St.Ironwrists?) in which case one wouldn't be giving the smooth precision the Sim mode requires anyway-

In summary- with uncertainty in the air this is a cheap safeish option...
________
First-Generation Ford Mustang History (http://www.ford-wiki.com/wiki/First-generation_Ford_Mustang)

[Zensuji]

Well said.

TBH I'm sure something else will pop up at some point so I dont want to invest in an expensive stick that may get surpassed soon....so the Aviator would be a great stop gap.

[Saturat]

I made a small mod to my aviator, made it a bit better for me:

with a short length of steel wire I tied together some of the coils in the the spring coil at the base. that made the coil more tight but pressure is off the stick and it is now a lot easier to move

[Zensuji]

I made a small mod to my aviator, made it a bit better for me:

with a short length of steel wire I tied together some of the coils in the the spring coil at the base. that made the coil more tight but pressure is off the stick and it is now a lot easier to move
Nice....how are you finding the accuracy of this stick? Big upgrade from a pad?

[Ju-87]

The biggest problem with the aviator is the control layout. It's pretty much impossible to control throttle and pressing base buttons at the same time... So I've had this idea for some time to modify the joystick. I'm quite tempted about getting a spare one to try it out.

Anyway, the idea is to put the RSB & RB to the very front of the joystick base, in the lower right corner. That would enable me to push the buttons with my index and middle fingers while resting my palm on the throttle.

The LSB & LB would be moved on top of the base to right, on the throttle "bulge". That would enable me to push those buttons with my thumb while resting my palm on throttle. I might have to cut off a little bit off the right side of throttle lever, so it won't be in the way of the buttons.

I wouldn't do anything to back, start and D-pad buttons, since those are not used as often anyway... All in all I don't think the mod would require much more than drilling/cutting and rewiring. I could be wrong though. :D

[Saturat]

Nice....how are you finding the accuracy of this stick? Big upgrade from a pad?

the stick itself has a really good value, it works fine
BUT
it is not so good in Birds of Prey because of
DEADZONE and NO TRIM

only reason I keep using it is becase it has big advantage over gamepad in regards to THROTTLE and FREE LOOK

as someone said earlier; being able to look around while flying is huge


Anton, do you have any comment on the deadzone issue?

I find my aim is jumping around. I want to adjust just a tiny bit, - start moving the stick, nothing happens, move it some more, still nothing, still more and boom, my aim jerks past the target
What can be done to help this problem? I do not want to invest in the Ace stick.

[Ju-87]

I had the same problem, reducing the sensitivity to about 3/4 or 4/5 helped a lot. It won't remove the deadzone of course, but the aim won't jump around as much.

[Bunsenbeaker27]

Has anybody figured out what the brake button is on the AV8R yet? I believe on the gamepad it is clicking down on the LS or RS (can't find the thread that was posted in).

[Jeevz]

I think it's the B button. I was mashing buttons trying to find it when I landed and when I pressed B I stood the plane on it's nose. It was late so I didn't get to try it again.

[Llyranor]

Is the deadzone really a dealbreaker? I was thinking of getting this for a friend (I already have the Ace Edge), but if it doesn't work well, maybe that's not a great idea.

[TexRoadkill]

Is the deadzone really a dealbreaker?

No at all.

I think the jerkiness has more to do with the sim handling characteristics of the planes then the dead zone. The Spitfire is very twitchy and hard to aim but easy to turn quickly and keep from stalling. The Mustang is harder to turn quickly but responds smoothly on small aileron adjustments and is easier to aim.

If anything the stick probably makes the differences in the planes more noticeable. The Spitfire is a like a little sports coupe and the Mustang is like a muscle car.

[Spi]

Is the deadzone really a dealbreaker?

For me, it was... I gonna get a refund, I don't want to be handicapped in multiplayer with this deadzone, I prefer to lost being able to look around than my precision shooting

[juz1]

Is the deadzone really a dealbreaker? I was thinking of getting this for a friend (I already have the Ace Edge), but if it doesn't work well, maybe that's not a great idea.

I am not a hardcore gamer,simer or anything...but the twist rudder is just so intuitive that I've managed to do a rudder twist across three Heinkels on Sim and taken them all out, and currently with the limited time I have I'm leaving thebombers and just dogfighting the 109s,which is helping use of the pov camera thumbstick.(again sim only)... IMHO the environment is too dynamic to warrant concerns over a deadzone-(I honestly hadn't given it any thought) I'm too busy learning how the stick translates to orientation of the plane in countless different alignments and trying to fly by the seat of my pants rather than micrometres of retentive stick twitching-the aviator is cheap and isn't perfect..but neither is a pilot or the plane he's flying- it'll do for mere mortals like me...
________
MERCEDES-BENZ BUSES HISTORY (http://www.mercedes-wiki.com/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_buses)

[trk29]

the stick itself has a really good value, it works fine
BUT
it is not so good in Birds of Prey because of
DEADZONE and NO TRIM

only reason I keep using it is becase it has big advantage over gamepad in regards to THROTTLE and FREE LOOK

as someone said earlier; being able to look around while flying is huge


Anton, do you have any comment on the deadzone issue?

I find my aim is jumping around. I want to adjust just a tiny bit, - start moving the stick, nothing happens, move it some more, still nothing, still more and boom, my aim jerks past the target
What can be done to help this problem? I do not want to invest in the Ace stick.

So there is no way to control trim when using the Av8r?

[juz1]

So there is no way to control trim when using the Av8r?

RB on base
________
Vaporizer Volcano (http://vaporizer.org/)

[Zensuji]

I had the same problem, reducing the sensitivity to about 3/4 or 4/5 helped a lot. It won't remove the deadzone of course, but the aim won't jump around as much.

Yeah that's what I did....I settled around 12/18 notches on both.

[Blue Leader]

So let me get this right! Theres no force feedback on the aviator so you cant feel anything?

[trk29]

Correct.

[Blue Leader]

well that sounds rubbish, Id rather stick with the controller then!

[l88bastard]

There is force feedback on the ace edge stick though!

[cocteau4ad]

check the aviator mod post
.

[Blue Leader]

you cant get the ace edge in england though:(

[Porcho]

I remember reading somewhere that the Aviator has vibration though, not sure if this is correct.. anyway, I can't wait to get the joystick in a couple of days.

[Blue Leader]

so is there no stick available in the uk that has force feedback? I find that remarkable, someone need to sort it out cos i dont like the idea of getting shot up and not feeling it!!!

[H Lecter]

I remember reading somewhere that the Aviator has vibration though, not sure if this is correct.. anyway, I can't wait to get the joystick in a couple of days.

I bought the AV8R on Friday and can confirm that it has no force feedback. Nevertheless I liked it much more than playing with the joypad.

[RedKicker]

I have been using the Aviator flightstick since the release of the demo. I have done the spring mod + some other various mods to make it better....even so I couldn't get over the dreadful deadzone...thus I ordered a black Hori flightstick bundle from Hong Kong by using eBay... :grin: Can't wate to get it

[SleepTrgt]

I have been using the Aviator flightstick since the release of the demo. I have done the spring mod + some other various mods to make it better....even so I couldn't get over the dreadful deadzone...thus I ordered a black Hori flightstick bundle from Hong Kong by using eBay... :grin: Can't wate to get it

Haha so did I!

I know its in my city (amsterdam) since thursday, but those customs guys are so DAMN SLOW. And i can expect a nice extra bill for Taxes when it gets delivered. Damn sometimes shit aint fair.

Btw i got the One from Japan. The roots baby!

[H Lecter]

I know its in my city (amsterdam) since thursday, but those customs guys are so DAMN SLOW.

Well mate, they got to make sure nobody smuggles any drugs into your city :grin::mrgreen:

[SleepTrgt]

Well mate, they got to make sure nobody smuggles any drugs into your city :grin::mrgreen:

They dont even check every package! its pretty random ;)
I just hope to have my hori soon!
Until then i DO enjoy BOP with my AV8R. I just bought the Hori because i wanted a more awesome expirience! :cool:

[imagecrafting]

Just thought you might like to know, no dead spots, and the view hat actually feels and looks correct, doesn't go herky jerky, etc...

[SleepTrgt]

Just thought you might like to know, no dead spots, and the view hat actually feels and looks correct, doesn't go herky jerky, etc...

What im wondering though, i tested my Av8R on a pc aswell with hardly having ANY dead-zone, but in game it does have a little.
Does the Ace combat one or Hori have less deadzone?
I guess i will test it in couple of days, and see for myself!

[juz1]

if anyone with direct experience of both sticks could share their experiences between the two please...especially those who upgraded (cos thats what I am contemplating) from Av8r to Hori...I'll hava to plan the perfect joint-bank-account-crime if I am going to pull it off...

thank you for your kind attention...
________
Honda Civic Specifications (http://www.honda-wiki.org/wiki/Honda_Civic)

[TexRoadkill]

You could also use one of these http://www.xcm.cc/xcm_cross_fire_converter.htm

with any PS3 controller on Xbox 360. So they claim.

[Bartje K]

Haha so did I!

I know its in my city (amsterdam) since thursday, but those customs guys are so DAMN SLOW. And i can expect a nice extra bill for Taxes when it gets delivered. Damn sometimes shit aint fair.

Btw i got the One from Japan. The roots baby!

I live in Hoorn, 40 km's from Amsterdam, and I also bought one 2 weeks ago. It was from gamebaz.com ($169 + $ 48 shipping), but mine was shipped and delivered in 5 working days. No customs delay, extra cost or anything. Lucky me, I suppose. Oh, and the stick rocks. I actually fell in love with it! :mrgreen:

[SleepTrgt]

Damn lucky, mine was even a bit more expensive! ohwell.
Mine's still at the customs, since the 6th. :(

[l88bastard]

Well mate, they got to make sure nobody smuggles any drugs into your city :grin::mrgreen:

me=aware lol

[SleepTrgt]

I thought i had read it somewhere here but anyways:

DEADZONE on AVIATOR:

Yes there is a deadzone ... BUT ... when i plug the aviator in my pc and check the properties/calibrate i see NO deadzone, as in, when i pull it a little, i see it on the calibartion screen. So hardware wise there is NO deadzone

My conclusion -> DEADZONE has to be in IL2BoP itself (no fault of Aviator)

My .02 cents

You are right, but yet the Hori has alot less deadzone.

[SR91 Aurora]

You are right, but yet the Hori has alot less deadzone.

How is that possible? Why would the game give one joystick a bigger deadzone than another? Maybe the Aviator stick is longer than the Ace. That would make the deadzone more pronounced.:confused:

[SleepTrgt]

Maybe the Hori sends out a stronger signal or something, higher output or something i dunno.

Length is about the same, i do notice you can pull it back alot further then the AV8R. Wich should only give it more deadzone.