Hiya folks...

 

Quick query... Will FSX accept inputs from 2 duplicate sets of joysticks/throttles?

I'm wondering if I had 2 Saitek X52's plugged into the same PC, could 2 people share the same cockpit and fly together.. Would FSX accept inputs from whichever stick is moving or whichever throttle is moving?

 

Trying to work out a way this could be done so that when teaching cadets the principles of flight and stuff, instead of the old method of pointing and telling "do this, do that" method, would be great to be able to show them, then have them do it themselves, with 2 sets of controls, or I do a take-off, and they do circuits, so they can swap persons while I keep control of the aircraft, just make it a bit more real than using the pause button to swap players..

 

Oh, and another dual input biggie, headphones/mics...

Is there a way for 2 people using the same sim, to talk to each other with the headsets, just like in a real plane, so they can both listen in to VATSim or something, and still talk to each other too?

I doubt you will get any compatability using 2 controllers using the same functions.

 

As for speech I use 'Teamspeak 3' as I do with our VA (The best!) http://www.jga-europe.co.uk/ for comms and in my case ATC.

 

So, I listen to ATC etc through my headset while the sim sounds are coming through my speakers. You can't get more natural than that.

Im positive you CAN have 2 joysticks used for the same inputs. And also you can have 2 headsets for VATSIM, could just set them up on a splitter.

At least using FSUIPC it's no problem using two joysticks or pedals. According to Pete Dowson (it's in a thread here somewhere on AVSIM) it's the throttle giving the strongest input - not the correct expression but I can't come up with a better one - that takes control. Myself I have a Saitek Proflight connected the same as an Saitek X45 and it works without a problem.

Strongest Input ???

(Could not find the referenced article on Avsim... can you provide the link ?)

 

In FSX, each control surface (ruder, elevator etc) can be assigned to an AXIS (but there is only one allocation available for each control surface)

 

 

As far as Radio Coms are concerned, this is easier.

 

Simple method.

You should be able to Parallel up the two Mics, and also the two headsets.

( 1 mono splitter/combine for Mic, 1 stereo splitter/combiner for headset)

To hear each other, (and yourself in your headset), turn on the MIC in yoir sound control panel under PLAY, and increase the slider, to get the appropriate amount of microphone "sidetone" audio, in your headset.

 

BTW: You can do the same ":sidetone" trick with just a single headset, to simulate the "real world" sidetone you get in an aviation headset setup.

Strongest Input ???

 

LOL, I know it's not the right expression but I can't recall what Pete wrote and I've been searching the forum and can't find the discussion. But put it like this, if you don't move one joystyck and move the other, the other will control the airplane. I was thrilled when I read it because I have two Saitek pro Flight yoke and two set of pedals and further more a console with goflight radios and two saitek throttle units plus a CPFlight MCP with EFIS.

 

I forgot to check with forum I was in - I mainly use FS9 and there it's no problem setting up several joysticks to control the same surface either using control assignments in FS9 or FSUIPC. I haven't checked but I'd suspect you can do it the same way in FSX. Getting one axis assigned to different joysticks isn't the problem, it's the calibration!

 

Edited: I could have read about in Pete Dowsons simflight support forum too. It was some time ago.

Found it at last: http://forum.simflight.com/topic/66231-assignments-on-identical-fs-controllers/page__hl__+multiple%20+joysticks#entry417603. "The largest deflection" was the word I was searching for!

I found that you can have 2 sticks on the same axis in FSX, if they are USB.

If you want to use them, of course one of the two people needs to let it go, otherwise input is from both. (look at nulzones)

Sometimes my FSX messed up and my throttles do command elevator and pitch, and the yoke too.

So its quite possible to set this up.

RCITguy, no problem here. I am using a Serial Port for my PFC Hardware; yoke, pedals, avionics including throttles etc. This in my home built 737-800. However, buying an extra set of yoke and pedals was an expensive option when not used very often. So, I built my own replica yoke so things look right, but I simply have a cheap USB joystick plugged in when I have a friend coming over to fly. I am then able to say " I have control" when they get into a bit of trouble, then a quick nudge of the joystick, then back over to them. Most useful on landing in particular!

I use both a Saitek Cessna Yoke and CH Flightstick Pro stick at the same time in FSX

Awesome, thanks for the help guys... You lot rock, like FSX Ninjas :ph34r: :ph34r: :ph34r:

Just wanted to pop back and let you know, I have now tried this with 2 X52's on the same FSX, and it works just fine. Whichever control moves is the one that FSX reads..

So if one throttle stays at zero while the other one moves, FSX reads the one that's moving and ignores the idle one :-)

 

This then allows you to do the "I have control > You have control" with others to take their grotty little mitts of your sticks...

 

So it seems you can build a dual seat cockpit, with dual controls, on 1 PC :-)

Happy days