I use MSFS as my external scenery generator for another sim. My flight controller (joystick) is set up to command the other sim, so I was looking to buy a small separate USB joystick that I could use just for controlling the views in MSFS. Does anyone use such a thing? Any small joysticks or other hardware controllers for controlling the MSFS camera that anyone would recommend? I'm certainly not looking for another full-size, typical joystick, because all it will do is run the camera.

I like the joystick idea (instead of the keyboard, or something like Streamdeck), because the hardware controllers in MSFS never seem to lose the focus, even if another application is active. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.

(Moderators: if this post belongs in another forum, please move it. Thanks.)

Edited August 22, 20232 yr by prolixindec

I use a 3DConnexion SpaceMouse (Wireless or Compact version)  which provides so many useful axis that are just perfect for  controlling camera views.

The only downside is that they arent cheap.

Hello !  I recommend the 3d mouse manipulator from 3dconnexion .  For me, this device is perfect for controlling a 6dof camera.  I have a device with about 20 additional buttons to which I can assign saved cameras, and use the joystick to control any of them.  It is very comfortable .  This is suitable for 2d and 3d ( in my case varjo aero ) .  But they also have simpler devices that are just as good for these purposes.  They are often sold on ebay and you can save money without paying full price.

I use an old PS4 controller on the pc and flying the drone cam is like flying a drone! It's a lot of fun!

You don't have a hat switch on your joystick?

Hmm, maybe I am missing something here. But I control the drone camera in MSFS with just an X-box controller that I had lying around. Perhaps it takes up more space than you prefer, though. In that regards, the above mentioned hardware is excellent if you don't have an Elgato or Loupedeck lying around.

13 hours ago, Simtech95382 said:

 

Ergonomics.  Especially for vr but not only.  When you know exactly where the 3dconnecxion controller is located in your space, you can use two fingers of one hand to move the camera simultaneously in at least one axis or six at once, easily controlling the speed of this movement.  Believe me, it's very convenient.  At the same time, you can continue to control the flight with the other hand.  I tried all the camera control options known to me both on the monitor screen and in vr.  Nothing comes close to being comfortable with these controllers.  This device is designed to work with volumetric objects in programs for engineers and as far as I know msfs is the first simulator that supports it out of the box.  Previously, you had to find ways to interact with the simulator.  Now everything is just fine

Edited August 22, 20232 yr by senya016

Thanks, everyone. I'll look into the 3DCnnextions device.

St Mawgan, I do have a hat switch on my flight controller, but as I said, I have two different sims running. MSFS is only providing the visuals, while everything else is done by another simulator. Therefore it's much easier to have a dedicated hardware solution for each sim, instead of changing device assignments from one sim to another while it's all up and running.

A small hardware controller dedicated just to the visuals is what I was looking for, and the 3DConnexion device sounds perfect.

How does the 3DConnexion SpaceMouse work with MSFS?

This version doesn't have any buttons and only one axis...would you explain how it works? I'm quite interested and like the small footprint.

X Box controller does everything. 

 

29 minutes ago, RichieFly said:

How does the 3DConnexion SpaceMouse work with MSFS?

This version doesn't have any buttons and only one axis...would you explain how it works? I'm quite interested and like the small footprint.

It's not just one axis.  These are 6 axes that are controlled by one small joystick.  You pull it up and the camera goes up, tilt it to the right and the camera tilts to the right.  By controlling the force you apply to the 3dconnexion joystick you control how fast the camera moves.  If you stop applying force to the joystick, the camera will stop at the point where you stop acting on the joystick.  The buttons on some of their devices are useful for assigning views, but are not required.  You can also use another device for this.  3dconnection can work in 6 axes at the same time.  It is convenient to manipulate 6 dof analog hat switch .  

I found a youtube video on how it works on google earth.  This is not my old video, but the principle can be understood.  It works like this in the simulator.

https://youtu.be/w1hSh2oL-yU

16 minutes ago, Bobsk8 said:

X Box controller does everything. 

 

I absolutely agree with you.  I also agree with those who use not only the xbox controller but the xbox itself for the simulator.  However, a good computer and peripherals can give you more options and enjoyment.  This is the choice of everyone .  There are people for whom the keyboard and mouse are enough for the simulator.  Until they try at least a simple joystick

@senya016 Thanks for the link.

I have a xbox controller and I agree that it works great. But, I like the idea of having a desk peripheral that just sits there till I need it.

The xbox controller will sit in my lap until I need it or until if slips off my lap and crashes to the floor.

Thanks for the tip. 

10 minutes ago, RichieFly said:

@senya016 

You're welcome!  We are here to learn something new and to help the community.  I've been trying to build a good ergonomic flight simulator cockpit for a long time now.  I think that over the years of experimentation, I spent more money on unsuccessful solutions than on something that is really useful.  And I always want to help others by sharing my experience.  Of the many devices I have used, this is one of the most successful.  I've been using it for over seven years now ) And... I bought it used on ebay ))

Edited August 23, 20232 yr by senya016

Quote

It's not just one axis.  These are 6 axes that are controlled by one small joystick.  You pull it up and the camera goes up, tilt it to the right and the camera tilts to the right.  By controlling the force you apply to the 3dconnexion joystick you control how fast the camera moves.  If you stop applying force to the joystick, the camera will stop at the point where you stop acting on the joystick. 

Senya, and c912039,

I'm having some issues. I got the SpaceMouse and it works well, except that MSFS thinks it's a mouse, and not a joystick. In your quote above, I see this: "You pull it up and the camera goes up, tilt it to the right and the camera tilts to the right.  By controlling the force you apply to the 3dconnexion joystick you control how fast the camera moves."

But I don't see this: "If you stop applying force to the joystick, the camera will stop at the point where you stop acting on the joystick."

Instead, if I stop applying force to the joystick, the camera keeps moving at the speed it was moving when I let go. This makes it very challenging to stop the camera; I have to carefully remove any deflections from the center zone that I put in--in each axis, no less.

My understanding is that the behavior I am seeing is what happens when MSFS treats the controller like a mouse, where the mouse doesn't snap back to a center zone when you let go, but instead remembers the deflection from center.

I can see this when I click "Sensitivity" in the Controls menu. The white dot that indicates deflection stays where it was when I let go of the controller, whereas with a joystick, it should snap back to the center point.

I've read online about people solving this problem by getting payware "joystick emulators," or writing XML code to put in a config file, but I hope this isn't necessary?

How did you get yours to behave like a joystick?

Thanks.