If I was stuck flying with a keyboard, i would completely give up flightsimming.

7 hours ago, bofhlusr said:

For portability you might want to check this out.  It has two extra buttons which you can use for modifiers. A newer version was just released.
(74) Flydigi Vader 3 Pro Review | The BEST Hall Effect Gaming Controller - YouTube

Except for the Hall sensors (and the possibility to either use a dongle or Bluetooth), I see no advantages compared to Xbox.

Too bad the next step (having a proper throttle axis) is too expensive:

https://yawmanflight.com/

200 USD for the Yawman Arrow.

When I first started with flight sims (FSX) I had no controllers or pedals, just keyboard and mouse however I soon realised it is literality impossible to fly with just keyboard alone. Good thing was FSX supported the use of mouse as yoke until I was able to get a basic joystick to start with. Since then I have now have invested in pedals and proper stick with throttle. 

To the OP - If you want to experience flight simulator to full extent, Get a joystick. Doesn't have to be a expensive one as even simple basic one will get you started. There are plenty of cheaper options available on Amazon/Ebay. You can then upgrade to more advanced hardware once you feel comfortable/or as when funds are available.  

Edited July 29, 20241 yr by CAP1234

Please remember that there are sim users who have medical reasons for not being able to use controls other than the keyboard, so it's not a simple case of thinking it's a crazy option. We have at least one blind simmer on here too if I remember correctly.

I am actually looking for a way to control the flight surfaces in sim with keyboard and mouse only. It has to do with being on the move, and simming a flight operations business more than just the cockpit itself. I found a program on flightsim.to that will give you mouse yoke in MSFS, but unfortunately it isnt compatible with the Fenix. Like, the sim will not run if you have both installed at the same time. 

So, back to looking for solutions. 

That is like eating a banana with knife and spoon!

11 hours ago, 109Sqn said:

Please remember that there are sim users who have medical reasons for not being able to use controls other than the keyboard, so it's not a simple case of thinking it's a crazy option. We have at least one blind simmer on here too if I remember correctly.

The OP hasn't volunteered what the reason is for just wanting to use the keyboard. However, if the issue here is some type of physical disability (or even it not), perhaps the addition of a program that supports the use of verbal commands would be helpful, e.g., something like Voice Attack or similar programs.

Al

Edited July 31, 20241 yr by ark

I actually do own a logitech 3d Extreme joystick and, honeycomb alpha and bravo. I set it up once and once and then put it away and never touched it again. Idk why, but I don't use my machine primarily for flight simming, so having all that stuff on the desk really gets in the way. I mean when I'm not flying, I would have to remove all that stuff and then reinstall everytime I fly again, which is kind of a PITA having to do this each and everytime I want to fly. Which is why I fly currently mainly with an xbox controller ever since and do enjoy using the sim that way a lot. Which boils down to why I'm looking for an even more simpler way to play the sim, and that's via keyboard only.

3 hours ago, captain420 said:

I actually do own a logitech 3d Extreme joystick and, honeycomb alpha and bravo. I set it up once and once and then put it away and never touched it again. Idk why, but I don't use my machine primarily for flight simming, so having all that stuff on the desk really gets in the way. I mean when I'm not flying, I would have to remove all that stuff and then reinstall everytime I fly again, which is kind of a PITA having to do this each and everytime I want to fly. Which is why I fly currently mainly with an xbox controller ever since and do enjoy using the sim that way a lot. Which boils down to why I'm looking for an even more simpler way to play the sim, and that's via keyboard only.

You must have a really tiny desk. I am surprised you have room for a  keyboard. 

6 hours ago, captain420 said:

I actually do own a logitech 3d Extreme joystick and, honeycomb alpha and bravo. I set it up once and once and then put it away and never touched it again. Idk why, but I don't use my machine primarily for flight simming, so having all that stuff on the desk really gets in the way. I mean when I'm not flying, I would have to remove all that stuff and then reinstall everytime I fly again, which is kind of a PITA having to do this each and everytime I want to fly. Which is why I fly currently mainly with an xbox controller ever since and do enjoy using the sim that way a lot. Which boils down to why I'm looking for an even more simpler way to play the sim, and that's via keyboard only.

There are a few things you can try:

- There are under-desk mounts you an get for the Bravo, and a way to just clamp them so you don't have to drill holes in your desk.

- One of those height adjustable height tables on wheels. Mount the Bravo to that and if you have a long USB cable you can just roll it out of the way. (something like this

- OF all the planes, the Fenix works best with hybrid joystick/keyboard. You are not going to get the precision landing with a keyboard. However, the detent nature of Airbus and some KBs on the Fenix side you can use a keyboard for the throttle and the Logitech extreme for the stick. I would not recommend trying to calibrate the slider on the Extreme for an Airbus

- For the PMDG, however, just use the Logitech throttle. Get a USB extension cable to run under your desk and plug the Extreme into that. You can disconnect it fairly easily. I use the Extreme to fly my Boeing Aircraft. The Sim Police won't raid your house for doing this. 🙂

11 hours ago, captain420 said:

I actually do own a logitech 3d Extreme joystick and, honeycomb alpha and bravo. I set it up once and once and then put it away and never touched it again. Idk why, but I don't use my machine primarily for flight simming, so having all that stuff on the desk really gets in the way. I mean when I'm not flying, I would have to remove all that stuff and then reinstall everytime I fly again, which is kind of a PITA having to do this each and everytime I want to fly. Which is why I fly currently mainly with an xbox controller ever since and do enjoy using the sim that way a lot. Which boils down to why I'm looking for an even more simpler way to play the sim, and that's via keyboard only.

Now I see where are you coming from. Sadly, I feel controlling the ailerons and elevators with just keys is not as reliable as with a stick or yoke. Even the Xbox controller sticks are way better than just keys, sorry. Have you tried using the Logitech stick only, with no Honeycomb stuff?

When I moved to Argentina, I had no space in my suitcase to take my X-52 with me, so I had to get by with an Xbox controller. That kept me sane for the first months (until I got a cheap 3D Extreme knock-off here). Personally, my minimum options are either an Xbox controller (preferably, wireless) OR the Logitech 3D Extreme. But that was after enduring 4 months with no controller at all when I started the hobby.

Edited July 31, 20241 yr by Luis Hernandez

20 hours ago, captain420 said:

I actually do own a logitech 3d Extreme joystick and, honeycomb alpha and bravo. I set it up once and once and then put it away and never touched it again. Idk why, but I don't use my machine primarily for flight simming, so having all that stuff on the desk really gets in the way. I mean when I'm not flying, I would have to remove all that stuff and then reinstall everytime I fly again, which is kind of a PITA having to do this each and everytime I want to fly. Which is why I fly currently mainly with an xbox controller ever since and do enjoy using the sim that way a lot. Which boils down to why I'm looking for an even more simpler way to play the sim, and that's via keyboard only.

You could  simply  leave  it  connected  and  move  it  away  from  your  desk some  where  next  to it sure  there  will be  some  room   for  a  joystick  and  throttle,  if  you need  to unplug it  than simply  plug  it  back in  again, no need  to re install  it    since  once  you plug  it  in  again  your  pc  will automatically recognize  it  again

It should be easy to move a joystick out of the way when you are using your PC for other stuff. I have a CH Flightstick Pro joystick, and I use that to fly my PMDG 737-600. It only has four buttons (brakes/thrust reversers/trim up and down), a throttle wheel, and a hat switch (look around the VC), but that is enough for me. I do everything else by mouse clicking in the VC itself.

Edited August 1, 20241 yr by Christopher Low

The snobish elitism of some is just out of this world. Lol. 

For the record: I have a whole closet full of jangly plasticky junk flight sim hardware. 

For the Fenix I use the TCA Airbus stick. The stick is fine. Plastic junk, but a bit higher quality than some of the other stuff I own. 

However, the problem is the "throttle", which isn't really a throttle but a tiny little microthingy that's close to worthless. It has no range, thus it's difficult to hit the detents and easy to accidentally move out of them. 

I suspect they want to sell you their junky plastic throttle addon. 

Hence, I use the relevant keybaord commands to move in and out of the detents. 

I also own an "under the desk mount" for the Airbus joystick. Which is also pretty much junk. Metal junk. Still: junk. It takes up a significant amounf of space for ver little gain.