Elite: Dangerous Standard Beta (Starting Jul 29th - $75)

Looks like I've been forced to buy the expansion pass.

I really don't mind. I've probably gotten about 20 hours out of the combat missions alone.
 
Hey guys with the standard beta and have access to the scenarios, you can unlock the supercruise with a bug in one of the scenario.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UG_aJmR_dgI&feature=youtu.be

I think you can hyperspace to the other stars? But it seems buggy in scenarios compared to multiplayer, he got 4 sidewinders on his ass when he tried to go dock in the zelada base.

Still, could give you a taste of things to come?
 
Hey guys with the standard beta and have access to the scenarios, you can unlock the supercruise with a bug in one of the scenario.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UG_aJmR_dgI&feature=youtu.be

I think you can hyperspace to the other stars? But it seems buggy in scenarios compared to multiplayer, he got 4 sidewinders on his ass when he tried to go dock in the zelada base.

Still, could give you a taste of things to come?

Oh nice, docking and SC practice, I know what I'm doing after dinner!
 
I decided that I care more about build quality and performance than aesthetics. I agree that CH products look stuck in the 80s but the impressions I've read puts them well over Saitek in reliability.

The downside is that they're not as heavily marketed and they probably don't sell as well so developers may forget about them when creating presets. Thankfully, sims are generally good with providing adequate rebinding options so it's not like getting stuck with a modern game that ONLY works with an Xbox controller.
Does the CH stick come with an integrated throttle? Is it the bigger plastic disk that looks kind of like a trim wheel? It'd be a little odd to sell the throttle separately otherwise, instead of bundle each of their sticks as a HOTAS.
 
How does the super cruise work? Are you automatically in it after you come out of a warp/hyperspace jump and have then slow down to drop out of it? Or is there a command, menu option that drops you out of it and/or puts you into it?
 
"But having owned a lesser Saitek flightstick before, I'm not all that pleased with their spring-centering mechanism. On the Saitek Cyborg-X I owned (before the sensor went out of whack), I had to modify the spring to give it a much lighter feel (almost no spring-centering force at all), because it would cause me to overcorrect past center almost constantly."

If you can get over the aesthetic, it sounds like you want a CH stick as they're known for having very light centering springs.

I currently have been using a Saitek X45 HOTAS for the past thirteen years, and while I like it that damned center spring on the stick has caused me many problems over the years. I've "fixed" it MacGyver style a few times and while it works it is not working great. I love the throttle though, and the plethora of buttons and 4-ways. Also the rudder buttons on the throttle are great.

Before the X45 I used a very old CH Combatstick HOTAS, the old parallel port variety, way before USB was even a thing. Yeah, it's that old. I loved the CH with the exception of the sliding style throttle, I vastly prefer pivot point throttles like the Saitek and everyone else. But the feel and function of the CH stick was awesome.

I wish I could mix a new CH Combatstick with my Saitek X45 throttle.....

I'll probably just end up buying a new CH HOTAS soon and live with the sliding throttle once again. I'd love the Warthog but I really don't feel like spending that kind of money, and the newer Saiteks don't really sound like what I want anymore. It's like there really isn't any one perfect HOTAS unit to buy, no matter which you pick there are pros and cons you have to live with...
 
Does the CH stick come with an integrated throttle? Is it the bigger plastic disk that looks kind of like a trim wheel? It'd be a little odd to sell the throttle separately otherwise, instead of bundle each of their sticks as a HOTAS.

sc_b00006b84x-02product.jpg


Yes.
The left wheel on the stick is the throttle
The right wheel on the stick is a trim
The bottom wheel on the stick is a trim.

How does the super cruise work? Are you automatically in it after you come out of a warp/hyperspace jump and have then slow down to drop out of it? Or is there a command, menu option that drops you out of it and/or puts you into it?

After hyperspace you are automatically in it, unless you come too close to a mass lock. You can disable it manually when you are at low speeds (200km/s), by pressing C by default, emergency supercruise exit by pressing C twice.
 
10554062_350462231767530_180843339_n.jpg


My T-Flight Hotas X arrived and I haven't had much time to set it up. Will get a little time tonight and tomorrow before I leave for a weeks holiday (which works out almost perfectly). Can't wait for beta!
 
I am an old fart, and there are not many things that make me go giddy..

But seeing these Elite videos and recognizing all the little details..

Wow..

I couldn't even imagine an Elite looking that good back in 1987, when I played this all night through for weeks.
 
"I wish I could mix a new CH Combatstick with my Saitek X45 throttle...."


Actually, you can. The "brain" of the Saitek X45, IIRC, is in the throttle, not the stick. So you can plug up the saitek X45 and map it together with the CH Combatstick in Elite since it accepts inputs from multiple devices. It won't work in older games that don't (Freespace 2 is notorious for this), but Elite works just fine with multiple devices.
 
God, next week will be glorious, with the arrival of my DK2 (hopefully) alongside the dropping of Elite Dangerous Beta 2, and my sim seat with transducer should be done by then.
 
"I wish I could mix a new CH Combatstick with my Saitek X45 throttle...."


Actually, you can. The "brain" of the Saitek X45, IIRC, is in the throttle, not the stick. So you can plug up the saitek X45 and map it together with the CH Combatstick in Elite since it accepts inputs from multiple devices. It won't work in older games that don't (Freespace 2 is notorious for this), but Elite works just fine with multiple devices.

Yeah, I've read about doing that before but I want an all in one updated HOTAS for all of my sims, not just Elite. Something I can use with FSX, Falcon 4.0, Longbow 2, Elite, etc.

I should tally up all of the sims I own some day, I don't even know how many I own.
 
Looks like I had spoken too soon, the apparently infamous Logitech build quality has struck me. Now after about 20-30 minutes of serious use (such as practicing incursion), the spring in the main stick "sticks" down so suddenly the stick is entirely loose in the base until I shake the whole thing or whack the stick down on the sides and get it to "pop" back out (restoring resistance/centering), and sometimes it takes several attempts. Fine for SP missions where I can pause, but not something I want happening in the midst of a tense online dogfight. While for SC I actually prefer the 360 pad (which space-sim-cred wise I'm mildly ashamed of), the working flight stick is clearly the better option for me in ED (keyword: working).

So... that Thrustmaster T-Flight HOTAS X stick seems pretty popular. Is it a solid build/good feel? It seems ridiculously cheap (at least relatively to it's $120+ kin) but I see a surprising number of people in various communties/threads using it who also turn up their noses at the 3D Pro. The main thing I was worried about is by the screenshots, the throttle looks oddly large next to the stick, but now I definitely want to know about build quality/reliability. Ideally I'm looking for long term use as I probably don't want to drop on a "serious" setup (like a warthog) for at least another year or so, or ever if this feels good and lasts.

Edit: A quick search of GAF (most hits in this thread) seems to indicate this is also a popular and more-than-serviceable stick. I guess my only question then is reliability, as I'd rather not shell out for this only for 6 months down the line to be in the same position anyway and looking for yet another stick. Also if there's any quick fixes for the sticky-spring, that would be even better.
 
Looks like I had spoken too soon, the apparently infamous Logitech build quality has struck me. Now after about 20-30 minutes of serious use (such as practicing incursion), the spring in the main stick "sticks" down so suddenly the stick is entirely loose in the base until I shake the whole thing or whack the stick down on the sides and get it to "pop" back out (restoring resistance/centering), and sometimes it takes several attempts. Fine for SP missions where I can pause, but not something I want happening in the midst of a tense online dogfight. While for SC I actually prefer the 360 pad (which space-sim-cred wise I'm mildly ashamed of), the working flight stick is clearly the better option for me in ED (keyword: working).

So... that Thrustmaster T-Flight HOTAS X stick seems pretty popular. Is it a solid build/good feel? It seems ridiculously cheap (at least relatively to it's $120+ kin) but I see a surprising number of people in various communties/threads using it who also turn up their noses at the 3D Pro. The main thing I was worried about is by the screenshots, the throttle looks oddly large next to the stick, but now I definitely want to know about build quality/reliability. Ideally I'm looking for long term use as I probably don't want to drop on a "serious" setup (like a warthog) for at least another year or so, or ever if this feels good and lasts.

Edit: A quick search of GAF (most hits in this thread) seems to indicate this is also a popular and more-than-serviceable stick. I guess my only question then is reliability, as I'd rather not shell out for this only for 6 months down the line to be in the same position anyway and looking for yet another stick. Also if there's any quick fixes for the sticky-spring, that would be even better.
This is a tough one because in that price range, there's also the Thrustmaster T16000M, which is not a HOTAS-style setup, but it does use Hall Effect sensors.
 
This is a tough one because in that price range, there's also the Thrustmaster T16000M, which is not a HOTAS-style setup, but it does use Hall Effect sensors.

I saw that one... how are the buttons on it? I'm actually fine with it not being HOTAS (I was going to stick with the 3D Pro until I had issues), but the buttons/throttle on it look... weird/cheap, especially that hanging-off-the-front trigger. It sounds like the stick itself might be amazing as a control-stick (for that price) due to the sensors but if it has super gummy buttons/a trigger that gets pulled just by looking at it/the throttle sticks or has no resistance and slides around on its own, not worth it.
 
I can vouch for the quality of the T. Flight HOTAS X in terms of build quality based on how much I've used it. At first, it might feel slightly more "plasticy" than the Extreme 3D Pro due to its look (it was made specifically to be compatible with the PS3 after all), but upon further use it actually feels really solid, with a base that sticks firmly to the surface without need of any adhesive or suction cups. Buttons feel good and actually have a clickiness to them. Centering is also pretty solid, though not as firm as my Extreme 3D Pro.

The only reason I use the X52 Pro is due to the use of the left hat switch for vertical and lateral thrusters (useful for docking), but I wouldn't hesitate switching back to the TF HOTAS X as it has a slimmer profile, and its possible to recreate the left hat functions on the HOTAS X with abit of key binding editing.
 
I saw that one... how are the buttons on it? I'm actually fine with it not being HOTAS (I was going to stick with the 3D Pro until I had issues), but the buttons/throttle on it look... weird/cheap, especially that hanging-off-the-front trigger. It sounds like the stick itself might be amazing as a control-stick (for that price) due to the sensors but if it has super gummy buttons/a trigger that gets pulled just by looking at it/the throttle sticks or has no resistance and slides around on its own, not worth it.

I just picked a T.16000M up a couple weeks ago, it's my first flight stick so I don't have much to compare it too, but it definitely improved my ability to aim by a ton over using a 360 pad, and I'm getting much better at more complex maneuvers.

The buttons are fine, I wish there were more on the stick for controlling fire systems, that seems to be what you're paying for with the higher end sticks. I've adopted a right hand on stick, left hand on the keyboard play style that I feel gives me a lot of versatility. I had planned to buy a throttle but I don't even think I'm interested anymore.

The weakest thing about the T.16000M is the 12 buttons on the base, it's great that they're there and actually make it possible to use the stick without the keyboard if you get creative, but the ambidextrous design makes it so that only 6 are really usable at any given time with your hand on the stick. I'll probably never use those buttons again now that I've switched over the Keyboard + Stick.

Overall it's not a perfect all-in-one solution, but I imagine it's better than any Gamepad.
 
Quick Question for Elite GAF:

1) Can I play this with a controller?

2) Is there any multiplayer in the beta? If so, is it limited to just PvP, or is there co-op type stuff I can do with buddies?

Thanks in advance!
 
Quick Question for Elite GAF:

1) Can I play this with a controller?

2) Is there any multiplayer in the beta? If so, is it limited to just PvP, or is there co-op type stuff I can do with buddies?

Thanks in advance!

1) Before my Flightstick arrived I played this with a 360 controller and it worked absolutely fine. No worries there.

2) It depends. In the premium beta you have multiplayer as well as single player missions.
In the standard beta you have only single player right now but on the 29th the multiplayer with WAY more content opens up. This will also include grouping so you can easily play with your friends. And PvP is actually a rather small thing in the game, the PvE experience is definitely the main focus.
 
1) Before my Flightstick arrived I played this with a 360 controller and it worked absolutely fine. No worries there.

2) It depends. In the premium beta you have multiplayer as well as single player missions.
In the standard beta you have only single player right now but on the 29th the multiplayer with WAY more content opens up. This will also include grouping so you can easily play with your friends. And PvP is actually a rather small thing in the game, the PvE experience is definitely the main focus.

And this solidifies my purchase. Ta muchly!
 
Damn. Come a long way since wireframe! The Orbis habitats especially.

PLEASE let there be a Dyson Sphere somewhere.

Im pretty sure as peoples will reach unexplored reaches of the galaxy that they will start to encounter alien races.

But how would you detect a Dyson Sphere? Its full purpose is to be stealthy, and if you managed to encounter a tier 3 civilization with a Dyson sphere, you probably wont be able to exit that system alive :p

The newsletter today (i hope) should be amazing, since beta is next week im pretty sure they'll start the hype machine.
 
I'm waiting as patiently as possible for this and it's proving difficult, I keep searching youtube for new videos. I had decided to wait for the actual release plus the Oculus consumer edition, and the date that both of those will be available could be many months from now. When that does finally happen, I plan on buying a £1.5k to £2k PC, an Oculus Rift, flight stick, and the game itself, which is kind of ridiculous, but it's been a few of years since I've been this excited about video games.
 
Gentlemen I present you the current best Elite video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODaiPJRyyxA

absolutely awesome

Pretty awesome. Also highlights how much they need to do to improve the damage model appearance.

Shit just goes 'pop'. Except for the Anaconda.


I'd prefer a more realistic damage system myself...

Instead of Hull @ 0% = death... Hull simply represents armored sections all over the ship. As the section is compromised the internals are exposed and available to destroy. The internal frame is also available to destroy. Death only occurs once a critical component like the engine, life support or cockpit is destroyed.

And even then, the kind of death that occurs is dependent on the damage that was sustained and how much the killing blow exceeded the capacity for damage.

e.g. A shot that brings a ship's engine from 1% to 0% will cause the dying ship to smoke and fizzle out and drift off into space... a shot that brings the ship's engine from 1% to -20% will essentially cause it to explode, causing a cascading series of explosions that rips the remaining hull apart.

Also, damage reactions need to be more significant and graphical as armor and components are been ripped apart. Gouts of coloured sparks and flames erupting from the ship to give good satisfying visual feedback on its damage.
 
sc_b00006b84x-02product.jpg


Yes.
The left wheel on the stick is the throttle
The right wheel on the stick is a trim
The bottom wheel on the stick is a trim.



After hyperspace you are automatically in it, unless you come too close to a mass lock. You can disable it manually when you are at low speeds (200km/s), by pressing C by default, emergency supercruise exit by pressing C twice.

I have a stick very similar to this also by CH for the 3DO.

It was pretty great for Wing Commander.
 
I'm setting my sights on getting to Beta Lyrae.

If it crashes my game, DB has some explaining to do! :P
 
Me it'll be VY canis majoris. Its already in the galaxy map, i just need a bigger travel bubble damnit! Betelgeuse, Rigel too. Binary stars, neutron stars, black holes... I want to go explore and see these monsters.

Btw, its quite late for the newsletter, relatively to UK's time.
 
Me it'll be VY canis majoris. Its already in the galaxy map, i just need a bigger travel bubble damnit! Betelgeuse, Rigel too. Binary stars, neutron stars, black holes... I want to go explore and see these monsters.

Btw, its quite late for the newsletter, relatively to UK's time.

Yeah, looks pretty close to my itinerary, Beta Lyrae specifically because it's a contact binary, and because of it's history with Elite means DB really does have to get it right this time and means it should get special attention.

I also hope getting too close to a Magnetar leads to system failure & death :D
 
#33 is out.

Dat 16k Screenshot, oh my!

The trade route display looks awesome.
 
So cross posting from the PC Racing Sim thread because it applies:

ok ok, this is incredible. So there is a club in Houston where me and some guys run our Oculus Rift developers meetings out of called TX/RX. It's a giant warehouse/labratory that is filled with tools and equipment that is basically an engineers wet dream. A fleet of hundreds of 3D printers, welders, laser and water cutters, metal benders, etc. Basically, any sort of ultra expensive, high grade equipment you need to make virtually anything you can think of, it exists there. If you are a member, you can use all this equipment 24/7, and they offer classes to teach you how to use this stuff, and the membership is so big and diverse that you can always find people willing to help you on a project.

So, because we just moved our club to this place for our meetings, we were conversing with their president and he was showing us the ins and outs of the space, when I spotted something mindblowing in the distance at one guy's station:

Untitled.png


That's a G27 and a racing seat attached to a metal frame they've created. Neat, but what's amazing is the seat has hydraulic lifts attached to it powered by XSim. It's a full motion seat. I asked the dude how much it cost to build - next to nothing if I have the seat and wheel already. I asked how much time it takes to build - apparently they built it during the welding class in 1 day, it's a snap. I asked if he could help me do it, and he said it wouldn't be a problem.

So my transducer seat has now become a full motion rig. I am fucking hyped out of my mind.

My racing wheel and flight stick are on detachable wheel stand pros, so the rig I'm building is a motion seat only.
 
Can anyone help me out in getting my Xbox One controller set up and working for Flight?

I can't seem to find any guides or how-to's online. :(
 
This game is impressing me at every turn. Needs more exposure for sure.

Definitely. Come Tuesday with the release of standard beta along with hopefully full DK2 support, I think we might see the best example of virtual reality yet. With the problems currently plaguing Star Citizen I don't see them implementing DK2 support anytime soon.
 
What content will actually be in the standard beta next week? Will most of the game be there with free roaming, trading and all or will it just be single missions and pvp?
 
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