Multiple Controllers and Simultaneous Use

[Xyn_Air]

I have a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro joystick that I currently use for primary flight control in FS.  It connects via USB and is easily configured in FS.  However, I also have a "game style" controller (looks like a PS2 controller, but is for the PC) that also connects to USB that I used previously before I bought the joystick.  It, too, is easily configured in FS.

Now, I know that I can switch between controllers in FS, and even give each controller its own command profile.  But, I was hoping to do something else with that extra controller.

I want to be able to use both controllers simultaneously in FS, assigning different command events to each controller.  Is this possible, or can I only use one game controller at a time in FS?  If it makes a difference, I have both FS2004 and FSX.

Thanks,
~Darrin

[bok269]

I have been wondering the same hting...ive got the same joystick and am hoping to move up to something better for flight control, but maybe use that for something else...

[jimcooper1]

You can plug it LOTS of different controllers at the same time.  Be careful when you setup that you assign different events to each controller..ie try to avoid the same event happening on more than one.  You can do it ..it's OK with click and release (toggle)  buttons but it gets very confusing if you have the event asigned to axes or switches that have 2 (or more) positions.

regards

Jim

[Xyn_Air]

Jim,

Thanks for the positive words!  At least, for now, I have some hope!

The problem I am having is that FS2004 is forcing me to use one controller or the other from the joystick assignment drop down menu.  What I want to do is use both for different functions (as you mentioned).  Do you (or anyone) know of a way to tell FS2004 to use more than one controller simultaneously, instead of just having different controller profiles for one-at-a-time use?

Thanks much,
~Darrin

[Jayhawk Jake]

Jim,

Thanks for the positive words!  At least, for now, I have some hope!

The problem I am having is that FS2004 is forcing me to use one controller or the other from the joystick assignment drop down menu.  What I want to do is use both for different functions (as you mentioned).  Do you (or anyone) know of a way to tell FS2004 to use more than one controller simultaneously, instead of just having different controller profiles for one-at-a-time use?

Thanks much,
~Darrin

All the drop down does is lets you pick which to change, it still works with both.  For instance my Pedals and my Stick have two different drop downs and two sets of controls.  I can set the stick for pitch/roll and throttle and the pedals for brakes/yaw

[jimcooper1]

[quote][quote]Jim,

Thanks for the positive words!

[Xyn_Air]

Sorry it took me so long to get back to you guys.  I just wanted to let you know that your advice was spot on, and everything is working just marvy!  For some reason, before I always thought that the drop down menu that Jim shows in his post caused FS to select only the active controller to be used; I had no idea all plugged-in controllers actually worked and that the drop down menu was only to assign key commands.

So, now I have a bunch of functions set to my flight stick and a bunch of functions set to my game pad.  Some future plans include:

1) Seeing if I can use multiple game pads at the same time (or if poor FS will get confused if I plug in multiples of the same kind of game pad);

2) Seeing if this will all work through a USB hub; and,

3) If 1 and 2 work out well, I am going to buy a gaggle of cheap game pads (hey, I live in Japan; there are tons of cheap game pads), disassemble them, and put them back together again into a control panel.  I figure as long as the hardware isn't changed (only 'reconfigured') the drivers won't care if the buttons are in a game pad or a control panel.  Of course, I will have to carefully mark which buttons belong to which controllers/function, because set-up will have to be down via the drop down menu in FS, and that could be rather exciting if I don't know which button belongs to which game pad>

Anyway, thanks again, everyone.  Great advice and help.

All the best,
~Darrin

[richardd43]

or if poor FS will get confused if I plug in multiples of the same kind of game pad

Yes it will. Each controller has to be different.

When I built my cockpit the guy at the computer store thought I was crazy buying one of each controller he had.

I took the controllers out of their cases and wired switches in where the control buttons previously were and it worked great. I had to buy a powered USB hub to hook everything up though, but it is all behind the cockpit console so it is not an eyesore.

[JBaymore]

When it gets into multiple controllers and such, don't forget to stop down in the Homebuild Cockpits Foprume Section also.... a lot of this kind of thing is discussed there too.

http://www.simviation.com/cgi-bin/yabb2 ... 1066868054

http://www.simviation.com/cgi-bin/yabb2 ... 1066868177


best,

.......................john