T.Flight Hotas X
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Please consider me the newest sort of beginner. I have tried Falcon 4.0 and basically never got beyond the installation. I always bog down in configuring the buttons on my controller. Can some one give me the basic and most useful key binding for this 12 button system. I don’t know beans about key files so if you mention those you will need to walk me through them. For example:
1=trigger
2=toggle landing gear up and down
3=switch button (if applicable)
4=air brake toggleand so on up to 12.
I know that this is really really basic and far beneath the experts on this forum and community, but it would really help me. Thank you.
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Please consider me the newest sort of beginner. I have tried Falcon 4.0 and basically never got beyond the installation. I always bog down in configuring the buttons on my controller. Can some one give me the basic and most useful key binding for this 12 button system. I don’t know beans about key files so if you mention those you will need to walk me through them. For example:
1=trigger
2=toggle landing gear up and down
3=switch button (if applicable)
4=air brake toggleand so on up to 12.
I know that this is really really basic and far beneath the experts on this forum and community, but it would really help me. Thank you.
https://www.benchmarksims.org/forum/showthread.php?p=443803
Falcon BMS Alternative Launcher application provides a very user friendly and easy way to setup you controls in BMS.
It also enables you to use shift functionality for your hotas.
You can download the application and try it out. -
I have a Hotas X. It works well with WW2 planes and arcade/sim/etc games but fundamentally struggles with modern fighter sims due to the lack of hat switches and cursor/ministick.When I moved from WW2 planes to modern fighter sims (A10C) I bought the Warthog after struggling with a good setup on the HotasX. the HotasX really detracts from enjoying the game. I would suggest a better HOTAS, eg Warthog, CH Products or even Saitek, Virpil etc as it will make things much easier to remember when engaged in many button switches. Just the throttle from the “T.16000M FCS Hotas” would make a big difference. The prior model had mapping software that was fine, HotasX does not have dedicated mapping software and I felt I had to give up on it when I moved to modern flight sims.
For the HotasX, I can’t recall where I got to, but my idea was to program the buttons on the throttle as separate shift buttons. Then I could have the hat switch as:
unshifted stated - trim
shift 1 - TMS
Shift 2 - DMS
shift 3 - cms
shift 4 - POVI would add that to trigger, launch, mode button on the sidestick. I think that only leaves one button free - perhaps ECM or Next Nav Point or speedbrakes or cursor enter.
The base buttons I didn’t really understand.
As a real begginner in BMS, I don’t know if you can use Alternative Launcher to set so many shift states, or use something like Joystick Gremlin to set a “ctrl”, :shift" and “alt” button to get 3 shifted states.
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I don’t know how many joysticks BMS/Alternative Launcher support. You may not be able to use the HotasX and just the FCS Hotas throttle, so my next suggestion would be to get the “Thrustmaster T.16000M + TWCS” bundle instead.
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I don’t know how many joysticks BMS/Alternative Launcher support. You may not be able to use the HotasX and just the FCS Hotas throttle, so my next suggestion would be to get the “Thrustmaster T.16000M + TWCS” bundle instead.
BMS / AL supports any Joystick as long as it’s been regognized by the operating system as a game device
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I have a Hotas X. It works well with WW2 planes and arcade/sim/etc games but fundamentally struggles with modern fighter sims due to the lack of hat switches and cursor/ministick.When I moved from WW2 planes to modern fighter sims (A10C) I bought the Warthog after struggling with a good setup on the HotasX. the HotasX really detracts from enjoying the game. I would suggest a better HOTAS, eg Warthog, CH Products or even Saitek, Virpil etc as it will make things much easier to remember when engaged in many button switches. Just the throttle from the “T.16000M FCS Hotas” would make a big difference. The prior model had mapping software that was fine, HotasX does not have dedicated mapping software and I felt I had to give up on it when I moved to modern flight sims.
For the HotasX, I can’t recall where I got to, but my idea was to program the buttons on the throttle as separate shift buttons. Then I could have the hat switch as:
unshifted stated - trim
shift 1 - TMS
Shift 2 - DMS
shift 3 - cms
shift 4 - POVI would add that to trigger, launch, mode button on the sidestick. I think that only leaves one button free - perhaps ECM or Next Nav Point or speedbrakes or cursor enter.
The base buttons I didn’t really understand.
As a real begginner in BMS, I don’t know if you can use Alternative Launcher to set so many shift states, or use something like Joystick Gremlin to set a “ctrl”, :shift" and “alt” button to get 3 shifted states.
For more than one shifted state (BMS only supports one) you could go with vJoy to create multiple virtual devices and JoystickGremlin to create and map shift button layers to the virtual vJoy devices and than use these vJoy Joysticks within BMS.
That’s the usual usage if you have only very limitited number of physical buttons. -
I up graded from a T Flt Hotas X to a warthog set up, but then i uses to fly BMS before, but i also use Voice Attack, with a BMS plug in by JanJan, so even with a hotas X configured to the commands used every flight you can always do more with Voice commands, hope that info helps?
John.
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Thanks to all who responded. I did consider more expensive controllers a while ago, but they are expensive and I am not sure that I am dedicated enough to justify the expense. If I don’t mess with the shift function what would be a basic set up for the buttons I do have? Is this too sophisticated a version of Falcon for a duffer like me? Maybe I should simply try the original Falcon 4.0 or Allied Force? What set up would work with those?
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Is this too sophisticated a version of Falcon for a duffer like me? Maybe I should simply try the original Falcon 4.0 or Allied Force? What set up would work with those?
duffer? im 54!
….i would just be patient and use the BMS 4.34U4 (original Falcon 4 loaded of course) and work through training, get you going and build confidence?
2020-08-23_143428 by arabianjules, on Flickr
if you have discord? try the Voice attack bms janjan plug in, alot easier to speak the commands than search the cockpit or keyboard for
that
switch, and you will learn whats where as well. https://www.benchmarksims.org/forum/showthread.php?39526-Voice-Attack-plugin-for-falcon-BMSLoads of great tutorial videos on youtube…
dont loose hope
John
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Do you use headtracking? Headtracking would allow you to use the POV hat and one button for HOTAS stuff, while you’d need them for POV and padlocking if you don’t use headtracking.
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I have no idea what headtracking is.
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Use Search function. Type: BlueRaven POV
You can find some Keys for T.Flight Hotas X. Save your org. Key file !! - because it
s based on 4.33.
Read this thread and you know what to do to make it work with 4.34 (copy and paste) -
Thank you very much.
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I’m only a beginner too, and I have been getting on and falling off the BMS bike for a few years (but it looks to be getting easier and easier over the years). Realistically, I think you will struggle with the HotasX and BMS. It would take a lot of dedication as you not only have a very complex sim to learn, but also you will be fighting against controls that are not user friendly. There will be less immersion and controller difficulties may frustrate you. It would take less dedication with a better hotas.
Modern fighters involve multiple button presses to prepare for weapons employment. If you look at the real f16 controls, you will see many hat switches. You will also see a ministick/cursor.To get close to employing the f16, you should have many hats and a cursor. The hat switches cover Trim, DMS, TMS, CMS, Radar, Comms etc. The cursor is used to lock onto targets.
No cost option 1
Use the hotasx, get vjoy and joystick gremlin (I think they are free) and set up a control scheme similar to what I suggested. This gives you all the hats to do most of the button presses to control core systems.It has the benefit of teaching you how the TMS, DMS and CMS switches work (on a real f16 and mirrored on better hotas, so you can learn for the future) and you will get the benefit of some muscle memory. My suggested control scheme also covers some other key buttons. It lacks the cursor to lock up targets. I’m not sure how best to do that without perhaps another shifted state to get cursor up/down/right/left on the hat. It lacks radar and comms.
You’ll be using the keyboard for most non-cms/dms/tms switches.
You could then free up some switches once familiar with the core systems, eg perhaps you can make do with next cms program and cms deploy on the hotas instead of the full cms hat.
No cost option 2
Ditch the scheme I suggested and try to get feedback from others on the most important buttons. You may need to decide a scheme for air to air and focus on that in BMS, or Air to ground and focus on that. I think air to air may involve fewer switches, eg radar elevation up/down, dogfight/medium range mode, next cms program and cms deploy, perhaps comms picture and comms declare. I dont know BMS well enough to give real guidance here, I only know a bit of the theory. There are many, many buttons and prioritising those would be difficult.You’ll be using the keyboard for most functions, including looking around and perhaps locking up targets. Immersion will be low. You won’t be learning for a future hotas.
Low cost option
I would simply buy just the Thrustmaster TWCS throttle only. It has multiple hats and a ministick. With the sidestick you have, and perhaps with a shift mode, it will get you nearly all the hotas controls you need. It will increase immersion and you will fight the controls far less so enjoyment will increase. It can be used on other sims. i don’t have one, but it does have axes for things like antenna elevation that the Warthog lacks (in a convenient hotas location).Anyway, those are my thoughts. There is some other useful info from others in this thread.
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The Blueraven one seems to cover a lot of ground - just learn to use that and disregard my scheme! (wish I’d seen that before posting!)
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Hi,
Just got back to BMS recently and updated my T.Flight HotasX key file for BMS 4.34 U4. It’s based on BlueRaven’s key file some years back. I simply changed some commands to suit single player for me. Credits to him.
If anyone is interested and still using the old trusty HotasX, you can download the attached key file “GreaseLitenin TrackIR SP v1.zip” and its corresponding diagram “T.Flight HotasX KeyMap v1.3 BMS 4.34U4.jpg”.
I also have the PowerPoint file of the diagram. It’s too large to attach here but you can download it here (https://gofile.io/d/iR9M0F) probably for a limited time only as it is a free file hosting site. You can customise the diagram and print it for easy reference. It’s work-in-progress though (screenshot below).
Cheers
UPDATES 23 Oct 2020:
1. Key File - Button 12 (see diagram) is now Paddle Switch and FLCS Switch Reset. More useful that way.
2. PowerPoint / JPG Diagram - To match key file plus further labelling refinements. PowerPoint download link reloaded (limited time). -
Just recently I was making HOTAS4 layout for my friend.
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Hi GrEaSeLiTeNiN, I’m starting again in Falcon BMS 4.34 (U4) and want to properly setup my T.Flight Hotas X. That diagram is very helpful! But since I use a head tracker I would like to know what lines should be modified in BlueRaven’s old 4.33 key file with Track IR. Where do I start?
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Hi! Out of interest, why not just use GrEaSeLiTeNiN’s keyfile? It is based off the BlueRaven keyfile, is for 4.34U4 and includes Track IR. I imagine there are differences between 4.33 and 4.34 keyfiles, making modifying the keyfile to 4.34 and then adding in mapping more difficult than simply using GrEaSeLiTeNiN’s file.
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Hi! Out of interest, why not just use GrEaSeLiTeNiN’s keyfile? It is based off the BlueRaven keyfile, is for 4.34U4 and includes Track IR. I imagine there are differences between 4.33 and 4.34 keyfiles, making modifying the keyfile to 4.34 and then adding in mapping more difficult than simply using GrEaSeLiTeNiN’s file.
You are correct! I totally overlooked the fact that GrEaSeLiTeNiN’s keyfile also uses headtracking. Thanks!