Kite

XBOX 360 controller. Best helo control for me. I had a fancy joystick but was a pain getting the helo to behave. With the controller, I can spin on a dime so easily (set triggers for pedals) and there are 2 analog joysticks for precision control of your helo. Here is a link that may help you if you want to try it. http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?t=104434 FYI, if you have a wired xbox 360 controller for your console, you can plug it in to your PC via USB. There may need to be a driver updated or installed to help. But if you have Windows 7, I think it's virtually pain-free.

I also use the Xbox 360 gamepad for WIndows (wired, USB). Gives EXCELLENT control for helicopters. Joysticks couldn't give me the control I wanted. With the gamepad I can do manuevers that I only dreamed about doing with my Wingman Force 3D. Rotating in place is exceptionally easy. It's a simple manuever that any helo pilot would want at his disposal but with the joystick, even though it had the twist rudder built-in, it would send my chopper all over the place and usually resulted in crashing. I still prefer a joystick for planes and jets though but I rarely use those in ARMA. Helis are more prevalent in the games I've played.

Invest in ARMA2. Splurge for Dragon Rising. Dragon Rising I feel sure will be fun in many aspects, but ARMA2 is going to give you unique video game moments/memories that will stick with you. OFP did the same. Armed Assault did the same. Buy ARMA2 when available in your area and pick up Dragon Rising in the bargain bin. Without the mod and addon community, Dragon Rising will only be a momentary distraction. The above is pure opinion. ;)

So currently I have installed ARMA 1.14 and beta 1.16. I run various addons and mods depending on what server I connect to. Using the STEAM version of ARMA 2, will there be issues with this? That's one thing I really love/hate about ARMA - the addons and betas. I'm afraid STEAM will lock down only one allowable version. Not such a bad thing in theory but with ARMA 1 it would be problematic. If this is a non-issue, then I would buy it via STEAM without fear.

You can get it here in the USA from this site (I did): http://www.gogamer.com/ArmA--Q....rod.htm

I agree. Â But also, for the amount of control you need to pilot a helicopter, the joystick alone does almost all it can though, by design, it's not enough for helicopters. Â Personally, I just want better rudder control without using pedals.

Fantastic! Thanks! Ignore my PM I sent earlier.

Where I got mine: http://www.gogamer.com/ArmA--Q....rod.htm

I realize some folks are using console-style gamepad controllers and I was seriously considering buying one to try it with ARMA. Can anyone recommend what they use and what their experience is like? I'm not looking for a TRACK-IR solution, just a good satisfying way of controlling a chopper without using head-tracking. Using the gamepad while flying a helicopter can you: - spin left and right while hovering? - strafe left and right? and finally: What gamepad are you using and did you have any issues getting it to function with ARMA? Thanks everyone for your time and help.

I'm getting the game next week (US) and I can't wait. Â I understand the shortcomings of the game but only from the demo. Â My frustration comes from my own inexperience. Â ArmA's gameplay experience for me can be wrapped up into a nice tiny package with a bow: Â Tension. Â The game will deliver just like it did for me in OFP. I'll throw in a few complaints just to make things interesting. Â - In the demo at least, the sounds of vehicles do not seem to match their distance ( a far away BMP sounded like it was just around the corner). - the Infantry experience (aiming, moving, climbing ladders, entering and exiting vehicles) feels very jerky. Â Almost every action feels like it's performed in a studio, not necessarily as one might expect it to be done (you know, urgently). If you haven't seen the article Dslyecxi wrote about Infiltration, please check it out. Â You can find the link in his signature. Â It covers a lot of what I wish ArmA could include, even if the game engine had to be less pretty or lower polygon. Â Namely, grenade aiming and weapon collision. *** To Dislyecxi: Â Your Infiltration article brought back so many wonderful memories of playing INF years ago. Â I miss that game. Â Think Beppo would have time to make an ArmA addon?