drakoz

Hmm, OK. Ya, that's different than what I was thinking. It shouldn't be that way. What controls did you set your joystick to? I guess there really is only the one option (joystick set to the cyclic controls). I'm sure you know, but just in case - check to make sure there is no dead zone set in the joystick configuration (in Windows or any special software for you stick). What I was describing was meant as a more generic explanation why many people have difficulty flying a helo with a joystick (and why people probably prefer the mouse). They don't realize just how active you need to be with the stick to keep the helicopter going where you want it, or not going where you don't. Many people think they should be able to just get the helo in a hover and relax, but that's not true. Well, in ARMA, I've been able to do it, but with any real helo I've flown (helo sims, or RC helicopters), you never get to relax. :) In ARMA, I've had more difficulty getting a "clean" hover (where I can relax) with the joystick vs. using the mouse. It's just because we have much better precise control with a mouse. But, either way, the mouse should not be more responsive than a joystick. More precise, maybe, but not more responsive. At least in my experience.

ARMA 3 Beta Helicopter Operations - Day and Night (mostly night). Some great lighting effects in ARMA 3 (by helicopter). If you haven't spent much time in ARMA 3 at night, you are missing out. Video includes some day, but mostly night time operations in ARMA 3 Beta. Most of this is natural lighting, not night vision.

It is more difficult to learn to hover and manuver with a stick vs. a mouse for the reasons you say, but you can do it with a stick. You have to get the feel for quickly tossing the stick the exact amount of movement to compensate (or not overcompensate) for quick but fine adjustments. We do the same thing with a mouse. We just don't realize it because _everyone_ is really comfortable with a mouse. Getting that kind of comfort with a stick takes more practice. To see this, balance a broom (bristles up) in the palm of your hand. Now _quickly_ move your hand 2 feet to the left, then 2 feet to the right, then back to center all while keeping the broom perfectly balanced, centered, and not losing control. By quickly, I mean the entire operation should take less than 2 seconds. That's what it takes to fly a helo with a joystick. Sometimes you need to make radical moves with the stick to cause small changes in attitude of the helo. But, you have to do it without losing control. It's easy to do - with practice, but feels insurmountable when new to it. Even for someone that is a great pilot with a mouse can feel like a complete noob with a joystick.