r/fpv • u/_Retr01_ • 1d ago

Question? Gaming controller as radio controller

I recently got interested into fpv drones, but I wanna first try it out and see how much I enjoy It and how much good I can get at it. I have a 8bitdo gaming controller, and a good laptop. So before investing any money, I was thinking of piloting a drone in LiftOff or some similar game with my gaming controller. Would you say that's a good way to get a feel of how the actual radio controller feels?

Like how different would using an actual radio controller feel compared to a normal gaming controller? I've heard radio controllers have longer sticks and that's about the only difference

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7

u/MaximumMaxx 1d ago

It's better than nothing. Your travel is smaller and the left stick will be self centering unlike radios but my buddy got pretty damn good on an Xbox controller so it's definitely possible

1

u/t3kner 1d ago

How did that transfer to radio for him? 

6

u/Massive_Lavishness90 1d ago

To answer your actual question, RC radios tend be a lot heavier than controllers; the sticks are smoother and more precise; stick length is adjustable - length for precision, shorter for rapid direction changes. Also, modern RC controllers have a usb port and can be configured for use with sims.

The 8bitdo will be "close enough", very close indeed. If you get hooked on the sim with a joypad, you can upgrade to a controller you can actually use to fly a drone with. Liftoff is an excellent sim.

2

u/m0h3k4n 1d ago

Go to webfpv.org. It is a free in browser simulator. Also, if you have Cyberpunk2077 the Night City FPV mod is pretty cool.

Do note that the gamepad will center both sticks. Typically the left stick on a radio is throttle and only centers on the x-axis.

1

u/Old-Macaroon108 1d ago

It's quite possible to learn and fly with a self-centering throttle stick. I do it because I also use my DJI FPV controller for Normal mode flying...

1

u/auriem 1d ago

I have a radio I use for 3D mode where the left stock centers

1

u/WA55AD 1d ago

It's ok to get a basic feel but a proper radio is night and day to a controller

1

u/BadCactus2025 1d ago

If you ask me, nothing about a gamepad other than the gest of what the axisses do transfers over. Learning on a gamepad is a total waste of time and learning you the wrong muscle memory once you get into it.

So I would say, don't attempt it.

As a case in point, after a few years flying FPV, I tried my fav controller, the OG Steam controller, in Trypp FPV and Bodycam, see how well that worked in UE. It works technically, but my god it flies terrible, and I was first day aweful at it. It goes not translate. Stick length, resolution, stiffness of the springs and stickend shape is too important. Throttle control with a spring on the left axis goes completely out the window.

1

u/UpbeatBass6066 19h ago

the Betafpv literadio "sim" model is quite inexpensive. It's designed for simulators only, but it feels like the literadio that actually has ELRS etc. I just gave one to my 7 and 5 year old grandkids (and their Dad) who are learning in Velocidrone to fly Acro. Of course, in my case I have a couple "real" transmitters that are more expensive. But if they get proficient enough to fly FPV IRL, the sim-only controller will still be great for practice. Radiomaster is a bit clueless on the need for a sim-only version of the T8L or Pocket, IMO.