I'm seriously exploring Steel Beasts. It seems to have the realism which I value. A quick question: when I have convinced myself to pay for the game, there's not a lot left for anything else! What kind of controller do I need? I am a flight simmer of many years and use a Cougar. I'm not sure I can justify a fancy vehicle-specific controller at present. Your help and comments would be appreciated.

Well, for many countries they now are available to the public, but still they are beyond even the "extended consumer price range" (I'm talking mid-range kilobucks). A joystick isn't necessary (personally, I'm perfectly fine with mouse and keyboard) although for the more complicated fire control systems like the CV90, it can be helpful if it is programmable and with as many buttons as possible.

Thanks for the info guys. Looks as if my existing controller will do the job. Programming is no problem. I've been playing around with Steel Fury, but don't have time or enthusiasm for all the modding. Steel Beasts it is!

A flight sim yoke works great actually. I have no clue if a real gunnery control moves up/down, or in/out to control elevation but it certainly works just fine. Plus you've usually got plenty of buttons to work with.

-Jenrick

It's a rotational motion, not a translational.

Ah gotcha. Hmm wouldn't be that hard to mod something to accomplish the same thing.

-Jenrick

I posted home made gunner controls in all 3 SimHQ tank forums...... They appear to be a great design and emulate tank gunner controls perfectly.