Trying to use FrSky X20S as Joystick

[Featherfoot]

I am using an FrSky X20S as a joystick on RF Evolution. Is there a description of what to expect with this setup? I.e.; Do dual rates work? Do specific channels have to be set up? Is there a way to control settings for turning off beginner settings?

 

[flightengr]

Does the X20S present itself to Windows as a game controller somehow? That's step one in getting RF to recognize it.

Assuming that works, then it's up to you to configure a model on the transmitter and then set up a Controller Profile in RF that maps the radio channel output to various virtual radio inputs in RF. Regardless of what you're going to fly in the sim (planes or helis), you set up a simple 4-channel plane on your transmitter and then assign the rest of the channels to all of your switches.

I describe that process in this writeup. While it leans toward Spektrum, the concepts apply to any brand. You can even do it with an Xbox controller.

 

[Featherfoot]

Thank you. I will study this and see whether it covers all of my questions.

 

[Flapper]

I gave up on Ethos when they orphaned my Horus X10S-E. But in general terms, the first 8 channels can be linked to sticks/knobs/sliders, or switches. If you use a Frsky wireless dongle (btw - if your TX can do the old ACCST/D16 to bind to it), you can get 8 more channels - but Windows (and Real Flight therefore) insist on seeing them as button presses. So it can be interesting to get Switch A↑ to look like a joystick button 1 press, while A↓ is button 2 press...etc. Can be done, but it takes some work to figure out.

It does present a "joystick mode" selection when you plug in a cable, but if it is similar to how OpenTX or EdgeTX do it, you only get the first 8 channels as outputs to the computer.

With EdgeTX one can bypass that corded 8 channel limit by selecting Joystick configuration in the Model settings instead of using the start up prompt - I have 18 channels useable for Microsoft Flight Simulator controls, and there is the availability to do more. But in a quick check of the current manual, it doesn't look like that has been implemented in Ethos.

 

[KansasFlyer]

Flapper, thanks for the comments. I am curious, what do you mean you gave up on Ethos when they orphaned Horus X10S Express? I use Ethos on my X10S and have found it to be excellent. There are a lot of great YT videos to help set things up.

 

[Flapper]

Flapper, thanks for the comments. I am curious, what do you mean you gave up on Ethos when they orphaned Horus X10S Express? I use Ethos on my X10S and have found it to be excellent. There are a lot of great YT videos to help set things up.

No updates issued after the 1.5.x series, since last November. Software version 1.7.0 is close to being released, so there will be a number of bigger changes to the system unavailable. This also means that if the Ethos Suite in the future adds updates to do the setup on a PC and download, that too will not be possible on the Horus radios. Since I abandoned it, can't say if the current Suite will still work with the older radio - although with newer features disabled.
EdgeTX still supports it, and is expected to for a while - but I expect in about two years, it too will move on, as the hardware is getting limited in what it can do (mostly available memory). Likely same for it's clone - older Radiomaster TX16's.

 

[Flapper]

Later update - just saw a today post on another forum that someone figured out how to install 1.6.0 on his X10S-E. I wonder how he did it - since it isn't listed under "Assets" on github for releases any more....

And a bit more digging after the above. Frsky apparently briefly released 1.6.0 and 1.6.1 for the X10S-E, but then later pulled it back. He probably had (or was given) a saved copy he could use...