In recent years, HOSAS (Hands On Stick And Stick) has become popular among gamers, especially for space and combat simulation games. Unlike traditional setups, HOSAS uses two joysticks—one for each hand. This gives players better control and precision, which many feel is necessary for a more realistic gaming experience. In this guide we’ll explain how to set up the best HOSAS system to improve your gaming, with tips on choosing the right equipment, customising your setup and ensuring it works with popular games.
Understanding the HOSAS Setup: What Is It and Why Choose It?
A HOSAS setup which means Hands On Stick And Stick uses two joysticks instead of the usual joystick and throttle combination found in HOTAS (Hands On Throttle And Stick) setups. This setup allows players to control movements like pitch, roll and yaw more independently. This is helpful in games with 3D space movement like Star Citizen and Elite Dangerous, where flexibility and detailed controls are important. Because of this many serious players prefer HOSAS for a more responsive, immersive experience.
HOSAS setups are special because they let you move smoothly in any direction, allowing for precise strafing and aiming. This is very useful in situations where you need to change direction quickly, like in space battles or advanced flying manoeuvres. Many players also find HOSAS more comfortable, as it balances control between both hands reducing strain on hands and wrists
Essential Components for a HOSAS Setup
When choosing HOSAS equipment look for high-quality joysticks with options you can customise. Brands like VKB, Virpil and Logitech are popular choices, each offering different features such as customizable buttons, adjustable resistance and high-quality sensors. Joysticks like the VKB Gladiator NXT and Logitech Extreme 3D Pro are known for being strong and flexible in their settings and comfort which is important for long gaming sessions.
Make sure that each joystick works well with your favourite games and can handle all the movements your game needs. While top models might cost more, they give better control and accuracy, often with special sensors or springs you can change. This adds to the realism and responsiveness of your gameplay.
Setting Up Your HOSAS: Positioning and Calibration
To get the best performance your HOSAS setup needs careful placement and calibration. Start by placing each joystick within comfortable reach, one for each hand so you can move them smoothly together. Make sure the setup matches your natural hand position to avoid getting tired. Calibration is important because it fine-tunes the joysticks to respond exactly to your movements which may differ depending on the game’s control settings and sensitivity levels.
You usually calibrate using the game’s settings or special software from the joystick maker. This process lets you adjust settings like dead zones and response curves making sure the joysticks match your hand movements in the game accurately which improves gameplay.
Recommended Games for HOSAS Setup
The HOSAS setup is perfect for games with complex flight and space controls. Games like Star Citizen and Elite Dangerous are very popular among HOSAS users because they support multiple control inputs, giving a smooth, immersive experience that uses both joysticks fully. Other games like Everspace, DCS World and Rebel Galaxy Outlaw, also work well with HOSAS letting players have better control during combat and exploration.
Many players find that using a HOSAS setup improves their control and awareness in these games, allowing them to do complex moves like strafing and rolling at the same time. This setup can give players an advantage in competitive gameplay, allowing faster and more accurate aiming and movement adjustments.
Benefits of Customising Your HOSAS Setup
Customising your HOSAS setup can make it more personal and enjoyable. With features like programmable buttons, changeable springs and different resistance levels, HOSAS setups let players adjust each joystick to match their gaming style. Many high-end joysticks come with software that allows you to assign different actions to specific buttons which is helpful for players who like a custom control setup.
These customizations can also help you react faster in quick games by putting important commands right at your fingertips. Whether it’s adjusting resistance for smoother movements or setting up special button layouts for quick weapon changes, customization improves both your performance and comfort.
Maintaining and Troubleshooting Your HOSAS Setup
To keep your HOSAS setup working well it’s important to maintain it regularly, as dust and frequent use can wear out the parts over time. Clean the joysticks now and then, especially the moving parts and sensors, to prevent performance problems. Sometimes you may need to recalibrate the joysticks if they start drifting or lose accuracy which you can do through your game settings or joystick software.
If you have common issues like connection problems or calibration errors you might need to update the firmware or drivers. Make sure your drivers are up-to-date and that they work well with your operating system to avoid gameplay interruptions. Most manufacturers offer detailed manuals and support forums that can help solve technical problems.
HOSAS vs. HOTAS: Which One Is Right for You?
While HOSAS gives precise control for advanced movements, a HOTAS setup might be better if you like a traditional throttle for easier speed control. HOTAS setups are often preferred for flight simulators, giving a more realistic feel for those who want to mimic flying an aircraft. However, HOSAS setups are unmatched in space games and dogfights where fast changes in direction and speed are important.
In the end, the choice depends on the type of gameplay you enjoy. If you focus on combat, exploration and handling multiple tasks, HOSAS will give you a more flexible and fun experience especially in space and combat simulators where the action is fast and varied.
Final Thoughts
A well-set-up HOSAS can greatly improve your gaming experience giving you precise control that draws you into the action. Take time to set up and customise your joysticks and try different settings to find what best suits your gaming style. Be open to testing new features and adjusting your setup as you get comfortable with the controls.
With the right HOSAS setup you’ll not only get better in-game skills but also enjoy a more realistic and immersive experience. As more games support advanced joystick setups, a HOSAS system is a great investment for any serious simulation gamer.