Joystick vs. Controller?

[Rohawk1]

We have seen an increase in controller use recently and were wondering what are the differences? What are the pros and cons of each and we would like to hear what you guys like to use best!

[Arpan]

Our team uses controllers. One of our sponsors (Create, Cut, and Invent) builds bomb disposal robots for SWAT teams and he claims that using a controller massively improves your reflexes. That said, it's really driver preference.

[PandaHatMan]

Controllers are not as restrictive as joysticks because you can use them in the air as opposed to on a tabletop. They also have more axis, which our programmers really like.

[Damiaen_Florian]

In all honesty it's just driver preference, I can almost guarantee you any driver that's using an Xbox controller is because they play Xbox a lot at home. Personally I prefer driving with 1 Attack3 joystick, or Arcade as it's called, because it just seems easiest to steer with and get the most precise movements out of. Also since the buttons are much larger on joysticks the probability of you pressing the wrong button on a joystick is much less.

[cjl2625]

For swerve drive we were using an Xbox controller and it worked pretty well.
But yesterday, we tried using a Attack3 joystick for strafing and a 3d joystick for rotating.
I'm glad we tried that; I actually like the dual joysticks better.

For a tank drive last year, we used one 3d joystick

[indubitably]

A controller is generally used because the driver will be more familiar with it, there is a second set of triggers (bumpers), and the driver can move around a bit more with it. That being said, thumbsticks generally feel a little awkward for tank drive control but are more comfortable for arcade and omnidirectional control. Also, even though drivers may be comfortable with the controller itself, the amount of time from input to a robot's response is significantly larger than in most video games so there is still some things to get used to.

Joysticks offer a larger range of motion which can prevent the driver from being as erratic as they might be with a controller. They are usually the preferred input for tank controls but still feels comfortable for arcade/omni. Also, drivers usually feel like they can emphasize their input a bit more which is satisfying in intense FRC games.

[Mark Sheridan]

Entirely driver preference. I am used to controllers, my brother prefers joysticks.

[Racer26]

I used to be in the die-hard two joystick tank drive camp.

This year, 4343s robot is configured with an Xbox controller, and is completely intuitive to drive if you've ever played an Xbox racing game. Pulling the right trigger is gas, left trigger is reverse, left thumbstick to steer. I picked it up and was racing around our shop in seconds.

[JamesCH95]

Driver preference. Though I will say that this year we have implemented a drive controls transform and scaling on a single xbox controller stick and it's the best-driving robot our team has ever made.

[Canon reeves]

I really prefer strait up two joystick tank drive, we tried cheesey but I didn't like the turns as much, the only way I would try a controller was if it was tank. The only major question we had was whether or not to have an operator use a controller or should it be the triggers on the joysticks. I must say, it is easier to not have them on the joysticks but we felt it was necessary for it to flow properly during matches.

[geomapguy]

Originally Posted by Canon reeves

I really prefer strait up two joystick tank drive, we tried cheesey but I didn't like the turns as much, the only way I would try a controller was if it was tank. The only major question we had was whether or not to have an operator use a controller or should it be the triggers on the joysticks. I must say, it is easier to not have them on the joysticks but we felt it was necessary for it to flow properly during matches.

As our driver, I like to drive, shoot, and collect. Our operator does catching so I don't have to worry about it. It seems to flow really well. I must also note that we're using an Xbox controller and a custom control box.

[Canon reeves]

Originally Posted by geomapguy

As our driver, I like to drive, shoot, and collect. Our operator does catching so I don't have to worry about it. It seems to flow really well. I must also note that we're using an Xbox controller and a custom control box.

My only beef with using an Xbox controller is just that I am afraid I won't have as much finite control, because the joysticks move further, and I like the attack three because I can hold them near the bottom and drive better. I'm probably completely wrong, but we didn't have time for me to get adjusted to a controller so we went with joysticks, but it is definitely and offseason project.

[geomapguy]

Originally Posted by Canon reeves

My only beef with using an Xbox controller is just that I am afraid I won't have as much finite control, because the joysticks move further, and I like the attack three because I can hold them near the bottom and drive better. I'm probably completely wrong, but we didn't have time for me to get adjusted to a controller so we went with joysticks, but it is definitely and offseason project.

Also look in creating a control box in the offseason...dm me after Arkansas if you want to get some help with this..

[Whippet]

3-axis joysticks for me all the way. We're using field-oriented mecanum this year, and no gamepad could ever provide the precision and ease with which we can drive our robot.*


*for us. YMMV.

[JamesCH95]

I cannot understand why people want to use two joysticks to drive a tank-style robot. Why require a driver to do all of the math to control the robot in their head when you can use the cRIO to do it?

I really like the idea of using race-style controls... with triggers for forward/reverse and steering on a joystick.

Originally Posted by Canon reeves

My only beef with using an Xbox controller is just that I am afraid I won't have as much finite control, because the joysticks move further, and I like the attack three because I can hold them near the bottom and drive better. I'm probably completely wrong, but we didn't have time for me to get adjusted to a controller so we went with joysticks, but it is definitely and offseason project.

With the right drive transform they work brilliantly. I was a long-time believer in the single-joystick drive control, until our programmers came up with the drive transform we're using this year. It made me a believer in the xbox controller.