How do you control your sticks

[murankar]

Their have been times when I wishes I new how to pinch. Some radios feel so different when I pinch. I have had times when it felt like I was about to lose the throttle from under my thumb.

[xokia]

I wish I could thumb because I am faster with thumbs but I don't have the precision required. I pinch have significantly more control.

[Derek]

Since this thread has been around, I've tried just using my thumbs (on the simulator ONLY, lol). I just can't find any level of comfort with just thumbs, ha ha ha. I think I'm just destined to be a pincher, lol.

[treff]

I think you will find with one stick up each nostril you have plenty of pinkies left for the odd switch
on the tx. Also this method clears the airways for those blocked up mornings. I'm a thumber. Been thumbing
for the last 35years. Tried the pinch method but as the Art mistress said to the gardener "this just does
not feel right"

[Superbad]

It is hard to switch that is for sure . I start out pinching on the sims and end up on my thumbs

[Stambo]

I use the new Taranis neural network interface.
It uses an adaptor plugged into the trainer port that interfaces directly into my brain through a wireless connection.
I just got to think about what I want to do and the Taranis controls my quad.
Unfortunately this interface is not yet readily available to the general public as it is only in the beta stage.
I was invited to participate in the beta testing phase due to my superior intellect and high levels of neural emissions.
And if you believe this I am taking preorders for this system at only $699.95 plus p&h.
But wait, that's not all, the first 10 orders will get a FREE set of steak knives and a wonder pillow.
This is a limited offer so act now while stocks last.
But coming back to reality, I use my thumbs, I have tried pinching but it just does not feel right to me after years of playstation and xbox.

[pvolcko]

I'll take two!

[Tony]

I'll have one Stambo because at the minute the sticks control my thumbs...lol

[murankar]

Shoot I want the steak knives and pillow. Anything to help cope for that time when my brain freezes and I loose thought.

[Graham Lawrie]

Pinch:) i cant imagine how much more i would have crashed using my stumpy thumbs:)

[Marius]

There is a downside with thumbing; you risk the stick slipping off your finger. This has nearly happened a few times for my own sake, usually its the cyclic that tries to get away. This is also why I tried out so many stick-ends early in my career, had to find some with good grip on top. Also, as short as possible.

The ones I have today suit me just fine, although they could have been a few mm's shorter maybe.

[flyingDoDo]

I use a hybrid of pinch and thumbs now. I'll try to explain with some bullet points, this is what I do[Mode2]:
-pinch in slower, smaller stick movements
-generally always have the rudder/collective stick supported on the front side with index finger and thumb on top
-cyclic stick same as above for the most part, but...
-cyclic stick stiring maneuvers (and some bigger faster stick moves) generally thumb only
- and this might be a little strange but I try to pinch front side and back side of rudder stick for big rudder reversals lately to get more consistant rudder rate.

Also : a consistant hand grip is really important and some nice pointy stick tops!

[KevG]

That's pretty much what Nick Maxwell does I think!

[pvolcko]

Don't run into issues with right hand support transitioning between thumbs and pinching like that? What do you do with the finger when stiring? Just gets held up and away or do you hook it on the edge of the gimbal opening?

[cml001]

Just be comfortable... Thumbs!

[HeliBaby1527]

Hey Guys and Gals,
I have always "thumbed" my sticks...
It just feels more comfortable...I use the rest of my fingers to help hold my TX and flip a switch, if needed.
I do use a neck strap also, as a safety feature for the TX, as well as a support function.

I really think it's up to each RC pilot to try both ways and find which one you are most comfortable with...so there's really no right or wrong!

Happy flying and New Year to you all!

Terry

[Derek]

Yeah, I use the lanyard as well and I am a pincher. I think i've always been a pincher, even when I was young and had my first rc car. On the sim, I will periodically try to use just my thumbs and it's just not comfortable for me at all. Dunno why but I just can't grasp the idea of "thumbs", lol.

I have no troubles getting to the Throttle Hold nor Stunt Mode switches. Even getting to the AUX2 switch, to change the banks to change the bank modes, isn't difficult. Then, when I'm flying my planes that have Flaps...no issues getting to the switch.

[pvolcko]

When I've tried pinching I have issue with the normal TH switch (right side, top face, toward the back) since I'm holding the Tx with my pinky behind or on the top rear edge, ring finger between TH and the next switch on the top, and the middle finger resting on the front face either up near the switches on the front or hooked round the gimbal recess. I don't feel comfortable hooking TH with my pinky because it is supporting the Tx and it doesn't hve the same dexterity as the other fingers. Normally I'd use my ring finger to hook it forward but since it is resting in front of the switch I'd need to move it behind the switch and then pull forward, which is too long a delay for my liking and prone to fumbles. So when I tried pinching I ended up putting TH on the switch on the top right face toward the front.

The other option, I suppose, would be to reverse the directionality on the normal TH switch that way I could simply flick the ring finger backward to engage TH. Again, not all that comfortable for me... but I could give it a try. Could get used to it I suppose.

[pvolcko]

I do like pinching, though, for access and dexterity on all the front and top front edge switches. I find it much easier to use them without looking when I'm pinching vs thumbing.