OK. I have a Cyborg 3D joystick (No, not the one which looks like something from an adult magazine with its slimline gold ness, but big nice black one with nice heel of the hand rest.)

Currently...I have the 'trigger' button (1) keyed into fire, button 2 (Top left) is keyed to switch between group firing mode. Button 3 (Middle top) is switch group. Button 4 (top right) is zoom..
Button 5 (Rear top left) is keyed to flush cooland. Button 6 (Rear top right) is switch fire mode button 7 (Bottom left) is keyed to override shutdown. Button 8 (Rear bottom right) which I don't really use at all...is coded to start general chat.
Button 9 (Left side) is keyed in to jump jets. Button 10 (Right side) is 'select next weapon'

Obviously the throttle is the throttle.
X and Y are torso pitch and mech turning. Z axis is torso twist.

Suggestions to improve?

Rather than having only one fire button, you may want to set it up so you have a different fire button for the groups (for example I have the trigger, and 3 others buttons bound to fire groups 1-4). Saves time for cycling through each weapon, then you can fire multiple groups at once.

I used to use that system (With the trigger my alpha strike, long range groupbutton 2, mid range button 3, short range button 4)

My buttons are for firing groups 1-3, zoom, jets, nearest enemy, next enemy, radar active/passive, and chain/group fire (and one fore the "g" slide), plus throttle and hat view. Nav point cycling, chat, map toggle, light amp, etc., are kept on the keyboard as they aren't "fighting" controls.

As it stands right now:

Trigger= Fire Selected
Pinkie= Fire Group 2
Fire A= Fire Group 3
Fire B= Fire Group 4
Fire C= Zoom
Fire D= Jump Jets
Launch= Alpha Strike

POV1 = POV Functions
POV2 = Disabled
POV3 = Targeting: nearest, Previous, Next, Under Reticle
Mouse Cursor = Press to talk, Toggle Radar, Toggle Nav Point, Toggle Radar on/off
Mouse Fire = Flush
Rotary1 = Mouse
Rotary2 = Disabled

Thats about all.

I've got the same stick, Narson, and I set up buttons on the top for fire group 1 (trigger), zoom (left button), fire group 2 (center button), fire group 3 (right botton). Buttons on the base are devoted to toggle radar/map, target next enemy, target nearest enemy, flush coolant, etc.

I've been seriously thinking of getting one of those pads some of you use, so I don't have to reach for the keyboard for some functions. Could someone give me a link?

Nostromo N52

But if you buy online, I'd buy from Amazon and save $20 and get free shipping.

How do you set up that rotary for mouse? And I assume you're talking about an X36 or X45 right?

X-45 Just set it to mouse x axis in the Saitek Profile Editor.

Maybe I'm missing something. When I go to edit the rotary all I can get to show is and option for axis or band. I can't seem to get the axis set to x-axis.

Which version of the Profile Editor are you using? Mine is 3.2.0.11

Ahhh...I'm not using the right version. I'll have to download that one. Rotary's might come in handy. I've personally never used them but have always wanted to.

Thank you, Gnosis, for the link.

And thanks, Didymus, for the advice. I ordered one today. Plus, I was on the phone with my cousin up in the UP today, and told him about it. Heh, he ordered one too.