Honycomb yoke works only with root privileges

Question

Hi there,

I have just received the Honeycomb Alpha Yoke and trying to make it work in X-Plane 11 with partial success. I am running X-Plane 11.40r2 under Linux and the yoke and the buttons work fine only if I launch the game with root privileges (which is not ideal for my system).

I have searched online for solutions, read several x-plane and linux articles, made several tests and my yoke still works only under root.

In the following there is the description of what I have done.

• The yoke is recognized from the system (there is no name because it is not listed in the database)

$ lsusb
Bus 003 Device 010: ID 294b:1900

• The yoke is managed as a character device file with read/write permission only for the root user

$ ls -l /dev | grep hidraw
crw------- 1 root     root  245,   3 23 nov 19.56 hidraw3

• Since the game folder is saved in my home directory I have created a new udev rule, saved it as /etc/udev/rules.d/99-alpha-yoke.rules to change the owner and the group of the device file

ACTION=="add", KERNEL=="hidraw*", SUBSYSTEM=="hidraw", ATTRS{idProduct}=="1900", ATTRS{idVendor}=="294b", MODE="0666", OWNER="tomalars", GROUP="tomalars"

• The yoke has now everytime my user and my group

$ ls -l /dev | grep hidraw
crw-rw-rw- 1 tomalars tomalars 245,   3 23 nov 20.10 hidraw3

• As with this rule (and some other small variations of it) it doesn't work I have thought that the problem might be in the option written in the fstab file, that I partially show here without the UUID

/boot           ext4    noauto,nouser,noatime           1 2
/               ext4    noatime,nouser                  0 1
/home           ext4    nodev,nouser,noatime            0 3
none            swap    sw                              0 0

Can someone help me, give ideas or tell me why without root privileges the yoke doesn't work?

Comments

Hi,

I just want to update this post.

Following to several tests and the suggestion of a linux user I have changed the udev rule with the following one and the yoke now works without root privileges.

ACTION=="add", SUBSYSTEM=="input", ATTRS{idProduct}=="1900", ATTRS{idVendor}=="294b", GROUP="plugdev", MODE="0660"

But it's not over yet...I have noticed that when I plug-in the yoke the device number associated to it start changing (incrementing) constantly about every 1-2 seconds. It means that the yoke is repeatedly plugged in and out.

I have read that this might be a usb bus power problem. This issue appear to me only to this yoke and on all usb ports! A powered usb hub may fix it.

I am anyway concerned about the impact that this issue has to the yoke and the game. Should it mean that my inputs on the yoke are not "fluid" in the game? Should it mean that the yoke lasts less? Should this yoke be managed differently from the game?

I hope to hear some feedback about both problems.

Answer 1

Hi TomaLars,

I am not from Laminar Research; just a flight simmer from down under using a Windows based operating system.

My apologies for not providing a response earlier.

I don't understand what you mean by "root privileges" but what I do know and understand is that X-Plane is unlike any other "Mickey Mouse" or "shoot-em-up" games and other flight sim packages whereby you use the software that is supplied with the hardware.  

With any hardware to be used with X-Plane it has to be setup within X-Plane.  No other way.  Not even within your operating system.  If your hardware includes a Logitec or Saitek product I would advise you to find the software supplied and dig a deep hole and bury the software never to be seen again..  Logitec supplied software does not  work with X-Plane

Have a look at the manual which can be found at https://x-plane.com/manuals/desktop/  I would also suggest you have a good look or viewing  at the following link where Austin demonstrates the yoke also found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlkHh9zlxIk.  In viewing this video clearly demonstrates that the yoke can be configured within X-Plane.

Now, having read other postings in this forum I am of the opinion that the yoke is part of the hardware listing for installation within X-Plane, particularly with the formal release versions instead of the Beta versions.  As you have a latest release version the yoke should be included.  Also have a look at the following link found at https://www.youtube.com/user/col2mab/videos  .  If you go back approximately 3 months you  will find a series of YouTube postings (at least 3) by Austin whereby he comments on his personal introduction and development of version 11.40  In these videos my memory reminds me that Austin states the Honeycomb yoke is included within 11.40 beta ?.  Good and patient viewing.

I would suggest you run the installer program again to get the latest update.  The file will also check your system for missing files and any corrupted files. 

Austin managed the total release/development of this version.  If you are still having problems I would suggest you make direct contact with him.  I will send you a private message with his contact details.

I relation to your power supply problem with USB hubs have a look at the following link found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqwIhuxe95U  Disregard the products being installed but consider the message regarding the power requirements for USB connected hardware.

Good luck 

Glenn

Comments

Unable to send you a private message.

Glenn