"Pinch" vs "Thumbs" - Method Discussion

hashfly · Jan 20, 2020

Firstly, I searched for this topic but did not find anything, apologies if I am duplicating an existing thread, I genuinely looked for one.

As a new pilot I'm curious as to what the more experienced members on this forum have to say when it comes to using ones thumbs vs pinching the controls with two fingers.

From what I have read / seen most advise to use the "pinching" method for the improved sensitivity.

From my experience, I flew non-gps drones (cheap hollystone types) for many years I always used thumbs. I still find myself wanting to use thumbs for my non gps drones (fast, twitchy) but am training myself to use pinching for photography with my Mini (first "real" drone).

Would love advice here, should I attempt to really focus on one method? or is my hybrid approach reasonable?

Visual for those who do not know what i am referring to

ai110138519-18-thumb-Thumbs%20or%20Pinch.jpg

lannes · Jan 20, 2020

I find pinching better when pulling back/down on the sticks

Brevanskc · Jan 20, 2020

With limited experience I find that pinching gives me a little more control but tend to do both during a flight. Perhaps it's a preference sorta thing.

Aerial-Pixel · Jan 20, 2020

I've been flying RC for most of my life, I learned using the thumb method and old habits are hard to break. Yes pinching gives you finer movement on the controls, it's just hard for me to switch. Also pinching is much easier if you have a lanyard on your RC as you don't have to worry about your grip as much with it being supported by your neck instead of your hands.

Phantomrain.org · Jan 20, 2020

hashfly said:
Firstly, I searched for this topic but did not find anything, apologies if I am duplicating an existing thread, I genuinely looked for one.

As a new pilot I'm curious as to what the more experienced members on this forum have to say when it comes to using ones thumbs vs pinching the controls with two fingers.

From what I have read / seen most advise to use the "pinching" method for the improved sensitivity.

From my experience, I flew non-gps drones (cheap hollystone types) for many years I always used thumbs. I still find myself wanting to use thumbs for my non gps drones (fast, twitchy) but am training myself to use pinching for photography with my Mini (first "real" drone).

Would love advice here, should I attempt to really focus on one method? or is my hybrid approach reasonable?

Visual for those who do not know what i am referring to

The problem with the Pinching is that you can accidentally touch your finger to the edge by accident which will in fact disturb how smooth your flight is.
So the Thumb method is better but demands a little more skill.

The Game Changer is when you can sit down in a car or bench as that provides an advantage that neither of the grips can provide.

Phantomrain.org
Gear to fly your Mavic in and out of the Storm

Camino Ken · Jan 21, 2020

I started with just thumbs but now I use both. The pinch is by far easier to make precise complex maneuvers. I am however still perfecting my use of the second finger for the gimbal wheel.

MAvic_South_Oz · Jan 21, 2020

Wow, never even though about pinching the sticks, always been a thumb flyer

I would find other controls harder to use without my index fingers there for camera / video, and C1 C2, gimbal wheel.

Deleted member 94047 · Jan 21, 2020

MAvic_South_Oz said:
Wow, never even though about pinching the sticks, always been a thumb flyer
I would find other controls harder to use without my index fingers there for camera / video, and C1 C2, gimbal wheel.

I experimented with "pinching" for a while and this was exactly why it didn't work for me. With the thumb method, I can combine multiple maneuvers involving both sticks AND the gimbal wheel; not so with the pinch method.

Olav van Gerven · Jan 21, 2020

I use both methods. When "simply flying" I us my thumbs for the sticks and my indexfingers to operate gimbal and camera. If I want to position my drone i.e. to make an automate 360 around an object while filming, I pinch to make the moves smoother and preciser.

Johnmcl7 · Jan 21, 2020

I've always used my thumbs and wasn't aware of the pinch method although I'm used to analogue sticks on game controllers where you use your thumbs.

pmshop · Jan 21, 2020

Thumbs.
That is why the sticks have pointy spikes on them so your thumbs do not slip off.

Deleted member 113944 · Jan 21, 2020

hashfly said:
Firstly, I searched for this topic but did not find anything, apologies if I am duplicating an existing thread, I genuinely looked for one.

As a new pilot I'm curious as to what the more experienced members on this forum have to say when it comes to using ones thumbs vs pinching the controls with two fingers.

From what I have read / seen most advise to use the "pinching" method for the improved sensitivity.

From my experience, I flew non-gps drones (cheap hollystone types) for many years I always used thumbs. I still find myself wanting to use thumbs for my non gps drones (fast, twitchy) but am training myself to use pinching for photography with my Mini (first "real" drone).

Would love advice here, should I attempt to really focus on one method? or is my hybrid approach reasonable?

Visual for those who do not know what i am referring to

I'm all thumbs.

scott rand · Jan 21, 2020

I'm all thumbs as well. I know the pinch method is probably great as well, but it will be so foreign to me if I tried it. That being said, I was gonna start a thread on the same exact subject, glad you started this thread. Going forward, I may try the pinch method.

dronerdave · Jan 21, 2020

I use thumbs during most flights. I've learned how to fly fixed wing planes with my thumbs so I'm used to that and fly multirotors the same way. I know most of the members in my clubs [EDIT] don't use thumbs. But my Mavic Pro is so easy to fly, there are times where I can pinch control if it can produce a particular effect. If I tried that while 3d flying my planes, I'd be walking out with a trash bag to pick up the mess.

Rchawks · Jan 21, 2020

Thumbs, forever and always!

Thomas B · Jan 21, 2020

Thumbs for me. Found that control is just as fine after a lot of flights... pick your fave and get familiar with it.

Herbie D · Jan 21, 2020

Aerial-Pixel said:
I've been flying RC for most of my life, I learned using the thumb method and old habits are hard to break. Yes pinching gives you finer movement on the controls, it's just hard for me to switch. Also pinching is much easier if you have a lanyard on your RC as you don't have to worry about your grip as much with it being supported by your neck instead of your hands.

I use the pinch method but agree about the lanyard, hard to hold otherwise.
It also takes using the fingers for the other controls out of the equation ie the map switch button at the front. Guess I started that way so it’s habit now.