The binoculars are handy, but having its own hotkey would free up a hotkey slot.
I would like to have that too. Also a hotkey for directly through a throughable. But probably we have the limitation of controller buttons. Maybe if it would be possible to set additional keys by holding down an already set button.
1 Like
I’ve been thinking about that as well and I like that idea. Though I would like to link every “4-7” to a specific item class. For example:
4 (B) Binoculars
5 (H) Personal Health packs
6 (G) Throwables, I.e. Grenades, smokes, flares etc.
7 (T) Deployables, I.e. Boombox, canisters and so on.
And instead of having to enter the menu in mid combat to assign a new health pack one could simply PRESS and HOLD “H” to get a wheel or a list (on the HUD) of every health pack in inventory to quickly assign it without entering the menu. (Same with “G and T”)
You would still have to L mouse click to use said Item.
The same could be applied to weapons 1-3. Hold “2” to get a list of ammo types for that weapon.
I think this would make the game even more user-friendly for those playing on consoles. 
NOTE: This is an addition and would not change or remove the menu itself. You would still be able to assign items from the menu, only to a specific slot instead.
2 Likes
In theory it could look something like this. When an item button is PRESSED and HELD mouselook is temporarily disabled and moving the mouse up and down instead toggles the various items in that category. In this case “G”, throwables.
When G is RELEASED the player will switch throwable to the one marked on the list.
EDIT: Same could of course go for changing ammo-types on weapons. PRESS and HOLD “2” to toggle through a list of ammunition in the same manner as above mentioned.
4 Likes
On PC, a system like this would be unnecessary. We could just be allowed to keybind whatever we wanted from our inventory in slots 1 through =, and instantly 12 slots. The controls option already allows us to assign stuff wherever we want. (Ex: My Binoculars are on B, though I do, rarely, swap them out for something else.)
On consoles, you could still give them 12 slots, agnostic of weapons or items, using the current system, by binding multiple slots on the D-Pad accessed by double or triple tapping. If you’re familiar with Fallout 4’s controller interface, this should sound familiar.
1 Like
I see where you are going but I think it’s good to have continuity when a game exists on multiple platsforms. Some people also enjoy playing games on PC with a Controller.
I guess it’s a matter of taste but I would enjoy being able to quickly assign a new type of flare or health pack when the one I used is depleted (Without entering the menu). Doing multiple clicks and remembering where a certain item i assigned in the midst of combat can be stressful and clunky. Simply selecting a new one of the same category in a short visible list would be more intuitive in my opinion.
But yes, it limits choice to some extent. Maybe some people like to sit for minutes and assign items on a variety of different hotkeys for the “ultimate setup” but I would prefer to keep it simple.
2 Likes
Have you ever seen the quick select menu in Fallout 4? It’s just a small cross with icons for each stop. It’s actually faster and more fluid than what you’re describing.
Just found a video describing the quick select from Fallout 4. It could absolutely work.
The main difference is that in the system I described you can only have four different (or rather three when not counting the binoclulars) items assigned at a time, BUT have quick access EVERY other item avaiable in your inventory.
If you run out of “ammo” (for lack of a better word) to some of the intems in the system you describe you would still have to enter the menu and add another one to that list, right?
In my suggestion you can easily access any item in your invetory by simply holding a button and then moving the mouse (or R-thumbstick)
2 Likes
That could get seriously out of hand if your inventory gets a little messy.
That said, I do think the E key on the equip menu should bring up a menu of everything you can equip in that slot, rather than unequipping and making that slot disappear.
Reviving this topic. I think it’s a great idea!
I think having to trade one hotbar slot for the binoculars is a hassle, since it’s basically locked forever. The binos are an important feature, especially if you have all the machine blueprints and the hacker skill.
Binoculars on a key B
They should be on a key like B, you always have them round you neck or you pocked ready for use, which would leave a slot open for a other item
1 Like
You can set it to B, but it still takes a slot.
Binoculars? …oh! I remember those. I thought I needed them, back in the beginning. 
1 Like
Same feature request topics merged.
Also, do search the forums next time.
//Mod
As much as thisd be helpful for pc, Xbox would most definitely struggle with this and gives us a slight disadvantage by having less item slots.
I agree having a hotkey for binoc would be great to free up a assignment slot.
A controller-compatible solution could be to hold a single button to bring up a “weapon wheel”. It would have to be fast and convenient though to make up for the single press. Hold the button, then aim in the direction of the slot.
2 Likes
2.5 years later, a system like this was never put in the game.
After playing with my friend for 4 days, we’re ready to quit because of how atrociously bad the current UI is.
It’s unbelievable to think the UI used to be better, but they seemingly re-designed it for consoles? And completely ruined the PC version’s in the process?
The amount of complains in this thread from people just straight up quitting instantly when having enjoyed the game is unreal. It seems like the only improvement they made since then was adding an ammo swap hotkey, and filtering (sorting)? The latter which DOESN’T PERSIST after closing the window, making it almost useless.
Please tell me someone’s made a UI or hotkey mod to revert back to the old system or drastically improve the current one. Trying to manage inventory ontop of the cluster**** UI with only 1 button to bring up anything is an unmitigated disaster. I can’t continue playing with controls this awful.
We don’t talk about mods in this forum.
At least from my eyes as PS5-User the UI improved a lot.
As far as I know most of the functions for keybindings for inventory items are the same than before these changes. You may use the weapon-wheel to select an item, but you may also use your number keys 1-8 for each slot of the wheel or the mousewheel (as there are buttons for next/previous item).
The filtering/sorting is one thing I use very rarely.
New with the latest update is an option to mark items as “searched”. With this you can see what you want/need faster when looting.
Things I still would love to see are buttons/shortkeys for binoculars and gas masks, like used for the flashlights (without using a slot in the weapon-wheel).