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[Flight Sims] DCS open-beta approaches something modern: Using more than one CPU core!
One thing I'm glad Virpl does, that most other companies don't seem to, is they label stuff generically. On that one it's fine, literally an F-16 throttle you know? But I was put off getting some VKB panels because the buttons are labeled for general aviation use with a very specific layout I won't be using. Extra potential for confusion.
Just fly in VR, problem solved
+2
GnomeTankWhat the what?Portland, OregonRegistered Userregular
So the base got here today, but the grip is stuck in Korean customs. I can just imagine the Koreans going "Wait a second...why is someone shipping an F-16 throttle from China?".
So the base got here today, but the grip is stuck in Korean customs. I can just imagine the Koreans going "Wait a second...why is someone shipping an F-16 throttle from China?".
Box 1/2: F-16 Throttle
Box 2/2: GE F110
( < . . .
+6
GnomeTankWhat the what?Portland, OregonRegistered Userregular
Loud whistling noises ensue as Gnome starts up a GE F110 strapped down with bungie cords in his backyard.
Loud whistling noises ensue as Gnome starts up a GE F110 strapped down with bungie cords in his backyard.
It’s a shame it’s not the old PW engine, or you’d be getting the freedom squee from the nozzle actuator as well
0
GnomeTankWhat the what?Portland, OregonRegistered Userregular
edited March 5
I didn't find it as hard to put together as some others have noted. Once I understood how it needed to be aligned it was relatively easy to get the throttle moving smoothly. The grip itself is INSANE, you could beat someone with it. All metal with really positive feelings switches. I'm not a real F-16 pilot but I've sat in the real thing and have flown a "military grade" sim and from my amateur point of view the grip is perfect. Feels exactly like it should. That opinion has been backed up on YouTube by some actual F-16 pilots. The only "not real" thing is that in the real jet cage/uncage is not a four way, it's just a press. Having the extra inputs is nice though for a sim piece. Also I'm not sure the tiny finger buttons on the under side of the grip are on the real thing? I can't remember...again, more inputs isn't bad for a sim piece.
The base itself has a bit more plastic then I'd like, but frankly at the price point, and with the quality of the F-16 grip itself, I'll deal. The guide rail/board is also plastic, but the mounting hardware is all metal. Frankly I don't think it will be an issue since the only thing that makes contact with it is a small plastic bearing. It comes with spare bearings which is really nice.
Haven't booted up a sim with it yet, but first impression are positive. I will say that my idea of buying the F/A-18 grip and just swapping them is not realistic though. If I do decide to get an F/A-18 grip I'll buy a whole separate throttle base and attachment plate and just swap the entire thing. Taking the guide rail and mounting apart, and then unscrewing the grip to put a new one on, is a process. One I wouldn't want to repeat regularly.
GnomeTankWhat the what?Portland, OregonRegistered Userregular
Been flying a bunch of DCS and BMS with the new throttle. I used the Warthog throttle for so long it's taken me time to retrain my muscle memory. The speed brake and DGFT override keep getting confused in my head.
Overall it's a pretty incredible experience. Feels great to use and was crazy easy to bind in both DCS and BMS. BMS basically auto-bound, while DCS took a few minutes but was easy.
Been flying a bunch of DCS and BMS with the new throttle. I used the Warthog throttle for so long it's taken me time to retrain my muscle memory. The speed brake and DGFT override keep getting confused in my head.
Overall it's a pretty incredible experience. Feels great to use and was crazy easy to bind in both DCS and BMS. BMS basically auto-bound, while DCS took a few minutes but was easy.
Retraining muscle memory is actually a huge deal in aviation. There are a lot of mishaps that occur when pilots react using the wrong aircraft procedures.
Been flying a bunch of DCS and BMS with the new throttle. I used the Warthog throttle for so long it's taken me time to retrain my muscle memory. The speed brake and DGFT override keep getting confused in my head.
Overall it's a pretty incredible experience. Feels great to use and was crazy easy to bind in both DCS and BMS. BMS basically auto-bound, while DCS took a few minutes but was easy.
@GnomeTank Just curious what you think about the throttle a couple of months in. I'm in the market for a new HOTAS and am looking at the WINWING stuff.
0
GnomeTankWhat the what?Portland, OregonRegistered Userregular
Been flying a bunch of DCS and BMS with the new throttle. I used the Warthog throttle for so long it's taken me time to retrain my muscle memory. The speed brake and DGFT override keep getting confused in my head.
Overall it's a pretty incredible experience. Feels great to use and was crazy easy to bind in both DCS and BMS. BMS basically auto-bound, while DCS took a few minutes but was easy.
@GnomeTank Just curious what you think about the throttle a couple of months in. I'm in the market for a new HOTAS and am looking at the WINWING stuff.
It's still very good. I don't fly tons and tons but it's been a really nice upgrade from the Warthog. Nicer buttons and better throttle movement feel. I can't speak to their flight sticks, but I'm a big fan of the F-16EX throttle.
Sir CarcassI have been shown the end of my worldRound Rock, TXRegistered Userregular
I'm currently thinking about the F-15EX throttle and the F-16EX stick for maximum versatility. I currently have an X-52 Pro, so it'd be a pretty big upgrade. I'd also have to get pedals since I don't currently have them. It's a big purchase, so I'm still weighing it.
Anyone familiar with the VKB T-Rudder pedals?
0
GnomeTankWhat the what?Portland, OregonRegistered Userregular
I would get the pedals first and get used to using them, then upgrade your HOTAS.
I would get the pedals first and get used to using them, then upgrade your HOTAS.
Well, a big part of the reason for the upgrade is my teenage son has recently gotten into flight sims and has taken over my HOTAS, so I'm getting something new so he can just have those. I could get something cheaper, but I figure if I'm spending $250+, I might as well go big. I'll note the learning curve for pedals, though.
I have those. They're fine. No toe brakes is annoying, but they fit under the desk better than the Saitek ones I was using before (the angle is slightly different).
0
Sir CarcassI have been shown the end of my worldRound Rock, TXRegistered Userregular
I have those. They're fine. No toe brakes is annoying, but they fit under the desk better than the Saitek ones I was using before (the angle is slightly different).
Ooh, I didn't realize they didn't have toe brakes (should have read the description better). I'll have to look around some more. It's not a deal breaker, but something I'd prefer to have. I might just go with the Winwing set.
0
GnomeTankWhat the what?Portland, OregonRegistered Userregular
edited May 29
Pedals without toe brakes seems...not great. At least if you're mostly flying modern stuff.
Pedals without toe brakes seems...not great. At least if you're mostly flying modern stuff.
In most cases it's less an issue with new stuff and more with old (non-Russian) stuff.
I currently only have a set of Virpil Ace Torq pedals which have allowed me to fly the Hornet, the Viggen and MiG-21 without issues. The last one because it has the Russian way of moderating braking with the pedals, the former because that's the only thing needed to control the nosewheel.
Taking-off unassisted for any WWII prop plane is horribly impossible (unless it's Russian...)
Haven't started learning the F-4 but last I heard it also wants you to use toe-brakes to moderate turning radius.
Pedals without toe brakes seems...not great. At least if you're mostly flying modern stuff.
They're made for helicopters or someone like me who mostly does stompy bots. For which they work fine!
Also work amusingly well as pedals for driving sims unless you're one of those maniacs who likes to mash the brake and the accelerator at the same time.
Phoenix-D on
0
GnomeTankWhat the what?Portland, OregonRegistered Userregular
Pedals without toe brakes seems...not great. At least if you're mostly flying modern stuff.
They're made for helicopters or someone like me who mostly does stompy bots. For which they work fine!
Also work amusingly well as pedals for driving sims unless you're one of those maniacs who likes to mash the brake and the accelerator at the same time.
Left foot braking is kind of the preferred way to drive fast, modern, cars...so I guess I am one of those maniacs? It's not about mashing them at the same time, it's about not having to move your feet and being able to weight balance the car better.
Pedals without toe brakes seems...not great. At least if you're mostly flying modern stuff.
They're made for helicopters or someone like me who mostly does stompy bots. For which they work fine!
Also work amusingly well as pedals for driving sims unless you're one of those maniacs who likes to mash the brake and the accelerator at the same time.
Left foot braking is kind of the preferred way to drive fast, modern, cars...so I guess I am one of those maniacs? It's not about mashing them at the same time, it's about not having to move your feet and being able to weight balance the car better.
That would work fine. Better even. You just can't literally press both sides at once.
Any one have an opinion on which IL-2 Sturmovik game to jump back in on? I used to play back in the OG / Forgotten Battles days, but there are a bunch of different entry point now which is confusing.
Any one have an opinion on which IL-2 Sturmovik game to jump back in on? I used to play back in the OG / Forgotten Battles days, but there are a bunch of different entry point now which is confusing.
It's essentially the Great Battles series, where your entry point is a Battle of X package that includes maps and some birds. If you go the Steam route, Battle of Stalingrad is the "base" version and everything else is considered DLC to it. Directly from the publisher you can choose which Great Battle you want in case Stalingrad is not what you're looking for.
As for a specific recommendation? Not really sure, depends on what you're interested in playing. Normandy might be interesting because it's a bunch of recognizable late-era birds.
( < . . .
0
Sir CarcassI have been shown the end of my worldRound Rock, TXRegistered Userregular
Any one have an opinion on which IL-2 Sturmovik game to jump back in on? I used to play back in the OG / Forgotten Battles days, but there are a bunch of different entry point now which is confusing.
It's essentially the Great Battles series, where your entry point is a Battle of X package that includes maps and some birds. If you go the Steam route, Battle of Stalingrad is the "base" version and everything else is considered DLC to it. Directly from the publisher you can choose which Great Battle you want in case Stalingrad is not what you're looking for.
As for a specific recommendation? Not really sure, depends on what you're interested in playing. Normandy might be interesting because it's a bunch of recognizable late-era birds.
I'll add that it goes on sale pretty often on Steam, where you can get the base game for like $10. I would be shocked if it's not on sale for the Steam summer sale. Not sure about from their website.
Any one have an opinion on which IL-2 Sturmovik game to jump back in on? I used to play back in the OG / Forgotten Battles days, but there are a bunch of different entry point now which is confusing.
It's essentially the Great Battles series, where your entry point is a Battle of X package that includes maps and some birds. If you go the Steam route, Battle of Stalingrad is the "base" version and everything else is considered DLC to it. Directly from the publisher you can choose which Great Battle you want in case Stalingrad is not what you're looking for.
As for a specific recommendation? Not really sure, depends on what you're interested in playing. Normandy might be interesting because it's a bunch of recognizable late-era birds.
I'll add that it goes on sale pretty often on Steam, where you can get the base game for like $10. I would be shocked if it's not on sale for the Steam summer sale. Not sure about from their website.
Get ready to reach the highest stage of civilian pilot: working for various flavors of rich people!
(This is still my GOTY probably.)
Meet rich client.
Take off. Take on scenic ride through the mountains.
Bail out.
0
Sir CarcassI have been shown the end of my worldRound Rock, TXRegistered Userregular
I do really like the apparent addition of actual things to do. I'm mainly curious how deep it is. I really liked the third-party things like OnAir Company and would like to see stuff like that integrated.
+1
Sir CarcassI have been shown the end of my worldRound Rock, TXRegistered Userregular
What are people here using for throttle and stick mounts? I'd go with desk mounts, but I don't know that they'll work with my desk since it doesn't have much of a lip, about 3/4". Most of the chair mounts I've seen require a bar to go between the mounting plate and bottom of the seat, and mine has no gap. I might end up having to DIY something.
What are people here using for throttle and stick mounts? I'd go with desk mounts, but I don't know that they'll work with my desk since it doesn't have much of a lip, about 3/4". Most of the chair mounts I've seen require a bar to go between the mounting plate and bottom of the seat, and mine has no gap. I might end up having to DIY something.
I'm elbows deep in the Virpil ecosystem, so I'm using their desk mounts which use these nice pressure mounting using a lever... thingy. Easier in a screenshot.
But if you only have 3/4" it would absolutely not work. It "bites in" fairly deep.
Is maybe one of those foldable cockpits a possibility for you? (Like this? I have no idea about that one in particular, but there's other options that I've seen similar to it.)
( < . . .
+1
Sir CarcassI have been shown the end of my worldRound Rock, TXRegistered Userregular
Unfortunately something with a built-in seat isn't really feasible for me. I might have some options for desk mounts if I get creative. I might could fit some mounts in front of my keyboard tray (which I use for my work keyboard, my desktop keyboard is on my... desktop). That has about and inch and a half of a lip. It was just be kind of tight with my legs unless I can find some where the base is offset to the side of the clamp. Depending on the mounts, I could also possibly remove my top desk drawers and fit some that way. I plan on removing the mounts when not in use anyway.
I've also seen solutions like mouse pads that attach to the top of the arms of the chair that might work.
Posts
Just fly in VR, problem solved
Box 1/2: F-16 Throttle
Box 2/2: GE F110
It’s a shame it’s not the old PW engine, or you’d be getting the freedom squee from the nozzle actuator as well
I didn't find it as hard to put together as some others have noted. Once I understood how it needed to be aligned it was relatively easy to get the throttle moving smoothly. The grip itself is INSANE, you could beat someone with it. All metal with really positive feelings switches. I'm not a real F-16 pilot but I've sat in the real thing and have flown a "military grade" sim and from my amateur point of view the grip is perfect. Feels exactly like it should. That opinion has been backed up on YouTube by some actual F-16 pilots. The only "not real" thing is that in the real jet cage/uncage is not a four way, it's just a press. Having the extra inputs is nice though for a sim piece. Also I'm not sure the tiny finger buttons on the under side of the grip are on the real thing? I can't remember...again, more inputs isn't bad for a sim piece.
The base itself has a bit more plastic then I'd like, but frankly at the price point, and with the quality of the F-16 grip itself, I'll deal. The guide rail/board is also plastic, but the mounting hardware is all metal. Frankly I don't think it will be an issue since the only thing that makes contact with it is a small plastic bearing. It comes with spare bearings which is really nice.
Haven't booted up a sim with it yet, but first impression are positive. I will say that my idea of buying the F/A-18 grip and just swapping them is not realistic though. If I do decide to get an F/A-18 grip I'll buy a whole separate throttle base and attachment plate and just swap the entire thing. Taking the guide rail and mounting apart, and then unscrewing the grip to put a new one on, is a process. One I wouldn't want to repeat regularly.
Overall it's a pretty incredible experience. Feels great to use and was crazy easy to bind in both DCS and BMS. BMS basically auto-bound, while DCS took a few minutes but was easy.
Retraining muscle memory is actually a huge deal in aviation. There are a lot of mishaps that occur when pilots react using the wrong aircraft procedures.
Now if they only released the damn plane
@GnomeTank Just curious what you think about the throttle a couple of months in. I'm in the market for a new HOTAS and am looking at the WINWING stuff.
It's still very good. I don't fly tons and tons but it's been a really nice upgrade from the Warthog. Nicer buttons and better throttle movement feel. I can't speak to their flight sticks, but I'm a big fan of the F-16EX throttle.
Anyone familiar with the VKB T-Rudder pedals?
Well, a big part of the reason for the upgrade is my teenage son has recently gotten into flight sims and has taken over my HOTAS, so I'm getting something new so he can just have those. I could get something cheaper, but I figure if I'm spending $250+, I might as well go big. I'll note the learning curve for pedals, though.
Ooh, I didn't realize they didn't have toe brakes (should have read the description better). I'll have to look around some more. It's not a deal breaker, but something I'd prefer to have. I might just go with the Winwing set.
In most cases it's less an issue with new stuff and more with old (non-Russian) stuff.
I currently only have a set of Virpil Ace Torq pedals which have allowed me to fly the Hornet, the Viggen and MiG-21 without issues. The last one because it has the Russian way of moderating braking with the pedals, the former because that's the only thing needed to control the nosewheel.
Taking-off unassisted for any WWII prop plane is horribly impossible (unless it's Russian...)
Haven't started learning the F-4 but last I heard it also wants you to use toe-brakes to moderate turning radius.
They're made for helicopters or someone like me who mostly does stompy bots. For which they work fine!
Also work amusingly well as pedals for driving sims unless you're one of those maniacs who likes to mash the brake and the accelerator at the same time.
Left foot braking is kind of the preferred way to drive fast, modern, cars...so I guess I am one of those maniacs? It's not about mashing them at the same time, it's about not having to move your feet and being able to weight balance the car better.
That would work fine. Better even. You just can't literally press both sides at once.
just, not much will happen
It's essentially the Great Battles series, where your entry point is a Battle of X package that includes maps and some birds. If you go the Steam route, Battle of Stalingrad is the "base" version and everything else is considered DLC to it. Directly from the publisher you can choose which Great Battle you want in case Stalingrad is not what you're looking for.
As for a specific recommendation? Not really sure, depends on what you're interested in playing. Normandy might be interesting because it's a bunch of recognizable late-era birds.
I'll add that it goes on sale pretty often on Steam, where you can get the base game for like $10. I would be shocked if it's not on sale for the Steam summer sale. Not sure about from their website.
I really wish they had a Pacific campaign.
Sales around every couple of months like clockwork.
For the pacific, there's Combat Pilot on the horizon, but it's going to be a while before it comes to life.
Nov 19th, coming to Game Pass
Get ready to reach the highest stage of civilian pilot: working for various flavors of rich people!
(This is still my GOTY probably.)
Like if they went with the other MSFS x Tom Cruise crossover: American Made.
"No, Tom, you are the pilot!"
(I am really looking forward to all the future free movie tie-ins, seeing how they've been excellent so far.)
and then tom was a cessna
Meet rich client.
Take off. Take on scenic ride through the mountains.
Bail out.
I'm elbows deep in the Virpil ecosystem, so I'm using their desk mounts which use these nice pressure mounting using a lever... thingy. Easier in a screenshot.
But if you only have 3/4" it would absolutely not work. It "bites in" fairly deep.
Is maybe one of those foldable cockpits a possibility for you? (Like this? I have no idea about that one in particular, but there's other options that I've seen similar to it.)
I've also seen solutions like mouse pads that attach to the top of the arms of the chair that might work.
great now I just need to get the honeycomb rudder pedals instead of these dumb plastic logitech ones that suck