Adam

Hi, As the title suggests, I'm looking for a recommendation on which helicopter is the best fun to fly. I'm not talking about weapon systems or features, or which is the most fun to send into battle, nor which is the easiest to fly (I know there are plenty of threads based on these already) - I'm solely focused on the flight characteristics as to what you find the most fun, and why? I'm looking at helicopters - and would like something that I'm going to be able to 'kick' about quite a bit and get a lot of satisfaction out of learning to fly. I considered dismissing the KA-50 right up because it seems to be 'too stable' and all the counter rotors that I've had experience with in the past (RC flight) have been too stable and not maneuverable enough - but I don't know if the black shark in DCS reflects the same or is a lot more maneuverable than others with it's flight dynamics. Cheers

Not sure if anyone's seen this. Might be worth a watch before buying to make sure you purchase one with the better components...

Thanks! That did the job! Although it has opened up another can of worms. DCS is now performing worse with FpsVR than before even though all the settings *appear* to be the same. (And I confirmed SS is the same by using FpsVR - not trusting my understanding of the sliders). :smilewink: Looks like I have some searching to do, but that's another topic for another day once I investigate more. As for the original question - looks like it's been answered. I guess I can't adjust external *per app* settings in SteamVR without having the app started, meaning another start, change, exit and restart to see what the changes do. :doh: Thanks for the quick reply!

Hi, I've just realized that my 'DCS' settings in the per application settings in steam have been ignored the whole time. (I only noticed as I switched my SS configuration from being global to per device). I normally launch the game with a desktop icon. I have two icons on the desktop, one linked directly to dcs.exe, and the other created by going into steam and choosing "Create desktop icon" which calls "steam://rungameid/16466650239164481536"). Both fail. Note: DCS is a stand-alone purchase not through steam, but I had to add it to the steam library just for it to show in the list of apps available to configure in SteamVR. When I go ingame I see that my SS settings are not being reflected correctly when I apply the settings at a "Per game" level instead of globally in steamVR. The only way I have found to get the game to consider these settings is to launch the game using my VR controllers by selecting it within the VR environment room instead of from the desktop. Right-clicking on steam and choosing DCS, or using the steam generated desktop icon (in addition to launching dcs.exe) all ignore the steam settings. Just wondering if someone can please advise what I'm doing wrong? As a VR user who's solely using it for DCS - the I'd prefer the controllers to stay away in the box instead of needing them solely to launch the game. Thanks

Whoa there? Where did you get this from? If it's only a 10% increase - that doesn't seem to be a lot for hanging on the edge of our seats for, nor something worth investing years of development into. Are you're saying someone getting 45fps could only hope to get 50fps on the same setup going to Vulcan after all that effort and work by ED (and the waiting for us)? :cry:

Thanks! I think that is it. I did use the 'Select Crystal Palace' voice command prior which automatically chose 71.00 but I had a test last night and manually selecting 142.000 instead got past the problem. Just wondering should VIACOM be trying to select frequencies automatically that aren't available? (ie, is this a bug that may be corrected in the future), or 'working as designed'? Thanks again!

Aah - it's the Voice Attack export they're talking about. Gotcha. As for the coms -nice to know I'm not the only one having issues. Hopefully we'll both get an answer.

Thanks Panthera - that gives me hope. I'm going to have to visit VR Shader mods again. I've found that they break integrity check so have been avoiding them, but playing around again I found that https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=281666&page=12 works OK if I delete one of the water file shader mods in it before applying.

Hi, I'm trying to get AOCS to work on missions. I have the radio tuned to 71.000 (by using the command "SELECT CRYSTAL PALACE") successfully. But when I do additional commands for briefing or status, even though they're recognize in Voiceattack, I get no response. The log I have is: 11:39:41.818 TX2 | COMM2: ARC-210: [ AOCS ] , [ Read Mission Briefing ] 11:39:41.788 Recognized : 'briefing' (Confidence 95) 11:39:40.484 (awaiting additional input) 11:39:40.459 Recognized : 'crystal palace' (Confidence 94) 11:39:37.840 Listening resumed 11:39:37.793 Joystick : 'Transmit TX2 press' 11:39:36.996 Listening suspended 11:39:36.928 Joystick : 'Transmit TX2 release' 11:39:36.803 TX2 | COMM2: ARC-210: [ AOCS ] , [ Select Recipient ] I'm getting the feedback beeps, and chatter audio fine. I've noticed that This works if I choose "Instant Action-Ready on the ramp". However if I choose a user created mission it fails. I tried setting AOCS in MP (even though I'm running this as a single player mission) I created a simple test mission (attached) that it fails on. (I have also tried deleting the VoiceAttack\Apps\ViacomPro Config and Database folders and re-applying my license and configurations with no success. On the PTT page, it shows my unit (FA/18 Hornet) Temp.miz

Hi, I've just purchased VIACOM Pro and are new NOOB user. I'm trying to use the Select command (Simple radio off) I can get it to work with "Select Batumi", but I can not get it to work with "Select 253.000" Voiceattack shows "Select" identified, but says: Unrecognized: '253.000' (I've also tried "Select AM 253.000" with no success.) Running DCS 2.5.6 Latest Stable Release with FA/18C Looking at page 19 on the manual it says to "Make sure the Radio Control commands are included in your profile (if needed use Config/Export)." I've used the export button in the config section, but am unsure where to save all the .LUA files that have been created. Should I be pasting them in %user%\saved games\dcs\scripts or %user%\saved game\dcs\Mods\tech\VAICOMPRO Thanks

Hmm - seems to be the same then. Best to stick with 90hz @ 45fps. I'll have to have another tinker with reprojection setting because I have a 2080 and I'm not able to set 150% SS with 2xMSAA and Max Shaddows / terrain / etc and maintain 45fps. What black magic are you running to do that?

Just wondering what people choose. For those who have machines capable of producing 60fps in DCS with the HP Reverb, do you use 60fps, or prefer to use 45fps to get the 90hz refresh rate? I noticed when I switched my VR from 90 to 60hz I could notice flickering. As a result, 45fps seemed nicer on the eyes than 60 - but I'm not sure if that's me missing something and was just wondering what people choose for those that have a choice between these two settings?

I'm no expert and still working through this myself. A few points: From left field: Make sure you have TacView disabled if you have that recording by default in DCS. That took a huge hit from me when I couldn't understand why my performance was so much worse than others. Set Grass/Clutter to 0. I've heard as far as performance hits - once it's enabled it's not much difference between 50 and 100, but a lot of difference between 50 and 0.

Thank you! These are the kind of tactics I need. I'll be sure to give that a shot. (excuse the pun) :)

Thanks for showing us those results. This may be a silly question and I apologise in advance if it is - but do you get the same results when not recording? (I'm not sure what recording software you're using, or what black maging you're using to even get a flat image like that in VR and record the 'VR' image as opposed to a desktop image)... but I recently found out that even TacView recording was enough to do significant damage to graphic performance and was just wondering if whatever recording software you're using gives a different result, or similar when you have it disabled?

That's so disappointing to hear. With CPU's close to their theoretical limit (the hope being more threads than clock speed) and the GPU not being utilisied in the best way with the current coding - I'm guessing this means what we have is what we've got for some years to come. Sure -we may be able to get a bit more MSAA, shadows or pixels as slight improvements with the 3080 (or 3090) - but as far as a major change we're quite some time off. I suspected this (as I understand myself single to multithread is a huge step), but was kinda hoping that I may have been wrong. :cry_2:

Good thread with good information! When I first came to DCS my first (and only plane) purchase so far was between the F14 and FA18. (Looking for a carrier based frame). As much as I wanted the F14 - the youtube video's and view of the F14 forced me away to the cleaner FA18 and I didn't want to be stuck looking at a 2D screen with all the frame in the way. I tried the F14 when the 'free to try' period was on earlier this year and found (with no VR) that indeed the forward view was restrictive and felt that I made the right choice with the FA18. I read now, that for those with VR at least - this is much less of a problem. Pity that this can't be witnessed through youtube or screenshots for others to really know first - but that's real nice to know after reading this thread. Had I have known that earlier (and had I invested in VR earlier) there's a better chance I may have gone F14. I wouldn't purchase now though - at least until I've had a change to try again in VR to confirm those differences and make sure that I'm happy with it, but it's encouraging to hear good feedback from VR users! Even then - I've got my carrier bird that I've invested a lot of time learning into - so would be more likely to move onto something else. Interesting to see how things could have likely been different if I had have purchased VR first.

That's what I was worried about. With the faster speed, and longer range missiles, and a mighty tough structure, it's not going to be a fair fight. If the other player is AI - it's a joke and easy to kill. If it's a person - unless they're very inexperienced there seems to be no point going up against them and running is the best option. Either way - F14's will give no satisfaction. Even with a 2 on 1 scenario (or even 3) - it seems the F14 can simply shoot and then buster. At least I know now - on MP - stay right away from F14's - otherwise I'm only going to give myself frustration by trying to take on what is essentially an unbeatable foe, and better to know now than to continue trying in ignorance and losing passion for the game. (Well, either that, or buy the F14 package and learn a whole new system). :music_whistling: Thanks for the advise all!

THANK YOU! This is what I'm looking for. Actual tactics. It looks like over the water the FA18 will be at more of a disadvantage - and adding to this - I've got to get below the horizon line of the missile. It also appears as though I'm going to be mostly defensive, so would the technique to get the F14 to expel all it's missiles and dodge them - and then engage?

Thanks. So if over the PG with nothing but water all around and a Tomcat is coming in hot - the only real option is to run for cover?

And I guess that's the difference between making a 'game' or a real world 'simulator'. One is designed to be enjoyable and a fair challenge. The other in real life designed for superiority and less risk.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! This is the first I realised that a facebook account was required and they reserve the right to kill the device if you don't give real data! (Not that I looked into it much yet - but you've just saved me a whole lot of time comparing specs and a whole lot of other stuff right there). No need to care what it does now. Reverb FTW! About the only benefit I see getting out of this is increased competition driving better VR in the future. Domestic Government - we want you to install this contract tracking app for COVID. The people: We're concerned about privacy! Tell us more about what is and isn't done with data. International Company : We want all your personal data. Our T&C are... The People: Shut up and take my cash! I Agree to all your T&C that I've never read and don't care what you do with my personal info - Oh, and all my personal details are.... Yet here I am wondering - if the quest is so much cheaper, subsidised by the information facebook sells - who is buying that information and why is it worth so much $'s to them?!? :blink:

Hi, Noob question here, but even though the Tomcat is an older aircraft, given it's faster speed plus and longer ranging AIM-54 Phoenix missiles - does the FA18 have a reasonable chance in challenging and defeating tomcats flown by reasonably skilled players)? (I say this as a noob player who has been shot down a <cough> <cough> :cry:handful of times by a F14 player) and I'm trying to see if it's mostly me being clueless (I'm expecting is most likely) - or whether I'm being unrealistic and a FA-18 is the wrong tool for the trade in this instance. Would love some pointers in the right direction for some techniques to practice if it is possible. :joystick:

I mentioned above that TacView is quite a handy tool - however from my experience it looks like it might hit performance and FPS. As a result only have it active in DCS when needed if it's eating into performance too much. (The amount it hits may depend on the mission and/or the server that you're on).

I haven't purchased it myself. I did see the deal of $1 for a month's subscription plan that would give a cheap 'try' before buy and even with that have decided against it at this stage. There's been other companies that have been supporting the flight sim community for many years after one larger company decided to just drop everyone because it didn't suit them - I've really lost interest in the former co. Sure - the others may not have the mega developers behind them - but for the most part, they've stuck it out with the community and have been there and I think have worked on feedback. One thing I've noticed with bling is that it's soon forgotten about. I've watched many a movie and found older movies with much worse effects better than more modern movies with CGI. (Just take the original star wars for instance). Eye candy is great for adverting and sales - and I've drooled at some of the epic graphic video's of DCS even... but it's short lived. It's what's under the hood and what it can provide in everything else that at least for this person warrants whether a simulator is worth investing in. I'm hoping if anything that the new Flight Sim will bring others to the hobby which DCS will reap the end - long term reward from. (I'm also hoping that the new bling seen may help expedite the updated graphics engine coming to DCS as bling is one thing but FPS is another :) - but I suspect they're already giving it the best that they can so it won't make much difference).