Ragtop

For me it's dependant. I have a home studio so I'm quite into my recording gear, but I also like to keep my signal path simple. Typically I'll just stick an SM-57 in front of my Orange 2X12, which is powered by a Dual Terror. That will pretty much cover most sounds for me, but when I'm going clean I'll use my JJ Audio USA modded MXL V67G. That thing really opens up the bottom end when I'm using the Fender for the brighter stuff, lovely sound! I don't really like effects units, I'll use a clean boost to break up the Fender a little bit, but it's got DiMarzio rails so it holds its own on the output levels!

Total that Schecter is beautiful! I'm not a fan of EMG's but damn that looks nice!

Love the JB's, such a bright sound, lovely!

I believe this is correct, if you listen to a lot of comms recordings (Red Flags etc) you can hear different flights/flight and AWACS/JTAC on left and right channels.

Beautiful guitar! I'm a big Racer X fan too. I've been after something a little more metal directed recently, got the Les Paul for the classic rock and blues, the Strat for the Texas rock, just need to get something to fulfil my metal habits! I'm in love with Caparison guitars, but getting one in budget and in the UK is not easy!

I don't see how it's a con to using a TrackIR. So what if they pressure developers into not using other systems, by that point you're already using one so it doesn't matter what else is supported :P Narrow minded maybe, but it's not a con to using TIR.

Haha, I know what you mean, when we drop that much coin we search for problems! But like you say, compare it to the other sticks on the market, if 1-2mm of front to back play is the only thing that stands out, it just shows how well it's made.

I have this too, I've just deadzoned it out. In the axis tune page its noticeable, but as soon as you're in the air you'll never even realise it's there.

Looking awesome! Now to get it all back into one piece, have fun!

I believe he says "About 6000" I assume this means give or take a little.

This was exactly the reason I didn't build an extension. I was having the same ideas about building a short one too, maybe 3-4". This would just give a bit more stroke, resulting in more precise input, but balancing out with the spring strength.

Sounds like you need to either raise the stick/lower the pedals. If you look at the real A-10, you'll notice that the pedal floor drops an inch or so lower than the rest of the floor.I've found that my knees are a little high at times, so I may move my seat back very slightly to drop them. I have found no issues with knee clearance on the front panel however.

No problem :) I have no idea about the required length of the pot shafts. Speaking of which, I need to find some decent replica knobs for them, anyone know where I can procure a set?

I've spent a lot of time messing about with Freetrack in the past, and never being completely satisfied with the results. Eventually I dropped the cash on a TrackIR5, and to be frank, there is no comparison. For the amount of work you have to put in, and what you get out, I wouldn't even blink at paying for another TrackIR.

LOL, great job! This is shaping up to be an excellent patch, great job to you guys at ED, and likewise to you untiring testers!

Wow, looks amazing man! Can't wait to see it all finished and ready to fly :) But then again, is a home pit ever 'finished'? :P

Hey, and welcome to the forums! You've picked a great community to be a part of. It sounds like you're already taking to it pretty well, but there will of course be moments of facepalming! So, to answer your questions as best I can! No, you don't need to read the manual cover to cover, I'd reccomend you just learn to take it up in the air and get it home safely after cruising around the mountains for a while. Learn the way the aircraft feels at different speeds and altitudes, what it will and won't do. This will make your life a lot easier when you move onto learning the avionics. Next up I'd suggest you look at learning the navigation systems. Focus on the primary systems t get started, don't stress out on things like HARS and radio ADF until you've got the EGI down, as you'll be using that most of the time. TACAN is also a useful one to pick up. Once you're comfortable that you can get the Hog to the fight and back in one piece then get into the weapon systems. Learn the DSMS and the HUD symbology first, then look at the cannon, move up to rockets and dumb bombs like the Mk.82/84. Learn the TGP and then step up to Mavericks, lazy bombs and finally GPS bombs. Of course this isn't gospel, and I'm sure you'll want to start blowing stuff up in an instant, but in my opinion you'll develop the best habits and discipline this way. Too many people cobble their way to the battlefield, throw weapons around with no real intent and then fall back to base! No way to view your KB layout ingame, I recommend printing your important ones. 5 should be a total reset of zoom, position and view angle, so you may want to check its settings are configured correctly. I'm not sure of a profile for your stick, check the DCS Wiki (Linked at the top right) I know Dragon did a training pack but I haven't looked at it personally. Hope this gives you some ideas to jump off from! If you need any other help, pop online, if you can find a server running Teamspeak/Vent someone will usually be happy to talk you througj drills! Happy flying :)

Yup, another vote for spending some time to learn snap views. They take a bit of time to get used to at first, but once he's got the hang of operating them quickly it's very natural. Of course a TrackIR is the best solution :P

Are you starting the aircraft from cold or are you starting on the runway/in the air? I ask this because if you are ramp starting you may have missed something in startup that affects the handing of the aircraft. A lot of people have difficulty setting up EAC (Enhanced Attitude Control) at first because they haven't waited for the INS (Inertial Navigation System) to align itself properly. Even worse you could have forgotten to engage SAS? (Stability Augmentation System) You'd find then that the aircraft would be in a bit more of a dancing mood, especially under more strenuous activity (Attack runs). Of course if you have a TVV on the HUD then you'll have EAC on, but something similar could be the cause. Finally it could just be the pressure of targets that shoot back that's throwing you off. Drill those training missions until you're certain you can't get it wrong :P

Thanks, I'm using MDF of course for my panels so of course laser isn't an option for that, therefore it's not going to be something I jump right into, but Ill be following your progress eagerly. If it happens that I find no good way to mark MDF then I guess I'll look into metal and then we'll talk :P

Link to the engraver? I'm not even thinking about how I'm going to do the text yet, I'm too scared :S

Ah that'd interesting, I was calling it a lost hope and waiting for 1.1.1.0 to release. My Helios profile is looking pretty bare at the moment so I'll have a go by hand! Thanks.

Keith, I'm pretty sure it is, but is that the TM stick on the column? It looks scarily clean compared to the rest! EDIT: Duh, it is, didn't even notice the paddle switch :P The NWS button also sticks out further than the real thing.

Looks like a nice rig to play at! I think a lot of people get too wrapped up in building (me definitely!) and forget about simming itself! It looks like you've got the perfect balance of gear and usability there.

I may be mistaken but I don't think this is working in 1109? I've tried and failed a couple of times using the Easy Monitor Configurator but had no joy.