BluesRocket

The gaming pad seems like a bit of a waste to me. So... It's taken me nearly a year to get my hardware, sim pit and software all working well together, and FINALLY, I'm focusing exclusively on DCS (nothing else other than Windows 11 and DCS accessory software is installed on this gaming PC). Currently, I'm learning to take off, navigate and land in the F-16, with a little time in the F-4 too as I anticipate the Cold War Instant Action, missions and campaigns to begin emerging. I've just started radar and warning displays, and my first Aim-9 kill. Cool. No tweaks to my Dell system yet and no tweaks inside of DCS yet. I use the predefined High settings for flat screen, and currently trying VR (Meta Quest 3). I'm trying to learn in flat screen, then shift into VR for a more immersive experience. I'm using SimShaker for Aviators with a USB connection for the haptic seat pad. The SimShaker for Aviators developer says support for the HF8 is "limited" but so far I can't find out what that means. I don't have a dedicated sound card in my machine by the way, so I THINK that means bass shakers aren't an option, and thus limit my software options. The gaming pad just has generic rumbles during certain flying activities. No left or right only, or specific shakers in the seat going off. It's kind of all or nothing. Frankly, it adds nothing. Disappointed. So am I missing something obvious--what do you tweak? Are there better software options that work through the USB connection. Or, just sell for a loss or store the HF8 and invest in a bass shaker/sound card solution. I have the SimFab DCS cockpit so it would have to attach to that: https://simfab.com/product/dcs-edition-modular-flight-pit/?srsltid=AfmBOooi4p22HCWFvw7BU9zMnw2GviY2oBBcFcQb0fyNCvyLusHLesnF Thanks for again listening to an "old newb".

I'm relatively new to VR and have been gradually getting myself used to it on a Quest 3 as I begin to learn the F-16 and later the F-4. The resolution leaves something to be desired though although it's smooth at default settings (I haven't tweaked any of my hardware since I don't really understand the changes to make). Lower than expected resolution is a bit of a bummer. Anyhow, after seeing videos of the high resolution seen in the Pimax models, I'm sold. For DCS, which of the current models would work best with my system (signature has the specs)? I appreciate any feedback. Thanks!

Got it guys, thanks for the responses!

I finally received and installed my replacement wide screen monitor on my new to me DCS cockpit setup. I'm starting with the F-16 and will spend an hour a week learning the manual startup procedure. But I want to move into learning take offs and landing, navigation and comms, and eventually starting with Air to Air before moving to Air to Ground. A long process. I've noticed the RWR isn't on when I Auto Start. Is anything else that should be checked or turned on in manual mode not included in the auto start keystroke? From time to time I want to quickly test out things I've learned and jump into training missions or Instant Action without going through the manual process each time. Eventually I'll get it down but for now... Thanks.

Well, this is timely. I have a decent system for running DCS in 2D. I've tried using my Oculus 3 for VR but despite being a Navy vet with plenty of time in the air, I just get this weird motion sickness that crops up really fast. I've abandoned VR completely at this point. My Dell 32 curved gaming monitor is nice. The viewing area is 27.9 x 18". It's just a tad bit small for me. Like a dummy I bought the AW 34" curved OLED but it's nice and wide but not as tall. As mentioned, it would work well with a driving sim but for flight...no. I unloaded it. You mention 42-55" with a 16:9" ratio. Are there reliable monitors in this size you could name? I can search like anyone else but it's not clear what's a good buy. i9 with 64mb RAM, NVIDIA 4080 Super card. 2TB SSD. I just need something a bit wider and slightly taller. I suppose a curved monitor isn't really necessary...Thanks.

I want to understand how SSA works (the base package). I have an NLR HF8 gaming seat pad connected via USB. Finally got it working. There are generic settings for jets, pistons and helos. Some of the flight modues are "supported", i.e., if you run them, SSA will create a specific profile for that aircraft you can tweak independant of the generic settings. For example, I have the A-10 and it created a unique profile. I also have the UH-1D, and it did NOT create a specific profile. Questions: 1. For each unique profile, independant gamers tweak their own. Is there a repository of these somewhere that can be imported? A good starting point is just that. 2. Is there a list of modules that create a unique profile? I see UH-1 mentioned from time to time but it didn't create that profile on my setup. 3. Can you run the pad AND bass shakers at the same time? I'd like to buy two, one for each side. My machine uses USB for speakers but there is a built in headphone jack (I believe that means it is an independant sound card) that I THINK can be used with Andre's low cost software. I think that would be pretty cool although I suspect tweaking it my take a lot of time... Thanks.

I JUST got the SimShaker for Aviators freeware working with USB on my Next Level Racing HF8 gaming seat pad. It only seems to recognize 6 of the 8 haptic units but the generic helo/jet/piston effects are cool. But, given the immense level of configuration available, is there a repository of module specific effects that can be imported and used? Or do you need to buy the DCRealistic package. It's a reasonable price but it's not clear if that supports the haptics with specialized effects or focuses solely on extra sound/graphical experiences. Also, it's not clear what modules are directly supported. After flying the A-10 a new config appeared but not the UH-1D. Sorry, I just got this working and did a preliminary search across the net and didn't come up with answers. Thanks for your time.

Ok, second uninstall/install was the charm. After uninstalling everything again, rebooting and installing SimHaptic it works. I'll have to look around for examples for individual modules but at least I've got the software talking with DCS.

I have selected ForceFeel from the drop down. I'm going to uninstall everything and try to find all the breadcrumbs to delete, then reinstall. Driving me nuts.

I have the HF8 connected via USB to my PC. The NLR software works fine in DCS so I know it works. I closed the NLR software and installed the latest stable SimShaker for Aviators. The tests inside the software app work fine and I see DCS selected by default with generic templates for helos, jets and piston airframes. But nothing happens inside DCS using any of my modules (UH-1, F-16, F-86, etc). I'm sure there is something I'm missing but after a few hours of dicking around I'm lost. I've left a note on the discord but don't know what the response times look like so thought I'd try here. Edit: wait, if I'm reading the above right the USB connected approach will NOT work with SSA? Well hell, I don't have a dedicated sound card so it's back to NLR software...

Thanks for the feedback! and great idea about the specs in signature.

Is there managed content on general guidelines for tweaking the PC, video card, and VR Headset settings? I've experimented with several planes and have settled on the F-16 for now. I've mastered general flight, takeoff and landing. I went through Chuck's guides and started assigning bindings to my HOTAS setup. My next goal is to understand use of the gun, short range and long range missiles, use of countermeasures and the RWR visuals and tones. After that, comms, a2g, etc. Hardware: alienware R16 14th Gen i9 14900KF (got the BIOS patch before things went wonky), NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER 16GB, 32GB RAM (2x16), 2TB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD, Meta Quest 3 used with cable to PC for VR (and TrackIR when not in VR). VKB Gladiator standard stick and VKB rudder, TWCS throttle. 32" Dell curved gaming screen. Have second 2 TB drive to install to dedicate to DCS, and will likely upgrade to 64GB RAM soon as well. In the game I max use the "High" presets for flatscreen use. It works well and loads acceptably. I haven't adjusted anything beyond "High". No in game issues (well, TrackIR5 dies half the time but I'm replacing that with a different head tracker soon) although in game resolution of cockpits vary (I have the F16, F4 and F86--so far the F4 is stunning compared to the others). I like the flat screen for learning the systems because I can't stay in VR long enough without feeling woozy after a while. That said, VR is a lot of fun and frankly stunning to see although I've yet to figure out if the hand controllers can be used with cockpit switches. I noted whenever I use a function key for alternate views, the frame rate in VR suddenly tanks and I need to leave the game and reboot to get things working again. If I ever get VR working well I'll learn to stay in longer. My guess there are some basic things to manage with hardware that I don't yet understand. Perhaps BIOS settings, graphics cards settings and certainly VR headset settings although there isn't much in the meta software that's required with the cable. Perhaps I'm missing something obvious. Sorry, I'm just a hardware novice and former flight simmer looking to get back into it after a 20 year hiatus. Thanks. John

I did a fresh DCS install today on a brand new PC today and logged in on my account. No paid modules have been installed yet. I get this error message although everything loads fine: Authorization Failed Failed to get authorization data. Error code is: 500 No saved authorization found. I ran Repair then Cleanup, but the error is still there. Time and date is correct by the way.

Thanks. I mistakenly assumed "Quick Start" was a shortened version of the regular "Flight Manual".

Are these privately developed? I'm looking for the quick start guides for the other aircraft that were in FC3 and earlier but can't find these on the DCS World website.