BBQ

Ok, I got it, despite the gas prices ;) Was up half the night walking around Liberty City--wow, gaming really has taken a few steps towards the next level with this title.

The FAQ has a little info about specs/future support, but not much: http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/index.php?end_pos=718&scr=default&lang=en

Well, instead of getting it today, i filled up my Jeep with atrociously expensive gasoline. ($60)

I've got a 360, so I'm good to go for now.

<---Noob Can someone explain precisely what is going on with the FF on these sticks? I just assummed FF was when you got hit with a weapon, it would vibrate or something--but from listening to you guys, it seems like alot more than that. What does trim have to do with it? I'm especially interested after seeing that video where the real Ka-50 pilot is constantly adjusting his trim. I've got a cougar, and planned on using that setup--but now I'm beginning to wonder.

Ok...so it's not really a sim. Anyway, I've never played any of the GTA iterations. It looks interesting though--and the reviews are off the charts, many of them talking about the title taking video gaming to the next level--likes it's some sort of transcendent experience. Any recommendations?

These glasses look interesting--I'll bite when they can bump the resolution to 1024X768.

You'd have to assume that we will be able to land nearly anywhere flat--though I wouldn't recommend trying the side of a mountain ;)

Ah, thanks. What about the numbers in the upper RIGHT corner?

so what is that number in the upper left of the HSI? I couldn't see it that clearly in Wag's video--but I did notice it was scrolling/moving through numbers as he changed NDB's or waypoints.

I only have experience simming the apache and apache longbow--but I can guarantee that the KA-50 will become my favorite--just as the Su-25T became my favorite fixed wing aircraft! Basically, anything with advanced flight model is my new favorite :)

I've been cursing the helos in COD:4--and then I wondered--why don't they have a KA-50 model! What is the helo modelled in that game?

I've been looking at the navigation systems--and had another question: I'm now aware that there are two seperate indicators on the HSI--one for NDB's, and one for the INS/ABRIS system. I wondered though--where is the range displayed to the current waypoints? I'm assuming its the number on the top left corner of the HSI--if I recall, on the F16, that number is the DME, which I know, isn't on Eastern a/c. However--is it some other sort of range indicator? And if so--is it the range to the NDB, or to the INS/ABRIS waypoint?

thanks for replies--makes sense, wish I could have gleaned that myself.

Thought I'd create a new thread on this--so everyone doesn't have to see my questions! I've re-watched the ABRIS video and the Navigation video (multiple times!)--and wondered, again--in the beginning of the NAV video, Matt talks about the NDB's (non-directional beacons) as part of the radio navigation. He had a bunch of presets for airfields, I think six, available--and as he switched through them, the HSI RMI needle was spinning--he had tested it. Now--lets say I'm on preset airfield #1 on the NDB system. My HSI guides me to airfield #1, per this preset. Now--forget about the ABRIS--what if I choose airfield #2 in the INS system, using "airfield" button, then choosing #2? Which airfield will my HSI direct me to? Also, I know the shkval sensor is tied to the INS system, since when you uncage the sensor, you can update the reference point the INS uses for updates. However, I didn't think the INS system was linked with the ABRIS, at all. But when Matt chose "target" mode on the INS, and chose #2, the ABRIS all of the sudden had the #2 target box chosen, and blinking at the top of the screen. Where is the HSI directing me to now? Remember the NDB system is still set to airfield preset #1. Also, how does the shkval sensor, simply by being uncaged, automatcially point at the reference point? Is that because it's set by default to the active waypoint in ABRIS, which was right next to the reference point? Finally, Matt said you can have up to 10 target points in the INS system--but only 6 waypoints. I thought that was a little strange--if you could have 10 target points--why not 10 nav points? Whew. I'm trying, by way of pure annoyance, to get the manual released early ;)

at work, but looking forward to another lesson from Ironhand!

Hmm...I wonder how many "NAVIGATION BROKEN" threads we'll see when it's released? "my HSI is telling me one thing, and my ABRIS another!!" This would be a great topic to put into a FAQ--, along with "RTF500pagelongM!" At least it will be documented. One gripe I had with LOMAC, there was some detail about something--oh yeah, that the "invulnerable" didn't work with the frogfoot, that just about drove me off the cliff (no pun intended). Finally I figured it out--but only after hours of frustrating tests. It nearly threw me off the sim.

Thanks for your patience in explaining this GGTharos.

So the waypoints in the ABRIS--they won't update the HSI RMI needles, etc., or HUD cues? Also, isn't there a digital HSI on the ABRIS? Wouldn't it have to be integrated with the instrument in order to show a digital form of it? Or is that aspect of the ABRIS sort of a "dummy" monitor for the instrument. Just thinking out loud, trying to wrap my head around it all. :book: Actually, why have the INS at all? I guess redundancy? It seems the ABRIS can do everything the INS can do--but if sattelite signal was lost...

Another question: What if you have one system, say the GPS, with the active waypoint #2, and with the INS system, you have #3 active--which information is sent to the HSI and HUD? How is the priority set between systems? I remember in some sim, maybe F/A 18?, there was a little box that would show up on the MFD that would indicate those sensors were "active". Is something similiar used with Blackshark?

That's how I understood it, as well, Shepski. Basically, you can put any audiofile in there, and it will play--from Madonna, to an audiobook! How about podcasts from Wags, talking about future a/c and features! Cruising around in my KA-50, listening to podcasts. I'll never survive.

I've just re-read the info on the radio systems on the KA-50--really amazing stuff. The ability to create radio station content is awesome--I've recently experienced this in my WW2 sub sim, Wolves of the Pacific--and it's neat to listen to radio stations when I'm on the surface--especially when news from that day in history, is played, like the real broadcast. Obviously, this brings immersion factor way up--but since BS will involve hypothetical battles, I imagine news broadcasts won't be as valuable. However, having certain stations with certain music/content will! I can see it now--a virtual Sirius Sattelite setup--a "Grateful Dead" channel, "Classic Rock", etc.--perhaps someone can even create a "Howard Stern" show??!! Get to it people! (Like we're not going to be busy enough in the cockpit as it is).

Thanks for the info Evil

Also--: Is the "Rubicon" another name for the INU? I was looking on the homepage about systems--and it show the input panel, and calls it the "Rubicon". EDIT: oops, I see now, the "Radian" is a sub-system, which is what Wags was using, calling it the something -800 panel. Ack--I don't have access to the vid right now.

Thanks for the reply, Acedy--makes sense.