BigBANGtheory

Really happy with the Apache module, amazing work. Disappointed about VR performance atm but if we can get that sorted (appreciate there is probably a much wider DCS World issue going on there), absolutely this has the potential to be one of the best heli sims of all time. I think the Apache performance in VR feels worse than other modules I've tried possibly because of the early release could just be the high quality visuals of the cockpit.

That is where it all went wrong, because whilst DCS started in VR mode the results were so bad I couldn't even click on the menus it was taking 30s or more to render frames. What you actually need to do is lower the PD to 1.0 and bring the SteamVR per eye res down to 100% (or something like that) to be in a position where you can tune the other settings. I do have fpsVR and yes I agree its an invaluable tool it was how I was able to eventually get the sim started. So is it true then what Eugel said about PD and SteamVR being the same adjustment just one is in DCS and the other external therefore to leave PD fixed and only adjust the other? What target frametime should I be aiming for, is 30ms ok for 'most people'?

That has to be the most useful bit of information I've seen so far, thank you - Why isn't that explained somewhere in like capital letters?

Having the options is a good thing yes I agree, having very little in the way of explanation especially at the start is not good. Yes you have VR settings and defaults inside the DCS settings but if your PD and or SteamVR res is too high you're completely knackered until by trial and error you figure it out. Now you could say as a user the onus is on you to know how to do these things but the reality* is things like your SteamVR res might work perfectly fine in other VR titles so why would you know to change them in DCS What's missing is a Start here guide to get you running with ok performance (assuming you've got the hardware) then tune these quality settings to your liking and here is what they do in relation to cockpit gauges/text and external focus/detail. Maybe I could make a guide

Thanks for the tips its helped me get something going, I'm using a Vive Pro 2 with a 3080, 5800X and 32GB CL4 3600 on M2 drives I think the two key frustrations I have with DCS and VR is: 1. Every guide you see goes along the lines of 'I have a Quest or Reverb and here is my guide' bespoke to the HMD and hardware of the individual, which I get because they are user guides and user created content - but there is next to nothing from ED themselves its like you're abandoned with no explanation on the settings involved. 2. The VR sub forum is very poorly organised it's basically for people that have VR up and running and for the community to chip in with their feedback and help, there is very little information and support from ED themselves. How for example would you even know you've got VR setup properly when there are options and sliders that all conflict between performance and quality. I get the user needs to do some tuning themselves but just a good explanation on where to start and what to tune, how to adjust is just absent its all individual experiences which is good of them to share but its soo frustrating when starting from scratch or if you're hardware isn't covered. It's taken I think 8hrs with the key take away being the balance and effects between the DCS PD setting and SteamVR per eye resolution, and because my HMD has a much higher resolution than the Quest/Index etc their PD settings are completely unsustainable for me unless I lower my resolution.

As a VR user the key for me is being able to adjust the pilot/gunner camera view relative to the helmet and being able to make some adjustments on the IHADSS monocle. I don't expect ED to be able to get it right for all so the key here is adjustments for comfort factor. I can't stand seeing the balaclava on my face in VR - we have the option to remove it very good choice ED

That to my mind points to VRAM being the issue for people that do see a difference, my 3080 is 10GB vs. 12 for you and negligible GPU compute differences.

I am seeing something very similar to I am also a Vive Pro 2 user though I'm not sure whether that has any bearing on the issue. @jimiC when you get a chance would you mind sharing your VP2 console, SteamVR and game settings? I'm fairly new to VR in DCS and struggling a little to get it all balanced with my RTX3080.

I can confirm for me and my VR setup (VP2, 3080, 5800x) that Textures = High is abysmal performance in VR, it dramatically improves* with that set to Medium. Terrain textures I can leave on high. *like 10x improves

Hey guys, I've not really played DCS for many years but the new heli modules have finally drawn me back. I was used to playing with TrackIR and multi-monitor but I've since got a far more powerful PC and VR equipment so naturally I'd like to be using that. Now I'm a reasonably technical user with computers but I'm throwing in the towel at this point in totally failing to get VR up and running in DCS and I'm struggling to find any help or guides that are relevant. Is there please any beginners guides that will help? I have a Vive Pro 2 (so not a Quest2 or Reverb2 or any other WMR headset), so I go via a Vive Console > Steam VR > DCS World OpenBeta I have the OpenVR Debug tool enabled, and have set the DCS settings for VR (based on YT advice for other headsets) and I can get VR to run and the default DCS World menus seem to look and function ok in VR but when I go into to Fly my position in the cockpit is all wrong, I've got framerates slowing to a crawl, overlays from SteamVR 'Waiting for DCS' and just generally an awful experience. Any help of advice appreciated, starting to loose my sanity when I want to be enjoying the Apache.

the first time I encountered DCS was the alpha of the A-10C what 8-9yrs ago now. Within I swear minutes my thoughts were drawn to an Apache study sim... You take as long as you need, that's fine by me I trust DCS to deliver, and its fine by me when it comes and that its not complete when I get that first flight. Apache EA in Q2/Q3 works for me if you need that time & space.

flew the KA50 & A10c but wanted the Apache, can't believe we're getting the module in a little over 3 weeks time all being well. Even if its delayed again its not far off really looking forward to this more than any other module its gonna be so good

yeah so making that into missions and tutorials, learning to finesse, the performance and how to get the most out of the aircraft in order to raise your skill... that type of thing

For me what I would like to see most is missions that direct me perform specific flight manoeuvres over a practice range. What I see a lot of in DCS both via tutorials and missions amounts to 'fly to this way point and shoot at stuff' rather than missions or tasks that teach you more advanced flight manoeuvres its like you're just expected to do them over time or carry on with basic flight control. I know you can use external sources of information I'd like that to be bought inside the sim if it can I guess is what I'm trying to say....

Sadly no, not yet at least not a plug and play product just lots of potential tech that may one day fit the bill.

FB want to break out into mass market appeal but the truth is no one is going to do that in a climate of mega bucks for the GPU horsepower needed to drive a minimum viable product. Simmers are a rare breed who will pay for the experience, but mass market won't so I'm guessing FB have a strategy to build the patents and bide their time.

5K+ or 8K I think you won't be disappointed either way, great to see the HMDs moving forwards and although I don't own VR equipment yet I'm genuinely excited to see the progress it just a matter of time before I make the switch now.... probably when the gloves are working and we get the 7nm GPU's next year.

Ok so you have to make that awkward transition from HOTAS to Touch controller when in flight but on the ground it probably kinda works. Its a pity you can't tape it to your arms somehow even without the haptic response just to have some notion hand gesture and interaction.

I'm struggling to picture this but trying to keep an open mind at the same time.... So ur flying purely on Oculus Touch or you are flying on HOTAS and then reaching for Oculus Touch when needing cockpit interaction??

I strongly disagree with this sentiment. Captoglove and VR in general has its greatest initial market is the type of person that is prepared to pay for peripheral items like a physical HOTAS and high end PC hardware. If they believe that people in any volume will pay for a VR & Captoglove setup for a virtual HOTAS they are making a huge mistake imho at least from the PoV of some partnership with ED. Cockpit control is the no.1 reason why any DCS customer would buy a Captoglove and grow further VR adoption any other use case would be trivial by comparison. Lets hope Captoglove and ED work this out, in fairness its probably quite a tough thing to get right but imho essential for its success in DCS. The review is fair IF Captoglove are falling short in the no.1 use case.

Just seen the news that work in being done on interactive training missions.... very happy about that :-)

The best option from my PoV (as a consumer) would be to have land based training and target practice on NTTR, then moving to carrier training (however that is done in the Navy). Then operations and campaign on Hormuz with Nimitz class carrier battle group... I'm not opposed to paying for that content I would expect it as a package though, what I do not want to experience is "here is the F18, go read the offline manual and good luck".... I want to be taught and guided through stuff which imho is pretty essential if ED wants to attract new people to the study sim genre and grow its base.

I can't speak for others, but for me personally DCS F/A-18C needs to have interactive training and proper carrier ops. Reading between the lines Early Access is too early for me far too much uncertainty at this point.

I'm hoping we will see some F18 replaceable components on the Warthog :joystick:

am I allowed to ask the obvious Blue Thunder skin question? Yes please btw.