Astronut

Two weeks isn't a problem. I'll think on it a bit more, but I have a feeling you will receive an order from me in the very near future. Thanks again Andre!

Thanks Andre. That helps a lot. What is the rough time frame for the AM to be available?

Thanks Andre, here you go... http://i.imgur.com/pEJayaO.jpg

So, I have pretty much decided that I am going to purchase a Jetseat. The question is, which model would be best? I don't have a simpit but I do have a TM Warthog, CH Pro Pedals (which eventually will be upgraded to something better). I have a set of Monster Tech table mounts on the way for the HOTAS and I use an office chair. Any suggestions?

I'm sure the same can be said for many hobbies. I have sunk a lot of money into astronomy, flying and simming over the years. Thank goodness I don't own a boat (or a plane) !

So, which is the best version of the Jetseat?

I don't think I would last very long in the back seat of the Phantom without losing my breakfast ;). I take my hat off to you Sir!

The beauty of VR is that it brings you closer to the experience of being a pilot, flying one of these aircraft. The problem with VR is that it brings you closer to the experience of being a pilot, flying one of these aircraft. ;)

It would be even harder to check 6 wearing full flight gear and pulling G's.

It seems pretty simple to me. If software is released as early access/Beta or Alpha, then the choice is entirely yours as to whether you jump in now or wait for however long it takes for the developer to finish it. Nobody is forced to buy an early access title. Frankly, this is one of the most exciting times to be involved in this hobby. We have amazing sims (and DCS is pretty amazing when you think it), VR, a slew of new modules on the near horizon, did i mention VR ? I had my first flight sim on the Sinclair ZX Spectrum back in 1984 (Psion's Flight Simulation). When I think how far we have come since those days it blows my mind. And yet we complain incessantly. LOL. We have never had it so good.

It's truly amazing right now! Gen 2 will just be amazinger ;) .

You won't regret it. Most of the people who will tell you "it isn't ready", or the resolution isn't high enough etc have never tried it or, in some cases being competitive in Multiplayer is all they really care about. If you are looking for the best simulation experience (i.e. Simulation of what it is like to be strapped into the cockpits of these aircraft) then the Rift wins hands down. A flat screen gives a pretty dull experience in comparison. I fly for a living (I wish it was a fighter, but I have to settle for a business jet) and it is often very difficult to pick out traffic until it is pretty close. That is especially the case for small aircraft, but even airliners can be hard to visually acquire and identify the type. This is even when ATC calls out the traffic or you have them on TCAS. Of course, there are times when you can get visual with an airplane many miles out, but the lighting has to be right, the sky background is a factor and of course a contrail helps immensely.

What? He's not ranting on, that would be you.

Frankly, given the choice of a sim pit or VR I would choose VR every time, even in it's current form. We have to stop asking the question "How is a VR headset going to work with my simpit?". The real question should be, "will my old equipment still be relevant when using VR?" As VR advances, this will be even more the case. BSS Sniper, judging from your avatar, you are a pilot on a large cabin business jet? Your response is a little puzzling to me because every pilot I have spoken to who has tried the Rift in DCS has been thoroughly impressed by it. Personally I have had the Rift for a year now. I won't fly DCS without it. In 2D it is just a flat experience in comparison. The same goes with all the other sims I spend time with.

That would work well. Personally I have not had a big problem looking through the nose gap to take notes, but I guess that isn't possible for everyone due to the fact that no two faces are identical.

The Viggen is worth every penny IMHO. It brings a lot of neat stuff to the table... Ground Radar (a first in DCS). A basic Auto-Throttle. Thrust Reverse. A navigation system that is susceptible to drift, so you have to update your position based on landmarks along the route. Waypoint Programmable Weapons More that I have most certainly missed.. In other words, it is one of the best modules available at the moment. When flying it, you basically spend most of your time at low level and high speed. What's not to like?

Well, you could try not crashing the airplane.... ;) In all seriousness though, just how good is the Jetseat and Simshaker? I'm tempted, but find myself not pulling the trigger.

And that is fine, there is nothing wrong with that, but they should call it what it is. ;) I'm like you. I am looking for the experience. I don't need to be at the top of a leader board.

Well, I can see how that is an issue for you. Does your chair swivel? That would help a bit.

Accelerated head tracking is a necessity with Track-IR because you still have to be able to see the screen in front of you. With VR it is totally unnecessary. Also, the fact that looking behind you requires effort in VR is very realistic. It requires physical effort in a real airplane too. You get used to the screen door effect, and to be honest, I barely notice it now unless I am looking for it. I'm not wanting to be a jerk here, but it kind of amuses me that we all say we want a more realistic experience and yet, when we get something like VR, which brings with it some very realistic limitations, then some people declare that the tech is "not ready". More to the point is that those people either haven't tried it out properly, or they are themselves not ready to give up the various crutches we have become accustomed to (such as being able to check 6 instantly, see aircraft and ground vehicles from literally miles away etc etc) .

To be honest, VR Zoom is a great help with the current VR headsets. I don't see it as a bad thing at all. But, if you want to fly without using it at all, then you need a cockpit with analogue gauges. The F5 springs to mind, also the Mig 15 and F86. The Viggen is pretty analog too. But really, why is VR Zoom such a problem?

I would say that pretty much all of the modules look outstanding in VR (I can't really recommend the Hawk at this point though). For "cockpit involvement" I guess the M2000C is a good bet, as is the Viggen.

It's because you are now flying the aircraft like a pilot, with the same viewpoint, visual cues and depth perception. You can't replicate that on a flat screen.

I just mapped it to the switch on the left side of the left throttle (TM Warthog). Works great.

They are very neat, no doubt about it, but if you are only interested in sims then they really are just a bit of a novelty. I found I was buying games just to have something to do with them. I have enjoyed playing The Climb, and Arizona Sunshine, but at the end of the day, for me, the best VR experience is with DCS.