Alkaline

YES! Absolutely yes! I can only talk for myself though, but I do not regret this purchase at all! I had some issues with it, but once I bought a external USB Hub for the stick and throttle, all issues disappeared. It works FLAWLESS now, and I love this HOTAS. Yes, its plastic, and you might get the feeling like "Hmm, I expected more quality than this regarding the price", but that thought disappeared in a day for me. The throttle system is very nice IMO. Very smooth throttle, and every axis on the throttle system works really good. No jitter etc. The throttle lock that puts the 2 throttle sliders togheter lacks some quality though. Its not 100% tight. Approx 1mm loose. I hope u know what I mean.. :p And the switches isnt actual switches. Its "flick-switches", aka they doesnt stay up if you move it up. Its Up/Down, and goes back to middle after u flicked it. But frankly, who gives a shit about that? The throttle tightness adjustment thing is nice aswell. Tho, if u want the throttle tightness hard, you might want to use double-adhesive pads or something to mount the throttle system, otherwise it would slide away. In general, the throttle is really nice, very smooth and a long "curve" or what I should call it. The stick itself is also extremely nice. If I remember correctly, you'll get 4 different springs to the joystick, so you can decide yourself how stiff the stick should be. Me myself like the green and blue spring most, stiff and accurate! :) Very easy to change spring, could be done in a minute or less. Regarding the HAT's, Im not sure about this, but it feels like they are abit loose than when I got it. But I could be wrong, I didnt think about it before. In general, the stick is awesome, extremely smooth, no friction at all, and VERY VERY accurate. You might want to configure the axis and/or re-calibrate them, cuz the X-axis isnt completely in the center, if I remember correctly. I think they even stated that on Saiteks website. Cons - The joystick isnt optimal for people with small hands like me.. My thumb cannot reach the upper red button, aka "Weapons release" without I must re-grip the stick, hehe. But I could live with that ^^ TL;DR - Awesome HOTAS. Can be just as perfect as the TS Warthog HOTAS if you configure everything correct. And for the A-10C, I HIGHLY recommend "Shein's X-55 A-10 Profile". Link is below. http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=120911 Hmm, I have never gotten a BSOD by the SST software, or anything regarding the HOTAS. I get BSOD preeeetty often, atleast one every day, and one thing I can tell you for sure, BSODS are most of the time, caused by drivers / softwares / conflicts. Next time it happend. Let the system take its time, to write dumps and so on. Dont power it off, let it restart by itself. Then, if u dont have the Windows debugger (WinDbg), you could analyze your minidump at http://www.osronline.com/page.cfm?name=analyze You can find your minidump here C:\Windows\Minidump. Im not sure if it's the same on Windows 7, but it should be same location. Either find the module / file that actually causes the system to BSOD in the analyze at OSRONLINE.com, or post it here so I can have a look. Most of the time, litteraly clear your system from _all_ Saitek / Cyborg drivers, files, everything and restart ur pc would fix it. Delete every Mad Catz, Cyborg, Saitek hardware in "Device Manager". (Uninstall them). Dont restart if it asks you to. When everything is uninstalled, unplug your HOTAS (Stick too ofc..). Uninstall the Mad Catz SST Software. Once completed, double-check if the Mad Catz or whatever the folder is named, is removed from C:/Program Files x86, or just /Program files. And least, delete the whole folder C:\Windows\Temp\MadCatz. (Unless u have like a keyboard or something that is mad catz.. Then just delete everything that is your HOTAS) Nooow u can restart ur pc, plug in your stick and throttle, install the SOFTWARE, and then install the Drivers provided by Saitek!.

Im not 100% sure what you want.. Do you want a specific Saitek SST Profile to be loaded on startup, or do you want the actual SST Software to be launched upon startup? In either case, what OS u got?

Thanks. Dont forget to get back here to tell how it went! :) I forgot to mention that you must bind the slew/Target designator as it is default ingame. You know, the semicolon and dot letters on the keyboard. Unless you try the 2nd method. Tho, Im unable to assist on the 2nd method.

Hi, I just figured out how to setup the mouse nipple on the throttle to act as it should, aka the TDC/HOTAS slew! :) READ FIRST!! I am typing this config from a keyboard with a nordic layout. If you have a American layout on your keyboard, I advise you to check google for pictures on a keyboard with nordic layout. E.x Nordic layout has "Ö, Ä, Å", which american layouts doesnt. So to configure the slew correct, my "Ö" button should be ";" on american layouts. And when you are configuring every Mouse Axis that needs a advanced command, aka "New advanced command", you'll notice that when you press E.x "-" button for the "=Slew right", you'll get 2 inputs. One press and one release. Just left click on the latter input (The release input), and delete it by right clicking it. If done correctly, the button press should only show one input with the value "0,000" below it. This is mainly for the X-55 Rhino HOTAS. But should work on any other HOTAS with mouse nipple. OBS! The Saitek SST software is required. 1 Open your Saitek SST software (The programming software for your joystick) 2. Locate your mouse nipple in the SST software, and configure it as below. First, set your Mouse X Axis and Mouse Y Axis to Bands Now, configure the Mouse X Axis bands like this. Mouse X Axis Mouse X Axis 0% - 15% = Slew left. (Slew left is the name of the assign) And click up the "New advanced command". Make it press "," (Exclude the " " marks. Just the dot!) Mouse X Axis 15% - 85%. Set it to "Do Nothing" Mouse X Axis 85% - 100% = Slew right. Make it press "-" in "New advanced command" Mouse Y Axis Mouse Y Axis 0% - 15% = Slew up. Make it press "ö" in "New advanced command". Mouse Y Axis 15% - 85%. Set it to "Do Nothing" Mouse Y Axis 85% - 100% = Slew down. Make it press "." in "New advanced command" IMPORTANT! Your slew or target designator keyboard binds must be default, the dot, semicolon and so on. Jeez, it looks soo confusing and complicated when im looking at this right now. I hope this guide is easy to understand and follow. If you have skipped my words before the actual guide, I highly advise you to read it. Otherwise the setup might not work properly. Any questions, critics, advices etc is always appreciated. Dont hesitate to reply if any issues occurs. I have also attached a screenshot on how it should look in the SST software. Method 2. I havent tryed it yet, so I cant tell if this one is better or worse etc.. Might be easier to configure. Set your Mouse X Axis as "Mouse X", and your Mouse Y Axis as "Mouse Y". Adjust the sensitivity for each axis as you'd like. Now, this example is on Su-27, your slew options might be named different. Options->Su-27->Axis Commands. Locate "TDC Slew Vertical (Mouse)". Double click on the far right row (The mouse bindings row), and choose "Mouse_X" for horizontal slew, and "Mouse_Y" for vertical slew. Make sure there is no other Mouse binds, so no conflicts occurs. As said before. I havent tryed this yet, but it should work if im not completely out of my mind, lol. Regards, Alkaline P.S - If you like my guide, I wouldnt mind a +REP

Hi, Got a few questions. BRA, 080 for 120 at 9000. I understand it like this: 080 = Heading, 120???, and 9000 is his altitude. And what's the difference between a HOT bandit and a COLD bandit? Bearing is the same as heading, right? If AWACS says bandit at bearing/heading 080, how can that be accurate? I mean, isnt every heading different regarding where you are?

What's with all russian aircrafts AFM when landing?? Is the landing gears some kind of "Super-Grip-Traction-Control-Tires", lol? Everytime I touch the ground when landing, it's like my plane is getting hooked to the runway like a train.. The F-15C, A-10C, if u land a little unstable, you'll bounce, maybe damage one of the tires etc.. I dno which one is realistic actually. It it supposed to be like this?

Hi, I have been playing DCS now for a couple of weeks atleast 5hrs/day, and now im being easy on myself. I started with the A-10C, which I pretty much master atm. But my patience is abit too low for it, so I began to look at the fighters. And as I _always_ do, Training->Campaign->Multiplayer. This was the F-15C. I always lost a fight, doesnt matter. Well, I could get a trade-kill, or max 1 kill before I die. I thought it was the F-15, so I moved to the Su-27. Went to MP after campaign was completed, (btw, awesome fighter!!) but I face the same issue. One particular "issue" I had, that EVERYONE seemed to be able to maintain a lock waay further than I can... But isnt the F-15C supposed to be the lion regarding long range engagements?.. And 90% of my missiles MISS! Most of the time, I have to launch like 4 missiles to even get a single hit.. Enough with my issues or lack of skills. Now, here's how I do. Get up at maybe 10k feet, I try to keep my radar off much as possible. Once my RWR detect a probably hostile, I turn on the radar, and if he's far away, I turn it off again and descend to low alt to hide from he's radar and RWR. Climb again, like a little higher than the mountains, locate him, select AIM-120C, lock and wait for launch sign. Still, by then, most of my hostiles has already launched their missiles, and I have to bank and flare, and I loose lock.. In the Su-27, same tactic there. I use SCAN BVR (ILV), mostly I use the R-27ER. The value at center of the HUD below the TDC is left at default. I have tryed different values, but doesnt seem to do any differance.. (I believe that is "Target expected range") The value at horizontal right row in the HUD is also left at default, 1.0 or maybe even its just 0. (And I believe that is the radar scan altitude above me). Im sorry for this stupid long post.. But I really need advices. I understand if u dont wanna waste ur time to read all this. But for u who does, Thanks!

Any difference between the Su-27 in FC3? Is this like the A-10C?

Oh.. yea that might be it, the server I play on is pretty hardcore (104th dedicated) So, im not able to use the HDD as the pulse-doppler radar in the F-15? So, all I got regarding long range detection is my RWR? Cuz the HUD isnt so good at long range detection IMO if he doesnt use ECM. Or maybe Im just doing it all wrong, lol. Whats the HDD's purpose then, if there is no AWACS available and such? "Contact in STT", does that mean if I have a lock in my HUD in "BVR" ? "SNP Mode". Never heard of it. How do I enter that mode?

I have some issues with the Su-27 atm in FC3. Started practice it a few hours ago, but either I cant get the HDD radar scan to work properly, or I just dont understand it.. I activate BVR by pressing "2", followed by switching on my radar with "I". The HUD says "ILV" if I recall correct. But my HDD NEVER detects anything at all, not even friendly aircrafts. The HUD works as it should I think.. I am able to lock, see jammers and such, but I feel heavily restricted without the HDD (Heads-down-display). When I start the campaign in single player, then it works as it should. I can even see friendly's on the HDD that is behind me.. Please help, im going nuts.

Whaat, really?.. What GPU do you have, and what drivers? I just checked my maximum GPU Load in GPU-Z after i played DCS, and it showed 99%. My max VRAM usage was around 1 - 1,5GB. I've never checked gpu load before, only VRAM usage, so it seems that my GPU is too weak? But I would assume it has to do with the game not supporting DX11. Could try and give the gpu core clock a little bump to see if any gains are noticable.

Will DCS ever support DX11? And what about AMD opt? Hi, 2 quick questions. 1. Will the game support DX11 in near future? 2. Anyone knows if ED are working on optimizing the game for AMD machines? I mean, I have a 8 core FX CPU with 4.4GHz on each core. 8GB 1600MHz RAM, SSD, R9 270x 2GB, ASUS Sabertooth 990FX R2.0, but I can barely play on medium..

Im sorry, I might have expressed myself a little bad. Im more intrested in ingame physics and such.. As the example I stated in my 1st post regarding how easy it blows up, just a little bounce would cause it to blow up. In case im still not 100% understood. I have played BS1, and I want to know if there is any differance ingame on BS2, like physics, fly feeling etc. What is "EDGE" ?

Hi, Im thinking of getting Black Shark 2. I have only played Black shark 1 before, like the first patch version, and the helicopter exploded way too easy IMO. If I just went down a little bit too hard, the whole helicopter explodes.. So, are there any major differance between BS1 and BS2?

Need a little inspiration for some mappings. Mainly F-15C and the A-10C, but feel free to post yours aswell if it isnt F-15C or A-10C. I have attached a picture that I made fast with my mappings. I might have missed one or two minor mappings, but dont think so. Please share yours! :) P.s - Yes, I know my sketch looks like its made from a 10 year old.. But its made in paint :p

Would a D-Link USB 2.0 be decent? D-Link DUB-H4 Edit - Well.. Actually, it seems to be working now.. I bought the D-Link DUB-H4, and so far, no issues.

Yea, I cleared all bindings in DCS, and rebinded. Either way, im gonna buy a external usb hub today. Is there any requirements on the usb hub?

Hi, Every time I start DCS, it asks for MiG-21Bis activation. It says my key is no longer active etc, I retry, and then another window pops up, without the previous one disappears... Tho, the game still loads, but the activation windows doesnt disappears... Any thoughts?

Ok. Then im gonna buy that tomorrow. Is it a USB hub that is powred from my wall outlet?

Yea well.. There are commands that are duplicated. But I can even see it in the Mad Catz programming software..

Cmon what the hell is this.. I got the X-55 Rhino yesterday, and I noticed ingame that my engines could shutdown randomly, turning on ECM automaticaly, radar on and off, speedbreak on randomly etc... I checked the software, and I saw that it presses different buttons randomly automatically, pretty frequent.. Several times every minute.. This is on the throttle control. The stick itself is perfect. Any idea what it can be? I tried reinstalling drivers and software several times. I've read that a external powered USB hub could solve it. Would it? AMD FX-8320 ASUS Sabertooth 990FX R2.0

Lol, pedals are the lowest priority product in ym list.. I barely even use rudder except when taxxiing.

Yes, atleast. I do that with every game I like. I only play one game, and when I do play, I play like a ****ing machine nonstop. I have 639 hours of gameplay on my BF4 account, and I owned the game for about 3-4 months I think. And as stated, please dont mention the TM HOTAS Warthog.. I already said clearly that it aint a option... I REALLY REALLY wanna buy it, but I cant afford it.. I dont wanna end up buying something I dont actually afford. Hehe. Well.

Hello everybody. I just gotta start with that this game, is ****ing great, unbelieveable! From playing BF4 every day, 10 hours per day approx, to end BF4 completely, and started playing this instead. GOSH ITS SO GREAT! Its time to get a little "funny-serious-ish", hehe. Im planning to build a budget cockpit. Things I already been looking on-- Saitek X-55 RHINO HOTAS - I will defo order this on Monday. (TM HOTAS Warthog is not a option) TrackIR 5 - Been looking into this aswell... But I dont know man, is it really really worth fking over 100 bucks? Im just a student. And I dont get it. If I look to the right, how will I be able to see right ingame then, if I AM looking right.. My monitor is on my front.. Thrustmaster Cougar MFD - Is it compatible with DCS? Can I use it with both F-15C and A-10C? a 7.1 surround headset. This is my first "plan-to-buy". I will expand it next month, as I get money each month from school-something bla bla lend..

Hi, I've been stuck on this mission for more than 20 attempts. I dont get mission failed, nor mission success, I just keep dying and dying and eventually, there is no plane left that I can take control of :p Mission: FC3-F15C-05.miz Provide TARCAP for a flight of F-15E’s conducting a runway attack against Nalchik. I have tryed so many strategys now, that I must ask for help here. What are your advice? I have tryed going about a little more than halfway to Nalchick, then call the command to push forward. I try to take out as many fighters as I can, but there is SAM's EVERYWHERE, how the hell would this even be possible? Or am I supposed to stay with the F-15 strikers and escort them, or?.. Please, all advices are highly appreciated.