TomOnSteam

Does the buttkicker still go off when the ATC or the wingmen talk to you?

Sure, but you can count the 2nd and 3rd generation products being quite similar, as they will want to keep compatibility between the software and previous generation devices. They aren't going to be adding drastically new features that might divide up a fairly small market even further. You might see improvements, but no revolutions for at least 3 years so that the software can catch up and flourish. Also if we are to believe Palmer Lucky, he suggests that the hardware is being sold near cost price for the reason of encouraging early and wide adoption(to create a cycle of more developers creating more software, for more customers and so on). So there is a very good chance that while there will be some tweaks and improvements, newer headsets might not be any cheaper. Perhaps even costing more as they look to recover the costs of the first generation. If the experience is good enough, people will find a pay to pay for it.

I agree that it makes good sense to pair up the gazelle with it's real life targets. I just really hope that Polychop can encourage ED to make some AI changes to make it possible to play a sneak and surprise game with these choppers. It doesn't have to be simulated to crazy levels, just enough to feel like you are able to fly the mission as intended.

Just to add to the list, stealth needs to come into it. You simply must be able to sneak up and ambush a tank or enemy vehicle, especially while your are flying these light helicopters.(and other AT helicopters). The enemy tank should act like it doesn't know you are there, until you have revealed enough of your helicopter for long enough. Especially while the tank is moving (perhaps a higher chance of being spotted if the commander is observing with binoculars). You should be able to get very close with the tank ignoring you, as long as most of your aircraft is behind terrain or cover. The AI should consider something along the lines of: 1. Direct Line of Sight 2. Distance between enemy and player helicopter (perhaps infantry could "hear" you if close enough, but not moving tank unless very very close). 3. How much of helicopter can be seen vs how much is in cover. So you can peak/recce safely if not too close. 4. Lighting/Shadow and weather conditions. (less light and visibility, the harder you are to see, stay in the shadows of buildings and mountains if you can). 5. Background contrasting. (if there is nothing but sky behind you, then you are easier to see, if there is a mountain/building/trees behind you then you blend in more). 6.Distance between you and your background. (if the mountain behind you is further, than you blend in less). If all of those steps above succeed, only then should the enemy tank react in a combat manner. And that is if the tank is currently "looking" for targets. Because, perhaps the crew are chatting, or looking for mines, checking maps etc etc. Once spotted: 7. Reaction time, depending on difficulty setting, and perhaps even enemy unit veterancy. 8. Aim/Accuracy should depend on difficulty setting, and perhaps enemy unit veterancy. 9. Slightly randomised values for all above, to keep things feeling organic. Perhaps the crew is having a bad day, or maybe they are very alert. Then when you hide, and move to another location, the AI would have to go through these steps again, to spot you. The only difference would be that it would search more often, since it knows you must be somewhere. And they would also know what they are looking for, so it would be slightly easier to spot you. Without something like that, these modules will be just a matter of hover near the max range of the missile and firing.

Very interesting. So the Vive might be better for flying with night vision goggles on, the CV1 better for close air support and helicopters, and the DK2 for aircraft without a HUD so you can see the instruments with a glance of the eyeballs instead of a head movement?

I'd personally wait for a month or so before getting a product that isn't designed for DCS. I won't say what or who from, but there is going to be some purpose built and very affordable (around the same price as the razer gear) DCS flight sim gear. And I think you guys will be blown away when it's announced. EDIT: just to give a bit more perspective. I have a non-chroma orbweaver, that is going straight to ebay when this DCS specific gear comes out.

The HTC Vive will be at least the same price as the Rift, probably more. I would not count on it being less. So now the question is, which one will give us a better DCS experience? Regardless of the specs, which device is going to have a more readable HUD and cockpit, as well as external visibility. We'll just have to wait and see.

It would be even better if important information like that was automatically entered into the kneeboard. E.G. JTAC sends you a 9-line and it will automatically be added into your kneeboard.

And it has a cup holder haha. Btw just be aware that even the wider monitor stand of the R3volution still isn't wide enough for the default MFG Crosswind rudder pedals. But there is an official accessory that makes the crosswinds slightly narrower.

We've split the atom, and ED have split the display outputs, surely one day we can even split the audio :) Seriously it would be very handy to be able to separate Helmet/Chatter/External/Internal sounds into different outputs.

Someone needs to make a universal arm that clamps onto ANY joystick shaft. This small arm would be attached to a force feedback gimbal.

I wonder if it would be beneficial to use both a headtracker and an eye tracker. You could put a bigger deadzone in the headtracking software, so that you can use the eyetracker to glance down at gauges and radar screens etc. And then if you want to turn your head, you turn it as you would normally and the trackIR would kick in. Not sure if that would work though.

For the record, it's not supported. :) It does not provide accurate enough physics that this kind of simulation requires.

I believe there is an old driver version that you can use. The problem however is that the older drivers do not work with newer versions of windows, especially 64 bit versions. I think they will only work on Windows XP. ( Don't expect any help from NaturalPoint, they won't provide support for anything except for the latest version of TrackIR) It might be better to just wait for this.... http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=156362

I think it's similar to the saitek x52 throttle if that helps

Nothing allows you to do it currently. The first module will be the LZ-39 trainer aircraft. Eventually all of the trainers will allow 2 players to be in the same plane at the one time. There is also a Panavia Tornado (PolyChop)coming up, but I don't think that will be out until next xmas at the earliest(probably later), as well as an F-15E (RAZBAM)(but again probably a 2017 release date). The first combat airplane to feature multiplayer will most likely be the F-14.

Software like realspace 3d and dolby surround etc enhance the 3Dness of audio no doubt. It's usually called virtual surround (since headphones usually only have a left and right speaker). But it is at the expense of audio quality and clarity(it can sound a bit muddy compared to the original source for example). For most people that is fine, since most people are using gaming headsets and speakers (which are typically quite low fidelity, despite what the marketing tells you). For most people that's fine as they aren't audiophiles. It's a little bit more complicated than just sound level left and right, it uses various frequency filters and other effects as well. You can already try out a similar 3D enhancement by downloading and installing Razer's free software:http://rzr.to/surround-pc-download You can see if you like the effect or not :) I personally find it a bit disorienting and hate the warping/underwater/muddy effects applied to the original audio, so I tend to switch these types of things off, especially in DCS where the spacial sound is done very well already (especially if you have a good set of cans.)

Even in plain old non VR DCS the sound is 3D spatial. If you use your number pad to turn your head the sound is is changed to match. I think the oculus audio is nothing new.

The dementia was only an example in the book(dementia is hardly bad memory either). While I don't know much about epilepsy I know it's got something to do with the brain (and the conversation was going on about general brain stuff). Taking good care of the brain is only a good thing regardless.

Hey guys, since we are talking about brain health I'd like to recommend a book for those that have gotten to an age where taking care of your health is becoming a part of your life. The book is called Power Foods for the Brain by Dr. Neal Barnard. For the average person the brain can shrink up to 17% as you age, and if you follow the science(real science i.e. independent peer reviewed research, references etc) backed advise in this book you can completely and quite easily reverse this brain killing process. Typically 50% of people get some for of dementia once they reach 80, forget where they live, don't recognise their wife and kids. Really awful stuff. However this book explains how you can lower that 50% to almost nothing. (It explains why people in Okinawa, Japan do rarely get dementia) (I'm not associated with the book in anyway, I'm a health nut as well as a DCS nut)

hegykc, have you thought about getting into the custom keycaps business? (I'm assuming your automated tools are capable of producing keycaps). Apart from keyboard enthusiasts, I think DCS would benefit from some custom keycaps. For example I'd love a set of keycaps that has my DCS commands printed on the front. Perhaps even in varying colours. E.g.

Whichever one is newer/more capable :)

Hmm by the time currency, shipping and customs fees are taken into account the rift will be close to $1300 in Australia.... ouch.

DCS has compatibility for both Vive and Oculus Rift.

Maybe something like the 3Dconnexion Space Navigator? http://www.3dconnexion.eu/index.php?id=26&redirect2=www.3dconnexion.eu