ElCuco68

How is this done (making a button-box out of buttons, switches, pots, etc from Amazon or whatever)? How do you set them up so that you can connect via USB and map them in-game? I saw DCS BIOS mentioned; what other things can be used or added to that?

What would you say makes one stick better than another with controlling the Harrier (just assuming I'm not supposed to land it by ramming it into the ground)? I'm not sure of exactly what I'm doing wrong, but aside from needing lots of practice, I'm sure that this $20 Microsoft Sidewinder lacks some sort or another of needed finesse and precision. I seem to be violently alternating between too much and too little input.

Well....okay. Just this once.:music_whistling:

Good stuff! Awesome pictures on your website, too!

My mother once called a Mongoose a Gladiator in front of me. Just once.

Can you post a link please?

What would you say would work best for landing the Harrier, for example? That seems like something that demands the most from a stick (and, of course, skill).

What do you think of virtual cockpit server for DCS World? Can that use a laptop as the touchscreen for CDU, UFC, MFDS, etc., or does that only work on a phone or pad?

Thanks! Well, I went ahead and bought all the modules (This stuff is incredible), but as much as I love playing with the Harrier and the Hornet, I should probably start with the A10C for numerous reasons.

Yes, I've seen this, but what I'm having trouble figuring out is if it's this or some other program that I need to turn my laptop (with touchscreen) or my Android phones into touchscreen inputs for the various DCS planes? This is all brand-new to me, and there seems to be so much to learn, and I have so little time (I'm a med student with a family of 4 who also works), that I really need to ask for help with some of this.

Ive been looking at different things for expanding cockpit control without going too crazy initially. I'll probably eventually get the TM MFDs and some inexpensive displays, but in the meanwhile, is there something i could use that would allow me to use my android phones, touchscreen laptop, or a separate touchscreen monitor to control the MFDs, CDU, various other buttons like the one set right below the HUD in the A10C? I've heard of Helios and a couple others, but I'm having trouble determining what these programs actually do, and how to use them. I was hoping you all could point me toward some of these programs and tell me what they do and the best ways to use them. Thanks all !

Sounds like the Lightning is the one to get. I want to buy my last stick, so I'd might as well get the best right off the bat. So, the FSSB R3 Lightning with the Warthog stick for jets, my old Microsoft Sidewinder if I ever decide to play with space sims (doubtful), a yoke for X-Plane. By the way, Ive been looking at different things for expanding cockpit control without going too crazy initially. I'll probably eventually get the TM MFDs and some inexpensive displays, but in the meanwhile, is there something i could use that would allow me to use my android phones, touchscreen laptop, or a separate touchscreen monitor to control the MFDs, CDU, various other buttons like the one set right below the HUD in the A10C? I've heard of Helios and a couple others, but I'm having trouble determining what these programs actually do, and how to use them.

When can we try out this in the beta version? Or when do you think you'll have the software or the hardware in that picture available?

Mainly jets, but i can always use an old Sidewinder, or a yoke for the non-shooting planes (x-plane, FSX) .

I'm pretty much still a beginner, having DCS for at most about 7 months or so, and what I'm looking for is someone who has exceptional teaching talent; someone who can put him/her self into the shoes of a beginner and draw good conceptual pictures, rather than relying on pure rote memorization of details presented rapid-fire.. Most of the tutorials seem like they assume at least a moderate amount of pre-existing technical proficiency, and some just race through the systems and buttons without really explaining much. I want to get a rough idea of the basics this way before delving into the manuals or Chucks guides from cover to cover, which for me at least will make the written material more readable & absorbable.

I've heard that about the gimbals, and that the TM stick is more solid than the T-50 stick. I'm wondering if the Lightning base or the T-50 base would be better with that stick?

So I could get the lightning and the T-50 grip and be all set? I don't need the bottom plate, or I can just machine one (I've got a milling machine) ? Or better yet, a Warthog stick, due to the plastic issue you mentioned with the Mongoose? Does TM sell just the sticks?

I've already got the TM Warthog throttle, and I want to get my last stick; the one I'll be happiest with for the duration, cost not being a big factor. Which of the 3 is the best choice, considering performance, most precise, most fun to use, most versatile, etc. I've heard really good things about the FSSB R3 mod: http://www.realsimulator.com/html/fssb_r3_lighting.html Or, should I try to get them to sell this: http://www.realsimulator.com/html/fssb_r3_warthog.html , if there's even a difference?

I've already got the TM Warthog throttle, and I want to get my last stick; the one I'll be happiest with for the duration, cost not being a big factor. Which of the 3 is the best choice, considering performance, most precise, most fun to use, most versatile, etc. I've heard really good things about the FSSB R3 mod: http://www.realsimulator.com/html/fssb_r3_lighting.html Or, should I try to get them to sell this: http://www.realsimulator.com/html/fssb_r3_warthog.html , if there's even a difference?

Looking for a used stick for a decent price, either a warthog with FSSB R3, Gunfighter, or VirPil; something of that caliber. I'm also looking for inexpensive rudder pedals and the TM MFD things. Thank you !

Case III Nice digs, man !! Heat and air-conditioning must cost you a fortune, though!

Looking for a used stick for a decent price, either a warthog with FSSB R3, Gunfighter, or VirPil; something of that caliber. I'm also looking for inexpensive rudder pedals and the TM MFD things. Thank you !

Thank you very much! I'll do exactly that (start with learning the instruments via the manual, and EGI navigation. Fortunately for me, I can enjoy tech manuals, so that shouldn't be a hardship. By the way, are you originally from Turkey? I ask because your command of the English language is impeccable. Reading your reply, I'd never suspect that English was a second language for you.

How about coming in on the ground floor as far as navigation? What's the best approach to learning that from the beginning? I'd love to find a PDF that assumes I know absolutely nothing about navigation and guides me through it, one step at a time. I know VOR a little, but that's about it.I think that being able to find my way from one runway to another would be a big step towards making this a lot more fun. As of now, pretty much all i can do is get up in the air, fly around, and shoot at things with the GAU-8 by pointing the nose at them.

I got DCS about 5 months ago, and have about half the planes (F/A-18, AV-8B, A10C, Viggen, P51D, Hawk,the MiG-21(?), and the Huey), all the terrains, and all of the missions associated with the planes. I also have the TM Warthog throttle, a homemade TrackIR, and will hopefully be able to find a really good stick and rudder pedals as well as the MDF pair (maybe even with little TVs) soon. I'm still at the very beginning of the learning process; I can get the planes in the air, and land most of them if I don't leave the area of the airfield (so I can find it again). I've even managed to get the Harrier on the ground, intact, a few times! Still, I really want to be able to navigate, practice proper landings, fight, learn to operate all avionics and weapons systems, do carrier ops etc. My problem is that there are countless ways to approach this, and I want to have a solid, step-wise plan for learning all the fundamentals, especially navigation. With so many planes, training scenarios, tutorials, videos, missions, etc to choose from, I'm pretty much bouncing all over the place, spinning my wheels. I need a plan that makes the best use of my very limited time. I'm a medical student with a family, and my time is very limited, so I really need to streamline the process as much as possible. Thank you for your help!