WillyPete

To be honest, a lot of people DO get it, even if they don't have FFB. Your statement has a bit of a gatekeeping scent to it, that unless people had FFB and experienced your problems then they didn't understand. Face it, the majority of customers on DCS do not own FFB sticks, or even centered sticks with extensions. To ignore that is to do the same thing you accuse others of doing. Every DCS module has to be developed for table mount, short sticks with longer sticks as a secondary. The game doesn't have to be even more exclusionary than it is. If Polychop are supplying table top sticks to actual ALAT pilots and the pilots are telling them it "feels ok" then can they really be blamed for not knowing themselves? Look at all the actual pilots in DCS that focus helos, like Casmo, Hell_Gato, Barundus, and Gimbal who have come out and stated clearly that it is very twitchy, but that they compensate, like all real pilots do to differences between airframes and types. I've been in the same type of helicopter and airframe and had them both handle like they were made by different companies. I don't care if the stick is 5 degrees to the right or left of the other for any given manoeuvre, or that it lacked power in comparison, it was my role to adjust. Same with the dcs helo modules. The hind is out. you can barrel roll it, loop it, and do all sort of other fucking stupid shit with it that is obviously not indicative of a healthy FM, but guess what everyone has done (including you, if you have it) they've compensated. I have no doubt that the initial brutality it's been treating inexperienced players with is going to get smoothed by ED, to make it easier on them. Exactly like their preferential treatment of short sticks on tables. Exactly like them toning down VRS. The problem a lot of people "don't get the angle" on is what is the real problem you have? What about the FM stops you from actually piloting it or doing things in the game that other modules do? Can you fly it? Can you navigate it? Can you utilise weapons or complete tasks in it? Their attitude is "If you can do those, then what is the issue?" and it is equally valid as yours in your criticism of it. Yes, we've all seen the videos from several years ago of flying upside down, but that's like complaining the devs in GTA didn't model cars sinking in water properly if you landed in a river or something like that. It just something you don't intend doing if you're serious about "realism" flying and it's not something any dev would seriously claim to spending time thinking about. It's exactly like the hind is right now with its loops and rolls. "We didn't model what would happen when you loop a hind because you're not meant to be doing it!" If it's "wrong" then all they will do is add a code switch (like PC did) that goes something like if inverted then main_rotor_eject_and_die_in_flames. I don't think the FM is perfect. In fact I think it's lacking in a lot of aspects, but that's mainly down to me and my equipment and my general enjoyment of its role in the DCS environment as a whole. People like those in Black Shark Den, who demand a high standard from pilots and modules, seem to do just fine with it but this rests largely on them running scenarios that favour its role. There's too few servers that utilize it properly, and too few campaigns written for it for me to derive pleasure from it like the others. I hope they do get it right, with the importing of the Kiowa FM interface replacing the code layer they had to apply to get where they have with the Gazelle. Rewriting that code layer tells us that even they think they hit a theoretical and realistic limit to it and it needs to be wiped to play properly with DCS as it currently stands. Hopefully they've learnt their lesson and I think they have because all communications appear to tell me that they don't just hope to sell the Kiowa to DCS players, but to Bell themselves which will have a higher selling price for them but also indicates a requirement for a much higher fidelity model. They've basically got one last chance.

Yet they have made Petrovich send a text message when this is the case. He tells you when he can and cannot use the scope if you try and slave his view to a spot.

I've been able to bind to the hat on my collective. It has Virpil electronics. Many switches also missing a binding. It will interfere a lot with VR and Voice Attack users.

Did you use a manual weapon loadout instead of presets? I tried using the ATGM/30mm Grenades and Rocket launchers (which are not a preset) and had the same issue on rockets.

Coming to the hover, make sure you are at an ALT that will be In Ground Effect when you slow down and exit Translational Lift. This means you require less collective, thus much less torque. I've also noticed that this helicopter is MUCH more susceptible to weathervaning. Check wind direction when hovering.

No, I mean when he is demonstrating the Petrovich UI from Pilot seat, he tracks left and right at angles greater than what Petrovich can scan using the scope (+60/-60) There is no reminder for the pilot to turn so that he can do this. A simple change of the number or the box it is in to display red would remind a pilot of this. In the image below, "L83" could be in red text, or the small box surrounding it could be red. In the tracking angle shown, you cannot see the existing annunciator lights that show gimbal is at its limits.

In Wag's latest video demonstrating ATGM and Petrovich use we see him use the UI, while in the pilot seat, to tell the AI gunner where to scan. If exceeding the 60 degree limit there is no indicator that you are outside limits. Wags mentioned using a voice cue, but as the annunciator lights are out of view at those angles it would greatly assist pilots to have the yaw/pitch angle numbers change to red, or have their "box" change colour to indicate that Petrovich cannot scan that angle. Having a voice interrupt you every time you look past 60 degrees, while the UI is active, would be incredibly annoying.

You go straight up to 200-600ft?

Default bind is "L Ctrl + L Shift + R". No response with radio dial. Adding "L Ctrl + L Shift + F" works, and turns the dial to decrease value.

Thank you

Hello. Has the firmware been updated for the latest models? Do some of us that got the first versions have to update at any time? Thanks.

What is the HOT3 missile launch mode selector switch with the key set to? Day or Night? Night mode is at the bottom right.

What was your impression of the scroll wheel on the right? How have you assigned it?

I know those who want to buy it might not like this being said, but I think your product could withstand that increased price and still see significant demand. The alternative is to sell the product as a DIY kit for a slightly lower price, just to meet initial demand, but I know you prefer to maintain your quality control.

I told you Mikhail, you were going to be swamped with this. Time to start hiring people like Virpil have been doing. When Microsoft Flight Sim adds helicopters people are going to go insane.

lol. I warned you? Unless the problem is getting the initial supplies, like I said you need people in different regions (EU, UK, USA, AUS) assembling them for you.

Sorry Mikhail, the people you have sold them to have been singing your praises so now your product has become sought after. We even have a review up in Helisimmer.com, so you're going to have a full inbox soon.

I was previously used to using the joystick slew, so staying with that for finer control. In testing I set the collective hats for searchlight slew (UH-1) and cockpit "glances" to set positions.

Both of the hats are digital 4 way, without a centre press. Unlike the VKB MCG Pro slew hat they are not analogue, so if you use the for slew you will need to get used to using them as if it was a key press.

Works great thanks. If he would prefer to remain private I'm happy to buy via you. It would likely be fine with the same board you use for the buttons on your collective. I wouldn't need the axis board.

Mikhail, do you have any advice on purchasing VPC or VKB circuit boards for a joystick? I've looked around and can't discover where you would have sourced your electrical components from. I'm getting a grip for an EC130 printed and wish to use my existing VKB base, so VKB would be better, but with your collective using a VPC board on the grip would be equally good.

Just reiterate what Mikhail has said, use the 200204 version of VPC software only if you want to recalibrate the axes. I did what most of us expect and downloaded the newest version offered by VPC. The default page that the software starts with is to update the firmware. The temptation is strong for all of us to do this, but you don't need to do it. The Axis board will cease to respond to the VPC Joy Tester if you do it. Buttons will work fine. If you make this mistake, uninstall the VPC software, download the v204 as per his link and use the firmware upgrade in THAT version to revert. You will need to import his profile that he will make available to you and then recalibrate the axis if you do this. Honestly, just plug it into DCS and fine tune your axis. It works out of the box. I was too tempted to tinker. He has a lot of patience.

I'm pleased to announce that mine has made it through the COVID19 lockdown. Mikhail sent me an image of the receipt, and the actual item at the post office when he sent it. (Going above and beyond there, buddy) Was able to track all the way, lockdown throughout Europe meant it stayed in Moscow a bit longer than he'd have liked. wow. I don't know how Mikhail is making these AND making a profit. I'm glad I got in now before he realises that he could be charging a LOT more for build of this quality. The videos I saw made the build look very light, but all aspects of this seem extremely professional. There's not "snags" of badly cut metal plates, not fluff or dust typical in (my) backroom builds, no loose pieces or any pieces that seem fragile. The action of the lever is extremely smooth. Holds position easily. The throttle is beefier than I expected, and even though it's a 3d printed piece, the grip is good enough for a firm grip on the throttle and fine tuning. Those of you with large hands might even be happy wrapping it in cork or similar to the real thing. But you don't need to. The action appears quite strong on the throttle too. I'm not worried about over-turning the throttle and pushing it past limits by mistake and damaging it. I took a video of the unboxing, some of you said you'd want to see it, but Mikhail hasn't taken any shortcuts. I've seen very expensive equipment packed with less care. It won't shift in the box and there's several inches of polystyrene to protect from any impact or over-enthusiastic delivery driver. Bravo Mikhail, Bravo. I was going to hold onto this for a while until I'd set up my simpit with a bit more room (currently in the process of a house build) but now I'm going to have to do something to try this sucker out within the hour. I can't wait. If you were on the fence about this, jump now. I predict very long queues soon enough.

Give me a shout if you need a partner to do assembly for the UK / EU area. Happy to take on the role if you need someone doing it. I'm a stay at home dad with the time to take this on as a part-time business. If you'd prefer to just sell me the parts then PM me and we can work out a deal.

Here's some 3d printing files I've found. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3759480 https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2973078 Images: https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kL37FvNiNUE/XNG5QQ7SpVI/AAAAAAAAB9I/w_4m448ZBk4gi4u2KPU3JVC8B3WSjdTJACLcBGAs/s1600/Bell%2B212%2BHuey%2Bcollective%2Bhead.JPG https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-avKBBMjYcwg/Xezu8uSO6FI/AAAAAAAACBc/NfpTUcFUH7IjfjPegB15OZwR4nFaf86LACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/collective%2Bbell%2Bhuey%2Bsimulator%2B1.jpg https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AiSDEtaTCoc/Xezv20_ufJI/AAAAAAAACBk/3jiDQNtNz382zee2Tv8wE_PQTHRXneutwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/collective%2Bsimulator%2Bbell%2Bhuey%2B2.jpg