goteron

Here is my sample collective grip to check ergonomics... Definitely some things I need to move around and adjust. Next cut will be out of Acetal for the final product

I'll be using a hall sensor in this design. I just need a bracket for the magnets and then will be putting the sensor on the carriage. At least I think that's how I'll be doing it.

I'm going to rough it out with a broom stick in the coming days. I have the same concern. But I think if I angle it back at 15 degrees or so it will be comfortable. I definitely have the same concern. Thanks!

I have been flying SA-342, Huey, and MI-8 on a ghetto setup for the last few months, and while it works, I cannot leave well enough alone. I am currently using an X-55 setup. But I would like something more heli-centric. After looking around at the various options online I figured I would just build one myself.... I am working on the collective system now. I plan on using a linear guide instead of a pivot. It has 4" of travel and I will be using Hall sensors. I have also incorporated a pivot that allows me to configure it as a collective, or rotate it for a fixed wing throttle. I am designing just about everything from the ground up, starting with the grip itself. Since I will be using the Vive, I wanted something with a lot of buttons handy. I did a bunch of searching on the web for various grips and found these: http://www.aviaavtomatika.com/production/019/ Which really caught my eye. I decided to base my design heavily on those. I made a few changes and am not fully done yet, but I think its a good start. I was going to make something similar to the apache dual gunner grip, but I don't think I need all of that at this point. There will also be: 2x dual rotary encoders (for radios) 2x Pots (For fuel, throttle, brake, etc levers) And a variety of switches on the top of the box.. I am not fully settled on that yet. The box will be made of MDF with a solid aluminum backer to support the guide rail. Standard 1" tubing will make up the shaft. I intend to cut the grip out of acetal or similar and am planning on using a Leo Bodnar USB board. I still need to find a dampening solution that will work, I am thinking a motorcycle steering damper, but if anyone has additional suggestions I am all ears. I am cutting a collective grip now out of renshape to see how ergonomic it is and make any final changes before I cut the final one. After everything here is finalized I will start working on the cyclic. I may end up just buying a pre-made gimbal and make my own grip, as the gimbal is a more time consuming project, but we will see.... Anyway. Pics...

Splitting everything between two ports did the trick, but it did something to my Vive audio now. If it's not one thing, it's another...

I have everything plugged into a powered USB hub. I may split the Hotas and the panels onto different USB ports and try that. Various buttons. Some on the base, some on the right throttle.

I am having a strange conflict issue with the FlightPanel program and my X-55. When FlightPanel is running, my X-55 throttle registers button presses randomly. I have SA342 Autostart mapped to a button on the throttle and during flight it will randomly start. When I shut down the flight panel program there are no issues. Any thoughts?

It has something to do with the Saitek Panels program. If I exit that, no issue. I'll look through that thread and see if there are any issues like mine. Thanks

I am not using their software. Just the drivers.

I have the new weird issue popping up. I use the X-55 hotas and pedals and just recently added the saitek panels running the keyboard emulation utility. When flying the latest release of 2.04 in the SA342, I am getting random events that are mapped to the throttle. For instance I have auto start and weaponsight both mapped to different switches on the throttle. In the middle of a flight, the weaponsight will deploy or the auto start sequence will kick off. I have ensured I have the most updated X-55 drivers. I am not using any other mods. I have deleted the config folder. All to no avail. Thoughts?

Thank you for the response. I tried the Saitek software for the switches to no avail. I am running DCS native (so I can fly in Nevada) so the Steam VR client centering doesn't really work. I tried the "k" mapping and no luck there either. I looked through the mappings again and couldn't find the options for a few controls listed above. Thank you

I figured out the my VRS issue. I still cannot get the following to work: 1. Camera Slave - Very inconsistent functionality. Sometimes I have to go into and out of auto-hover to get it to work. Am I doing something wrong? 2. TV Power Switch - Where is the mapping for this? 3. HOT 3 Missile Launch Mode Selector - Where is the mapping for this 4. View Centering - I am using the Vive and unless I start DCS in the perfect position I cannot re-center the view for the life of me. 5. I am using the X-55 with has some momentary switches, however these switches cannot be mapped to switches that stay in an "ON" or "OFF" state. Is there a fix for this? Thanks

Great Model! By far my favorite. I have been flying it with the Vive non-stop. A few questions I cannot seem to find the answer to. 1. What mapping is the toggle to turn on the TV? I have all of the mode buttons mapped, but I am still turning on the TV by mouse click. 2. I am using 2.0. A few of the mappings do not seem to work consistently. 2a. Autopilot Slave 2b. View Center - Does nothing. I have mapped both "General" and in "SA342" to no avail. 3. When in auto-hover behind a building, i turn off collective hold to pop up to fire a HOT3. When i disable it to pop down behind cover, even the slightest reduction in collective sends me spiraling toward the earth. Is this the VRS Model? 4. I cannot seem to map some of the other axis (TV Gain & Contrast) to my x-55 5. When the TV is on, FPS drops waaaay down. I turn the VCB to to standby to combat this, but any tips here?

Reticuli, When you say they have "film grain variation" are you talking about the VR920's or Z800's. Although the Z800's are more expensive, they seem to be a better deal if you were to buy a pair. Thanks for the help.

Are you talking about the Vuzix VR1440's, are they out yet? Sorry, re-read the post and saw the 3D visor... Thanks

Is there any indication on when the VR1440's are coming out? I have looked around but cannot find any rumors on them. I cant imagine they should be a long time coming, For those, I do not see $400 being too expensive for a display device, any large high resolution monitor will be about the same. I was going to pull off the ear pieces and mount them on a helmet, if your going to look stupid, you might as well go all the way, and you may be able to pass them off as NVG's at least until you go to the doctor with a neck strain. I just really wish the sensics were more reasonable. I would be willing to pay a few grand for high res 150 deg FOV HMD.

Urze, Thank you for that in-depth answer. I had read somewhere that since the display was closer to your eyes, 640x480 appeared to be a little better resolution. And that reading desktop icons was not a problem. I remember having seen some 160 FOV goggles that were 1080p, but I imagine that would relate to about the same resolution for the FOV you have with the VR920's. I am working on a motion platform that I thought the 920's would add another degree of immersion. I had also looked at the eye shields that go along with them that block out the other light. The other use was going to be fsx, flying the extra 300, in which case i believe it would be great, but you are probably right for a study sim like BS. Again, I appreciate your help and answers. Are there any other solutions for HD headsets? I had also looked at immersive displays (The half sphere type) with a specialized projector, but they are slightly more expensive, and probably out of my price range. I think for me, wide angle vision is probably more important than reading gauges, but I could be completely wrong once I give it a shot. Thanks again and I will keep on looking for an acceptable solution. Or just get a pair of these for 20k http://sensics.com/products/pisightSection/

Is the display that bad? I have a 28" 1600X1200 monitor, but I had used the old Track IR with head tracking and was never happy with it. I agree with not being able to see the keyboard, but for an immersive experience, is this not the way to go?

I have emailed this question to DCS CS twice with no response. I am waiting to purchase pending the answer to this question: Does DCS:BS work with the Vuzix VR920 headset with full functionality. Including video and Head Tracking. Thanks for the help;