The prodigal son returns: Any hints, guys?

[escar]

Hi.

 

Doubtfull that anyone will remember me, since I was gone from LO-MAC for over a year (not much time to play, I'm affraid :((( ), but nevertheless "HI", to all old camrades and new ppl. :)

 

I made myself a new set up and with it I acquired a taste to play LO-MAC again, especially since the moment I got the news that FC is finally out. :D At least now I'll be able to fly this baby with good detail. Can't wait to see how it'll look on the new putter and with most (as I hear) of the old bugs gone.

 

However, before I start... there's one important question: Guys, what do you recomend to add to the game?

 

I see that sadly there's no such sticky here as mine (on the Ubi forum). I did some browsing here are and I don't see any list of recomended mods. There were lots of mods for LO so I'm guessing that there also should be lots for FC (I still have somewhere ~1GB of addons for LO :) ). So I was wondering which ones you'd recomend most. I'd try to use my old guide, but after a year it has to be seriously outdated. Is there still anything out there similar to ZZZspace's sound mod? Or some sky/water/terrain/overcast mods? Or mega skin packs? Is LOMAN still around and is it compatibile with FC? And all other tweaks that are still recomended and used (like back view, rising pilot position, etc.)?

 

It's a seriously funny feeling returning to this game after such time and dropping from the expert shelf, to the newb department. :D

 

ps:

Hehe (even more browsing), I see some old faces. :D Cheers, ppl. :)

[Kula66]

Welcome back Escar ... for me the best mod is a Scenary Mod at http://forum.lockon.ru/showthread.php?t=13997. Loads more trees ... great bit of work.

[Cosmonaut]

Hi escar, ..welcome back :)

 

Here's a thread you will be interested in:

 

http://forum.lockon.ru/showthread.php?t=13759

 

Also Loman is now Moadman.. you can get it here at the top of the page: http://www.checksix-fr.com/downloads/loman/

 

.. some more links to keep you busy ;)

 

 

http://www.lockonfiles.com/

 

http://www.lockonskins.co.uk/

 

http://www.checksix-fr.com/

 

http://www.combatace.com/

 

http://www.virtual-jabog32.de/index.php?section=news&lang=en

 

http://www.lomacfiles.com/news.php

 

http://www.erbseweb.de/lockon/

 

Just remember since FC some highres aircraft skins increase load times and cause severe loss of fps ..especially for the Mig.. Also we always uncheck install into .cdd's when using Modman.

[S77th-GOYA]

Welcome back, Escar. :)

 

The only newer mod I'm running is Western Style Runways.

[bflagg]

I remember you also...

 

welcome back

so where did escargo? :)

 

you took quite some time to come back.

[Pilotasso]

Welcome back escar, of course we remenber you. You still got stickie threads over at UBI! :)

[Brit_Radar_Dude]

Of course we remember you mate! Welcome back. Most n00bs come to UBI forum first having only v1.02 , so I still point to your sticky to answer questions.

[escar]

:D

 

Hi, guys! :)

 

Nice to see so many veterans. :D Haha. I'm a bit confused though, whether I should post only on the ED forum or on the Ubi forum aswell. I've checked the old forum too and I see that lots of ppl are still there. :)

 

<note: I'm writing one post for both forums. LOL. >

 

Special thanks for the intel about the near release of BS. I didn't know that it'll have all the features of FC, so it'll be 2in1. I'll wait for it then.

<Donkey voice on>

Is it out yet?

<off>

<Shrek>

DONKEY!!!

<off>

 

;)

 

But seriously... how near future are we exactly talking about? Like this Spring or... Because if it's longer, I prefer to cough up those 15 bucks. ED's worth it (clap clap clap <- from the fan since the first Flanker).

 

Also, thanks for the links to films. I've got over 1,5 GB of LO-MAC films made by some of you guys and I keep luring new ppl to the game by attacking them with those films. :>

 

Thanks for ALL the intel. I've got some free hours this afternoon and tomorrow, so I'll be checking out those links and prolly finally doing some flying. Each time I rebuild my PC I do it with Flanker/LOMAC in mind, but although I did last rebuild couple of months ago, I didn't have the time to test it (BTW, my current putter looks like this: http://www.escar.republika.pl/specs.htm ). Last time I've flown my Su-33 it was still on A2500XP+, GF5700 and 512MB. Now it's going to be A3200 64, GF6600 (heavily overclocked) and 1024MB. I can't wait to take it all in in full detail. :>

 

My controller setup right now is frankly crap. I had to sell some of the stuff some time ago (but I kept the Ol' Redneck Throttle by Escar, the one made from old quickshot and some rubber bands :P ), bought something crappy just to keep me going and now... I believe I have to invest a bit to get some joy flying, instead of frustration. X52 would be perfect... (I keep drolling over it at the local supermarket :P ) :> ... but I have to watch my bugdet (building a house costs a friggin lots of money :| ). So I came up with this:

UR-F98 - http://www.pollin.de/shop/shop.php?cf=produkt.php&ts=0&p=NDk4OTM5 (that's the only description I could find) - I'd love to get TrackIR, but the cost is too great and I can get this thingy here for ~12 euro. Question is: Is it worth it? Or actually: Will it work with LO-MAC? I got a spare game and com port. As for joystick, I'm going to get one with USB conn. So if this thing will allow at least control of yaw + pitch... I'm in. :) Comments, guys?

 

As for joystick I'm thinking about two options (Right now I have a totally crappy Manta... avoid it at all cost, x/y work so so, there's no z and throttle is idle for 1/2 of the way and then it jumps to 1/2 afterburners):

 

Logitech Extreme 3D Pro - http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/EEUR/EN,CRID=2221,CONTENTID=6954

Logitech Attack 3 - http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/EEUR/EN,CRID=2221,CONTENTID=6953

 

I'm a bit more inclined towards the first one since it has rudder (z) and 12 buttons instead of 11. I can have it for ~15 euro.

 

Any good? Or total crap and I should rethink joystick choice from scratch? :)

 

I'm especially interested in replies about that head gear, since every joystick will always more or less work, as for the head gear... And time is of the essence, since the guy selling it won't be keeping it "safe" for too long. :| Comments will be much appreciated and should I buy this stuff, I'll certainly post a review. :D

 

To answer the question, I was away for several reasons. I quit my job with some companies I worked for as sort of a freelancer, I got a regular job (damn those bankers who demand "normal" jobs :P ) and got a bit toppled over with all the paperwork and long hours. :> Since the job is somewhat connected with IT security, I'm "available" to my firm for 24hrs/d, which frankly is not an arrangement gods inteded for us to endure for more then a couple days (cos' if you do it longer, you really start to growl at ppl). :P When I sort of got the grip of all things and started to look back at LOMAC (I even then managed to make an update of the sticky), some serious shit happened. I had a little typhoon at home, which (skipping the "boring" parts) made me a free man again (available next weekend :P ) and forced me to build a new place for me to live in. Third reason is a fault of my bro. He got me into World Of Warcraft on one of the private servers, to keep my mind of all the trouble with the "typhoon". You know me, I can't stop myself from doing something for the community the moment I start to play somewhere, so after couple of months I became a gamemaster and one of the server's admins (BTW, hello to anyone from Stormnet.gotdns.com that might be lurking here... it's Ess/Esskar-Guildmaster of the Stormwind League :P ). Hence, I was and am a bit occupied, but recently I really got the urge to go back to flying, at least some sight-seeing flying and as for the rest... we'll see. You know the way it goes... you sit on the deck of the Kuz (sorry, I'm still faithful to my Su-33 :P ), take off, admire the views... and then you just can't stop yourself from wanting to shoot something. :>

 

Cheers. :)

[169th_Dredd]

Welcome back! Or should I say 'Welcome back Home'! :)

 

 

I had a similar setup to yours.

Athlon 2500, GF5900XT, 1GB RAM.

I recently upgraded to Athlon64 3700(sandiego),ATI X800Pro, 1GB RAM .

And the performance is 3 fold!

 

TrackIR should be a must, it makes the sim so much more surreal, frees up keys/joystick POV hat for view as well.

[chennuts]

Do not get the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro. It has very bad pots, and no amount of cleaning will ever fix them. Once it starts going bad, you can clean them a few times and fix your issues, but each time you clean them, they work for shorter and shorter amounts of time before requiring a re-clean (minutes). Also keep in mind that cleaning the pots requires you to half-disassemble the stick. It's just not worth it in the end (though when it did work, it wasn't too shabby).

 

*If you're absolutely stuck on getting a USB device, please disregard the rest of this post.

 

I toughed it out with the Extreme 3D Pro and watched Ebay until I found a gameport CH Combatstick (about $25) and a gameport CH Pro Throttle (also about $25), which were soon followed with gameport CH Pro Pedals (Somewhere around $25-35, I don't recall). Never had a single issue aside form programming the controller initially (programming the gameport gear requires Windows 98, which I didn't have an installation of at the time. A quick 98SE install on a spare drive, a brief Speedkeys installation, five minutes of button assignment and voila, custom setup). This is what I recommend to my friends who want to get a nice setup on the "cheap" (it's still almost a hundred, but you get a complete, quality setup).

 

If you don't mind a throttle wheel, the gameport Combatstick (and Fighterstick, I think) has one. If you have Windows 98 available in some way shape or form, you can customize the buttons in minutes. $25-30 and you're ready to roll.

 

FYI, if you don't program the stick, you're left with a fancy looking 2-button joystick.

[escar]

Welcome back! Or should I say 'Welcome back Home'! :)

 

 

I had a similar setup to yours.

Athlon 2500, GF5900XT, 1GB RAM.

I recently upgraded to Athlon64 3700(sandiego),ATI X800Pro, 1GB RAM .

And the performance is 3 fold!

 

TrackIR should be a must, it makes the sim so much more surreal, frees up keys/joystick POV hat for view as well.

 

Keeping in mind that I just can't afford to buy a TrackIR, so it's absolutelly of the scope... will that thingy work with LO-MAC. Has anyone used it/tried it/tested it/etc.? I've only got 12 more hours before the offer expires. :)

[Starlight]

Hi.

 

Doubtfull that anyone will remember me, since I was gone from LO-MAC for over a year (not much time to play, I'm affraid :((( ), but nevertheless "HI", to all old camrades and new ppl. :)

 

ps:

Hehe (even more browsing), I see some old faces. :D Cheers, ppl. :)

 

glad to see you again mate ;)

[Cosmonaut]

A lot of us still post on the UBI boards because that's where all the new guys turn up and it can be more of a relaxed atmosphere at times and a good place to shoot the **** with the vets ;). Oh and forget TIR use mouse look muhaha :icon_supe

 

Secondly its now official that BS will not contain everything from FC;

 

" There will be both a download and CD version. For both versions:

 

* If you already have Flaming Cliffs, it will add all the 1.2 content.

* If you don't have Flaming Cliffs, it will upgrade Lock On to 1.2 standard but it will not include the Su-25T and Flaming Cliffs missions and campaigns."

 

http://www.lockon.ru/index.php?end_pos=950&scr=default&lang=en

 

So you will most likely have to buy FC as well if you want to play online.. and the Su25T is hours of fun believe me even for us Su33 drivers ;) ..speaking of which here's some motivation for yeah..:

 

 

 

Su33 wing deicer :)

 

 

 

My system sucks but D-Scythe's new skin still looks good on it :icon_syda

[escar]

Cosmonaut, you sick, sadistic bastard!!! How dare you show such SS's when I still have so much work to do! I'll kill you! ;PPP :DDD

 

<mumbles>

 

Got to get those skins....

 

<more incoherent babble>

 

;)

 

ps:

7 hours. Damn... I'm bidding. It's only ~12 euro. That's less then two "O, ****!"* pizzas.

 

 

*- "Oh, ****!!" pizza - true name is repeatedly unknown, due to the fact that all fans keep forgetting it, aquired name derrives from an exclamation each newbie makes when is first introduced to THE PIZZA, typical situation where a fresh victim is assaulted consist of a group of "old timers", already aqueinted with "Oh, ****!!" pizza and some greens, who yet have to see it, amongst some giggles and whispers a pizza is ordered ("You know, the biggest one, double pie, extra cheese, bacon but with champinions"), then a knock comes on the door and unsuspecting virgin is sent to the door with "Go get that, will you, I have to... errr... make some more drinks" - the doors open, the delivery man walks into the light from the shadow and the words are uttered: "OH, ****!!!! ... It's ALL pizza??? It's NOT just a big box??? ... OH, FUUUUCK!!!!", as time progresses and members of the order try to tackle the pizza more and more fall down, slump from their chairs and couches and writhe in agony little people that live in The Carpet listen to the huricanes passing over the Carpet which bring the sound of "oooooooh, ****... that pizza... I'm soooo full that it hurts when I breathe... ".

 

**- suplement: There's a sub-order in the order. Those ppl argue, that "OH, ****!!" pizza should actually be called "I can't ****in' believe it!" pizza, due to the second shout which always comes after "OH, ****!!". This shout is generated by sheer disbelief when a delivery man hands the bill... which is so f....g small you wouldn't believe it!!! :P

 

Escar,

proud member of the "OH, ****!!" pizza order. ;)

[escar]

Well, it's done.

 

Well, I bought that weird helm thingy. I just hope that it'll work at least half as good as TrackIR. :)

 

As for joystick... after what I've read here I did some further reading and... decided to show Logitech the finger. I had two of their sticks already and had to return both of them because of decalibration problems. Soo.....

 

I bought Saitek Cyborg Evo. :)

 

Everything for ~44 euro with shipping. Hopefully the stuff will be delivered on Friday, so... weekend full of flying. :D (or cursing, while trying to configure that weir helmet thingy :P ).

[escar]

Shippment arrived.

 

Hi,

 

So, I came back from a conference and what do I see on my bed... Saitek Cyborg Evo and that weird head gizmo.

 

Plugged both things in, 2 minutes of configuring and... both things work. Aditionally, the helmet has an extra controller, so right now I have free head movement in cockpit and an orgy of 12+4 buttons (2 shifts included in the 12, 4 are from the head gizmo), 2 throttles, POV and a twist handle. Frankly... I don't even have the slightest idea what to program to each button. It may seem not much for all of ya X45 or X52 users, but I'm baffled. :> I can almost get over inistial setup, but then I hang up mentally on the possibilities that shifts give...

 

It seems that this weekend, workwise, will go totally down the drain. :>

 

ps:

And it's all for just ~44 euro with shipment. :>>>

 

pss:

After 5 minutes with this Saitek, I don't think I'll be considering Logitech stuff for buying in any forseable future. :>

[Pilotasso]

Hi,

 

So, I came back from a conference and what do I see on my bed [...] and that weird head gizmo.

 

If anyone ever finds you with than thing on, juts remenber the excuse is:

 

that you are phoning home telepathicaly!

 

[escar]

If anyone ever finds you with than thing on, juts remenber the excuse is:

 

that you are phoning home telepathicaly!

 

My bro visited me just a minute ago. He came in, looked at me and said: "Ooookkkkkkkeeey.... so .... I'm not speaking with you anymore". :>

 

I've been downloading the latest mods for some time. I think I got everything now, except for this one:

"

Sebastien’s Mig 29, Su27/33 cockpit <--These are great and a real must have. He does have an F15 cockpit too but for some reason I don’t like it .. worth checking out though. (note the cockpit reflections may not be to your taste, personally I prefer Teka’s which come with his Russian seat mod, so you will have to install the Su27/33 cockpit then use file by file mode, in Modman, to remove the PRIBORY-REFLECT-27.tga.dds file then install Teka’s Seat mod)

"

 

Can't find it. :| Does anyone know a direct link?

 

As for the hardware... I love the joystick. I think I've become a total Saitek fan in just one evening.

 

As for the wierd head gizmo... lol.

 

I used some velcro tapes to put the receiver on top of my LCD. Initially I put it on the subwoofer, but the angle was not right. There's one immensly thick cable running from the receiver to the putter. Inside are cables for gameport connector, COM connector and headphones and microphone. Receiver from the front looks like a part of this car that David Hasselhoff use to drive in some series (Blackraider??). Especially since when I move my head with the helmet on... red-led indicators flash on the receiver signalling received movement.

 

From the receiver three cables run to the peripherals. :P Two phone cables go to the helmet (I guess one is for the power for the IR and second for the sound). One ??? cable with RJ-45 pin goes to the remote (4 fires+throttle). I mounted this remote on the arm of my armchair (with velcro strips). Although the remote is for the right hand, with proper "velcro'ing" it becomes a very nice left-hand throttle.

 

Going back to testing. :)

[WhiskeyRomeo]

If anyone ever finds you with than thing on, juts remenber the excuse is:

 

that you are phoning home telepathicaly!

 

 

 

I see Exactly! what you mean.