Komodosim Controllers

[hannibal]

i have a dedicated setup for helicopters, cyclic and collective included... my fighter jet setup includes saitek combat pedals and thrustmaster warthog.... also a suncom F-15 Hotas with Ch products circuit boards..

 

the cyclic doesnt work too well on jets unless its a slow plane like a P51 or something..

[FlyingHighAU]

the cyclic doesnt work too well on jets unless its a slow plane like a P51 or something..

 

Is that because jet feel better with the joystick springing back to center?

[unknown]

Is that because jet feel better with the joystick springing back to center?

Bump

 

That would be nice to know.

 

I read somewhere on the forum that there is a "trim" mechanical system in development for the cyclic, is this already implemented in the "VBS ProCyclic MG Base Unit" that we can order right now on the Komodo site? I would like to have a set of EC135 collective and cyclic, because they seem to have the most buttons/trigger/coolie hat to use for most of the chopper. It wouldn't be realistic for our dcs choppers but first i have to save much more money and second i couldn't effort to buy mor then one set. :joystick: :cry:

[TomOnSteam]

first i have to save much more money and second i couldn't effort to buy mor then one set. :joystick: :cry:

 

I'm in the same position. I don't mind forking out for a really good set of controls, but they will be the last controls I buy, because they will have enough buttons, hats, toggle switches and a couple of rotary knobs so that I can use them for absolutely everything and anything :)

 

My dream universal hybrid controls would be the following:

 

Cyclic / Joystick:

2x triggers Ka-50 style (or option for dual stage trigger)

3x push buttons (pickle, trim button, and master mode)

3x hats (fixed wing trimmer, plus two other hats for MFD control and target management)

1x pinky leaver (brakes or misc)

1x pinky button (reset trackIR)

 

Hydraulic controls with optional centering springs.

 

Collective:

1x hat (counter measures or weapon selection)

1x analog] hat (for really smooth and accurate target designator cue or slewing optics / FLIR around)

3x toggle switches (airbrake, narrow/wide view, autopilot modes or a-10 chinahat or boatswitch)

2x rotary (knobs or even twist grip would suffice for things like view zoom or radar slew)

2x buttons (target lock, radio)

1x huey starter style trigger or ka-50 style collective brake

 

 

Completely unrealistic and I don't see this ever happening but a guy can dream right? :D

[hansangb]

In the input/output forum, there is a guy manufacturing Warthog compatible joysticks. So you get replica joysticks for various planes. He's in the early stages. Check out the F18 Joystick (or something like that) in the input/output.

 

For me, I'm waiting for the Huey collective before ordering the whole set.

 

hsb

[RAZBAM_ELMO]

In the input/output forum, there is a guy manufacturing Warthog compatible joysticks. So you get replica joysticks for various planes. He's in the early stages. Check out the F18 Joystick (or something like that) in the input/output.

 

For me, I'm waiting for the Huey collective before ordering the whole set.

 

hsb

 

I am aware of that guy in particular, however he is going a separate route but simply making joysticks and throttles to be used ON the TMWH. This is a completely separate venture in that Rich has a full cyclic and box available for almost the same price as a WH. Now to make something similar it would require a new controller board for the various 4 way hats and buttons on the WH along with proper mounting options. Plus from what I've read this seems to be more for helos than planes but should a shaft be available that was stronger and able to deal with the more physical forces required in a fixed wing I would be more inclined to make the purchase from the UK. Now Rich can pipe in here if he wishes as far as his products strength and durability goes but for now my decision on buying this is up in the air ATM.

[VO101_MMaister]

A few years ago, a dedicated french team, the "Tarmac Aces" came with a control stick for airplanes.

It had hydraulic damping but no return springs. They meant that it is more realistic than a continous centering force and stationary center point. In real life both the control forces and the center point of a control stick change with the airspeed.

 

They were way too expensive and they quit, but I think they had a point. When I made my own design I started with high centering forces, but I found it very unconvinient and unrealistic.

What I found as sweet spot was a relatively high damping effect combined with low centering forces with a relation between pitch and roll forces about 2:1.

So I would not give up on these controls for aircrafts.

[hegykc]

the center point of a control stick change with the airspeed.

 

Why would the center point change with speed? Unless you're talking about changing it yourself with trim?

[TomOnSteam]

Why would the center point change with speed? Unless you're talking about changing it yourself with trim?

 

I think he means that as you fly faster the aircraft will want to pitch up because of the extra lift. So with a hydraulic non centering stick, you don't need to trim as it stays where you left it.

[hegykc]

Oh yes I guess that would be true. And the stick would slowly creep forward as more airflow would flow over the elevators if I'm not mistaken. Time to hop in one of the WWII birds I gues...

[VO101_MMaister]

Why would the center point change with speed? Unless you're talking about changing it yourself with trim?

 

 

Sorry, it was misleading. I meant that the stick position for neutral flight is changing with the airspeed. It is normally compensated by trimming.

[TomOnSteam]

. Check the website or the Facebook page, or email me direct!

 

BR

 

Rich

 

Hi Rich,

 

Sorry I don't use Facebook, so hopefully you will notice this here.

 

I have a few questions about the Ka-50 controls you are making:

 

1. On the cyclic, is the brake lever an analog axis? (to apply the right amount of braking force).

 

2. Does the flippable cannon trigger have a button/switch, so that when you flip it onto the "ready to fire" position, it enables the cannon in the game?

 

3. Is the Shkval slew an analog axis mini-joystick?

 

 

Thanks!

[KomodoSim]

Hi,

 

1. I was under the impression that in DCS this was a pushbutton allocation ('W' on the keyboard) and not an assignable axis. At the moment its just a toggle type switch. I might be wrong tho.

 

2.When you flip up the large trigger there is a switch that is assigned to the cannon system to make the cannon operative and the large trigger inoperative. If that makes sense and is what you mean. The trigger is now assembled and being tested to ensue it works correctly in DCS.

 

3. Again I thought the keyboard allocations in DCS are so that a HAT switch is used to control the Shkval. Is it possible to assign an axis to this function within DCS? Its very easy to change this to an analog mini thumb stick if required.

 

BR

 

Rich

[98abaile]

The brake can be assigned as an axis. I currently have it assigned to my right toe brake.

EDIT:

As can the shkval. I believe that indicates both require analogue axis.

 

If I were designing a stick, I'd have the dual trigger system and set up the button on the large trigger as a shift key, then just set weapon release to operate when the shift key and small trigger are pressed together. You'd just need to make sure the large trigger operates before the small one. I'm not too sure how the real thing operates though.

Edited June 12, 2015 by 98abaile

[KomodoSim]

Thanks for the clarification.

 

In that case then both will have analog axis then.

 

BR

 

Rich

[remon]

Thanks for the clarification.

 

In that case then both will have analog axis then.

 

BR

 

Rich

 

To be even more clear, DCS level modules have break axes, Flaming Cliffs level modules have toggles.

[TomOnSteam]

Thanks for the clarification.

 

In that case then both will have analog axis then.

 

BR

 

Rich

 

awesome!

[unknown]

...I read somewhere on the forum that there is a "trim" mechanical system in development for the cyclic, is this already implemented in the "VBS ProCyclic MG Base Unit" that we can order right now on the Komodo site?...

Bump

 

Has anyone some info about that?

[KomodoSim]

Hi,

 

I am developing a mechanical Force Trim System at the moment. I'm just upgrading the electromagnets to hold the Cyclic in position. Development time is thin and far between at the moment, but I hope to get this out as soon as possible.

 

The system will work in the way that the Force Trim System (FTS) will hold the Cyclic in position. To move the Cyclic you press the Force Trim Release (FTR) and use the cyclic as normal. When you release the FTR the cyclic will stay in that new position. If you then move the cyclic without pressing the FTR it will return to the position you moved it from by spring force.

 

Hope that makes sense.

 

Please feel free to ask any questions.

 

BR

 

Rich

[Svend_Dellepude]

Sounds really really cool! :)

[unknown]

Hi,

 

I am developing a mechanical Force Trim System at the moment. I'm just upgrading the electromagnets to hold the Cyclic in position. Development time is thin and far between at the moment, but I hope to get this out as soon as possible.

 

The system will work in the way that the Force Trim System (FTS) will hold the Cyclic in position. To move the Cyclic you press the Force Trim Release (FTR) and use the cyclic as normal. When you release the FTR the cyclic will stay in that new position. If you then move the cyclic without pressing the FTR it will return to the position you moved it from by spring force.

 

Hope that makes sense.

 

Please feel free to ask any questions.

 

BR

 

Rich

Thank you very much for your explanation! :thumbup:

This sounds really great, looking forward for your announcement of release. Do you add 2 buttons FTS/FTR to the cyclic(not on the real stick?) or do you use existing buttons of the stick, for example the EC135 cyclic? I would prefer 2 additional buttons, because we need all of them for our beloved choppers. :joystick: Any plans of adding a Mi-8 collective and cyclic?

 

Sorry for my bad english, hope you can understand my text.

 

€dit: Just reread your text, know i'm thinking you need just one button? Same question as a few lines above, will it be an additional button not existend on the real cyclic or do you want to use an existing button of the cyclic and use it for your FTS instead of the original funtion?

Edited June 15, 2015 by unknown

[Sokol1_br]

Unknow,

 

If used - for example in Ka-50 grip - a double pole push switch placed in grip trim switch position (middle of left side of grip), one pole send contact for electromagnets disengage/engage, other pole send contact for the game do trim function. E.g.:

 

http://www.mammothelectronics.com/4SFS2PDT-MS-p/800-1001.htm

Edited June 15, 2015 by Sokol1_br

[KomodoSim]

Hi,

 

I won't be adding extra buttons that aren't on the real controls. But any controls that already have a FTR button will have that connected to the Force Trim System exactly how Sokol1_br suggests.

 

BR

 

Rich

[unknown]

Thank you both, that makes perfectly sense.

 

Rich, do you have a release date in mind for this feature. I know it's hard to tell, but just a guess? Something like next month :D , summer 2016/17... Need to know how much time i get to save my money for a set. :joystick:

 

MfG

Bjoern

[Rogue Trooper]

Hey Rich,

Will you be doing another demo at the Helicopter museum in weston super mare?