Ermintrude Posted June 23, 2015 Posted June 23, 2015 Hi, everyone, I'm new to DCS and the A-10c, but it's completely taken over my life in the past few days! I'm thinking of getting a couple of the Thrustmaster MFDs, but a quick Google search seems to throw up some reliability issues. So I was wondering what experience you all have with them? Are they reliable for you? Anything I need to know before I buy? Thanks in advance! 1 [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC]
Faelwolf Posted June 23, 2015 Posted June 23, 2015 I have had no problems with them so far as reliability goes. However, I have found them to be less than practical without live monitors behind them. IMO, great for a cockpit build, not so great as a stand-alone peripheral. YMMV 1
Hansolo Posted June 23, 2015 Posted June 23, 2015 Think I have had mine for 3 or 4 years and never had a problem with them. And yes IMHO they do work best if they have a monitor behind them. Cheers Hans 1 132nd Virtual Wing homepage & 132nd Virtual Wing YouTube channel My DCS-BIOS sketches & Cockpit Album
johnv2pt0 Posted June 23, 2015 Posted June 23, 2015 Agree with the above comments. Another thing to remember is that if you do use them with monitors (which again, is IMO the only way to use them) you will take a substantial fps hit. The ability to run more monitors and keep the same frame rate may be possible when dcs 2.0 comes out, but for now you will lose fps and that's something to think about. I built a box to house 2 8" monitors with the Thrustmaster MFDs on them and it's just sitting behind my monitor because I don't use them. They work wonderfully and I would love to use them, but for my pc I will go from 50-70 fps down to 30 or less and for me fps > cool factor/immersion. As others have said, your mileage may vary :) Welcome to DCS! 1
Ermintrude Posted June 23, 2015 Author Posted June 23, 2015 Great, thanks for the quick replies! That's given me a bit to think about - I had added them to my shopping basket ready to buy, and I'd seen a few setups with the monitors behind them so I figured I could work towards that. Not sure what to do now, but thanks for the feedback. [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC]
agrasyuk Posted June 23, 2015 Posted June 23, 2015 Had no issues with the MFD frames. Will have to agree with others - didn't find them at all exciting before i put monitor behind them 1 Anton. My pit build thread . Simple and cheap UFC project
Devrim Posted June 23, 2015 Posted June 23, 2015 Same. No problem. I love them. 1 Intel i7-14700@5.6GHz | MSI RTX4080 SuperSuprimX | Corsair V. 64GB@6400MHz. | Samsung 1TB 990 PRO SSD (Win10Homex64) Samsung G5 32" + Samsung 18" + 2x8"TFT Displays | TM Warthog Stick w/AVA Base | VPC MongoosT-50CM3 Throttle | TM MFD Cougars | Logitech G13, G230, G510, PZ55 & Farming Sim Panel | TIR5 & M.Quest3 VR >>MY MODS<< | Discord: Devrim#1068
Wedge Posted June 23, 2015 Posted June 23, 2015 The buttons all work fine on mine, but unfortunately one of them has an issue with the lights. Initially they would flicker, now the lights are just dead. Out of warranty so it may be time to open it up and look for loose wiring. 1
Yurgon Posted June 23, 2015 Posted June 23, 2015 Let me be the first to say I use them "naked" (without monitors) and even so they're an awesome addition to A-10C. :thumbup: They also work fine for the other modules, I just tend to forget how I mapped the buttons for modules I don't fly regularly and so far I've been too lazy to print my own sheets of paper with the assignments on them, though it shouldn't take too long to do so. The option to put monitors behind them sounds great and I'm glad the option is available, but I haven't invested much though into that yet. No reliability problems so far, after probably 3 or so years. 1
Ohgr Posted June 23, 2015 Posted June 23, 2015 Great, thanks for the quick replies! That's given me a bit to think about - I had added them to my shopping basket ready to buy, and I'd seen a few setups with the monitors behind them so I figured I could work towards that. Not sure what to do now, but thanks for the feedback. 1 V/R, Ohgr VCVW-11 "Vapor" USN AE 2001-2015 Heatblur Tomcat Tester
Habu_69 Posted June 24, 2015 Posted June 24, 2015 I have used them for 5 years with a small monitor behind each. No reliability issues and frame rates are more than acceptable. I have a relatively high end PC and run the MFD monitors from a second graphics card. 1
Ermintrude Posted June 24, 2015 Author Posted June 24, 2015 Thanks, everyone. I guess a second graphics card is essential for the second monitor. What monitor do you use? [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC]
feefifofum Posted June 24, 2015 Posted June 24, 2015 (edited) Hey Ermin. I'm running http://www.ultramfcd.com on a second monitor with a single GTX 870 on a core i7. Things can get a tiny bit sluggish if there's 1,000,000 tracers or a LOT (like, a couple of comm towers' worth) of smoke, but for the most part my framerate is totally acceptable even at 1080p with most everything turned up to max. If you have an old monitor lying around, I am of the opinion that you can't beat the feel of really seeing your displays and pressing the buttons. It's also nice to be able to keep your virtual head up so you can see while you're flying and look at your TGP at the same time. Edited June 24, 2015 by feefifofum 1 THE GEORGIAN WAR - OFFICIAL F-15C DLC
Ragtop Posted June 24, 2015 Posted June 24, 2015 I had a pair a while back, which were perfect. Sold them when I stopped simming. Since I got the bug again I repurchased some. First set had a faulty one but TM were very helpful in troubleshooting, and my retailer swapped thr faulty one. New set is once again perfect. As said above, with displays they're incredible, but even without I think they're worthwhile. Anything that stops me reaching for my mouse is a plus IMO! When it comes to getting/building accessories I try to focus on the ones I interact with the most, and build them. 1 476th vFG Alumni
Habu_69 Posted June 24, 2015 Posted June 24, 2015 I use these. http://www.ebay.com/itm/9inch-LCD-Screen-Display-Monitor-for-Raspberry-Pi-with-HDMI-VGA-2AV-Driver-Board/141601536207?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D31190%26meid%3De18af4a9d6a34149b934051d8d33babd%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D171725210033&rt=nc
Skitter Posted June 25, 2015 Posted June 25, 2015 (edited) No reliability issues. Have mine for about three / four years. I recently had a problem with the led light underneath the keys, it wouldn't start through TARGET software. But after I swiched it on via Windows it is now back to normal. As said before. It is a bit confusing to use it without monitor. You have to look up and down all the time and count which button to press. I don't know about framerate drop. It is possible. Mine is alright with two monitors. You might get a program like "Easy monitor" to export and easy place the MFD displays on the second monitor. While you there (two monitors) consider getting Helios software and put more stuff on the second monitor, like warning lights , etc... I have my MFD attached by velcro on an old 15inch monitor. Its a completely different game with a dedicated mfd monitor(s) and operating real buttons. It's quicker and you get better quality read out from the MFDs. I recommend it ! Edited June 25, 2015 by Skitter 1
Snarf Posted June 25, 2015 Posted June 25, 2015 This looks like a great set up Skitter, can you give more detail on what you had to do to achieve it? I noticed what likes like a numeric keypad on the left, how did you integrate that? as well as the rest :)
Skitter Posted June 25, 2015 Posted June 25, 2015 (edited) Thanks Snarf. There's not much there: - 15inch monitor - I had to remove the stand and the second monitor may seem high for some people. - 2 MFD attached by velcro. I've removed the screws with little panels underneath the MFD frames , so they stick closer to the monitor. - Easy monitor configurator to allighn MFDs http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=71831 - Helios software: exported gauges I need(hard to read in the game: Fuel, Altimeter, warning lights panel, hydraulics pressure. RWR, gear status lights, CDU display, HSI, clock. I should move the joystick below the desk, cause it obstructs the monitor. - There's a standard numpad there. I have mapped the UFC fuctions to it. I am using a different one at the moment, with more keys. My mate uses this one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151565799700?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT . He said that it is actually programmable, not a repeater. I haven't tested it myself though. Edited June 25, 2015 by Skitter
Mr_Burns Posted June 25, 2015 Posted June 25, 2015 (edited) The buttons all work fine on mine, but unfortunately one of them has an issue with the lights. Initially they would flicker, now the lights are just dead. Out of warranty so it may be time to open it up and look for loose wiring. I opened mine up cos I got glue in it, don't think you will find that loose wire but good Luck! Oh and snarf as others, no issues with them (except my own glue accident). One other thing you can do, if you have a wider screen monitor >23" you can stick them in the bottom of you monitor similar to where they are on the aircraft and export the views skitter says above using easy monitor. I had it for a while like that with no issues. Edited June 25, 2015 by Mr_Burns 1
slowhand Posted June 25, 2015 Posted June 25, 2015 I've had mine a few years now never any trouble :thumbup: mounted to plxi glass over monitor screen.:thumbup: pic's in profile. 1 [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] SMOKE'M:smoke: IF YA GOT'M!:gun_rifle: H2o Cooler I7 9700k GA 390x MB Win 10 pro Evga RTX 2070 8Gig DD5 32 Gig Corsair Vengence, 2T SSD. TM.Warthog:joystick: :punk:, CV-1:matrix:,3x23" monitors, Tm MFD's, Saitek pro rudders wrapped up in 2 sheets of plywood:megalol:
Ermintrude Posted July 3, 2015 Author Posted July 3, 2015 Wow, thanks everyone for the help and info. I bought the MFDs, found an old monitor and plugged in an old graphics card to my PC, downloaded Ultra MFCD to see whether I could make it work and wow, looks like it did! I've attached a photo of it set up and running :thumbup: Now all I need to do is learn how to fight the A-10! Thanks again, I couldn't have done this without you guys. [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC]
Recommended Posts