Is this module worth buying at this time?

[paradoxbox]

Not meant to be an inflammatory post.

 

I love helicopters and have both the Mi-8 and the Huey and I fly the hell out of them. I don't do much combat, mostly I stick to transport/medevac and cargo missions, as well as SAR missions.

 

With the current promotion allowing 60% of the price to be paid with bonus points I would be able to buy this module for around $28. But I am debating whether to buy this module or something like the L-39 or one of the other light jets. I have the M2000 and A-10 already.

 

Any pros/cons to win me over or hold me off?

[ESAc_matador]

If you like helos then YES. It is really well done, you can do recon missions which is really funny, if you fly with other people. It is simple like UH and Mi8 so the learnimg curve is really fast. The FM has been updated and now is really funny to fly.

 

For Recon missions I did a script were you can send aircraft to objetives you find and identify its situation. Hell, i am loving it and let me tell you that was just an impulsive purchase. I did not expect too much, but i am really happy. You can still do tranport missions (documents, officers, or even a two team special forces for jtac or recon (again check my script)

[Socket7]

I'm much the same kind of flyer as you are.

 

I grabbed it for the same reason too, finally a chance to use all those bonus bux I've been accumulating.

 

I've spent maybe an hour flying it so far, and it feels like I'm flying a mosquito it is so twitchy. I dropped the cyclic saturation down to 30% and it's still twitchy. At times, it feels like I should be flying it by using the trim hat instead of the stick. I suspect I'll have a good time when i finally learn it's ins and outs, instead of bumbling around in my noob phase.

 

The latest beta update apparently fixed some of problems with the FM, so there isn't any serious reason to hold off bug wise anymore.

 

Certainly a fantastic chopper for search and rescue with 5 seats (though our model seems to have 3), but I'm not sure of its maximum weight capacity.

 

I'm pretty happy with the 20 bucks I spent on it overall.

Edited July 10, 2016 by Socket7

[zaelu]

I bought it for around 18 Euros I think. Almost perfect price for me (as I am not a fan of this particular helicopter). It's good that such offers exists.

[WinterH]

Gazelle is rather nice and one of the most well featured releases in DCS history. With latest patch, and additional version added, SA-342M has Vivane sight with low light capabilities, as well as 4 HOT-3 guided missiles, SA-342L, the recently added one, has an Athos sight that (at least in sim) operates similarly to Vivane but doesn't have low light capability. Unlike the M, L does not have giuded missiles, instead has a 20mm cannon on right hand side, and 8 rockets on left hand side, making a nice light attack helo.

 

Flight model is not final and is in development, but, a flight model becoming final takes years , sometimes even with ED products, and it is challenging to fly.

[jcbak]

If you can get it with your bonus points it's worth it. Full price....meh...

[Fri13]

If you can get it with your bonus points it's worth it. Full price....meh...

 

I would say it isn't worth it for full price if flying alone and flying just shooting some vehicles or doing recon.

 

But, like a KA-50, get a 1-3 friends with you and get a nice flight where you operate together and whole module turns to be totally different kind. It becomes worth the full price with a friend.

 

Same thing can't be said for aircrafts like Su-27S or F-15C, Mig-21Bis or even Mi-8MTv2.

 

A 2-4 Gazelles hunting together is very fun.

[ESAc_matador]

I would say it isn't worth it for full price if flying alone and flying just shooting some vehicles or doing recon.

 

But, like a KA-50, get a 1-3 friends with you and get a nice flight where you operate together and whole module turns to be totally different kind. It becomes worth the full price with a friend.

 

Same thing can't be said for aircrafts like Su-27S or F-15C, Mig-21Bis or even Mi-8MTv2.

 

A 2-4 Gazelles hunting together is very fun.

 

Exactly. Combined ops are really funny, take into account that you have EWR, and really good visual and cameras.

[Ramsay]

Any pros/cons to win me over or hold me off?

It's very well done, there might be some minor issues with the flight model and systems and it doesn't support FFB yet but the beta doesn't have any show stopping bugs.

 

A regular Gazelle is a fast/light recon helicopter with a cargo capacity of ~700kg, however the French decided to load it up with ATGMs (34kg each) and the Vivian camera (600kg).

 

• 
  
• Thus a loaded SA-342M1 is a little slower than the Huey which has twice the weight and power.
  

This means that, when substituting the SA-342M or SA-342L for a Huey in the mission editor, I have to adjust the fuel load to squeeze as much performance out the Gazelle as possible, while for most missions you can just plonk the Huey in without thinking of the fuel load.

 

 

• 
  
• Working with the limitations of the real helicopter makes it feel more real, if that makes sense.
  

The same weight and space limitations work both for and against us as different mission profiles use different airframes and as well as the SA-342M (anti-tank HOT3) and SA-342L (20mm canon and 8 SNEB rockets) there will be Mistral anti-air and a sharp shooter (door gunners) versions.

 

• 
  
• So that is at least 4 airframes/unique interiors in the one module.
  

I use the Gazelle for CTDL and CSAR missions like the Huey, Mi-8, etc. but we are unlikely to get a proper Medivac version as the co-pilot seat is removed the space used with luggage area to fit a stretcher, so would require yet another version.

 

Edited July 12, 2016 by Ramsay
Added MEDVAC picture

[DarkCrow]

Definitely worth it. Just bought it today myself and this helicopter is great!

[Yurgon]

Purchased on day one, been loving it ever since. :thumbup:

 

The tweaked flight model feels a lot better now, but even on day one it was a great module.

 

Support and feedback from the devs is superb, the release has been the most complete in the history of DCS so far. I just love this chopper, it goes very well with the other types in combined operations. Plus, for the price of one, we get the M and L model, and AFAIK a version with a sniper is coming up.

 

On top of all that, Polychop are strongly in favor of doing a multiplayer cockpit as soon as ED provides them (all third parties, for that matter) with the necessary prerequisites. No ETA, unfortunately, but so far Polychop have delivered great work.

 

From my perspective, this is a very big YES, get it! :thumbup:

 

Now to the downsides:

- Force Feedback support still not implemented

- some FM peculiarities remain

- the copilot's scary stare :D

[SFC Tako]

I'll have to concur with the positive remarks here. Everything I needed worked from day one and even though the flight behaviour isn't my "style", it feels very real. You can't slack off for even a second :)

[msalama]

The Gaz is awesome, but I've put her on hold until the FM matures a bit more still (don't want to teach myself bad habits in the meantime and all that). Regardless, I bought her at full price immediately when she was released; and I'm not regretting one bit, since I'm positive she'll end up one of the best DCS modules ever. So go git her man, I'm sure you won't be disappointed...

 

or even Mi-8MTv2

 

Can't be said the Mi-8 is worth the list price? Get a bloody grip man. She's the overall best DCS helo module so far.

[Rogue Trooper]

It is a superb chopper, the roof mounted sight allows HOT engagements without revealing the chopper.

From the cockpit, all you see is a building in front of you,

From the Viviane sight, all the battle field is revealed in all its splendour.

 

The HOT missiles climbs at launch to clear your choppers cover then dives after a short period to chase and prosecute the target. I have had no problems with radar SAMS in this chopper… unless he has 4km of empty space around him and an elevation advantage…. That is a nice little knife fight!

 

Control is very agile and allows you to get into the tightest of fire positions, indeed one can have a real fight overcompensating this chopper within the area of a dime coin.

 

1.5 stable is very nice but if you want to push your boundaries towards the AH-6 (OH-6) territory, I would even say expand your mind, try out Gazelle 2.0 (available for a limited time only). Put in 20 hours on 2.0 and you will be filing your nails whilst turning the Gazelle tight in 1.5 stable.

This enjoyment is simply a time limited bonus!

[msalama]

Gaz is a Russian truck.

 

I know, but I've seen it written that way before, so I just used the abbreviation here without thinking about it.

 

Can I go now?

[dimitriov]

Because it's the way we call it in french "La Gaz", usual too to call it "Tagazou"... Even if Tagazou is supposed to designate Alouettes.

 

Nicolas

[Mt5_Roie]

Call it what you want...just don't call me late for dinner.

[Hook47]

I couldn't recommend it more- this is an AWESOME module! Go for it!

[NORTHMAN]

My favorite module!

I really love chopper, huey was my favorite module. The huey is nice to fly around and hover but the on the way part is a pain in the ... even with the trim.

Now with the gazelle and it's fly by wire control, you trim down to level and that's it, you can enjoy the trip while relaxing. It is really responsive, really maneuverable, it's a sport chopper :smilewink:. The HOT 3 missiles are easy to use and the auto hover is a blessing :thumbup:. Landing is a challenge but take it easy and slow at the beginning and it'll be fine.

If you love chopper, IT'S A MUST HAVE!!!

[some1]

Now with the gazelle and it's fly by wire control, you trim down to level and that's it, you can enjoy the trip while relaxing.

 

I think it has more to do with incomplete FM rather than good stabilization.

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=169101

[borchi_2b]

@some1:

 

can you give us an expertise for your assumption ?

[some1]

Isn't my bug report with attached track enough?

[Durham]

Highly recommended - pretty much the only module I have flown since I purchased at release. Much harder to fly than Huey (which was hard enough), because of light weight and maneoverability, but highly rewarding. Obviously, nowhere near as much hitting or staying power as the Orca, but the HOT is very effective if you can get to release parameters. If you like helos and can get a good deal, go for it.