Considering buying Ka-50 but having concerns

[-Martin-]

Dear All Owners of Ka-50,

 

I am considering whether to buy Ka-50 but I have the following concerns and I hope that you would be so kind as to help me to clarify them:

 

1. I really cannot spot a single target using Schval in Su-25T. On the other hand, in Gazelle spotting targets is very easy, probably also due to ability to adjust contrast and brightness. I understand that in Ka-50 this features, unlike in Su-25T, are available. Nevertheless, does it help or is Schval as bad as in Su-25T?

 

2. I enjoy flying Gazelle on the 104th Phoenix Dedicated Server as the RWR warns me against any long range threat and I can blame only myself if an ATGM or an IR SAM shot me down when I do not scout well. Naturally, I am concerned that flying Ka-50 in this environment will be either frustrating or boring. Is this justified? Do you find yourself either shot down without warning as you approach the target area or, given you survived, the game turns to a boring distance sniping from a single spot?

 

3. Are there any IR SAMs that use also laser ranging or is the LWR useful only against ATGMs?

 

Thank you and best wishes.

[QuiGon]

1) I haven't flown the Su-25, so I can't compare, but I have no problems spotting targets with the Ka-50s Shkval (at least in daylight conditions).

 

2) The missing RWR is indeed a huge disadvantage, but it is possible to operate in such environments. Sniping everything will only be possible if the enemy units are just bunched up in a single spot. If they are spread over a larger area than you need to creep up carefully.

 

3) There are no Laser SAMs that I know of, but the LWR also warns you about tank cannons taking aim (and it should also warn you about airborne lasers, but not sure about this).

[dburne]

I am not well enough versed in the KA-50 to provide good feedback on #2, but on #1 like QuiGon I have no problem spotting targets in it's Shkval ( daylight as well).

[tob.s]

im flying dcs for more than 10 jears and the ka50 is still one of my favorites especialy for online missions. To me its the most effective Air to Ground weapon in Dcs, especialy for hunting sams. One key to success is situational awareness - beginning with the briefing to chatting with allies about enemy positions, the other key is to stay low and avoid flying over anything that blocks your view / keep atleast 5km from cities or forrest where enemys may hide. If u need to get higher to spot behind something blocking your view always use hills as cover unless ure sure theres no enemy around you.

 

Spotting targets is hard in all dcs modules ( agree on the gazelle as best scout atm ) but the ka50 gives you a map, including your flight path and your shkvals position which helps narrowing in the search area.

 

An Rwr would be a nice addon, but most radar threads can be avoided staying low - more dangerous are tanks and tows, which the laser warning helps to deal with.

 

Ir missiles are dangerous when close, but the vikhrs easily outrange them and the ka50 is very good at evading missiles. When i see the launch i very seldom get hit, either by getting low/behind something or by strafing very hard.

 

Last but not least the ka50 can take a lot of fire and has high chances to make it back to a farp when hit.

 

so i can only recommend the ka50

[RightStuff]

to 1.

In BS you'll have more time for observation and identifying targets and afterwards storing them.

So, see you more in the role of a hunter than a fast prey. ;)

 

And flying low through cities, woods is uncomparable. You'll enjoy it!

[Knock-Knock]

I picked it up at the recent sales, and have slowly been easing myself into it. First and foremost, learning to fly heli's, and smashing some habits of mine, that dont really work well with heli's.

Im in VR, and sneaking around hills and cities, stalking your prey, that appeals to me so much, and Im loving it. Even at night, I can just about make out my targets in the Shkval after some brightness /contrast adjustments to it, if they arent right in front of something equally dark of course.

I didnt really think Id enjoy it as much as I do, but I was curious and wanted to try the daddy of all modules in the DCS. And for such an old module, and being a bit of graphics/lighting geek, Im amazed how well modeled the cockpit is, with all its light, for such an old module. Many of the newer modules dont have nearly as much lighting details - Mig 21 and Viggen are the only ones that come to mind, that have the same level, or higher.

[Yurgon]

3) There are no Laser SAMs that I know of, but the LWR also warns you about tank cannons taking aim (and it should also warn you about airborne lasers, but not sure about this).

 

If you wanna have some fun, lock up a fellow Ka-50 and laser range him. It definitely shows on his LWR. :D

[MTFDarkEagle]

If you wanna have some fun, lock up a fellow Ka-50 and laser range him. It definitely shows on his LWR. :D

Guilty as charged:music_whistling:

[Nero.ger]

 

1)

fiddling with Contrast and Brightness helps tremedously, especialy in bad lighting conditions.

The Fact that you are stationary most of the time makes spotting targets a bit easier, since you not in a hurry and the View angel does not change constantly.(the fact that the ABRIS shows you units that existed bevor you spawned also helps ...unless they are hidden, so dont count on that beein accurate)

 

 

2) 3)

the LWR warns you when Tanks take aim and more importantly, the IRST system of the SU27 also triggers the LWR. (this is one of the reasons Ka50 pilots freak out when the LWR goes on with "upper hemisphere" indication :) )

the KA-50 is much about preperation and Sniping from distance of 7km+. Which is out of range of most anti-air stuff. even if Radar missles fire at you, they take some time to reach you. if you are carefull about your approaches that plenty to get back into cover. also if you are near the ground and stationary radar missles have a hard time hitting you

imho, the ka50 is nothing for people who want a quick action and be home for dinner, but with 12 Vhkrs and nearly 500 rounds in your gun you can clean up a lot of stuff if you are a bit picky about your targets. (also learn how many missles each SAM has)

 

it plays more like the a10: stay at range, select and save targets, get close and take care of buisness....but...the autopilot and trim system take a while to manage :music_whistling:

i actualy bought the gazelle after the ka50...but never fly it in MP because the ka50 is so much better in nearly every aspect (its also surprisingly agile untill the blades meet each other, dont do that)

 

 

 

 

Guilty as charged

if there was ever a valid reason to Teamkill..... :-D :-D

Edited March 31, 2017 by Nero.ger

[-Martin-]

Dear All,

 

Thank you so much for your detailed answers. I will wait for the next sale to get the Ka-50 module.

[Isegrim]

Dear All,

 

Thank you so much for your detailed answers. I will wait for the next sale to get the Ka-50 module.

 

 

:thumbup::pilotfly:

[20thBG_Blackwolf]

 

the ka50 is so much better in nearly every aspect (its also surprisingly agile untill the blades meet each other, dont do that)

 

 

 

 

If you do that, it is the only chopper you can eject from!

 

I have a nice little mod that make the shkval in color. I find it very easy to spot targets.

https://www.digitalcombatsi

mulator.com/en/files/1758179/

 

A link to some other cockpit mods.

https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=144565

[Mars Exulte]

It's not that difficult to spot targets with either the Ka-50 or Su-25T. They're not ultra long range systems. Vikhr has 8km range, you can pretty reliably pick out vehicles at 15-20km anyway.

 

If you're having difficulty, you're probably operating outside the range you should be or simply need more practice.

[RightStuff]

It's not that difficult to spot targets with either the Ka-50 or Su-25T. They're not ultra long range systems. Vikhr has 8km range, you can pretty reliably pick out vehicles at 15-20km anyway.

 

If you're having difficulty, you're probably operating outside the range you should be or simply need more practice.

 

This will definitely help the OP to judge if he should buy BS2... :music_whistling:

 

Quote of first posting:

I am considering whether to buy Ka-50 but ...

He's not seeking for help with the Su-25.

[LIONPRIDE]

Just checking in to say ~ YES ~ it's a buy!

 

.

[Yurgon]

I will wait for the next sale to get the Ka-50 module.

 

Great choice, I'm sure you'll love it! :thumbup:

[BeastyBaiter]

The Ka-50 has remained my favorite DCS aircraft ever since it was released 8-9 years ago. Lots of fun aircraft have been made since, but I always find myself back in DCS's only attack helicopter. And don't worry about the lack of an RWR, it isn't a big deal tbh, especially in 104th where you can talk to A-10 drivers about SAM activity. Flying it after the Gazelle will be like going from chucking hand grenades out the window of a Cessna 172 to flying the A-10. You will be pleased.

[DieHard]

Dear All,

 

Thank you so much for your detailed answers. I will wait for the next sale to get the Ka-50 module.

 

Go to 2.0 Alpha map, join the F99th server, look up F99th-Cooper. He is the best Ka-50 jock in the game; I met him on the 104th Phoenix group and the old S-77th Aussie server. Ask to fly with him.

 

Most of the S-77th guys transitioned to the F99th. Once I learn the Mirage, I will, too.

 

-+-

 

Cooper has his own YouTube Channel by another username. I recently saw his movie of him hiding behind a high-rise building in his Ka-50. He fired 2 laser guided missiles and locked up a Mirage at low level and too slow and shot it down. The sweet spot is 6K ranging.

 

 

Different film, different jet, SAME_TOPIC =

Edited April 1, 2017 by DieHard

[ESAc_matador]

Paired with a Gazelle they are a killing machine. (Gazelle has EWR)

[flanker0ne]

I have the feel that ED stopped, or at least reduced, the amount of sale of single module for the bundle form instead.

 

Dear All,

 

Thank you so much for your detailed answers. I will wait for the next sale to get the Ka-50 module.

[Mars Exulte]

This will definitely help the OP to judge if he should buy BS2... :music_whistling:

 

Quote of first posting:

 

He's not seeking for help with the Su-25.

 

They both use the Shkval do they not? And didn't he say he was having trouble spotting targets and that he wanted to know if it was 'as bad as the Su-25T'. I said basically 'yes' with the qualifier that you need to be fairly close to use them before they are usable.

Edited April 2, 2017 by zhukov032186

[Hadwell]

They both use the Shkval do they not? And didn't he say he was having trouble spotting targets and that he wanted to know if it was 'as bad as the Su-25T'. I said basically 'yes' with the qualifier that you need to be fairly close to use them before they are usable.

 

the difference is, with the KA-50 you can sit just outside SAM range and lob laser guided missiles, while the SU-25T would crash if it tried to do that...

[DoctorStrop]

As far as I am aware, it's the only craft in DCS that will follow way points in autopilot. Means you can make a sandwich and stuff on those long missions, and not lose time :)

[AvgWhiteGuy]

Out of curiosity, I fly the A10-C but was looking for a little change of pace. It might be fun to get even lower & slower. It might also give me a different perspective of CAS that helpes my A-10 role.

 

My current SIM hardware/software is listed below; does this meet requirements to fly this aircraft or will I be Jonesin' for more controls?

 

Is there sufficient documentation available in English? Love to read this stuff. When can I find some?

 

Please advise, this might be a new career since my A-10 piloting needs a break.

 

 

USB Hardware:

TrackIR5

TM HOTAS Stick & Throttle (mapping keys)

TM Cougar MFCD

Saitek Cessena Footpedals

Razer Orbweaver keypad (more mapping)

 

DCS Software:

DCS World

DCS World 2 (NTTR)

[Yurgon]

My current SIM hardware/software is listed below; does this meet requirements to fly this aircraft or will I be Jonesin' for more controls?

 

Is there sufficient documentation available in English? Love to read this stuff. When can I find some?

 

I'd say your setup looks good. Some people won't touch a chopper unless they have a Force Feedback stick, but I'm pretty comfy flying all of DCS's choppers with the TM Warthog. Plus, all the buttons on the stick and throttle make it fairly simple to do a good HOTAS setup. ;)

 

And the Cougar MFDs are definitely worth mapping as well; I've got a lot of weapon and datalink related stuff mapped to them, as well as the Abris controls (moving map, like the A-10C's TAD).

 

There's tons of info available on the Ka-50 in English language, including many, many videos. Most of that stuff is probably a bit old, but shouldn't be outdated since BS2 was pretty much feature complete when it was released. Even older stuff from the BS1 days should still be mostly accurate. Except that trains now catch on fire whenever I try to land on them. That worked better in BS1. :music_whistling: :D