What's your opinion of the Harrier?

[Fred00]

I'm thinking of getting the Harrier and I wonder what you guys think of it so far? I only have time to play two modules at the same time, and right now it's the Viggen and the Mirage. I'm thinking of replacing the Mirage with the Harrier, partly because it's a cooler aircraft, and also because I think DCS in its current form is better suited to ground attack. So what is your opinion?

[mmaclauchlan]

Despite the harrier being early access, it is still by far the most enjoyable module in DCS, and I have the majority of them. The unique qualities it possesses along with being a very capable air to ground platform (again, even with many inoperable systems at this time) make it a real joy to fly. The quality of the aircraft in design and textures is probably the best I’ve seen in any module.

 

I can’t recommend it enough, and I am confident that Razbam is going to continue to develop the Harrier and keep on making it better with time.

[104th_Maverick]

So far its the best module to be released in to DCS, despite it not being fully functional yet and in early access!

 

Its great fun to fly and operate, every task is more challenging than a regular fixed wing aircraft but in a good way!

 

Landing on the boat is an adrenaline rush that takes a lot of concentration and is extremely rewarding when you get it right.

 

I can't enough good things about it, I'm totally besotted with the aircraft and highly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in Air to Ground military jets!

 

Its worth every penny it costs!

[mvsgas]

In general fun. As mention, it does lack a lot of systems. Many things are not finish.

But lots of fun to fly.

For entertaining value, is very good;

- If you like to just jump in and blow stuff is modeled enough without worrying to much about the systems. Mostly with general purpose bombs, gun, rockets. You can use some AGM-65 and use JTAC/AFAC to lase GBU-12.

- If you like to be technical and learn as many systems as possible, flying technically, etc.

A lot of reading material out there (RL manuals, pocket guide, etc.), many system work enough to explore.

 

Lots of room to grow, fun, challenging and rewarding.

[tflash]

I love it!

[Pasquale1986]

I just love that beautiful little fella so far - can't wait for the systems getting implemented

[Flia]

Harrier is must have module . If you like modern jets. If you like A-G. If you like speed. And best of ocurse is hovering.

[MadDog08]

Even with it being early access and missing some functionality, I still think this is an amazing plane. If anyone is on the fence about purchasing this module I would say, without a doubt, get it. I think that most will kick themselves for waiting and getting it later and missing out on flying time.

 

And on that note, time to go fly it!! :pilotfly:

 

MadDog

[Gladman]

Its the best module released to date. The VTOL aspect is absolutely exhilarating. The weapons systems are more than functional enough to enjoy blowing stuff up. Its easy to fly, faster than the A-10 and maneuverable enough to keep the fun up. SEAD is a blast. I honestly can't say enough good about it.

[some1]

If you can live with lack of items mentioned in this thread (https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=196533), light documentation and no training missions, then sure, go for it. To me it's a bit too unfinished to enjoy fully, but the preorder discount was too good to pass. Now you will have to pay full price, for a module that is going to be in dev for at least another year, so if you are short on money or free time to play, maybe better wait.

 

VTOL makes it a novelty though, it's not another typical ground attack plane.

Edited December 5, 2017 by some1

[Krupi]

Absolutely loving it.

 

The external model is great, a few area's that could be touched up but on the whole it looks fantastic.

 

The cockpit looks amazing, especially in VR :thumbup:

 

Still getting used to the flight model, it is a lot of fun. Not all the systems are modelled currently however enough of them have been to justify spending time getting acquainted whilst waiting for the others.

 

What is available appears to be already very polished.

 

The sounds are very good, unfortunately I am going to have to sue RAZBAM from the constant tinnitus that I now experience from looking at the external model... Damn that pegasus engine is loud!

 

:pilotfly:

 

Thanks,

RAZBAM :thumbup:

[Kula66]

Probably the best module yet - simply AWESOME... even for an alpha with some definite funnies, it is great fun! When they get TGP and moving map etc working, it'll keep me happy for months! Seems 'faster' low level - I'd forgotten how much fun you can have just flying around the mountains on the original map!

[epoch]

The cockpit looks amazing, especially in VR

 

Would love to know how you're achieving that because I can't get anything in DCS to look good in VR (Vive). So if you can offer any advice on settings you're using I'd be grateful of a PM if you don't mind?

 

But the Harrier .... wow, I love it! I expected certain things of Razbam and boy have they delivered! By far the best module I've bought (and I have almost all of them). Really looking forward to future updates. And maybe a much bigger carrier so I can actually land on one!

[comie1]

;3313781']So far its the best module to be released in to DCS, despite it not being fully functional yet and in early access!

 

Its great fun to fly and operate, every task is more challenging than a regular fixed wing aircraft but in a good way!

 

Landing on the boat is an adrenaline rush that takes a lot of concentration and is extremely rewarding when you get it right.

 

I can't enough good things about it, I'm totally besotted with the aircraft and highly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in Air to Ground military jets!

 

Its worth every penny it costs!

 

Yeah 100% this from me too :thumbup:

[Max_Rogue]

I've stopped flying anything else.

 

Even with any missing features, or bugs, it's still such an amazing aircraft to fly. Also, it gives me the most rewarding sense of accomplishment to get things right.

[Sarraceno]

A real blast to fly, despite the missing features and some bugs, really good for an early release, expecting the missing features more sooner than later, but still awesome nonetheless

[tintifaxl]

To everbody stating it's the best module ever ... I beg to differ. Nothing beats the Hawg :smartass:

[Krupi]

To everbody stating it's the best module ever ... I beg to differ. Nothing beats the Hawg :smartass:

 

Can the Hog come to a stop and then land? :D :P

[Mike5560]

To everbody stating it's the best module ever ... I beg to differ. Nothing beats the Hawg :smartass:

 

Overall the Hog is kind of the flagship module of DCS. In that sense, the satisfaction and level of detail is unsurpassed.

 

The AV-8, even in early access, really impressed me. I can't wait until more systems and weapons are fully developed. But even just with what you start out with now offers good versatility and fun.

 

The performance really surprised me as well. Aside from a bit of a slow roll rate, the jet easily hangs out at 450+ KIAS with the wings heavily loaded; but don't expect to vertically take off with much more than a sip of fuel and a tiny payload. Vertical landings are a bit nerve racking but satisfying once you pull it off.

[Buckeye]

The Harrier is the first full fidelity module that I am diving in to completely, and I am loving it so far. I've never done A/G or used any of these systems so the learning curve has been quite steep for me, but I must say it's been much easier going than the few half assed attempts I made to learn the A-10C. Very rewarding and exciting when I learn something new or execute on something I'm trying to do.

 

I am really enjoying it and highly recommend it. I will embark upon the Hog next, assuming I have enough time between mastering the Harrier and the release of the Hornet or Tomcat, but at the end of the day I am a speed junkie so I believe the Harrier will always be my primary ground pounder.

[Fred00]

Thanks for the replies guys. Module is purchased! :) Only had time for a couple of minutes of free flight yet, but so far it looks and feels awesome! The flight model is exactly the kind I like, some inertia and good sense of actually flying. Can't wait until I can try it in VR!

[epoch]

Thanks for the replies guys. Module is purchased! :) Only had time for a couple of minutes of free flight yet, but so far it looks and feels awesome! The flight model is exactly the kind I like, some inertia and good sense of actually flying. Can't wait until I can try it in VR!

 

Enjoy!

[westr]

Bags of potential. And judging by the Mirage it will get all the little details I look forward to. Pilot body. Improved sound. Now that I play in VR I struggle with working mirrors and FPS but find just blank mirrors look so ugly. Would love the possibility of the mirrors turning upwards like we see in the Su33/Su27. But that's just little details, still have to pinch myself and say I'm flying a harrier in DCS the RAF skins look so great on the AV-8 btw, and it's just so cool. Well done Razbam.

[firmek]

Since the OP already decided on the purchasse I'll leave my comment for the others that might be reading this thread.

Consider it a honest and constructive opinion. The module itself as already said many times above is great. There is no question about it. It's an early access, open alpha release so for sure there are bugs and a lot of things are missing but that's expected.

There are however two things which are a room for improvement.

1. I missed a clear list of what is and what is not going to be included in the module on initial release. There were comments in the pocket guide but untill a list had been created by community on the forum the only way to get some picture was to go through the pocked guide. One could get an impression that creating a clear, single point communication on what is in and what is out from EA is being avoided by RAZBAM. I think it's not an unusuall request - such list is already available from some time for F/A-18 and that's long before we'll even get to know the EA release date.

2. Lack of manual. I wish RAZBAM had follow the quality of manuals up to standards of other DCS modules, even on the EA relase. Yes there is a pocket guide but to be fair, it's preety much a one-note extract which doesn't look too proffesional. Especailly that a complex module like Harrier would deserve a proper manual at start.

Don't bang me with "it's an EA" hammer on this one. Just compare the EA manuals from last two EA modules - Viggen and Spit. There is a night and day between those and the M-2000 manual - not even mentioning the Harrier "pocket guide".

What saves the situation to some extend is the NATOPS manual but it's circla 700 pages long and that's even without any weapon systems! Consider this point if you're a kind of a person that likes to study the plane rather than watching a few YT/quick guide tutorials.

[mmaclauchlan]

Firmek, I can definitely appreciate those comments. My only response about the manuals is that the real manuals for the Harrier are readily available for us to use and are proving to be extremely useful and enjoyable for those of us who want take this to the study-sim level.