PointCTRL - Finger Mounted VR Controller

[Rymy]

Hello! As i am probably in next block to go in production do you want all information etc provided beforehand or when you give headsup that you are ready to produce next set?

[Satchking]

Can I be added to the list? How do we pay? I want this so bad it hurts sometimes..

[FireCat]

Can I be added to the list? How do we pay? I want this so bad it hurts sometimes..

 

Hi Satchking,

You have been added to the list link below.

 

https://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=3862014&postcount=690

 

Regards.

[=Panther=]

I have noticed something the last few flights, and I'm not sure where the issue may lie.

 

So the left point ctrl device seems to grab hold of the switch and not release it. Best seen when operating the Hornet UFC, I can see the button remains depressed on the UFC even though I have physically released the button on the device. I'm not able to actually reproduce the issue, it is rather intermittent. The right one doesn't do this, and it has started to come natural for me to interact with the UFC with my right hand versus using my left (throttle hand).

 

Is this a hardware issue, or can it be resolved with firmware? Not really sure what the underlining issue is, but it sort of seems like a debouncing issue?

[AKA_Clutter]

I have noticed something the last few flights, and I'm not sure where the issue may lie.

 

So the left point ctrl device seems to grab hold of the switch and not release it. Best seen when operating the Hornet UFC, I can see the button remains depressed on the UFC even though I have physically released the button on the device. I'm not able to actually reproduce the issue, it is rather intermittent. The right one doesn't do this, and it has started to come natural for me to interact with the UFC with my right hand versus using my left (throttle hand).

 

Is this a hardware issue, or can it be resolved with firmware? Not really sure what the underlining issue is, but it sort of seems like a debouncing issue?

 

I have no idea, but have you tried to make sure the right FCU was completely out of the picture?

[MilesD]

I have noticed something the last few flights, and I'm not sure where the issue may lie.

 

So the left point ctrl device seems to grab hold of the switch and not release it. Best seen when operating the Hornet UFC, I can see the button remains depressed on the UFC even though I have physically released the button on the device. I'm not able to actually reproduce the issue, it is rather intermittent. The right one doesn't do this, and it has started to come natural for me to interact with the UFC with my right hand versus using my left (throttle hand).

 

Is this a hardware issue, or can it be resolved with firmware? Not really sure what the underlining issue is, but it sort of seems like a debouncing issue?

 

Hey Panther,

It could be any number of things, but we will get it resolved.

 

When it sticks, do a quick battery check. If it shows less than 1/4 of the way up the screen it may be the battery. The left one always runs out first because its used more.

 

The way PointCTRL works is it sends a specific signal telling the HMS to press and hold the mouse button. When the button is released it sends a different signal that tells the HMS to release the mouse. When the battery gets low it usually starts missing the release when a button is pressed quickly, because of the high current draws in quick succession.

 

I have been meaning to put a watchdog in the FCU program to prevent a missed release. I will take a look at the FCU code again. I will also make a few changes to the HMS code to mitigate missed button releases.

 

If you get this malfunction on a full battery or after the new firmware update tomorrow, i will just send you out a new FCU.

 

Thanks for bringing this to my attention. Has anyone else been having this problem?

 

Miles

[MilesD]

Got to fly tonight for a couple hours with some BuDs.

In a word, Awesome! I still found myself reaching for the mouse a couple times out of habit, then going "No, I don't need to do that...".

 

Great to hear you are enjoying it.

 

 

This weeks invoices got delayed, they should be out tomorrow when batch testing is done. I don't want to take anyone's money until kits are ready to ship.

 

Increasing batch size and running two 3d Printers.

 

Miles

[Deano87]

Great to hear you are enjoying it.

 

 

This weeks invoices got delayed, they should be out tomorrow when batch testing is done. I don't want to take anyone's money until kits are ready to ship.

 

Increasing batch size and running two 3d Printers.

 

Miles

 

Great stuff Miles!!:D

[=Panther=]

Hey Panther,

It could be any number of things, but we will get it resolved.

 

When it sticks, do a quick battery check. If it shows less than 1/4 of the way up the screen it may be the battery. The left one always runs out first because its used more.

 

The way PointCTRL works is it sends a specific signal telling the HMS to press and hold the mouse button. When the button is released it sends a different signal that tells the HMS to release the mouse. When the battery gets low it usually starts missing the release when a button is pressed quickly, because of the high current draws in quick succession.

 

I have been meaning to put a watchdog in the FCU program to prevent a missed release. I will take a look at the FCU code again. I will also make a few changes to the HMS code to mitigate missed button releases.

 

If you get this malfunction on a full battery or after the new firmware update tomorrow, i will just send you out a new FCU.

 

Thanks for bringing this to my attention. Has anyone else been having this problem?

 

Miles

 

I won't be able to troubleshoot it any further until next week. Work week starts tomorrow and runs through Monday.

[Deano87]

Panther, do things get insanely busy for you when Red Flag is on or is it pretty much the same as normal?

[_outcast_]

Is this still a prototype or the final product?

[=Panther=]

Panther, do things get insanely busy for you when Red Flag is on or is it pretty much the same as normal?

 

Ops tempo is higher for just one unit. So it’s not really noticeable, when it really hits is during the Weapons School exercise for graduations.

[MilesD]

Is this still a prototype or the final product?

Hey Outcast,

PointCTRL is fully functional and now shipping, see page 1 of this thread, but it is still a work in progress meant for enthusiast lever flight simmers. Most of the future updates are available through online firmware updates.

 

Thanks for the interest,

 

Update: Carol tells me that invoices have been issued to all respondents up to number 60. If your number is below that and you would like an invoice, please email her at orders@pointctrl.com.

 

Thanks,

Miles

[Astronut]

This looks really neat. Please add me to the waiting list!

[FireCat]

This looks really neat. Please add me to the waiting list!

 

Hi Astronut,

You have been added to the list link below.

 

https://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=3862014&postcount=690

 

Also, check out MilesD post.

 

https://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=3607054&postcount=1

 

Regards.

[FireCat]

On a similar note, I think I talked to FireCat about possibly organizing online flight nights for those who are active here. I think it may be the only thing that will get me flying again. I do miss it.

 

It's really nice to see everyone jumping in here, it's truly appreciated by many. Hey FireCat, any more thoughts on organizing an online flight night.

 

Thanks,

Miles

 

Hi Miles, Sorry for taking so long to reply I was mulling it all over

 

1st to sort is picking a day and time people are available. Probably a weekend would be best for those interested to make it easier to join in considering time difference. Added a link to a site below to check and coordinate time.

 

2nd a server to join. there are quite a few public servers with targets to practice on, different maps to fly. We also have to take into account numbers the last thing we want to do is swamp somebodies server and crash it:music_whistling: might not go down to well.

 

3rd a way for us all to communicate Teamspeak, Discord, SRS. all involve setting them up and it would be good to have some advice from anyone using any of these or just to put me right, I like you, Miles, am from the old school. (Don't think we would look to cool with a telephone strapped to our ears:lol:)

 

So anybody interested/advise/ideas in a bit of online flying and just to say high to Miles we know he likes Helo's so perhaps we could get him to jump in the Huey (or any other) and we all play follow the leader. Just a thought like I said ideas.

 

If anyone wants to chip in please do.

 

https://time.is/UTC

 

FireCat.

Edited August 3, 2019 by FireCat

[Deano87]

If we had a PointCTRL Discord then that would take care of the communications aspect. We can easily create a channel in there for flying voice comms which we can use when we fly together.

 

I regularly use Discord, TeamSpeak and SRS and while Discord probably offers the lowest quality audio out of those three (and only slightly) it’s also by far the easiest, cheapest and most streamlined solution to the problem.

 

Discord is also absolutely ideal for meeting up to fly. Anybody who wants to fly just congregate in the discord chat and then we pick a server, join, and go flying.

 

I don’t mind setting it up as long as Miles is ok with it and we have a decision to go in that direction.

[AKA_Clutter]

If we had a PointCTRL Discord then that would take care of the communications aspect. We can easily create a channel in there for flying voice comms which we can use when we fly together.

 

I regularly use Discord, TeamSpeak and SRS and while Discord probably offers the lowest quality audio out of those three (and only slightly) it’s also by far the easiest, cheapest and most streamlined solution to the problem.

 

Discord is also absolutely ideal for meeting up to fly. Anybody who wants to fly just congregate in the discord chat and then we pick a server, join, and go flying.

 

I don’t mind setting it up as long as Miles is ok with it and we have a decision to go in that direction.

 

I too use all three and Mumble as well. They all have their advantages and disadvantages. Deano87 is correct the Discord is probably the easiest to setup and work with. It is also a place for more "instant" chat like interaction. That could be helpful in trouble shooting things and getting other people up to speed. You can setup different channels assign different roles. I run a channel for our Combat flight sim squad, so let me know if you need help.

 

As for flight nights and scenarios, the number of people interested will really determine on how to do that. I would suggest a different thread with a poll to determine that.

[MilesD]

If we had a PointCTRL Discord then that would take care of the communications aspect. We can easily create a channel in there for flying voice comms which we can use when we fly together.

 

I regularly use Discord, TeamSpeak and SRS and while Discord probably offers the lowest quality audio out of those three (and only slightly) it’s also by far the easiest, cheapest and most streamlined solution to the problem.

 

Discord is also absolutely ideal for meeting up to fly. Anybody who wants to fly just congregate in the discord chat and then we pick a server, join, and go flying.

 

I don’t mind setting it up as long as Miles is ok with it and we have a decision to go in that direction.

 

Thanks Deano, My son set me up, and then went off to NYC for a few days. If you would not mind setting that up, it would be great. Just let me know if you need anything from me. If there is a paid version of discord that has more bandwidth amd would work better, let me know where to send payment. I think ,y son used my standard MilesD, But I think PointCTRL would be better. PM for any other information you may need. emails, address, phone number. Thank you very much for doing this.

 

Los, me, or anyone who wants to, can throw up missions. I have been wanting to get back to DCS and mission building for a while. Right before I got started with PointCTRL I wrote some Lua scripts for realistic automatic loading and loading of troops in Helos.

 

It was pretty cool, Troops would automatically run to the choppa when the skids hit the ground, the aircraft would shake as they piled in, you would hear them bumping around, communicating, equipment sliding on the floor, and even being flatulent sometimes when they took the load off their backs, I was going for realism. I think Los tried a version of it.

 

Back on Topic: Whatever you guys feel is the best way to do this, just go ahead and execute among yourselves. Community driven is always better, please don't feel you have to check with me. Just let me know where to make payments, when required.

 

Thanks everyone,

 

Miles

[FireCat]

If we had a PointCTRL Discord then that would take care of the communications aspect. We can easily create a channel in there for flying voice comms which we can use when we fly together.

 

I regularly use Discord, TeamSpeak and SRS and while Discord probably offers the lowest quality audio out of those three (and only slightly) it’s also by far the easiest, cheapest and most streamlined solution to the problem.

 

Discord is also absolutely ideal for meeting up to fly. Anybody who wants to fly just congregate in the discord chat and then we pick a server, join, and go flying.

 

I don’t mind setting it up as long as Miles is ok with it and we have a decision to go in that direction.

 

I too use all three and Mumble as well. They all have their advantages and disadvantages. Deano87 is correct the Discord is probably the easiest to setup and work with. It is also a place for more "instant" chat like interaction. That could be helpful in trouble shooting things and getting other people up to speed. You can setup different channels assign different roles. I run a channel for our Combat flight sim squad, so let me know if you need help.

 

As for flight nights and scenarios, the number of people interested will really determine on how to do that. I would suggest a different thread with a poll to determine that.

 

 

Yes agreed I think we need Miles son :worthy: to set Discord up for Miles that would be a good start and allow some discussion as you say instant chat.

 

Edit ERR....yeh forget all that missed Miles post.

Edited August 3, 2019 by FireCat

[AKA_Clutter]

Yes agreed I think we need Miles son :worthy: to set Discord up for Miles that would be a good start and allow some discussion as you say instant chat.

 

Edit ERR....yeh forget all that missed Miles post.

 

If his son doesn't have time, either Deano87 or I can set it up and then pass ownership over. What ever works best for Miles.

[MilesD]

If his son doesn't have time, either Deano87 or I can set it up and then pass ownership over. What ever works best for Miles.

 

Hey Clutter,

Please see this post, https://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=3998127&postcount=1520, What ever works best for you guys. Can you guys both be administrators, or however it works?

 

I don't even know, what I don't know

 

Much appreciated,

 

Miles

[MilesD]

Hi Miles, Sorry for taking so long to reply I was mulling it all over

 

1st to sort is picking a day and time people are available. Probably a weekend would be best for those interested to make it easier to join in considering time difference. Added a link to a site below to check and coordinate time.

 

2nd a server to join. there are quite a few public servers with targets to practice on, different maps to fly. We also have to take into account numbers the last thing we want to do is swamp somebodies server and crash it:music_whistling: might not go down to well.

 

3rd a way for us all to communicate Teamspeak, Discord, SRS. all involve setting them up and it would be good to have some advice from anyone using any of these or just to put me right, I like you, Miles, am from the old school. (Don't think we would look to cool with a telephone strapped to our ears:lol:)

 

So anybody interested/advise/ideas in a bit of online flying and just to say high to Miles we know he likes Helo's so perhaps we could get him to jump in the Huey (or any other) and we all play follow the leader. Just a thought like I said ideas.

 

If anyone wants to chip in please do.

 

https://time.is/UTC

 

FireCat.

 

Hey FireCat,

 

I am trying to free you from your "Keeper of the List" responsibilities, and I didn't mean to pile this on you. You have just become the go to guy for organizing things. Sounds like Deano and Clutter have this.

 

Great point about using a public server. Los is good with the server stuff. I have 250 Mbps internet (I think that's what it is, I know its the fastest I could get) so I think I will set up a machine as a dedicated server. Los and I will be having diner tonight with the wives, so maybe we can rope him into setting up the sever for us.

 

Speaking of old school land lines FireCat, we still have to established the missed comms.

 

Talk to you soon,

 

Miles

[AKA_Clutter]

LOL that the problem with making assumptions. I ASSUMED that since it rolled over I didn't need to go back and look. I'll let Deno87 run with it. Don't hesitate to ask for help.

[Deano87]

LOL that the problem with making assumptions. I ASSUMED that since it rolled over I didn't need to go back and look. I'll let Deno87 run with it. Don't hesitate to ask for help.

 

Roger that. Will commence operation Discord on Monday evening most likely will keep you guys updated.