Additional tactial controls for VR

[Thunderchief2000]

Hi

 

 

I was wondering if anyone had come across any good options for additional physical controls to use with DCS in VR?

 

 

Not sure if this is best in VR or Home Cockpits, but as I am really looking for something that works "blind" I thought VR would be best.

 

 

I have a TH Warthog Stick and throttle. I really like the fact that I can easily drop my hand on it and know pretty quickly which control is which, with no fear of accidently pressing the wrong key. This is because of two things; the feel of the surrounding switches quickly tells you which switch you are on and the switches are firm and resist accidental activation.

 

 

Ideally I would like a few more switches a few rotery dials, and some analogue axis.

 

 

I have looked at the various Logitec products like this:

 

 

https://www.logitechg.com/en-gb/products/flight/flight-simulator-switch-panel.html

 

 

I was wondering if anyone had any of them and used them in DCS, are they compatible?

 

 

or If anyone has any other suggestions?

 

 

Cheers.

[Oesau]

I’ve got that panel and use the landing gear lever and rotary switch in VR. I don’t however use any of the other switches as it’s just too difficult to know which switch is for what.

 

I personally wouldn’t purchase it just for VR unless you found it on sale. Others might have different views on it so let’s see what people say.

[nachomaga]

I use with very good results a Razer keypad. You can bind whatever you want and can use profiles, so doubles the number of keys. When you put your hand in the keypad it’s almost impossible to hit the wrong key. I use for views, Hornet and Harrier UFC, Viggen computer, Tomcat RIO keypad...

 

https://www.razer.com/eu-en/gaming-keyboards-keypads/razer-tartarus-v2

 

And I have too the TM MFDs. Was tricky to find the right button, but I glue a little piece of plastic in the middle button of each five as a guide (I learn this tip here in the forums) and it works very well.

 

At the end you don’t want to find the key in the keyboard.

 

Hope it helps.

[Thunderchief2000]

Hi, Thanks for the replies, I'm not sure the Razor device would be much better then a normal keyboard. I can never find the right key on a keypad I suspect I would have the same problem with that.

 

 

I have thought about the TM MFD, do they work with the A10C? I can see that they are missing one rocker switch (-sym+ not sure I have ever used it.) how solid are they do they move when pressing them?

 

 

Cheers

[Panthera_Tigris]

I have a Warthog as well and tried looking for something like this but there isn't really anything that fits.

 

Eventually, I just ended up using a modifier for my Warthog (the pinky lever). I keep the same control for each aircraft so it is easy to remember.

 

For the MFD's in the Hornet, I just use the head look of the VR headset as mouse and a button on my HOTAS as left click. Its actually faster than using an actual mouse AND you don't even have to take your hands off your controls.

[Aries144]

The best addition I've got beside my HOTAS, pedals, and VR headset is definitely my Gametrix Jetseat. it's not just for immersion, it adds valuable feedback that helps you fly better. In Helos you feel earlier when getting close to VRS and it makes riding the Mig-21's AOA limit in tight turns possible without needing to look at the indicator on the dash both. You can Feel your aircraft's AOA, as the higher AOA, the more buffet. You can also feel when releasing external tanks or dumping stores without needing your wingman (or external view) to verify in aircraft that don't have indicators for it.

 

The next best thing is a simple gamepad. A Logitec PS2 style or XBoxOne controller is great because you can instantly tell where what button is just by feel. I use the Dpad for gear and the Start and Select buttons for fuel tank jettison and emergency jettison, the bumpers for things like arrestor hook, NVGs, etc. Works great and cheap!

 

I've got the Cougar MFDs and honestly, they aren't the best for VR. I end up finding one of the corner buttons by feel and then counting my way over to the right button. The only real advantage is that I can do it while I'm looking at something else... but with MFDs, aren't you always looking at them when you press buttons? I frequently hit the wrong button when in a hurry and either have to reference the button I can see being pressed on the MFD in the virtual cockpit or count by feel.

 

I think Miles' Point Controllers that he's selling here on the forum are going to be just what I'm looking for. You wear them like rings on your pointer fingers, so they don't get in the way of using a HOTAS, and they act as mouse controllers. Point with your finger and click in the virtual cockpit. Easy. I can't wait to get mine!

[Harlikwin]

I agree on miles ptcrl. I think that is the near term solution...

 

If you want tactile, I did recently do this to build a UFC.

 

https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=242312

 

It works and If I set it just right so it coincides with the VR view I can usually get the keys right without looking at it or knowing where my hand is. My "technique is to just rest my hand on top/in a corner and then punch in coords with my thumb. Its like an 8 dollar upgrade for the pad. Mounting was the harder part.

 

I am looking for a gear lolipop type box, which would be handy to put right in front of the throttle.

[talon90]

I fly exclusively with VR. I use a combination of products for tactile feel of the controls and for now I’m relying on muscle memory. The Thrustmaster MFD’s are aligned near where they are in the VR pit so their use is easy. Forgive some of my creative mounting solutions. I’m still working out placement and drawing up a more permanent IP with the interfaces hard mounted. Everything else is just a learned behavior and honestly, doesn’t do anything to take away from the immersion for me. With this setup, I can go from cold and dark to launched off the carrier without ever touching the regular keyboard. Other than the Thrustmaster Warthog and MFDs, the products are:

 

CH products throttle quadrant (mounted upside down in the center) which provides my gear lever, tail hook, parking brake and air to air, air to ground.

 

http://https://www.amazon.com/CH-Products-Throttle-Quadrant-300-133/dp/B0002A59Z4/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2FL0NA2BSMBL1&keywords=ch+products+throttle&qid=1559779264&s=electronics&sprefix=Ch+products+t%2Celectronics%2C169&sr=1-2

 

Two of these DSD button boxes (one each of the P1 and P2):

 

https://derekspearedesigns.com/p1p2.html

 

To model the UFC, I use this programmable keyboard and simply remove the keys I’m not using at the time.

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076LRJ528/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Lastly as others have mentioned I use the JETSeat on my chair.

 

For me, this is a tremendous immersive experience. This is the best the flight sim hobby has ever been and I’ve been at this since the very first Bruce Artwick Organization (precursor to Microsoft Flight Simulator for those that don’t know.). I am a former real world pilot and this is honestly as close as I’ve ever come.

 

Enjoy!

Talon

Edited June 6, 2019 by talon90

[VampireNZ]

I also use a couple of DSD button boxes that mount to my Fanatec steering wheel base (Rig doubles as driving rig with removable wheel).

 

I found that simple swapping out a few of the knobs and adding a couple of rubber boots to the switches it is quicker to find/confirm the knob/switch I am after - as opposed to finding the end of the row and counting switches to the one you want.

 

I also have a few little stick-on thingies made of plastic and foam on top of some of the buttons for the same reason. Sold from the local hardware store to place on the bottom of stuff so it doesn't scratch shelves etc.

I use an external numpad down by my right leg for additional controls and placed one of the foam stick-on thingies on the #5 key as a quick guide to centralise on the keypad.

 

With the F-16 due for release soon I also just purchased the TM MFD panels as the chap above to mount to the wheel base also - and intend on placing a little square of grip tape to the middle button on each row for the same reasons. I will also place the plastic 'screens' in each MFD as well so there is a bit more reference when I stick my hand out, instead of just empty space and trying to find the frame of it for the buttons. But will see how it goes - imagine if you always drop your hand onto the top frame first it would be fine.

 

Is really nice using external real switches to manipulate systems in DCS as opposed to the mouse - and your muscle memory generally gets your hand in the right place after a while.

 

Hope that helps :)

Edited June 6, 2019 by VampireNZ

[flameoutme]

The VoiceAttack software is slick to use and after a little learning curve, very easy. It's obvious use is the comm menu, but it can be used anywhere.

 

Speaking the comm menu, you can easily set it up to do stuff like / F1 F2....

 

But I also just set up individual keypresses like just F1, just F2...

 

Works like a champ.

 

https://voiceattack.com/

 

Definitely recommend looking into that before purchasing any hardware for use in VR. Although the jetseat looks great - not sure if it is still available for purchase. Everywhere "sold out".

[Gladman]

I started buying the stuff from PCFLIGHT. After a couple flights you have enough memory muscle to know where the switches are. I'm a die hard Hornet guy so I'll build the pit.

[Thunderchief2000]

 

Two of these DSD button boxes (one each of the P1 and P2):

 

https://derekspearedesigns.com/p1p2.html

 

 

 

 

Hi Guys thanks again for the suggestions, I have ordered a pair of the Thrustmaster MFDs, as I do fly the A-10 I think these will be very useful.

 

 

I Like the look of those DSD button boxes, do the rotary encoders work for tuning the radios? is so I may have to buy one of those too.

 

 

I tried using a standard xbox controller lastnight but have to say I found it hard to find the buttons when not holding it, also I could not think of a good way to mount it securely.

 

 

The PCflight stuff looks awesome but I don't think I will have time to build it. (or the money, it looks like a giant money pit! ;-) )

 

 

Thanks

[Thunderchief2000]

Out of interest has anyone used the Buddy fox UFC?

 

 

https://www.buddy-fox.com/

 

 

Is it any good, if the TM MFD work well , I might be tempted.

 

 

Cheers.

[nachomaga]

Out of interest has anyone used the Buddy fox UFC?

 

 

https://www.buddy-fox.com/

 

 

Is it any good, if the TM MFD work well , I might be tempted.

 

 

Cheers.

 

I think there is a problem with "only one plane system", that only going to work well with the A-10, becasue of the numbers layout. If you change plane is going to be difficult to find the correct key IMO. Even the Hornet and Harrier UFCs are a bit different.

 

I never try the Buddy Fox, but if I only fly the A-10, seems a very nice product (I hope that they make for the Hornet).

 

You asked if rotatories works with the radios. You have to check each plane, some have keys to assign, others don't.

 

Oh, and the Razer keypad, the way you put your hand over it is impossible to lost reference, very different to a regular keyboard.

Edited June 6, 2019 by nachomaga

[nachomaga]

And yes, as Vampire said, remember to stick something in the middle button on each row of TM MFD, helps a lot to know where you are.

 

Always place in the same position, and clean the rubber base often, helps to keep in place when you press buttons.

Edited June 6, 2019 by nachomaga

[Thunderchief2000]

Well I have the MFD's now, and they work really well in the A-10, I suspect because of the visual cues in the game help. They are not quite so easy to use when used as button box for other planes. but I find the rocker buttons are easy to find so I tend to base custom assignments around these.

 

 

One thing I did find was the brightness and contrast buttons are mapped wrong by default. there are on opposite sides.

 

 

Just would like some rotaries for trim or radios now.

 

 

 

Oh I Just want to add I had to screw the MFD's to my desk, they move really easily when pressed in the heat of the moment, especially in the fully upright position.

 

Cheers.

Edited June 11, 2019 by Thunderchief2000