Extranajero Posted December 11, 2019 Posted December 11, 2019 I have my DLC controls bound to a three way switch on my DIY stick - forward, aft and down to activate. I don't find myself using it much, it's sort of coarse in operation. Would binding it to a pot with a centre detent help ? I am DIY-ing a new stick and have the chance to fit a thumbwheel. It'll be slightly awkward\complicated to include the pot ( which I can't imagine using for anything else ) so it would be good to get feedback from people who have the DLC bound to an axis. --------------------------------------------------------- PC specs:- Intel 386DX, 2mb memory, onboard graphics, 14" 640x480 monitor Modules owned:- Bachem Natter, Cessna 150, Project Pluto, Sopwith Snipe
draconus Posted December 11, 2019 Posted December 11, 2019 (edited) I use wheel on throttle for DLC as axis and find it definitely smooth :thumbup: Edited December 11, 2019 by draconus Win10 i7-10700KF 32GB RTX4070S Quest 3 T16000M VPC CDT-VMAX TFRP FC3 F-14A/B F-15E CA SC NTTR PG Syria
Extranajero Posted December 11, 2019 Author Posted December 11, 2019 I have the technical drawings for the real F-14 stick and they specify a centre detent for the pot - why don't you like having one ? maybe real world pilots didn't like the detent either ? --------------------------------------------------------- PC specs:- Intel 386DX, 2mb memory, onboard graphics, 14" 640x480 monitor Modules owned:- Bachem Natter, Cessna 150, Project Pluto, Sopwith Snipe
draconus Posted December 11, 2019 Posted December 11, 2019 I have the technical drawings for the real F-14 stick and they specify a centre detent for the pot - why don't you like having one ? maybe real world pilots didn't like the detent either ? Oh, didn't know. Somehow I assumed there were no detent and liked it that way. Win10 i7-10700KF 32GB RTX4070S Quest 3 T16000M VPC CDT-VMAX TFRP FC3 F-14A/B F-15E CA SC NTTR PG Syria
BonerCat Posted December 11, 2019 Posted December 11, 2019 DLC on an axis is definitly a good idea, if you can make it easly accessible. I personally use a slider on the front of the Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas X, and it works very well for me. A similar slider can be found on the Thrustmaster T.16000 throttle. However, despite having the DLC on an axis, i still find myself using short duration, high deflection sort of "spurs", so a button would be enough for that, but i'd definitly reccomend an axis instead. The real thing used a spring centered axis, so that's the most realistic control you can have over it. Plus, having an axis gives you more options on what to do with the DLC TL;DR It's worth it Modules: F-14, F-15C, F-16C, F/A-18C, M-2000C, A-10C, A-10C II, AV-8B N/A, MiG-29, Su-33, MiG-21 Bis, F-5E, P-51D, Ka-50, Mi-8, Sa 342, UH-1H, Combined Arms Maps and others: Persian Gulf, Syria, Normandy, WWII Assets, NS 430 + Mi-8 NS 430
bonesvf103 Posted December 11, 2019 Posted December 11, 2019 I use the mini-stick on my joystick to activate, then I use the castle hat switch for up and down. Works out pretty well. v6, boNes "Also, I would prefer a back seater over the extra gas any day. I would have 80 pounds of flesh to eat and a pair of glasses to start a fire." --F/A-18 Hornet pilot
Tomcatter87 Posted December 11, 2019 Posted December 11, 2019 I use the CMS switch on my warthog for the DLC. I think it's quite good. Not only because it's easy to reach, but also I read somewhere that F-14 pilots really slammed the DLC back and forth instead of fine-fiddling with that wheel. "Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward. For there you have been, and there you will always long to return." Check out my DCS content on Instagram
Extranajero Posted December 11, 2019 Author Posted December 11, 2019 I like the idea of a spring loaded axis, I'll have to check if I have a suitable spring in the spares box. --------------------------------------------------------- PC specs:- Intel 386DX, 2mb memory, onboard graphics, 14" 640x480 monitor Modules owned:- Bachem Natter, Cessna 150, Project Pluto, Sopwith Snipe
Pally Posted December 11, 2019 Posted December 11, 2019 Extranajero and Tomcatter87: I agree that the DLC up/down feedback is rough. First thought was the pilots had a wheel dedicated just for the DLC control, meanwhile I got a mere X56 HOTAS (not even a Virpil F14 stick). I binded the POV (silver colored round hat) where UP for spoiler up, and DOWN for spoiler down, as well as RIGHT to activate/countermeasure. It was very imprecise; nonetheless, it got the job done just fine. The feedback it gave was not tactile by stick, but visually by E-bracket cuing when to hold down vs let it go. So far, it is more precise then using pure throttle control to adjust lift, but I do agree the feedback was rough. If I focus on keeping my flight path marker where I wanted, the "E bracket" up or down drift would cue me nicely in when to press DOWN to restore lift (or let it be to trash my lift temporarily to sink). The ability to lo I hardly had to press UP since from the mirror from which showed the spoilers once activated remain in the "semi up" position. I did not see a need to trash my lift in such a hurry (at least I have yet to encounter such situation). In the end, the whole DLC set up--although looked and worked a toy--it nonetheless did its job. It kills lift once activated, and restoring lift is easy as holding the DOWN for a few seconds and observe the "E bracket". If I was heavier (more fuel, and or stores on board), then I recalled having to hold it a bit longer, or that if I didn't pay attention and throttle back too much (the X56 throttle isn't too precise as it sort of "move by itself" if I set the throttle tension wheel too tight). I'd say I was getting used to the hardware position of the X56 throttle vs in-game engine rpm output. I had gotten long use to it now. It still felt like I am "playing" my lift via the DLC once I had lined up all the way to touch down.
r4y30n Posted December 11, 2019 Posted December 11, 2019 (edited) Having used buttons on an X52 and the axis on Virpil's replica stick I'd say the axis is more of a novelty than anything. The DLC system isn't really meant for fine tuning your glide slope, it's more for dealing with sudden updrafts like hitting the burble at the back of the carrier. That said, I'm also guilty of using it to slow down a sloppy approach that's too fast; when fully deployed the spoilers pretty much double the drag of your speed brakes in addition to killing lift. For keeping on speed I've found auto throttle to be the best tool so long as stick inputs aren't too abrupt. Edited December 11, 2019 by r4y30n
Pally Posted December 11, 2019 Posted December 11, 2019 That said, I'm also guilty of using it to slow down a sloppy approach that's too fast; when fully deployed the spoilers pretty much double the drag of your speed brakes in addition to killing lift. Okay, I need to experiment with that next time. I did not thought of the DLC spoilers are indeed a drag device. lol. Thanks for the enlightenment.
CoBlue Posted December 12, 2019 Posted December 12, 2019 Extranajero and Tomcatter87: I agree that the DLC up/down feedback is rough. First thought was the pilots had a wheel dedicated just for the DLC control, meanwhile I got a mere X56 HOTAS (not even a Virpil F14 stick). I binded the POV (silver colored round hat) where UP for spoiler up, and DOWN for spoiler down, as well as RIGHT to activate/countermeasure. It was very imprecise; Why don't you use the thumb mini-joystick on the X-56 grip? It's perfectly situated & works as an spring-axis, just as on the RL F-14 stick. The sliver pov-switch is for trim. i7 8700k@4.7, 1080ti, DDR4 32GB, 2x SSD , HD 2TB, W10, ASUS 27", TrackIr5, TMWH, X-56, GProR.
Airhunter Posted December 12, 2019 Posted December 12, 2019 This video demonstrates the proper use of DLC very nicely in my opinion (rather rare angle).
Dannyvandelft Posted December 12, 2019 Posted December 12, 2019 I use the thumb stick on the Warthog. Press to activate, forward to extend, aft to retract. It's so easy. Put the heading indicator on the cables on the deck, and adjust DLC as needed. No need to touch throttle or stick. Just DLC forward and aft to adjust glideslope. Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
r4y30n Posted December 12, 2019 Posted December 12, 2019 This video demonstrates the proper use of DLC very nicely in my opinion (rather rare angle). Great clip, thanks for that!
Pally Posted December 13, 2019 Posted December 13, 2019 The way the DLC flapping up and down on that Tomcat looks just like how they were in the rear view mirror. No axis for my DLC; although it would be a cool feature. "GOBBLE, GOOBLE..." sorry, I had to. :lol:
Dannyvandelft Posted December 13, 2019 Posted December 13, 2019 I thought I was slamming onto the deck too hard.... Apparently I'm not slamming onto the deck hard enough! Watching the DLC pop open like that makes me feel it only has 3 settings even though it's controlled by a wheel on the stick in the real plane. Closed, armed, and open. I'm assuming a simple push forward on the wheel just pops it open all the way and vice versa. Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
Airhunter Posted December 13, 2019 Posted December 13, 2019 I thought I was slamming onto the deck too hard.... Apparently I'm not slamming onto the deck hard enough! Watching the DLC pop open like that makes me feel it only has 3 settings even though it's controlled by a wheel on the stick in the real plane. Closed, armed, and open. I'm assuming a simple push forward on the wheel just pops it open all the way and vice versa. Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk Yes, it was mostly used in large bursts out/stowed.
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