MFD Cougar Pack for VR - Easy to set up?

[Notso]

Hi all, I apologize in advance for the dumb questions and if its been already addressed before, please share a link....

 

I recently bought the Cougar MFD pack to add to my VR setup so I can use the buttons rather than having to use a mouse to manipulate them.

 

My question is how easy are they to set up and configure? Do I need to map all the buttons manually or will they auto map to DCS once plugged in. Also, if I switch back and forth between a Hornet (3 MFD) and the F-16 (2x MFD), will each module need to be reset each time, or can I save it to the Module profile like I do the HOTAS mapping?

 

Any other setup tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Baldrick33]

For the F18 & F16 DCS should manage everything for you and auto map all the buttons.

[VpR81]

For the Hornet and the F-16, MFD 1 & 2 are auto mapped. For the Hornet, the top right switch (SYM) is not mapped for MFD 1 & 2, as the Hornet does not have that function for both DDI's. So you have one switch/2 buttons per MFD for individual use. I mapped them with A-A/A-G mode for MFD 1 and dispenser switch up/down for MFD 2. Not sure about the MPCD, as my second MFD pack is not ordered yet...

Edited March 23, 2020 by VpR81

[Notso]

Thanks all for the info. Now I just need to figure out how to mount them to my Playseat.

[Baldrick33]

For the Hornet and the F-16, MFD 1 & 2 are auto mapped. For the Hornet, the top right switch (SYM) is not mapped for MFD 1 & 2, as the Hornet does not have that function for both DDI's. So you have one switch/2 buttons per MFD for individual use. I mapped them with A-A/A-G mode for MFD 1 and dispenser switch up/down for MFD 2. Not sure about the MPCD, as my second MFD pack is not ordered yet...

I only have 2 MFDs so I used the top right switch on the 2nd as a modifier so I could switch it between the 2nd DDI and MPCD. Of course I had to individually map all those buttons but it works quite well.

 

I am not sure what DCS would do if it found a third MFD.

[VirusAM]

I only have 2 MFDs so I used the top right switch on the 2nd as a modifier so I could switch it between the 2nd DDI and MPCD. Of course I had to individually map all those buttons but it works quite well.

 

I am not sure what DCS would do if it found a third MFD.

 

 

 

You can map a third and forth also.

The only limitation is with target where you can map only 2 mfd. so the third and forth one will be mapped as dx devices

[VpR81]

Thanks all for the info. Now I just need to figure out how to mount them to my Playseat.

 

Running into that problem as well, as there is no frame r anything on my simrig to mount them. I just ordered the MFD mounts from Monstertech:

 

https://www.monstertech.de/en/product/mfd-tablet-mount/

 

and a 600mm aluminium profile to attach them:

 

https://www.smt-montagetechnik.de/produkte/2547n.htm

 

I'll thread the longside tube holes with M8 and drill fitting holes into the bottom plate of my rig, voilá. Check out the MT homepage for stands and stuff to get some inspiration. That aluminium profile stuff is easy to handle, very versatile, easy to get and relative cheap. It'll propably provide a DIY solution for you as well.

Edited March 29, 2020 by VpR81

[Kingsly]

How do you like the cougars in VR? Does it become relatively second nature to blindly find the correct buttons once muscle memory kicks in? I’d love something like this.

[Baldrick33]

Today's experiment was to map every mfd button to be a left mouse click and the corner buttons to be a mouse wheel up/down.

 

So now I can operate the mfds by looking at the button I want in VR and pressing a button on the mfd in the vicinity of where the actual button should be. If I miss and press the wrong one it doesn't matter!

 

After a quick go I think I may be onto something :)

[VpR81]

Today's experiment was to map every mfd button to be a left mouse click and the corner buttons to be a mouse wheel up/down.

 

So now I can operate the mfds by looking at the button I want in VR and pressing a button on the mfd in the vicinity of where the actual button should be. If I miss and press the wrong one it doesn't matter!

 

After a quick go I think I may be onto something :)

 

That is actually a pretty good idea!

[VirusAM]

Today's experiment was to map every mfd button to be a left mouse click and the corner buttons to be a mouse wheel up/down.

 

So now I can operate the mfds by looking at the button I want in VR and pressing a button on the mfd in the vicinity of where the actual button should be. If I miss and press the wrong one it doesn't matter!

 

After a quick go I think I may be onto something :)

 

 

 

This is a big idea...wow

[eduwushu]

On 3/24/2020 at 10:45 AM, Baldrick33 said:

I only have 2 MFDs so I used the top right switch on the 2nd as a modifier so I could switch it between the 2nd DDI and MPCD. Of course I had to individually map all those buttons but it works quite well.

 

I am not sure what DCS would do if it found a third MFD.

Hi Baldrick! How did you mapped that button as a modifier to alternate between 2nd ddi and ampcd? Is through DCS input mappings?

[Baldrick33]

2 hours ago, eduwushu said:

Hi Baldrick! How did you mapped that button as a modifier to alternate between 2nd ddi and ampcd? Is through DCS input mappings?

Yes, just added the switch as a modifier in the controls settings in DCS

[shu77]

On 4/2/2020 at 8:40 AM, Baldrick33 said:

Today's experiment was to map every mfd button to be a left mouse click and the corner buttons to be a mouse wheel up/down.

 

So now I can operate the mfds by looking at the button I want in VR and pressing a button on the mfd in the vicinity of where the actual button should be. If I miss and press the wrong one it doesn't matter!

 

After a quick go I think I may be onto something

I really like that idea, I am about to take the plunge into VR and was wondering how the current MFD set up would transition

[eduwushu]

16 hours ago, Baldrick33 said:

Yes, just added the switch as a modifier in the controls settings in DCS

Oh so you mean that you use as key binding for AMPCD Btn1 = MFD2 SYM BTN + MFD2 BTN1? Got it!