Please help me figure out what commands need to be bound for the F-14B Tomcat

[Lupus4]

Ok. I am new to DCS. My Virpil MT-50 CM throttle has arrived, my Virpil MT-50CM2 is due to arrive in a couple of weeks. With that and my CH-Products MFP I have 114 bind-able buttons and functions. IF you consider the mode dial on my throttle and using Joystick Gremlin I can have five times that many, for a total of 570 bind-able functions on my HOTAS and MFP. I also have TrackIR 4 and MFG Crosswind Rudder Pedals. I still don't have enough buttons to bind all 661 functions listed as commands under the F-14B Tomcat. The plane I want to start learning to fly.

 

 

I do not want to use a mouse and keyboard in this game. I realize and can appreciate a 'clickable' cockpit, but I'd much rather bind the needed commands to my control setup and leave the keyboard and trackball on the floor where it belongs (my opinion) when you are trying to immerse yourself in a flight sim.

 

 

Can any of you please share with me your HOTAS bindings? Or what commands I should consider most important to be bound to my HOTAS? Thank you for your time and advice.

[DERacing]

I use this to map some of the more odd commands that I dont bind to the stick and throttle.... :pilotfly:

[Lupus4]

I use this to map some of the more odd commands that I dont bind to the stick and throttle.... :pilotfly:

Ok. Very nice. What commands do you bind to your stick and throttle?

[DERacing]

actually, it is pretty much stock keys.

 

bottom row of the throttle, I was using that for the ACM mode (far left), Master Arm (far right auto pilot), push button for activating auto pilot.

 

Upper right is for the hook, upper left is for the landing gear, but I have a 3d printed panel that links to that switch. single switch to the left of the slider I use for refuel probe.

 

Stick is stock.

[DERacing]

I also use a couple of the stream decks. One on the left, one on the right with some commands such as lights, tape player, map, briefing, scratch pad, o2, park brake, seat arm, kneel for launch, hook up to cat, salute among various other commends.

 

Seriously, look into building a button box or buy one or get a stream deck. I have 2 SD', 1 Mini SD and 1 XL SD. Im still working on programming them all.

 

But I do fly vr, so it is easier to look through the nose opening at the sd's than look for a key on the keyboard.

 

 

I have a next level racing stand with the flight package and am still making mods for it. More to come.

[draconus]

http://www.heatblur.se/F-14Manual/cockpit.html#control-stick

http://www.heatblur.se/F-14Manual/cockpit.html#throttle

[Lupus4]

I also use a couple of the stream decks. One on the left, one on the right with some commands such as lights, tape player, map, briefing, scratch pad, o2, park brake, seat arm, kneel for launch, hook up to cat, salute among various other commends.

 

Seriously, look into building a button box or buy one or get a stream deck. I have 2 SD', 1 Mini SD and 1 XL SD. Im still working on programming them all.

 

But I do fly vr, so it is easier to look through the nose opening at the sd's than look for a key on the keyboard.

 

 

I have a next level racing stand with the flight package and am still making mods for it. More to come.

 

 

Um, you I"m not sure you understand all the kit I have.

 

 

CH Multi Function Panel--This is Pretty much a configurable 25 button button box.

Virpil MT-50 CM Throttle. Has about 56 buttons that can be bound to different commands.

Virpil MT-50 CM2 stick. Has about 35 buttons that can be bound to different commands.

 

 

I have buttons. Lots of buttons that can have various commands bound to them. I'm asking for help figuring out what commands I should bind.

[draconus]

So you don't want to click and gonna remember 106 buttons and their functions, maybe some more with modifiers, right?

I gave you links to real HOTAS functions, start with that (plus VS hi and low, Target designate/PAL) and some basic functionality - gear, hook, flaps, DLC, parking brake, wheel brakes, NWS, autopilot eng, refueling probe, then go on with some missions and add what you need on the go.

 

Do you have some button/key macros too to work through comms menu F1-F10?

Edited April 29, 2020 by draconus

[Lupus4]

So you don't want to click and gonna remember 106 buttons and their functions, maybe some more with modifiers, right?

I gave you links to real HOTAS functions, start with that (plus VS hi and low, Target designate/PAL) and some basic functionality - gear, hook, flaps, DLC, parking brake, wheel brakes, NWS, autopilot eng, refueling probe, then go on with some missions and add what you need on the go.

 

Do you have some button/key macros too to work through comms menu F1-F10?

 

 

I saw those, thank you. I will definetly start with them. While I won't claim that I'll remember 100+ button functions off the bat, using a binding map for reference, I have found that muscle memory is an amazing thing and after a while I will learn them.

 

 

I have Voice-Attack. I was planning to try to use this for the Jester menu and to communicate with ground. Are those the comms menu F1 to F10 that you are referring to?

 

 

I also plan on using Joystick Gremlin to setup my commands so I'll have macros available with a single button press.

[David OC]

Just have a play

I bind the aircraft similarly on my hotas

Front seat f14 _ bind what is on the stick and throttle irl. Wherever you want if you dont have the exact stick.

This will all take a little time for you to see what You like.

After binding the default. Then just add one modifier button in game.

I use pinky button on ch throttle. When this is held all the buttons do something else. Gear up/down, flaps down/up, a2a a2g. So most things can be done without taking hands of the stick and throttle.

I even have some mfd buttons bound so i can zoom in with the harrier and jf17 etc.

 

The start ups i use a mouse. It becomes a picture / flow when setting up an aircraft by memory. So i need to see scan around the pit left to right setting swirches. I wouldn't be able to memorize all that as well on weird boards. It would need to be a replica pit. Guess it would be ok if only flying one two aircraft.

Once started and configed by mouse its 99% on my hotas with modifier button.

Like i said all the aircraft i keep similar. Same when using the modifier button.

Makes it easier to be half proficient in many airframes in mp.

 

Have fun binding the rear seat in the f14 and remembering where you put them lol. I would just do the main ones. That are on the stick and slowly add things you need to hit most of the time etc. Leave the others to click with the mouse. You have trackir, so its quite easy once setup.

Edited April 29, 2020 by David OC

[Lupus4]

Just have a play

I bind the aircraft similarly on my hotas

Front seat f14 _ bind what is on the stick and throttle irl. Wherever you want if you dont have the exact stick.

This will all take a little time for you to see what You like.

After binding the default. Then just add one modifier button.

I use pinky button on ch throttle. When this is held all the buttons do something else. Gear up/down, flaps down/up, a2a a2g. So most things can be done without taking hands of the stick and throttle.

I even have some mfd buttons bound so i can zoom in with the harrier and jf17 etc.

Like i said all the aircraft i keep similar. Same when using the modifier button.

Makes it easier to be half proficient in many airframes in mp.

 

 

Yeah, I was planning to do that. Keep the controls mostly the same on all 3 of the Navy Aircraft I have purchased. I just don't have a clue about jet fighters and what commands I should focus on. I've only played WWII combat flight sims before now so I don't know what the most commonly used commands are and that sea of over 600 bindables list is more than a little confusing to a new player. To make matters worse, all my controls show up in the binding table with no way to remove any of them from the list. This means that my Fanatec pedals for my racing sim and my X-Box controller for general game use are showing up to help add to the confusion.

[draconus]

Better disconnect whatever you don't use in DCS. It'll save you the trouble with force feedback, cross bindings and... controls table clarity :)

I meant the radio communication menus after hitting Mic buttons. You'll need F1-F10 keys or somehow bind them differently.

Run training missions and you'll see what bindings are really used. The huge number of them is just for more freedom and options for configuring your hardware however you like. Don't forget most important - Jester menu.