TPOD woes

[Boosterdog]

Hello, 

 

Im getting back into the Harrier but im really struggling with the TPOD, its control and even understanding what works and what doesnt IRL given its Frankenstein integration on the real world AV8s . I understand there is some black magic in setting it up to avoid counter binding movements (INS??) and presumably some way of designating a point but right now its just not behaving itself for me. 

 

Im quite happy to go and do the research in the videos and forums in the absence of any current manual but, before I do, I would really like to know that its working as intended and isnt bugged. 

 

Thanks 

[Ramsay]

2 hours ago, Boosterdog said:

I would really like to know that its working as intended and isnt bugged.

It's hard to be sure as the DCS AV-8B TPOD has been updated to a newer version and it's operation is now similar to the A-10C and Hornet, only AV-8B SME's will know how correct it is.

 

I expect Razbam will still have a few "adjustments" to make/fine tune e.g. the TPOD North compass direction.

 

The main change, if you weren't in the habit of already switching between TDC and HTS (HOTAS Control Mode), is that you now need to "double tap" (less than 0.8 sec) TDC depress to slew the TPOD, otherwise the TPOD will (most likely) slave to INS slews on the EHSD (which may not be what you want).

 

A Grim Reaper video on the TPod changes.

 

 

Edited December 14, 2020 by Ramsay

[Boosterdog]

Thanks Ramsay

 

Once Id sussed that "down" isnt aft things began to make more sense however something I press causes the tpod to go ape then lock forward (whilst the directional dot on screen is somewhere behind) and after that I cant operate it no matter what I try.

 

Ill press on but it all seems very finicky to the point of ceasing to be worthwhile ATM. But I could say that about of lot of things in this game.

[Dr Zaius]

As frustrating as it can be stick with it, theres more than a handful of weird bugs that make you question your own sanity but its worth persevering, once these problems are out ironed I'm convinced this will be my favourite module!

 

Between chuck’s amazing guides and some decent youtube stuff out there (Casmo & Redkite are very good) you’ll suss it out no problem.

 

 

Edited December 26, 2020 by Dr Zaius

[Boosterdog]

1 hour ago, Dr Zaius said:

As frustrating as it can be stick with it, theres more than a handful of weird bugs that make you question your own sanity but its worth persevering, once these problems are ironed I'm convinced this will be my favourite module!

 

Between chuck’s amazing guides and some decent youtube stuff out there (Casmo & Redkite are very good) you’ll suss it out no problem.

 

 

Thanks Zaius. The main thing that defies me now is using the DMT then slaving the tpod. Tpod on its own no problem, auto bombing no problem but the getting the TV into SOI - not a chance. Not even a noob at all this. Should be a sinch! Onwards and upwards. The Harrier is by far my favorite module but also the most frustrating. 

[DimSim]

There's a step with the new TPOD that appears important, otherwise pressing TDC Down (ie. lock/target) keeps resetting target to the aircraft direction or waypoint:

 

I must press SSS Aft to do (some magic) which sets the TV/TPOD to target the new location.

But since TPOD is present, not DMT, I then must press SSS Down 2x to return to the TPOD, otherwise display shows TV.

 

I might share my list of 'fool proof steps to target IR Mavs with TPOD'. But those steps above confused me the most.

Edited December 15, 2020 by DimSim

[Boosterdog]

Well ive given it enough time for now. Whether its true to real life I know not but, as it stands, its too finicky, un-intuitive and glitch prone to be even remotely useful to me. 

 

Thankfully the Harrier still has its other charms.

 

Thanks to all who  tried to help.

Edited December 16, 2020 by Boosterdog

[Ramstein]

when I was in the USAFE and worked with the Harriers, and they TDY with them to Europe, they would have no issues landing taking lots of fuel and taking off. They had power to spare with weapons and could play and have fun while doing so without a worry. It seems that the harriers we have struggle with weapons or hardly a load. Now, I am definitely no expert, plus these are not the same model, but I worked with and witnessed many times them flying in a and out and I serviced them often, this was just a few months before Falklands. I have a suspicion that we are not getting the full power the real harriers had. IMHO

[Dr Zaius]

I rather like the fact that you have to keep an eye on your gross weight, you can get a lot of munitions off the deck but need to hit the tanker en route / dump fuel on the way home - imo that adds realism.

23 hours ago, Boosterdog said:

Well ive given it enough time for now. Whether its true to real life I know not but, as it stands, its too finicky, un-intuitive and glitch prone to be even remotely useful to me. 

 

Thankfully the Harrier still has its other charms.

 

Thanks to all who  tried to help.

 

I hope Razbam takes note of this I sincerely do, they are super close to the perfect product yet its the annoying little things that puts people off, sure ED messing with their game engine has knock on effects but hotas sensor inputs should by now be nailed down as working.

[IRememberJeep]

This isn’t exactly the same issue with the TPOD and I’m sure this has been asked before so I figured I’d try tagging onto this thread. Bear with me as I’m new to the AV-8B.

 

The zoom function on the TPOD is extremely wonky. Is this normal? By wonky I mean I have to scroll my axis for extremely long to zoom all the way in. That’s only if it zooms in the entire time because at points it likes to zoom back out a bit and then start to go back in. Also vice versa. This is both on my set axis and also using keyboard keys that I have set as a backup. Even with the keyboard keys I have to keep pressing the keys, I can’t just hold it down to zoom. I mean it’s a real fight to zoom this sob in or out.
 

I find it hard to believe the Harrier TPOD is this hard to zoom in irl. But then again what do I know.

 

I don’t have an issue zooming on any other TPOD but I wanted to see if others have this issue on the Harrier or if it’s somehow control related on my end.

 

Any input would be appreciated.

[Dr Zaius]

10 hours ago, IRememberJeep said:

The zoom function on the TPOD is extremely wonky. Is this normal? By wonky I mean I have to scroll my axis for extremely long to zoom all the way in. That’s only if it zooms in the entire time because at points it likes to zoom back out a bit and then start to go back in. Also vice versa. This is both on my set axis and also using keyboard keys that I have set as a backup. Even with the keyboard keys I have to keep pressing the keys, I can’t just hold it down to zoom. I mean it’s a real fight to zoom this sob in or out.

What exactly have you got mapped to your axis? As i understood it the only zoom feature you have using HOTAS is changing wide to narrow FOV, are you able to make a small video of the problem?

 

10 hours ago, IRememberJeep said:

I don’t have an issue zooming on any other TPOD but I wanted to see if others have this issue on the Harrier or if it’s somehow control related on my end.

Iirc theres only 2 sensors on the aircraft that zoom, one is the targeting pod the other is Maverick optics, unless you’re referring to other aircraft in which case each the targeting pods do differ in their functionality.

[IRememberJeep]

What I had mapped to both my scroll and two arrow keys was “TPOD Video Zoom In” & “TPOD Video Zoom Out”. This controls the zoom and not the FOV.

 

It’s nearly impossible to use in terms of what I described in the above post.

 

I came up with a slight workaround in that I mapped my scroll and backup keys to the right MFD OSB buttons that control the zoom for the pod. This works a lot better than the actual controls for the TPOD zoom function. Not perfect but I can at least zoom in and out without scrolling or tapping keys for 60-120 seconds straight. It leads me to believe the actual “TPOD Video Zoom” binding is bugged in some way.

 

The “TPOD Video Zoom” functions are actually listed under Category: Keyboard Macros and not HOTAS. I just bought the AV-8B so I am unsure if this is new or old bindings.

 

I will record a video as soon as I can if necessary. Although I’m thinking if you try this binding you may see what I mean.

 

 

Yes I was referring to other aircraft’s TPODs.

 

edit: let me correct myself. The axis isn’t an axis really. It’s a scroll-type wheel that I can use as either a button or axis-assign. In this case it’s assigned under the button configuration and not the axis window in DCS. The “TPOD Zoom” is only available as a button and not in the axis window. Sorry for any confusion regarding that.

Edited December 25, 2020 by IRememberJeep

[Dr Zaius]

It's actually SSS left to change FOV not NWS, my mistake.

 

I didn't realise you could map zoom in & out like that, I did try and map those commands to the china hat on my TMWH but it doesn't work very well, a press and hold does nothing and pressing it again and again is a bit hit & miss, or as you say wonky.

[IRememberJeep]

Exactly! Ok, so it isn’t just me. I appreciate you taking the time. I wanted to be sure it wasn’t something on my end.

 

Well if you do plan on using it on your HOTAS it it’s definitely worth mapping the OSB buttons instead as a workaround for the time being.

 

In any case, I suppose I should try reporting this as a bug. I can’t see the current functionality being what was intended.

[Dr Zaius]

11 hours ago, IRememberJeep said:

Well if you do plan on using it on your HOTAS it it’s definitely worth mapping the OSB buttons instead as a workaround for the time being.

Mapping to the OSB commands worked really well, thanks for the tip!

11 hours ago, IRememberJeep said:

In any case, I suppose I should try reporting this as a bug. I can’t see the current functionality being what was intended.

Add it to the list - suggest reporting it as a new post though, you'll also be asked to supply a trk. file 

Edited December 26, 2020 by Dr Zaius

[CommandT]

Has there been any manual that's updated with the new controls for the TPOD? After doing the training mission in DCS and reading Chuck's Guide on the AV-8B, I quickly realised whatever it says to do, has changed... I am really struggling figuring out how to operate this thing without giving up every time I try. 

1 minute ago, CommandT said:

Has there been any manual that's updated with the new controls for the TPOD? After doing the training mission in DCS and reading Chuck's Guide on the AV-8B, I quickly realised whatever it says to do, has changed... I am really struggling figuring out how to operate this thing without giving up every time I try. 

Ah I just realised Chuck's Guide has been updated post 04/11/20 update. I need to have a look at this as I have the older manual. 

[CommandT]

So I have an interesting issue - if I select the TPOD and double tap the SSS down I can move the pod pointer around with the TDC - great. If I then press SSS FWD to slave to the HUD (INS) and select TDC depress to mark whatever the velocity vector is looking at the time and create a mark, I can then slew this using the TDC... EXCEPT... TDC controls are reversed!!! Up is down, left is right and right is left... so slewing the newly created mark I have to use opposite TDC inputs to achieve the desired (reverse) slew direction... is this some kind of f up? Or am I just a noob and don't get the idea? All I want is to mark a point on the ground via my velocity vector and have the TPOD look there and then move it... how hard can that be... why are my TDC controls reversed?! 
 

Edited December 26, 2020 by CommandT

[Dr Zaius]

3 hours ago, CommandT said:

So I have an interesting issue - if I select the TPOD and double tap the SSS down I can move the pod pointer around with the TDC - great. If I then press SSS FWD to slave to the HUD (INS) and select TDC depress to mark whatever the velocity vector is looking at the time and create a mark, I can then slew this using the TDC... EXCEPT... TDC controls are reversed!!! Up is down, left is right and right is left... so slewing the newly created mark I have to use opposite TDC inputs to achieve the desired (reverse) slew direction... is this some kind of f up? Or am I just a noob and don't get the idea? All I want is to mark a point on the ground via my velocity vector and have the TPOD look there and then move it... how hard can that be... why are my TDC controls reversed?! 
 

 

The dreaded input reversal is back?! Last time this was reported it was to do with the Maverick input but they fixed that issue last update or so, I was new to the module back then and was certain it wasn’t just the Mavs that caused problems but couldn’t replicate and assumed I was wrong - out of interest do you map you tdc to an axis or button press? I mapped both and iirc it worked OK with one input but not the other, give it a try.

Edited December 26, 2020 by Dr Zaius

[CommandT]

2 minutes ago, Dr Zaius said:

The dreaded input reversal is back?! Last time this was reported it was to do with the Maverick input but they fixed that issue last update or so, I was new to the module back then and was certain it wasn’t just the Mavs that caused problems but couldn’t replicate and assumed I was wrong - out of interest do you map you tdc to an axis or button press? I mapped both and iirc it worked OK with one input but not the other, give it a try.

 

Ah so it's a bug, right. I have TDC set to your index finger hat switch on the TM Warthog throttle. I'd hate to change it since I have it this way for all aircraft, plus it sort of makes more sense than any other buttons for this role. 

[Dr Zaius]

2 hours ago, CommandT said:

Ah so it's a bug, right. I have TDC set to your index finger hat switch on the TM Warthog throttle. I'd hate to change it since I have it this way for all aircraft, plus it sort of makes more sense than any other buttons for this role. 

I can't replicate the issue however I use the axis slew upgrade on my warthog, not the point of view hat which is what I think you’re using? I do have a backup mapped though via the use of a modifier and the castle switch on the joystick - the strange thing is that I can replicate the problem using this backup method which makes me think that the issue occurs only when using a non-axis inputs, thats why I recommended that you give it a try.

Edited December 26, 2020 by Dr Zaius

[CommandT]

55 minutes ago, Dr Zaius said:

I can't replicate the issue however I use the axis slew upgrade on my warthog, not the point of view hat which is what I think you’re using? I do have a backup mapped though via the use of a modifier and the castle switch on the joystick - the strange thing is that I can replicate the problem using this backup method which makes me think that the issue occurs only when using a non-axis inputs, thats why I recommended that you give it a try.

 

Ah I see. Well to be honest I think I figured out how to use it to be a non-issue. All you do is - designate a point in the HUD via TDC depress (down) when you are in INS mode (which results in the reversal input/ output bug) but instead of then slewing round in this mode, just press SSS doen twice to go back to your TPOD and then you can slew this point around normally. So although it's a bug I guess it's not a big deal. Maybe I'll change my mind once I start employing weapons, not sure. 

[Dr Zaius]

18 hours ago, CommandT said:

Ah I see. Well to be honest I think I figured out how to use it to be a non-issue. All you do is - designate a point in the HUD via TDC depress (down) when you are in INS mode (which results in the reversal input/ output bug) but instead of then slewing round in this mode, just press SSS doen twice to go back to your TPOD and then you can slew this point around normally. So although it's a bug I guess it's not a big deal. Maybe I'll change my mind once I start employing weapons, not sure. 

As with most of these bugs there often are workarounds, still it should be reported. How exactly are you able to get fine control using the point of view hat, are you able to dial in some accuracy via the control setup?

 

I've reported it btw

Edited December 27, 2020 by Dr Zaius

[CommandT]

20 hours ago, Dr Zaius said:

As with most of these bugs there often are workarounds, still it should be reported. How exactly are you able to get fine control using the point of view hat, are you able to dial in some accuracy via the control setup?

 

I've reported it btw

 

Ah thanks for that. Well I found that when you're operating via the TPOD if you're zoomed in you can move the crosshairs with good accuracy using the TDC. If you zoom out then then the crosshairs move much quicker using same TDC input. So I mean accurately aligning the TPOD is no issue I found?