Thrustmaster Warthog - Impossible set up

[Miccara]

First; I am a total rookie and 60 years old, so tech is not my forte.

I saw DCS  and thought "I need to do that!"
Downloaded DCS World, bought Trackir, MFG Crosswind Rudders, Thrustmaster Warthog setup, Logitech G935 headphones. Purchased the P-51D, Normandy map and a A10-A (just to try out).

Everything works great, except Warthog stick and throttle. Mapping is a friggin nighmare and even if I get some stuff to work, it never seems to stay working. My most confusing items currently are:
1) I can move the Hat button on the joystick (the one marked for trim... nose up, nose down, etc.) I can see the nose trim wheel and aileron trim knob in the cockpit turn when I hit the switch, yet no change in the flight dynamic. Plane does not trim.

2) I want to map the engine RPM adjustment to the outside half (right side), of the Warthog throttle. DCS setup doesn't "see" the throttle half when I move it.

This is just the tip of the iceberg of crap I just don't understand when it comes to the Warthog setup in DCS. The DCS program has even mapped not by my doing, Joybtn functions in the MFG Crosswind column. It has also mapped duplicate Joybtn function in the throttle side that are on the joystick side!

I'd really like to play in this world but until this stuff starts making sense, I'm screwed.

DCS Management Guys - if you're listening, it really shouldn't be this hard.

I can post some screen shots of the setup screen if anyone wants to see what I'm trying to describe.

Thanking you folks in advance for any assistance you can offer.

 

Edited March 5, 2021 by Miccara

[Rudel_chw]

1 hour ago, Miccara said:

First; I am a total rookie and 60 years old, so tech is not my forte.I saw DCS  and thought "I need to do that!"
Downloaded DCS World, bought Trackir, MFG Crosswind Rudders, Thrustmaster Warthog setup, Logitech G935 headphones. Purchased the P-51D, Normandy map and a A10-A (just to try out).

Everything works great, except Warthog stick and throttle.

 

I don’t get it, you spent more than a thousand dollars  in hardware to try out DCS, yet you purchase the cheapest aircraft available? Do yourself a favor and purchase the A-10C .. it will automatically fully recognize your warthog. Here is a video to learn how to start her up:

 

 

Edited March 6, 2021 by Rudel_chw

[Miccara]

You miss the point.
Simple A10 was purchased and its not 100% either. Complex A10 will get purchased at some point. I want to fly every aircraft and the Warthog should provide that option. It's the manual mapping that is the issue.

Edited March 6, 2021 by Miccara

[ghostmedic171]

Miccara, its okay, you're right - I feel the pain, it can be tricky and the amount of fidelity out of box in DCS DOES matter when it comes to the Warthog

 

I cant tell you how many times I've had issues with the varied fidelity on multiple platforms unified on ONE stick and rudder (eg Warthog)

 

But if you have MFDs by Thrustmaster (if you dont, this might make it worth it)

Have you checked out the CTS by Home Fries? Once you get it working, its kind of a godsend (at least it is for me)

 

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3043393/

 

It takes some set up

 

But has excellent bindings - you have to run it, every time, but allows you to swap profiles quickly on the fly, and all modules have an available profile (also has some pretty great settings for Elite/IL-2, etc)

 

That said, some of the modules are bound automatically to the warthog (A-10C, even F-14/16 last I checked had some default hog bindings out the box; but not all of the modules do)

 

But maybe check out CTS! Just remember rule one, read the manual! :D 

 

[Miccara]

Thanks! I will check it out and let you know how it goes.

[Sedlo]

Hey @Miccara!  

 

You may already have been doing this, so feel free to disregard.  Also, I don't own the P-51D model, but I do have the Spitfire, which I imagine is similar.

 

In terms of the RPM adjustment for the left hand throttle, make sure when you open the controls window, click the Axis Assign button.  This will bring up another window where you can find all the Axis commands.  (cont.below)

 

 

Once you do that, scroll down to the line that says engine RPM (or equivilant.. I don't own the Mustang) and work across the window until you find your the listing for your Warthog Throttle.  In my case, since I'm running T.A.R.G.E.T. software, mine says Thrustmaster Combined.

Double click the cell under Thrustmaster (throttle or combined) and then move the left throttle up and down it's full range of motion.  You may have to do this several times. (con't below)

 

 

 

Now hop into the game and see if it's working for you.

 

There is a change you may have to adjust your AXIS assignments, and you do that the the Axis Tune button just next to the Assign Button.  Click that and another screen opens.  You may have to click INVERT if pushing the throttle forward reduces your RPM.

 

 

 

 

Edited March 6, 2021 by Sedlo

[pete_auau]

And  my  advice  is  once  you have it  set  up  save  save  save  your  config  inputs  to  a  folder   so  if  a  update   some  how  breaks  your  config  some  how  you  can  always  get it  back  again  with out   setting it  up  all  again

[Oozler]

I am 56 so we are in the same age range. I have a warthog. I also have the p51, A10 (all versions) and a host of others. The warthog throttle(s) need to be assigned in the axis commands (thrust, left thrust, right thrust). In ww2 planes I use one throttle for the manifold pressure and one for the gas. On choppers I use one for the collective (reversed) and one for the gas. I have also found that any controllers need to be really looked at in the settings as DCS and many of the other devices I use initially are cross assigned. Meaning if I look at the rudder or say one of my MFD's there will be thrust and roll assignments all over. These need to be cleared up so everything only works with what you want them to be assigned to. Ya, this is kind of a pain in the butt but you will get the idea quick when you look for it and if you add anything new to your setup you will know to check for this before you do anything else.

Good luck and happy flying. It is well worth the work to get setup, brother.

[David OC]

Not warthog but will give you the idea of how to setup any aircraft with any controls.

You will also see how much trimming is needed for the P-51 when flying her. This is the free TF-51 here.
 

 

Edited March 6, 2021 by David OC

[Lange_666]

7 hours ago, Miccara said:

Everything works great, except Warthog stick and throttle. Mapping is a friggin nighmare and even if I get some stuff to work, it never seems to stay working. My most confusing items currently are:
1) I can move the Hat button on the joystick (the one marked for trim... nose up, nose down, etc.) I can see the nose trim wheel and aileron trim knob in the cockpit turn when I hit the switch, yet no change in the flight dynamic. Plane does not trim.

 

If you see the trim knobs work, it should trim. Check if you are not in game mode, it has simplified avionics.

 

 

 

Also check that you bind your controllers in sim mode (the P-51 has a game and sim mode controller setup, the A-10A does not).

If you set up your controllers and sim mode and fly in game mode, or vice versa, your setup will not work (except for those axis that are binded by default).

PS: ED has plans to remove the game mode in the future.

 

 

7 hours ago, Miccara said:

2) I want to map the engine RPM adjustment to the outside half (right side), of the Warthog throttle. DCS setup doesn't "see" the throttle half when I move it.

 

As mentioned, above, use the dropdown menu in the axis setup to select the second throttle axis.

 

 

7 hours ago, Miccara said:

This is just the tip of the iceberg of crap I just don't understand when it comes to the Warthog setup in DCS. The DCS program has even mapped not by my doing, Joybtn functions in the MFG Crosswind column. It has also mapped duplicate Joybtn function in the throttle side that are on the joystick side!

 

The DCS programs binds every controller by default if it detects one. You have to remove the bindings that you don't need and change those that are wrong.

 

Also, every change you make is stored in your Saved Games folder: C:\Users\your name\Saved Games\DCS\Config\Input and then for each aircraft separately (sim and easy or game mode also separately) even without saving the profile(s). The moment you click OK in the controller setup, your changes are saved in C:\Users\your name\Saved Games\DCS\Config\Input.

[Miccara]

You... you Sir, are a God. Everything you said (but one), correct.
No matter what I try, the left side throttle will not register for RPM. Now that said... I can only find "RPM Increase" and "RPM Decrease". I would think there should just be an "RPM Adjust" or something similar?

10 hours ago, David OC said:

Not warthog but will give you the idea of how to setup any aircraft with any controls.

You will also see how much trimming is needed for the P-51 when flying her. This is the free TF-51 here.
 

 

 

Thank You!

8 hours ago, Lange_666 said:

 

If you see the trim knobs work, it should trim. Check if you are not in game mode, it has simplified avionics.

 

 

Also check that you bind your controllers in sim mode (the P-51 has a game and sim mode controller setup, the A-10A does not).

If you set up your controllers and sim mode and fly in game mode, or vice versa, your setup will not work (except for those axis that are binded by default).

PS: ED has plans to remove the game mode in the future.

 

 

 

As mentioned, above, use the dropdown menu in the axis setup to select the second throttle axis.

 

 

 

The DCS programs binds every controller by default if it detects one. You have to remove the bindings that you don't need and change those that are wrong.

 

Also, every change you make is stored in your Saved Games folder: C:\Users\your name\Saved Games\DCS\Config\Input and then for each aircraft separately (sim and easy or game mode also separately) even without saving the profile(s). The moment you click OK in the controller setup, your changes are saved in C:\Users\your name\Saved Games\DCS\Config\Input.

You... you Sir, are a God. Everything you said (but one), correct.
No matter what I try, the left side throttle will not register for RPM. Now that said... I can only find "RPM Increase" and "RPM Decrease". I would think there should just be an "RPM Adjust" or something similar?

[Weegie]

1 hour ago, Miccara said:

No matter what I try, the left side throttle will not register for RPM. Now that said... I can only find "RPM Increase" and "RPM Decrease". I would think there should just be an "RPM Adjust" or something similar?

 

It sounds like you haven't went into Axis commands, at the top of the Controls settings are 2 rectangular boxes, one will have the Module name "TF-51 Real" next to that is a box which will probably be saying "All"

 

Click on that box and select the option "Axis Commands" You need to have that option selected prior to setting your Axes. In DCS the Axis commands can only be selected when in that category, "All" only lists buttons/keystrokes options, so just On/Off inputs. To set analogue or axis commands you require to be in the "Axis Commands" category.

 

Once in there you'll find an option for "Engine RPM Setting" select "Add" from the bottom buttons that brings up another small box, traverse the LHS throttle from end to end and it will get selected. The reason you can't select the "RPM Increase" and "RPM  Decrease" is DCS is expecting a button and you are sending an axis as you're not in the "Axis Commands" category.

 

You need to use the "Axis Commands" to select all your axes, so you use that category for Pitch, Roll, Throttle, Engine RPM Setting, Rudder and Left and Right Wheel Brakes and perhaps some other stuff

 

Oh and I'm older than you!!!! Once it starts to click into place you will hhave a lotta fun, but at first I hear you it can be frustrating

Edited March 6, 2021 by Weegie

[Lange_666]

The video is about the TF-51D (trainer version) which comes as a standard aircraft included within DCS.

It has to sets of bindings:

- TF-51D Easy (or game mode)

- TF-51D Real (or sim mode)

 

You said you bought the P-51 module, which is a stand-alone module which also has 2 controller setups:

- P-51D Easy

- P-51D Real

 

So in total there are 4 P-51D setups which can't be mixed.

 

 

 

Also, the Engine RPM setting is to be found under the axis part which means it's intended to bind an axis to it which then controls the entire Engine RPM range.

As you can see in the screenshot below, the keyboard binding part is grayed out which mean you can't bind a keyboard input to that control, only an axis.

 

The RPM Increase and RPM Decrease you talk about are there to bind a keyboard input to it just in case you want to change the RPM through the means of the keyboard.

 

PS: Weegie was a tad faster them me.... and ignore the screenshot below, i can't delete it....

Edited March 6, 2021 by Lange_666

[Miccara]

9 hours ago, Lange_666 said:

The video is about the TF-51D (trainer version) which comes as a standard aircraft included within DCS.

It has to sets of bindings:

- TF-51D Easy (or game mode)

- TF-51D Real (or sim mode)

 

You said you bought the P-51 module, which is a stand-alone module which also has 2 controller setups:

- P-51D Easy

- P-51D Real

 

So in total there are 4 P-51D setups which can't be mixed.

 

 

 

Also, the Engine RPM setting is to be found under the axis part which means it's intended to bind an axis to it which then controls the entire Engine RPM range.

As you can see in the screenshot below, the keyboard binding part is grayed out which mean you can't bind a keyboard input to that control, only an axis.

 

The RPM Increase and RPM Decrease you talk about are there to bind a keyboard input to it just in case you want to change the RPM through the means of the keyboard.

 

PS: Weegie was a tad faster them me.... and ignore the screenshot below, i can't delete it....

 

Lange, thank you very much! I appreciate the effort. All mysteries have been solved thanks to you and the others. I'll see you in the sky!