Jump to content

F-14A and MS Sidewinder 2 FFB

Hammer_251

By Hammer_251
in DCS: F-14A & B

 Share

Recommended Posts

MAXsenna

MAXsenna

Posted
Posted
I'd appreciate that.  I don't know if I need to re-install DCS, or the stick is faulty.
Never re-install. A repair will take take you back to vanilla, but not touch Saved Games, where the culprit always is, if a setting is corrupt. I have some serious performance issues after the patch, but I'll get to it after that.

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk

MAXsenna

MAXsenna

Posted
Posted



Does everybody's MS Sidewinder FFB2 rock fore/aft when autopilot is engaged?
My ALT HOLD fails quite often.  Is this normal?
ACLS with this stick currently nosedives the plane into the ocean.  
 


For some reason my post wasn't posted.
I can confirm, it happens for me to, just haven't noticed though, but the AP does not disengage. Isn't there a setting under special one can tune this?
And ACLS I have never tried. On mission start though, the Tomcat have always been out of trim with stick, for some reason. Others have also reported this before.

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk

  • Thanks 1
JupiterJoe

JupiterJoe

Posted
Posted (edited)
2 hours ago, MAXsenna said:


 

 


For some reason my post wasn't posted.
I can confirm, it happens for me to, just haven't noticed though, but the AP does not disengage. Isn't there a setting under special one can tune this?
And ACLS I have never tried. On mission start though, the Tomcat have always been out of trim with stick, for some reason. Others have also reported this before.

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk
 

 

I think this pitching fore/aft is what is causing my A/P HOLD to breakaway.  My controls are showing a significant amount of forward input when I have A/P engaged and am in level flight (see attached).  Is yours the same? 

Apparently in real life a cold & dark F-14's stick is trimmed forward to aid pilot's ease of access to the cockpit.  So this is probably modelled correctly.

ACLS is broken for the FFB2 (maybe all ffb) stick(s).  Give it a try.  It's basically a suicide/self-destruct button.  Just make sure you're not using your favourite pilot profile, or he's set to invulnerable.  For this reason I am not sure other aspects of my set-up are functioning as they should.  As I've said, my ALT/ATT hold will not work consistently.  THe problem is so bad I am considering going back to a non-ffb stick, which is nowhere near as immersive.  You mentioned not doing a full re-install.  Is there another option I could try?  It sounds like your set-up is working as it should, so perhaps it's not my stick but a corrupted config file, or whatever.

Alas, there is currently no way to fine tune the autopilot 'breakout'.  I understand there is with the F-4, so perhaps the F-14 will get something similar soon.  

 

null

image.png

Edited by JupiterJoe

"It's not necessary to tell me I'm right.  We'll just assume it."

MAXsenna

MAXsenna

Posted
Posted
40 minutes ago, JupiterJoe said:

My controls are showing a significant amount of forward input when I have A/P engaged and am in level flight (see attached).  Is yours the same? 

No, just slightly, wouldn't have noticed unless I looked for it. 

40 minutes ago, JupiterJoe said:

Apparently in real life a cold & dark F-14's stick is trimmed forward to aid pilot's ease of access to the cockpit.  So this is probably modelled correctly.

In hotstarts or airstarts? You might be right though, and should be fixed for those missions. 😊 

42 minutes ago, JupiterJoe said:

ACLS is broken for the FFB2 (maybe all ffb) stick(s).  Give it a try.  It's basically a suicide/self-destruct button.  Just make sure you're not using your favourite pilot profile, or he's set to invulnerable.

I will, and yes it is. 😉 

42 minutes ago, JupiterJoe said:

You mentioned not doing a full re-install.  Is there another option I could try?  It sounds like your set-up is working as it should, so perhaps it's not my stick but a corrupted config file, or whatever.

Yeah, a full repair with file checking. The Updater is what installs DCS and repairs it. So, a full repair is basically a re-installation, just a lot quicker and easier. 

Your settings are stored in Saved Games, as you know, and to get settings back to vanilla, just rename your DCS folder there as a backup. 

46 minutes ago, JupiterJoe said:

Alas, there is currently no way to fine tune the autopilot 'breakout'.  I understand there is with the F-4, so perhaps the F-14 will get something similar soon.

I meant under the special settings menu for the Tomcat. Not under the control settings. 

Cheers! 

  • Like 1
JupiterJoe

JupiterJoe

Posted
Posted (edited)
9 minutes ago, MAXsenna said:

Yeah, a full repair with file checking. The Updater is what installs DCS and repairs it. So, a full repair is basically a re-installation, just a lot quicker and easier. 

So yesterday's patch would have done a full file check and repair, would it not?

You're saying I just need to create a back up of my whole saved game folder (2.5 Gig), delete the original and the game will revert to default settings for controls?  Thanks, I'll give it a try...

Edited by JupiterJoe

"It's not necessary to tell me I'm right.  We'll just assume it."

MAXsenna

MAXsenna

Posted
Posted
So yesterday's patch would have done a full file check and repair, would it not?
You're saying I just need to create a back up of my whole saved game folder (2.5 Gig), delete the original and the game will revert to default settings for controls?  Thanks, I'll give it a try...
Yeah, basically during an update the Updater does just that. But only for files that comes with it originally. If you have added stuff like missions and campaigns. They will only be removed during a repair.
Rename the DCS folder in Saved Games, and you can add back, by moving, stuff you want again. Like mods, liveries, control settings etc. Or just delete it and start over.

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk

  • Thanks 1
JupiterJoe

JupiterJoe

Posted
Posted (edited)

...Okay, tried that, same result.  When in a 20+ degree bank you can see in exterior view (F4), some spurious inputs on the elevons (they jolt up/down for a fraction of a second).  This causes the aircraft to fluctuate whilst in ALT HOLD etc.  The A/P is being fought by these spurious inputs, but not enough to illuminate the A/P reference light.  In my opinion this speaks to a hardware issue (makes sense, it's a 20+ year-old, second-hand stick after all).  I wonder why it happens in a turn and when wing-sweep is beyond 40 degrees, above 30k feet. At lower altitudes and in level flight it's pretty steady 🤔  Trying to isolate the issue is driving me mad 🤪

Might have to get a screwdriver, take apart this stick and see if anything can be cleaned/tightened etc.

Edited by JupiterJoe

"It's not necessary to tell me I'm right.  We'll just assume it."

MAXsenna

MAXsenna

Posted
Posted
...Okay, tried that, same result.  When in a 20+ degree bank you can see in exterior view (F4), some spurious inputs on the elevons (they jolt up/down for a fraction of a second).  This causes the aircraft to fluctuate whilst in ALT HOLD etc.  The A/P is being fought by these spurious inputs, but not enough to illuminate the A/P reference light.  In my opinion this speaks to a hardware issue (makes sense, it's a 20+ year-old, second-hand stick after all).  I wonder why it happens in a turn and when wing-sweep is beyond 40 degrees, above 30k feet. At lower altitudes and in level flight it's pretty steady   Trying to isolate the issue is driving me mad 
Might have to get a screwdriver, take apart this stick and see if anything can be cleaned/tightened etc.
Hmmm... You are talking about spiking in the potentiometers. No need to take it apart. Just use any joystick tester, Virpil's free and DXview is good. And you can immediately observe if that happens. Now, maybe I didn't write this, but you are not the first to have the stick moving on its own in the Tomcat while in AP, I just haven't seen it before with me. How does it behave in other modules, as I'm sure this is Tomcat specific.

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk

  • Thanks 1
JupiterJoe

JupiterJoe

Posted
Posted (edited)

Yeah, here is a little video of these spikes/fluctuations/spurious signals, with no input from me.  I'm now fairly certain this is what's causing my issues.  I took the stick apart and my main focus was the potentiometer for the fore/aft axis and sure enough I found a slightly pinched blue wire.  Might bust-out my multi-meter later and see if I can test it.  The rest of the stick was in immaculate condition.  Looked brand new.  Be a shame if it can't be fixed.  Going to try the Virpil Joystick tester.  thanks for the heads-up.  I have a Virpil Throttle, so have that software...

Edited by JupiterJoe
  • Like 1

"It's not necessary to tell me I'm right.  We'll just assume it."

JupiterJoe

JupiterJoe

Posted
Posted (edited)

There is a slight step in the graph as the Y-axis moves through the centrepoint.  There's no step with the X-axis.  Not seeing any dramatic 'spikes' in the data though, a nice flat line when stationary.  It all looks pretty good to a layman like me. Perhaps it's something in DCS after all. What is DXView?

image.png

Edited by JupiterJoe

"It's not necessary to tell me I'm right.  We'll just assume it."

MAXsenna

MAXsenna

Posted
Posted (edited)
1 hour ago, JupiterJoe said:

There is a slight step in the graph as the Y-axis moves through the centrepoint. 

Yeah, that step is the hardware deadzone which can't be removed unfortunately. Without it, it would be tighter in the centre I believe. You don't get it on the X?

BTW! Have you taped over the sensor, or better yet, just open the grip and take it out!!!

DXview is just a piece of software to see spikes etc. I thought I could use it to get rid of the deadzone. But alas. 

I watched your vid. I'll compare with me. Can you make a vid of the physical stick. And I'll compare with mine. 

Edited by MAXsenna
RustBelt

RustBelt

Posted
Posted (edited)

Yea that Y dead zone makes the stick practically useless for AAR or close formation. And sadly just a part of it being a big straight cut gear drive. It was great in 1998, but they’re really showing their age these days. Mine is on the way out once I figure out how to properly design a capstan sector for my DIY system.

Edit: You know, I’m kind of curious what would happen if I rotated the stick mount 90 degrees and used X for pitch and Y for Roll. They have the same throw….. 

Edited by RustBelt
  • Like 1
MAXsenna

MAXsenna

Posted
Posted
Yea that Y dead zone makes the stick practically useless for AAR or close formation. And sadly just a part of it being a big straight cut gear drive. It was great in 1998, but they’re really showing their age these days. Mine is on the way out once I figure out how to properly design a capstan sector for my DIY system.
Edit: You know, I’m kind of curious what would happen if I rotated the stick mount 90 degrees and used X for pitch and Y for Roll. They have the same throw….. 
Huh? Is it only in one axis?
Interesting thought. I have like five here, so could probably mate two at 90 degrees, and map two X axis.

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk

RustBelt

RustBelt

Posted
Posted (edited)

On mine at least roll feels a lot more immediately responsive.

In the end moving on from the old sidewinder will have to happen. I already spent the too much money on the VP force big motor DIY kit. (Mere months before a bunch of FFB stuff was announced of course….)

Edited by RustBelt
  • Like 1
MAXsenna

MAXsenna

Posted
Posted
On mine at least roll feels a lot more immediately responsive.
In the end moving on from the old sidewinder will have to happen. I already spent the too much money on the VP force big motor DIY kit. (Mere months before a bunch of FFB stuff was announced of course….)
Okay, I'm have tested in both DXview and Virpil's. I do have an extension, so it's probably easier for me to notice it. Strange part is that it's part of the FFB, so it follows if I trim a helicopter. Go figure. So for me it's easier to fly with force trim in those modules I can.

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk

RustBelt

RustBelt

Posted
Posted (edited)

Yea it moves with the “center” it’s something that probably COULD be fixed in Firmware. If anyone could still get at it.

I’m cobbling an old Athlon xp/pentium4 system I’ll force Windows 95 on to see if any of the old sidewinder driver disk images floating around out there have anything more useful than an ugly late 90’s interface and some FFB demo tests.

Edited by RustBelt
  • Like 1
MAXsenna

MAXsenna

Posted
Posted
Yea it moves with the “center” it’s something that probably COULD be fixed in Firmware. If anyone could still get at it.
I’m cobbling an old Athlon xp/pentium4 system I’ll force Windows 95 on to see if any of the old sidewinder driver disk images floating around out there have anything more useful than an ugly late 90’s interface and some FFB demo tests.
AFAIK it requires Win98 through Vista actually.

https://archive.org/download/MSFF2USBDUCD

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk

JupiterJoe

JupiterJoe

Posted
Posted

Does anybody here fly Reflected's Speed & Angels campaign?  I am noticing the FFB can break when you follow the lead (Paco) to the runway in the early missions.  The wash from his engines makes the stick 'jolt' and then FFB no longer works as it should.  I have reported this in the recent patch feedback thread, but am worried it may just be me.  Thanks.

"It's not necessary to tell me I'm right.  We'll just assume it."

MAXsenna

MAXsenna

Posted
Posted
Does anybody here fly Reflected's Speed & Angels campaign?  I am noticing the FFB can break when you follow the lead (Paco) to the runway in the early missions.  The wash from his engines makes the stick 'jolt' and then FFB no longer works as it should.  I have reported this in the recent patch feedback thread, but am worried it may just be me.  Thanks.
My stick never stops working when encountering wake turbulence.
What have you done with optical safety switch in the grip?

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk

 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...