How do you guys operate the controls?

[mR.Waffles]

Hi guys I'm brand new to the game, and to flight simulation in general. I've always been a casual flight fan and decided to step it up and learn to fly this helicopter for real. Should I get a Tracker IR? As it stands now its really hard to fly (hand on stick) and move around the cabin/click the buttons with the mouse. How do you guys click all the buttons? Does the head tracker help? Is there a touch screen I can get? Let a newbie have some advice. Thanks!

[opformaster]

If you look in the Cockpits and Hotas section HERE you will find a plethora of threads ranging from simpit builds to joystick flame wars. It may take a bit of reading but you will definitely get allot of info from them.

 

-op4

[mR.Waffles]

I don't have the money to get a new joystick (using MS Force feedback 2) so I'm thinking of purchasing a tracker IR. Which would be best?

[Roosterfeet]

I've been flying full real with a Force Feedback2 for a while and it's been great. Here's a tip: program one button (I use number 8 ) as a modify button and you can program twice as many functions to your stick.

 

Get a Track IR! It makes a world of difference. Get Track IR and learn to mouse left handed so you don't have to take your hand off the stick. It will take a little practice, but you will get used to it.

Edited February 6, 2009 by Roosterfeet

[mR.Waffles]

Ok so you guys just click on all the buttons with the mouse left handed then?

[Glowing_Amraam]

I'm using the same joystick as you are using, and im doing just fine :)

I also have TrackIR, and although it helps alot, it is not a requirement. You can still play Black Shark in a perfect manner even without TrackIR.

[GGTharos]

TrackIR is a great investment for this sim.

 

Also, make sure you trim the heli, trimming is basically the act of making the helicopter fly 'your way', holding the attitude you command it to depending on how you've set p your autopilot.

 

Once you trim, you can let go for a few moments to click on stuff. If you need a lot of time to click, get into a hover in a safe place and click away, then continue your flight.

 

The trick to reducing clicking around the cockpit here though is to have things prepared before you take off, at least with respect to navigation etc.

[mR.Waffles]

Ok, my force feedback portion of my stick is broken thanks to my room mates jerk of a cat, so the stick doesn't automatically recenter (all ffb is broken). I heard that might make it a pain to trim. I'm just gonna get the Tracker and try to click left handed and work on one thing at a time.

[Roosterfeet]

I don't know if other people mouse left handed, but it makes my life easier.

[Vitesse2l]

What's wrong with your MSFFB?

 

I have had to repair mine because the power socket has broken. My quick fix was to solder the power leads directly to the circuit board. I could buy a new plug and socket but TBH it's worked like this for several years and it's an old gameport type...

 

Note - If this is the problem, do not mix up the polarity!

 

MSFFB works very well in this sim.

 

Cheers!

[Dave317]

Get the track ir. Once you have one you will never want to play another sim without it.

[mR.Waffles]

What's wrong with your MSFFB?

 

I have had to repair mine because the power socket has broken. My quick fix was to solder the power leads directly to the circuit board. I could buy a new plug and socket but TBH it's worked like this for several years and it's an old gameport type...

 

Note - If this is the problem, do not mix up the polarity!

 

MSFFB works very well in this sim.

 

Cheers!

 

My room mates cat knocked it off the desk and now it acts like it doesn't have power even with the power cord connected, so I'm gonna try to open it up and fix it. Not really sure how. Guess I'll just wing it!

[JDski]

I've been lucky doing flight sims because I'm part left handed and right handed. I normally use the mouse with my left hand, and I am comfortable using the joystick in the right.

I'm mostly right handed with everything except I write with my left and the mouse of course. It's like I'm left handed but right armed. Although I use sissors with my right hand. I can't use both equally so I'm not really ambidextrous. I'm really not sure what the heck I am.

[Jack57]

I have extended the handle on my joystick so I can place it on the floor between my legs. The longer joystick makes your inputs feel MUCH more realistic. For helo sims I also remove the centering springs - I have been doing this for this years and once you become accustomed to it you will never go back. So much more realistic, which of course also means you can't let go of the cyclic as it will topple.

 

IRL I used to frequently fly with the joystick held between my knees while I made notes, etc. You can do this in this sim although it tends to be too sensitive to tiny inputs. As an alternative I simply hold the cyclic with my left hand while I use the mouse. If you concentrate on just keeping it motionless there won't be much of a problem.

 

My 2 cents worth . . . :pilotfly:

Edited February 6, 2009 by Jack57
spelling

[spybaz]

If clickability in the cockpit is your main problem I highly recommend getting a Saitek x52 joystick before Track IR. While Track IR is fantastic (I use it on all my sims), if you are tied to a budget and can only afford a joystick OR TIR, getting the x52 is probably the best solution to your problems.

 

Not only can you assign virtually every key stroke (read 'cockpit click') to the joystick but there is ALSO a mouse emulator gadget on the joystick so you NEVER have to take your hands off the joystick - ever!

 

Except when you want to go to bed.

:)

[CAT_101st]

Ok so you guys just click on all the buttons with the mouse left handed then?

 

I have a close to full pit built 72 switches.. and the ones I dont have maped I just trim to levl flight or in hover I use my right hand for the mouse.

[Amuro]

Do you guys think MS FF2 is easier than the X-52 for flying the Ka50? I'm currenly using a X-52 Pro but have a MS FF2 lying around. Should try the FF2?

[Tenebrae]

I use a CH fighter stick, Pro throttle, pedals and TrackIR. I have my mouse just to the the left of my throttle so that I can keep my right hand on the stick whilst clicking buttons in the pit. I'm left handed but it didn't take that long to learn to fly right handed - afterall fine control on the collective is just as important ;). TrackIR is more important than an expensive HOTAS with rudder pedals IMO.

[scatter]

Do you guys think MS FF2 is easier than the X-52 for flying the Ka50? I'm currenly using a X-52 Pro but have a MS FF2 lying around. Should try the FF2?

 

I'd try it if I were you as it does feel different - I got a cheapie off ebay just to see what it's like in Black Shark and haven't gone back to my CH Fighterstick. I'm finding it easier to fly but it could be me just getting better. I'll retest flying with the CH stick to see what's what.

 

One note though, XP SP2 broke the programability of the FF2 so you'll need to map the buttons in sim and you won't have any shift functions available. It was hard giving up all those hats on the CH stick.

[sobek]

Ok, my force feedback portion of my stick is broken thanks to my room mates jerk of a cat, so the stick doesn't automatically recenter (all ffb is broken). I heard that might make it a pain to trim. I'm just gonna get the Tracker and try to click left handed and work on one thing at a time.

 

If you don't want to spend a lot of money and seeing that you're bit of a selfmade man, trying to repair that stick on your own, i'd advise you to use freetrack. I'm using it for almost a year now and it works really well.

[WynnTTr]

I don't use the mosue anymore when flying.

TrackIR + x52 pro throttle mouse functions works great. In fact, the mouse functionality was the main reason I got the x52 pro.

[mudpuppy]

OK guys you were talking about using the mouse, WynnTTr said he doesn't use his mouse anymore. I would like to be able to use the mouse but don't know how to get it to work :( I know with Lock On you could use your mouse to look out side the cockpit and zoom in and out. But for the life of me I can't find anywhere how to set this up. Sure could use some help with this.:D And Thanks to all for any help.

[JDski]

It should be set up to use as default. You may need to hit alt +C to change from the button clicking yellow X to mouse view first? Then the mouse wheel zooms.

[Amuro]

I'd try it if I were you as it does feel different - I got a cheapie off ebay just to see what it's like in Black Shark and haven't gone back to my CH Fighterstick. I'm finding it easier to fly but it could be me just getting better. I'll retest flying with the CH stick to see what's what.

 

One note though, XP SP2 broke the programability of the FF2 so you'll need to map the buttons in sim and you won't have any shift functions available. It was hard giving up all those hats on the CH stick.

Good, I'll try it. BTW, do you know if the throttle unit of the X52 can work without the stick attached? I do have a CH throttle but I prefer the feel of the X52 throttle.

[mudpuppy]

Hey Thanks JDski, I'll give that a shot when I get off work;) And again Thanks guy...