Sidebar keys worth binding?

[Voyager]

So, getting back into DCS and cleaning up and binding my old CH MFD, and trying to figure out what side panel buttons are worth binding. 

I know pretty much everything on the Displays panel is worth it, plus the air source five for aerial refueling. That's 24 of 50 buttons. 

I think I can bond the key autopilot controls to the Warthog throttle. 

Not quite sure what other side panel buttons I'd need to use much in flight though. Do you end up doing much with the radio configs or tacan settings after getting airborne? 

I'm curious what people would recommend using the other 25 buttons for. 

[Uxi]

I have most of the Display bound to my VKB MCG Pro along with the nav steer commands. 

I have the autopilot bound on my Virpil throttle.  The rest are my fuel probe, nose strut, and spoiler and brake. 

AIR Source you only need two for refueling, but cycle through everything but RAM Air on an Cold Start. This is mostly for immersion/ realism and only need Both/off for in game effect. 

I did build a button box for all air source as well as lighting. The next most important are the vertical panels for landing gear and tail hook. For myself, I most desire emergency wing sweep. 

[scommander2]

19 hours ago, Voyager said:

I'm curious what people would recommend using the other 25 buttons for. 

Well, it is a good question since Tomcat does not have MFDs unlike F-16/F-18/AH-64D/F-15E (I think).

My opinion, one single key biding press will save lots of time compare with clicking the keyboard combo keys especially in the combat mode, but it is required muscle memory for a function per a button. 

For my setting, I leave the major functions on Warthog throttle and joystick because they are always easy to be reach in all of time (yes, I do use the autopilot functions since they are already available with throttle).  I do have use "Total control systems" multi-fucntion box to off load other "secondary" controls (I feel), for example VID/TID switching and dimmable, kneeboard and prev/next, open ACM cover/jetting stuff, controlling cockpit lighting in the night mission/night goggle/flashlight, canopy closing/opeing,  etc.  Again, these functions can be setup with the 25 buttons whatever feel right and easy access when needed.

The polit and RIO key bindings can be different.

Edited July 10, 2023 by scommander2

[Voyager]

12 hours ago, Uxi said:

I have most of the Display bound to my VKB MCG Pro along with the nav steer commands. 

I have the autopilot bound on my Virpil throttle.  The rest are my fuel probe, nose strut, and spoiler and brake. 

AIR Source you only need two for refueling, but cycle through everything but RAM Air on an Cold Start. This is mostly for immersion/ realism and only need Both/off for in game effect. 

I did build a button box for all air source as well as lighting. The next most important are the vertical panels for landing gear and tail hook. For myself, I most desire emergency wing sweep. 

Where did you find the air source commands? What are they called? I can't seem to trace them down in keybinds.

2 hours ago, scommander2 said:

Well, it is a good question since Tomcat does not have MFDs unlike F-16/F-18/AH-64D/F-15E (I think).

My opinion, one single key biding press will save lots of time compare with clicking the keyboard combo keys especially in the combat mode, but it is required muscle memory for a function per a button. 

For my setting, I leave the major functions on Warthog throttle and joystick because they are always easy to be reach in all of time (yes, I do use the autopilot functions since they are already available with throttle).  I do have use "Total control systems" multi-fucntion box to off load other "secondary" controls (I feel), for example VID/TID switching and dimmable, kneeboard and prev/next, open ACM cover/jetting stuff, controlling cockpit lighting in the night mission/night goggle/flashlight, canopy closing/opeing,  etc.  Again, these functions can be setup with the 25 buttons whatever feel right and easy access when needed.

The polit and RIO key bindings can be different.

 

Yeah, the Master Arm and ACM cover I've got on the bottom toggle switches on the Warthog throttle. 

How did you get the autopilot stuff bound up? I was trying to use the throttle's Autopilot push button as a toggle, but the Autopilot toggle only set the autopilot to engaged? Had to use the disengage paddle to turn it off. (Sorry not at my PC so trying to describe the bindings by memory). 

[Callsign JoNay]

Aside from the Display and Autopilot panels...,

-The entire ACM panel.

-SAS (at least roll SAS).

-The Target Designator switch, obviously.

-Boost/ATC modes for the engine.

-Asymmetric limiter maybe?

-Spoiler and anti skid switch.

-Fuel probe switch.

-Flood lights white and red toggle.

-All the Jester hotkeys like TWS, RWS, STT, TID ground and aircraft stabilized, ranges 400-25, etc.

-ICS mic hot/cold (if you fly with others).

 

For all radio and TACAN operation, I just use the mouse.

[scommander2]

21 hours ago, Voyager said:

How did you get the autopilot stuff bound up?

The AFCS panel (2nd photo) is taken from the HB manual for the demo purpose (due to copyright from https://heatblur.se/F-14Manual/cockpit.html#afcs-control-panel) with the label 4 to 7.

My throttle autopilot photo (1st) provided.

For the button 7, I use Autopolit on, else Off to control.  Press 1st time to engage autopilot, presss 2nd for disengage it (and disengage 6 and 5 if either one is on).  The mouse click will be remembered for the current state, and the button 7 click will go in either engage or disengage (the sequence will not be messed up).   

Hope it helps.

Edited July 11, 2023 by scommander2

[draconus]

On 7/9/2023 at 9:08 PM, Voyager said:

Do you end up doing much with the radio configs or tacan settings after getting airborne?

I just click through it when needed or ask Jester for setting his radio/TACAN.

On 7/10/2023 at 6:58 PM, Voyager said:

How did you get the autopilot stuff bound up? I was trying to use the throttle's Autopilot push button as a toggle, but the Autopilot toggle only set the autopilot to engaged?

AP toggle binding works... just don't mess with SAS switches inbetween. It's a bug.

Given the choice of having it I'd probably not use CH MFD - no need for another keyboard especially in VR.