HOTAS set up questions for a noob

[Phantom309]

Hello all, this is my first real post here. Never did a formal introduction as I didn't place for it. I've worked on the ejction seats in fighters for the past 20+ years. My airframes are the F15C/D/E models, F4E/G models and the RF-4C, and now the F16. After seeing the 2024 and beyond video I decided to go all in on DCS. Because I want to fly them virtually. I've had the A10C for years, bought it on steam on sale. Transferred over to DCS as I read this was the better way to play.

Last year I bought a used X52 off of ebay. It works ok but I think really it just needs a good cleaning and some TLC and I plan on using it as a back up stick. I'm getting the T.16000m stick & throttle for my birthday, and I'm gonna pick up FC3 to go with it. 

All this to ask...Is it better to use TARGET ( I think that's what it's called) or in-game control settings to assign functions in my HOTAS?

Thankd

[razo+r]

I've never bothered with the TARGET software. I've done always everything through the ingame control options. 

[MAXsenna]

Never used T.A.R.G.E.T, it's good if you need more buttons. But I map buttons as close to the real thing as possible, so I have no need for it.
Edit: If you get hooked you might find the TM T16.000M lacking of buttons. So you better plan and start saving for a future update. This hobby is highly addictive hardware wise...
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[Phantom309]

@razo+r Awesome Thank you for the response.

@Schlingel mit Kringel Thank you for the response and the tip about clearing out the column. I will definitely do that when I get it. 

@MAXsenna agreed. I like to try to map as close to the real thing as possible. With out TrackIR or anything. I'll have to use one of my hats for looking around. I was using the little mouse nib on my X52 to that and it made it so much better. The A10 not so much. I got a lot of work to do learning that aircraft

[scommander2]

Agree all above.

When I use T.A.R.G.E.T just for testing hardware and reset/adjust hardware, and nothing to do with DCS.

[Phantom309]

@Schlingel mit Kringel Thanks for the info. I've downloaded the A10 guide. I'll find it on my phone and give it a through look through and study along with other modules that I want to get eventually.  I'm excited about getting into this game finally. I'll finally get to "fly" the airplanes I've worked on over the years. 

Does Chucks guides kind of tell you what's important to bind and what's not really needed to bind?

[unlikely_spider]

2 minutes ago, Phantom309 said:

Does Chucks guides kind of tell you what's important to bind and what's not really needed to bind?

They have a very helpful page where he shows which binds he's got assigned to his HOTAS. You can use that as a guide, though many of the acronyms in the diagram will not have meaning to someone not yet versed in the module.

[Phantom309]

@unlikely_spider awesome! Thanks

[Slippa]

I’d have to agree with MaXSenna about the hardware.

Just don’t get too carried away if and when you build a sim-pit. You really don’t want a working ejector seat indoors so don’t be nicking anything from work. 

Happy HOTAS Birthday too. 

[Phantom309]

@Slippa  Thank you! I'm sure my wife would have a lot to tell me if drug an ACES II or Martin-Baker through front door. I don't think that go over very good. 

Edited February 14, 2024 by Phantom309
Had to add a word

[Phantom309]

Thank you. I was playing around with my X52 a couple of weeks and originally when I started the tutorials for the SU25T the only thing I binded was the flight axis commands. And then I would add them as I progressed through the tutorials. Until I got the guns and those green boxes I had to fly through had me wanting to Chuck my laptop of the back door. 

I will try what you suggested when I get my T.16000m. I think that would work better for me and then change it to fit me. I noticed on a lot profiles I looked at for 16000 that one of then buttons on the throttles seems to make a good modifier. I can't wait to get into it. 

[MAXsenna]

I’d have to agree with MaXSenna about the hardware.
Just don’t get too carried away if and when you build a sim-pit. You really don’t want a working ejector seat indoors so don’t be nicking anything from work. 
Happy HOTAS Birthday too. 

Haha! This is the way. Keep your simpit outdoors!

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[Phantom309]

HAHAHA for sure