Force Feedback Stick Offset

[heloguy]

I've  noticed this with the A-10, and with the Heatblur F-14, but does anyone else find the forward stick offset/bias a little excessive with DX FFB enabled?  If I don't use DX FFB, then the stick stays in what feels like a more natural neutral position, but if I enable DX FFB, then the stick jumps forward, with no real difference in what the sim registers as control input.  Basically, it feels as if it's simulating less stick travel forward then back, but the effect makes me have to sit really far forward in my simpit to grasp the control grip.

 

Is there any way to use DX FFB, and have the stick not be in such a forward biased position?

Edited February 21, 2024 by heloguy
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[some1]

This is a bit of a mess in DCS. Some addons use full axis travel but shift the centre point with FFB (A-10), some use fixed centre point but don't use full axis travel (F/A-18), and some use fixed centre point but scale the forward joystick movement different than aft. And some addons let you choose, like the F-5.

I'm not aware of a setting for A-10 that could change this behaviour in DCS. I recalibrated the axis in my joystick software.

 

[heloguy]

Yeah, it is weird.  In the F-15E, when I trim with DX FFB turned on, I see the stick move in game, but it doesn't feel like my physical joystick is moving.  I've used hardware trim on my Brunner in the past, and thinking of going back to it, as that seems more realistic.

[alarrabee]

I pulled my old MS Force Feedback 2 joystick out of storage and it works great on the F/A-18C but I can not get the Y axis centered no matter what I try in the A-10C II.  I do have FF enabled and I have used the Windows joystick calibration tool with DCS closed and while in game and in flight but no matter what I do the physical joystick is pushed forward, the axis assign curve is off center, and the control indicator shows stick "center" well below the T intersection even when trim is perfectly centered.  Everything I have found (including in this post) says that it is "just the way it is" but I would really like to use this joystick with my A-10C II.  Any advice?

Edited July 19, 2024 by alarrabee

[jaylw314]

Don't know the answer, but I suspect it is intentional--most aircraft have a lot more travel nose up than nose down, so center should be biased forwards from the middle of the throw.  Most modules have some kind of bodge for standard joysticks where the forward half of the axis is less sensitive than the aft half, but that shouldn't be required for FFB sticks if they can just center to the proper position.

It does kind of mess up your curve, though, since it's in the wrong place, doesn't it?  

Edited July 19, 2024 by jaylw314

[alarrabee]

Exactly, the curve is the biggest issue since I need a small deadzone and I want minor movements to not affect the input as much but can't really do that where the "center" starts on the curve.

[some1]

8 hours ago, alarrabee said:

Any advice?

You have to lobby ED to implement FFB central position in the A-10 the way they did it in the F-5, or the Hornet. Curves will only mess up FFB further.

 

1 hour ago, jaylw314 said:

so center should be biased forwards from the middle of the throw

In the real aircraft the stick has less forward travel than aft. The stick is not biased forward, the neutral point remains roughly in the vertical stick position. 

In DCS A-10, you have to fly with the stick pegged at 75% forward, because that's where ED put the neutral point. As if anyone mounts their joystick at an angle.

 

[Youtch]

Mine looks more or less centered but with less travel in the forward position than backward (I am using a Rhino)

Does anyone know how much resistance there is in real life to the stick movement.

Is it light on the hand or rather heavy requiring strength to pull back?

As I am trying to configure FFB as close as possible to reality.

Many thanks in advance,

y.