Pending Noob

[Burky]

Looking for some advice, but first an introduction. I'm nearly 73 yrs old, retired USAF pilot, with time in the F-4E from 1977-80, and I am considering getting into DCS but am looking for some advice and support regarding some second thoughts. I see a lot of posts about software issues, bugs, hardware compatibility, etc. I'm not that much of a computer geek, so not into modifying files and such to get things to work. So, assuming I get near top of line stick and throttle hardware, can I be reasonably assured I will be able to play in DCS. I have an Alienware R-15 desktop, Windows 11 Home, 16 GB, 13th Gen Intel(r) Core i7-13700F, with NVIDEA GeFORCE RTX 3060 graphics card.

I am considering the Winwing Orion 2 HOTAS Metal Warthog with the F-16EX grip, or the VIRPIL Constellation Alpha Prime stick with the CM3 Throttles, or the VKB Gunfighter Mark V Ultimate stick with the STEC Standard throttles. I would appreciate any feedback on which of these three options would be best for DCS aircraft piloting. My intention is to concentrate on the F-4E but would probably also try my hand at the F-15 models also since I have a few hours in the F-15C.

Assuming I can get into DCS without too much trouble, I am looking to work solo until I am proficient with A/A and A/G employment before joining a squadron. Once ready to contribute to a squadron's operations, any suggestions for which ones to join would be appreciated. 

[Hawkeye60]

By pending Noob. should I now assume any women this age who are ex military,

And decide to join DCS, should be called

"Pending Noobettes?"

Sorry, it is HOT!

Must be heat stroke!

[Burky]

Over 80 views but no reply to the questions posed...

[rob10]

16 GB RAM is probably tight to get DCS to work well.  I'd look at 32 as a minimum and probably just go 64 GB if you can.  Probably any of the HOTAS setups will be fine.  They all have their pluses and minuses.  I'd take a browse of the inputs subforum for each brand to get a better idea.  I have a mongrel setup of WinWing, Virpil and Thrustmaster which all work together with no issues, so don't be afraid to mix and match.  And you'll want lots of space on a fast drive for storage.  DCS is big and getting bigger all the time as stuff gets added.

Squadron is a tough one.  Take a look and see what you're after.  They range from laid back with few or no rules through hard core milsim with high attendance and performance requirements and everything in between.  Personally I like semi-milsim where you aim for generally proper procedure but no one is going to yell at you if you don't get it right every time.

[NoEmergency3080]

Would concur with the above. Machine seems fine but the RAM might be a bottleneck a bit. 

 

FWIW given what's needed for bindings in the Phantom, I think any of the options you've mentioned would be great fits. Really comes down to personal perference. (I went with a Virpil WarBRD stick for a more 1:1 on the stick at least.) 

 

And squadrons, depends on the group, some are even willing to help those fresh into the game get up and running. 

[MAXsenna]

I agree with Rob regarding the RAM. As for the stick, I can tell you right now that for the F-4, you'd definitely want a force feedback stick! And we all would love to hear from a person that actually have used that system in the F-4 in real life, and have them to compare it to how well HB have simulated it!
Cheers!

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk

[ColonelAgile]

On 7/13/2024 at 8:07 PM, Burky said:

My intention is to concentrate on the F-4E but would probably also try my hand at the F-15 models also since I have a few hours in the F-15C.

Regarding the F15s in DCS, you have two models : an F15C from Eagle Dynamics which is of the "FC3" type, meaning it's a simplified simulation on avionics, with no clickable cockpit and every controls bindable to keys or your stick, so it could be an easy entry into DCS (with all your real-life experience, you may actually have to "adjust" to videogame simulation logic and how it differs from real life or millitary-grade simulators). There is also a F15E Strike Eagle, which though very much simulated in detail, is made by Razbam, a (very good) module maker who unfortunately happened to be caught in a commercial dispute with Eagle Dynamics (editors of DCS), so the future of this module is in question. 

But if you start with the F4E, you might feel very much at home and enjoy it a lot !

Edited July 15, 2024 by ColonelAgile

[Burky]

Thanks, for the good advice above. I'll try it with 16G RAM and upgrade if it glitches. I would like to get a stick that is close to the F-4E stick, but it seems all the makers have moved on. I will check out the Virpil WarBRD if it is still available. I scanned some of the squads and saw there was a full range of commitment required. At my age, I don't need the stress of having to be online at a certain time or else. I would just like to get on when I can make time and go find a dogfight or ground targets to obliterate.

Again, thanks everyone. I appreciate your efforts to help a FNG.

[Skeet]

My opinion, get your credit card out, commit, and not look back! WinWing is good stuff, you will not be disappointed in that choice. You will want to figure out how you want your virtual cockpit (your desk) to be setup; where and how stuff will mount or if it is just going to sit there (can you reach it comfortably), how you want your chair so that you are comfortable in it for hours at a time, maybe rudder pedals, your head tracker, your headset (wired or wireless), etc., etc. You will find that the hardware is more expensive (and maybe harder to acquire, and as difficult to set up) as the dang game. It's much cheaper than a horse though, so you can feel good in that!  

Related to your PC, if you find that your box needs a little more, then you just go out and get a little more; RAM is relatively cheap, frankly even a new/larger hard drive is relatively cheap. I don't know how much storage you have available, but this software is huge, particularly once you start buying all of the terrains/maps that are available. If you are not confident enough to do it yourself or don't have an existing IT guy, just call and make an appointment at Best Buy/Geek Squad, take the machine down to them. They will sell you components and install them (probably even give you consulting advise).

Once you are thousands of dollars into it, stuff is starting to deliver to your doorstep, excited as can be, at that point you are going to find that the game is very complex with thousands of options in setting it up and much of this will probably be foreign to you. You should count on the fact that initially you will have a few frustrations as you are working towards getting all of your new hardware components functioning with the game. When that happens, when you are frustrated, you take a break from it. Just take a break, step back and figure out which section of this website is the appropriate place to ask, and then post your questions / concerns / problems. You will have dozens of folks responding, and willing to help you off the cliff!

Welcome to the deep end of the pool!

[NIGHTHAWK1]

My thoughts--go with VR headset, much better SA, but also takes a fairly powerful machine.

[Skeet]

The OP is 73 years old.  The game is difficult enough just to setup without having to deal with VR.

[PawlaczGMD]

On 7/13/2024 at 2:07 PM, Burky said:

Looking for some advice, but first an introduction. I'm nearly 73 yrs old, retired USAF pilot, with time in the F-4E from 1977-80, and I am considering getting into DCS but am looking for some advice and support regarding some second thoughts. I see a lot of posts about software issues, bugs, hardware compatibility, etc. I'm not that much of a computer geek, so not into modifying files and such to get things to work. So, assuming I get near top of line stick and throttle hardware, can I be reasonably assured I will be able to play in DCS. I have an Alienware R-15 desktop, Windows 11 Home, 16 GB, 13th Gen Intel(r) Core i7-13700F, with NVIDEA GeFORCE RTX 3060 graphics card.

I am considering the Winwing Orion 2 HOTAS Metal Warthog with the F-16EX grip, or the VIRPIL Constellation Alpha Prime stick with the CM3 Throttles, or the VKB Gunfighter Mark V Ultimate stick with the STEC Standard throttles. I would appreciate any feedback on which of these three options would be best for DCS aircraft piloting. My intention is to concentrate on the F-4E but would probably also try my hand at the F-15 models also since I have a few hours in the F-15C.

Assuming I can get into DCS without too much trouble, I am looking to work solo until I am proficient with A/A and A/G employment before joining a squadron. Once ready to contribute to a squadron's operations, any suggestions for which ones to join would be appreciated. 

Something that wasn't mentioned yet - you will definitely want a head tracking solution if you're serious. Unless you want to go with the VR route, which 1. can be a real pain to set up 2. is expensive 3. I'm not sure your laptop is powerful enough for VR. 

Then you should get head tracking like TrackIR or similar. It's essentially a clip you put on your head, and a camera tracks it to map your head movement to where your virtual pilot is looking. I think there is also tech that just tracks your head without the need for an IR clip, but I only ever used VR so I cannot say what is best specifically.

[unclesneep]

I have the winwing f16ex stick and the f15ex throttle.. works wonderfully.  F4e is a great jet in dcs, and heatblur has done it great justice.. just can't wait for the navy version... and the intruder...

[Slippa]

Welcome 

I can recommend trackIR too. Before I got any kind of head tracker I was fumbling around, I learnt to cold start and fly without it so it’s possible but I don’t know how I put up with it thinking back now. Well worth having some type of head-tracker.

Anything I ever get stuck with (plenty), including my frequent installation fumble-fingered forays, I ask for and usually get plenty of help here so as mentioned, post whenever you’re tangled up.

Be prepared for forensic questioning as to ‘what this switch really does’ and ‘how does this compare’ type stuff given your experience. Have to say the F4 we have is really well done, as is the Eagle though as ColAgile says, it’s a bit dodgy as to how long it can be maintained etc. There’s plenty of decent modules, different types and ways to use em, we’re spoilt for choice really. 

Enjoy.

 

[Arecibo]

Save your money and don’t bother with TrackIR for head tracking. A cheap webcam with OpenTrack + AI Track software will work perfectly. There’s some good YouTube videos on how to set that up. Pretty straightforward stuff. I can definitely recommend the Winwing Metal Warthog HOTAS. Some second hand Thrustmaster rudders from eBay will save you a bit of money too. Hope you have a lot of fun with DCS! Don’t worry too much about bugs and the like. 
 

Would be good to hear how you’re getting on!

Edited January 6 by Arecibo