F4 cockpit too dark in VR

[Havoc25]

 Anyone else having issue with the cockpit panels being too dark in the F4? I've tried adjusting the gamma in both DCS and virtual desktop. still way too dark. It seems it is only with this module. no other aircraft looks like this. Trying to see the trim gauge to make sure I am 3 degrees nose down is a nightmare. 

[Raven (Elysian Angel)]

You're definitely not alone: it is indeed the darkest cockpit in DCS at the moment. In fact, it makes me a bit worried for when we finally get tinted helmet visors (Cobra announced it 2+ years ago for all HB modules): for me the dark patches around the cockpit look fine if I had my visor down, but there is a huge contrast when sunlight directly hits the inside of the cockpit.
That being said, lighting has been iffy in DCS for a good few years. I bet it's not easy having both the inner cockpit look properly lit AND not have your retinas burnt out when looking outside - and that's ignoring the washed out colours (of the outside world) when you don't have a visor down 

[Zabuzard]

Could you provide a screenshot of your DCS Graphics Options?

There are some options that can cause really weird stuff.

[ben_der]

Have you switched on Global Cockpit Illumination (iirc thats the setting) in the Graphics Settings of DCS?

Switching it on should make it brighter.

 

Edited April 19 by ben_der

[Raven (Elysian Angel)]

On 4/18/2025 at 5:51 AM, Havoc25 said:

is a nightmare

Personally I wouldn't call it that, but depending on the clouds in the mission and where the sun is at, things definitely are (very) dark.
For reference, these are mine (I fly exclusively in VR but made this screenshot in pancake mode):
 

[Zabuzard]

Can you try turning of DLSS and see if its better? Gamme 2.1 is what the experience was calibrated for btw, you are quite close to that value but perhaps you can give 2.1 a try just to see. And yeah, usually its the Cockpit Global Illumination that people who experience a too dark cockpit have turned off.

Edited April 19 by Zabuzard

[Raven (Elysian Angel)]

Sure, I'll see if it changes anything but do keep in mind Havoc needs your help more than I do
I only notice an issue in certain cloud preset / time of day combinations where the Phantom is FAR darker than any other module (tested by swapping the aircraft in the mission editor) and yes in such cases reading dials can become difficult.
Gamma 2.2 is default as far as I understand (both in general and in DCS), so 2.1 should make it darker rather than lighter, no?  

[Vitor_Hugo]

In VR with the Pilot Body the cockpit gets more darker

I know that the pilot body makes some shadows,

but it would be cool if the difference in lightning wasn't so big

[Havoc25]

Here is a screen of my settings. null

[Raven (Elysian Angel)]

I deleted my Saved Games DCS folder and let DCS rebuild it, and I haven't had the issue with harsh shadows since. I don't know conclusively if it fixed my issues, but so far it's looking promising. Perhaps you can try that as well, Havoc...

[bilbosmeggins]

I’m guessing that my cockpit is even darker than you peoples, given that I’ve turned the gamma down quite a bit. I find that the landscape is way too bleached in VR with higher gamma values. 

[Raven (Elysian Angel)]

19 minutes ago, bilbosmeggins said:

I find that the landscape is way too bleached in VR with higher gamma values. 

Yes it is, hence the amount of people asking developers to implement working helmet visors. That takes care of that problem  

[bilbosmeggins]

1 hour ago, Raven (Elysian Angel) said:

Yes it is, hence the amount of people asking developers to implement working helmet visors. That takes care of that problem  

Oh, I didn’t realise. Have any been implemented yet? I have the F4, which has a visor/sunglasses option. I’ve not tried using them yet as I just assumed it was a cosmetic gimic. 

Edited May 17 by bilbosmeggins

[Raven (Elysian Angel)]

27 minutes ago, bilbosmeggins said:

Have any been implemented yet?

Not by Heatblur, but Cobra announced 2+ years ago it’s coming for all of their modules.

ED has been either ignoring those requests or playing a “yes it’s coming - haha tricked you it isn’t! - we might do it at some point - we know it’s important so we requested it” game for the last 8 years.

Many other developers did include it, and the upcoming Bo-105 will also have one

[lefuneste01]

you can also try my mod which is enabling different reshade fllters for cockpit or outside. It is done mainly for VR but most features should work in 2d: 

 

[Keith Briscoe]

I think it's cool how much the lighting is impacted by the direction of light and shadows.