A little underwhelmed with HF8 gaming seat pad

[BluesRocket]

The gaming pad seems like a bit of a waste to me.

So...

It's taken me nearly a year to get my hardware, sim pit and software all working well together, and FINALLY, I'm focusing exclusively on DCS (nothing else other than Windows 11 and DCS accessory software is installed on this gaming PC). Currently, I'm learning to take off, navigate and land in the F-16, with a little time in the F-4 too as I anticipate the Cold War Instant Action, missions and campaigns to begin emerging. I've just started radar and warning displays, and my first Aim-9 kill. Cool.

No tweaks to my Dell system yet and no tweaks inside of DCS yet. I use the predefined High settings for flat screen, and currently trying VR (Meta Quest 3). I'm trying to learn in flat screen, then shift into VR for a more immersive experience.

I'm using SimShaker for Aviators with a USB connection for the haptic seat pad. The SimShaker for Aviators developer says support for the HF8 is "limited" but so far I can't find out what that means. I don't have a dedicated sound card in my machine by the way, so I THINK that means bass shakers aren't an option, and thus limit my software options.

The gaming pad just has generic rumbles during certain flying activities. No left or right only, or specific shakers in the seat going off. It's kind of all or nothing. Frankly, it adds nothing. Disappointed.

So am I missing something obvious--what do you tweak? Are there better software options that work through the USB connection. Or, just sell for a loss or store the HF8 and invest in a bass shaker/sound card solution. I have the SimFab DCS cockpit so it would have to attach to that: https://simfab.com/product/dcs-edition-modular-flight-pit/?srsltid=AfmBOooi4p22HCWFvw7BU9zMnw2GviY2oBBcFcQb0fyNCvyLusHLesnF

Thanks for again listening to an "old newb".

[Dogmanbird]

would you be happy to DIY something?

If so, for the same price as the HF8 (of maybe less) you could use some small shakers, a couple of very cheap audio amps, cheap usb sound interface and simshaker for aviators / sound module. At least with shakers you can achieve a variation in both frequency and amplitude. Simshaker sound mod allows you to use your own custom wave files

I get best results mounting the shakers out on a thin plywood tongue / lever which is bolted to the chair of frame, rather than bolting shakers directly to the chair or frame etc. 

 

Edited 18 hours ago by Dogmanbird