Laser Not Ranging

[SnowTiger]

As of this weekend, I sometimes could not Lock a Target and even when I did, I was not getting a Laser RANGE TO TARGET.   NONE !
As such, I never knew exactly how far the target was from me and the Vikhr Missile often fell short (even when inside 3km's) !

I checked that All my Controls were working and recognized in the Controls Settings.
I even changed which button (on my Throttle) that I use for Locking and Ranging a Target and that didn't affect anything. Still no Range shown.

I should note that I usually use Auto Start to save some farting around, especially using VR with a Bad Back and Neck which negates my ability to look at either of the Rear Panels or many of the switches etc on the Right Wall Panel (towards the rear). 

My Master Arm is ON. I do have Vikhrs Missiles. The Laser switch is ON. The "Laser Rangefinder/Designator Mode Switch" is on MANUAL and the Correct Pylon has been selected indicating I have 12 Vikhrs. 
It's also important to note that I am NOT in Gun Mode. 

So I just don't understand what is going on. Last weekend, everything worked just peachy. This weekend ... Hair Pulling was in order !!

Somebody Please Help me understand wtf is going on ?
PS> While I was away from DCS for Years, I have been flying Black Shark 3 every weekend for the last 2 months but I'll admit, I had this same issue a month ago or so. It all worked just fine last weekend. 

[Flappie]

I see two possibilities:

1. The laser was powered On for too long and it burnt.
2. Or you mistook Ka-50 (BS2)  for Ka-50 III (BS3) - they have different bindings.

 

[SnowTiger]

On 6/22/2025 at 3:31 AM, Flappie said:

I see two possibilities:

1. The laser was powered On for too long and it burnt.
2. Or you mistook Ka-50 (BS2)  for Ka-50 III (BS3) - they have different bindings.

 

 

First of all, thank you for your reply, Flappie.
I definitely am using the correct Bindings thingy (definitely Ka-50 III) but I will concede that the laser may be getting burned out before I start trying to use it.
Now.. I "think" I actually tried it out before even taking off and/or I "think" I even tried it in a newly loaded and Auto-Started chopper but I will admit, I do flip the Left Side Console Laser Switch ON often before I even take off or shortly after taking off.
So my question is, if I have the Laser Switch ON, is it heating up even though I haven't Targeted anything yet ?

I'm pretty sure during my last flight (attempt), before my live wingman and I left the base, I wanted to try sending my wingman some Target DATA while hovering over our spawn position and I couldn't even get the laser to work then .. in a fresh chopper.

BUT ... I am going to go in tomorrow and try to see what I'm doing exactly while considering what you have suggested, just to double-check everything before I say any more. My recollection of my last flight(s) is more of Frustration than having a precise account of all that I did or did not do.
I will double check everything and report back, especially if I find that I'm just being Dense and/or whether one of your suggestions plays a roll
Thanks again for your time. 

[Chump]

The laser is quite picky. ONLY use it for any necessary spot ranging and during missile launch. Here are the rules:

Laser rangefinder operation mode for one flight, series: 5
Each serie consists of 16 cycles of 10 seconds with 5 sec interval between the cycles.
Interval between the series, min: 30

Page 13-4 from DCS: Blackshark 3 Pilot's Manual

Every time that you land, repair your bird. This will reset the laser.

[Flappie]

16 hours ago, SnowTiger said:

So my question is, if I have the Laser Switch ON, is it heating up even though I haven't Targeted anything yet ?

Yes, as long as the laser switch is set to ON, it's heating up. This means you can indeed burn the laser without even using the Shkval.

[SnowTiger]

On 6/26/2025 at 11:22 AM, Flappie said:

Yes, as long as the laser switch is set to ON, it's heating up. This means you can indeed burn the laser without even using the Shkval.

This is most likely where I have been going wrong. As soon as I get flying and am away from the Air Base or FARP, I arm my weapons AND turn the Laser switch ON.
I was under the impression that the switch merely applies power but that the Laser wasn't doing anything until and unless I Lock a Target (which Ranges at the same time). 

I will be flying today (Saturday) and will most definitely be changing my habits, utilizing the information I have received since first posting this issue.
Thanks to both Chump and Flappie for the replies as well as the detailed information provided.
I will report my results ASAP. Have a great day Y'all. 

[SnowTiger]

I'd just like to confirm that I was doing exactly that. Burning out the laser. 
I was just away from DCS for too many years to remember stuff and getting too old to learn much now. 
Thanks again for the help.