DCS: A-10C Warthog

[ArcticAge]

Hello everybody!

 

I've got a question:

 

Do you think that DCS: A-10C is playable with only a joystick(with a throttle control) and my keyboard?

My Joystick:

 

Because I'm thinking of buying this cool Game.

 

 

Thanks a lot,

ArcticAge

Edited February 2, 2011 by ArcticAge

[mtuckner]

Yes, it is very doable. However, there are a multitude of complex controls to learn on the keyboard. It may take a bit of flight time to get used to and to understand the concepts of certain functions such as the DMS, TMS, Coolie Hat, Boat Switch, etc. I had a hard time grappling with those, until I got a real HOTAS setup (TM Warthog!).

 

But, I was flying for about 3 or 4 weeks just as you are describing and it became quite natural. Just make sure your joystick w/throttle has plenty of extra buttons and not just the stick and throttle. Makes life easier.

[ArcticAge]

Any other opinion?

[element1108]

So you have a separate throttle? Or is the throttle the throttle on the stick?

 

If you're talking about throttle control on the stick, then yes DCS A-10C is PLAYABLE with that joystick setup, but it will limit you severely on "realistic" settings. I have an X52 and there are some functions i'd love to have on my HOTAS I just don't have the buttons for.

 

In the past I've never let my hardware stop me from buying a sim, I either turn down the detail level and res to get playable frame rates, or figure out an alternative to having 50 thousand button combo's at my finger tips.

 

In all honestly you could totally play the sim with that stick, just appreciate a few things may be a bit tougher control. Who knows, you may like the sim so much it will entice you to upgrade at some point (X52 is a cost effective alternative to the TM Warthog) and gives you built in rudder control.

 

All the best in your decision making process ArcticAge.

Edited February 10, 2011 by element1108

[Yoni63]

Your not going to be happy at all with that set up. At first, you'll be amazed, but that will quickly turn to frustration when you realize you can't effectively manipulate the required pilot controls.

 

Like Mtuckner said above, there are multiple switches/buttons etc on both the throttle and the stick that literally must be utilized. I have the Hotas Warthog and I'm still trying to get faster at searching for a target, etc etc..

 

Sorry to be a wet blanket, but you'll end up trying to figure out how to buy the Hotas..

[Shake3000]

And next you'll want TrackIR, TM MFD's, bigger monitor, new PC. It's an expensive hobby :)

[Nate--IRL--]

Your not going to be happy at all with that set up. At first, you'll be amazed, but that will quickly turn to frustration when you realize you can't effectively manipulate the required pilot controls.

 

Like Mtuckner said above, there are multiple switches/buttons etc on both the throttle and the stick that literally must be utilized. I have the Hotas Warthog and I'm still trying to get faster at searching for a target, etc etc..

 

Sorry to be a wet blanket, but you'll end up trying to figure out how to buy the Hotas..

 

Wrong. I have almost the exact same joystick (Force feedback version) and I have ALL of the HOTAS controls Mapped to it.

 

Nate

[MTFDarkEagle]

It's an expensive hobby :)

^that!

 

But you'll be able to play with your joystick, though I can imagine it could be difficult assigining all the functions to it, but as it turns out, it is possible.

[lobo]

"Do you think that DCS: A-10C is playable with only a joystick(with a throttle control) and my keyboard?"

 

Yes!

 

There seems to be no limit to the amount of money you can throw at this hobby. There are better HOTAS sticks, however I think as long as you've got a stick and throttle (which you have), you are good to go.

[slowhand]

Flight Siming,Is like shoveling money into a hole in the sky..:pilotfly:

[Nickhawk]

Do you think that DCS: A-10C is playable with only a joystick(with a throttle control) and my keyboard?

 

yes :thumbup:

 

with the clickable cockpit it is very good playable, allmost all switches you need you can click in the cockpit. :smilewink:

[egorter]

Wrong. I have almost the exact same joystick (Force feedback version) and I have ALL of the HOTAS controls Mapped to it.

 

Nate

Hi NATE do you have a listing of how you mapped it? I have the force3d which I guess is what you are using?

I looked in the controller mapping forum and did not see anything for the logitech force 3d

Edited February 10, 2011 by egorter

[Nate--IRL--]

Yep same stick. The Config file I have is old and will probably break your controls, but basically the 6 buttons on the Left are used as Modifier buttons so that ......

 

Button 1 = Cannon

Button 2 = Weapon Release

Button 3 = Nvgs

Button 5 = NWS

Button 4 or 6 = China Hat

 

Edit:- to make it clearer, Buttons 7-12 are on the base of the Joystick, in picture in the OP, 1-6 are on the stick.

 

Hat = Slew

Button 7 + Hat = Trim

Button 8 + Hat = Coolie Hat

Button 9 + Hat = DMS

Button 10 + Hat = TMS

Button 12 + Hat = CMS

Button 7 + Button 2 = Master Mode cycle

Button 7 + Button 3 or 4 = Zoom

Button 7 + Button 5 or 6 = Speed Brakes

Button 8 + Button 4 = Autopilot

Button 8 + Button 3 or 5 = Boat Switch

Button 9 + Button 3, 5 or 6 = Pinkie switch

Button 10 + Button 3, 5 or 6 = Mic Switch

Button 12 + Button 2 = CMS Z-axis

 

This is from memory so I may have left one or two things out.

 

Nate

Edited February 10, 2011 by Nate--IRL--

[egorter]

awsome thanks

[Nate--IRL--]

awsome thanks

 

I'd actually recommend you try to build up your own profile as you learn to fly and use different systems, that way it becomes intuitive. Whereas just learning mine will be harder to master as it not intuitive to you.

 

Nate

[egorter]

good call, but still that helps as a starting point. I didn't know I could use buttons as a modifier I was going to try using ctrl or shift plus button to map various things.

[RIZLAHQ]

+1 I do alright with a cyborg Evo shift, ctrl, Alt left and right mapped too controls of all the boat hat, DMS, Mic only think I think im looking out on is a split throttle doing an engine shut down after u have taken a hit is not possible as far as I can see. Any ideas from you lovely people

[Greb]

Flight Siming,Is like shoveling money into a hole in the sky..:pilotfly:

 

LOL!!!

 

....and that's putting it mildly!

[shawnyp420]

Because I'm thinking of buying this cool Game.

ArcticAge

 

 

GAME!!!!?????

I take offense.

[Yoni63]

Your opinion Nate, I've got it too, didn't like it and ended up buying the HOTAS so not necessarily "WRONG" just my opinion.

[Glowing_Amraam]

I'm using the Microsoft FF 2 Stick, and keyboard, obviously, and I can do just fine! :)

[Nate--IRL--]

Your opinion Nate, I've got it too, didn't like it and ended up buying the HOTAS so not necessarily "WRONG" just my opinion.

 

I was disagreeing with this ....

 

At first, you'll be amazed, but that will quickly turn to frustration when you realize you can't effectively manipulate the required pilot controls.

 

You can effectively manipulate the required pilot controls. A HOTAS is not a requirement to enjoy the sim.

 

Nate

[RodBorza]

No fuzz about it people.

I do have a very simple joystick with throttle and 10 buttons and it is just a matter of adapting yourself to it. I use the keyboard to help me out too.

- 1 to 10 buttons in various functions (drop bombs, nose wheel steering, speedbrakes open/close, CMS on/off);

- Joy Hat to look around;

- Crtl + Hat to trim;

- Shift + Hat to slew;

- Alt + Hat to DMS;

- Win + Hat to TMS;

 

Confusing? After a while it becomes second nature. And yes, I would love to have a Warthog HOTAS and MFDs with LCDs mounted on them as some guys do. But today's budget constraints don't allow me to.

 

P.S.: And look at that guy GlowingAmramm over there. He does very nice videos about the DCS games on You Tube and you could think that he has the most amazing/expensive rig of all. But wait, he just has a FF2 MS joystick and still is able to enjoy the sim. So, no fear my friend. Get the game, learn it, come up with your own HOTAS config and someday we'll meet on a multiplayer game somewhere.

Edited February 11, 2011 by RodBorza

[RodBorza]

+1 I do alright with a cyborg Evo shift, ctrl, Alt left and right mapped too controls of all the boat hat, DMS, Mic only think I think im looking out on is a split throttle doing an engine shut down after u have taken a hit is not possible as far as I can see. Any ideas from you lovely people

 

In the Controls, under the Flight Controls section, look for Right Throttle Up/Dowm, the same thing for the left one. There will be lots of options there, to throttle up/down, step up/down. All of them involve NUM+, NUM -, Page Up, Page Down.

They are the kind of commands that may come in handy when needed.