Just purchased this morning...impressed (yet, overwhelmed)

[robnpat]

I just purchased DCS:W (I never did the Beta testing), and to say 'WOW!' is an understatement :smilewink: This is a real nice sim, and I love the sounds and graphics. I just built my new system about 3 weeks ago in anticipation of this sim and with most graphic settings on high, I get real good frame-rate.

 

I have spent most of the day getting my Logitech Extreme3D Pro joystick settings in place and have done a couple of the training missions. How are earth does anyone memorize the dozens of shortcut key commands for various parts of the systems? My mind is boggled. I tend to lose myself as I follow the 'instructor' when he is telling you to 'hit either HOTAS XYZ or Shift-RAlt-Up Arrow' then 'HOTAS ABC or LCntrl-Home' to set up a 'parameter' so you can continue the lesson. Once my mind catches up, the 'instructor' is already giving more 3-finger commands, which seems at a rapid pace, I lose what he is trying to say :doh:

 

Anyone got any good hints on this? I wish I had a TrackIR as I think that it would make it alot easier but talk about information overload.

 

Anyway, back to the training missions :pilotfly:

 

Rob

[genbrien]

Glad you like it.

One advice I can give you is : read the manual carefully. It will explain in detail the difference with SOI, SPI, all the HOTAS function and much more. It'll be really easy after to remember the keyboard shortcuts, as you'll know wich does what.

 

PS: If you take the time, you'll have great pride of yourself for mastering a near 100% simulator of a real A-10

[Burner]

Hang in there. It gets better.

[rainbo100]

hi there, yeah i understand what you mean by the dizzying array of commands you need to remember and setup.this will become a lot easier within a few practise flights and id reccomend checking out youtube for some tutorials aswell.i suggest that you download the manual first, checkout pg 84-90 which gives you the hotas cntrls on the real aircraft,which will give u a good base for what u need to setup on your joystick.

[nomdeplume]

You can hit Pause during the mission to give you time to read and digest the instructions. I tend to ignore the keyboard shortcuts they give and just click on the appropriate switch; anything important wind up mapped to my HOTAS anyway, and the less important things can wait for you to mouse it.

 

No need to download the manual by the way, it can be found in the 'doc' directory under where you installed the sim or in the Eagle Dynamics folder in your start menu if you let the installer create the start menu shortcuts.

[robnpat]

Thanks guys. I hope it does get easier.

 

Time to get back in the air :D

[SmokeyTheLung]

 

Anyone got any good hints on this? I wish I had a TrackIR as I think that it would make it alot easier but talk about information overload.

 

Rob

 

Get a trackIR as soon as you can, it will make an enormous difference.

 

As for your information overload, try to wrap your mind around the concept of HOTAS (while also mapping all those controls to your joystick and throttle). You'll find a list of the hotas commands in the controls menu. Although there are many hotas controls it's a good place to start, as they can control most of the avionics.

 

I would also suggest picking the aspect of the sim that you find most interesting, be it weapons, navigation or just good old flying and study that first. This way it doesn't seem like work:smartass:!

 

The pieces will fall into place, good luck!

 

also: search the forums and ask questions, most people around here are very helpful

[Le0kong]

I recommend starting with a light read of the manual before the training missions, not RTFM, but mainly the cockpit overview, leave things like the CDU chapter for after you overcome the initial shock. I find the training missions work better just to 'cement' what you read on the manual, not to learn from scratch.

 

Print the HOTAS reference table from pages 84 to 90 in the manual, these are the only things you really need to memorize as soon as possible. The rest is better used by clicking through the cockpit mouse cursor, and only later as you find the ones you use most make keyboard/HOTAS shortcut for these.

 

And like nomdeplume said, pause during the training missions and only continue after you really understood what the instructor said.

[rainbo100]

ok i would say assign these functions to your joystick.

Dms Fwd/Aft

Tms Fwd/Aft

China hat Fwd/Aft

all of these have short/long commands which do two different functions. short= btn press, long = hold for 2secs you will need to check the pages in the manual i suggested for the functions.if you have a printer id print those pages. Id say you use these more than most when targetting.

then setup your hat with a modifier key to switch between cockpit view pan and slew control for tgp. this should help keep your hands of the keyboard an on the stick a bit more and eyes on the screen. oh id also add active pause to your joystick(options/controls/cheats) till you get used to all the controls and build up your speed/accuracy. :)

[EvilBivol-1]

As already mentioned, it may be helpful to pause the sim when you need to catch up with instructions. Additionally, you may want to try the Active Pause function, which allows you to manipulate the avionics. The default command for active pause is LWIN+LSHIFT+PAUSE (sorry, another piccolo command :)).

[mjolner]

Active Pause is great, I definitely abuse it, I reassigned it to the P key, probably should'nt have because now its too easy to use. I wish DCS:BS had that one.

[Tracer2k]

Remember, that you can bind your hotas functions to your pov hat..

I have binded TMS, DMS and the Coolie hat to my POV.. LShift+POV, LCTRL+POV and LAlt+POV. This way you only have to remember which modifier button represents the corresponding hotas switches.

Having track ir also frees your pov hat and the num pad from using them to look around.. i binded the num pad for several stuff.. like CMS, Coolie hat and China hat. they are alot clearer than the default ones in my opinion!

[robnpat]

Remember, that you can bind your hotas functions to your pov hat..

I have binded TMS, DMS and the Coolie hat to my POV.. LShift+POV, LCTRL+POV and LAlt+POV. This way you only have to remember which modifier button represents the corresponding hotas switches.

Having track ir also frees your pov hat and the num pad from using them to look around.. i binded the num pad for several stuff.. like CMS, Coolie hat and China hat. they are alot clearer than the default ones in my opinion!

 

I put my POV hat to the trim (both elevator and aileron). I need to really go through the keyboard shortcuts and get them assigned to the buttons on my joystick.

[MadTommy]

robnpat i was very overwhelmed for several weeks... but now I'm very comfortable with the A10c... it took me a few weeks to absorb enough data to enjoy it.

 

Just practice individual small elements and they will soon all fit together.

[Nate--IRL--]

robnpat I have the same stick. I use the 6 buttons on the Left 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, 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

[SY_KO]

Active pause is a god send (unless a T-80 is lining you up with a shell) and I have even mapped it to my HOTAS until I get a little more fluid in my processes.

[Mike Busutil]

After you get familiar with the acronyms, go to YouTube and watch the tutorials. They are a big help. :thumbup:

[robnpat]

Thank for the hints. I can't wait to get off work so I can hit the sim again (and this is FAR from a game)....

[wtfisgoingon]

I found youtube videos helpful, and in fact watching a startup video (the 2 part one from Wags I believe) is what hooked me on both sims. I thought to myself 'wtf I gotta try that!' and that, was that.

 

I still to this day, after I can't even count how many times, still get a big grin on my face as I cold start and take off. Taking off from Canada in the winter in the dead of night in a storm is one of my favorites.

 

TrackIR will make things so much better, as hard as that might be to believe right now, but it really will. WELL worth the investment!

 

Keep at it! :)

[S77th-konkussion]

As it's been said but maybe not from an angle that a nugget can appreciate--

 

Get a Track IR. Now. It's not an exclusive toy for fanatics. It's absolutely critical to your ability to learn. Your mind will be free to take for granted a basic function that without a track ir- requires massive management and precious programming space on your stick. You will need a HOTAS flight stick that can accommodate the functions you keep hearing over and over again.. TRIM, TMS, DMS, CMS, COOLIE, CHINA, BOAT.

 

I suppose one could take a shot at trying to train using a "memorize the keyboard command and where I put it on this damn 2 HAT/ 4 button stick" method...

 

(slit wrists)

 

But sooner or later you will step up to some real equipment that will boggle your mind having "made due" for a period of time. Why not boggle your mind now, while it's already boggled? What further damage could you possibly do right? :smartass:

Edited February 28, 2011 by S77th-konkussion

[robnpat]

I may ask for a TrackIR for my birthday next month. Not too sure about a HOTAS stick, though. They seem very pricey for me

[S77th-konkussion]

meh.... depends..

 

It's all about value for the immersion and experience.. I started LOMAC with a MSPP2 sidewinder... Got a track ir 2 pro... oh man... Like being on a new planet. Not long after- I got the first of my 3.. count em 3 Saitek X45's.....

 

I now have a full set of CH products and a track Ir 5. Love em. I consider them essential.

 

One could blow off the pedals in a tight $ bind.. But this price below is a giveaway. Mine were $109 3 years ago from same website. See attached picture...

 

The TM warthog is a perfect replica and more or less pre programmed for DCS A10. $450-$500 without pedals... Support ratings run the gamut from terrible to so-so. But damn. She looks nice. Feels nice too. I wouldn't mind one if I had the funds- now that an apparent update from TM seems to have fixed a littany of issues...

 

http://www.provantage.com/guillemot-2960720~7GUIL01L.htm

 

 

Saitek X52 pro is very reasonable starting point.

 

http://www.provantage.com/saitek-ps34~7SAIG035.htm

 

Quality is typical of huge corporation.. Pretty cheap & chinsy. Lots of people have them and use them. Some have no trouble for years. Bit of a toss up... I had 3 x45's I do not have first hand knowledge of this system- but the picture leads me to think that it's lacking in the HAT dept. Rotaries galore... not as useful if you ask me.

 

maybe the X65 is a better call for Saitek...

 

http://www.saitek.com/uk/prod/x65f.html

 

This thing just hits me as "better prepared" for a serious simmer.

 

newegg-- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826102067&cm_re=saitek-_-26-102-067-_-Product

Edited February 28, 2011 by S77th-konkussion

[robnpat]

So, what is a good stick/throttle combo (NOT the Warthog one...my wife would KILL me if I paid that much)??

[S77th-konkussion]

Sorry Rob- that took me a few minutes to compile... My opinion is a set of CH gear, TM warthog, X65 in that order.

 

 

I and others have MUCH more detailed posts and opinions on this board- this is a quickie. I am on Teamspeak now if you want to gab about it...

 

If you have Teamspeak 3 installed- just click the teamspeak server info at the top of the forum...

 

http://www.s77th.com/forums/

Edited February 28, 2011 by S77th-konkussion

[S77th-konkussion]

ruh roh.. bad storms on my doorstep- might be knocked off due to power outage..