How do you map a 2-stage gun trigger to a HOTAS without a detent?

[Bahger]

I must learn gunnery, I'm hopeless with the gun.

 

For starters, to which joystick button does anyone suggest I map the two-stage trigger when my CH HOTAS trigger has no detent? I'm thinking of SHIFT + PICKLE but does anyone have a better idea? Also, does the key for PAC-1 have to be held down or is it a toggle?

[Oceansize]

Can't think of anything better than what you're thinking. I believe the manual insinuated that you're SOL with the PAC if you don't have a 2-stage trigger on your HOTAS.

 

But to answer your other question, I do not believe PAC is a toggle...it disengages when you release the trigger. Although I imagine that might be something you could adjust in the Controls menu.

 

PAC is great...I don't know how to do it, but you need to get it to work, it's a great feature.

[shu77]

I thought PAC automatically worked when you did the stage 2 trigger, and PAC Stage 1 just stabilises the aircraft around the target point to allow you to check aim? So I kind of got the impression if you had a 1 stage trigger you didn't miss not having PAC 1, except for the fact that you weren't getting that bit of pre aiming. I Think of it like looking down the sites and taking a deep breath before pulling the trigger as opposed to taking a snap shot.

[Frostiken]

I must learn gunnery, I'm hopeless with the gun.

 

For starters, to which joystick button does anyone suggest I map the two-stage trigger when my CH HOTAS trigger has no detent? I'm thinking of SHIFT + PICKLE but does anyone have a better idea? Also, does the key for PAC-1 have to be held down or is it a toggle?

 

- Load up your profile, and add the device 'CMS Controls' if you aren't already using them.

- Assign the Fighterstick's trigger to engage PAC-1 (don't recall the keybinding), or whatever the HOTAS control is for the first trigger stage.

- Paste the following code to the CM Editor's script file for your profile.

 

%DEFINE PAC1          JS1.B1
%DEFINE NWS           JS1.B4
%DEFINE PAC2          CMS.B1

PAC2 = ( PAC1 AND NWS);

- If you're not using the CMS Controls, simply click B1 and assign it to SPC (CH Profiler's lingo for the spacebar which, IIRC, is by default bound to fire the gun / engage PAC-2). If you are using controls, just bind any free button to SPC, and edit the code below where it says 'CMS.B1' to the appropriate button (CMS.B24).

- This code assums the first device listed in your profile is the Fighterstick. If it is the second or third device, change JS1.B1 and JS1.B4 to the approporiate device (ie: JS3.B1).

- With this code, holding down the trigger will engage PAC-1 mode. While, and *only while* holding the trigger, if you hit the pinky switch (probably bound as the NWS button), PAC-2 will engage and the gun will fire. Otherwise, the pinky button will function as normal.

 

Huzzah! Note that the pinky switch's commands will still execute when you use this. If you're using the pinky switch with the 'default' HOTAS command of NWS / Lase / AR disconnect, then there's no problem since none of those things have any real impact on flight, much less gun runs. If you're using it to drop bombs or something, you may have problems. I don't know why you would though since the CH Fighterstick is the same stick as in the A-10, minus the double trigger and the push-button function of the thumb button.

Edited April 26, 2011 by Frostiken

[Frederf]

It's held down, like holding the trigger half way on the real jet.

 

I have an X-45 and I just have one of the buttons on top be trigger first stage and let the trigger by trigger second stage. The thing about a CH HOTAS is that since it's a realistic HOTAS it doesn't have a lot of simple buttons on it like the X-45/52.

 

Do you use the AP paddle for anything?

[S77th-konkussion]

 

KEYS +p +SPC

KEYS -SPC -p

[Frostiken]

Yeah but that removes your ability to use PAC to line up your run, as well as use it for rocket attacks (or hell, I even use it for 5-mil bomb runs).

 

I suggest using my method as PAC-1 is invaluable IMO. I originally used +p +SPC but that's horseshit for accuracy :D

[infraslove]

 

 

I will let the pictures do the talking. all you have to do is bind the buttons in game as they are dx buttons. and hold shift plus trigger for pac1 and let go of shift for guns. credit goes to ruggbutt and bob church for figuring this one out at the CH camp. and you can have whatever button you would like to use as shift if you wish.

cheers.

[Bahger]

This is very helpful guys, many thanks. I will play around with all of these solutions. I'm at a slight disadvantage because I have never used GunPAC before so I'm not well-versed in the functionality.

 

@Frostiken, your solution looks great, I am going to try and implement it tomorrow morning. Should I bracket the code like this example (for the ministick)?

 

script

//Directx Button and Shifted Key on same button
//cms.b7 = js3.b31;
//Minstick send key presses
 cms.b1 = [ js1.a2 < 96 ];
 cms.b2 = [ js1.a1 > 160 ];
 cms.b3 = [ js1.a2 > 160 ];
 cms.b4 = [ js1.a1 < 96 ];

endScript

 

I have just noticed that my CH profile has "P" mapped to the shifted trigger function, so when I press trigger while holding down my hotas shift button (Throttle Btn 4) I will engage PAC but if it's supposed to be held down, can this method work? Not being familiar with the procedure, I do not know. I'd appreciate your heedback.

 

@Frederf: No AP paddle on my CH HOTAS, I have an adapted 4-way throttle hat as throttle pinky switch, with UP as AP engage/disengage.

 

@konkussion, what do the KEYS and + and - modifiers do.

 

(Also, your desktop screen capture is quite revealing...)

 

@Infraslove, we simulposted, I just read your approach, very interesting. 2 questions: (i) will checking the DX key for my shift button affect any other shifted functions of my CM profile and (ii) could you possible clarify what needs to be done in the game's controls interface as distinct from the CM? Do "Button 3' and "Button 4" in the DX entry fields for the trigger in your screenshot refer to assignments in DCS A-10? According to the CM tooltips, Button 3 on the Joystick is the weapons mode button, and Button 4 is the NWS pinky button, so this is the only thing confusing me. Many thanks.

 

Thanks again, gents.

Edited April 26, 2011 by Bahger

[infraslove]

hehe, hey now the club penguin is for the kid (I swear it is).

[Frostiken]

I tried using shift commands but I came across problems of the gun getting stuck 'on', as well as having to release and hold buttons in a certain order to make it work. Ultimately it was too unreliable for me, but I also tend to get serious coordination issues going on ;) Since the CH Throttle and Fighterstick share the same style buttons I'll find myself pushing the correct-shape button on the wrong controller and wondering why it won't do anything.

 

@Bahger - I honestly don't remember. I'm in Italy right now and can't look up my actual profile. I want to say, however, that they all go within the script / endscript. Might have to experiment on this one.

Edited April 26, 2011 by Frostiken

[infraslove]

ah yes hence why you have to use the buttons in dx mode otherwise they will get stuck. Ive been using this setup for quite awhile and never had any problems with stuck keys. works every time. shift plus trigger starts my pac and the second I unshift while still holding trigger down, guns fire.

 

quick edit:

 

the button on the trottle still fuctions as a normal shift button for all other commands :)

Edited April 26, 2011 by infraslove

[Frostiken]

Maybe that was my problem. I dislike using DX as it means I have to dick around in the game's controls, which makes it difficult to share profiles and adds one more thing to do to make it all work.

 

Ultimately our solutions are basically the same, except mine uses the pinky switch as an ersatz 'shift' button. My only defense of that is that I use that same button on the throttle as a 'shift' button and wouldn't want to change that, and by using the dual-pinky-thingy you can keep your gun control firmly on one hand without having to worry about the shift button with your left hand. At least, that's how it's worked for me.

Edited April 26, 2011 by Frostiken

[jireland607]

Anyone know if its possible to program the Saitek X45 so you pull the trigger for PAC1 and pull the pinky in for PAC2/Fire?