Recommendation....

[Malakie]

Hi all,

 

Being new to the full DCS scene, can you all recommend hardware for the series? I have top end video and computing power.. what I need are flight controls etc etc and am looking for the best recommendations in this regard..

[Kuky]

Get a TrackIR, good HOTAS and rudder pedals and you're good

[EtherealN]

Knowing roughly what you are prepared to spend on the items Kuky recommended would help to give you solid recommendations. :)

[Malakie]

Yea just found that a good set for just the joystic/throttle is about $700... wow.. Will be looking at some others.. thanks..

[agrasyuk]

Yes, it can get as expensive as you'd like, custom stuff will take you past 3 digit numbers.

But it doesn't have to be, there are budget solutions available too. saitek hotas x52 can be had used well under a 100. Many simmers use that with good results.

[danilop]

Setup 1 (minimum I would consider for serious simulator like DCS; there is basic twist rudder functionality and you could upgrade later to full pedals):

 

Saitek X52pro+trackIR

 

Setup 2 (much better durability and great programmability, best after sale support, throttle lacks features):

 

CH Fighterstick + Pro rudders + Throttle pro + TrackIR

 

Setup 3 (A10 replica, perfect for Hog, high quality hardware and software, price according to qualitty):

 

TM Warthog + Saitek Combat Pedals + TrackIR

 

Of course, there are other more exotic solutions like Saitek X65F and Logitech G940 (this one doesn't work properly at the moment - FFB is screwed).

Edited January 4, 2013 by danilop

[EtherealN]

Yea just found that a good set for just the joystic/throttle is about $700... wow.. Will be looking at some others.. thanks..

 

x52 is a good hotas, very much worth the money. Good mid-step. I used one for a good while. Saitek also has some pretty effective rudder pedal (I still use my Pro Flight set).

[Cali]

What are you looking at for that price!

 

Warthog's cost around $350-500 (stick and throttle)

 

CH Products cost about $300-330 (stick, throttle and pedals)

 

Saitek X65 and Logitech G940 are around $250-350 (stick and throttle)

 

X-52 and X-52 pros are about $100-150

[Lange_666]

And a TrackIR 5 will set you back another 140$ (did you notice that in danilop's setups, the TrackIR is always present...? so consider this hardware a must have).

[Cali]

And a TrackIR 5 will set you back another 140$ (did you notice that in danilop's setups, the TrackIR is always present...? so consider this hardware a must have).

 

When I started responding to the op, there was no other responses. When I clicked submit, I saw all of them :D, guess I shouldn't have went to the kitchen. I agree about the TrackIR, cause I wouldn't fly without mine. But did you miss what he wrote in the 4th post "Yea just found that a good set for just the joystic/throttle is about $700..." That's why I didn't mention the TrackIR.

[Lange_666]

Going to the kitchen (or for a quick piss)) is never a good idea on this forum, not even writing a long reply...LOL.

And yes, i did notice that phrase but because danilop and you brought up the Saitek X52 option, i thought adding that TrackIR was not such a bad thing....:pilotfly:

[Erforce]

Meh, warthog joystick or X65F, not sure they will perform with much sims. Especially Black Shark.

 

X52 Pro is a good start

Track IR is a must have

I'll try soon VAC, voice recognition for radio commands.

1 or 3 screens, not 2.

Hi-Fi speakers. I'm loling everytime i see a monster Simulation config with poor audio (you know, the ones with a subwoofer under the desk and 2 tiny-medium sh*t around screens).

A freaking good PC.

 

Right now, i'm over 1200€ just for BlackShark2. I'm sick :(

[KLR Rico]

I also consider some type of head tracking a *must have* item. If given the choice between a $20 joystick and head tracking, or a TM warthog without any headtracking, I would pick the $20 stick with tracking. It's that good, IMHO.

 

If you want to save some $$, and you like to tinker, freetrack is a good option. I use freetrack and an IR modified PS3eye with very good results. I built it at a total cost of about $40.

[Malakie]

I went with Track IR 5.0, Saitek Pro Flight Rudder Pedals, and Saitek PRO Flight X-65F Combat Control System.

 

I could only find the Thunderbolt controller setup for $700 or more and could not see why I would need to spend that kind of money...

 

I may also buy some of the other add-ons at some point, like the radar and control boxes we can also plug in but for now those three will have to do..

[Malakie]

Meh, warthog joystick or X65F, not sure they will perform with much sims. Especially Black Shark.

 

X52 Pro is a good start

Track IR is a must have

I'll try soon VAC, voice recognition for radio commands.

1 or 3 screens, not 2.

Hi-Fi speakers. I'm loling everytime i see a monster Simulation config with poor audio (you know, the ones with a subwoofer under the desk and 2 tiny-medium sh*t around screens).

A freaking good PC.

 

Right now, i'm over 1200€ just for BlackShark2. I'm sick :(

 

 

When or IF they come out with an Apache Longbow, Cobra or Comanche version of the sim, THEN I will too. I am not interested in flying Russian or Chinese equipment other than just to see what they can do once in a while.. As for playing and combat however, I am one that sticks with what I know and in my case, that is American and Nato equipment for me.

 

Personally, I want to see a integrated Naval sim integration.. Capable of full naval functionality from the destroyers to the carriers to the Marine landing craft functionality to submarines, including ICBM and SSGN capable subs.

 

With this DCS system, they could really make a true world wide capable combat simulation... and in essence we would actually be able to 'play' WWIII on all levels at that point.

[Erforce]

Remember ED is mainly Eastern guys ;)

You can blame chinese equipment, because it's mainly a cheap western copy. But Russian equipment... i don't get it.

Ok it's maybe not the best democracy in the world unlike M. Depardieu said, but their equipment is far more reliable than western part.

The reason : If a war happens, it's not gonna be in the Desert.

And US equipment are made for desertic (preferably sand) area.

Bring a F-22 in a tropical area and see what's happens.

Same for High-Tech choppers.

 

I've learn that from an ex-chopper pilot. Don't fly U.S. things if you're in humid areas. it's 1h flying, 40h maintenance.

[Madone]

Remember ED is mainly Eastern guys ;)

You can blame chinese equipment, because it's mainly a cheap western copy. But Russian equipment... i don't get it.

Ok it's maybe not the best democracy in the world unlike M. Depardieu said, but their equipment is far more reliable than western part.

The reason : If a war happens, it's not gonna be in the Desert.

And US equipment are made for desertic (preferably sand) area.

Bring a F-22 in a tropical area and see what's happens.

Same for High-Tech choppers.

 

I've learn that from an ex-chopper pilot. Don't fly U.S. things if you're in humid areas. it's 1h flying, 40h maintenance.

 

Well I don't agree, for example, the Predator doesn't like the Afghanistan that much (war in a desert area also :p), the electronic parts suffer from the heat... Same for the Harfang (even worse unfortunately).

Your last sentence is really a gross mixture :lol:.

 

PS : I think the foreigners don't give a damn about Depardieu and don't even know who is he... better like that...

[Malakie]

Remember ED is mainly Eastern guys ;)

You can blame chinese equipment, because it's mainly a cheap western copy. But Russian equipment... i don't get it.

Ok it's maybe not the best democracy in the world unlike M. Depardieu said, but their equipment is far more reliable than western part.

The reason : If a war happens, it's not gonna be in the Desert.

And US equipment are made for desertic (preferably sand) area.

Bring a F-22 in a tropical area and see what's happens.

Same for High-Tech choppers.

 

I've learn that from an ex-chopper pilot. Don't fly U.S. things if you're in humid areas. it's 1h flying, 40h maintenance.

 

 

I disagree with you completely. I am a United States Navy Service Connected Disabled Veteran myself and was fully retired due to those injuries on 03 Sept 2011. From my perspective, you are off in a few things..

 

First, having served in the cold war era, I can tell you that our equipment was NOT designed for desert and sand warfare. In fact the opposite is in fact the reality. M1 Abrams, M2 Bradley's and the Apache were designed for fighting in European terrain. So was the A-10 Thunderbolt.

 

We learned a lot of lessons in the first gulf war because it was THERE where our equipment had issues with the sand and WIND driven sand. Being the United States however, that did not slow us down.. instead we adapted quickly. And subsequently we then updated and modified all our equipment to also work in that tough environment.

 

This time around, we again learned even more lessons because of the Urban aspect we encountered in Iraq and also because of the IED aspect in both Iraq and Afghanistan. And again, we adapted.

 

As for humid conditions? Our equipment is also just fine there and has been adapted as needed for those environments too. We have the same equipment in places like Guam and other south pacific locations that have been set up with the pacific rim package and maintenance requirements for those areas.

 

Finally, keep in mind this planet is 70% water. The Marine Corp's Huey Cobra AH-1Z flies from Naval warships constantly as does the Blackhawk and Seahawk Helo's. We have definitely had to learn everything thing we can when it comes to maintenance there due to salt water, humidity and more. All of these lessons are passed on throughout ALL services for this very reason. Additionally, how do you think all our equipment is staged and transported? By ship! So everything MUST be able to be stored and sustained in a wet, humid environment that changes depending on the ships local. From the Arctic to the jungle, everything must be able to perform.. and our stuff DOES. We simple change maintenance packages depending on where we go.. Our PMS schedules reflect that need as well.

 

So our equipment is just fine and just as capable in winter, summer, humidity, desert or any other planetary conditions.

 

As for Russia, during the cold war they had a LOT of equipment. Why? Because it was NOT reliable nor was it close to technologically able to stand with us.

 

However, today is a very different story. Today not only does Russia now produce some VERY top of the line equipment, it is ALSO very technologically capable.. in fact very very close to the same capability that WE have today! They have caught up quickly. And they also have some capabilities we DO NOT have!

 

With the Internet, communication was not the only thing that changed. With the openness and free trade, consumer products were not the only thing sold. Because of both of those, places like Russia and China which both have the resources and money to invest, have been on a bender when it comes to advancing their technology and their military size and modernizing.. and WE have given all that to them in the sake of GREED and PROFIT.

 

Many of Russia's latest aircraft and their just announced new ship type will be dam close to being able to stand toe to toe with us. Their new SSBN sub they just launched is a HUGE leap forward in capabilities and they announced 12 more are coming.

 

And so I speak from experience and actual factual knowledge. Both China and Russia are not the paper tigers many people still equate to them. I will grant you that China has a long way to go yet to get their stuff up to the quality level of ours or even Russia's, but Russia.. sorry to say they already have it and are rebuilding extremely fast that massive military might.

Edited January 6, 2013 by Malakie

[Madone]

I love this forum! Thx Malakie for sharing your knowledge. I hope you're having some good time as retired. :D

[Malakie]

I love this forum! Thx Malakie for sharing your knowledge. I hope you're having some good time as retired. :D

 

 

No problem... And yeppers I am starting to enjoy it.. 49 years old and I get to enjoy life for once.. Lot's of motorcycle riding, lots of computer time and lots of women time.... and of course so much more!

 

Problem is I have all this time now and STILL am unorganized as hell! :helpsmilie:

[Madone]

:love:Women time is the more important :lol:

 

Weird to see an ex-military speaking about unorganization :captain: :clown:

[Malakie]

:love:Women time is the more important :lol:

 

Weird to see an ex-military speaking about unorganization :captain: :clown:

 

 

 

Believe it or not, I have been told this is actual a normal phase we go through... kind of a rebellion against that which we have lived all these years.. It will fix itself in most cases.. This is why you see guys like me just out suddenly sprouting long hair, beards and so forth!

 

:pilotfly:

[Madone]

Yeah, who cares anyway, since you don't have the superior to wake you up at 5:00 AM almost every morning ^^

[Malakie]

Yeah, who cares anyway, since you don't have the superior to wake you up at 5:00 AM almost every morning ^^

 

 

 

Actually yea I do... it is called the woman laying next to me! ARGH!

[Madone]

XD Well I send you a PM I want to know something about that piece of badge...:) We're going far from the topic lol

Edited January 7, 2013 by Madone