Targeting with Maverick

[Jet-Blast]

I'm still not 100% sure that this is the issue, but it's a good place to start. I'll certainly begin using the slew and TMS down immediately. I haven't been doing that.

 

What makes me fairly certain that this isn't the issue though is the fact that I can often see the targets disappear and see the same features, roads streams etc in the same place. I'll see the cursor on the HUD still on the targets and if I accidentally slew across a target, I'll occasionally get a lock even though I can't see the target.

 

Lots going on today, but I'll try to fly a short mission and capture a track and upload it. Someone posted instructions how to do that, so thank you very much!

 

I really do appreciate all of the replies!

Edited February 8, 2013 by Jet-Blast

[NoJoe]

Jet-Blast,

 

What are your computer specs? That might help rule out some possibilities for what you're experiencing. I know from experience that when I accidentally tried to run DCS A-10C on an Nvidia GeForce 7300 (256 MB of VRAM I think?), the Mav screen looked much like that. :D

 

--NoJoe

[Eddie]

As others have said, track(s) and/or screenshots are needed in order to provide any further assistance. At the moment all people can do is guess.

[Jet-Blast]

Darn it! I just typed a long message and uploaded a pic and track and hit upload. I left for a few mins while it was uploading and came back and it was GONE.

 

OK....I'll try to remember what I said.

 

I've been trying to capture the problem that I've had on a short mission, but have so far been unable to. I was playing with it a little while ago and did duplicate the problem but it was pretty far into the mission. I don't know if I can edit the track files or not.

 

Keep in mind, that while I am like many here, a professional pilot and have over 13,000 hours, I am not much of a gamer. A friend turned me onto this game and it rocks. I'm still learning a lot about it and configuring my controls. I also don't have a head tracker thing, so I'm using the china hat on the throttle as a POV. It's very clumsy. I waste a lot of time, trying to zoom into the MCDU and look around. I'm going to have to invest in a head tracker.

 

I also have not figured out how to dispense flares and chaff, so my M.O. for dealing with a surface to air threat at this point in time is to head for the deck and run away. LOL! I'm getting there a little at a time.

 

This mission I captured a track from started out easy. I killed the first few targets with the gun. On the third target, I killed a AAA site with a Maverick before taking out a bridge with the gun. All was working OK for that. I then turned towards some tanks, with a SAM site and AAA. I tried out the TGP to find the target and locked it up and switched to Mavs. I killed the wrong target. I thought I had the right one locked up. Not sure what happened. I couldn't see the target when I switched to Mavs, but it locked up anyway, so I fired. I then made a few more passes trying to kill the threats. They kept shooting at me and I'd dive down and run away. Eventually, I managed to duplicate the problem I've been having. I was in the process of locking onto a target and they all disappeared. Fortunately, you could see in the HUD that I was still on the target and not slewed off somewhere else. At this point, I turned off of the targets and ended the mission and saved the track.

 

Anyway, I'm sorry that the mission is so long and I understand if you don't want to watch a mission that is that long. I just couldn't duplicate the problem on a shorter mission.

 

I also am uploading a pic of the sticker on my computer. It shows what I'm running etc. Much of that is greek to me, but you probably understand it.

 

I hope this helps and thanks for looking!

helptrk.trk

[NoJoe]

Well, there goes my hypothesis; your videocard should handle the sim just fine. :D I'm out of ideas.

 

--NoJoe

[Yurgon]

Note for others: The track seems to have been recorded in A-10C standalone 1.1.1.1. If I try to play it in 1.2.2, the jet crashes into the ground after just a few seconds.

 

I also have not figured out how to dispense flares and chaff, so my M.O. for dealing with a surface to air threat at this point in time is to head for the deck and run away. LOL! I'm getting there a little at a time.

 

There's obviously more to it, but for starters: CMS forward starts the currently selected countermeasures program. I'm not sure if there's a default key binding, so you may have to set one in Controls -> HOTAS.

 

I was in the process of locking onto a target and they all disappeared. Fortunately, you could see in the HUD that I was still on the target and not slewed off somewhere else. At this point, I turned off of the targets and ended the mission and saved the track.

 

I saw nothing out of the ordinary there. Indeed, it looks exactly like what Eddie described in post #23.

 

I think with a bit of ground stabilize (TMS aft short) and then some more slewing, you should be fine.

 

Mavs just aren't as easy to use as the TGP. Even a bit of rolling or pitching easily breaks target lock and ground stabilization. In this case, it looked to me as if you hadn't established either, which led to the seeker simply slewing off target.

 

I'd also like to correct my previous assumption that you may have switched between tracking modes with the Boat switch, that's not what happened here.

 

Anyway, I'm sorry that the mission is so long and I understand if you don't want to watch a mission that is that long. I just couldn't duplicate the problem on a shorter mission.

 

That's okay, it's approximately 10 minutes I think. Things would be easier if we could reliably fast forward, but that tends to break the playback. But 10 minutes isn't bad.

 

Again, in my opinion everything is working exactly as expected, you've just come across some of the peculiarities of Maverick employment. I'm ground stabilizing these bastards so often, I bet TMS aft will be among the first buttons to cease working on my stick. :)

 

But I'm curious to see what the others think of the track.

[FreeFall]

I then turned towards some tanks, with a SAM site and AAA. I tried out the TGP to find the target and locked it up and switched to Mavs. I killed the wrong target. I thought I had the right one locked up. Not sure what happened. I couldn't see the target when I switched to Mavs, but it locked up anyway, so I fired. I then made a few more passes trying to kill the threats. They kept shooting at me and I'd dive down and run away. Eventually, I managed to duplicate the problem I've been having. I was in the process of locking onto a target and they all disappeared.

 

 

I watched the track and didn't notice anything special. But I would have done attacks a bit differently.

 

First, you didn't use TGP very much. Even with gun runs I use TGP to see the targets better. Just China Hat Aft Long, and TGP will be slaved to the current Steerpoint. Now you can see the targets.

 

About killing the tanks and SAM: I first locate the SAM with TGP, choose Point Track mode (TMS Up Short, there will be a box in the center of the TGP crosshairs) and make it SPI (TMS Up Long). I can see from your track (from HUD) that your Steerpoint is your SPI all the time. So you didn't make SPI at all with TGP, although you zoomed into the tanks.

 

Then, after having the SPI (= SAM), I switch right MFCD to Mav, use China Hat Fwd Long to slave all to SPI (all means also Mav, so Mav will be slaved to SPI as well) -> crosshairs of Maverick magically move onto the SAM, and you only need to TMS Up Short to "lock" (if the distance is right), and then just rifle. If you fly steady (autopilot), you can slew another Mav to the next tank and rifle again. Or you can switch to TGP, choose another target, make it SPI (with Point Track mode selected again) with TMS Up Long, switch MFCD to Mav and slave it to the SPI by China Hat Fwd Long.

[Yurgon]

[...] Then, after having the SPI (= SAM), I switch right MFCD to Mav, use China Hat Fwd Long to slave all to SPI (all means also Mav, so Mav will be slaved to SPI as well) -> crosshairs of Maverick magically move onto the SAM, and you only need to TMS Up Short to "lock" (if the distance is right), and then just rifle. [...]

 

Absolutely, good advice! :thumbup:

[Jet-Blast]

Well, a big thanks to everyone for the advice. I'm thinking that a lot of my problems may be that I'm spend a LOT of time with the POV and zoom controls, trying to look at different screens. Trying to use the TGP more would probably make that worse.....at least for now. I really need to get a head tracker and a large screen. I'm doing this on a laptop. The screen is small. Trying to zoom into things to make it large enough to see is taking a lot of time.

 

I really appreciate the advice on using the various HOTAS keys to optimize the weapons too. Some of that will be problematic until I get a head tracker, since I don't use the china hat as it's intended to be used.

 

A few things that I can try for now is playing with slew rate. I'm having a hard time controling the cursor. I thought that smaller slew numbers would move it slower, but that seems to be backward. I also need to configure some more of the buttons. I'm getting there. This is going to be a slow process, but I do appreciate everyone taking the time to help.

 

One thing that I've learned in the 28 years that I've been a pilot is that you NEVER stop learning. If you ever think that you know everything, you're not only wrong, but you're potentially dangerous.

 

Thanks again!

[FreeFall]

I'm thinking that a lot of my problems may be that I'm spend a LOT of time with the POV and zoom controls, trying to look at different screens. Trying to use the TGP more would probably make that worse.....at least for now. I really need to get a head tracker and a large screen.

 

Have you ever used the Active Pause -feature of the sim? First when I started flying with A-10C I was really slow with all the buttons and controls and it was almost unbearable. You feel like you don't have enough hands and time to do things. Then I started using Active Pause, which gave me time to get buttons and views and weapons set. After some training I could cut down the usage of Active Pause and little by little I was totally comfortable using all buttons and controls "real time".

 

 

I really appreciate the advice on using the various HOTAS keys to optimize the weapons too. Some of that will be problematic until I get a head tracker, since I don't use the china hat as it's intended to be used.

 

I use TrackIR 5, and it is a must thing to have. And China Hat is one of the most important and most used buttons, so you must have it properly assigned.

 

The procedure using TGP and MAV which I described in my previous post may sound labourious, but after some training all that only takes a few seconds.

[Jet-Blast]

I'm not even sure what active pause is, so I'm doubtful that I've used it.

 

I HAVE used pause. I can pause it, scroll POV around to where need it, put the cursor on the button I need and take it off of pause for a second to click the button,the scroll POV back to where I need it. I'm guessing that this is not the same.

 

Yeah, that TrackIR 5 looks awesome. It's a bit pricey, but I'm thinking that I'm going to have to bite the bullet and get it. I think that would solve a LOT of my problems.

 

I'll then need to finish configuring my controls. I have MOST things working properly, but not all. One thing that I think I am not SURE is configured properly is the slew control. I have assigned the axes to vertical and horizontal, but the cursor won't move diagonally.

 

I have a lot of work to do.

[FreeFall]

I'm not even sure what active pause is, so I'm doubtful that I've used it.

Active Pause

 

With the increased workload of the A-10C cockpit (targeting pod, tactical awareness display, programming DSMS weapon profiles, radio management, etc.), it can be a bit overwhelming at times when first learning the systems. For players that wish to use it, the Active Pause option is now available that halts action during the mission but allows the player to use the various A-10C systems.

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=66423

 

I don't remember what is the default keyboard shortcut to activate Active Pause because I have re-mapped it, but for sure you can find it in controller options. I suggest you try it, it's nice feature for beginners!

[FreeFall]

One thing that I think I am not SURE is configured properly is the slew control. I have assigned the axes to vertical and horizontal, but the cursor won't move diagonally.

 

Don't know what causes that.

 

About tweaking slew control: First, you should be able to adjust slew axis sensitivity in controller options. Secondly, you can adjust both TAD/TGP/HUD slew rate (from STAT page of MFCD) and MAV slew rate (from MFCD when MAV selected) independently from your cockpit.

 

See the manual for further details.

[Turtle47]

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=66423

 

I don't remember what is the default keyboard shortcut to activate Active Pause because I have re-mapped it, but for sure you can find it in controller options. I suggest you try it, it's nice feature for beginners!

 

Word of caution about using Active Pause, just be aware, the only thing that pauses in Active Pause is your plane's forward movement. SAMS, enemy planes, AAA, etc all continue in the sim. I have been taken out several times while in active pause mode trying to find a target or while performing some other function. However, I must say, utilizing Active Pause has taken some of the frustration out while learning this sim. Whoever created AP was a saint. :joystick: AP=:thumbup:

[Yurgon]

Yeah, that TrackIR 5 looks awesome. It's a bit pricey, but I'm thinking that I'm going to have to bite the bullet and get it. I think that would solve a LOT of my problems.

 

Absolutely! For starters, it clears an entire POV hat so that you can map something new to it. But the real advantage is the increased situational awareness. You'll soon be asking yourself how you could ever fly any flight sim without it. :)

 

I don't mean to intrude, but you wrote that you're a professional pilot with 13,000 hours. I'd have thought that from your salary, the investment in a TrackIR should be very doable. But even if your cash flow is limited or you have other spendings that I'm not aware of, it is a very good investment for any flight sim. I'm sure you won't regret it. :)

 

If you already have a webcam, there are free alternatives like FaceTrackNoIR, so maybe you should check that out before going for TrackIR.

[Maachine]

what yurgon said. i play this game on a laptop also. it has a built in webcam. so i use facetrackNOIR until i have extra money laying around for trackIR. it's not nearly as good as trackIR but it works

[Jet-Blast]

WOW! Thanks for all of the great advice.

 

I will look into that facetrackNOIR. I'm not even sure if the laptop has a camera. I have 2. One definitely does, but it's the old one. The new one that I play the sim on is so new to me that I can't remember and it's not sitting here with me right now. I'm definitely going to get a TrackIR eventually, but until then I'm getting by with a POV hat. Oh, and yes yurgon, I can afford one. I'm just tight. LOL! Getting ready to take the whole family skiing in Utah for a week, so I'm watching my spending right now.

 

I seem be figuring the Mavericks out, thanks to all of your advice. I've completed the first level several times since then and used all of my mavs. I've also gotten pretty good with the bombs. I'm having trouble figuring out how to change my SPI once I have it set in a target area, I kill everything in that group and try to move to the next set of targets but pressing long V slews all sensors back to my previous group of targets.

 

It's a learning process.

 

Thanks everyone for the help!

[FreeFall]

I'm having trouble figuring out how to change my SPI once I have it set in a target area, I kill everything in that group and try to move to the next set of targets but pressing long V slews all sensors back to my previous group of targets.

 

You just need to define a new SPI. Usually with TMS Fwd Long. Then you can slave your sensors to that SPI by "long V" (= China Hat Fwd Long)

 

Quote from the Flight Manual:

There are several ways you can set the target as SPI, which includes:

- Move TDC over target and press TMS Forward Long to set as SPI

- Move TGP cursor over target and press TMS Forward Long to set as SPI

- Lock target with Maverick and press TMS Forward Long to set as SPI

- Set any TAD object as SPI

You can also command SPI to Steerpoint by pressing TMS Aft Long.

 

Totally understanding the terms SOI and SPI is very important. You need to know which sensor is active and then how to use HOTAS to control it. Just search Flight Manual for "Sensor Point of Interest" and read all the stuff :book:. It takes quite some time to learn all the HOTAS buttons and functions.

[Maachine]

i feel ya, i can afford one, but i have to save most my money right now since, i figure, i wont go to work till march or so. uhhh, i was looking around ebay and you can get a PS3 USB camera for dirt cheap. you can also find "kits" to make a a IR headset to use with the PS3 camera. basically cheap version of track IR. looks like it works well.

 

also, look up the snap views. it was helpful to me to view the MFD's, comms panel, and ILS/ lights panel. also good for a HUD zoom view.

[Jet-Blast]

I have downloaded FacetrackNOIR. I'm trying to make it work, but it keeps saying that I have no video capture device installed, yet I'm LOOKING at one, right there on the laptop.

 

Once I have this sorted out, I will work on configuring that hat switch on my throttle and learn what it does.

[Jet-Blast]

OK....I got the camera working but I'm having issues with getting it to work with the game. I'll start a new thread about that.

 

Thanks for all of the help with this one!

[benargee]

Darn it! I just typed a long message and uploaded a pic and track and hit upload. I left for a few mins while it was uploading and came back and it was GONE.

 

OK....I'll try to remember what I said.

 

I've been trying to capture the problem that I've had on a short mission, but have so far been unable to. I was playing with it a little while ago and did duplicate the problem but it was pretty far into the mission. I don't know if I can edit the track files or not.

 

Keep in mind, that while I am like many here, a professional pilot and have over 13,000 hours, I am not much of a gamer. A friend turned me onto this game and it rocks. I'm still learning a lot about it and configuring my controls. I also don't have a head tracker thing, so I'm using the china hat on the throttle as a POV. It's very clumsy. I waste a lot of time, trying to zoom into the MCDU and look around. I'm going to have to invest in a head tracker.

 

I also have not figured out how to dispense flares and chaff, so my M.O. for dealing with a surface to air threat at this point in time is to head for the deck and run away. LOL! I'm getting there a little at a time.

 

This mission I captured a track from started out easy. I killed the first few targets with the gun. On the third target, I killed a AAA site with a Maverick before taking out a bridge with the gun. All was working OK for that. I then turned towards some tanks, with a SAM site and AAA. I tried out the TGP to find the target and locked it up and switched to Mavs. I killed the wrong target. I thought I had the right one locked up. Not sure what happened. I couldn't see the target when I switched to Mavs, but it locked up anyway, so I fired. I then made a few more passes trying to kill the threats. They kept shooting at me and I'd dive down and run away. Eventually, I managed to duplicate the problem I've been having. I was in the process of locking onto a target and they all disappeared. Fortunately, you could see in the HUD that I was still on the target and not slewed off somewhere else. At this point, I turned off of the targets and ended the mission and saved the track.

 

Anyway, I'm sorry that the mission is so long and I understand if you don't want to watch a mission that is that long. I just couldn't duplicate the problem on a shorter mission.

 

I also am uploading a pic of the sticker on my computer. It shows what I'm running etc. Much of that is greek to me, but you probably understand it.

 

I hope this helps and thanks for looking!

 

um... why does the a10 crash when i watch the track? it just goes right into the ground...

[Irregular programming]

Tracks just do that some times.

 

Anyway, if you are running version 1.1.1.1 you should really update to the latest version. :thumbsup:

[Hansolo]

IMHO a track is actually the plane flying again in the same environment with the registered/logged input done during the mission. I found that e.g. during replay of a track my plane was 30º of course. After examine the track closer I found that the landing gear was still lowered thus causing a lot of drag, which in turn meant that the plane would fly of to another direction.

 

I am using Helios and found that for some reason the inputs done through Helios are not registered by the game in the track.

 

Cheers

 

Hans

[FreeFall]

I am using Helios and found that for some reason the inputs done through Helios are not registered by the game in the track.

 

A well-known and annoying problem. :(