Hotas, setting Axis

[Aviators]

Hi guys, congratulations for the excellent work.

Now, for more realism, I with my hotas warthog which settings should I use?

Curvature and deadzone ... I currently have 3 of deadzone and 30 (default) of curvature.

you (belsimetek) but also other drivers who recommended configuration?

[EvilBivol-1]

There is no "official" recommendation as input settings are always very individual. Even people using the same hardware will often have very different suggestions on what works best. So here are my thoughts based only on my personal experience.

 

First of all take a little time to practice before you draw conclusions. It is a complex flight model and our generally short-throw hardware means very small inputs need to be used, which takes getting used to. Give your brain some time to adjust and build some muscle memory. It's normal to initially have some control difficulty. The question is if you still have control difficulty after a couple/few hours of practice.

 

I've flown the Huey with a CH Fighterstick, a Warthog stick with and without extension, and a MSFFB Sidewinder 2. I find that the Huey is best flown with a light stick that has little friction. This means the CH Fighterstick and MSFFB2 are by default better suited for it than the Warthog, although the extension on the Warthog is a big help. Using either the CH Fighterstick or MSFFB2, I am able to fly quite well with no curves. Adding a bit of curve can help in fine input control, especially for hovering, but you must remember that setting a curve is a double-edged sword. It smooths your input around the middle, but amplifies it away from the middle. Because you are flying a helicopter, the cyclic will be away from the middle quite often, so you have to consider this carefully. If you do wish to use a curve, I would suggest limiting it to 20. Also, unless you have a Very noisy stick, a deadzone of 2-3 should hopefully be sufficient. Again, you will rarely be in the neutral position of the cyclic, so the deadzone is of limited use anyway.

 

If using the MSFFB2, remember that you CANNOT set any curve on the cyclic if Force Feedback is enabled. Also remember to swap your pitch/roll feedback axes in the Axis input options.

 

Also for those using MSFFB2, consider trying the program kindly provided by a user here: http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=1394206&postcount=18

This will allow you to set pitch/roll curves on the cyclic and still use force feedback, in addition to other changes to the feedback modeling.

 

Using CH pedals, I do find a curve of about 20 and a deadzone of 2 to be helpful.

 

Finally, we've included the option to disable pedal trim, so you don't have to re-center your pedals every time you trim. This options can be turned on/off in the UH-1H Special options page.

Edited May 1, 2013 by EvilBivol-1

[Aviators]

ok thanks ;)

 

but curvature to default is 30... it's normal?

[LankNZ]

To the inevitable masses who have issues with Rudder set up when using racing pedals I found this helpful post http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=80457

[EvilBivol-1]

but curvature to default is 30... it's normal?

The curve is there primarily to help new players when they first try the sim, since not everyone is even aware of the input options and how to set up properly. It's kind of a "cushion" for beginners. Personally, I would first spend a little time flying with no curves at all, just to get a feeling for the "raw" FM responsiveness. Then I would try a curve of 20, followed by 30, to see which feels better. When doing your "flight testing", you should test not only hover, but also various maneuvers and high speed flight to make sure you cover the flight envelope of the controls.

 

IMHO a curve of 30 might be too problematic for the Huey if you are going to do combat mission flying where you are often outside of the middle cyclic position. For slow speed handling, though, it is probably good.

Edited May 1, 2013 by EvilBivol-1

[Suchacz]

For me, using G940 FFB stick, curvature=10 is enough.

Edited May 1, 2013 by Suchacz

[XCrosser]

I've been using an 11 curve for both X & Y. Works for me quiet well as I've got the TM Warthog.

[fjacobsen]

I now settled with a curvature of 10 for pitch and roll and 15 for tail rotor ( rudder).

 

Yesterday I found it hard to control, but after a night sleep I´m getting much better.

Don´t grip to firm on the stick, simply hold it in a relaxed manner.

 

For a couple of years ago I tried a real UH-1D military simulator. I remembered it to be easier to control than this.

 

I find the sideways wobbling to be overdone. It also enters the Vortex ring state too easy.

The instructor on the real UH-1D sim told that it was near impossible to bring a UH-1D into a vortex ring state.

Only if it is heavy on a hot day it could happen, but still it almost needed to be brought into it deliberatly by the pilot.

 

Apart from the above gripes (I know its still beta), I really find the DCS Huey to be very cool.

[Suchacz]

For a couple of years ago I tried a real UH-1D military simulator. I remembered it to be easier to control than this.

Maybe some added weight can make it to behave more calmly...

 

I plan to test the Huey behavior according to its weight.

[EvilBivol-1]

I should amend my post above. Technically, all AFM DCS aircraft, including the Huey, are designed for no axes curves. Curves are only there to help compensate for the limitations of our gaming hardware. So to answer the original question, the realistic setting would be linear. However the real question is whether you are able to achieve a realistic level of control authority using linear settings. If not, then you should use curves to try to get as close as possible to having realistic control authority. It's important to understand the benefits and drawbacks of curves, though, so use them wisely.

[fjacobsen]

Maybe some added weight can make it to behave more calmly...

 

I plan to test the Huey behavior according to its weight.

 

I did so too...

 

Problem with PC flightsims are, like EvilBivol-1 says, that most of us uses joysticks which hardly are longer than 25 cm, whereas the real stick is a lot longer.

Most joysticks are als springloaded, whereas the real thing is not, so the control feel is very much different.

 

Also sitting infron t of a monitor, regardless the size, does not give the proper periphical view. In reality to sense even small movements and is able to counter those much soone than when You start "sensing" it with a PC simulation.

 

Just a small hint to the developers..

This extremely well done addon will become better if the sideways wobbling could be dampened and the onset of the Vortex ring state made less likely.

[ScottishMartialArts]

Thanks for posts, Bivol! I must admit however that much of your terminology has me a bit baffled: I know what a deadzone is, have an idea what a curve represents, have no idea what throw is, etc. Do you know of any material that I could study so that I have a better understanding of computer joystick input settings? I've looked in the DCS User Manual before, and while it does a superb job of explaining HOW to adjust settings, it does very little to explain WHAT the settings are and what they do.

[Aviators]

I should amend my post above. Technically, all AFM DCS aircraft, including the Huey, are designed for no axes curves. Curves are only there to help compensate for the limitations of our gaming hardware. So to answer the original question, the realistic setting would be linear. However the real question is whether you are able to achieve a realistic level of control authority using linear settings. If not, then you should use curves to try to get as close as possible to having realistic control authority. It's important to understand the benefits and drawbacks of curves, though, so use them wisely.

 

ok, thanks.

 

i'm set 10 ;) and decrease.

[EvilBivol-1]

Thanks for posts, Bivol! I must admit however that much of your terminology has me a bit baffled: I know what a deadzone is, have an idea what a curve represents, have no idea what throw is, etc. Do you know of any material that I could study so that I have a better understanding of computer joystick input settings? I've looked in the DCS User Manual before, and while it does a superb job of explaining HOW to adjust settings, it does very little to explain WHAT the settings are and what they do.

By "throw" I just mean the length of the stick. I've been thinking for some time now to make a kind of training video on setting up DCS input and other options to help new players get started. Hopefully can do this sometime soon. Please post any questions you have and we'll try to answer.