Some Configuration Recommendations

[Johnpilot]

All;

 

I have been getting prepped to take the plunge with the sim and have gotten a new rig. My question now is around the monitor configuration. I have been reading and digging into different options and wonder what you all that have been down this road think. I think it fair to say that getting good frame rates is the most important thing for me as what good is it to have an A+ cockpit configuration with a fps of 15. Anyway, here is what is on my mind:

 

1. One large (say 30" or so) monitor and TrackIR 5.

 

2. Three monitors and no TrackIR. Triple Head to Go vs. two cards? What about the SoftH thing? Sorry, I haven't had the time to dig into that one yet.

 

I think number 1 is probably better on the frame rates, but 2 is more immersive with the peripheral vision thing.

 

My rig is an i7-3770, 3.4GHz. 32MB RAM. NVidia GTX 660 w/3GB. Win8 64 bit. 7400RPM drive. Thrustmaster Warthog stick and throttle on the way:)

 

Any thoughts would be great. Thanks.

[cichlidfan]

If I were you, I would go with option 1. Out of the box it will provide you with the best experience for the least expense and hassles (with performance issues).

[311Gryphon]

I have to agree with cichlidfan on that, although admittedly I've never played any games on multiple monitors. I always wanted to build a multi-monitor flight sim but that is largely because I did not know there was a head tracking option.

 

Anyway, from my limited experience TrackIR gives you all the utility you need and makes flying very enjoyable even if you aren't blowing things up. Cockpit interaction is easy. Flying around landmarks is awesome (and doing an airport approach is much better as well). Looking for missiles, enemies, targets, your wingman, etc is much easier too. All in all it's a great option and I literally plugged mine in and haven't changed a thing other than shortcut keys for centering the view.

 

Now I'd love to set up 3 monitors AND TrackIR.........:joystick:

[MTFDarkEagle]

There is NOTHING more immersive than trackir in my honest opinion, so easy choice!

[cichlidfan]

In addition, you can always upgrade later.

[Thick8]

I've used headtracking for a couple of years now. It's great. In January I got a 3 screen setup and use less movement headtracking with it. WAY better than headtracking alone. I'm using 1080p TV's as my monitors not just for the size (39") but the cost per inch is much less than monitors. If you have a grand+ to throw at your display then do a triple head setup.

John

[Johnpilot]

OK, I decided to go with a 27" monitor and Track IR. I have a second smaller monitor off to the side that I will setup with the Cougar MFD displays. Hopefully this weekend all the bits will arrive and the fun can begin.

 

Thanks for your replies. I am hoping TrackIR will be all that it is for everyone else, but I wonder a bit. I mean, if you want to look out your left window you turn your head about 90 degrees left. With TrackIR, you still have to be able to look at the screen so I am assuming the "turning" of the head is toned down a bit.

 

John

[Johnpilot]

John;

 

With a Triple Head to Go configuration on the three monitors, what kind of frame rate hit do you take? Just curious.

 

John

[JG14_Smil]

 

I get a solid 30 FPS with my 6400x1920 PLP setup. PLP has good and bad points and is not for everyone. My TIR needs to be every bit as sensitive if not more so than my single monitor setup for looking around. The larger the viewing area, the more speed the TIR needs.

Edited June 12, 2013 by JG14_Smil

[CubPilot]

OK, I decided to go with a 27" monitor and Track IR. I have a second smaller monitor off to the side that I will setup with the Cougar MFD displays. Hopefully this weekend all the bits will arrive and the fun can begin.

 

Thanks for your replies. I am hoping TrackIR will be all that it is for everyone else, but I wonder a bit. I mean, if you want to look out your left window you turn your head about 90 degrees left. With TrackIR, you still have to be able to look at the screen so I am assuming the "turning" of the head is toned down a bit.

 

John

 

Yes TIR is "toned down a bit", which means that you can adjust your view in TIR using a certain amount of head movement.

 

So, in your 90 degree view example, your view thru TIR can be 90 degrees, but your head movement can be less than 90 degrees to achieve this. Obviously, you need to see the monitor at all times. TIR can be setup so that you can see 180 degrees back while still being able to see your monitor.

 

There is a small learning curve to get used to using TIR, but after that you will probably wonder how you ever got along without it. It helps with situational awareness. For instance, flying the traffic pattern at an airport is much easier with TIR to judge when to turn base leg, final leg, etc.

 

One other item. Using TIR frees up the joystick HAT button for trimming the aircraft (Pitch & Roll axes), you will usually be adjusting the trim quite often as your fuel/weapon load changes, at least with the A-10C.

 

 

:pilotfly:

Edited June 13, 2013 by CubPilot