Should I honestly even bother with this sim at this point in time? :(

[Pajeezy]

I've had DCS for a while (FC3 particularly). I'm a pretty big plane buff, but at the same time I'm a big gamer in general as well. I have a plethora of other games I intend to play/want to finish, and I feel like DCS would take a lot of time and commitment to fully enjoy. Also, I'm only currently equipped with a mouse, keyboard, and an old Logitech 3D Pro. I don't have the money to upgrade and probably won't for a while.

 

With my limited equipment and also possible limited amount of play time for the game, should I just put DCS on the shelf? I feel like I'm just not getting the full joy of it without those 2 components. What do you guys do or what's your story on the subject? Thanks.

[Home Fries]

With the way you can configure just about any controller with DCS, you should be able to enjoy FC3 with the Logitech 3D pro. I recommend setting one of the buttons (either on the base or something not used by your thumb) as a modifier in DCS, then you have a built in "shift function". Now you can use your hat switch for both POV and slew functions, and you can double up your other buttons as well (i.e. the same button could be used for lock/unlock based on shift state). You could even convert your hat to slew/trim and just use your mouse for POV/zoom.

 

You could even use modules like the P-51D and UH-1 with your current setup, though I would pass on the A-10C until you can afford a programmable HOTAS.

[srky]

Good point, Home Fries!

I had a Logitech 3d pro for a long time and used it with FC2.

I even had two buttons on the base of the stick set as modifiers. It worked very well and I had POV switch for looking around + trim + target designator slewing.

[ShuRugal]

I flew with a Logitec 3D Pro (non FFB) for about a year before i got an x52. It takes patience, and it does limit your capabilities, but it is absolutely doable and still enjoyable.

[VanjaB]

In many ways the Logitech 3d pro is much better than my X52. The tension is perfect in the stick, too bad that the twist rudder is 'iffy' at best.

 

Still its possible to play and enjoy DCS with that particular joystick. My advice is just keep away from the helicopter sims until you get rudder pedals.

[TurboHog]

I flew with a Logitech extreme 3D pro only for a long time. Even the A-10C and Black Shark. So I have to disagree with Home Fries on this.

 

I do think that helicopters such as the Huey and the Mi-8 that require quite a lot of work on the rudders and tiny cyclic inputs should be flown with a set of pedals and a joystick that has a long throw. Of course flying it with the 3D pro is possible, but unnecessary difficult.

[Foo_Fighter]

I also have to disagree with Home Fries.

 

I've flown the A-10C now for a year with my 3D Pro. It works well for me when using modifyer buttons. So with a limited budget and limited time (kids) I don't see the reason to upgrade to a new controller (but it would be an improvement I'm sure).

 

BUT, what improved my experience a lot was when I bought the TrackIR. Now I can't fly without it... A bit too expensive yes, but worth it!

[Home Fries]

I've flown the A-10C now for a year with my 3D Pro. It works well for me when using modifyer buttons.

 

More power to you; I didn't think it was feasible. :thumbup:

[JayPee]

Pajazy,

 

I've got a Sidewinder Pro stick; that is a stick, a hat on it, a trigger, and 3 buttons in an up/mid/down fashion. I have every single HOTAS function and then some bound to my stick using a simple yet ergonomic logic of modifiers on my keyboard. I've been playing -10C for a while and I dare to say it takes just as much time getting used to as it would take for an actual HOTAS.

 

What I'm trying to say here is if you're trying to find reasons why you shouldn't play -10C, you will probably find a bunch. If you're trying to be creative and try to fly the Hog with (very) limited resources, there are definitely ways to do so. It's all up to you.

 

This is my set-up of modifiers and keys. Just to get you an idea of what's possible. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0SYL_DwfgbGZ3FUOTVteWxHOXc/edit?usp=sharing Download the XLSX if you want but make sure you look at the proper sheet. I've got set-ups for the -10C HOTAS as well as the -16 HOTAS.

Edited December 21, 2013 by JayPee

[Yob]

Had a fly with a guy on Dow Server and he was using a Yoke for the mustang...

 

Anything is possible..

 

I used to fly 737ngx with a Logitech attack 3, just learn with what you have on the A-10 and P-51 because u don't have rudders.

 

But you don't specifically need them for the A-10 and Mustang...

 

Cheers bro have a good one...

[upupandaway]

I´m with TurboHog - I played A-10C, Ka-50 and P-51D with that joystick for over a year before I got me a HOTAS setup. You may have to experiment for some time but it´s definitely possible. Flying fixed wing is gonna be easier than rotary with this one (without pedals).

[FLANKERATOR]

I've had DCS for a while (FC3 particularly). I'm a pretty big plane buff, but at the same time I'm a big gamer in general as well. I have a plethora of other games I intend to play/want to finish, and I feel like DCS would take a lot of time and commitment to fully enjoy. Also, I'm only currently equipped with a mouse, keyboard, and an old Logitech 3D Pro. I don't have the money to upgrade and probably won't for a while.

 

With my limited equipment and also possible limited amount of play time for the game, should I just put DCS on the shelf? I feel like I'm just not getting the full joy of it without those 2 components. What do you guys do or what's your story on the subject? Thanks.

 

You won't need more to enjoy FC3. I've myself used Logitech 3D Pro for a year or so before upgrading to X-52. many folks don't even have a joystick.

 

As for which game to spend most time on, it simply depends on which you enjoy the most. You may find yourself back into DCS after a while...I was a big gamer as well before stumbling on LOMAC many years ago which reminded me of my childhood dream job :)

[markwilliam]

I've had DCS for a while (FC3 particularly). I'm a pretty big plane buff, but at the same time I'm a big gamer in general as well. I have a plethora of other games I intend to play/want to finish, and I feel like DCS would take a lot of time and commitment to fully enjoy. Also, I'm only currently equipped with a mouse, keyboard, and an old Logitech 3D Pro. I don't have the money to upgrade and probably won't for a while.

 

With my limited equipment and also possible limited amount of play time for the game, should I just put DCS on the shelf? I feel like I'm just not getting the full joy of it without those 2 components. What do you guys do or what's your story on the subject? Thanks.

 

I use a 3D pro. I have always used one and I use Xplane and FSX. This joystick is rugged and dependable. For a while I was using the Saitek Cyborg series but the yaw would wear out within weeks of buying it. I went through 3 or 4 of them. So I went back to the 3D Pro and it has served me well.

As far as not getting the joy out of the game you think you should be getting.....I can't answer for that. It's a personal opinion thing. I go through periods where I don't touch a game for weeks or months and then I'm back playing it again and having a blast.

[Psyrixx]

I myself have a Thrustmaster Warthog HOTAS at my house, and a Logitech 3d Pro at my dad's house in California. When I'm visiting family (as I'll be doing this coming week for the holidays) I usually fly the FC3 aircraft (primarily A-10A and Su25/T) with the Logitech 3D Pro and have just as much fun as I do at home flying the study sims (A-10C, Ka-50, UH-1H) with my HOTAS.

 

So if you enjoy flight simulators and are primarily into FC3, you should have no problem.

 

Start by binding your flight controls (pitch, roll, rudder, throttle), adjust the axis curves and saturation for more comfortable control, and also bind your triggers (weapons release and fire cannon, if applicable). These are the important things to have immediately bound to your joystick and you'll find out what works best for you as far as other controls over time.

 

Many keys are just as easy to leave bound to the keyboard (gear toggle, flaps toggle) while others you will find are better suited to the joystick (switch weapons, slew targeting cameras, etc).

 

Good luck, and enjoy!