Is there a good Helicopter Sim out there ??

Thanks for that Borsch .... the more I see of DCS that more I want to use it but OMG 10 hrs practice :)

The FNG question I have is about the setting of the flight stick controls how do I know it is assigned to that function on my stick eg in the past say I wanted the left hat switch to carry out a certain function I would have gone to that function in the control menu in the game and then activated that switch on my stick and then saved the change but that does not seem to work in DCS is this my stick ??
 
Make sure you are setting the function for the correct aircraft (Top left of the setting window)..

Also if you hit ESC in game you can set the controller functions in game, on the fly, too.

Nate
 
Hi Nate, I have confirmed how to set the controls up but I have now tried two quite old controllers both Saitek an X45 and a Cyborg 3D and while I can use these for the basic flight controls I cannot get DCS to recognise the toggle switches etc to setup custom controls/functions is it possible these are to old ??
 
anthony566 said:
Thanks for that Borsch .... the more I see of DCS that more I want to use it but OMG 10 hrs practice :)

The FNG question I have is about the setting of the flight stick controls how do I know it is assigned to that function on my stick eg in the past say I wanted the left hat switch to carry out a certain function I would have gone to that function in the control menu in the game and then activated that switch on my stick and then saved the change but that does not seem to work in DCS is this my stick ??
Click to expand...

Pay no attention to "10 hours", you 'll be flying, landing and having fun in minutes, 10 hours is how long it would take to "master it" (It could take a lifetime really like with all skill things, playing BF4 *well* could take ten hours/lifetime too).

Regarding controller setup, not sure where the problem is. Is you stick showing in windows control panel>game controller - buttons lighting up, etc? If yes, then see this pdf in DCS on how to set up controller its got screenshots for everything and explanations too. Its at DCS World/Doc/DCS World Input Controller Walk Through EN.pdf

If your stick show up in windows and is recognised by windows it is good enough for DCS, simple as, so your X45 is most certainly not "too old" :)

Have a look at pdf and I'm sure you'll get it working :)
 
Last edited:
Borsch said:
Pay no attention to "10 hours", you 'll be flying, landing and having fun in minutes, 10 hours is how long it would take to "master it" (It could take a lifetime really like with all skill things, playing BF4 *well* could take ten hours/lifetime too).

Regarding controller setup, not sure where the problem is. Is you stick showing in windows control panel>game controller - buttons lighting up, etc? If yes, then see this pdf in DCS on how to set up controller its got screenshots for everything and explanations too. Its at DCS World/Doc/DCS World Input Controller Walk Through EN.pdf

If your stick show up in windows and is recognised by windows it is good enough for DCS, simple as, so your X45 is most certainly not "too old" :)

Have a look at pdf and I'm sure you'll get it working :)
Click to expand...

I did find the PDF guide so I think I am good to go with that as for my controllers the Cyborg 3D was not being detected by windows so that's going to be filed under B1N as for the X45 I think the usb cable has been damaged while being in a cupboard for about 2 years lol as it is detected but the button lights go off randomly and widows keeps re detecting it so I think that will be filed along with the Cyborg.

I really do like the look of the Saitek Pro Flight X55 Rhino H.O.T.A.S. System and I have done a bit of surfing and in the main it gets good feedback I know a few people on OCUK have had a few issues but no more than the norm I think the only issue is they are out of stock with OCUK but I will wait I think.

I just cant really bring myself to spend more than that on a joystick .... the Thrustmaster really does seem to be the king but at £300 + is way to steep for me :)
 
Last edited:
anthony566 said:
I just cant really bring myself to spend more than that on a joystick .... the Thrustmaster really does seem to be the king but at £300 + is way to steep for me :)
Click to expand...

You do not need an expensive hotas use a Thrustmaster T-flight Hotas X Joystick that is what the cheap skate pilots are using in the picture Borsch posted :p
 
Imho the best joystick is Microsoft Force Feedback 2, it is no longer produced so ebay is the only way but it costs around £30-40. Its the one I have :)

Its biggest selling points are undying precision - it uses optical sensors that do not deteriorate with age, and - most importantly - best realisation of force feedback. Force feedback is very nice in any flight sim (it is supported by every single one that is worth mentioning), but in choppers it is particularly useful as clicking "trim" sets the joystick to its new default position - just like on real helis. On non FF sticks you have to trim and then let go of the stick very quickly - which is unnatural and annoying imho.

DCS programmer engineer Yo-yo (he makes flight physics) uses MSFF2 as does ROF/IL2:BOS engineer. Imho it is money very well spent.

Yes, it does not have many buttons, but in DCS you can use "modifier commands", plus, for Huey you only need your axis and a trim button. Well and a fire button if you want to use the military version.
 
Borsch said:
DCS makes sims for the Pentagon and for the Russian Military, their partner Belsimtek who made the Huey also made commercial chopper simulators...

Click to expand...
The teachers could have at least set up the second monitor properly :(

Hmm dell keyboards, bet they're getting 4 fps.
 
Borsch said:
Imho the best joystick is Microsoft Force Feedback 2, it is no longer produced so ebay is the only way but it costs around £30-40. Its the one I have :)

Its biggest selling points are undying precision - it uses optical sensors that do not deteriorate with age, and - most importantly - best realisation of force feedback. Force feedback is very nice in any flight sim (it is supported by every single one that is worth mentioning), but in choppers it is particularly useful as clicking "trim" sets the joystick to its new default position - just like on real helis. On non FF sticks you have to trim and then let go of the stick very quickly - which is unnatural and annoying imho.

DCS programmer engineer Yo-yo (he makes flight physics) uses MSFF2 as does ROF/IL2:BOS engineer. Imho it is money very well spent.

Yes, it does not have many buttons, but in DCS you can use "modifier commands", plus, for Huey you only need your axis and a trim button. Well and a fire button if you want to use the military version.
Click to expand...

I am still toying with the idea Borsch but I do like lights and switches :) :)
 
anthony566 said:
Ok so DCS is up and running and does look fantastic ... my X45 does work ( well sort of ) but either I am not looking in the right place or the X45 isn't really compatible as I am unable to tune the stick or assign any functions to the stick and as DCS has about a million keyboard keys its going to be a very steep learning curve !!!!!

So can I ask what controls are people using in DCS ??
Click to expand...

X55 Rhino, TrackIR5 and once I get it setup, VoiceAttack.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom