Associate
I take it DCS version 2.0 final is still vapourware?
*** Official DCS World Thread ***
- Thread starter lurkio
- Start date
2.1 is now out, but it's still "alpha", and therefore a work in progress. For all that, how many games are actually now genuinely "finished"?
As for the aircraft, as I've gone on, that seems to be just half the story. Sure, you can go out and fly, and that's always a great experience.
More recently, I've spent more time learning about the mission editor. It really is VERY powerful. So I've been building the kind of missions that I want to fly, as against hoping for from someone else.
Initially, that's been training (e.g. adding in a moving frigate, to practice Huey landings onto a small pad). Also tried intercept missions against bombers in my Spitfire, and bomber escort. Next step is to workout how to load and unload troops, as I fancy some missions aimed at landing a small group behind enemy lines.
So no, it's not perfect. It is however the best flight sim I've tried, looks awesome in VR and allows you to fly how you want with some effort.
As for the aircraft, as I've gone on, that seems to be just half the story. Sure, you can go out and fly, and that's always a great experience.
More recently, I've spent more time learning about the mission editor. It really is VERY powerful. So I've been building the kind of missions that I want to fly, as against hoping for from someone else.
Initially, that's been training (e.g. adding in a moving frigate, to practice Huey landings onto a small pad). Also tried intercept missions against bombers in my Spitfire, and bomber escort. Next step is to workout how to load and unload troops, as I fancy some missions aimed at landing a small group behind enemy lines.
So no, it's not perfect. It is however the best flight sim I've tried, looks awesome in VR and allows you to fly how you want with some effort.
I've just had an email from DCS informing me of their "60% Off Bonus Deals" but when I go and view any product it seems to be normal price and with a normal 20% bonus associated with it, e.g. Spitfire/A10C... So what's in this sale? Or is the Spitfire really $83.32 normally? Anyone understand and can explain it to this thicko?
Soldato
Yeah it only applies if you have bonus points from other purchases I think. It's not too clear.
Nate
Nate
Been playing more with some of the free mod/downloads that are available for DCS recently.
Can't resist mentioning this, which is a download for the CV-6, i.e. WW2 USS enterprise.
I took a look around it last night in my Huey. Awesome that this has been added for free by an enthusiast.
Can't resist mentioning this, which is a download for the CV-6, i.e. WW2 USS enterprise.
I took a look around it last night in my Huey. Awesome that this has been added for free by an enthusiast.
For anyone interested, the Mi8, Huey and Combined arms are all on big sales this weekend. The Huey in DCS is one of the most awesome to fly helicopters around.
Also made my first carrier landing on the above carrier in my Spit today. Only took me 5 ditchings before getting to the carrier, 1 facepalm to it's rear, one bounce off the deck and 3 smashes through the bearcats onboard before getting it right...
Also made my first carrier landing on the above carrier in my Spit today. Only took me 5 ditchings before getting to the carrier, 1 facepalm to it's rear, one bounce off the deck and 3 smashes through the bearcats onboard before getting it right...
Caporegime
I'm in the market for a replacement to my X52 (thirteen years old!) because the deadzones on the rotatories and slider have steadily grown over the years to the point now about only 30% of the range is active, even after a good dismantle and clean. My respect for Saitek/MadCatz and their build quality is gone entirely, and Logitech haven't done anything to change the manufacturing, so another X52(Pro) is not gonna happen. The web is full of complaints about the X56's build quality - most about the rotaries, slider and mini-sticks, so I'm not keen on that either.
Anyway.. I'd love a Warthog but the price (including price for extra pedals that I don't yet own for the rudder control) means it's quite a significant purchase.
Is the TM really that good that a £500 spend (remember this includes pedals) is justified?
Anyway.. I'd love a Warthog but the price (including price for extra pedals that I don't yet own for the rudder control) means it's quite a significant purchase.
Is the TM really that good that a £500 spend (remember this includes pedals) is justified?
Soldato
What about the thrustmaster fcs flight pack, hotas and pedals for 150, same hall sensors as the hog AFAIK.
In that price arena, the following options seem to be worth considering:
1. The Warthog. Still well regarded, especially for how it feels. However, has collected some negatives about it's use of a plastic gimball and occasionally "bricked" units.
2. The CH products option (Fighterstick and Throttle). Not as nice to feel as the Warthog and in theory less accurate (the WH = 16bit, the CH = less, can't remember how much). The CH throttle is also known for having jitter issues, but they're an easy fix. For all the negatives, they still seem to be the most reliable of the options and I have a set myself that I really rate
3. The two newish contenders are from VKB (Chinese) and Virpil/VPC (eastern european). I don't believe either have throttles and the VKB is still awaiting release of it's new modern combat grip. The flightsticks are seemingly reckoned as being about as good as it gets short of pro-level gear, with very high quality mechanics. I'm seriously considering a VPC T-50 mongoose at some point.
The only other element are the rudders, which are pretty essential for helicopters. I've read good things about the Baurs, and recently replaced my CH set with an MFG Crosswind, which are utterly lovely, if not cheap.
1. The Warthog. Still well regarded, especially for how it feels. However, has collected some negatives about it's use of a plastic gimball and occasionally "bricked" units.
2. The CH products option (Fighterstick and Throttle). Not as nice to feel as the Warthog and in theory less accurate (the WH = 16bit, the CH = less, can't remember how much). The CH throttle is also known for having jitter issues, but they're an easy fix. For all the negatives, they still seem to be the most reliable of the options and I have a set myself that I really rate
3. The two newish contenders are from VKB (Chinese) and Virpil/VPC (eastern european). I don't believe either have throttles and the VKB is still awaiting release of it's new modern combat grip. The flightsticks are seemingly reckoned as being about as good as it gets short of pro-level gear, with very high quality mechanics. I'm seriously considering a VPC T-50 mongoose at some point.
The only other element are the rudders, which are pretty essential for helicopters. I've read good things about the Baurs, and recently replaced my CH set with an MFG Crosswind, which are utterly lovely, if not cheap.
Caporegime
Yes the VPC and VKB both look and sound exciting but the distance puts me off - if it's DOA or whatever it simply must be a royal pain to sort out.
T16000M doesn't excite me. The buttons around the stick look annoying as you would need to take both hand(s) and eyes off controls to operate. The X52 has the same issue which they partially fixed for the X55/X56 by moving them onto the base of the throttle instead with great big separators for easy identification by feel. Though there are enough controls on the stick and throttle lever that I would only need to have secondary controls assigned to the base switches - but on the T16000M there's not enough buttons on the stick itself that I would be able to have only secondary controls on the toggles.
T16000M doesn't excite me. The buttons around the stick look annoying as you would need to take both hand(s) and eyes off controls to operate. The X52 has the same issue which they partially fixed for the X55/X56 by moving them onto the base of the throttle instead with great big separators for easy identification by feel. Though there are enough controls on the stick and throttle lever that I would only need to have secondary controls assigned to the base switches - but on the T16000M there's not enough buttons on the stick itself that I would be able to have only secondary controls on the toggles.
Caporegime
Gonna wait for the VKB gunfighter with MCG Pro grip to play that Su-33. Utter sex.
Decided to fly an F15 for a while yesterday.
Most of the aircraft are "high definition", meaning that all of the knobs and dials actually work, and in "sim" mode, the startup sequence and similar is just like the real thing. So within say my Huey, takes me 2 mins to get it fully started up, which might sound dull, but I actually find it strangely pleasurable to do.
DCS also includes a package called Flaming Cliffs 3, which contains (IIRC) 6 aircraft. These look like the full versions, but don't have clickable interiors and have simplified avionics, despite using the same flight dynamics complexity for most aircraft. One of those is the F15c, which looks lovely. Just 2 mins to realise that all you need to do is pull down the cockpit and turn om the engines. Taxi out, flaps down, give it a gob of throttle and we're away. Had put it in dynamic weather and there was low cloud cover in Nevada. Lovely to just potter around for a while.
Then couldn't resist practicing some fast combat landing in they Huey with some weight on board. In VR and with the Jetseat, just a great experience
Most of the aircraft are "high definition", meaning that all of the knobs and dials actually work, and in "sim" mode, the startup sequence and similar is just like the real thing. So within say my Huey, takes me 2 mins to get it fully started up, which might sound dull, but I actually find it strangely pleasurable to do.
DCS also includes a package called Flaming Cliffs 3, which contains (IIRC) 6 aircraft. These look like the full versions, but don't have clickable interiors and have simplified avionics, despite using the same flight dynamics complexity for most aircraft. One of those is the F15c, which looks lovely. Just 2 mins to realise that all you need to do is pull down the cockpit and turn om the engines. Taxi out, flaps down, give it a gob of throttle and we're away. Had put it in dynamic weather and there was low cloud cover in Nevada. Lovely to just potter around for a while.
Then couldn't resist practicing some fast combat landing in they Huey with some weight on board. In VR and with the Jetseat, just a great experience
Associate
Got the f5 , my very first clickable cockpit , awesome plane apart from the radar hehe, awesome in vr but my desk is awful for my hotas earth is and my arms have to lean upwards, need to get a good seat for the co told but still have space for the keyboard etc, I see playseat has an option but no where to put the keyboard. Any recommendations for a good flight seat with spaces for everything? I prefer the stick between legs tbh