DCS World 2.9 (Digital Combat Simulator)

Yeah baby, ordered the VKB Gunfighter Modern Combat Ultimate. I’m going to snap up Hornet and F18 for sure when they go on sale.
 
Blackstone said:
I did a trial of the F16, F18 and Warthog. I understand the basics of flight from old sims. The F16 handles the best, but I can tell the Hornet will be easier to learn.

I find the higher fidelity more appealing, especially the clickable cockpits.
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Both F-18 and F-16 are fairly easy, some easier in certain ways. HARM is easier on the F-18, and I find the Mavericks are easier to use as well. I suggest getting both on sale. Runner up, if you like modern stuff, is the JF-17. F-15E is a good choice but I am waiting to see what happens with Razbam. There is a payment dispute between them and ED and they have largely stopped doing updates for it for the time being.

There are rumors of a possible late F-14B or F-14D, which have modern HUDs. The F-14A/B in game don't, they just have a very, very basic HUD that displays weapon selection / quantity and gun sight/Sidewinder sight. So if you like modern fighters, that may be something to look into that may be on the horizon.

Personally I am waiting for the Eurofighter. That should be the most modern plane but is probably 2+ years out.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eODFQSboBxg
 
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Flogger23m said:
Both F-18 and F-16 are fairly easy, some easier in certain ways. HARM is easier on the F-18, and I find the Mavericks are easier to use as well. I suggest getting both on sale. Runner up, if you like modern stuff, is the JF-17. F-15E is a good choice but I am waiting to see what happens with Razbam. There is a payment dispute between them and ED and they have largely stopped doing updates for it for the time being.

There are rumors of a possible late F-14B or F-14D, which have modern HUDs. The F-14A/B in game don't, they just have a very, very basic HUD that displays weapon selection / quantity and gun sight/Sidewinder sight. So if you like modern fighters, that may be something to look into that may be on the horizon.

Personally I am waiting for the Eurofighter. That should be the most modern plane but is probably 2+ years out.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eODFQSboBxg
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I’d do F14 with modern hud for sure if that materializes. I ordered the stick because it is just impossible to get going on gamepad. Not enough buttons.

I can almost sort of figure out what the cockpit screens so and I was able to arm and release bombs on the full A10.

After my trial is up on F16, F18 and A10, I’ll either grab one module or see if I can stick it out for a sale and them grab maybe 3.
 
Blackstone said:
I’d do F14 with modern hud for sure if that materializes. I ordered the stick because it is just impossible to get going on gamepad. Not enough buttons.

I can almost sort of figure out what the cockpit screens so and I was able to arm and release bombs on the full A10.

After my trial is up on F16, F18 and A10, I’ll either grab one module or see if I can stick it out for a sale and them grab maybe 3.
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You can also look into the AV8B. Fairly modern, faster than the A-10 but less weapons, but similar role. You can also take off/land vertically. I wish I purchased that when it was $35 some years ago.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtXm4Unc9g8
 
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Now I need to find a great throttle with a really good slew control for the F16. I really don’t want an F16 specific stick but it seems like it has some very specific controls.
 
Only wussies need throttle at less than full power. Simplifies the hardware to get.

I use a CH Fiterstick F16 for the F16.
 
Blackstone said:
Use coupon code “Growling” for a 10% discount at Dcs store.
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Yeah that one works now. Generally the sales are better, but if you want to get 1 module now you can use that. Learn the plane a bit and soon in a few months the other ones will be 30-50% off again. For throttle, VKB seems good.
 
Flogger23m said:
Yeah that one works now. Generally the sales are better, but if you want to get 1 module now you can use that. Learn the plane a bit and soon in a few months the other ones will be 30-50% off again. For throttle, VKB seems good.
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The issue with the throttles seems to be button placement and in particular the slew joystick for the radar.

The Thrustmaster Viper looks incredible for F16, but lacks buttons for the newer jets. The VKB Stecs looks good but there is also a new Virpil coming out.

I kind of want the Viper but feel like i’ll regret when trying to fly the warthog or F18.
 
Blackstone said:
The issue with the throttles seems to be button placement and in particular the slew joystick for the radar.

The Thrustmaster Viper looks incredible for F16, but lacks buttons for the newer jets. The VKB Stecs looks good but there is also a new Virpil coming out.

I kind of want the Viper but feel like i’ll regret when trying to fly the warthog or F18.
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Depends on how realistic you want the controls to mimic a specific plane. I have one slew button on my throttle, which I used for all my planes radar/TV for AGMs. Generally I mimic the controls so they function as close to each other as possible for my HOTAS rather than how the work for the real planes.
 
IMG_8055.jpeg


Somebody talk me down. lol
 
Flogger23m said:
Even my X52 Pro has it. Something that hadn't crossed my mind. I assumed any HOTAS $100 or more would come with it.
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I take it detent is vital in VR to feel burner location. A lot of throttle sticks have it.

I badly want that viper throttle but i’m worried I will regret not having dual throttles for some warbirds. I am set on the F16 being my main, however.
 
Blackstone said:
I take it detent is vital in VR to feel burner location. A lot of throttle sticks have it.

I badly want that viper throttle but i’m worried I will regret not having dual throttles for some warbirds. I am set on the F16 being my main, however.
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It really is nice. You can go full military power without worrying about the afterburner accidentally engaging. I believe most planes have it in the real world for that exact reason. I wouldn't worry too much about dual throttle. You can adjust it with the keyboard or some other button if necessary, and you seldom need to actually use different throttle inputs. It certainly is nice to have though. If I was getting a new one I would personally go with split throttle because I have plenty of twin engine planes.
 
Blackstone said:
View attachment 670884

Somebody talk me down. lol
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Ha, if it were 15 years ago I'd be there with you going F**K IT'S ALREADY MINE. :D I didn't even know TM made something like that.

Blackstone said:
I badly want that viper throttle but i’m worried I will regret not having dual throttles for some warbirds. I am set on the F16 being my main, however.
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You will on some level, as a owner of a TM Cougar setup, when I started using the F18 and A10 modules I would go back and forth about buying the TM split throttle but I just couldn't justify buying one (still can't lol). But dam that viper throttle is so dam sexy.
 
Flogger23m said:
It really is nice. You can go full military power without worrying about the afterburner accidentally engaging. I believe most planes have it in the real world for that exact reason. I wouldn't worry too much about dual throttle. You can adjust it with the keyboard or some other button if necessary, and you seldom need to actually use different throttle inputs. It certainly is nice to have though. If I was getting a new one I would personally go with split throttle because I have plenty of twin engine planes.
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Well, I find the F-18 boring, because I used it in a sim decades ago. The F-16 is just sexy.

I want to fly the F-16 and the Warthog, and the Mustang for WWII.

I actually got the startup sequence correct today for the first time. Learning a lot. Stick doesn’t come until Thursday.

I need a temporary throttle solution. Parking the viper panel on my couch is not ideal. I do think a simpit in my office is in my future.
 
LurkerLito said:
Ha, if it were 15 years ago I'd be there with you going F**K IT'S ALREADY MINE. :D I didn't even know TM made something like that.


You will on some level, as a owner of a TM Cougar setup, when I started using the F18 and A10 modules I would go back and forth about buying the TM split throttle but I just couldn't justify buying one (still can't lol). But dam that viper throttle is so dam sexy.
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It just seems so perfect for the F16 and so useable and tactile. I feel like I could always spring for a good dual throttle unit down the road. I think I’m looking for authenticity this time out.
 
I caved. I ordered the viper mission pack throttle. So now I am at Gunfighter Ultimate Stick and. Viper Mission pack throttle.


It just seems so RIGHT. Now I need to learn how to fly!
 
Blackstone said:
Well, I find the F-18 boring, because I used it in a sim decades ago. The F-16 is just sexy.

I want to fly the F-16 and the Warthog, and the Mustang for WWII.
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Good choices. F-18 is still fun or carrier landing and whatnot. Keep an eye on the F-15E module. If Razbam's situation changes, that would probably be something worth looking into. F-16 will be plenty of fun for a good while.

Edit: Also look into Grass Monkey IR or similar for JHMCS for the F-16/F-18.
 
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Flogger23m said:
Good choices. F-18 is still fun or carrier landing and whatnot. Keep an eye on the F-15E module. If Razbam's situation changes, that would probably be something worth looking into. F-16 will be plenty of fun for a good while.

Edit: Also look into Grass Monkey IR or similar for JHMCS for the F-16/F-18.
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Working on cold start. I can’t get hud on. I think my master power switch is in the wrong position. I’m close I can feel it.

VKB Gunfighter arrives tomorrow. I think the throttle comes Friday. Wife and son leave town for a week Sunday. Yeah baby!
 
Blackstone said:
IL2 Sturmovik Stalingrad is like 75% off. Worth it?
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I don't have it but always pass it up because I don't think it has a mission editor. But I believe it is better for quick online battles. It does not have clickable cockpits if you're into that, but otherwise it is a good WWII flight sim from what I hear. More rounded /complete experience than DCS WWII for things like AI, but less detailed planes.
 
I should mention that I couldn't play IL-2 for years because my Windows 10 at the time randomly didn't run it. My new install does (same version of Windows). These problems are sometimes reported by others.
 
Ok it took me 4 days to figure out that I had the master power switch in the wrong position so my hud would not power up. I only get an hour with the plane a day, however.

I have no conception of how the weapons systems on F16 work. Studying that.
 
Flogger23m said:
I don't have it but always pass it up because I don't think it has a mission editor. But I believe it is better for quick online battles. It does not have clickable cockpits if you're into that, but otherwise it is a good WWII flight sim from what I hear. More rounded /complete experience than DCS WWII for things like AI, but less detailed planes.
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IL2 does have a mission editor as well as a few add on mods to simplify editing missions mission editor mods as the editor is not very user friendly in it's base form. There are many user created single player missions dl link and scripted campaigns dl link that can be installed and updated via the mission editor whenever the base game is updated.
 
Gave Tuuvas' controller setup a try and surprisingly it works decently well. Getting it running was a bit of a pain because for some reason launching from steam wouldn't let the controller be seen by DCS, but in the end it turned out to be caused by the DCS launcher. Steam launches DCS launcher then DCS Launcher launching DCS itself = no controller seen in DCS. You have to disable the DCS Launcher in the options of the launcher and then restart the game to get the controller to work. Need some time to learn the setup, but at least it is working well enough that I can actually land and not crash like I do with the keyboard. I am tempted to try it on the steam deck after trying the controls lol.

Edit: My DCS install is 327GB :eek: so going to have to pass on trying it on the deck.
 
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The Viper throttle is epic and most keybinds were automatically detected.

The VKB is quite a piece of gear as well, but nothing is really set up right out of the box, including the springs. I need to adjust the tensioners tomorrow to get the action right.
 
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Got some real dogfighting in with F-16 today. Pretty awesome! The very first time I locked one up I expected to hear Kenny Loggins “Danger Zone” come over the radio.
 
You can say what you want about the other 80's air plane movies but the only music that stuck in my head were the "Top Gun Anthem", "Danger Zone", and "Mighty Wings". Danger Zone and Mighty Wings for combat, and Top Gun Anthem for basically every thing else (flying, takeoff, landing). Even if I were playing a P51-D I'd still probably still hear one of those three songs in my head. Though for the helicopters I tend to think of the "Airwolf" TV theme song, though you'd think that Blue Thunder would be added to that list, but for some reason I can't remember it at all. :)
 
LurkerLito said:
You can say what you want about the other 80's air plane movies but the only music that stuck in my head were the "Top Gun Anthem", "Danger Zone", and "Mighty Wings". Danger Zone and Mighty Wings for combat, and Top Gun Anthem for basically every thing else (flying, takeoff, landing). Even if I were playing a P51-D I'd still probably still hear one of those three songs in my head. Though for the helicopters I tend to think of the "Airwolf" TV theme song, though you'd think that Blue Thunder would be added to that list, but for some reason I can't remember it at all. :)
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I'm sorry, I did not realize there were other 80's plane movies worth mentioning. Maybe Firefox with Clint Eastwood? But there was no song...
 
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