Dr. Warthog or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Study Flight Sim

[jomni]

Yeah I usually turn on the Maverick after takeoff and not before the attack.  There's no side effects in turning it on early. 

[republic]

Can anyone recommend a good DCS server to fly on?  I find I learn games best playing against/with other humans.  I've joined a couple.  I had some computer issues so I never got off the ground in the first few.  Nothing more irritating that losing your internet connection right after the start up procedure...3 times in a row.

I finally got aloft tonight, but the server was hardcore and I got lost.  Even following the waypoints I saw nothing to shoot.  I eventually started flight towards the RWR hits I was getting...even saw some contrails of high fliers but...never got any action.  I alt tabbed to check the manual for something and it disconnected me.

I joined another game that had it where you could see everything on the map, which is handy for a newbie.  I alt tabbed during startup to read my email...and discovered that I guess DCS doesn't like you to do that...and I was booted again.

[Yskonyn]

Yeah I usually turn on the Maverick after takeoff and not before the attack.  There's no side effects in turning it on early.

Not in the sim (yet), no. But in real life the seeker head may overheat if turned on too long. :)

[jomni]

Ah you're right.  But not implemented in the game as you said.

[republic]

I had a great sortie last night.  I forget which server I was on, but I took off a little behind a strike group, I couldn't get my loadout setup the way i wanted it.  Anyhow I arrived late so waypoints 1 and 2 were already clear of hostiles.  I got to waypoint 3, was lined up for a good drop and then 'plink'.  I took a golden BB to the computer.  I dropped blind and missed, and then limped home.

It was fun though, especially navigating by the map and terrain.  I should have gotten on voice coms, next time I will.  If for anything to help with ATC.  I nearly got ran over twice by a couple of F-15 drivers.  :)

[Toonces]

They've been doing some amazing stuff over at BMS.  I'm going to try to get the ole HOTAS hooked up again to night and break it out.  I'll post some pictures.

[republic]

I had a good time last night flying over at Eno's Firehouse server.  They use SimHQ's Teamspeak server.  I managed to bag 2 "red" A-10's.  One was an assist, the other I got him with my last sidewinder and wounded him, then sliced his wing off with the gun.  BRRRRRRRRRRT!

I attacked a convoy with Mavericks and took out most of the supply trucks and a BTR-80 that was escorting

I need to start recording video with fraps, because the action is way too intense to grab screenshots.  :\  That plus I'm writing down as I fly what I need to map to my HOTAS and where lol

[Nefaro]

That plus I'm writing down as I fly what I need to map to my HOTAS and where lol

Remapping keys, and then getting them memorized, is one of the big headaches that keeps me from playing flight sims more often.  I feel like I'm tweaking the key & joy settings more than playing the game, for quite some time.  :-[

[jomni]

Really a big headache. Especially in Flaming Cliffs. That's why I learn how to manipulate the on-screen cockpit as much as possible. So far, Falcon has better default mapping.

Even simple sims like IL 2 and ROF can have complicated key mappings.

Doesn't DCS A-10 record your mission automatically.   There's an option to view it after a mission.  (But I think it does not record everything. )

[republic]

You know it occurs to me that a touch screen monitor would be great for a DCS sim.  Just reach up and press what I need.

However, I have decided to start saving my pennies for a TrackIR.  It has become a necessity.  I need that hat switch for additional functions rather than having to use it to look around.

[jomni]

Yes. There's an iPad app that does it but I can't seem to figure it out.

[Tuna]

Android too... the App I think is called Air Display.. then  you install TouchBuddy on your PC. .and display it on your tablet... if you search for it on Youtube you'll find it...

[jomni]

Sounds great. I already have air display used with FSX.  Runs great with dockable windows. Let me tinker with touch buddy.

[jomni]

Finally downloaded BMS.  Controls are an unintuitive mess compared to Falcon 4 AF.   Gonna spend a lot of time figuring this out.

[republic]

I'm having the same trouble Jomni.  DCS is complex but I can wrap my head around it.  BMS is rough...and on top of that there are areas where the age of the underlying engine really show.