DCS World. A serious combat flight sim

[Kaot]

Started playing around with it over the weekend. Flight sims have in the last 10 years or so become a bit of a niche market, but it would be great to build a South African community around this one since it supports multiplayer (for missions, co-op or dogfights etc) and has a good mission editor. It's probably the most realistic sim I've come across!

The game engine along with a SU-25k is available for free (additional aircraft have to be purchased):
http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.co...roduct&lang=en

Here's a nice clip to get you into the mood
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIkK0...feature=g-like

[RaFi]

Ha , you sold me at the SU-25.

I was just thinking its time to look for something other than FSX, a combat sim will be just the thing.

[StoneCold]

One probably needs a decent joystick to get the most of this no doubt ? I actually love combat flight sims, used to play them a lot back in the day when the JANES titles got released. However, since then I haven't touched them.

[kat06sa]

One probably needs a decent joystick to get the most of this no doubt ? I actually love combat flight sims, used to play them a lot back in the day when the JANES titles got released. However, since then I haven't touched them.

Not true, my previous stick cost R400 and it is still solid. http://www.rebeltech.co.za/index.php...oducts_id=2662
With a few downloaded profiles it will do all that is needed. If you have the extra cash there are some awesome sticks. Like my baby, Thrustmaster Hotas Warthog.

Ha , you sold me at the SU-25.

I was just thinking its time to look for something other than FSX, a combat sim will be just the thing.

The Su-25 in the game is average. If you want a proper high-fidelity aircraft, buy the A10C addon. Pretty cool aircraft. http://youtu.be/k0I7O8fw1Pg

Same company is also rumoured to have the F/A-18C in the works along with carrier ops. That, I can't wait for.

My favourite game right now is the BMS F-16. A real "study" sim. Lots of reading needed just to start the thing. (it's also free) http://youtu.be/Y_uO8CBuwhE
http://www.benchmarksims.org/forum/content.php

Maybe we can all meet up and have a few dogfights sometime.

[StoneCold]

Holy smokes kat06sa, that Falcon 4 BMS version looks freaking SWEET ! Busy downloading it now via torrent. I hope it's not too complicated, but I guess I have to get myself a joystick first. How difficult is it to configure that Logitech joystick with the relevant profiles ? And how difficult is it to actually fly in-game using the joystick ? Sorry for all the questions, but I'm really interested in playing some flight sims again now !

PS: Is this joystick: http://www.rebeltech.co.za/index.php...oducts_id=2661 not so good compared to the 3D model or will it also suffice ?

[RaFi]

That one do not have a twist rudder action, not a huge problem, but still.

I remember Falcon, while the graphics ain't so good, the simulation is. You will have to press every little button, just like in real life. Its got a pretty steep learning curve, not the flying so much but rather the systems management.

The manual is pretty thick and it will take some time to learn everything.

The actual combat flying is challenging.

Flying in a sim with a jet is not so difficult, open throttle keep the nose up and there you go. Landing is of course the real challenge. With a bit of practice you should have be able to master it.
Luckily you don't have to worry about pitch and mixtures and carb heating.

[StoneCold]

That one do not have a twist rudder action, not a huge problem, but still.

So I take it the 3D one does have a twist rudder action ? I just want a justification for the difference in price

I'm going through the manual right now, but holy smokes, lots and lots and lots of info to get through, but digging it

BTW the old flight sim I used to play when I was still in primary school was US Navy Fighters. EA published it back in the day, here is a video clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLIwLbhpgIU

Brings back sooo many memories and good times !

[kat06sa]

If you do get the Logitech 3d, I'll give you my profile. A lot of the stuff needed is at right at your finger tips. No need to fiddle with ctrl+shift+... Comes in handy.

If you do enjoy the game, I would suggest investing in TrackIR. Doesn't come cheap, but it increases your immersion by about a billion.

Youtube tutorials
http://forums.unitedoperations.net/i...torial-videos/

[StoneCold]

No need to fiddle with ctrl+shift+... Comes in handy.

ROFLMAO, I saw that last night, even if I want to pitch my F-16 left, right, up or down, you need to press Ctrl+Shift every single time !

Using a joystick will obviously minimize all of that. It's pay day tomorrow, guess I'll pick up a Logitech 3D one then

[Penquin]

Nice, I'll download DCS and BMS. Would like to play decent jet flight sim. I've been playing IL2 and Wings of Prey a little while ago. I've got the Cyborg Fly 5 stick. At the moment it is only doing BF3 duty.

If you do enjoy the game, I would suggest investing in TrackIR. Doesn't come cheap, but it increases your immersion by about a billion.

Great for immersion yes, but I would not recommend it, especially at more than R2k. You could build your own with IR-LED's or as in my case, completely free, with nothing stuck to my head, and it works just as good.

[Kaot]

I got started with a Cyborg F.L.Y 5 since my Logitech Force 3d has seen better days. Eventually I'd like to upgrade to a Logitech G940

I've got the A-10 Hog Module and KA-50, though still at the beginner stages of learning to fly them.

Would be great to fly some multiplayer missions if anyone would be interested, that is after I'm a bit more familiar with these beasts!

[StoneCold]

I think I'm going to order myself a Logitech Force 3D either today/tomorrow. I've never owned a proper joystick, but I'll definitely put it to good use in DCS World and Falcon 4.0 BMS. I managed to track down the majority of the old JANE's Combat Simulation games, man it brings back some good memories

PS: Penquin, how much would it cost to build one's own IR-LED ? I see Landmark Computers have the TrackIR 5 with the headclip for R2800 +

[Kaot]

The problem with the Logitech Force 3D is that it develops a rather big deadzone in the center which gets progressively worse over time. I don't even use mine anymore, got the Cyborg FLY 5 because of the issue so I definitely won't recommend it.

[StoneCold]

The problem with the Logitech Force 3D is that it develops a rather big deadzone in the center which gets progressively worse over time. I don't even use mine anymore, got the Cyborg FLY 5 because of the issue so I definitely won't recommend it.

Where can I obtain a Cyborg FLY 5 and how much do they retail for ?

EDIT: Nevermind I see rampage gaming has them in stock. So you'd definitely recommend a Cyborg FLY 5 one over the Logitech Force 3D ? I see it's not that much more expensive than the Logitech one.

[kat06sa]

Oh... I owned the Cyborg, something broke so I got a replacement. Then something else broke, so they gave me the Logitech. That thing is solid imho. With a bit of tweaking, the dead zone is fine. Not going to give you the stellar performance you get from high end stick. But good enough.

Lol. Prices for TrackIR have jumped. Bought mine for R1800 from landmark last year. I'm not that handy so I can't build my own. Still the best investment I've made in terms of combat flight sims.

Who's up for a DCS flight tonight? Nothing too complicated.

Edit: Stone, its up to you. I may have just been unlucky.