Mayhem

So I see you all have IL-2 Tank Crew night, do any of you ever do anything with DCS Combined arms? What is the general consensus on Combined Arms and would it be something worth acquiring?

Thanks, just the info I was looking for.

What would be considered the standard or "must haves" for flying DCS with the Dogz (maps/packs/planes)?

GOOD LORD BOB! I don't think we've even met and already you're tempting me to lighten my wallet. Then I go to the Razor site and not only are they on sale, but they give me a 10 dollars off promo code too? My wife is going to strangle me. I'd heard about headphones like this in the past but thought they fell out of production. These respond to bass in the game/music audio, which is fine, I'm sure used in conjunction with something like a Bass Shaker they'd add just that much more to the experience. Probably can't separate the shake from the audio you hear though, but that's ok. One very interesting thing is that the Razor site says that while the vibration is tied to the audio, it moves smoothly from left to right depending on where the sound is originating. Now that, might be interesting to use combined with the Butt kicker. With two sound cards and a bass shaker you can run your game audio off one sound card (or USB headset), and then run software that plays specific impulses on the other sound card, that you don't hear, but gets pushed to the shaker. So for instance, if there is a lot of bass in the game sound or music, it won't set off the shaker, but when your wheels touch down, you get shot, your gear retracts or some other event, it will activate the shaker. Would be nice if you could do that with the headphones but it's unlikely as they probably just show up as one USB device. Ha, still, I'm envisioning me, sitting here, with my VR headset, my Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback, my Butt kicker, shaker headset, throttle and rudder pedals when my wife walks in and takes a video of me to post on Facebook so her family can all have a good laugh. Anyways, I'm having a bit of a geek out with this stuff now, I might have to get a set of these headphones and see what kind of setup I can come up with. Awe man, having flak burst around you and actually feeling it, that's gonna be AWESOME!!! Welcome to the Dogz by the way, give me about 3 weeks and I'll be back on high speed broadband instead of this god forsaken satellite.

Well, here is what I believe to be a viable alternative setup that might be more accessible to the UK. I ordered them just for the heck of it to test out. If they work, I'll run them off the second channel of my secondary soundcard for more oomph. Hopefully me bum don't go numb. Amp's available in silver too for all you flashy gits. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CDDPJTI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MXFDD2J/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Any way I can get someone to pin this to the top? So, bass shakers like the Buttkicker Gamer 2, typically use the low frequency output from your sound card to generate the feedback. This isn't particularly ideal as any low frequency bass will produce a vibration. If you want more defined feedback, like a thump when your gear locks in, rumble on touchdown, shutter, driving over rumble strips or anything else, you'll have to buy 3rd party software that will work with a secondary sound card to produce specific effects during specific events. The two I've run across are SimVibe and SimShaker. SimVibe is 90 USD and doesn't look like it's been updated lately nor does it seem to specifically work with titles like DCS and IL-2 BOX. Good news though, I spoke with the creator of SimShaker, he offers 3 programs (and one sound module addon) each for various sims. SimShaker Wheels is for all your sim driving needs and covers most of the common race titles like Assetto Corsa, RFactor and Project Cars 2. SimShaker Wings covers IL-2 BOX as well as some others, and SimShaker for Aviators covers DCS and a few more. While the Wheels and Wings versions have their own sound modules for bass shakers functionality, the For Aviators only supports USB rumble seats like the Jetpad without an additional sound module to add secondary sound card bass shakers capability. Still with me? Long and short of it is, if you want the whole package you have to buy 3 programs and the total is like $87 USD. Good news is, after speaking with Andre (the creator) I was able to get him to offer a 15% promo code '3SKABA9V' if you buy the Wheels, Wings and Aviator Sound module (the base Aviator program is free). So that brought the price down to $74 USD. If anyone is interested, watch some videos on SimShaker or Simvibe to get a better understanding of the enhanced feedback they provide. So just to sum it up, I just bought a Buttkicker Gamer 2 complete system, that clamps to my gaming chair, for $127.99 and got the complete SimShaker package for $74 plus tax. So grand total for what should be an awesome addition simming for ~207-ish USD. Not bad, not bad at all. Testimonials seem to indicate this is a must have addition, once you try it you'll never want to sim without it. I can't wait to try this out in conjunction with my Oculus Quest 2 VR headset. If anyone is interested and has questions let me know. Demo period is available for evaluation purposes. Links below. https://simshaker.com/ Promo code (15% off complete license package): 3SKABA9V https://thebuttkicker.com/ Promo code (20% off site wide): GLCS20

I can relate to that Todd, I'm getting there myself and I've seen too many friends and acquaintances go. Good news is we're turning the ship around so, here's to the future.

Yeah, apparently some folks have some pretty elaborate setups using these or similar. I'm gonna try it out on just the chair for now, but I do have a Microsoft Sidewinder 2 Force Feedback so, it might be interesting to see what it's like to use both simultaneously.

Don't know if this is common knowledge but the Buttkicker gamer 2 tactile feedback transducer kit with amp is $127.99 USD right now at the Buttkicker website with promo code GLCS20. Code is good for 20 percent off anything site wide. I just picked one up for the heck of it and they didn't even charge me tax. I'm going to see if I can get it working with a secondary sound card and 3rd party software to enhance the experience even further.

Sorry to hear that OD, any particular reason or is that something you'd rather not discuss. I'm in the same boat as you Todd. Bought a new house closer to civilization and can't wait to get back to online flying. It'll be great to fly with you again.

I'd just like to thank all who contributed to this thread for the great desktop wallpapers.

Would it be possible to list names from left to right for that last group photo?

I didn't know Chris Rock played guitar. Well, he probably wouldn't get kicked out of Anderton's for playing this version.

Here's another good one.

Ok, so, on the Advice of Arthur, thank you Arthur by the way , I decided to try downloading some of the modules last night as I still had a wee bit o data left. Surprisingly this morning all selected modules have been downloaded SUCCESSFULLY!. And here they are: BF109, Spit, Mustang, FW190, Normany and Asset Pack. Took the 109 for a test spin this morning and it is VERY good. After getting my controls straightened out, well for the most part, I was able to land on my first attempt, though I did pop a tire apparently. Checking out the others now. I can tell already, the DCS Warbirds are good, heck I'm surprised DCS works so well with these old taildraggers. DAMN YOU DCS! I want to buy all of them nowl LOLZ. Well, maybe not the Dora. In honesty, I'll probably pick up the 109 and Spit, I might grab the Mustang later but I haven't tried it yet. I'd love to FB but I'm afraid the lowest possible ping I can attain is somewhere in the neighborhood of 600 to 800 ms. I'd join you guys on coms but I don't want to be that creepy guy standing in the corner (again) LOL. I might hop on comes here shortly just to pop in and say hello. I'm probably moving soon so maybe within the next 6 months or so I'll be back at it full bore. I mean, I'll get on the server if it won't auto kick me for high ping butt I don't want to drag the server down with me either and affect the rest of you.

Ah screw it, you know what, I'll download the Spite and try it out.

No, I don't think he 'at it and I'm pretty sure he wasn't going to by it. Hell I don't think he even owned a computer.

Well, I saw a documentary with an old I-16 pilot and he swore by it.

Problem is i've exceeded my data cap for the month so while I might get one downloaded over a night or two perhaps, it's kind of not practical for me. I'm sorry, what century am I living in again?

Thanks FT, for some reason the Spit has always had more appeal for me than the Mustang ever did. Then again, flying a 109 against allied bombers like the B-17 it's probably one of my favorite things to do as well, there's just something about the carnage of watching giant planes burst into flames and sometimes disintegrate. I'm thinking probably Spit or 109 for now then the other later. Don't know, that 109, I've never really thought of myself as a 109 guy but when I think about it I've spent a lot of time in the virtual skies in one. I might just get the 109 first just to keep it interesting. And the ground handling of these planes just adds to the fun for me at least. I know there's some love out there of the Dora and 190s, but for some reason they've just never felt right to me.

Considering getting my first DCS Warbird, I'm torn between the 109, Spite and Mustang. As I don't know the current status of these planes regarding updates and their performance in DCS I'm curious as to what you guys would recommend. Might even swing 2 birds but really don't have the time to dedicate. Spite and 109 would probably set me up well for the upcoming channel map, but the Mustang sounds like it's more pleasant to fly and of course has greater range.