SuperEuphonium Posted July 14, 2015 Posted July 14, 2015 I was thinking of getting IL-2: BOS sometime soon, but I want to know a few things before I throw money at it. 1: Would an AMD Radeon HD 7800 video card meet the recommended requirements? 2: Is the more expensive BOS version with 2 extra aircraft worth the extra 30 dollars? 3: Since I am unable to use TrackIR, would using my mouse in my left hand be a viable alternative for looking around? 4: Are there still plenty of players in BOS so that multiplayer games have lots of people? Any help is appreciated!
6./ZG26_Emil Posted July 14, 2015 Posted July 14, 2015 Not sure about your graphics card but in answer to your other questions the two premium aircraft give you no advantage so get them if you like them otherwise it's not a big deal. If you cant use TIR you want a joystick with a hat switch to fly expert type servers, I'm not sure if there are any servers with padlock but using a mouse is going to be very hard. Yes plenty of people online although the US TZ is quieter at the moment.
Wolf8312 Posted July 14, 2015 Posted July 14, 2015 I didnt regret buying the extra planes to be honest but I would see what you think of the game first. I only bought them later because I realized I really liked the game. Rememeber that if people make new content and you dont have the planes you will not be able to play but defo make sure u like the game first. This was what compelled me to buy them. Track IR really is a must in this day and age. I honestly wouldnt play without it honest to god I would be done with flight sims!
Finkeren Posted July 14, 2015 Posted July 14, 2015 1: Yeah, I think that card should cover it. I run BoS on a soon-to-be-4-years-old system with everything on max with no trouble. 2: The Premium planes (Fw 190 and La-5) are great planes, both well modeled and very interesting to fly, but they are not 'better' than the other fighters as such. Don't expect pay-to-win. 3: Left hand mouse is a viable option yes, though it's propably better to buy a proper HOTAS and use a hat switch. In the long run you should really consider getting TrackIR though. 4: MP numbers have been stagnating for a while, but have risen again with the latest patch which increased server capacity to 64 players. Now there is nearly always at least a normal- and an expert server with a decent number of players on. Numbers will propably rise further when we get summer/autumn maps in a couple of months.
SharpeXB Posted July 14, 2015 Posted July 14, 2015 I've seen mentioned before as a good alternative to the mouse for looking around is a trackball. That sounds like a better idea than a mouse or hat switch if you can't have a TrackIR.
LLv24_Zami Posted July 14, 2015 Posted July 14, 2015 3: There`s an alternative for TrackIR: http://www.delanengineering.com/ I use that and it`s great piece of equipment. And very affordable price.
SCG_Space_Ghost Posted July 14, 2015 Posted July 14, 2015 (edited) I was thinking of getting IL-2: BOS sometime soon, but I want to know a few things before I throw money at it. 1: Would an AMD Radeon HD 7800 video card meet the recommended requirements? 2: Is the more expensive BOS version with 2 extra aircraft worth the extra 30 dollars? 3: Since I am unable to use TrackIR, would using my mouse in my left hand be a viable alternative for looking around? 4: Are there still plenty of players in BOS so that multiplayer games have lots of people? Any help is appreciated! 1. Yes. The listed minimum is an HD 5850. 2. Yes. You won't gain any tangible advantages by owning the additional aircraft (the La-5 and Fw190 both have pros and cons) but you will be able to bypass the single player unlocks and they will provide you with additional gameplay options in the future. 3. Viable, yes. Ideal, no. I've met a handful of excellent pilots who fly hatswitch only - I buckled down and bought TrackIR... I haven't regretted it. 4. Yes and no. Multiplayer population has a lot to do with the timezone and day of the week... On the bright side, consider the fact that you will be an addition to the growing community. Edited July 14, 2015 by Space_Ghost
voncrapenhauser Posted July 14, 2015 Posted July 14, 2015 I've seen mentioned before as a good alternative to the mouse for looking around is a trackball. That sounds like a better idea than a mouse or hat switch if you can't have a TrackIR. I use a Trackball and it is an excellent alternative to Track IR, Also I use the top hat switch at same time to leave hand free for keyboard functions.
SuperEuphonium Posted July 14, 2015 Author Posted July 14, 2015 Is a hatswitch better than a mouse for looking around? From my limited experience in Warthunder simulator battles, the hatswitch disoriented me and a mouse was smoother. In this game, I was thinking of using my joystick in my right hand, and the mouse in my left hand for view control and using the hatswitch to move my head left and right. The only reason I can't use trackIR is because I don't have a webcam. is there a way to "retrofit' a webcam with a video camera or cell phone camera? I would rather not buy a webcam just for trackIR.
Alkyan Posted July 14, 2015 Posted July 14, 2015 Mouse left hand, joystick right hand is the perfect set up. Ands you can use the hatswith to move the pilot's body inside the plane. I'm really surprise by the previous answer recommending the hatswith for the view, it's really hard to use... At least for me. Once you get used to using the mouse with the left hand, you will be as efficient as someone with a trackir. I recommend you to put a lot of sensitivity so you don't have to move the mouse around too much. Good luck !
SCG_Space_Ghost Posted July 14, 2015 Posted July 14, 2015 Is a hatswitch better than a mouse for looking around? From my limited experience in Warthunder simulator battles, the hatswitch disoriented me and a mouse was smoother. -snip- I will agree that mouse moves "smoother" because it is an analog axis - however, I don't think it is as fast or "precise" as custom snap views on a hat switch. Honestly, I have always used TrackIR so my experience with other systems is very limited.
Roo5ter Posted July 14, 2015 Posted July 14, 2015 Plenty of good pilots do not use trackir. Personally I love it and I would recommend it for a future purchase but there are people who are going to beat me in 10/10 dogfights that use hatswitches, mice, and snap views. Don't feel precluded from playing this game simply because you do not currently have trackir. Also, get the base game and purchase the extra aircraft on sale if you enjoy the game. My guess is you will see them 35% or more off during the next steam sale in a few months. The FW190 is a beautiful aircraft and as much as I want to love the La5 and kill people with it... I just can't get behind it.
SharpeXB Posted July 14, 2015 Posted July 14, 2015 (edited) The only reason I can't use trackIR is because I don't have a webcam. .TrackIR doesn't require a webcam. It uses its own camera device. http://www.naturalpoint.com/trackir/ There are some home built solutions like Freetrack or FacetrackNoIR that use a webcam but TrackIR is all its own system. Edited July 14, 2015 by SharpeXB
SYN_Mike77 Posted July 14, 2015 Posted July 14, 2015 I started out using the hat switch then moved to mouse view which I found to be much better. Then I bought trackir and have not looked back. May I suggest trackir 4 if it is still being sold? It is what I use and for being in a closed cockpit is just fine. 5 has better range of motion but to be honest I never reach the edge in BoS. Also 4 can use the superior version 5 software. It's about $30 cheaper so, if money is the issue...
SharpeXB Posted July 14, 2015 Posted July 14, 2015 2: Is the more expensive BOS version with 2 extra aircraft worth the extra 30 dollars? Another benefit you get by owning the Premium Edition or by getting both extra aircraft is that you can then get all the unlock-able content in the game for free. Without playing to earn it in the campaign. Depending on whether that appeals to you or not. You get the choice to do either one.
Willy__ Posted July 14, 2015 Posted July 14, 2015 (edited) is there a way to "retrofit' a webcam with a video camera or cell phone camera? I would rather not buy a webcam just for trackIR. You can use a PSEye webcam, from ps3, like a lot of people do, and they are pretty cheap. You can either use with face tracking software (FacetrackNoIR) or you could build yourself a Track clip (or buy one) with leds and use the other programs, Freetrack, etc. Edited July 14, 2015 by istruba
=EXPEND=Capt_Yorkshire Posted July 16, 2015 Posted July 16, 2015 Since you have no Trackir google ED tracker a couple of my mates say they work perfect i think it cost £12 quid if you build it yourself or 30 quid and its pre built. You should buy BOS its great.
Remontti Posted July 16, 2015 Posted July 16, 2015 I used mouse in left hand before I got a used TracIR 5. Mouse works fine for looking around but like others said, you need that left hand for throttle and engine controls. By the way, my Saitek X52 has thumb control for mouse that can be used to look around. It is not as good as real mouse. I assume other HOTAS systems has this too. I recommend TrackIR. It will be useful in other games too. If my TracIR breaks, I will get a new one at once, no doubt about it.
Alkyan Posted July 17, 2015 Posted July 17, 2015 'As good as' maybe, but I would disagree with 'efficient'. The brilliant thing on trackir (and others) is that it leaves your left hand free for throttle, engine management etc. So, it brings your head in as a control input. You also don't need to be swiping circles on your desk, and can fully customise how the headturns turn the camera. I couldn't go back to no trackir now, BUT as others say, hat or mouse works well enough. It will ultimately come to just be a matter of personal preference. Amd for me that is that Trackir had the biggest impact on me staying alive online, by providing the easiest situational awareness. It may have a bigger impact on other sim, in bos there isn't that much of a problem as there is little keys. I personally use right and left click for the throttle. I guess the real difference is the learning curve, steeper for mouse, and ... the immersion
6./ZG26_Emil Posted July 17, 2015 Posted July 17, 2015 Wasn't there something called tracknoir that used webcams as well?
Alkyan Posted July 17, 2015 Posted July 17, 2015 I tried it, it's ok for fun but not really efficient for mp (fluidity, accuracy). But it might come from my webcam.
LLv24_Zami Posted July 17, 2015 Posted July 17, 2015 (edited) Opentrack is the best if you use webcam. 2.3 is the latest and its very smooth. And it's being developed further, not long ago from latest update. Edited July 17, 2015 by Zami
Nonolem Posted July 17, 2015 Posted July 17, 2015 As others said, Track IR is very usefull, but not necessary... I have used the mouse for years (and was happy with it) and only get a Track IR last year. I was so accustomed with the mouse that I needed some time to adjust with the Tir...Now I think that using a Tir is an advantage, but someone accustomed using mouse or other tricks can do very well without it.
6./ZG26_Emil Posted July 17, 2015 Posted July 17, 2015 As others said, Track IR is very usefull, but not necessary... I have used the mouse for years (and was happy with it) and only get a Track IR last year. I was so accustomed with the mouse that I needed some time to adjust with the Tir... Now I think that using a Tir is an advantage, but someone accustomed using mouse or other tricks can do very well without it. Snapviews worked well, that's what I used with my MSFFB2 until I got a TIR. Does BOS have that?
Dakpilot Posted July 17, 2015 Posted July 17, 2015 Yes, you can create and save whatever snap views you want Cheers Dakpilot
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