Compass wheel (set course) in german planes

[JG4_Sputnik]

Hi there,

 

Didn't fly this sim in months (years?), but now that VR is on the horizont, I want to acclimatizise again.

 

Now that we have more modern german planes that have a compass wheel; is there a way to operate it?

I find it is a real handy feature - you set the course (before take-off or before a dogfight) and then you know in an instant where to fly...

Didn't find the key bindings, or is in not even simulated?

 

Thanks,

cheers

[LukeFF]

 

 

is there a way to operate it?

 

 

Nope

[Custard]

The green compass? Press your autolevel key.

[JG4_Sputnik]

Nope

Really? I think it's a must have feature for a serious sim, especially for "us" bomber guys. Stuff like that is relevant for me 

Well then.

The green compass? Press your autolevel key.

No not that, but thanks.

[Finkeren]

I'm ignorant, but what exactly is that wheel and what does it do?

[Willy__]

 

 

I'm ignorant, but what exactly is that wheel and what does it do?

 

You set the desired course and after that all you need to do is follow the compass! 

[Finkeren]

You set the desired course and after that all you need to do is follow the compass!

Yeah? I'm still not sure exactly what it does.

 

I mean, I just follow the compass as it is now: I check the map, see that I'm supposed to fly course 253 on the next leg, so I follow the compass and try to keep it at 253. What does the compass wheel do different?

[Sokol1]

You turn the external scale of compass - the "course setter" - until  the desired course 253 is at 12:00 o'clock, or aligned with plane center line, then is just matter to fly with compass needle always pointed up, much easy to fly that trying maintain the needle pointed for ~8:00 o'clock. 

 

See the corrrect operation in DCS BF 109 K-4:

 

https://youtu.be/fpLC1oJGw58?t=54

 

This ability to set the Course Setter scale is absolute necessary in Spitfire - if their P-8 compass and Directional Indicator will be modeled correct - of course from "simulation" point of view, for game point of view, just use that HUD digital compass.

Edited February 28, 2017 by Sokol1

[Finkeren]

Ok, so it's a convenience thing. I'd hardly call that "absolutely necessary" given the short distances we fly in BoX.

[=EXPEND=CG_Justin]

Ok, so it's a convenience thing. I'd hardly call that "absolutely necessary" given the short distances we fly in BoX.

 

This would be more than a convenience for someone like me who struggles with navigation, especially on the winter maps when the rivers blend with the snow. You're right, probably not absolutely necessary, but it sure would take a lot of the anxiety out of navigation for me at least. I guess just writing your headings down on a piece of paper will suffice.

[JG4_Sputnik]

This would be more than a convenience for someone like me who struggles with navigation, especially on the winter maps when the rivers blend with the snow. You're right, probably not absolutely necessary, but it sure would take a lot of the anxiety out of navigation for me at least. I guess just writing your headings down on a piece of paper will suffice.

 

 

Not if you fly in VR

Aaand since you've gotten used to it in DCS and CloD it's just a strange feeling of not having it anymore. Like they cut your pinky off - you don't exactely need it but it's nice to have

Needless to say that I don't fly with navigation aid on...

 

So I tend to set course to home base before I enter a fight and when I have to run, it's just way easier to just align the compass rather than second thought your course which could cost you your virtual life. I guess there was a reason for the ingenieurs to implement it in the first place.

 

@Finkeren:

You say that "we" fly short distances, but speak for yourself! I rather fly one or two srties/evening but with much more preparation and longer flightplans rather than doing a dozen short dogfights. Some people just want to fight (which is ok!) but I like to fly, navigate, manage, communicate, etc. and fighting is just a "small" part of the pleasure I get from a flight sim. I liket to feel the danger of being able to getting attacked, but when I doesn't happen or I just spot an enemy plane that doesn't see me it's also ok for me That's why I like detailled stuff like being able to set course, switch fuel tanks and setting radios. But it seems like BoS just doesn't targed those kind of users (anymore). Thank god there's competition.

[216th_Peterla]

It will be cool. Maybe some time later on the line.

[Finkeren]

@Finkeren:

You say that "we" fly short distances, but speak for yourself! I rather fly one or two srties/evening but with much more preparation and longer flightplans rather than doing a dozen short dogfights. Some people just want to fight (which is ok!) but I like to fly, navigate, manage, communicate, etc. and fighting is just a "small" part of the pleasure I get from a flight sim. I liket to feel the danger of being able to getting attacked, but when I doesn't happen or I just spot an enemy plane that doesn't see me it's also ok for me That's why I like detailled stuff like being able to set course, switch fuel tanks and setting radios. But it seems like BoS just doesn't targed those kind of users (anymore). Thank god there's competition.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not against having such a feature. The more detail, the better. I'm just saying, that calling it an absolute necessity is a tad over-dramatic.

 

As for flying short distances. I count any distance under 250 km as "short", which means that even if you wanted to, you, seldom be able to fly a truly "long" mission on these maps.

[Y29.Layin_Scunion]

So from what I gather is it a similar idea to the Spitfire (gyro IIRC?) setting in Cliffs?  I understand it's not the same mechanism but it is generally the same idea?  Or am I way off in saying that....

[Sokol1]

Not exactly the same thing, unless the fact that external rotate for set course.

 

In CloD Spit set course is  impaired because their dev's "forget" to model the Lubber Line in P-8 compass, so no reference for set the scale, and use that digital HUD kill any immersion in use the system. 

 

DCS Spitfire Mk IX model this wrong in P-8 compass too, but at least put a "workaround" at 12 o'clock making P-8 usable. 

 

Spitfire P-8 compass has this peculiarities due be a naval compass, why is mounted in horizontal, for read actual course direct in their scale is need read the scale mirrored. Why they need be used together with DG.

 

I guess that in BoK in favor of accessibility Spitfire P-8 and DG will have no their characteristic imprecision modeled, DG will act as "compass" and the P-8 compass... just a decorative piece in cockpit, is too much complicated for casual players. 

Edited March 1, 2017 by Sokol1