Controls that Share Button Assignments.

[Warpig]

For efficiency I like to share control bindings where possible. So far I got a few controls that do this, but I am questioning if there is more that can be combined. The following are what I already have sharing button assignments.

 

-Pitch trim: up/down and Fw-190 adjustable stabilizers: up/down

-Bf-109/110 water radiator: open/close, Water radiator shutters control axis, and Engine outlet cowl shutters control

-He-111/Bf110 oil radiators: open/close one step and Oil radiators shutters control axis

-Propellers: high/low pitch and Propeller RPM control

-Automatic radiators control and Switch water radiator control mode: manual/auto

-Airbrakes: on/off and Air siren: on/off

 

EDIT: For the most part, I think I got it all figured out now. Below is the final version.

 

 

 

 

Edited May 9, 2017 by Warpig

[Inkophile]

Overall I don't really see a problem with the setup. It actually looks pretty good.

 

There's just one thing I would change: Not having inlet and outlet cowl shutters in the same place. A lot of the time when flying say... the La-5 you want pretty darn different settings on the inlet and outlet shutters, both to maintain a sensible engine temperature (for example not over-cooling it on winter maps, turning the engine oil intro grease, and it also keeps the plane's drag down.

 

Also, personally I would move the canopy control somewhere far away (I even completely removed mine from the stick, so that I need to use the keyboard for it). Would suck to rip your canopy off just because you had a brain-fart and pushed the coolie hat in the wrong direction.

 

Also don't see any bomb controls. At least toggling bomb mode (1, 2, 4 bombs) wouldn't hurt. Guess it could replace the canopy toggle.

Edited May 3, 2017 by Inkompetent

[71st_AH_Mastiff]

I did the same thing, it's more efficient, and each plane had it's different settings, also same about the LA5 change the inlet outlet controls separate.

[Boris_Putz]

Pardon me for not knowing any better, but I assume 'pitch trim' and 'adjustable stabilizers' use different key bindings? So does this mean you are using your hotas software in different modes or loading different keybindings for different planes?

 

Anyway, it sounds like a good idea. I was thinking of something similar last night, but I'm still not familiar enough with the game, controls, differences between planes, and keybindings. It may actually be supported by the game, but I was thinking of having ground operation keybinding overrides (similar to ED with flight landing overrides). So when taxiing, you can have some key/keys and/or axis/axes assigned to wheel brakes, but use them for something else while flying that isn't needed while on the ground - possibly air brakes for example. I'm sure there must be more 'ground only' and 'flight only' options.

 

I'll probably finally get around to playing with controller settings and keybindings this weekend (looks like rain).

[Inkophile]

Pardon me for not knowing any better, but I assume 'pitch trim' and 'adjustable stabilizers' use different key bindings? So does this mean you are using your hotas software in different modes or loading different keybindings for different planes?

 

Natively they do, but there's nothing stopping you from binding them to the same thing. After all no plane with an adjustable horizontal stabilizer has elevator trim, so no harm in having them in the same place.

[Boris_Putz]

Oh, I see - like pressing two buttons but one doesn't do anything? Simple. Still, I assume this requires using your hotas software as I assume the game won't allow you to do that? I'm used to ED where they will clear the previous setting (and don't generally use hotas software other then for calibration).

 

Yes, I assume a lot. Sorry. 

[Inkophile]

You can easily bind that in-game too. Just assign the same joystick button within the game to multiple actions as you please. Actually the only reason to use the specific software for a joystick is if you want to start making more or less complex things like making an axis also act as a button, set up more complex curves for axes, or maybe a bomb release macro that releases bombs at a personally set interval, if you want to bind a push-to-talk key for TeamSpeak/Discord/whatever, or if you want to use multiple layers of controls (for example one layer for being on the ground, and one layer for flying).

Edited May 4, 2017 by Inkompetent

[Sokol1]

Oh, I see - like pressing two buttons but one doesn't do anything? Simple. Still, I assume this requires using your hotas software as I assume the game won't allow you to do that? 

 

No software need, assign - for example -  joy button 10 for "Elevator trim up" and the same button 10 for "Stabilizer Adjust up" and joy button 11 for Elevator trim down and Stabilizer Adjust down.

 

Can use keys too, including together with buttons (each game command accept input from 3 different sources)

 

If you are flying a Yak-1 when press the buttons  (10/11) the first command is done, but if are flying a Bf 109 the second command.

 

So don't need use 4 keys or joy button like in default setting.

[Bearfoot]

Overall I don't really see a problem with the setup. It actually looks pretty good.

 

There's just one thing I would change: Not having inlet and outlet cowl shutters in the same place. A lot of the time when flying say... the La-5 you want pretty darn different settings on the inlet and outlet shutters, both to maintain a sensible engine temperature (for example not over-cooling it on winter maps, turning the engine oil intro grease, and it also keeps the plane's drag down.

 

Also, personally I would move the canopy control somewhere far away (I even completely removed mine from the stick, so that I need to use the keyboard for it). Would suck to rip your canopy off just because you had a brain-fart and pushed the coolie hat in the wrong direction.

 

Also don't see any bomb controls. At least toggling bomb mode (1, 2, 4 bombs) wouldn't hurt. Guess it could replace the canopy toggle.

 

Could you explain why / how you use inlet and outlet separately on the La-5? E.g., in what situations you want one open but not the other? (I typically fly the Yak-1, so am not familiar with the La-5 radial engine management). Thanks!

[Warpig]

Overall I don't really see a problem with the setup. It actually looks pretty good.

 

There's just one thing I would change: Not having inlet and outlet cowl shutters in the same place. A lot of the time when flying say... the La-5 you want pretty darn different settings on the inlet and outlet shutters, both to maintain a sensible engine temperature (for example not over-cooling it on winter maps, turning the engine oil intro grease, and it also keeps the plane's drag down.

 

Also, personally I would move the canopy control somewhere far away (I even completely removed mine from the stick, so that I need to use the keyboard for it). Would suck to rip your canopy off just because you had a brain-fart and pushed the coolie hat in the wrong direction.

 

Also don't see any bomb controls. At least toggling bomb mode (1, 2, 4 bombs) wouldn't hurt. Guess it could replace the canopy toggle.

 

 

I did the same thing, it's more efficient, and each plane had it's different settings, also same about the LA5 change the inlet outlet controls separate.

I'll separate the inlet and outlet cowls then.

 

Bomb controls are the one thing I haven't set up yet. I should have mentioned that. They'll probably just go on a Hat for Mode 2. And removing the canopy is a wise idea.

 

I appreciate the advice. The hardest part about setting up, is figuring out what exact planes all the engine controls are for.

 

Posted the revised version in the OP

Edited May 5, 2017 by Warpig

[Warpig]

Could you explain why / how you use inlet and outlet separately on the La-5? E.g., in what situations you want one open but not the other? (I typically fly the Yak-1, so am not familiar with the La-5 radial engine management). Thanks!

From what I understand, the Inlet cowls you'll keep open 100% all the time, except when landing or taxiing on a winter map, so the oil doesn't get too cold. The outlet cowls you would interact with a lot more for balancing cooling with aerodynamics. It might be more complicated than that, but that's a very simple rundown.

[Inkophile]

From what I understand, the Inlet cowls you'll keep open 100% all the time, except when landing or taxiing on a winter map, so the oil doesn't get too cold. The outlet cowls you would interact with a lot more for balancing cooling with aerodynamics. It might be more complicated than that, but that's a very simple rundown.

 

This is basically correct. Although the cowling shutters are more to control cylinder head temperatures than the oil (although oil temps are affected too to some degree). The plane has a separate oil radiator which can be controlled individually.

[Bearfoot]

From what I understand, the Inlet cowls you'll keep open 100% all the time, except when landing or taxiing on a winter map, so the oil doesn't get too cold. The outlet cowls you would interact with a lot more for balancing cooling with aerodynamics. It might be more complicated than that, but that's a very simple rundown.

 

 

This is basically correct. Although the cowling shutters are more to control cylinder head temperatures than the oil (although oil temps are affected too to some degree). The plane has a separate oil radiator which can be controlled individually.

 

Thanks, all. Makes sense!

 

I've got these mapped appropriately on my CH quadrant now!

[JG1_Vonrd]

Hi Warpig. I've got the X55 as well. Is the Black Mamba worth changing to? (I think I know the answer,   could you give the specific Pros... and ANY Cons?) How long did it take to get the BM? Any hassles?

[Warpig]

Hi Warpig. I've got the X55 as well. Is the Black Mamba worth changing to? (I think I know the answer,   could you give the specific Pros... and ANY Cons?) How long did it take to get the BM? Any hassles?

I cannot say enough about the Black Mamba and VKB products in general.

 

Although the Black Mamba is no longer available, there's other sticks with the same base hardware available, and the new Modern Combat Grip will have more button options than anything available on the market right now. It looks very impressive.

 

The X-55 does not even compare to the VKB combat sticks. The Pro versions offer an all metal cam and spring system, that offers the smoothest and most precise device that I've ever laid my hands on. It's truly worlds apart. The X-55 does not age well at all. The plastics involved will eventually start to stick, and you'll find yourself jerking out of center.

 

I also got 3 different spring and two different cams with the stick as well. Hard, medium, and weak tension springs, and a smooth cam, and indented cam. That should cover any personalization needs.

 

I'm not sure the availability of the stick these days, or how the new site is. I ordered mine from a site that isn't operational anymore. You can check the new site out here. https://vkbcontrollers.com/?product_cat=vkb-controllers

 

As far as cons. I can honestly say there isn't any with this stick.

Edited May 9, 2017 by Warpig

[Field-Ops]

Since you have a dual throttle, for single engine planes I would put RPM control on one and throttle on the other. For things like the P40 you need immediate RPM management. For that reason since I have the x52 throttle I just put RPM and throttle in one. It does not interfere with german throttle management and works pretty well for all russian planes. You should be able to get away with it for dual engine planes as well. 

[Warpig]

Since you have a dual throttle, for single engine planes I would put RPM control on one and throttle on the other. For things like the P40 you need immediate RPM management. For that reason since I have the x52 throttle I just put RPM and throttle in one. It does not interfere with german throttle management and works pretty well for all russian planes. You should be able to get away with it for dual engine planes as well. 

Interesting. I'll play with that when I start flying Russian planes.

[Blitzen]

Is there a printable chart somewhere that shows default settings?Thanks!

[Warpig]

Is there a printable chart somewhere that shows default settings?Thanks!

https://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/27994-key-command-list-updated-and-current/?p=448266

[Blitzen]

https://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/27994-key-command-list-updated-and-current/?p=448266

Many thanks!

[wtornado]

You might laugh but I took out my old MOMO steering wheel and use the gas and the brakes pedals on the floor for my airplane brakes

 

Left/right for my German planes and right for my Russian ones and it frees up up CH Throttle quadrant for other stuff. 

 

Don't forget that can select your left or right engines or all engines on your twin engine aircraft .

 

On my Throttle Quadrant(worth every penny) my first button from left to right  when you push up it is engine 1 and when you push down it is engine 2

 

My second button from left to right when you push up I select all engines and when I push down I activate the ''Auto Radiator''

 

Selecting all engines on twin engines synchronizes all engine controls and makes it far easier and gives me more options

on my 6 axes on the Throttle quadrant.

 

Axis 5 and 6 I reuse as brakes for even more ground control in wither conditions

 

From left to right axis 1:Prop pitch

                                   2:mixture

                                   3:water radiator

                                   4:Oil radiator

                                   5: Left brake 

                                   6:Right brake /brakes for Russian aircraft

 

There is something else I use that works really well for me it is called voice-bot on Steam for 10$

 

I made a voice-bot commands programme for BOS and it is the same for CloD so I do not

have to relearn all the controls I made both games controls the same.

 

You bind the keys to the words pronounced so example when I say ''Bombay'' Bombay doors open

and if I say it again they close.

 

Word I pronounce the most.......map 

 

You can keep your hands on the controls and say the word map and the map appears say it again

you are back in the cockpit.

 

So your hands are always on the controls

 

For bombers the program for me is a must now that I got used to it.

 

Here is a few random examples...

 

''Bombay''  it opens Bombay doors

 

''Fuse'' self explanatory

 

''one'' engine 1

 

''two'' engine 2

 

''ALL'' all engines

 

''Engine start''  self explanatory

 

''Bombardier.'' Goes to bomb sights

 

''map'' you guessed it!

 

''Gear'' for landing gear

 

''Gunner''' for gunner post then just cycle through

 

''Level'' for level stabilizer

 

''siren'' self explanatory

 

''Air brakes'' self explanatory

 

''Flaps'' self explanatory

 

These are just a few examples that free my hands and it

is like you have a co-pilot with you activating them hehehe.

 

Side note I had to remove the word ''fire'' for the firing of the guns in 3 second bursts

because when it went bad I would say the would F___ (bad word bad boy) and the guns

would fire mistaking it for fire I guess I was too passionate when I said it.