Control and Controllers, their setup, using VR Headsets

[Kilawatts]

Hi All,

 

I can't find what I need thus far so I would like to start this thread, as I am trying to figure out the best way to play using a VR headset because you can't look at the controls.  There is one thread with only one setup here:  https://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/30534-setting-joystick-vr/ which is nice but I want to see what everyone is using, how they have it set up, and trying to find the best setup/controllers that covers at least most of the airplanes you can fly in any BoX.  (I only have BoS and 1946 but can see myself buying the rest of it, especially BoM)

 

I live in Vietnam, and am pretty limited on what I can find and/or get.  I do have a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro, which is fine but doesn't have enough buttons on it, especially since I don't have a separate throttle(s).  Using a keyboard seems out of the question as you can't look at it.  I also have a Logitech G13 gaming board and am thinking, for now anyway, to setup that with my joystick.....but how best to keymap those two together?  Anyone try that yet?  And I can't figure out by looking or reading, what camera controls you need using the VR Headset since you're moving your head around to see everything, which camera controls do we NEED beyond head movement, in the cockpit?  Flybys, 3rd person etc. I understand......

 

I also just downloaded the trial for VoiceAttack.  Anyone have experience with it?  Works well or not?  How to use it (what controls within the game do you use it for?). 

 

Also, I have the Oculus Rift, which has headphones built in, but no microphone.  For both VoiceAttack (if I decide to use it) and/or Teamspeak (if I want to join a squadron and play multiplayer), how do I add a microphone to it?  Or should I get a standup one and put it in front of me?  Or, I have a Logitech gaming headset with a microphone but not sure if it's feasible or comfortable to wear on top of my VR headset as the ear cups wouldn't be flush on my head for proper sound and it seems it would be overbearingly heavy after a while.......

 

What I have above notwithstanding, what do all of you VR users use for control schemes?  And, more importantly, how do you have it setup and perhaps explain why?  Include talking in Voicetalk or Teamspeak as applicable.

 

I just looked on the Logitech website and the X56 looks really nice, albeit expensive:  https://www.logitechg.com/en-us/product/x56-space-flight-vr-simulator-controller  I doubt I can buy it in Vietnam but I may be able to order something like that depending on everyone's recommendations below, which I look forward to seeing.

 

Thanks for your input in advance:  I'm sure a lot of people would like to see this and participate. I promise to include my setup and configuration, whatever it may be, temporary or not.

[BeastyBaiter]

The Oculus Rift has a built in microphone. It isn't visible, but it's there. Works pretty well too. As for controls, I've never tried voice attack but I have generally heard good things about it. My X-55 (very similar to X-56) has enough buttons to get everything mapped, hence why I've never bothered. The general setup on it is simple, all combat/flying stuff is on the stick or throttle while things like landing gear, lights and so on are assigned to the switches on the throttle base. Makes it easy to avoid bumping them in combat but still easy to find while blind. There are cheaper options than the X-55/56 of course and truth be told, BoS doesn't use anywhere near all the buttons/switches it has. The split throttles and 4 extra rotaries are nice though. The rotaries are especially handy for things like prop pitch and radiators.

Edited November 19, 2017 by BeastyBaiter

[Nibbio]

Voice attack works great with Oculus Rift and its built in microphone. You need to have Windows in English and train the voice recognition package.

I use it mainly with stuff useful in single player, like external camera views, labels on/off and wingman commands, that I haven't mapped on my hotas. You could use it for most other inputs as well.

[Kilawatts]

Thanks guys....I stand happily corrected about the Rift having a microphone....haven't used it all that much haha.

 

I think I will augment what I have with Voiceattack then.  

 

Nibbio, with voiceattack, could you use it in conjunction with Teamspeak?  Perhaps use a different hotkey you toggle for each?  I think it would make a difference on how I use it.......

 

Also, I have no idea if some of the options are important yet or not, like bomb doors, selecting different bomb stores, selecting different rocket loadouts, firing separate weapon groups?  Seems maybe would be easier, with what I currently have anyway, to map the keys for a fighter and another for a bomber?  Doable and makes sense or not?

 

Thanks again for the help guys.....been working on this, reading, studying, etc. all day LOL

[Nibbio]

I never used voice comms in the game, however I guess that you need to map a button to the teamspeak "radio " which makes it a push-to-talk thing. OTOH voice attack doesn't need any buttons, it's running in the background and is voice activated. Therefore voice attack may pick up something you say on teamspeak and interpret it as a command.

 

I don't know and never tried this, but it may be possible to map a key in voice attack to de-activate it while the key is pressed. If you map the same key or button you use for teamspeak you may de-activate voice attack at the same time you transmit on teamspeak.

 

Unfortunately in BOS there's a single key map for all planes, so it's impossible to have separate maps for fighters and bombers. It's a bit of a hassle to get everything configured just the way one needs. Well worth it in the end, though   

[dburne]

My setup is a Virpil T-50 stick and base with 150 mm extensions and deskmount, Warthog Throttle, and CH Throttle Quadrant ( for the extra axis).

I also run Voice Attack which works great for me ( key is going through all the speech recognition training). The Rift's mic does very well. 

I use Voice Attack mainly for wingman commands, as I fly Single Player. Best to assign a stick button as push for VA to listen, if it is always listening it can get confused.

 

 For me the key with VR flying is to have a setup with plenty of buttons so as not to have a need to fumble around on the keyboard. My setup allows me to do that with no problem.

 

As far as camera controls, two are imho essential:

VR- Re-center

VR- Zoom

Once I get into the cockpit for the first time, I hit the re-center. 

They may be named a little differently in the GUI, I have both of these assigned to buttons on my stick/throttle.

[Kilawatts]

My setup is a Virpil T-50 stick and base with 150 mm extensions and deskmount, Warthog Throttle, and CH Throttle Quadrant ( for the extra axis).

I also run Voice Attack which works great for me ( key is going through all the speech recognition training). The Rift's mic does very well. 

I use Voice Attack mainly for wingman commands, as I fly Single Player. Best to assign a stick button as push for VA to listen, if it is always listening it can get confused.

 

 For me the key with VR flying is to have a setup with plenty of buttons so as not to have a need to fumble around on the keyboard. My setup allows me to do that with no problem.

 

As far as camera controls, two are imho essential:

VR- Re-center

VR- Zoom

Once I get into the cockpit for the first time, I hit the re-center. 

They may be named a little differently in the GUI, I have both of these assigned to buttons on my stick/throttle.

Thank you for this as well.  I'll have to look some of that up....never heard of Virpil lol.  

[DD_Crash]

With VA you can set a key to start/stop listening. I disable listening using the push to talk button set for Teamspeak

[BlznSaddles]

I have voiceattack and I set it up and used it for a little while.  However I pretty much quit using it, I have everything I need mapped to buttons and it's just one less program to run.  I have a CH Fighterstick, CH Pro Throttle, CH rudder pedals, and I also use a Razer Tartarus keypad for some functions (mostly housekeeping stuff: Pause, escape, VR Recenter, map, hud, etc.)

[Kilawatts]

Thank you guys.  I'm still tinkering with ALL of this.  VA is not working very well, and yes I did the training many times now.  And considering what I have to use, I put a LOT on VA.  It seems to work ok on the ground but then airborne, so so, and in a battle never.  Some of it's easy too.....and when I check in VA itself, it recognizes everything!  But in game, doesn't recognize almost anything.  I don't know why.

 

I like how BlznSaddles has his setup, but I will need to get lucky to find something like that here I think in Saigon.  In the States, I would have already bought a setup exactly like that.  I'm a pilot in real life, and an ex US Navy fighter pilot.  I really want to get this setup so I can play it.  Too much fun.

 

Lastly, wtf is up with unlocking the tailwheel and steering on the ground?  I have my yaw set up as some of the youtube videos suggest, and I use the twist of the joystick for it, but inevitably the plane goes crazy and does a 360 or two on the ground lol.  Any suggestions here?

 

Thanks guys!