Latest and greatest for VR navigation in full realism mode?

[carve_gybe1]

Hi All

 

I can't seem to find info about how to navigate in VR in full expert mode. There must be a way to look at a map so I can compare with landmarks. Or am I supposed to memorize the map and the waypoints before the mission? I don't have a photographic memory...   Please help and please be clear about any hotas keybindings that I might need to do.

 

Thanks!

[ACG_TBird]

'O' gives you a full size map, the same as in the briefing, which you can zoom and drag/scroll using the mouse. Have a look at the video below for navigation tips. There are plenty of others.

 

I use OpenKneeboard in my virtual cockpit. It's pretty easy to make up routecards, plus time and distance tables like those below.

 

 

 

 

Edited January 26, 2024 by ACG_TBird

[von_Tom_server]

 
Practice and being familiar with the terrain is key. some of the maps like Kuban make it quite easy as there are plenty of features to use. 
 

Some are horrible like some winter maps because the features become so much harder to make out. 
 

Other than that you can have a look along your projected flight path to get an idea of what airfields, towns or rivers you might see. Sometimes a distinctive wooded area can help but not often as they look very different on the map. 
 

Whenever you check the large map make sure you know what direction you’re heading in because a town or river can look “wrong” if you’re not flying over it as you think you are. 
 

Also bear in mind that when you’re higher then you’re probably further away from your landmark than you think. 
 

The most important bit to bear in mind from wherever you think you are  is the heading to safety. 

 

Personally I also change the opacity of the map so it is less obtrusive when it is up and if I am at low level I can see stuff that I might fly into. 
 

von Tom

[Charger_]

This is one of the fun problems in VR! And very immersive. I just use instruments and no heads up displays at all, not even heading. 

 

A bit like the posted video, i use a mix of VFR Navigating and Dead Reckoning. Old school style. I think its called Pilotage.

 

A bit of pre-flight planning helps. Also look up how the radio beacons work - pretty handy for the planes that use them.

 

 

 

 

Edited January 27, 2024 by Charger_

[354thFG_Drewm3i-VR]

9 hours ago, Charger_ said:

This is one of the fun problems in VR! And very immersive. I just use instruments and no heads up displays at all, not even heading. 

 

A bit like the posted video, i use a mix of VFR Navigating and Dead Reckoning. Old school style. I think its called Pilotage.

 

A bit of pre-flight planning helps. Also look up how the radio beacons work - pretty handy for the planes that use them.

 

 

 

 

Pulling up the map and drawing your course with the in-game compass tool is by no means less hardcore. We all use it on expert multiplayer. Icons and such are though.

[carve_gybe1]

Thanks everyone for your input.

[carve_gybe1]

Ok, I watched the navigation video. Not rocket science. I set my key bindings to "O", but which key binding are for scrolling and zooming on the map? Are these pilot head bindings or which ones? Are they axis or button bindings? Thanks!

[RedeyeStorm]

10 hours ago, carve_gybe1 said:

Ok, I watched the navigation video. Not rocket science. I set my key bindings to "O", but which key binding are for scrolling and zooming on the map? Are these pilot head bindings or which ones? Are they axis or button bindings? Thanks!

Use your mouse to drag and zoom.

[carve_gybe1]

Use mouse in VR? I guess that's possible if I can place the mouse in easy to find place butnis that really how VR is supposed to work, or am I missing something?

[ACG_TBird]

On 2/7/2024 at 12:22 AM, carve_gybe1 said:

Use mouse in VR? I guess that's possible if I can place the mouse in easy to find place butnis that really how VR is supposed to work, or am I missing something?

There's no way to scroll the map using Hotas keybinds, so far as I know, and I'm not aware of any other flight sim where you can do that. Suggest remove the nose pad if your headset has one, and you can see the mouse and keyboard through the gap.