Check Six 2 Posted June 2, 2009 Still waiting on my copy of OFF BH&H. Today I received my (2nd) copy of MS CFS3 and TrackIR 4 with clipset. I have on order: Logitech G19 Gaming Keyboard, Plantronics Gamecon 777 surround sound gaming headset, Saitek Pro Flight Rudder Pedals And my ninja stealth beast to connect all these peripherals up to. Total cost so far: (Australian Dollars) Computer $3100, CFS3 $62, OFF BH&H $63, TrackIR $225, Logitech G19 $337, Plantronics Headset $108, Saitek Rudder pedals $300. Grand total: $4195 I already have Saitek X-52 Joystick (found the software) and running a Benq 24" HD Monitor. All to get airborne Over Flanders' Fields. I have never played it. But if you ask me if it's worth it, the answer is that I'm certain it will be. Dug through all my old games boxes and found my MS FSX and a few PCPilot mags with aircraft add ons, a Tiger Moth add-on (yay)and IL-2 1946. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sitting_duck 3 Posted June 2, 2009 (edited) whew,,,had to zip over to google to convert that to us.... sorry to see you had to shell out so much for cfs3....but worth every penny.... Edited June 2, 2009 by sitting_duck Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Check Six 2 Posted June 2, 2009 whew,,,had to zip over to google to convert that to us.... sorry to see you had to shell out so much for cfs3....but worth every penny.... Well, to be fair sitting duck, the freight to post it to Australia was actually more than the cost of the game (got it US$10 IIRC). The worst part of it is where I mentioned my 2nd copy of MS-CFS in my original post. I have this game at home, and decided to re-install it to get used to keystrokes etc, but when it came to asking me for disc no 2, I looked in the case and it was missing! So I had to get another copy. Also, how do I ascertain the version I have bought? I know it boils down to who manufactured the game as to what version it is, but I couldn't find any reference to the maker on the case. I suppose I'll have to install the game to find out. Where do I get the patches that upgrade to the version required to run OFF? MS site? Here? Also, I've looked at the patches available on this site to update OFF. It looks like some patches only upgrade from the earlier version...eg "This will update v1.30 or higher of BH&H to V1.30c" as opposed to "This will update any version of BH&H to V1.28." Seems as if I'll have to study this a bit further but there isn't ONE patch to bring any version up to the latest build standard. (Please don't get me wrong. I'm VERY impressed with the developers of thsi game, reading all the fixes they put in place...some of which are Microsoft's fault, others are patches to give greater realism suggested by Beta testers or forum members. And the fact that they come to the Forum regularly AND answer posts. I can't praise them enough) Can I install MS-CFS3 on more than one machine (my present one and my new one)? If so, I'll get some practice up on it. Can I also install OFF on both my machines? How about TrackIR? I don't want to install thm on my "old" computer only to find out it will violate copyright to install it on the new one when it arrives. In conclusion, I seriously want to thank the members at this Forum for all the help they so willingly provide. To be honest, the depth and clarity of the game was it's main selling point to me, and the second highest selling point was the helpfullness of members of this Forum. Rest assured, when I become more experienced on this game, I will not forsake everyone, and will return here to post screenshots, YouTube films and skins, and to help newbies. You guys are the best. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Check Six 2 Posted June 2, 2009 As it stands now I have the G-15 to keep my left hand busy, and the Logitech FFB 3D in my right. But if you're running the X-52 ( which doesn't make any sense anyway). What are the 18 Keys on the G-19 for ? You have the perfect game for immursion, but you're using an X-52. Whattever makes your boat float I guess Now some people will disagree with this way of thinking, different opinions make the world go around. I don't see how in the name of all that's holy, you can fly an F18 Hornet, and a SE5 with the same Joystick. The Hornet can't vibrate at 585 MPH, it would self destruct. While the SE5 firing it's weapon, shakes like a washing machine on steroids. The only way to simutate it is with a Force Feedback Joystick. You'll feel the instant you're flying, instead of everything getting smaller. And most importantly you'll feel the stall coming, 1/2 second before it arrives, giving the pilot ample time to alter his activities, thus avoiding the stall. It could be a lifesaver. Especially with WWI Birds, many times after take-off, you can attempt to gain altitude too quickly and stall. It's very easy, to change, just level out and build some speed, when you feel the 'Death Rattle'. Without Force Feedback, just stall and die. In a Dogfight you might make one turn too many. You can maintain the attack and stall, and the Hunter becomes the Hunted. Or you can break off the attack, rebuild speed, and attack again. Without Force Feedback you don't have a choice. The stall itself is just the lack of Flying, below a certain speed, it just stalls. The only way to recover with these low power engines, is to dive inorder to gain speed of air, over your wings and control surfaces. Not enough altitude . . you die. The market is a bit limited in the Force Feedback Dept New: The Saitek Cyclone EVO FFB http://www.amazon.com/Saitek-Cyborg-...913137&sr=1-18 Which I like, very comfortable, just looks strange OR The Logitech Force 3D http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Force...913531&sr=1-28 __________________ UncleAl, I don't have the G-19 as yet, it's still on order, but this is what Logitech has to say: <LI>Twelve fully programmable G-keys with three macros per key: Program up to 36 single keypresses or complex macros; use the MR key to record new macros on-the-fly. As for the X-52...I bought that some years ago for MS FSX, and not for OFF BH&H, so it was a good choice for me at that time for that purpose. Sure, I see your point entirely. What would be more ideal would be a long throw type of control column that extends from the floor, so you can get the whole feel of the movement, and I think you'd be less inclined to "yank and bank" in a dogfight like one might in a jet fighter. I may get a FF joystick for the very reasons you mentioned earlier. It appears as if you have put some thought/experience into your choice. The Logitech Force 3D might be my next purchase. (I too have seen the Cyborg and think it looks strange...maybe suitable for Mr Sulu's chair on the flightdeck of the Enterprise, but hardly fitting for a WW1 sim. Then again, like you suggested, my X-52 hardly seems suitable for that purpose either). I will be flying MS FSX again (and IL-2) now that I have dug it out and now I'm getting a faster machine with better monitor and the proper equipment (the rudder pedals will make a huge difference - really feels strange to apply rudder by twisting our wrist). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sitting_duck 3 Posted June 2, 2009 ok,,,think you have to do 2 things... one is make sure the cd version of cfs3 you have is the 1.3 version. Some cds i guess are already patch to that,,some are not. If its not, there are plenty of links here to the ms download site. and the latest patch for bhah (1.30 and then the 1.30c minimpatch) are the only updates you have to get for bhah...they bring you right up to speed. after that, there is the optioanal damage model patches....normal,,(hard to kill,,hard to b killed) and hard.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Check Six 2 Posted June 2, 2009 Thanks Sitting Duck. I think I'll add those kinds of things slowly, one at a time, to make sure they don't affect anything else. Then maybe a few missions (flying under London's Tower Bridge after having a look around seems like a good idea), and then I might start to paint a personal aircraft for my "pet" pilot. The concept in another post of "dead is dead"...total realism, no radars, hard to kill etc and once you CFIT (controlled flight into terrain) you really are dead, not "do you wish to save this mission?" seems a bit far from my skill level at this stage, but I'm sure I'll try it for a few pilots (perhaps starting off early in the war with less opponents might give me more flying hours before I have to fight for my life). I am planning on keeping full log books with hours on type flown, individual mission narratives, and Service Record for my chaps. We'll see how long that lasts. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Check Six 2 Posted June 4, 2009 My copy of OFF BH&H arrived yesterday. I will be messing around with it over the weekend (also have the weekend off - a double YAY!). After I get it up and running to my satisfaction (yes, I know fine tuning of all the realism tweaks can be time consuming, but I guess I'll actually enjoy that), I will get around to adding TrackIR5 with the clipset. Can't wait. Thank you game developers and all you helpful people here. I hope I won't be plaguing you too much with noobie questions. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Check Six 2 Posted June 6, 2009 I just spent my first day playing OFF. WOW! Can I repeat that? WOW!! The depth of this simulation is incredible, and I haven't even looked at aircraft skins or mission building. I am also running TrackIR. A very good tool. It takes a little getting used to I suppose, but invaluable in aerial combat. Just an initial thought that may change with experience, but I kinda like the hat clip rather than the pro clip set. No cables hanging off, and I don't need to wear headphones. I have a surround sound headset with a microphone on order, so I think that'll get a bit of use soon, so I reckon I'll go back and re-visit the pro clip set. Also have a Logitech G-19 gaming keyboard on order, and I think the ability to program macros is going to be useful, though I can only see a couple of commands that have "complex" key combinations that scream for a single key stroke (auto pilot, auto trim etc). In conclusion, if you're thinking of buying this game, think no longer...DO IT!!! This is unbelievably good. I was reticent at first, being a little technologically challenged, but it's pretty easy to download required files and patches and how to add them. I cannot recommend this game enough! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+Polovski 460 Posted June 11, 2009 Hi Steve, glad you are up and running and enjoying OFF. Interesting website you have there too! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
