Video sponsored by Ridge. Ridge is having a big sale right now for their 10th anniversary, so you can get the best offer using my link Ridge.com/mooch to save up to 40% off your order through March 26th!
How i get around the keybord issue, is I have some grip tape for stopping my peddels slipping. and I had the idea to cut little peaces off and putting different shapes on key keys such as . K, num 5 RShift and home, f5 , f10. With this I never need to lift my head set up.
I don't own a VR headset so take this just as a suggestion to see if it's possible. That headset has two front facing cameras, maybe it has a pass through mode where you can see what's in front of you, instead of having to look under the goggles when searching for the keys.
Hey Ward, The G2 can do pass through because it has forward cameras. So, you could see your keyboard while playing DCS in VR. If you set the controller down on a table (place it on the ring) it will expand the circle so you can see a larger area. Meant so you can access your physical keyboard, but works for anything Also if you launch Flashlight from the start menu, it will place the circle at the center of your gaze, not the controllers
It's always hearth warming to see an ex Tomcat guy enjoys his lovely bird as closest he can get and watching you explain stuff with all the passion you have is just amazing. Please do more DCS content sir!
As someone who also has a 4090 and i9-13900k using a Quest Pro to fly DCS, I can't agree enough. Multi-threading is a game changer. Everything is so smooth and a 4090 finally makes VR smooth and bearable for long periods. We're now in the golden age of DCS!!!
More like the INFANCY of VR-DCS, but before anyone goes "Fox 2" on me for saying that, allow me to explain: The equipment required for a somewhat stable gaming on DCS is the top tech aviable for gaming as of now (Circa May 2023), because of this the entry price for the hardware is so expensive (over 1500+ dollars, although double or triple that amount in other regions like South America, unless imported wich bring a pletora of costs since each goverment agency carries its usual share of taxes) that most of the people insterested in this kind of fluent VR enviroment WON'T be able to get it yet. On top of this, the current high-tech hardware ONLY achieves on VR what you can already get with low-tech hardware from the past years under the standart "monitor-setup system(tm)", from 2024 -> onwards we will get better hardware that would make the gaming on DCS more fluent and less cumbersome than it is now (the requirement of second hand software and bulky pre-configurations that are more "hit n' miss" than anything else. VR-DCS is now slowly turning into something functional for those who can spend in TOP Hardware, however then that experience is achieved at 100% on in game graphics (everything in ultra) and HD visual presentation (144+Hz at the highest resolution aviable for VR) with the addon that everyone will be able to reach the hardware required to get that experience without paying 1500+ dollars (again prices WILL heavily vary), then... and ONLY THEN, we will be at the GOLDEN AGE for VR-DCS. Until then, my congratulations for anyone out there enyoing the game in the way it was meant to be, immersion is a KEY factor in combat simulators and I hope you all get some insane dog fights out there wich force ya all to express some of that "pilot shit" ye all have in your veins. :3
@@PointReflexI agree with you, but $1500 is not even close to the cost of a "golden" VR setup. I badly want to do VR, but I spent $CAD 2000 ($US 1600 at time) almost four years ago. It's been a good gaming rig and was supposedly VR ready. Yeah, if I'm playing Stick Man in a Box :) A 4090 is going to run me over $2000 alone. And there's little sense throwing that beast in my present machine. $5000 all in might, might, get me into DCS VR where it actually looks and does what it should. We are far from the Golden Age of VR. For now, I'll have to get TrakIR and stick to lower fidelity games like Flying Circus and maybe IL-2. Future looks bright though. We've come far.
VR makes such a difference for both flying and driving. Being able to look at the corner and bring the vehicle to it is so much more immersive and far better training value for when I bring my actual vehicle to the tracks I sim race on.
I can look at the corner without VR, but the depth perception made all the difference to me. Something really tricky, like driving on a super slippery, narrow ice track (low speeds really tend to make sim racing feel off more than higher speed stuff) went from requiring a shitton of concentration to not overspeed all the time to just being natural, no more difficult than it's been in real life.
yeah I found that being able to fly a plane and track a target with your head is absolutely game changing. you cannot get that sort of feeling from a flatscreen
@@durbeshpatel3047 In BFM i use my gunsight like 25% less in VR, so much easier to just feel the distance and be able to use the gun instinctively, instead of relying on the gunsight like i would in 2D
@Ward Carroll - I have two recommendations to make your DCS experience even better. 1.) Buy prescription lenses for your G2. It's more comfortable. I got mine from VP Optician 2.) Get simshaker sound mod and bolt a buttkicker to your frame. You will feel effects like G, bombs coming off wings, cannon, touchdown, launch, even wake turbulence. For me, I cannot fly without the buttkicker affirming what I should be feeling. -killjoy from JTF-191
+1 for the tactical feedback of Buttkicker with Simshaker! I also have the Jetseat pad from Andre's Shop which is incredible. Really adds to what you get from Buttkicker alone!
I built my own simpit. Im in vr. I designed and 3D printed a couple of switchpanels with structures that when I would touch it, I would know which switch it is when in VR. Works great. Also got some virpils.
I'm so proud of you Mooch for making the conversion to VR. Sort of brings me back to the feeling I had when my first child was born. Damn it, now I'm getting all misty-eyed.
Ward, I am very impressed that not only did you stick with the journey and make it through learning about gaming PCs/VR/DCS, each on its own complex a complex topic, but that you were able to effectively consolidate and communicate the relevant topics and how they interact with each other. Well done, and I'm glad you were able to get to the "deja vu" level of immersion with your rig.
Finally! Have wanted to say VR is how DCS should be played for a long time but didn't want to be that guy. There are some things to overcome with controls, clever input binds etc when in vr but it's easier to master than most people think. I feel bad for those building cockpits with all caution lights and functioning MFDs. It's impressive for sure but honestly in VR we only need functioning buttons through button box interfaces/Arduino boards with pushbuttons. Delightful that you've gone VR Mooch!! Greetings from Sweden
That's exactly how I built my homepit. No fancy, just basic buttons / switches in bases out of 3D print. No feedback lights needed. Cheap and functioning, but you need muscle memory.
@@Rufuz64 for sure! I consider HOTAS + rudder pedals the default setup but there is more to interact with, that’s when all the button boxes and mfd frames are nice to have.
I couldn't agree more. VR is the way to really experience DCS. I started building a genetic simpit, so I have a lot of stuff already, including some that I've built, in addition to HOTAS and rudder pedals. Through muscle memory, I'm able to utilize most of my equipment while fully enjoying VR. Voice Attack and Vaicom Pro adds tremendously to the experience as well!
Here is a Tip for using the keyboard by feel. Learn your home rows. F, J, and Numpad 5 keys have a little raised bump on them. These are so you can find the home rows on the keyboard without looking. If you know how to type and don't hunt and peck your pointer fingers should be on F and J of the home rows. As for the Numpad your middle finger should be on the 5. Once you learn to use the little raised bumps on those keys, using the keyboard without looking becomes much easier.
As a longtime DCS/TrackIR player this is very helpful as a ‘here’s the deal’ info video. Btw I’m one of those who found your non-DCS videos helpful in learning the Tomcat 👍
One thing about the Reverb G2- the cable WILL go bad. Lifting up the headset stresses the cable near the connection, which is already weak. Be sure to contact HP prior to the warranty expiring, and ask for a new cable, they will send you one for free. Out of warranty, the cable is 200+ bucks and really hard to find. I'm on my third cable in 2 years, and I baby my headset.
Once you get a GOOD vr experience, You just can't go back. The difference is night and day... you're literally in the cockpit! Glad you got it working, I have the G2 too and would be happy to share settings if you wanted. Also try the Apache in night missions, super immersive.
Add to this rig, a transducer (vibrations) and a 6 degree of freedom chair, and you have an incredible experience. I have this at home and oh boy, sofaking awesome.
If you haven’t already, try mapping the left mouse button to a button on a button box. Also Mapp it to the “push down” on a toggle switch. You can then map the right mouse button to the “push up” on the same toggle switch. Now, simple look at the control in the cockpit you want to manipulate (you’ll see a blue cross in your field of view that can be moved to alight with looking straight ahead). The outcome of all of this is that you can manipulate all of the cockpit controls without having to touch your mouse and instead you get to have the satisfaction of pushing a physical button or manipulating a toggle switch up or down.
So nice to hear Ward talk about all the same problems I went through with trying to get my flight sims running at an acceptable frame rate and also an acceptable resolution in VR (Valve Index). Wound up biting the bullet and purchasing the i9 13900k, RTX 4090 and new power supply, motherboard 64GB or RAM etc. Now I am struggling with all the different layers you have to tweak. Nvidia control panel, Windows settings, VR headset settings, game settings, Open XR settings, etc. It's a labor of love but it can get exhausting.
I went with Quest 2. It works every time with the native desktop software. I have zero time and patience to mess with windowsVR, Open XR, etc. It just works.
You probably won't benefit from OpenXR as the Valve Index is SteamVR native. The main advantage of OpenXR is/was with Windows Mixed Reality, where SteamVR had to be translated to WMR. You don't need that step with the Index. Unless you plan to switch to HP Reverb G2.
If you have some spare change I would recommend upgrading to the Varjo Aero, you already have the base stations. I have a similar setup, there's no comparison right now I don't think. It's impressive.
Adding a buttkicker or bass shaker really increases immersion and I’d definitely recommend it. Easy to do one DIY for under $100. You might also want to consider a different throttle with more mappable buttons. I went with the Virpil CM3 throttle and have enough buttons to map everything I need. The afterburner and fuel cutoff detents are awesome too.
True, I stopped playing DCS in VR due to lack of feeling of the speed and G force. Now I added buttkicker and I have real fun again, next step is to simulate G force using belts tensioners.
Great video Mooch - I'm still rocking a GTX 1080GPU and a Rift S headset and cant wait to splurge on an much needed upgrade. After VR I cant go back to a TrackIR type system.
Outstanding, I am very happy for you. I have a VR headset & was amazed by how fast your brain adapts to virtual reality. A person could swear the motion is real. I get excited when watching people who have never tried it. Enjoy /
I've used the hand controllers since day 1. Only time I use the keyboard is when I need to change views. In the Tomcat you can do everything with just 1 controller. Cold start, take off, mission, land. I have the same flight seat and I just lay the controller on the right side panel by the knee. 2 things you should get, the VKB F14 Tomcat stick with Gunfighter 3 base and 100 mm extension, and the Winwing takeoff panel. Raising and lowering the hook and gear becomes more interactive and there's a bunch of switches to add things like fuel probe, anti skid, HUD brightness etc.
Hey Ward! I grew up on Long Island, and my dad worked for Grumman in the 60's, 70's and 80's. He worked on both the LEM and F-14 projects (among others). Growing up, I always had a fascination with aircraft and read every copy of Aviation Week that was laying around the house. I became an arm chair pilot and have been flying pc simulators from the beginning... F-19, Falcon 4.0 all of the way to today with DCS and MSFS. VR has realized the dream for me for the potential of at-home flying. Being able to launch and land on a carrier, flying over the Grand Canyon in a cub at sunrise before I start my work day... it is mind blowing how far things have come. Thanks for the videos... they often bring back memories... like my parents arguing over if we should move to Iran in the 70's (we didn't!).
Another actual military pilot playing dcs, subscribed. Cool retrospect, been using trackir for a couple years, relatively dated system with a 3060, maybe I can get away with a reverb or quest but haven't been able to yet
I find it really funny and endearing that Ward shows the specs of his super fancy (and expensive) new gaming PC, and the first thing he mentions is not the 4090 or 13900k, but the fact that it has "lots of storage." I admire your willingness to learn all this new stuff, which many people of your generation just assume is too difficult or impossible for them to understand. Your efforts are clearly being rewarded!
Mooch your F-14 videos definitely helped me become a better DCS Tomcat pilot! The tendency for uncontrollable roll moment and the counterintuitive rudder input definitely saved me a few times!
Your journey mirrored mine. I started with a basic rig, and a substandard headset, and it didn't click with me. I then bit the bullet, yeeted money into a new rig and headset, and I have never looked back. Quality HOTAS, a good rig and VR and well, I'm more than addicted to the game. I fly with a group that has some very talented Tomcat drivers, and you're always more than welcome to join us.
With time you'd get to used to the pixel density of the VR headset. I will never fly in 2D again. My tip: I'm not sure if it is the case but i have my Windows installed in a different drive so if i have future problems and need to re-install Windows won't lose my DCS mods or files. Welcome to VR 🙂 thank you for sharing, I'm always looking to improve my flying in DCS and i learn a lot with you. Keep up! Regards from Portugal.
Mooch, I got tired of knocking my mouse off my rig and then having to fight my VR goggles, reach to find it... I switched to a trackball. Same functionality but It's always in the same place now! (Former F-4, A-10, F-5 and T-38 crew chief. I now build VR flight sims for the AF.)
Welcome to VR, Mooch. I've been flying DCS in VR since I bought my first Oculus Rift. You've pointed out some great things - OpenXR is a huge boost in frames and even my gaming rig with an RTX3070, with properly tweaked settings, flies great. I just bought a new PC that should be in tomorrow that has a RTX4090, so I am eager to punch up the detail settings. One thing to note - take breaks! Those first few flights in VR can make some people ill or give them some terrible headaches the following day. Myself and several pilot friends/retired military love flying together every couple nights. I love the Tomcat but i keep getting flap failures after takeoff from time to time. I hope to cross paths with you on the virtual skies!
You can pull off the rubber nose flap on the reverb g2, giving you a gap to peek through to see your keyboard. Makes life a lot easier than lifting the headset everytime.
From my understanding the MT update split the graphical rendering process from the core game logic, which explains the huge boost in FPS in general, regardless of VR. I would assume the core game logic also got updated to make better use of multi-threading, because it’s essentially a must given the dynamic campaign engine on the roadmap. It’s simply astonishing considering I can now actually semi-enjoy DCS in VR using a 1070Ti, which was pretty much impossible before the update. But I think I got the message, I should simply buy a 4090 instead of paying my heating bill 😂
@@RaffsonI know it's an old comment but I have an 2080 and am thinking about going into VR before buying a new GPU in a few months when the new ones come out. How was your experience with VR with a weak card?
@@badatdota2811 not gonna lie, the graphics were definitely a lot less astonishing 😅 But the fact that I didn’t get a slideshow made a big change, though not big enough to want to fly exclusively in VR 😂 Currently it’s difficult to tell what your experience is going to be like, given the rather serious performance issues introduced in 2.9.6 & 2.9.7, but apparently reducing ground units seems to minimize the impact. There’s also been some news that ED’s upcoming update will address the performance, so it’s a bit of a guess what will happen 😅
So I added little round rubber or silicone "feet" or "bumpers" that are used on cabinet doors to close quietly, and put them on critical keys like F1 F10 and also the number 5 to re center your view! Also using a trackball mouse, helped with fighting with the sling the mouse around until you find the pointer thing!
Thank you for the update. I am planning a DCS build around the F14 and am on the fence between VR and track IR, for the same reasons you covered in this video (immersive experience of VR, vs the need to be able to see keyboard/mouse/etc). Keep up the content, it is greatly appreciated!
Get a good HOTAS system with lots of buttons, you'll rarely touch the keyboard. I use it only for views and F10 map when I'm flying. Mouse + clickable cockpit is key. And if not, there are free "typist" courses on the internet which will teach you how to touch-type.
I love VR I just don't think the headsets are quite there yet. When they are eventually as comfortable to wear as ski goggles or a pair of safety glasses I'll say we've made it. For now I can only wear them for an hour or two before I lose my mind.
BTW I was a maintainer in VF-154 and VF-14 96' through 01' love your videos. I only worked on the F-14A model but all this makes me reminiscent of a time when fighters ruled the skies of Miramar and then Va. Beach. Looking at the flightline and seeing rows upon rows of F14s from squadrons like VF101, VF2, VF14, VF41 and on and on .... I tell you I really miss it. But glad I have these memories and people like yourself who enjoyed it as much as I did. And contribute to the DCS community to keep that aviation spirit alive. As a matter of fact you interviewed one of my old CO's Sammy Richardson. He was CO while I was in VF14 and Bruce Fecht was his XO. Two very outstanding pilots and I'm sure you already know. I could go on about so many things but just wanted to reach out and thank you for your excellent videos and tips on how to fly the best dang fighter jet to ever rule the unfriendly skies. Anytime baby!!!
Excellent summary of why VR is not as simple as plug and play. Tip: stick some Blue Tack on the keyboard keys you cannot map to the hotas and this makes it easier to find with the headset on. Muscle memory will do the rest
I picked up one of those 1/3 gaming keyboards. Just the keys around WASD. Also Has a bunch of large programmable buttons and a design that make it a lot easier to orient your hand without looking.
Ah, they got you hooked. Its cool to see you make this content. I usually follow for your military stuff here and over on the naval institute channel and actually started because of you ghost of Kiev video. But, I too am down the rabbit hole with gaming rigs and vr and DCS, MSFS and other flight simulators lol. But my jet of choice is the F15c 😅😅
When I saw your specs for the initial system, I knew you would be upgrading soon. FYI, on my Winwing F-18 stick, I mapped the left and right mouse clicks to the mark button. Makes it much easier than using a mouse, basically look at it (buttons or toggles in the cockpit for ex.) and click.
Do you know what the command for left and right mouse clicks are called in the DCS keymapping pages? I love this idea and want to try it. Reaching for my mouse slows me down.
Next things(game changers) to consider: 1. PointCTRL for replacing the mouse. 2. Jetpad(or something similar, like the one from Next Level Racing) and buttkicker for vibration cue. (3. better Force Feedback joystick base such as VPForce. Although from my understanding of the F-14 flight control system, it seems the stick force doesn't really change with airspeed etc, but generally lots of the parameters of the FFB base can be changed via the software, such as stick force, dampening, and more importantly in this case, it allows you to define the travel of the stick to replicate the asymmetric travel of the real thing. Also FFB base somehow feels a bit heavier than the conventional spring bases in terms of stick force. Those from Brunner IMO is not recommended for its high price and aggressive cooling strategy which is not ideal for dog fight since it stops outputting enough force after a while of turning) 4.motion platform (this hobby is really a blackhole😂
Quick tip, I did some data capturing on a numpad. On all key pads the number 5 will have a notch on it. Up one is 8 and down one is 2. Then keep your fingers in a line. Pointer finger on 4, up one is 7, down one is 1. Ring finger on 6, up one is 9 down one is 3... And Voila!
I’m pretty much at the same place you are with my setup. Been flying and tweaking in VR for over two years now. A Buttkicker and/or JetPad are key additions as well, plus a length extension on the joystick. The next upgrades I am really looking forward to are the Pimax Crystal VR headset with its aspheric lenses so that I can look around the cockpit with my eyes if I want to rather than my head 😊. Also I have ordered a 2-axis motion platform so I can start feeling roll and acceleration forces. Do you fly with any DCS groups? Flying with The Art of Warfare (TAW) has absolutely been key to enriching this hobby for me. They do everything they can to fly the aircraft correctly and it gives meaning to the entire experience 😊
I've tried a few of the headsets. I stick with Meta Quest 2 because it just works.... every time. Unfortunately, I have responsibilities so my DCS time is limited. I just need it to work when I log in. Glad you made the jump. Like you said in the video-- you can never go back!
I just have to say I think it's dam cool that Eagle Dynamics, Thrust Master, Ridge etc would support a veterian like they have! It's good for the DCS community for starters but it's more than that! It's just the right thing to do. Thank You for your service Sir!
I'm glad you finally figured it out! once you setup VR and get the best results you're happy with , there's no way back to flat screen. this is what we've always dreamt of as young pilots.
yo, that had to be the smoothest transition to a sponsored segment I've ever seen. But I'm a track IR user myself, just waiting for that next leap in VR tech to come out and then i'll jump in.
0:00 The timing was just perfect. Was about the time when that module got released :) 1:59 That "segway" to the sponsor is as smooth as Anthony from LTT could ever make it. 5:15 That's a training thing. BTW the 5 on the keypad should have a small raised dot or bar on it, same as the F and J keys which are for orientation when touch typing. Things like those, grouped F keys, separate cursor keys and that block above make it possible to get used to it. 5:38 Many don't use those, but it's actually good if you get your head around that "point at things with that laser pointer coming out of your fingertip and use the thumbstick" thing. It isn't any more or less immersive than having to use the mouse, but the VR controller's cursor isn't tied to your screen inside the headset like the mouse, but the actual cockpit you're looking at. In other words: Muscle memory will work, at least when you try to recenter your VR roughly the same way everytime you fly. The G2's controllers though shut themselves off after idling for 10 minutes which will result in a Windoes USB disconnect event that comes with a 1-2s stutter. Same when you reenable the thing... Oculus headsets are better at that, same goes for anything that uses Lighthouse tracking. 6:48 I got that 4.5 slot chungus 3070 from Asus with the Noctua fans on it... :D 7:12 You certainly did not cheap out on that hardware. If that thing can't do it, you can just wait until better stuff arrives. 7:42 Absolutely! Sterescopic vision and depth perception do a lot! That like enabling easy mode on formation flying, AAR, helo hoverworks and warbird takeoffs and landings. I was amazed how much of a difference it made when I first got my Rift CV1 in 2019 (with just 2x 1280x1080 pixels, the G2 is 2160x2160 - if you want to step up from that, there's the Varjo Aero still, but it's pricey) 7:56 Just made me smile :) 8:47 We did it! XD
The 4080 made a huge difference on my rig. VR is really good, but you need a better PC to get the resolution. With the 4080 everything is super smooth and with your 4090 it should be really good. I'm so glad you are in VR now. I use to drive semi's and did American Truck Simulator in VR and like you said, it felt like I was sitting in the truck again. DCS is only going to get better with VR, with DLSS coming and fixes to MT. For that reaching out to the keyboard. You just have to build a full cockpit now and you should be all good, lol. Like I tell a lot of people just starting. Welcome to your new thousands of dollar hobby.
Thank you so much for the lovely video and the science behind it. These science videos are just bloody marvelous, and every mission planner should watch them! The semi-conductor industry is in a worldwide recession and being my hours at work have been cut to 3 nights a week I am having to use the funds I set aside for a DCS computer and hardware just to survive so I am watching as many DCS videos as I can.
I was a big A10 driver back in the earlier days of DCS and took on the tomcat too when it came out since it’s a favourite. Really struggled with it- just had a hard time getting the hang of the flight controls. I have been really hesitant to get back into it and shift into VR but your feedback is definitely giving me the itch to get back into the virtual cockpit. Thanks mooch.
daaaang that's a major PC upgrade! I was running a rig with a 2070 super for a while before I built a rig similar to yours with a 4090 in it last year. Insanely awesome setup. I am running trackir as well and I always think I want to get into VR and then remember how nauseated I get from it. Even an ultrawide setup makes me slighty queezy. Thanks for sharing.
I switched to VR 6 months ago. First problem was not seeing keyboard but I managed that by using two modifiers on HOTAS that give you lots of keys to use (and remember). Second problem is that if I want to relax in DCS after 8 hours at work in front of monitors I literally have to put a monitor an inch in front of my eyes in VR. Sometimes my eyes say NO.
In VR i rarely use the keyboard to fly or RIO in the F14. I use the G2 hand controllers for most of my none vital flying or rio needs. All my vital flying needs are binded to my HOTAS. I also just bought voice attack to get rid of the need for using menus during flight that usually mess up my refueling attempts. And for the AH64 i use an Xbox controller with lots of buttons for CPG control of the TEDAC. So in the end other than start up throttle use, i dont need the mouse or keyboard and dont need to lift the headset. VR is the greatest upgrade for DCS and in the future will only get better.
ahhhh the rabbit hole of building the pc around VR :). It truly is breathtaking for the experience and the wallet. First time I got my rig running decently in VR it put me in tears.
hey mooch. i've only ever flown in vr. one thing i can definitely recommend is getting some little rubber nubs that have adhesive on one side. use those on keys you use very often on your keyboard so you don't have to lift your headset so often.
I fly mainly helicopters in DCS and VR is game changing, having the depth perspective makes helo flying more intuitive. I have the same headset and openxr, visuals are great, but I do have a nasa spec rig.
I'm brand new to DCS but a long time flight simmer. I had never tried VR before but I bought a headset in anticipation of the release of MSFS 2020. I now own 3 VR headsets (Rift S/HP Reverb G2/Valve Index) and fly exclusively in VR. Thanks for the video.
Nice episode Ward. Now you have an RTX 4090 and good CPU the next step is either the Varjo Aero VR headset or the upcoming Pimax Crystal. I used to use an HP Reverb G2 and it was good but I found it hard to use to spot distant ground targets. Folks mentioned the Aero unit was better than the Reverb G2 but not worth the steep price differential. After a long while I decided to get the Aero and consider it totally worth it as it is so much clearer than the Reverb G2. It makes a difference, at least while my eyes remain good enough to notice the pixel differences. One thing is the manufacturer of the Aero does have problems with dust contamination on the lenses, so I needed to return my unit for fixing and apparently this is not uncommon - but since you have generous Patreons I'm sure they'd like to see you sporting a Varjo Aero soon as your rig can power it for the next-level experience. As expensive as the Varjo Aero is, it is still not as expensive as units that have pass-through video (which allows a keybind to use a camera to see your hands and keyboard, or even fancier, units that blend the VR image with your surroundings using masked areas).
What you are missing is a couple of lense inserts so that you can take off your glasses. I did this right after buying my headset. I had dabbled a bit with a friend's headset of course wearing the glasses underneath. It is so much more comfortable and relaxing on the eyes, if you use corrective inserts.
This was a great breakdown of how to get into DCS VR! Well done! I had almost forgot how much of a of a struggle it is to get it set up correctly when starting out... Looks like you have gotten some great advice with OpenXR, OpenXR Toolkit and MT. And of course the 4090 does help a lot. Glad you are enjoying DCS VR.
Way to go Ward! I have to rebuild my rig. My whole gaming system was stolen several weeks ago. I flew in track IR at first then made the switch to VR ( HP REVERB G2).
Hi Ward, I've been a long time watcher, and recently getting more involved in DCS modding. I'm also a big VR user and with the specs you mentioned, I'd thoroughly recommend the Varjo Aero headset. It's heavy on the wallet for sure, but offers fantastic resolution and clarity. I started with the Vive headset, went to Oculus Rift, HP Reverb G2 then Varjo Aero. Enjoy the experience and immersion regardless of your headset you choose!. Regards, DLB.
Great review. I jumped to VR a few years ago simply because immersion is unmatched. I run an H2 on an RTX 2070, just like your original rig. It's barely adequate, and resolution and frame rate are not great, but it works. It's time to upgrade and I appreciate your comments on your new system. Thanks!
I just started DCS about five months ago myself. Still using track IR and I love it but can’t wait to make the leap to VR soon. That is one bad ass Rig though I’m sure that 4090 changes the whole simulation inside and out!
I've been a PC gamer since the 80s and have always built my own rigs starting in 1992. I appreciate the "tech warp" of you learning and exploring the in's and outs of building a DCS rig to RECREATE what you as a Tomcat RIO got to live in real life. The fact these two worlds are converging so well now is epic! 👍. Is the RIO role of DCS fleshed out enough for you to really enjoy it, or do you like the flying role more now?
Great video Mooch. As someone who spent their formative years on early internet, it's always good to see an "old dog" learn this high speed tech. Love what you do and what you've done.
If you're looking for the next best thing for vr, i suggest keeping a close eye on the hmd called bigscreen beyond vr. Super lightweight and small form, but with massive resolution and performance numbers. Expensive, but that would really get the most out of the 4090. Oh also its custom made to your face shape and eye prescription, so no need for glasses underneath. Releasing late 2023 btw.
You need a Jet seat now. Get that tacile feedback from little things like flares but more obvious ones like afterburners and G's. The ultimate being a motion rig.
Video sponsored by Ridge. Ridge is having a big sale right now for their 10th anniversary, so you can get the best offer using my link Ridge.com/mooch to save up to 40% off your order through March 26th!
How i get around the keybord issue, is I have some grip tape for stopping my peddels slipping. and I had the idea to cut little peaces off and putting different shapes on key keys such as . K, num 5 RShift and home, f5 , f10. With this I never need to lift my head set up.
Thanks Gooch!!
I don't own a VR headset so take this just as a suggestion to see if it's possible.
That headset has two front facing cameras, maybe it has a pass through mode where you can see what's in front of you, instead of having to look under the goggles when searching for the keys.
Hey Ward, The G2 can do pass through because it has forward cameras. So, you could see your keyboard while playing DCS in VR.
If you set the controller down on a table (place it on the ring) it will expand the circle so you can see a larger area. Meant so you can access your physical keyboard, but works for anything
Also if you launch Flashlight from the start menu, it will place the circle at the center of your gaze, not the controllers
Like the shirt and hope you are catching GnR on their upcoming tour!
It's always hearth warming to see an ex Tomcat guy enjoys his lovely bird as closest he can get and watching you explain stuff with all the passion you have is just amazing. Please do more DCS content sir!
This. All of this!
heart warming too 😂
@@Vladimirthetinymaybe he lit a fire who knows?
As someone who also has a 4090 and i9-13900k using a Quest Pro to fly DCS, I can't agree enough. Multi-threading is a game changer. Everything is so smooth and a 4090 finally makes VR smooth and bearable for long periods. We're now in the golden age of DCS!!!
More like the INFANCY of VR-DCS, but before anyone goes "Fox 2" on me for saying that, allow me to explain:
The equipment required for a somewhat stable gaming on DCS is the top tech aviable for gaming as of now (Circa May 2023), because of this the entry price for the hardware is so expensive (over 1500+ dollars, although double or triple that amount in other regions like South America, unless imported wich bring a pletora of costs since each goverment agency carries its usual share of taxes) that most of the people insterested in this kind of fluent VR enviroment WON'T be able to get it yet.
On top of this, the current high-tech hardware ONLY achieves on VR what you can already get with low-tech hardware from the past years under the standart "monitor-setup system(tm)", from 2024 -> onwards we will get better hardware that would make the gaming on DCS more fluent and less cumbersome than it is now (the requirement of second hand software and bulky pre-configurations that are more "hit n' miss" than anything else.
VR-DCS is now slowly turning into something functional for those who can spend in TOP Hardware, however then that experience is achieved at 100% on in game graphics (everything in ultra) and HD visual presentation (144+Hz at the highest resolution aviable for VR) with the addon that everyone will be able to reach the hardware required to get that experience without paying 1500+ dollars (again prices WILL heavily vary), then... and ONLY THEN, we will be at the GOLDEN AGE for VR-DCS.
Until then, my congratulations for anyone out there enyoing the game in the way it was meant to be, immersion is a KEY factor in combat simulators and I hope you all get some insane dog fights out there wich force ya all to express some of that "pilot shit" ye all have in your veins. :3
I've tried a friend's rig.
Pimax VR and RTX4090.
I'm not a fan.
I'll gladly stay with TrackIR.
@@sahhull i have 4090 and pimax 8kx, and it absolutley unplayable, xd. 30fps even with dfr+ eye tracking
@@PointReflexI agree with you, but $1500 is not even close to the cost of a "golden" VR setup. I badly want to do VR, but I spent $CAD 2000 ($US 1600 at time) almost four years ago. It's been a good gaming rig and was supposedly VR ready. Yeah, if I'm playing Stick Man in a Box :) A 4090 is going to run me over $2000 alone. And there's little sense throwing that beast in my present machine. $5000 all in might, might, get me into DCS VR where it actually looks and does what it should. We are far from the Golden Age of VR. For now, I'll have to get TrakIR and stick to lower fidelity games like Flying Circus and maybe IL-2. Future looks bright though. We've come far.
Spending so much just to play dcs us kinda mad. Only privileged people can do so
VR makes such a difference for both flying and driving. Being able to look at the corner and bring the vehicle to it is so much more immersive and far better training value for when I bring my actual vehicle to the tracks I sim race on.
I can look at the corner without VR, but the depth perception made all the difference to me. Something really tricky, like driving on a super slippery, narrow ice track (low speeds really tend to make sim racing feel off more than higher speed stuff) went from requiring a shitton of concentration to not overspeed all the time to just being natural, no more difficult than it's been in real life.
@@jubuttib in driving i suppose but when i fly and track abtarget above me its feel so much more intuitive to vring the vehocle to the target.
yeah I found that being able to fly a plane and track a target with your head is absolutely game changing. you cannot get that sort of feeling from a flatscreen
@@durbeshpatel3047 In BFM i use my gunsight like 25% less in VR, so much easier to just feel the distance and be able to use the gun instinctively, instead of relying on the gunsight like i would in 2D
@Ward Carroll - I have two recommendations to make your DCS experience even better. 1.) Buy prescription lenses for your G2. It's more comfortable. I got mine from VP Optician 2.) Get simshaker sound mod and bolt a buttkicker to your frame. You will feel effects like G, bombs coming off wings, cannon, touchdown, launch, even wake turbulence. For me, I cannot fly without the buttkicker affirming what I should be feeling. -killjoy from JTF-191
+1 for the tactical feedback of Buttkicker with Simshaker! I also have the Jetseat pad from Andre's Shop which is incredible. Really adds to what you get from Buttkicker alone!
I built my own simpit. Im in vr. I designed and 3D printed a couple of switchpanels with structures that when I would touch it, I would know which switch it is when in VR. Works great. Also got some virpils.
I'm so proud of you Mooch for making the conversion to VR. Sort of brings me back to the feeling I had when my first child was born. Damn it, now I'm getting all misty-eyed.
Ha! Thanks, dad!
Ward, I am very impressed that not only did you stick with the journey and make it through learning about gaming PCs/VR/DCS, each on its own complex a complex topic, but that you were able to effectively consolidate and communicate the relevant topics and how they interact with each other. Well done, and I'm glad you were able to get to the "deja vu" level of immersion with your rig.
Quick tip for finding buttons on the keyboard: usually f, j and num pad 5 has a small noch on the bottom of the key that you can feel
Finally! Have wanted to say VR is how DCS should be played for a long time but didn't want to be that guy. There are some things to overcome with controls, clever input binds etc when in vr but it's easier to master than most people think. I feel bad for those building cockpits with all caution lights and functioning MFDs. It's impressive for sure but honestly in VR we only need functioning buttons through button box interfaces/Arduino boards with pushbuttons. Delightful that you've gone VR Mooch!!
Greetings from Sweden
Hello, Sweden!
That's exactly how I built my homepit. No fancy, just basic buttons / switches in bases out of 3D print. No feedback lights needed. Cheap and functioning, but you need muscle memory.
Or get a HOTAS with enough buttons like Virpil
@@Rufuz64 for sure! I consider HOTAS + rudder pedals the default setup but there is more to interact with, that’s when all the button boxes and mfd frames are nice to have.
I couldn't agree more. VR is the way to really experience DCS. I started building a genetic simpit, so I have a lot of stuff already, including some that I've built, in addition to HOTAS and rudder pedals. Through muscle memory, I'm able to utilize most of my equipment while fully enjoying VR. Voice Attack and Vaicom Pro adds tremendously to the experience as well!
Here is a Tip for using the keyboard by feel. Learn your home rows. F, J, and Numpad 5 keys have a little raised bump on them. These are so you can find the home rows on the keyboard without looking. If you know how to type and don't hunt and peck your pointer fingers should be on F and J of the home rows. As for the Numpad your middle finger should be on the 5. Once you learn to use the little raised bumps on those keys, using the keyboard without looking becomes much easier.
As a longtime DCS/TrackIR player this is very helpful as a ‘here’s the deal’ info video. Btw I’m one of those who found your non-DCS videos helpful in learning the Tomcat 👍
Glad it helped!
One thing about the Reverb G2- the cable WILL go bad. Lifting up the headset stresses the cable near the connection, which is already weak. Be sure to contact HP prior to the warranty expiring, and ask for a new cable, they will send you one for free. Out of warranty, the cable is 200+ bucks and really hard to find. I'm on my third cable in 2 years, and I baby my headset.
Thanks for that advice.
The rabbit hole is deep my friend....... Lots of cockpit stuff out there to help with the immersion......Have fun!
Once you get a GOOD vr experience, You just can't go back. The difference is night and day... you're literally in the cockpit! Glad you got it working, I have the G2 too and would be happy to share settings if you wanted. Also try the Apache in night missions, super immersive.
Add to this rig, a transducer (vibrations) and a 6 degree of freedom chair, and you have an incredible experience. I have this at home and oh boy, sofaking awesome.
If you haven’t already, try mapping the left mouse button to a button on a button box. Also Mapp it to the “push down” on a toggle switch. You can then map the right mouse button to the “push up” on the same toggle switch. Now, simple look at the control in the cockpit you want to manipulate (you’ll see a blue cross in your field of view that can be moved to alight with looking straight ahead).
The outcome of all of this is that you can manipulate all of the cockpit controls without having to touch your mouse and instead you get to have the satisfaction of pushing a physical button or manipulating a toggle switch up or down.
So nice to hear Ward talk about all the same problems I went through with trying to get my flight sims running at an acceptable frame rate and also an acceptable resolution in VR (Valve Index). Wound up biting the bullet and purchasing the i9 13900k, RTX 4090 and new power supply, motherboard 64GB or RAM etc. Now I am struggling with all the different layers you have to tweak. Nvidia control panel, Windows settings, VR headset settings, game settings, Open XR settings, etc. It's a labor of love but it can get exhausting.
👆should be pinned.
I went with Quest 2. It works every time with the native desktop software. I have zero time and patience to mess with windowsVR, Open XR, etc.
It just works.
You probably won't benefit from OpenXR as the Valve Index is SteamVR native. The main advantage of OpenXR is/was with Windows Mixed Reality, where SteamVR had to be translated to WMR. You don't need that step with the Index. Unless you plan to switch to HP Reverb G2.
If you have some spare change I would recommend upgrading to the Varjo Aero, you already have the base stations. I have a similar setup, there's no comparison right now I don't think. It's impressive.
@@LFOD1776 Same.... Running almost 4k resolution on the quest 2 at 120 fps/hz on max settings on dcs steam 👍 Will never fly on a flat screen again
Adding a buttkicker or bass shaker really increases immersion and I’d definitely recommend it. Easy to do one DIY for under $100. You might also want to consider a different throttle with more mappable buttons. I went with the Virpil CM3 throttle and have enough buttons to map everything I need. The afterburner and fuel cutoff detents are awesome too.
True, I stopped playing DCS in VR due to lack of feeling of the speed and G force. Now I added buttkicker and I have real fun again, next step is to simulate G force using belts tensioners.
Yep. A cheap car amp, an old PC power supply and a transducer
Great video Mooch - I'm still rocking a GTX 1080GPU and a Rift S headset and cant wait to splurge on an much needed upgrade. After VR I cant go back to a TrackIR type system.
Outstanding, I am very happy for you. I have a VR headset & was amazed by how fast your brain adapts to virtual reality. A person could swear the motion is real. I get excited when watching people who have never tried it. Enjoy /
I've used the hand controllers since day 1. Only time I use the keyboard is when I need to change views.
In the Tomcat you can do everything with just 1 controller. Cold start, take off, mission, land. I have the same flight seat and I just lay the controller on the right side panel by the knee.
2 things you should get, the VKB F14 Tomcat stick with Gunfighter 3 base and 100 mm extension, and the Winwing takeoff panel. Raising and lowering the hook and gear becomes more interactive and there's a bunch of switches to add things like fuel probe, anti skid, HUD brightness etc.
Hey Ward! I grew up on Long Island, and my dad worked for Grumman in the 60's, 70's and 80's. He worked on both the LEM and F-14 projects (among others). Growing up, I always had a fascination with aircraft and read every copy of Aviation Week that was laying around the house. I became an arm chair pilot and have been flying pc simulators from the beginning... F-19, Falcon 4.0 all of the way to today with DCS and MSFS. VR has realized the dream for me for the potential of at-home flying. Being able to launch and land on a carrier, flying over the Grand Canyon in a cub at sunrise before I start my work day... it is mind blowing how far things have come. Thanks for the videos... they often bring back memories... like my parents arguing over if we should move to Iran in the 70's (we didn't!).
Another actual military pilot playing dcs, subscribed. Cool retrospect, been using trackir for a couple years, relatively dated system with a 3060, maybe I can get away with a reverb or quest but haven't been able to yet
I find it really funny and endearing that Ward shows the specs of his super fancy (and expensive) new gaming PC, and the first thing he mentions is not the 4090 or 13900k, but the fact that it has "lots of storage." I admire your willingness to learn all this new stuff, which many people of your generation just assume is too difficult or impossible for them to understand. Your efforts are clearly being rewarded!
Actually "lots of storage" is very important for DCS - virtual drives, modules, mods, liveries etc., easily 200GB+ which should all be on a SSD 🙂
Mooch your F-14 videos definitely helped me become a better DCS Tomcat pilot! The tendency for uncontrollable roll moment and the counterintuitive rudder input definitely saved me a few times!
Your journey mirrored mine. I started with a basic rig, and a substandard headset, and it didn't click with me. I then bit the bullet, yeeted money into a new rig and headset, and I have never looked back. Quality HOTAS, a good rig and VR and well, I'm more than addicted to the game. I fly with a group that has some very talented Tomcat drivers, and you're always more than welcome to join us.
With time you'd get to used to the pixel density of the VR headset. I will never fly in 2D again. My tip: I'm not sure if it is the case but i have my Windows installed in a different drive so if i have future problems and need to re-install Windows won't lose my DCS mods or files. Welcome to VR 🙂 thank you for sharing, I'm always looking to improve my flying in DCS and i learn a lot with you. Keep up! Regards from Portugal.
Dang Mooch, that was a pro transition for the ad read. :)
Mooch, I got tired of knocking my mouse off my rig and then having to fight my VR goggles, reach to find it... I switched to a trackball. Same functionality but It's always in the same place now! (Former F-4, A-10, F-5 and T-38 crew chief. I now build VR flight sims for the AF.)
Welcome to VR, Mooch. I've been flying DCS in VR since I bought my first Oculus Rift. You've pointed out some great things - OpenXR is a huge boost in frames and even my gaming rig with an RTX3070, with properly tweaked settings, flies great. I just bought a new PC that should be in tomorrow that has a RTX4090, so I am eager to punch up the detail settings. One thing to note - take breaks! Those first few flights in VR can make some people ill or give them some terrible headaches the following day. Myself and several pilot friends/retired military love flying together every couple nights. I love the Tomcat but i keep getting flap failures after takeoff from time to time. I hope to cross paths with you on the virtual skies!
You can pull off the rubber nose flap on the reverb g2, giving you a gap to peek through to see your keyboard. Makes life a lot easier than lifting the headset everytime.
The current DCS Multithreading update has increased VR performance overall for most people. 😊
From my understanding the MT update split the graphical rendering process from the core game logic, which explains the huge boost in FPS in general, regardless of VR. I would assume the core game logic also got updated to make better use of multi-threading, because it’s essentially a must given the dynamic campaign engine on the roadmap.
It’s simply astonishing considering I can now actually semi-enjoy DCS in VR using a 1070Ti, which was pretty much impossible before the update.
But I think I got the message, I should simply buy a 4090 instead of paying my heating bill 😂
Dlss gives you fps but worse graphics in fast situations, its ai downscaling
@@RaffsonI know it's an old comment but I have an 2080 and am thinking about going into VR before buying a new GPU in a few months when the new ones come out.
How was your experience with VR with a weak card?
@@badatdota2811 not gonna lie, the graphics were definitely a lot less astonishing 😅
But the fact that I didn’t get a slideshow made a big change, though not big enough to want to fly exclusively in VR 😂
Currently it’s difficult to tell what your experience is going to be like, given the rather serious performance issues introduced in 2.9.6 & 2.9.7, but apparently reducing ground units seems to minimize the impact. There’s also been some news that ED’s upcoming update will address the performance, so it’s a bit of a guess what will happen 😅
So I added little round rubber or silicone "feet" or "bumpers" that are used on cabinet doors to close quietly, and put them on critical keys like F1 F10 and also the number 5 to re center your view! Also using a trackball mouse, helped with fighting with the sling the mouse around until you find the pointer thing!
Thank you for the update. I am planning a DCS build around the F14 and am on the fence between VR and track IR, for the same reasons you covered in this video (immersive experience of VR, vs the need to be able to see keyboard/mouse/etc). Keep up the content, it is greatly appreciated!
Get a good HOTAS system with lots of buttons, you'll rarely touch the keyboard. I use it only for views and F10 map when I'm flying. Mouse + clickable cockpit is key. And if not, there are free "typist" courses on the internet which will teach you how to touch-type.
You guys pestering Ward to try DCS in the comments did a good job. Now we get DCS vids and training aids.
Welcome to the PCMasterRace Mooch!!! 😁May your Frame Rates by high, and your temps low!!!!!
I love VR I just don't think the headsets are quite there yet. When they are eventually as comfortable to wear as ski goggles or a pair of safety glasses I'll say we've made it. For now I can only wear them for an hour or two before I lose my mind.
Agreed
BTW I was a maintainer in VF-154 and VF-14 96' through 01' love your videos. I only worked on the F-14A model but all this makes me reminiscent of a time when fighters ruled the skies of Miramar and then Va. Beach. Looking at the flightline and seeing rows upon rows of F14s from squadrons like VF101, VF2, VF14, VF41 and on and on .... I tell you I really miss it. But glad I have these memories and people like yourself who enjoyed it as much as I did. And contribute to the DCS community to keep that aviation spirit alive. As a matter of fact you interviewed one of my old CO's Sammy Richardson. He was CO while I was in VF14 and Bruce Fecht was his XO. Two very outstanding pilots and I'm sure you already know. I could go on about so many things but just wanted to reach out and thank you for your excellent videos and tips on how to fly the best dang fighter jet to ever rule the unfriendly skies. Anytime baby!!!
Thanks for all you did to keep us airborne, Jon!
Perfect timing on this one Mooch! Looks like I’m picking up some gear today! Thank you!
Excellent summary of why VR is not as simple as plug and play. Tip: stick some Blue Tack on the keyboard keys you cannot map to the hotas and this makes it easier to find with the headset on. Muscle memory will do the rest
I picked up one of those 1/3 gaming keyboards. Just the keys around WASD. Also Has a bunch of large programmable buttons and a design that make it a lot easier to orient your hand without looking.
Ah, they got you hooked. Its cool to see you make this content. I usually follow for your military stuff here and over on the naval institute channel and actually started because of you ghost of Kiev video. But, I too am down the rabbit hole with gaming rigs and vr and DCS, MSFS and other flight simulators lol.
But my jet of choice is the F15c 😅😅
When I saw your specs for the initial system, I knew you would be upgrading soon. FYI, on my Winwing F-18 stick, I mapped the left and right mouse clicks to the mark button. Makes it much easier than using a mouse, basically look at it (buttons or toggles in the cockpit for ex.) and click.
Do you know what the command for left and right mouse clicks are called in the DCS keymapping pages? I love this idea and want to try it. Reaching for my mouse slows me down.
Next things(game changers) to consider:
1. PointCTRL for replacing the mouse.
2. Jetpad(or something similar, like the one from Next Level Racing) and buttkicker for vibration cue.
(3. better Force Feedback joystick base such as VPForce. Although from my understanding of the F-14 flight control system, it seems the stick force doesn't really change with airspeed etc, but generally lots of the parameters of the FFB base can be changed via the software, such as stick force, dampening, and more importantly in this case, it allows you to define the travel of the stick to replicate the asymmetric travel of the real thing. Also FFB base somehow feels a bit heavier than the conventional spring bases in terms of stick force.
Those from Brunner IMO is not recommended for its high price and aggressive cooling strategy which is not ideal for dog fight since it stops outputting enough force after a while of turning)
4.motion platform
(this hobby is really a blackhole😂
I started with DCS track IR and it was awesome… Burt when I jumped to VR and upgraded my system I haven’t looked back… VR is amazing when done right
Thank you for this video, it's a great tutorial on the experience of switching to VR
Im sure it was difficult but im glad you got into vr and you couldnt have picked a better time. ❤
Quick tip, I did some data capturing on a numpad. On all key pads the number 5 will have a notch on it. Up one is 8 and down one is 2. Then keep your fingers in a line. Pointer finger on 4, up one is 7, down one is 1. Ring finger on 6, up one is 9 down one is 3... And Voila!
Welcome to VR Mooch, your rig sounds very very cool. Your Ridge Wallet advert was well done btw, had me wondering at first lol
I’m pretty much at the same place you are with my setup. Been flying and tweaking in VR for over two years now. A Buttkicker and/or JetPad are key additions as well, plus a length extension on the joystick. The next upgrades I am really looking forward to are the Pimax Crystal VR headset with its aspheric lenses so that I can look around the cockpit with my eyes if I want to rather than my head 😊. Also I have ordered a 2-axis motion platform so I can start feeling roll and acceleration forces. Do you fly with any DCS groups? Flying with The Art of Warfare (TAW) has absolutely been key to enriching this hobby for me. They do everything they can to fly the aircraft correctly and it gives meaning to the entire experience 😊
I've tried a few of the headsets. I stick with Meta Quest 2 because it just works.... every time. Unfortunately, I have responsibilities so my DCS time is limited. I just need it to work when I log in.
Glad you made the jump. Like you said in the video-- you can never go back!
I bought a new rig just to use DCS with VR and I don't regret it one bit. I use an Oculus Quest 2 VR so I don't have to use Steam or XR
I just have to say I think it's dam cool that Eagle Dynamics, Thrust Master, Ridge etc would support a veterian like they have! It's good for the DCS community for starters but it's more than that! It's just the right thing to do. Thank You for your service Sir!
Thanks Ward, I've been on the fence about VR...
I'm glad you finally figured it out! once you setup VR and get the best results you're happy with , there's no way back to flat screen. this is what we've always dreamt of as young pilots.
yo, that had to be the smoothest transition to a sponsored segment I've ever seen.
But I'm a track IR user myself, just waiting for that next leap in VR tech to come out and then i'll jump in.
0:00 The timing was just perfect. Was about the time when that module got released :)
1:59 That "segway" to the sponsor is as smooth as Anthony from LTT could ever make it.
5:15 That's a training thing. BTW the 5 on the keypad should have a small raised dot or bar on it, same as the F and J keys which are for orientation when touch typing. Things like those, grouped F keys, separate cursor keys and that block above make it possible to get used to it.
5:38 Many don't use those, but it's actually good if you get your head around that "point at things with that laser pointer coming out of your fingertip and use the thumbstick" thing. It isn't any more or less immersive than having to use the mouse, but the VR controller's cursor isn't tied to your screen inside the headset like the mouse, but the actual cockpit you're looking at. In other words: Muscle memory will work, at least when you try to recenter your VR roughly the same way everytime you fly. The G2's controllers though shut themselves off after idling for 10 minutes which will result in a Windoes USB disconnect event that comes with a 1-2s stutter. Same when you reenable the thing... Oculus headsets are better at that, same goes for anything that uses Lighthouse tracking.
6:48 I got that 4.5 slot chungus 3070 from Asus with the Noctua fans on it... :D
7:12 You certainly did not cheap out on that hardware. If that thing can't do it, you can just wait until better stuff arrives.
7:42 Absolutely! Sterescopic vision and depth perception do a lot! That like enabling easy mode on formation flying, AAR, helo hoverworks and warbird takeoffs and landings. I was amazed how much of a difference it made when I first got my Rift CV1 in 2019 (with just 2x 1280x1080 pixels, the G2 is 2160x2160 - if you want to step up from that, there's the Varjo Aero still, but it's pricey)
7:56 Just made me smile :)
8:47 We did it! XD
Thanks ward! Def want to build a vr dcs rig
The 4080 made a huge difference on my rig. VR is really good, but you need a better PC to get the resolution. With the 4080 everything is super smooth and with your 4090 it should be really good. I'm so glad you are in VR now. I use to drive semi's and did American Truck Simulator in VR and like you said, it felt like I was sitting in the truck again. DCS is only going to get better with VR, with DLSS coming and fixes to MT. For that reaching out to the keyboard. You just have to build a full cockpit now and you should be all good, lol. Like I tell a lot of people just starting. Welcome to your new thousands of dollar hobby.
Nice rig. I am jealous of that 4090. Glad you've seen the light that is VR.
Great rundown, Ward, thanks!
It’s the best move you can make for aviation simulation. It’s made me start the process for getting in actual aviation and starting lessons.
Thank you so much for the lovely video and the science behind it. These science videos are just bloody marvelous, and every mission planner should watch them!
The semi-conductor industry is in a worldwide recession and being my hours at work have been cut to 3 nights a week I am having to use the funds I set aside for a DCS computer and hardware just to survive so I am watching as many DCS videos as I can.
I was a big A10 driver back in the earlier days of DCS and took on the tomcat too when it came out since it’s a favourite. Really struggled with it- just had a hard time getting the hang of the flight controls. I have been really hesitant to get back into it and shift into VR but your feedback is definitely giving me the itch to get back into the virtual cockpit. Thanks mooch.
daaaang that's a major PC upgrade! I was running a rig with a 2070 super for a while before I built a rig similar to yours with a 4090 in it last year. Insanely awesome setup. I am running trackir as well and I always think I want to get into VR and then remember how nauseated I get from it. Even an ultrawide setup makes me slighty queezy. Thanks for sharing.
You're always so thorough with your content on your videos. Awesome info.
I switched to VR 6 months ago. First problem was not seeing keyboard but I managed that by using two modifiers on HOTAS that give you lots of keys to use (and remember). Second problem is that if I want to relax in DCS after 8 hours at work in front of monitors I literally have to put a monitor an inch in front of my eyes in VR. Sometimes my eyes say NO.
Mooch has got the 4090 Drip! Can't wait to see these next livestreams
Edit: 8:29 - That's Me!
In VR i rarely use the keyboard to fly or RIO in the F14. I use the G2 hand controllers for most of my none vital flying or rio needs. All my vital flying needs are binded to my HOTAS. I also just bought voice attack to get rid of the need for using menus during flight that usually mess up my refueling attempts. And for the AH64 i use an Xbox controller with lots of buttons for CPG control of the TEDAC. So in the end other than start up throttle use, i dont need the mouse or keyboard and dont need to lift the headset.
VR is the greatest upgrade for DCS and in the future will only get better.
Wow! what a great rig!! Im glad your having fun in VR!!
ahhhh the rabbit hole of building the pc around VR :). It truly is breathtaking for the experience and the wallet. First time I got my rig running decently in VR it put me in tears.
HAHAHA good on ya Mooch .... you are now .... One of us .... One of us
Welcome to the VR Familie 💪💪
hey mooch. i've only ever flown in vr. one thing i can definitely recommend is getting some little rubber nubs that have adhesive on one side. use those on keys you use very often on your keyboard so you don't have to lift your headset so often.
Thanks for the tip!
Helped me tremendously! Was constantly lifting up my headset but it wasn't immersive. almost never lift it up now.
I fly mainly helicopters in DCS and VR is game changing, having the depth perspective makes helo flying more intuitive. I have the same headset and openxr, visuals are great, but I do have a nasa spec rig.
I'm brand new to DCS but a long time flight simmer. I had never tried VR before but I bought a headset in anticipation of the release of MSFS 2020. I now own 3 VR headsets (Rift S/HP Reverb G2/Valve Index) and fly exclusively in VR. Thanks for the video.
LOL I wish I could fly the Tomcat as smoothly as Mooch transitions to a Ridge wallet commercial. Smooth. As. Silk.
So pleased to see you come aboard DCS VR! My rig is a potato compared to what you have, but I have it running very satisfactorily!
Watching your journey into this world has been so fun to see.
Nice episode Ward. Now you have an RTX 4090 and good CPU the next step is either the Varjo Aero VR headset or the upcoming Pimax Crystal. I used to use an HP Reverb G2 and it was good but I found it hard to use to spot distant ground targets. Folks mentioned the Aero unit was better than the Reverb G2 but not worth the steep price differential. After a long while I decided to get the Aero and consider it totally worth it as it is so much clearer than the Reverb G2. It makes a difference, at least while my eyes remain good enough to notice the pixel differences. One thing is the manufacturer of the Aero does have problems with dust contamination on the lenses, so I needed to return my unit for fixing and apparently this is not uncommon - but since you have generous Patreons I'm sure they'd like to see you sporting a Varjo Aero soon as your rig can power it for the next-level experience. As expensive as the Varjo Aero is, it is still not as expensive as units that have pass-through video (which allows a keybind to use a camera to see your hands and keyboard, or even fancier, units that blend the VR image with your surroundings using masked areas).
What you are missing is a couple of lense inserts so that you can take off your glasses. I did this right after buying my headset. I had dabbled a bit with a friend's headset of course wearing the glasses underneath. It is so much more comfortable and relaxing on the eyes, if you use corrective inserts.
This was a great breakdown of how to get into DCS VR! Well done! I had almost forgot how much of a of a struggle it is to get it set up correctly when starting out... Looks like you have gotten some great advice with OpenXR, OpenXR Toolkit and MT. And of course the 4090 does help a lot. Glad you are enjoying DCS VR.
I'll have to keep this in mind. I plan to jump into DCS with the F-15E release using the same headset. Always fun getting to fly your old jet at home.
Great video Ward, thank you!
I took up VR in DCS just over a year ago and was amazed. At first, do low altitude maneuvers actually gave me an upset stomach :)
Way to go Ward! I have to rebuild my rig. My whole gaming system was stolen several weeks ago. I flew in track IR at first then made the switch to VR ( HP REVERB G2).
Your videos are some of the most information dense content available! Great video on the VR setup experience.
Hi Ward, I've been a long time watcher, and recently getting more involved in DCS modding. I'm also a big VR user and with the specs you mentioned, I'd thoroughly recommend the Varjo Aero headset. It's heavy on the wallet for sure, but offers fantastic resolution and clarity. I started with the Vive headset, went to Oculus Rift, HP Reverb G2 then Varjo Aero. Enjoy the experience and immersion regardless of your headset you choose!. Regards, DLB.
I love seeing someone like you discovering the amzingness youtube CAN offer
greetings from germany
Welcome to the expensive hobby of DCS Mr. Carroll!
I love DCS in VR. I only have a 3070 and an oculus rift. So resolution is bad. But it is so much fun! It gives me such great situational awareness.
Some really good tips here, I'm just about to take the dive into VR sim setup too. Many thanks, friendly skies, gentle winds and all that guff. 👍
Nice setup, Ward. Enjoy the VR experience!
Great review. I jumped to VR a few years ago simply because immersion is unmatched. I run an H2 on an RTX 2070, just like your original rig. It's barely adequate, and resolution and frame rate are not great, but it works. It's time to upgrade and I appreciate your comments on your new system. Thanks!
I just started DCS about five months ago myself. Still using track IR and I love it but can’t wait to make the leap to VR soon. That is one bad ass Rig though I’m sure that 4090 changes the whole simulation inside and out!
I've been a PC gamer since the 80s and have always built my own rigs starting in 1992. I appreciate the "tech warp" of you learning and exploring the in's and outs of building a DCS rig to RECREATE what you as a Tomcat RIO got to live in real life. The fact these two worlds are converging so well now is epic! 👍. Is the RIO role of DCS fleshed out enough for you to really enjoy it, or do you like the flying role more now?
Great video Mooch. As someone who spent their formative years on early internet, it's always good to see an "old dog" learn this high speed tech. Love what you do and what you've done.
If you're looking for the next best thing for vr, i suggest keeping a close eye on the hmd called bigscreen beyond vr. Super lightweight and small form, but with massive resolution and performance numbers. Expensive, but that would really get the most out of the 4090. Oh also its custom made to your face shape and eye prescription, so no need for glasses underneath. Releasing late 2023 btw.
You need a Jet seat now. Get that tacile feedback from little things like flares but more obvious ones like afterburners and G's. The ultimate being a motion rig.
I’m really excited to get into DCS VR, I’ve been waiting to purchase a 4090 capable computer, I’m really putting thought into each purchase