Not yet. I’ve blown up some stuff on the ground, and raced a Strela-1M (at Mach 1.2, he didn’t even get a shot off on me; I can now say the MiG-21 is faster than a missile). I’m planning on tweaking my shooting range mission today to add some stuff the MiG can more easily handle after work today. Right now it’s a bit intense, and I need some nice sitting ducks to start with. :P
Editer
1742
Once I heard that even the “consumer preview” version of Rift isn’t likely to be available until this time next year, I went ahead and ordered a DK2.
I mean, we could all be dead in a year.
Can’t WAIT to fly sims with it.
TimJames
1743
Yeah I started down this path of logic since I want to play Elite early next year. But TrackIR is good enough for now, and I can always play one of the other 57 space sims in development when the Rift comes out.
Not to mention, I have enough trouble coming up with Christmas gifts.
JeffL
1744
Thanks Denny, I wish you had a mag too, so you could edit them and make them better posts. ;) Now I need to run some kids off of my lawn…
I wrote up my thoughts on the MiG-21 to date—mostly chatter about its good and bad qualities from an airplane perspective, not so much from a part-of-a-game perspective. I also don’t go into depth on some of the current, post-release bugs (here’s my nitpicky one; most are similarly nitpicky). There are a few flight modeling issues the MiG-21 team is working through, relating to high-altitude flight and suspension on takeoff and landing, and a few performance issues they’ve nearly optimized away (right now, the MiG is pretty, but dreadful on framerate). Key bindings are also a little annoying, in that there are separate keystrokes for ‘on’ and ‘off’ for everything, and no option for toggles.
Even with the warts, though, I’d say it’s a pretty solid release. I’m not too surprised they’ve run into some problems, with DCS in the pre-engine-change state of flux it’s in, and their being the first true third-party developer to release a DCS module. They’re already making progress fixing the things that aren’t working quite right, and I’m pretty sure the MiG will end up joining the Ka-50 on my DCS list of favorites.
I went to my first air show in 20 years recently. I’m pumped up to play Falcon 4.0 now! Well, in a few months anyway. :)
So I’m still enamored with Wings over Flanders Fields, and a new 2.0 patch is coming out that adds terrain shadowing, and it’s GORGEOUS.
There’s also a new expansion pack on the way that adds zeppelins!
Can’t wait!
Man, does that look good.
I’ve moved from MiG-21 acolyte to expert relatively quickly, except in one aspect: it remains the hardest simulated plane to land in my hangar. Those tiny delta wings mean you’re crossing the threshold at 200 knots. On top of that, air from the engine is vented over the flaps to increase lift at low speeds, so if you cut the throttle too far, you drop out of the sky and break the landing gear.
Leatherneck Simulations released a new patch this morning, which fixes a lot of the initial post-release bugs. They’ve been model developers so far, in terms of communications, managing expectations, and getting stuff done in a timely fashion.
I went to the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome last month in NY for the first time last month. I just so happened to go the same week that they were doing the historic radio controlled planes and had a blast. They had a half scale model airplane that I couldn’t even believe was flying. It was freaking huge. The actual show was very cheesy, but where else am I going to see a DR1 flying?
As for the 2.0 update for OFF. I’m very excited about that. I’ve been busy with other things and haven’t touched the game in well over a month, but I just love what they are doing with the game. The only thing I’m worried about is that the next expansion will be overpriced. They aren’t the greatest about pricing stuff, but it is also such a niche that I kind of get it. I just want people bailing out of flaming planes. That would complete my old RB3d days. :)
Old Rhinebeck came extremely highly recommended to me, but I moved to Texas from Pennsylvania before I got a chance to go. Alas.
So, the Saitek X55 Rhino…
Anyone got any thoughts on these? With Elite coming along I am getting itchy on picking up a HOTAS, plus I have never really got into DCS and a few others for the same reason. Are they any good? Warthog is way out of my price range (wife would skin me alive), so the X55 is on my radar.
Other internet consensus ranges from ‘awesome’ to ‘Saitek have shit QA and these have issues’. Wondering if anyone here has any experience with these before I go pick one up. Are there any other significant alternatives <~$300?
jpinard
1752
I read on the Elite forums that if you have small hands the X55 can get very uncomfortable as all the hat switches are so high. The X52 Pro is adjustable in that respect and quite nice but it’s a lot older and the software isn’t as easy to use. The only other options I’d suggest is going cheap for a Thrusmaster X HOTAS. You really want a throttle for Elite and as many hat switches as you can get.
Editer
1753
I had a Saitek X52 Pro and really liked it. Then at some point after the warranty ended, the electronics in the joystick failed. (Throttle worked fine.) I contacted Saitek to see how much it would cost to repair it. They said they only do warranty service, no paid repairs. Only option was to buy a whole new joystick. That might be acceptable for a $39 joystick, but not for a $199 HOTAS system.
After that, went from Saitek fan to never-again-a-customer.
Switched to a Logitech G940, which I really like, but it looks like Logitech isn’t making them anymore. :(
copet
1754
Anyone play Rise of Flight still and wanna get together and play sometime? I only have like, 5 to 10 hours in it but it’s so beautiful and fun :)
schurem
1755
I also have a logitech G940, but i wouldnt have bought it if I could have tried it on for size for a week or so. The stick is too imprecise and is too loose. It doesnt come close to the stick I tried to replace with it, the microsoft force feedback pro 2.
I dont have the dough to go shopping for expensive trinkets, so the g940 will have to do for elite for now. If I could re-do my choice, i think i would have bought the saitek X52pro.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but it looks like BMS is the best way to play Falcon 4 these days.
[EDIT] I’m all set, thanks.
BMS was such a mess for me. The joystick axes i wanted to map wouldn’t show up in the game.
Somewhat of a shame since it’s something I’d love to get back into, but as it stands, waaaay too much work to get it stable, running and playable.
Yeah Fishbreath said something similar via PM. I’ll check it out and report back. I need a new joystick and throttle combo anyway so I’ll just have to find one that works!
Editer
1759
Big savings on DCS add-ons starting at 1 pm PT and running for the next two days:
DCS: F-86F Sabre: $49.99 to $14.99 (70% off)
DCS: Fw 190 D-9 Dora: $49.99 to $14.99 (70% off)
DCS: UH-1H Huey: $49.99 to $14.99 (70% off)
DCS: Mi-8MTV2 Magnificent Eight: 49.99 to $14.99 (70% off)
DCS: Flaming Cliffs 3: $39.99 to $11.99 (70% off)
DCS: A-10C Warthog: $39.99 to $11.99 (70% off)
DCS: Black Shark 2: $39.99 to $11.99 (70% off)
DCS: P-51D Mustang: $29.99 to $8.99 (70% off)
DCS: Combined Arms: $19.99 to $5.99 (70% off)
F-15C for DCS World: $9.99 to $2.99 (70% off)
A-10A for DCS World: $9.99 to $2.99 (70% off)
Su-25 for DCS World: $9.99 to $2.99 (70% off)
DCS: MiG-21Bis: $49.99 to $44.99 (10% off)
Gonna have to pick up the Sabre and Dora at those prices! I’d been meaning to get the Sabre already but procrastination paid off. Might even get the Mi-8 at that price.
The MiG is tempting, but that’s a lotta money for a jet…
On the one hand, it has a campaign, and the Sabre doesn’t yet, and I really, really like the MiG. On the other hand, it still has some rough edges, and it’ll be ten percent off or more again not far down the line. If you’re on the fence, wait for it, and get to know the Sabre and Dora a little.
