Author Topic: Padlock, Tracker, View mode questions (Read 668 times)

Uriah · « **on:** February 16, 2007, 08:27:25 PM »

I see following (and yes I checked FAQ and looked for info)

Padlock Direction Mode: what does this do? Do I have to press the key for that value to be able to padlock at all? If not, what value do I press. I say value becasue I don't want to know the 'key' like F12

Padlock Friendly Toggle: I don't see any 'Padlock Enemy Toggle'. Does this swith between friendly and enemy?

What is all this
Tracker Center
Tracker Mode move
pan
snap
off

And
View Mode External/internal chase and particuarly fixed.
I think you can only be in internal view mode when off flying in an areana - is that right? If so Chase mode is invalid?

Any help much appreciated.

B@tfinkV · « **Reply #1 on:** February 16, 2007, 09:30:08 PM »

you need to use the TAB key whilst looking at your target just like giving a check 6 call to a friendly, it will pick the icon the most central to the current view. once you have a target selected pressing F11 will then lock onto the icon when ever possible. you will however lose track if the target passes on your underside, but all you must do is locate that icon again and the lock takes it from there.

if you want to track friendly icons you must first enbale the friendly lock pressing CTRL TAB. now you will be able to select both red and gren icons for the padlock.

as a side note i would advise not using this mode unless you are forced to with joystick issues, it will not help your spacial awareness at all.

Uriah · « **Reply #2 on:** February 17, 2007, 01:30:41 PM »

I want to know what these functions do, not the key to hit.

Blagard · « **Reply #3 on:** February 17, 2007, 03:17:30 PM »

I believe Tracker is for the Third party software known as TrackIR

Pan and Snap are normal view modes.
Pan is a very fast panning view from one view to another
Snap is an instantaneous change of view with no panning action

I much prefer Pan as you sometimes get a glimpse of an enemy you had not seen!

Padlock is a system where your view automatically tracks a "locked" enemy or friend, until it is not visible from a view such as below you.

The big down-side of Padlock is you are fixated and cannnot quickly check your other views. e.g. if you are lining up on someones 6 for a kill in padlock, It would not be easy to check your own six for an enemy that is saddling up on you!

My advice would be to use Pan and map your views and use then all the time checking all around you even when you spot one enemy that you want to try and shoot down.

Uriah · « **Reply #4 on:** February 19, 2007, 08:24:25 AM »

Thanks Blagard. Looks like I can dispense with them because I have TrackIR.

Blagard · « **Reply #5 on:** February 19, 2007, 02:51:59 PM »

Uriah,

From what I understand about it, you may want to map a forward view button to disable TrackIR when you are making a shot. Try a search on TrackIR in the forum for advice from those who use it here.

bounder · « **Reply #6 on:** February 26, 2007, 11:37:20 AM »

Being in Padlock Mode (f11) does not stop you from checking your other views. You must visually acquire your target manually to padlock onto it again.

That said, it's still a tricky view to use and yes, you do end up target fixated.

Blagard · « **Reply #7 on:** February 26, 2007, 01:51:37 PM »

I have some explaining to do after giving some bad advice. Too much time in the air and not enough in the various set ups!

I incorrectly called Pan very fast panning and Snap as instantaneous

In the Clipboard/Preferences/View there are basically three view options

Instant - This is the instantaneous view I was thinking of.
TrackIR - This is for third party software TrackIR.
Snap - This is the very fast panning action I had in mind.

I have never used padlock direction mode with snap but think it may be simply the same padlock view otherwise obtained by pressing F11 (See next but one paragraph).

In addition there is the F8 key "Pan" - This is a panning action that is not really very fast. When enabled through key F8 your normal view keys control a panning action instead of going to actual points of view. It can be handy in bombers and gun batteries when used with F3 the external view mode (not available to fighters online but OK in bombers online)

Padlock is a bit similar to "Pan" It is an automated panning action once you have "locked" an aircraft in view. Usually the enemy! F11 enables it and then you use the "Tab" key to cycle through the potential enemy targets to lock in view. Control + Tab is to enable friendly padlock.
As Bounder says, you can overide the Padlock View with a point of view selection, but as soon as you release the point of view, it swings back to the padlocked aircraft, providing it is still visible!

Chase view is just that, a bit like a camera view from a drogue you are towing. Might be OK in reviewing films but not a lot else IMO

The views are nicely listed on the Trainers Site Quick Reference sheet

here

Hitting "F1" will take you back to the default view.
Some views available offline are not available online in the Main Arena, in particular external views in Fighters and GV's are offline or Training Arena only