CH equipment setup

[texasfighter]

I bought the CH fighterstick, throttles and rudder pedals. My old equipment is just a Logitech Pro Extreme. I got out just the fighterstick last night and plugged it in. Went to the TA and crashed on takeoff. No rudder control.

Here is the most important question right now. Can I install all of this equipment and work setting it up the way I want over the next three weeks and switch back to the Logitech stick each time I fly with my squadron? The folks who said the CH equipment takes relearning how to do nearly everthing were right. In the FSO, we have to take off from and land on a carrier. I can't do that right now with the fighterstick/ rudder pedals. It's hard enough to land a Corsair much less a Seafire having done it a hundred times with the Logitech! Obviously I don't want to wait three weeks to work on installing the new equipment. It appears that the game does keep my old settings when I switch back to the Logitech but I want to be real sure that is the case. Also, should I back up the settings files before I install the CH equipment? I would think so .... what are all of the files I would need to back up. Actually I may back up all of the AH files on a DVD now that I think about it.

Now, assuming I can switch back and forth between the Logitech and the CH trio: I am open to advice as to how to proceed with installation. It seems the way to go is to install fighterstick and pedals first. Setup buttons on the fighterstick second. Setup buttons on the throttle last. Views is 1st priority on the buttons. I want to have one hand control of my viewing including up views if at all possible.

As to anchoring the pedals so they wont move, as well as the computer chair, I have in mind getting a plastic carpet protector and marking it and then cutting holes for the chair. For the pedals, I would either cut small holes for the carpet spikes or possibly use velcro to anchor. Seems like velcro would be strong enough to hold it to the plastic. BTW, I have in mind the thicker plastic protector. The thin one I have now is going to have to go. The chairs wheels have already made indents in the plastic. Temorarily it is a good thing because it keeps my chair from moving while flying. But it is not going to do the job of protecting the carpet over the long run. Plastic instead of plywood because of wife ack. She is NOT going to like the idea of plywood no matter what color I paint it. My study is next to the front door so everybody sees in it when they come in.

So would all of you CH engineers please chime in?
Thanks!
Tex

[zack1234]

super glue the carpet spikes to the pedals

The game remembers what you are using as long as you use the same usb ports for each controller.

When I use my force feedback stick or st290 it is remembered by the game

There are some good settings for the fighter stick on the forums for scaling etc

[Bizman]

AFAIK AH will remember each stick you have mapped. It could be wise to unplug those you aren't using to eliminate conflicts, though. Also, checking that each function works as supposed before serious action. Making a copy of your "Settings" folder is good medicine for the unexpectable.

Try an anti slip mat under your pedals and other controllers. Cuttable to size i.e. invisible and washable in case it gets slippery. Doesn't work on carpet, though.

[morfiend]

 Tex,

  Be sure to goto map controls and select the rudder pedals in the controlers box at upper right. Then set the rudder pedals to yaw axis,you cam map the diff. brakes also,then do a calibration and you should be good for rudder!

   Take your time mapping out all the buttons,do the main controls and get used to where they are and which button does what.  Once you have the setup completely mapped,do as bizman said and make a copy of the settings folder and save it somewhere safe,I use a 2g zipdrive and save settings,sights,skins and maps on it. This makes reinstalling the game a snap.

  Next time you see me in the TA if you have any question plz feel free to shout at me!


   

[Drano]

For the pedals I gave up trying to get them to stay stuck to the carpet. I have a wall behind my desk and what I did was make a little "U" shaped frame out of pieces of plywood. I cut the two legs to a length that keeps the pedals where I want them. Now I can kick the crap out of them and they won't move forward or get skewed to one side.

I've had CH stuff since like forever. I'd say keep flying with it. Switching back and forth between sticks is never gonna get the button config on there burned into your mind. It's way better stuff.

[texasfighter]

Anybody with small hands like me using the CH Fighterstick? I am using the default views right now. The circular hat switch in the upper right has the back right and back left views on it. It is very difficult for me to operate it at the same time as the pinky button (for the up views). Using the pinky button for the up views works great ... easy. I just think I need to do views one handed if at all possible. I have even thought about reprogramming the castle hat switch (the one on the lower right) to do the right back and left back views. This is hopefully all temporary because someday I want to get TrackIR. But that will have to wait for Christmas at least.

I do have the CH Throttle which I haven't even go out of the box yet. Problem there is figuring out where to put it. I have a desk with a super wide keyboard tray (like 38") so I have from right to left: mouse, then Fighterstick, then keyboard. That leaves about 4" for the Throttle. Not enough. Hmmm I could try moving all of them over to the right a couple inches. Plus move the rudder pedals along with them. If I do that. then maybe I can put the right back and left back views on the Throttle. Has anybody done that?

BTW I have not yet anchored the rudder pedals to anything. I am not that violent in its use so it pretty much stays put. Eventually I will probably use the wooden "U" to contain it. That way I don't have to mess with the carpet or glue and can move it when necessary.

[The Fugitive]

Some people use a piece of the insulating foam that you put around pipes. It is split and if you put it at the base of the stick on the rest it can move your hand up higher to reach the hat switch better. Adding the throttle would help as you could program a button there for the "look up" button instead of the pinky one to help you out with that.

The pedals stay put with a few pieces of velco stuck to the bottom. Use the "hook" side and it will grab the carpet and stay where you put it.

I have a small tray, so I made this for mine.