Monitor Importance Opinions

[dbh991]

I am now using a 14" 1024 x 768 monitor.  Am I at a noticeable disadvantage in a dogfight, all else being equal, to someone using a 21.5" 1920 x 1080 monitor?  Reason for asking is I am considering upgrading my monitor from/to as described above and am wondering if it is worth the bother/money.  Eye candy I don't need, ability to stay competitive I do.  Thanks in advance.  Also, I use a TrackIR if that makes any difference (love the TrackIR).

[Tigger29]

Wow a 14" monitor at 1024X768... is that an old CRT monitor?

Of course you are at a disadvantage in a dogfight.  To be honest, us with bigger monitors don't really see MORE than people with smaller monitors see... but what we do see is much more detail in what we DO see on the screen.  This is not about eye candy so much, it's about making out a plane way off in the distance and seeing it in enough detail to determine which way it is facing, how fast it is going, and perhaps even get an idea as to what kind of plane it is.  What would be just a little 'blob' on your screen will be a fuselage with wings and engines on a bigger monitor (with a higher resolution).

Have you read the Aces High graphics guide?  If not click HERE.. it's a good read.

Anyway, the question is if your video card will handle a higher resolution?  If you are struggling to maintain a decent level of performance at 1024X768, then you might really have problems running 1920X1080 as it has almost three times the number of pixels to draw.

[Ghosth]

in a word, yes.

Last year I went from a 17" crt to a 23" widescreen, effectively doubling the screen size.
When I did I went from being able to see what someone's wing was doing at 600 yards to being able to see what someones wing was doing at 3k yards.

Gunnery and general ACM improved almost instantly.

FYI I only spent 200$ on that 23".

[dbh991]

Wow a 14" monitor at 1024X768... is that an old CRT monitor?

Yes.  I think of myself as 'frugal'.  My wife describes me as 'cheap'.

My recently upgraded graphics card is more than up to the task of supporting the larger monitor.

I have my eye on a few monitors on ebay as described.

Thanks to you and others for the input.  I will go for the monitor upgrade.

[Tigger29]

I will go for the monitor upgrade.

Prepare to be blown away...

[Dichotomy]

in a word, yes.

Last year I went from a 17" crt to a 23" widescreen, effectively doubling the screen size.
When I did I went from being able to see what someone's wing was doing at 600 yards to being able to see what someones wing was doing at 3k yards.

Gunnery and general ACM improved almost instantly.

FYI I only spent 200$ on that 23".

I swear if it's one of the last things I do I'm going to get you a 30" smallfry

[Dichotomy]

Yes.  I think of myself as 'frugal'.  My wife describes me as 'cheap'.

My recently upgraded graphics card is more than up to the task of supporting the larger monitor.

I have my eye on a few monitors on ebay as described.

Thanks to you and others for the input.  I will go for the monitor upgrade.

DB

Just for the record.  It doesn't matter how good your equipment is (and trust me mines top of the line) getting good is all about the guy looking at the monitor and handling the controls.  Not saying don't upgrade. By all means do.  This is pretty much the only hobby I have so I sink my disposable income into it and I don't deal with wife ack anymore (thank whatever deity you choose).  My next upgrade will be a TD built system, followed by a triple head set up, then a gradual replacement of my CH gear before this wears out.  I'll still be horrible but I'll be having fun regardless

[guncrasher]

I have beaten some really great sticks in dogfight because I had trackir.  Sometimes it is the controls.

Semp

[Bruv119]

in a word, yes.

Last year I went from a 17" crt to a 23" widescreen, effectively doubling the screen size.
When I did I went from being able to see what someone's wing was doing at 600 yards to being able to see what someones wing was doing at 3k yards.

Gunnery and general ACM improved almost instantly.

FYI I only spent 200$ on that 23".

this and CH products  =  win.     

[RTHolmes]

Last year I went from a 17" crt to a 23" widescreen, effectively doubling the screen size.
When I did I went from being able to see what someone's wing was doing at 600 yards to being able to see what someones wing was doing at 3k yards.

Gunnery and general ACM improved almost instantly.

FYI I only spent 200$ on that 23".

same here

[Infidelz]

http://www.projectorpeople.com/projectors/projdtls.asp?itemid=24987&itmname=Panasonic+PT-AE4000U&sid=GAPA&gclid=CMSCpZrL8qYCFRVx5QodhWCFDg

Stop monitor envy!

Fly Panasonic!

[ebfd11]

I went all out when I upgaded and got myself 3 23 inch widescreen monotors. Now granted it comes in handy because I can see what's at my 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock out of the corner of my eye, but it still doesn't make me a better pilot. BUT it looks AWESOME. I would say look at the different web sites and do a side by side comparison and look in the local best but or if all else fails go to wally world and check then out. (Guess where I got my monitors?) LOL yes they were wallyworld monitors but what the hey, I waznted I got, nuff said.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

http://www.projectorpeople.com/projectors/projdtls.asp?itemid=24987&itmname=Panasonic+PT-AE4000U&sid=GAPA&gclid=CMSCpZrL8qYCFRVx5QodhWCFDg

Stop monitor envy!

Fly Panasonic!

Projectors require a dark room to operate properly they're hardly a solution for the majority of people. If you can stand sitting in a dark room playing, then a dual projector setup can give a nice widescreen view with zero bezels though. I'm currently building a dedicated projector room with no windows and 100% embedded system (meaning the projector and the computer are encased behind a wall so the fan noise doesn't bother the viewing).

[Infidelz]

Projectors require a dark room to operate properly they're hardly a solution for the majority of people. If you can stand sitting in a dark room playing, then a dual projector setup can give a nice widescreen view with zero bezels though. I'm currently building a dedicated projector room with no windows and 100% embedded system (meaning the projector and the computer are encased behind a wall so the fan noise doesn't bother the viewing).

How do you know that all but a few poor souls don't have projectors already? Aren't you getting one? You almost make it sound so negative yet, you are doing it. Should we follow your example? What are you trying to say? I hope you understand my confusion as you go from not a solution to I am doing it in one paragraph. Amazing, will you run for President?

Infidelz. 

[MrRiplEy[H]]

How do you know that all but a few poor souls don't have projectors already? Aren't you getting one? You almost make it sound so negative yet, you are doing it. Should we follow your example? What are you trying to say? I hope you understand my confusion as you go from not a solution to I am doing it in one paragraph. Amazing, will you run for President?

Infidelz. 

I have a HD projector for home cinema purposes, yes. For general gaming it can never replace a monitor the same way as it can't replace a regular TV in our household. Clear enough answer?