POLL - Virtual Cockpit or Old School 2D?

[nharwood]

I have yet to embrace the virtual cockpit but I think I might be missing out. What say you?

[Audiohavoc]

Trackir and the virtual cockpit is the only way to fly for me. The immersion and realism is much greater than the 2d cockpit

[hawkeyeted]

My machine doesn't do well with the VC. And, I just don't see the hype in it.....but that's just me. Not going to judge those who do like it.

[Ken S]

2D for me on a Gateway FPDW2485 - 24" Widescreen LCD monitor.

[John Khan]

I like them both provided it is a good quality VP.

Compare these,




If nothing else the view forward is far better from the VC.

These are frpm my 26" Samsung monitor set at 1280X1024. It is always possible to zoom in and out if some things are hard to read on the VC, and I have the most used windows, such as FMS, undocked and on my second monitor.

Again, just click on them to get the full shots, and then try to imagine them on the 26".

John

[nharwood]

Those that DO use VC, do you change the eye point? The thing I like the least about VC is how odd the angle looks when viewing the overhead panel and pedestal. I just wonder if there is a better position to view from in some cases.

[nwadc10]

Those that DO use VC, do you change the eye point? The thing I like the least about VC is how odd the angle looks when viewing the overhead panel and pedestal. I just wonder if there is a better position to view from in some cases.

I was thinking the same thing, the view looking at the overhead is below tolerable for me. I am a hardcore 2D guy so the only VC plane PMDG put out has got me nervous that they are going to forget about us 2D guys in the future.

For me to switch to VC, the system has to be much more realstic than it is today. I'm talking about some motion sensing glasses with visuals built in where your head motion is a proper scale to what you see on the "screen". TrackIR looks intreging and it gets us much closer to what I'm looking for, but not close enough. I wish I could try TrackIR without buying it because maybe it does work realistic enough.

[John Khan]

I find it best to move to the center of the cockpit (with Ctrl+Shift+Enter), move eye level up, (with the button on the joystick),and then use the + or - to ZOOM forward or back.

If necessary MOVE forward or back with Shift+Enter or back with Shift+Backspace, again to get a propper view.

The zooming (with +, -) and the moving (with Shift+Enter and Shift+Backspace) are quite different for the resulting views.

It sounds a bit complicated but isn't when you are more used to it.

The thing I find hard sometimes with the VC is that when changing settings such as Altitude, Speed, and VS Selection, it is difficult to keep the "hand" in the right place to operate the required button, and end up selecting the thing instead of adjusting it.

So I use both the 2D abd VC as necessary, but the views from the VC are so much better.



In the PMDG 747 you can "undock" the Panel Selector so it is available with the VC. and use it to select the other panels.

As mentioned I have 2 monitors so put the most used panels undocked on the second monitor.

John

[Audiohavoc]

The nice thing about trackir is that it makes it feel like you are in the cockpit, and you can use quick keys to not only freeze/unfreeze the movement, but also to recenter as needed, like after moving to get comfortable. I can't recommend it more and it is just as important as quality flight controls are in my opinion to the simming experience.

[Brogs]

I think you need the tracking system to appreciate the VC, for those of us without it its more efficient with the 2D, but VC is best for the Views without a doubt

[Oskvaz]

Definitely, I prefer VC, is much more immersive and the views are incomparable .. If I need more precision I use the undocked panels.

[nharwood]

Thanks for all the feedback, and John, the keyboard shortcuts are great. Maybe after the holidays I'll get me a Track IR and see if I can't get used to this VC stuff.

[Audiohavoc]

Thanks for all the feedback, and John, the keyboard shortcuts are great. Maybe after the holidays I'll get me a Track IR and see if I can't get used to this VC stuff.

Once you fly with TrackIR, you will never want to do without it.