Microstick X/Y and Cursor Movement Up/Down/Left/Right
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Hello Everyone,
might be a silly question, but what is the correct binding for the microstick in relation to cursor movement ?
I’m asking this because there are different informations (if any) available.
I think in old Cougar profiles for FalconAF are resulting in thumb up (away from you) > cursor right.
When I follow the BMS setup documents it results in thumb up > cursor up (what means microstick right).
I attach a picture which illustrate this.
But question is, what is correct/realistic ?Best wishes Sven
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Hi Sven,
I am using the TUSBA R2 to connect my Cougar throttle directly to my computer via USB.
(This is instead of having the Cougar stick between the throttle and the computer. I use a Warthog stick instead of a Cougar stick.)
I just opened the RS_HID_DEV_TOOL program, which allows the user of a TUSBA to set up and calibrate the axes and buttons of the Cougar throttle.
What I saw in that program matches what you showed in your attached photo:
When I push my radar cursor button in the direction that you call “Cursor UP”, the “Microstick Y” value increases.
When I push my radar cursor button in the direction that you call “Cursor DOWN”, the “Microstick Y” value decreases.
When I push my radar cursor button in the direction that you call “Cursor LEFT”, the “Microstick X” value decreases.
When I push my radar cursor button in the direction that you call “Cursor RIGHT”, the “Microstick Y” [Edit: Actually Microstick X] value increases.
I was quite confused by the “Microstick X (or Y)” conventions before I saw your post, but your annotated photograph explains this very nicely. If we just think of the labeling of the axes (and the two ends of each axis) as being like you showed in the photo, everything makes sense. A photo like that would be a really helpful thing for anyone setting up their throttle.
… However, I will admit, this still leaves some confusion when we actually use the radar cursor on the MFDs. Pushing the cursor button in the direction you’ve called “Cursor LEFT” moves the cursor UP on the MFD screen. So, that’s still a little strange, but at least we don’t have to do as much trial and error when setting up our throttles now.
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Ok, here we go…
In good old Falcon 4 Vanilla days I used the horizontal axes (X-Axes) to move the MFD radar cursor left/right.
Then a Jagstang setup for Falcon SP3 came up, this uses the horizontal axis (X-Axes) to move the MFD radar cursor Up/Down.
First I was a litte confused, but that makes also sense to me if you look at your thumb and “Thumbs Up” (that means stretching the thumb horizontal to the right) causes the MFD Cursor Up. It took a little time to relearn but went well after a while.But this is different to that you posted, if I understand that correct.
So I went through the BMS Setup “BMS Device Setup Guide”.
To simplify things I only talk about the X-axis (horizontal when the throttle is in middle position).
CCP Axis Mapping: Microstick X is the Windows Axis # 7.
In the Hotas Cougar Viewer this is Axes “S2”.
In the Falcon BMS User Interface Setup > Controllers I use the “BMS - BasicDX TM Cougar.key” file, but I think this is irrelevant because the axis mapping is in the Advanced Options.
Now, under “Advanced Options” > “Avionics Control” the axis “Cursor Y” has to be mapped to “Toe Brake Left” according to the Setup Guide.
The “Toe Brake Left” is the “Microstick X” axes in the end.In the simulator streching the thumb to the right (labeled “Cursor Up” in my first post) causes the MFD Cursor to move UP .
That is what I expected since my days with Falocn SP3.But from time to time I am not shure this is correct.
And your post shows me that many pilots are using the horizontal axes to move the cursor left/right instead of my up/down setup.
So I wonder what is realistic…Another screen attached…
Best Wishes Sven
I hope you can still follow, english is not my native language….
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Hi Baderic,
It occurs to me now that I may be doing it wrong.
On my TUSBA R2 RS_HID_DEV_TOOL program, the labels “microstick X” and “microstick Y” match your photo. That makes sense to me.
I am using the Alternative Launcher to assign my axes to the sim. I just opened the Alternative Launcher, and looked at how I’ve assigned my axes…
… sure enough, I’ve done it backward! I have the following assignments:
Cursor X: TUSBA Y
Cursor Y: TUSBA X
I think I can reconstruct my “thought process” (if one can call my mental processes “thoughts”, lol), and see why I did that:
When my Cougar throttle is in the middle position, about halfway between idle and AB, I look at the face of the cursor button, and I imagine that the face of the button is an MFD screen. An upward deflection of the cursor button would move the cursor upward on the MFD, and so on.
But your method makes sense, too, and I can see how it might be better. I wouldn’t be surprised if your way is how the real F-16 cursor switch works. And I’ll bet most people who use Cougar throttles in BMS do it the way you do it.
I should try your way, I can see how a person could re-learn the cursor fairly quickly.
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With the throttle full forward, push it away from you to push the radar cursor away from you, or up in the MFD.
Or simply go with what you prefer!
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With the throttle full forward, push it away from you to push the radar cursor away from you, or up in the MFD.
Or simply go with what you prefer!
Malc, thank you ! That makes absolute sense. No longer left/right-thinking watching at the microstick. Push the microstick away > pushes the MFD cursor away…… How could this be so difficult ?
Maybe that’s the way in the real F-16 also…All the best, Sven