Thrustmaster HOTAS X ( I KNOW.. )

[MGD99]

Hello guys im in need of great help. At the moment I am running Falcon 4 BMS and its working well - that is of course, basic handling. However I need help with the radar and fcm. I did a course at RAF Linton on Ouse a few weeks ago using the same software so I know how to control things. My point here is that I dont really know what to assign and what it does, where to assign it and how to use it. I am having great difficulty using the air to air combat radar as I cannot lock on to anything as I dont know which buttons to use.

If possible could someone design me a keyinput for my controller and also really really simplify the keyboard. I mean I wont be using any complicated features any time soon so basics please. Furthermore if someone could explain a little in short the air to air combat things. Also air to ground

Thanks!

[drtbkj]

MGD,
First, welcome to BMS!
I found success using the keystrokes keyfile in BMS. There are other good ones, like Dunc’s ( in your install’s doc folder). Excuse me if I’m not understanding , but it sounds to me like you’re trying to figure out TMS,DMS, etc. If so, your Docs folder has a lot of good stuff on that, too. The BMS Dash 1 manual is a good place to start.

[Dracfalcon]

For “Assign”, take a look at the link below. Go to approx 3:16 on the timeline.

[Metalhead]

My Joystick as an example if you want to take a look….
https://www.benchmarksims.org/forum/showthread.php?22579-Thrustmaster-T-Flight-Hotas-X-Flight-Stick-Profile&p=329881&viewfull=1#post329881

[Frederf]

BMS\Docs\Falcon BMS Manuals\BMS-Manual.pdf (p. 30-34)

It’s a pretty simple controller compared to the real thing as you know. The real item is very 4-way hat heavy (6 as I count them) plus a 7th if you need to move your pilot’s head. There actually aren’t that many single buttons. My strategy would be to use 0, 1, or 2 shift states combined with heavy keyboard use. Despite the numerous fingertip controls, only a few of them are really that necessary to have immediate access to in BMS. The pilot with less immediately access simply has to pre-plan more and accept slower reactions to changes but that fosters a good tactical mindset anyway (prepare, focus, decide).

Side Stick Controller
Trigger - High priority and very obvious bind placement.
Weapon Release - High priority and a similarly obvious placement.
Missile Step - Necessary and calm button except for switching missile types in combat.
Trim - Medium priority: It’s nice to have hands on but can usually be ignored until a calm moment.
TMS - High priority: Radar management switch. It’s possible to slim this down to just the up/down directions.
DMS - Low priority: Display management for preparation or calm moments.
CMS - Low priority: Countermeasures/ECM can be automated and prepared. Use slap switch for flare manual reaction.
Paddle Switch - Low priority: Autopilot suspend. Just turn it off and back on instead.
Pinky Switch - Medium priority: Expanded views are handy to get a clearer picture on various sensors.

Throttle Grip
Comm Switch - Low priority*: Datalink and radios, a calm task. *Multiplayer IVC communications demands 1-2 push to talk keys.
Manual Range Knob/Uncage - Low priority: Despite the name it handles TGP zoom and AG-FCR gain, a calm-ish task. Uncage can matter a lot though.
Antenna Elevation - Medium priority: Skews the radar vertical. With experience it gets use in the BVR arena.
DGFT/MRM Override - Medium priority: The most handy switch in the jet but could easily be keyboard.
Speed Brake - Low priority: Used during formation flight and landing, similar to trim.
Cursor/Enable - High priority: Slewing sensors is a constant hands-on task. The enable button can be very necessary in combat.

T.Flight Hotas X
1 - Trigger
2 - Weapon Release
3 - Missile Step
4 - TMS Up TMS Down
5 - Uncage
6 - Cursor Enable
7 - Speed Brake Toggle
8 - SHIFT
9 - Cursor Up
10 - Cursor Down
11 - Antenna Elevation+ Manual Range+
12 - Antenna Elevation+ Manual Range-
X - Bank
Y - Pitch
THROTTLE - Throttle
TWIST -
RUDDER - Cursor X