Low Budget DCS Setup

[Chief Zuma]

As someone who is interested in this game but not definitely into it yet, I'm looking for some recommendations as to the "bare minimum" requirements one needs to enjoy this game, equipment-wise. I don't want to drop a few hundred dollars on a Warthog Hotas joystick or trackir just yet (not to mention the actual aircraft beyond the Su-25), but I want to play the game right.

-What's a reasonably good joystick to use that doesn't cost a fortune? I've got a Logitech 3D Pro, which I know isn't really suitable to DCS, but can I get away with using it?

-Is TrackIR absolutely necessary for conveniently managing the cockpit view? Am I going to just get slaughtered if I'm trying to use the mouse for that?

Thanks for your help and sorry for the text wall.

[NineLine]

Here are the specs

Minimum system requirements (LOW graphics settings): OS 64-bit Windows 7/8/10; DirectX11; CPU: Intel Core i3 at 2.8 GHz or AMD FX; RAM: 8 GB (16 GB for heavy missions); Free hard disk space: 60 GB; Discrete video card NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760 / AMD R9 280X or better; requires internet activation.

Recommended system requirements (HIGH graphics settings): OS 64-bit Windows 8/10; DirectX11; CPU: Core i5+ at 3+ GHz or AMD FX / Ryzen; RAM: 16 GB (32 GB for heavy missions); Free hard disk space: 120 GB on Solid State Drive (SSD); Discrete video card NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 / AMD Radeon RX VEGA 56 with 8GB VRAM or better; Joystick; requires internet activation.

Recommended VR systems requirements (VR graphics settings): OS 64-bit Windows 8/10; DirectX11; CPU: Core i5+ at 3+ GHz or AMD FX / Ryzen; RAM: 16 GB (32 GB for heavy missions); Free hard disk space: 120 GB on Solid State Drive (SSD); Discrete video card NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 / AMD Radeon RX VEGA 64 or better; Joystick; requires internet activation.

Logitech 3D Pro would be fine to start with the DCS World, obviously the more advanced aircraft your would have to use keyboard commands or mouse clicks. I started with this: http://www.thrustmaster.com/products/tflight-hotas-x and it worked fine to get started.

Track IR isnt absolutely necessary, but you will find once you get more into it, you will want some form of head tracking software, Track IR being the best.

Let me know if you have other questions.

[MiniMech]

I’ve got the Thrustmaster t16000 fcs hotas which works really well with dcs and as far as track ir goes I use the trackhat clip which I bought from there website as a great alternative it uses the ps3 eye cam with the red filter removed but comes with the clip if you get the complete kit which was only £48 pound another alternative is the delan clip which I’ve heard is really good to

[Chief Zuma]

This is very helpful! Thank you both! I think I'll probably use the logitech for now and see how that goes, and when I'm ready to move up a bit I might go for that Thrustmaster t16000, and if I'm really into it at that point maybe the TrackIR.

Thanks again!

[15lbbass]

+1 on the T1600 FCS....

[Freakshow]

If my TrackIR was to break, I wouldn't even play this game until I had it replaced.
But that's me..

Yeah, without TrackIR (or VR or whatever), you are going to have a very hard time keeping a visual on a jet that you are scissoring with and looping around with while dropping from 15,000 feet to 10,000 feet. It's something that you only think would be great until you get it, then you realize it's the most important part of the game.

But I'm an opinionated bastard.

[Vin.]

TrackIR was a game changer for me. It's honestly not cheap after the hardware + modules needed but it all boils down to how much you enjoy this.

[Chief Zuma]

Yeah, honestly I'm kind of struggling with the game right now. For a long time I've really enjoyed watching videos of other people playing it and it I enjoy the level of depth and complexity, but I'm just stuck on the ultrasteep learning curve. Part of me wonders if that's just because I'm fighitng an uphill battle having to mouse around instead of just turning my head, though I know it's a poor craftsman that blames the tools.

I guess I could kind of justify getting TrackIR since it's useful in a lot of other games I play like ETS2 and ATS, and to a small extent ARMA 3, but the pricetag really makes me hesitate.

[Vin.]

Originally posted by Chief Zuma:

Yeah, honestly I'm kind of struggling with the game right now. For a long time I've really enjoyed watching videos of other people playing it and it I enjoy the level of depth and complexity, but I'm just stuck on the ultrasteep learning curve. Part of me wonders if that's just because I'm fighitng an uphill battle having to mouse around instead of just turning my head, though I know it's a poor craftsman that blames the tools.

I guess I could kind of justify getting TrackIR since it's useful in a lot of other games I play like ETS2 and ATS, and to a small extent ARMA 3, but the pricetag really makes me hesitate.

TrackIR is an expensive convienence no doubt but really helpful. I personally have used it in ATS & Arma 3 as well.

[NineLine]

My only issue with TrackIR is when I try and turn my head while watching a YouTube video thinking my view will change :D

[FineV]

Originally posted by NineLine:

My only issue with TrackIR is when I try and turn my head while watching a YouTube video thinking my view will change :D

This happends to me more often then it should, Haha. TrackIR is serously a game changer. When I don't have my TrackIR on and I'm play DCS, I turn my head over and over again thinking my view will change. :D

-FineV

[Some Call Me Tim]

I've got a Track Hat which is much cheaper than a TrackIR here in the UK and as has been said before it really is a game changer for air combat. The Track Hat is a great package but if budget is a constraint you can get even cheaper options which are more a bit more DIY. I find it better than VR as at least it doesn't give you a headache and make you throw up! My main PC is a bit of a beast with 32GB ram and a GTX1080Ti which runs DCS perfectly but I also still run it on another PC which is an old Q6600 with 8GB ram and a GTX970 which runs it ok at lowish settings. 8GB ram is a bare minium though and more certainly helps as does running it from an SSD. Using a basic joystick is fine but upgrading to the Thrustmaster T16000 FCS Hotas is well recommended and great value for money. The precision is so much better than a basic stick and having all those buttons really helps. I've got the Thrustmaster rudder peddles too which really helps especailly with prop aircraft. Overall I'd say you can run DCS on a budget but the imersion is so much better with a few upgrades.

[Litva]

Originally posted by Chief Zuma:

As someone who is interested in this game but not definitely into it yet, I'm looking for some recommendations as to the "bare minimum" requirements one needs to enjoy this game, equipment-wise. I don't want to drop a few hundred dollars on a Warthog Hotas joystick or trackir just yet (not to mention the actual aircraft beyond the Su-25), but I want to play the game right.

-What's a reasonably good joystick to use that doesn't cost a fortune? I've got a Logitech 3D Pro, which I know isn't really suitable to DCS, but can I get away with using it?

-Is TrackIR absolutely necessary for conveniently managing the cockpit view? Am I going to just get slaughtered if I'm trying to use the mouse for that?

Thanks for your help and sorry for the text wall.

Look I tell you this:
I had few cheap hotas, I threw them all away bought warhogs, saitek ruder pedals, chair, htc vive. and now I think I`m ready to work for Raynair.