I’m also looking at this to help with controlling the aircraft a bit easier and make it more engaging using my ipad.
MSFS2020 - CONTROL AVIONICS USING YOUR SMARTPHONE OR TABLET - Time To Ditch Your Keyboard! - YouTube
I have one of those for work. Unfortunately the xbox x will not drive that aspect ratio. Also I want to relax on the sofa as I sit at the desk all day already. So 65" TV it is.
I use the hat switch for quick view a lot. Unfortunately that too often leads to a CTD so I have to be careful using it while taxiing. The stick only has one hat switch so I use a modifier with the hat switch for the trim axes.
I use the mouse for looking around and for fiddling with controls in the cockpit. I use the cursor keys on a keyboard for moving around in the cockpit.
I use the xbox controller only for the drone camera and for slew mode. I’ve tried it for other things but that’s all I find it works for. If only it was a dualshock.
I think for xbox this is about as good as I can get. I don’t use the keyboard for any saved views because I can’t see it in the dark so would hit the wrong keys all of the time.
I find it all works just about well enough but I also find I spend too much time fiddling with views, especially in Concorde! I often find it’s hard to see the runway because it falls between quick view positions and I’m mainly hand flying at that point so don’t have a hand free to use the mouse. I’d really like something better.
I think VR would be my thing but from what I read it’s got far too many problems to make me want to go there. I don’t want something I can’t live with but can’t live without.
That might seem really obvious but that’s a top tip. I never use the smart camera, I’d near enough forgotten it existed. That might solve the problem of not seeing runways when doing turns which could make a big difference. Thanks
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Simhanger just released a video about TrackIR:
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The numpad hotkeys are a single monitor users best friend. I prefer them to the hat switch on the stick even.
It does not take long to set them up and its totally worth the effort!
My standard layout for all planes on the numpad:
7 = look forward left
8 = look straight at panel
9 - look forward right (MCP in airliners)
4 = look left
5 = look down at screens
6 = look right
1 = look rear left
2 = look down at thrust levers
3 = look rear right
0 = look up at overhead
This makes my single monitor use very easy. Yes I cannot match the huge widescreens and huge TVs others have but it does the job. Hopefully this will help a newbie.
I’ve got a 4K 32 inch Samsung monitor. I’d love to try a big 40+ monitor but I just can’t afford it and as I also use my monitor for digital photography using a TV is kind of out of the question.
I’ve got a Reverb G2 but it rarely gets turned on. VR is just one long head ache and has way too many downsides. Track IR bridges the gap for me.
It also depends on what FPS you’re comfortable with. I’m a stickler for high frame rate so I use a max 1440p monitor so I can maintain 60fps or close to. Some people can’t tell the difference between 30 and 60 in which case they can play in 4k or with lower PC specs.
So that’ll make a difference as well on what you decide to use as your viewing port.
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we’re all waiting on holodeck tech aren’t we…
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use a 65" 4k and sit right in front of it.
use 2- 27" for work and 1-32" for like discord or a map or flight plan
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I sometimes plug in an Xbox controller and use its stick to pan my view with my non-flying hand.
That’s what I did before I had a TrackIR. Mounted my Xbox controller to my yoke with adhesive velcro strips. I still use it, but now it’s mostly for drone control.
I have a setup similar to Crunchmeister. 3 32:" monitors, but only one for the sim, the others are for charts, etc., plus the Xbox controller for camera views. Instead of Trackir, I use the Grassmonkey Puck. It is similar but costs less then $100 US and works with OpenTrack which is free.
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I use my Logitech controllers because they are more convenient then multiple monitors
If you only fly one plane, I’d recommend building a cockpit and spending the money only on one VR set (as opposed to three monitors).
Mine is based on the C172
Yes, I only fly Aibus exclusively… but building a cockpit like this would cost me my liver and both kidneys… Hahaha…
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Ha! Yes, maybe a little much…
When i’m not in vr I use my 1440p monitor (not big, maybe 24”). To look around I use an xbox controller which works pretty smooth.
Hat switch, got used to it. Track IR in combat aircraft only. Even though VR is cool i hate losing real world awareness, visually and audibly.
Ultrawide monitors do look nice!
I’ve done a flight for the past 2 days and have not done bad. I’m intimidated by the larger aircraft since I used autopilot a lot for things (not sure how much hand flying goes into it these days). I can’t use my three monitors though. I don’t have enough display port cables. Will have to order those.
Still think it was a dumb move not to have multimonitor support at launch and its been 2 years and its still not available.
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I’ve been attempting the A320 and my god can that get complex lol. As someone who has only ever flown general aviation this thing is a monster. Using some youtube videos and they have been good. Showing all the steps and short cut keys. Was a good hour in to one of them and the FBW crashed just after the METAR report printed. Gonna give it another go today.