So I hadn’t used the HF8 for a few months as I had rebuilt my PC and didn’t get round to setting up HFS as I had issues previously with the vibrations causing shaking in my Pico 4 for VR.
Decided to set it up yesterday on a day off and also because I’m now using a Quest 3 which I found to have a more noticeably more stable image than the Pico 4.
I forgot how much the HF8 adds, happy to say the latest HFS software version (1.6.5) is working fine for me, as did the previous versions and I’m also not seeing the vibration shaking when using the Quest 3.
Just hoping NLR add some more trigger points like they hinted at for v2 but I’m certainly enjoying it at the moment.
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I ended up buying SimHaptic and prefer that at the moment. Runs over audio, so it’s always on, no faffing with starting the software after flight etc.
Mainly the effects are more natural. One down side is the engine does not coincide as precisely with Revs and shutting down (especially noticeable in choppers) but overall I prefer it and you get a lot more fine control over the blend of effects.
They are not ‘targeted’ to the 8 points (all go at same time) but actually it’s good that way coz in a plane those vibrations are also not ‘just at this corner’ or whatever.
I looked at the SimHaptic software but still shows as not HF8 USB compatible so a no from me. I would miss that targeted addressing of motors as I like the feedback split up so it is easier to discern. It’s all Pros and Cons though with each software.
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You can also use or tryout “Simshakers for Aviaters” software (it’s free) this has still some more and in my opinion better effects than de HF8 software. (Also somewhat different effects for jet,piston and heli’s) But this software only used 2 (the lowest) of the 4 vibration motors in the back.
Looking for a haptic solution for the left or right gravity pull you get in a GA aircraft when you get adverse yaw (which is great indicator irl when you need rudder). Would the HF8 provide that?
No, that is not one of the triggers at the moment although if it was severe enough, the turbulence trigger would probably kick in and you would feel that.
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So yesterday my HF8 stopped working… Im using the latest NLR HFS software beta. When starting the software, it shows as “disconnected”… When unplugging/replugging the USB, I get the windows default connection sound, so my pc recognizes it, but maybe only as USB 2.0 instead of 3.0 (I had to leave it in a USB 3.0 port on my mainboard to work, other ports wouldnt work)? However, I cant get it to work anymore… I also tried to go back to another version of the software, to no luck… Maybe somethings wrong with windows updates/drivers etc? Anyone ever ran into a problem like this? Because I am at my wits end… I dont think its broken, it has been sitting there the last 5 months working flawlessly without being moved or anything…
Tried a different USB socket?
Does it work in Audio Mode (if you have a spare audio jack output, on your motherboard for example, worth a try).
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audio mode (connected to headphone jack, remote led blinking, audio mode selected in hfs software) unfortunately also does not work. The weird thing is, I was trying to use it on a usb hub (which did not work) but now it also doesnt work on the mainboard usb ports where it was plugged before and worked no problem… did I really break it in a matter of unplugging/plugging it just once? That would be a shame 
You’ve not inadvertently switched it into Xbox mode, have you?
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I don’t think so. I suspect that software is at fault.
There was a .net update in Windows recently and I have had problems with the HFS software and something with .net. Could be that. What other version of their software have you tried? I was using the very first still (1.1.2.7 beta).
Can you try SimShaker for Aviators or Sim Haptic free trial (SH only works on Audio Mode, and it’s actually what I have settled on using recently as I prefer it now, so hopefully you can get that working at least!)
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how would you do that? I only know of usb/audio mode…
simshaker for aviators also shows “not connected”
I own simhaptic, but have no idea how to set it up for audio mode. will ltake a look at that later.
Nothing special IIRC. Plug in the Audio jack (you can leave the USB plugged in too), then hold the on/off/intensity dial for a few seconds to switch to Audio mode. SH just sees it and it works good. Don’t have to faff around starting the software only after you load into an aircraft which they still have not fixed over a year later 
I gave up with them and their software.
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ok so the pad is NOT broken. I was watching youtube videos as it suddenly started vibrating with sim haptic audio mode… works in MSFS too… now I need to dial in all the different effects. A little downer is that now all 8 motors vibrate at the same time. The reason I use nlr software instead of simshaker is that you can select what effect which of the 8 motors does. Now I have to check out if I can use my buttkicker and the hf8 together with simhaptic… man I just wanted to fly 
however thanks for your kind help 
will keep yall updated on it.
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Good news. Actually I prefer the whole seat vibrating. If you think about it, it’s a bit weird that the flaps should make just the front (or whatever) of the seat vibrate isn’t it? Same for all the FX. SimHaptic is more natural and organic feeling to me. More “lumpy” engine pattern and the gear going up / down is way better. Just tune down the engine strength so it doesn’t drown out the others and make sure to untick Avionics and Fuel Pump for most aircraft as for some reason that is always on and quite strong!!
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Glad the HF8 isn’t broken anyway. That would have been a bit concerning.
Shame about the devs’ software though. From what I have seen closely monitoring this thread (because I am still on the fence) the devs’ software is the most disappointing aspect of this product and the reason why currently I won’t be buying it.
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This happened to me a couple of weeks ago and I got in touch with NLR who sent me this. I thought it wouldn’t work but it did and now the HF8 works normally again. YMMV.
I’m not sure if my HF8 is connected- How can I test this?
1 – If HF8 Gaming Pad is not responding (no vibrations felt), but LED indicator light is “ON”:
2 – Unplug the USB from the computer.
3 – Put the HF8 Gaming Pad in “sound capture mode” blinking LED indicator on hand controller
4 – Connect the HF8 Gaming Pad to the audio device through the 3.5mm Audio jack cable.
5 – Play a song from the audio device to the HF8 Gaming Pad
6 – If you are feeling vibration from motors, this will confirm that the HF8 Gaming Pad is active and functionalNow that you have confirmed the HF8 Gaming Pad is functional, please connect the HF8 Gaming Pad via the USB connection to the PC.
1 – Put the HF8 Gaming Pad in PC mode by holding down the “red knob” on the HF8 Gaming Pad until the LED indicator light is a solid color
2 – Make sure the HFS Software is closed including in the “tray” area.
3 – Load into your racing or flight game
4 – Re-open the HFS Software
5 – In the HFS software select the game profile you are playing and it should now be operational.If you are still experiencing issues, please wait for a response from our team of Experts. Please note our working hours are Monday to Saturday 6AM-5PM AEST (Australian Eastern Standard Time).
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thanks, I know of that workaround and always did it like this on every start…(it says to do so in the software itself)
but unfortunately the software doesnt even recognize the hf8 at all anymore, all indicators stay red and on top says “disconnected”. usually the indicators went from red to green and you could test the single motors.
Did you try going through the steps though? I was like you and thought ‘but I do that’ but when I followed the steps, it started working again normally. Maybe not for you but it might help…
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