PointCTRL review

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0405 Andrew
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PointCTRL review

Post by 0405 Andrew »

Pointctrl works with Vr. A left and right hand LED controls the cursor on the screen, this is called the finger control unit (FCU). An LED sensor fitted to the Vr headset picks up the LED position and that controls the cursor on screen, much like a head tracker.
Finger Control Unit and Head mounted sensor.jpg
Finger Control Unit and Head mounted sensor.jpg (41.62 KiB) Viewed 4208 times

Pointctrl is ordered via dcs forums. Miles the designer and manufacturer is very active and helpful.

https://pointctrl.com/

https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=218861

My setup:
I have an Occuls Rift, Hotas and Thrustmaster MFD's.

The FCU’S slide over each index finger, on each FCU there is a left and right mouse button and a scroll button. These buttons are easily and naturally pressed with your thumb.
Once set up and calibrated (Miles helped me with this but it’s actually quite simple) the cursor will follow your hand movement in the cockpit.
FCU on finger_320x233.jpg
FCU on finger_320x233.jpg (19.18 KiB) Viewed 4208 times
In use:
As you know DCS designs each 3d cockpit to scale and this aides the pointctrl to feel so natural. Hold out your hand and reach for a switch as you would in a car and the cursor will be there. Then it’s a case of manipulating the switch with a left or right click or a scroll.
I found not having anything to hold my hand against was a little odd, so a simple solution was to mount a piece of plywood to my desk to act like a drawing board. I can now accurately manipulate all the switches, ufc and MFD's so quickly and naturally it’s a real dream. And as this is virtual, the plywood works for any air frame. I now no longer have any use for my Thrustmaster Mfds.
Generic VR cocpit_320x199.jpg
Generic VR cocpit_320x199.jpg (15.71 KiB) Viewed 4208 times
After 1 month's use I can heartily recommend PointCTRL and can say it’s a vital piece of kit for your Vr machine.
0405 ANDREW

Tuesday Mission group lead
"Andrew, you are right"
Flyco: 28 Jul 2021, 12:50
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Speirs 11

Re: PointCTRL review

Post by Speirs 11 »

And as this is virtual, the plywood works for any air frame.
But will work especially well with the upcoming Mosquito module.

So you don't use your VR head cursor and mouse click anymore, you just point and click?

Is the plywood panel to stop you from accidentally hitting things when pointing?

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0405 Andrew
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Re: PointCTRL review

Post by 0405 Andrew »

:lol: Mosquito.

It's like having a mouse stuck to each finger. Having the plywood makes you feel like you're running your hand over the panels and not past it.

Honestly it's the best thing I've bought for VR. Using the UFC and bomb profiles on the MFD is really simple now.
0405 ANDREW

Tuesday Mission group lead
"Andrew, you are right"
Flyco: 28 Jul 2021, 12:50
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Neil Willis
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Re: PointCTRL review

Post by Neil Willis »

Sounds like a good idea. The rotaries all function fine using the mouse wheel emulation?
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0405 Andrew
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Re: PointCTRL review

Post by 0405 Andrew »

They work really well.
You can just use it like a mouse, click and drag up and down. But as you know some are a little more sensitive, this is where the 3rd button comes in. Click buttons left (up) or right (down) while not on anything, then move cursor over dial and click the 3rd button and it moves the rotary in small increments either up or down depending what you pressed. Great for setting pressure. It's a really well thought out way of doing it.
0405 ANDREW

Tuesday Mission group lead
"Andrew, you are right"
Flyco: 28 Jul 2021, 12:50
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Robbo
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Re: PointCTRL review

Post by Robbo »

Thanks Andrew, I'm interested but wasn't registered on ED Forums. I'm registered now but I guess I have to wait for my account to be authorised before I can send a PM to get myself onto the list.
Plt Off Ian 'Robbo' Robson
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0405 Andrew
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Re: PointCTRL review

Post by 0405 Andrew »

It's a bit of an unusual process for ordering. But Miles is a real genuine character. It's a real hi-tech cottage industry he has going.
0405 ANDREW

Tuesday Mission group lead
"Andrew, you are right"
Flyco: 28 Jul 2021, 12:50
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Robbo
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Re: PointCTRL review

Post by Robbo »

All sorted, on the waiting list now :D
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0405 Andrew
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Re: PointCTRL review

Post by 0405 Andrew »

You won't be disappointed.

I had a 3.5 month delivery but I think it's speeding up now.
0405 ANDREW

Tuesday Mission group lead
"Andrew, you are right"
Flyco: 28 Jul 2021, 12:50
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0405 Andrew
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Re: PointCTRL review

Post by 0405 Andrew »

I've just made a very simple video demonstrating pointCTRL.

My first DCS video, took me ages to work out how to do it all, I'm not sure all the settings are correct. I used OBS (thanks Geoff) and a simple bombing mission (thanks Geoff).

https://youtu.be/KyMPzqhQSE0
0405 ANDREW

Tuesday Mission group lead
"Andrew, you are right"
Flyco: 28 Jul 2021, 12:50
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