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AH-1W Super Cobra released [StarGate]

BrittMac said:
Read my above comment. Basically, it looks very nice, Yoyo's pics sum up that aspect very very well. The flight model is very simple, like the default Bell. For $10, you can't really go wrong. A really nice bird would be this visually with the HC FDE in it.
Speaking of that, can I do that? Would be a simple fix.
Click to expand...

Bought it last night! Pretty much what I expected/wanted so far...

I dropped the HoverControl .air file in the folder last night and changed the .cfg file to point to it. A quick test seemed like it worked just fine. Definitely felt more alive on take off.

However, I'm not sure what the .air file controls other than the flight model. There may be some other systems that don't work correctly that I didn't notice. Maybe someone who knows more about .air files can chime in about that.

Also, I'm noticing that my cockpit texture resolution isn't nearly as nice as what they show in their screenshots. For example, the serial number under the HUD is an un-readable blur on my installation. Anyone else notice that?
 
Interesting that you comment on the serial number being blurred. I looked in the previous post of YoYo's and saw that even those screenshots had a blur to the serial number, considering how sharp the rest of the interior was. I don't know. Maybe that can be pointed out to Stargate.
Good eye.
Edit: Also, there isn't a BuNo on the tail. All good little Cobras have BuNos. It just wouldn't be right without them....
 
I sent them an email, asking about the blurry cockpit texture and also asking how we can get some of the loadouts shown in the photos on their website (1 rocket pod per wing). I'd also like a clean loadout, so I asked about that too.

Haven't heard anything back from them. Strange that they posted that the new HUD and gages would be ready in a "couple of days" on January 1st, and then no word after that...

Also, I flew around with the HoverControl .air file some more last night, and it seems like it works with no issues... That flight model seems to behave more like I'd expect when slowing down, descending, and hovering/landing.
 
Rant Time

I don't mean to take this thread in another direction, but the discussion points out one of the things that frustrates me with this hobby. :dizzy:

I've got the Cobra as well and have also sent them an inquiry on the service pack and still no response. I don't understand why developers create fancy web sites or FB pages to promote their products, then fail to respond to simple questions from their customers.

I understand that many developers have small staff and many projects, but that still doesn't explain the lack of courtesy. When I purchase a software product I expect some kind of support or response to questions - not total silence. I will always buy products from those developers that provide me with support and some dialogue on technical questions.

At the moment, my Stargate Cobra is in the hangar (offline on an external drive) until things get fixed.
 
WH, I feel what you are saying. I am not disappointed, per se. It is a nice looking chopper for the money, and someone could fix up the FDE. BUT, it is always nice when there is good communication.

An example, I am into FPV flying (an R/C hobby). There are a lot of boutique manufacturers out there. I emailed one this morning about a product, and received an answer in less than an hour. It isn't the guys only thing going, he has a day job. Granted, his business may not deal with quite so many people as the FS community. But by the same token, there aren't THAT many Cobraphiles in the FS community. This is the third Cobra from them though, so maybe I don't know squat.
 
I did eventually hear back from them after a week. I followed up with another question, though, never heard back.

It would be nice if they'd give some sort of update on the service pack. It was supposed to be "out in a few days" in late December...
 
This was just posted on Facebook by Stargate Studios.
Dear community,

Today we want to inform you that we are stopping our all FSX and Prepar 3d projects and keep going on PC and Mobile games. You will see new simulations for PC and Mobile markets very soon...
Click to expand...

Looks like no update for the Super Cobra in light of the fact they have not responded to various inquires.
 
Stupid. Guess the community will have to turn to the fine folks that mod the .air files like the HC guys did for the Alpha Cobra. sucks that the dev won't support their work.
 
Well that is very disappointing. It does not make any sense to release something and discontinue/drop support for it two months later. It seems to indicate a complete lack of any planning or organization. I may actually ask for a refund. When I bought it, a service pack was supposed to be "coming soon" (within days according to FB).What does it take to get the Hover Control guys interested?
 
I can post a few custom camera views for anyone who uses this AH-1W.

One view for front seat

Two external views at the armament and skids

It is quite sad. Even for $10.00 the engine gauges should at least give you normal readings when turning up. My first response was to make sure I didn't have any systems set for failure when I saw the split rotor RPMs zero NG rpm on right engine, etc. After researching several FSX helicopters, I realize that many twins are only twin engine models but single engine FDE based on default Bell 206B. Still in this case there are gauges that do not correspond to the function being shown.

This puppy would be in the hangar maintenance.
 
I know we (not me personally) can tweak .air files on our own. Can gauge functionality be edited by 3rd parties in FSX?

Maybe we can compile a list of basic fixes and see if community members can make it happen...
 
Also, I encourage anyone with a facebook account to comment under their recent announcement and ask about releasing the service pack. Three folks including myself have already done so (It looks like Stargate HK deleted one of the comments already even though it appeared to be a valid comment). If enough people do so (and it becomes very visible on their only really means of communicating with potential customers), hopefully it will drive Stargate HK to deliver on their commitment.
 
I haven't purchased the Cobra, after reading the posts on it. I find it strange that they posted about not continuing development of FSX/P3D projects, yet still have not fixed the problems with the one they DID release....before proceeding with their PC projects. Not good planning, in my opinion. And they aren't responding to questions about the Cobra problems on their Facebook page. Not good. NC
 
It seemed like sitting around and waiting for Stargate HK to fix things wasn't going to get much, so I decided to take a stab at some stuff myself.

First off, here are the edits needed to get the stock FSX Accel F/A-18 HUD to fit well in the SGHK Cobra:

In the panel.cfg, under [VCockpit03], comment out the existing HUD gauge and add the one in bold:

;gauge00=Hud!Hud, 27,9,964,977
gauge00=fa-18!hud_2d, 80, 200, 850, 720, 4
Click to expand...

In the aircraft.cfg, make the following changes to the eyepoint (additions in bold):

[Views]
//eyepoint=6.68, 0.0, 2.5
eyepoint=6.68, 0.0, 2.69
Click to expand...

Making these changes will add the stock FA-18 HUD to the Cobra, which looks a lot better than the one Stargate included. However, the Flight Path Marker functions as more of a VSI than a true FPM. Because this HUD gauge is a .dll file, I have no way of making any changes to it other than its position and size in the cockpit.

I found a 3rd party HUD for the FSX F/A-18 that includes a working FPM (located here: http://simviation.com//simviation/?ID=67&page=4&mark=7181). Not only does it have a working FPM, it's in xml format, which means I can tweak it. I have absolutely no previous xml or FSX gauge experience, but I've managed to make some good progress by looking through the file and experimenting. I've got the HUD positioned and sized correctly, changed the speed at which the FPM marker "cages" so that it's active at lower speeds that a helicopter operates at, and changed the airspeed indicator so it displays speed down to 0 knots. I'm going to keep making small tweaks here and there, and learning as I go. I'd like to get the HUD on/off switch from the Cobra cockpit to work for the new one if I can. If I can get permission from the original author to share my changes, I'll post them here for you guys to test out and give me feedback on.

xI9i7TP.png


To add this 3rd party HUD, download the file linked about and drop the cab file into the panel folder of the Stargate Cobra:

In the panel.cfg, under [VCockpit03], comment out the existing HUD gauge and add the one in bold:

;gauge00=Hud!Hud, 27,9,964,977
gauge00=FA18_HUD_VC_R!FA18_HUD_VC_R, 80, 140, 850, 720, 4
Click to expand...

In the aircraft.cfg, make the following changes to the eyepoint (additions in bold):

[Views]
//eyepoint=6.68, 0.0, 2.5
eyepoint=6.68, 0.0, 2.69
Click to expand...

Since I'm digging into xml and gauges, which other gauges in the cockpit aren't working correctly? If the fixes are simple, I might be able to figure them out.
 
So either Stargate Studios deleted their facebook page, or they blocked me for asking if they are still going to release the service pack. Any time I try to go to it, I just get my facebook home page. Either way I am very unhappy with how they've handled this.

I've removed some more of the F/A-18 specific stuff from the HUD, and changed the waterline symbol to a gun cross. Also, the HUD now powers on and off using the switch. I'd like to get the brightness switch to work, but I need to do more digging/research to figure out how to make that work the way I'd want it to. I'm going to email the original author of the addon later to see if I can get permission to share my changes.

X6H1ZEe.png


Again, if anyone has some good, clear pics of an AH-1W HUD or some more info about what it contains, please share it! I'm having fun experimenting with this...
 
malibu43 said:
So either Stargate Studios deleted their facebook page, or they blocked me for asking if they are still going to release the service pack. Any time I try to go to it, I just get my facebook home page. Either way I am very unhappy with how they've handled this..
Click to expand...
You are not alone. They did the same with me. :redfire:
 
I am blocked as well. How do they think they can continue this policy of silencing any criticism, and still hope to sell any future releases? I know zip about running a business, but it seems to me that Stargate Studios is using poor judgement here. NC
 
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