PointCTRL - Finger Mounted VR Controller

Doh... was focused on the calibration steps and missed that new section.. thanks Miles!

Yea, the instructions are getting long and it needs table of contents and page numbers. Just to many dam words.

I have what I think is a slightly simpler calibration procedure that does away with the presets. I looked at all those boxes in the instructions and even I got confused. I would like to send you a test firmware update for your feedback if you don't mind.

Thanks,

Miles

Send it through Miles - happy to test it and provide feedback

Shipping Pause

For those coming here for the "Now Serving" Post, I took a short pause to update the firmware when it became apparent that the zero procedures were complicated for everyone. After some more testing, the new firmware should be released tomorrow, and I will resume shipping with numbers 20 thru 30.

New firmware highlights.

1) Simplified Calibration - I think it was the whole box thing that was overly complicated, so it did away with that and added a simpler method, but kept the second portion of defining the viewing limits.

2) Multiple user settings thru FCU - You only have to press the button on the HMS once for 3 seconds to enter the overall settings mode. Different setting such as zoom and micro calibration are cycled thru with the battery check button on the FCU.

3) Zoom Function - Added FCU to HMS proximity Zoom toggle and adjustment.

4) Micro Calibration - Micro Calibration allows the user to Fine tune the FCU to Finger alignment, and aids in locking the cursor in place when your head moves when using the FCU.

I think that's it for now, Thank you to everyone who suffered through the initial calibration procedures and gave feedback. I hope this helps.

Miles

For those coming here for the "Now Serving" Post, I took a short pause to update the firmware when it became apparent that the zero procedures were complicated for everyone. After some more testing, the new firmware should be released tomorrow, and I will resume shipping with numbers 20 thru 30.

 

New firmware highlights.

 

1) Simplified Calibration - I think it was the whole box thing that was overly complicated, so it did away with that and added a simpler method, but kept the second portion of defining the viewing limits.

 

2) Multiple user settings thru FCU - You only have to press the button on the HMS once for 3 seconds to enter the overall settings mode. Different setting such as zoom and micro calibration are cycled thru with the battery check button on the FCU.

 

3) Zoom Function - Added FCU to HMS proximity Zoom toggle and adjustment.

 

4) Micro Calibration - Micro Calibration allows the user to Fine tune the FCU to Finger alignment, and aids in locking the cursor in place when your head moves when using the FCU.

 

I think that's it for now, Thank you to everyone who suffered through the initial calibration procedures and gave feedback. I hope this helps.

 

Miles

Sounds awesome! Looking forward to this greatly!

Looking forward to it Miles

Will firmware updates be linked in Post 1?

Will firmware updates be linked in Post 1?

Yes, and the pointctrl website.

I am putting the final touches on the Micro-Calibration function now.

Thanks,

Miles

@MilesD:

No big deal of course, just a small heads up about your website. Maybe I'm the only one having this problem, but on my old Samsung S5 phone the website isn't working properly. It opens but there are no active links to click on. I only see the background picture and the opening text.

@MilesD:

No big deal of course, just a small heads up about your website. Maybe I'm the only one having this problem, but on my old Samsung S5 phone the website isn't working properly. It opens but there are no active links to click on. I only see the background picture and the opening text.

The responsive code for mobile navigation doesn't look complete. At resolutions below 1024 the menu is currently hidden (and I'm assuming will be replaced with the usual hamburger icon). The mobile menus require extra coding to function, some out of the box options work, but usually worth coding the CSS styles yourself so it looks good, this can be pretty time consuming to get right across multiple devices with multiple pixel densities.

Similarly, the text on the main image isn't sized properly on mobile, which reinforces that the responsive CSS is in progress. Stay tuned and I bet it will be working as expected. :)

(Sorry, web developer here, I live and breath this stuff)

I searched for this and found no info, so if it’s been gone over I apologize.

 

Can you customize which buttons are left/right click? I’d want the button closest to fingertip to be right click on each FCU because right-clicking a switch moves it forward. Conversely, left clicking moves a switch aft, so I’d want that furthest from my fingertips.

 

Thanks, and looking forward to this experience!

 

EDIT: I see buttons in the instructions PDF but no mention of remapping.

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

So, after I responded to your post about my my personal button preferences, I took another look at it with fresh eyes.

I think your suggestion is how most people would feel. I have muscle memory and mindset from "doing it the way I always do", but I think you suggestion is a better solution, and I will try and add the option to the firmware update.

Thanks again RogueSqdn for your great suggestion that will make PointCTRL more user friendly.

Miles

You’re welcome... glad I could contribute.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

So, after I responded to your post about my my personal button preferences, I took another look at it with fresh eyes.

 

I think your suggestion is how most people would feel. I have muscle memory and mindset from "doing it the way I always do", but I think you suggestion is a better solution, and I will try and add the option to the firmware update.

 

Thanks again RogueSqdn for your great suggestion that will make PointCTRL more user friendly.

 

Miles

Only issue being that there doesn’t seem to be any consistency in ED/3rd party (with modules I have anyways) where left mouse click is always left switch up and right click always down or whatever so you’d still have to remember which way to click the FCU. But I agree it would certainly make it more user friendly to be able to have software for the user to change it to suit their own preference.

Would it even be possible to do this ‘on-the-fly’? Or is this what you meant by the User settings through the FCU button press for 3 secs? Also can this be done while DCS is running? And finally, would it be possible to have some kind of audible or visual warning when the batteries are running low rather than going into the user settings?

MilesD

I see a Windows' GUI to configure PointCTRL and upload new firmware in your future...:ermm:

MilesD

I see a Windows' GUI to configure PointCTRL and upload new firmware in your future...:ermm:

You are correct sir, That's why I took a pause. I am testing a simpler firmware right now.

Miles

Hi, I have been out of the loop for awhile since initially reading about this awesome device!

So, I am just hearing about the list. Please add me asap.

Thanks

Edit: Disregard. To my surprise, I just saw my name on it, #4. I had no idea! What do I do now? I am completely under a rock, sorry LOL.

Never mind, I found the ordering instructions. Can't wait to get this! I've been away from DCS for a little while due to family/life issues. Time to get back onboard.

Thanks MilesD

Edit: Disregard. To my surprise, I just saw my name on it, #4. I had no idea! What do I do now? I am completely under a rock, sorry LOL.

Lol what a nice surprise. I’m #101 I think. :cry:;)

Hi, I have been out of the loop for awhile since initially reading about this awesome device!

So, I am just hearing about the list. Please add me asap.

Thanks

 

Edit: Disregard. To my surprise, I just saw my name on it, #4. I had no idea! What do I do now? I am completely under a rock, sorry LOL.

 

Never mind, I found the ordering instructions. Can't wait to get this! I've been away from DCS for a little while due to family/life issues. Time to get back on-board.

 

Thanks MilesD

Hey Redtail,

Good to hear from you again, I am currently in a shipping pause for a firmware update. Carol will send an invoice as soon as we resume shipping, Should be soon.

Thanks,

Update: I just finished testing the new firmware with a new intuitive calibration procedure and user settings. My goal was to try and make it as intuitive as possible. I spent the last 4 days going through many iterations to get to a point that should be acceptable. The GUI will primarily be for key bindings and did not really help with calibration.

I am working on updating the instructions with the new firmware procedures now.

Highlights

Pre-Sets are gone

Simplified intuitive cursor limits.

Proximity and Button Zoom

Micro-Calibration

Remap FCU Buttons

Thanks,

Miles

Awesome work as always Miles! Glad about the FCU button remap as I’d also prefer the “left click” button to be the one nearest the finger tip. But now I can swap it :thumbup:

Almost daily amazement with the progression of this project.

Update: Here is a rather boring video demonstrating the basic concept of the new firmware. I hope this one is more intuitive for users. Its all on the fly in VR through the on-board firmware only. It should be available tomorrow on the website.

Instead of "two weeks" that drag on, I seem to be on the "yea, I can have that ready for tomorow" but seldom do.

Thanks,

Miles

Looking great Miles!

Man, this is going to be so amazing. Looking forward to it.

#44

Update: Just pushed out the new firmware to the working group.

Instructions updated:

Menu System using cursor movements to navigate user settings

New simplified (I HOPE) and accurate calibration procedure

FCU Mapping

FCU Proximity Zoom

Instructions To Do:

Table of contents

Firmware update procedure

Edge calibration

Better Pics

Thanks,

Miles

Out of curiosity, would it be possible to somehow fix the mouse pointer to the finger on the gloved hand the we get in VR in DCS with the touch controllers?

I used them for the first time last and it was actually quite cool and intuitive although far too cumbersome to use. Thought this might make it a bit more immersive.

Great news MilesD - l'm happy to test if you need more people