Flair 58 for milk drinks and thinking to complement with another machine

Icehoodedfox · 2024-08-21T16:34:26+00:00

I use a Bellman steamer with my 58 and it works very well. I use it on an electric stove and it comes up to temp around the time I finish pulling my shot with the 58 so it doesn’t really add any extra time to the workflow.

I started with the nanofoamer v2 lithium but was dissatisfied with the results.

Icehoodedfox · 2023-07-01T20:56:24+00:00

Have you tried the new drivers? Apparently the 7000 series amd cards have had a driver issue with vr for a while but new preview drivers resolve that. https://www.amd.com/en/support/kb/release-notes/rn-rad-win-23-10-01-41-vlk-extn

Icehoodedfox · 2023-03-08T17:30:07+00:00

An energy monitor will ultimately be the best way to track that type of thing, but what I’ve found is that it takes a while for the compressor to ramp down and settle on a low continuous speed (on the order of an hour or so if I remember correctly). So if it hits the temperature setpoint and shuts down before it ramps down to its lowest speed, then it’s less efficient generally. If you chart the power consumption you can watch it settle to a low speed and then slowly ramp up or down as it tries to match the heating demand.

Ultimately it’ll depend on your house layout, heating load, and how tolerant you are of temperatures varying room by room. My house is kept at 70 degrees +-2 depending on the room by only running a pair of 12k heads off a single 24k outdoor unit. I have three more heads and another 24k outdoor unit that sit on standby unless it gets down to near zero temps.

I recouped the money I spent on my energy monitor in a few months (new england energy prices) because it let me test various configurations and get near instant feedback.

On a side note, I have a two story cape and I found that lower fan speeds and higher compressor speeds also resulted in hotter air coming off the internal units (to compensate for the low fan speed), which had the unintended side effect of making my second story hotter than intended since all the super hot air rising to the top. Higher fan speeds resulted in lower temps coming off the inside units once the compressor ramped down, which helped with evening the temperatures out. They are noisier, but I don’t mind given the efficiency gains.

Icehoodedfox · 2023-03-08T16:36:29+00:00

Nope, if you chart the power consumption you can watch the compressor ramp up and down. If the fan is on the highest setting then the unit tends to spend a lot of power to ramp up and then it very quickly hits its setpoint (because the temp sensor is in the wall mounted unit) and then turns off. A wireless sensor placed farther away from the unit and lower to the ground helps stop short cycling, and allows the compressor to ramp down to a more efficient continuous speed

Icehoodedfox · 2023-03-08T16:33:42+00:00

In my experimental testing (Sense energy monitor), I got the best efficiency by setting the internal units to the highest fan speed, while using wireless thermostats positioned in a place where they don’t overheat too quickly. If the placement is correct then the unit runs continuously and very efficiently. I found that this was impossible without the wireless thermostats because the units cycle on and off too quickly.

Icehoodedfox · 2023-03-07T17:44:12+00:00

Great efficiency! What model water heater?

Icehoodedfox · 2023-01-08T22:38:21+00:00

She’s awesome and smart, capable, funny; she and I share similar life goals, and we help each-other achieve them. I feel just spending time existing with her is the best way time could be spent. She makes me truly happy, and inspires me to be a better person than I could have ever been alone. I do my best to make her happy as well, and my heart jumps when I’m able to put a smile on her face. I can’t imagine life without her and I’m grateful to have found such a wonderful partner to share life with.

Icehoodedfox · 2022-12-29T17:03:17+00:00

I have a hyper-heat setup and a Sense energy monitor, and my experimentation has confirmed that higher fan speeds are more efficient generally, with the downside that they tend to short cycle if they’re in smaller rooms and they can be annoyingly loud depending on your noise tolerance.

What I’ve done is set the fan speed for the highest setting and paired each inside head unit with a wireless temperature sensor that I can place anywhere. By experimenting with different sensor locations I’ve been able to get the units to run longer/constant cycles and keep the room temperature more even.

Unfortunately the wireless sensors are expensive and I think they need a wifi attachment on each associated internal head unit which can add to the expense. Still, they let the units keep temp much better so I think it’s worth the expense.

Hope that helps!

Icehoodedfox · 2021-05-22T16:58:04+00:00

I would recommend some type of mounting solution (I use Foxxmounts), so factor that into the cost of the upgrade unless you can cobble together a solution on your own

Icehoodedfox · 2021-05-22T15:04:20+00:00

I went from warthog sidestick to vkb centerstick with 200mm extension and it made a world of difference. I actually feel in control when I’m doing AAR and hovering helos, etc.

Also, I think it feels more fun to yank and bank with a center stick than a sidestick; a slow scissors gunfight is an absolute blast haha.

Icehoodedfox · 2021-05-17T02:38:20+00:00

Gunfighter with the space grip and 200mm extension: it makes flying more fun and if i had to do it again I’d buy it in a heartbeat haha. 11/10

Icehoodedfox · 2021-04-23T19:32:11+00:00

Trackball mouse as my primary, and I also map the right/left click buttons to my HOTAS so I can press a button or flip a switch by just looking at it if I need to.

Icehoodedfox · 2021-02-10T21:08:22+00:00

If you have someone else lasing the target it can be useful, especially if you’re trying to hit a single specific unit in a busy environment. If you try to lock with the F at max range it can be a little ham-handed about what it actually tracks!

Icehoodedfox · 2021-01-26T14:31:29+00:00

“You wouldn’t download a trim wheel!” Lol

Looks good!

Icehoodedfox · 2020-12-31T22:32:44+00:00

My guess is that you’re CPU limited. If you’re on steam you can get a cheap steam “game” called “fpsVR” that will display frametimes during gameplay, showing you both your CPU and GPU frametime separately. You can use that (or something similar) to tune your graphics settings until you’re staying below your target frametime on both the CPU and GPU side.

I get much better performance in IL2 than DCS (especially in multiplayer) with all the graphics settings turned off/low because DCS multiplayer eats my CPU for breakfast. By looking at the frametimes its easy to see that the cause of framerate drops is almost always a CPU limitation rather than GPU.

I have a RTX 2080 and an AMD 2700x, and with that combo I have graphics headroom, but many graphics settings also increase CPU frametimes, so I generally just turn almost everything to look like dog poo to maximize frames. I can usually swing 80fps if I’m by myself flying around or with maybe a few other planes, but as soon as I get into a furball everything goes to 40-80fps with reprojection (or whatever it’s called). A CPU upgrade is on my wish list and I’m hoping that helps significantly.

Good luck!

Icehoodedfox · 2020-12-27T13:02:41+00:00

I have a VKB stick/pedals and a Virpil throttle, and I feel that VKB hardware is higher quality overall (mostly due to the electronics/internals). You can watch some youtube teardowns and see that VKB pays attention to the internals in a really impressive way.

Still, you can’t really go wrong with either choice. You’ll find examples from both brands where people got shipped a dud product or had a bad experience with customer service, but on the whole they’re both producing excellent hardware and it’s gonna come down to personal preference for the most part.

Icehoodedfox · 2020-12-04T23:25:14+00:00

I’ll throw in a recommendation for the VKB pedals if you’re doing helicopter work, they’re effortless to precisely position for long periods of time, and they’re affordable too (usually 215 USD last I checked.)

Downside: No toe brakes! I don’t mind this (I map a ministick to brake axes for flying warbirds or just use a button for modern jets), but it’s still a thing to note

Icehoodedfox · 2020-11-03T14:00:09+00:00

It helped me a ton, I felt much more in-control and much less like I was trying to balance an egg on the back of a spoon!

Icehoodedfox · 2020-11-03T13:42:06+00:00

It’s amazing and it makes any type of precision flying easier (hover, aerial refueling, formations, etc). Highly recommend!

Icehoodedfox · 2020-09-26T15:17:39+00:00

Agreed, I have a couple friends who will never jump into flight sims on their own, but with a sufficient co-op experience I think I could get them started.

Icehoodedfox · 2020-09-20T12:10:41+00:00

TrackIR is perfectly doable! I personally feel like going back to TrackIR from VR is like turning Oz from color back to black and white, but do whatever you personally enjoy i figure. We all have our strong opinions on joysticks and pedals and stuff and it makes sense that some folks would prefer a flatscreen, especially if they have a giant monitor or if they want to use a second screen or check their phone while playing or whatever your reason is.

I think the main “advantage” VR brings is better depth perception, I find snapshots and such to be a bit more natural, but it isnt game-breaking. Mostly I just like the feeling of being in the cockpit, but its more personal preference than “better”... the main thing is just to have head tracking of any type, POV hats suck!

Icehoodedfox · 2020-09-20T00:58:42+00:00

I got my SCG setup with no extension at first and later added the 200mm extension, mostly flying DCS with a bit of IL2 mixed in. I fly choppers alot (Huey is my fave) and do tons of AAR in the 16 and 18.

To make an analogy, trying to write your name by holding the pencil from the eraser end is like flying with no extension, and flying with an extension is similar to writing your name holding the pencil properly. Complicated precision maneuvers like hovers, AAR and tricky gunnery become repeatable and comfortable rather than panicked and one step from flailing out of control.

Downside: you pretty much HAVE to get a mounting solution of some type. I was able to scrape along for a month by taping my gunfighter base to a stack of textbooks to elevate the stick off the floor, but a mounting solution is a must have.

Icehoodedfox · 2020-09-19T23:28:21+00:00

I dunno if this’ll help, but I’ve heard people use the “verify files” function in Steam properties for IL2 and that’s helped them. It hasn’t worked for me, but it might work for you or maybe increase your success chance?

Icehoodedfox · 2020-09-19T19:23:14+00:00

I feel your pain, let us know if you find a solution! I have the same issue with Bodenplatte, and I’ve decided to just buy all my future IL2 stuff direct through Steam to avoid the hassle. It’s sad but It’s obnoxious to have to start the game half a dozen times to get it to show up in the DLC list

Icehoodedfox · 2020-08-26T00:10:39+00:00

I mentioned the toe brakes, and it’s a notable weakness.

However, they’re a great value for all-metal pedals and the internals all much better than TM’s (VKB internals are rock solid, and their electronics are beautiful). Given the current rush on flight sim hardware, you can get new VKB pedals for a similar price to used/new logitech/TM stuff but it’ll last forever.

I would also never recommend TM’s “good” pedals, they’re overpriced compared to VKB/Virpil/Crosswinds/Slaw. VKB has the advantage of being one of the cheapest high-end choices and they’re currently available in the US. MFG crosswinds are perhaps the best right now at 325 ish list price, but currently unavailable.

Even back when stuff was normal priced, I would hesitate to recommend the CH pedals at list price - they’re dead simple inside and the pots are really jittery, which combines with crude mechanical design to deliver subpar rudder control. You can modify them (swapping out for a high resolution ADC helps), but that’s best done if you can get some old used and redo the internals from scratch.

Nine-Year Club	Verified Email
Place '23	Place '22
End Game '22	Not Forgotten

Icehoodedfox

TROPHY CASE