Hvymtal

TL;DR, see my major conclusions Before we get started, for those who are not familiar with how to use the 2x fixed-zero Rifle Optics in the first place, see the "Sight Usage" section of Dslyecxi's TTP3, about 40% of the way down under "Basic Infantry; Combat Marksmanship; Basic Marksmanship" http://ttp3.dslyecxi.com/2_basic_infantry.php Now, since the earliest parts of the early access period, Arma 3 has had a series of 2x-and-a-bit magnification optics with fixed 300m zeroes and ballistic drop compensators. There were (and to a certain extent, still are) a lot of assumptions going around about these optics. That some are for certain calibers. That 7.62mm NATO has no corresponding optics. That any optic "in a certain caliber" would match up with any weapon in that caliber. Kind of makes sense, right? That because the RCO (MX) and ARCO (Katiba) were both found on 6.5mm weapons, they were interchangeable and that any 6.5mm weapon would work with them. Same for the MRCO (Mk20), ERCO (SPAR-16), and 5.56mm. And because none of them came with 7.62mm weapons as their "obvious" partner, big bore was -poop- out of luck for 2x optics. But I've been watching a lot of Rogue-9's videos regarding mechanics investigations in Rainbow Six Siege recently, and every single time he does in with assumptions, they get busted (side note, go sub to him if you have any interest in Siege, his work is very informative). This started getting me thinking about some of the assumptions I had about Arma 3, and the 2x Rifle Optics was one of the biggest ones. So I loaded up Hebontes, and after some trial and error getting the target ranges right, I loaded up my rifles and started plinking. The results were... well, native English speakers know what they say about assumptions: they make an Ass of U and Umption For those who just want the results, here's a link to the documents I wrote up about General Recommendations and Conclusions https://docs.google.com/document/d/1urGglgS6M_d26dFl3nynFDkGbUSdRvqgvw2tsCgONxw/edit?usp=sharing Recommendations per Weapon https://docs.google.com/document/d/1v4a5em93QRZodoPky1dW0Vl4_9pGlB_3MXoj9BUTN_s/edit?usp=sharing Testing Data per Optic https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bUjriRrR7xVe7XSViNZxnhE4siJ3tZabByN2Xn-v8_M/edit?usp=sharing Pictures are not included since most of you should already know darn well what each optic and reticle look like by now Testing Procedure First major conclusion: The only weapons that work flawlessly with any optic are the ones they are paired with. RCO-MX Carbine ARCO-Katiba Rifle MRCO-TRG-21 ERCO-SPAR-16S Beyond that, any example of consistently acceptable performance was down to ballistic characteristics being sufficiently similar Second major conclusion: Within 400m, it really does not matter. Within 500m, only for particularly fast or slow weapons will the markers be incorrect. By extension, any of the 200m reflex sights as well as the NVS will be just fine within their limitations Third Major Conclusion: The only optics that are truly hassle-free are those with adjustable zeroing. If you have the choice, I'd recommend the DMS over any of the 2x fixed optics, as it offers several advantages (4x, idiot-proof rangefinder, adjustable zero 100-1000m, etc) with the only disadvantage being unable to be used with NVGs. Of course, the Nightstalker is also available, but the Nightstalker is more likely than not to be unavailable, and it's kind of a bit too easy in my opinion (so much so the US Army is trying to copy the concept with FWS-I) Fourth Major Conclusion: While the long-barreled marksman rifles (MXM, Mk-I, CMR-76, SPAR-17) can make use of 2x optics, they are really much better suited for adjustable-zero. I'd recommend either the medium range (DMS, MOS) or medium-long range options (AMS, Kahlia). The other 7.62mm rifles, however, are well set for certain 2x optic combinations should you chose to go that way Final Major Conclusion: My recommended optic combinations. These combinations require no (optimal) or little (good) adjustment to achieve consistent hits within their effective range. Grenade launcher variants are included with their rifle and carbine counterparts RCO Optimal: MX Carbine, SPAR-17, CAR-95, CAR-95-1, Navid, Mk20 Rifle, Mk20C, Mk18 ABR, TRG-21 Good: MX SW, SPAR-16, SPAR-16S, TRG-20, LIM-85, Mk14 ARCO: Optimal: Katiba Rifle, Katiba Carbine, MX SW, Mk-I EMR, CAR-95, Navid, Mk20 Rifle, Mk18 ABR, TRG-21, LIM-85 Good: MX Carbine, MXM, SPAR-17, CAR-95-1, Type 115, Mk14 Acceptable: Mk200 MRCO Optimal: CAR-95, TRG-21, Mk14, Katiba Carbine, Mk18 ABR Good: MX Carbine, SPAR-17, CAR-95-1, MXC, Katiba Rifle ERCO Optimal: SPAR-16S, SPAR-16, TRG-20, Mk20C, MXC, Rahim Acceptable: AK-12 (50m slow @500m, 100m@600) Adjustable Zero (DMS, MOS, AMS, etc.) Recommended: MXM, SPMG, MK-I EMR, SPAR-17, Type 115, Zafir, Navid, Rahim, CMR-76, Mk200, AK-12, Mk14 Special Note: Zafir has varying degrees of front sight blockage with any optic other than RCO, which isn't a good match anyhow. Also, ERCO has some front sight blockage with some weapons, namely the Navid, Mk-I, and SPMG I hope you found my investigation useful. I certainly have. Thanks for reading, and I'll see you on the battlefield For those interested, a link to a similar investigation I did for the AT launchers https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oGznRhgYVCrSSCgKP8ZcB-Q9aQCMJVo94tmPjEvml_o/edit?usp=sharing

@nikiforos "Stealth" isn't some magic bullet. Even the stealthiest aircraft can be detected at close range by modern radars, especially with external pylons and weapons mounted. What it does do is make it much more of pain in the ass to keep it detected long enough to score a hit. USAF sparring between Vipers and F-22s was described by the F-16 pilots as eerie; it was right there in front of you, but you couldn't hold a radar lock or an IR lock long enough. Try placing an F/A-181 normal and stealth in front of you and see which one is detected first, and that you will detect both

This is inherent to the way Arma 3 handles ammo, at least as I understand it from the player end. Easy workaround: get a bigger backpack, select the launcher you want, remove the additional ammo so it doesn't "override" anything you want in your bag, and switch back to your desired bag

The point is that there are older fish to fry. SLA is eye-bleeding bad The 6B3 could use some love as well, I've always found it resembling more like bedsheets draped over the body like body armor rather than body armor

When GabeN determines it's ready Steam throttles the crap out of uploads, it will be here

(That's supposed to be an upvote cannon gif, but the forums don't like .gifv….) (Whatever, here's the stupid link https://i.imgur.com/QMJtb1P.gifv)

The CUPdate didnt derp* until earlier today, again I was granted tester status. The changelog is a leviathan so I'll let you check it out yourself. That being said, GabeN is reportedly being a mofo with upload speeds as usual, give it a couple hours. CFP's update is due tomorrow assuming GabeN doesn't just straight up say "nope.avi" to Tiger Rest in pepperoni old RACS, you will be missed (until/unless you return at some point) *I meant drop but I'm leaving that as it is. Edit: At this point in time (0900 GMT-7), Ofot reports that upload is finally freaking finished for workshop. Workshop users, CUPdate imminent

Having recently become a CUP tester and with the #CUPdate being inbound (thus no fear of posting something they don't want known yet), I immediately put the new CUP gear alongside Delta's BDUs. I'm pleased to say that while it's not a perfect match, it's plenty close. "Good enough for Army Work" Community Factions Pack will have some more of the new kit to play with, as well, but CFP isn't part of CUP's dev build program, so no close-ups from me. Also be aware that the inventory space is super limited, so bring your own rucks

Winter is coming..... Gaaaaaaaaa my arm!!!!! But there's no time for that, I have to get my 'Nam on! #CUPdate inbound ARRIVED MUTHATRUKAS Edit: Here's a link to the Imgur collection if you want more of a visual changelog... https://imgur.com/a/w8IxmJV

If I were to become arma 3 team lead for a day

@CUP the coincidence is fucking REAL P.S. Winter is coming.... Also, RIP RACS urban desert, Mech Inf, and weird-ass digital woodland, and of course old woodland. You are gone, but not forgotten

The wait is killing me. I'm messing around with loadouts for my new scenarios (and just playing soldier Barbie in general) and knowing that all this new stuff that will complete the set is coming is slightly driving me bananas, those PASGT-Vs especially, and on top of Delta Hawk's helmets... I guess I could ask for the dev build on discord, but that feels like cheating since I absolutely do not have the time to playtest and bug hunt right now. GAAAAAAAAAAA!!!! By the way, whoever controls the CUP Team account should probably consider updating the front page. Judging by the description of CUP units it doesn't seem to have been touched since CUP's first release. Given the hopefully awesome and huge infantry gear, weapons, and factions update, it certainly wouldn't be a bad time to do so.

You did kind of open yourself up to their hostility with an aggressive first comment, and then proceeded to aggressively attack their mentality while here clearly and self-admittedly not fully understanding them, and then call them a loser. You were as much guilty of hostility as they were. As for their mentality, I'll leave those with more experience to share their opinions Now let's keep that hostility away from these forums and moderate ourselves here. No came-calling, no accusations of immaturity.

Considering the primary method of affixing lights, lasers, and such among grunts prior to picatinny rails was the use of duct tape liberated from the motor pool, I'm fine with just optics. I'd rather my LLMs be on straight xD Man this CUPdate is really shaping up to be something, huh :)

Absolutely, hence why we don't already have fully modeled and correctly portrayed versions of every armored fighting vehicle and variant and subvariant from 1945 to present :P Anyhow, I'm looking forwards to using the new stuff. I've had some ideas for some scenarios regarding the Yugoslav wars and intermediate-tech forces (think Project Reality "Militia") running on an ultra-lean mod setup to play with friends, and the new late CW gear will work great. I wouldn't be surprised if that PASGT setup starts appearing in Shacktac's Vietnam ensemble as well :D (all of these photos seem to be coming out around Christmas time... hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm) On another note, would there be any intent to add carrying handle optics rails to the M16A2? They were frequently used by at least US soldiers during the 90s and early noughts before flat-top receivers became common, and even early M16s had the ability to fit optics rails.

The bigger the thing, the more little fiddly bits that go with it. Especially if you do interiors That said, you don't even have to make fully modeled interiors to get the same functionality. Look at how Iron Front did it :)

TAC vests are where the generic green and black body armor came form for the promotional photos. It's quite nice and gives a lot of both USSOCOM-specific items along with a healthy dose of very useful generic items including some snazzy items with POLICE written all over, if you care about that kind of thing

You know, I think there might be a certain Slatts that might enjoy a bit of a hand with a certain Project 85...

Judging by the generously-sized (for a 206) MFD Main screens, that would be an OH-58D. The paint would still have been drying as the first units got them around Christmas of 1985! Stretching the timeframe by just a little bit, but hey, I ain't complaining; first decent Kiowa in Arma 3 I can recall. Roof-mounted sensors OP

I was having a hard time guessing, but you left it in the image name. KEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKE xD

There's also the USF2000 IBAs, which are probably the best available in terms of variety though the color balance needs work relative to USM, if simcardo is particularly bothered by it. I'm not a fan of VTN in general, tying the gear and the mechanics together like that. They have really nice stuff but I don't necessarily want the mechanics associated with it all the time. The CUP IBAs look like spruced-up versions of the Arma 1 versions

Looks like CUP beat you to it with regards to US infantry gear. ALICE rigs, PASGT Vests, and IBAs all nice and fancy-lookin. Snipped from CUP thread (edit: properly embedded US Army image, added woodland image) Still, it is CUP and thus it is meant to be more serviceable than pretty. I for one will still be waiting very patiently for the eventual rework of all your old stuffs. in the meantime, we've got some gear that will be good enough for army work... for now :)

I don't know what you're talking about comrade, there are no winter units here /cheekibreeki HALLE-FUCKING-LUJAH, finally we have some new gear suitable for generic blufor and cold war era! And we don't have to wait for Project 85 either! AND some more vehicles suitable for generic blufor! AND an MT-LB (eventually) Oh, baby, this is gonna be a good update..... *breathes* patience BTW are those some new plain-style clear eyeshields I spot? :)

I dunno what you're talking about, ya chump! I want IBAs and I want them no- Oh yeah, no problem, take all the time you need dawg, no pressure, I can wait forever if I have to!! *Nervous smile* For real tho we do want your stuff whenever its in a release-ready state, but it's your ship we're on and you set the priorities

According to the Marines, the pockets are just there to look pretty