Help in ordering a VKB Fat King Cobra MkII joystick

[SYN_Vorlander]

Thanx Sokol,

 

I did receive an email from VKB Europe informing me about the manual.

 

Dankie

[Eduard_VKB]

Dear all,

 

Thanks for your interest in VKB products!

 

I apologies for lack of information provided so far. Thanks a lot to Sokol1 for bringing the information to community.

Please, read my post on the ATAG forum http://theairtacticalassaultgroup.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5957&p=66321&viewfull=1#post66321 which, I hope, answer some questions.

Also, with regards of documentation I would like to say that we are planning to provide some basic manual by the end of the week. Full documentation will be prepared in about a month. In the meanwhile, we plan to provide support via email and, also, start a wiki soon.

 

More information is coming. Here is, for example, factory mapping document for Black Mamba explaining how the controls are presented for operating system. Based on this information, it should be easier to assign controls in your sim software and start using the joystick.

 

Cheers,

Eduard

FatMambaBtnMapping.pdf

Edited October 17, 2013 by Eduard_VKB

[SYN_Vorlander]

Thanx Eduard.

[ST_Pirato]

I've ordered one aswell,just have to wait until it's aviable for Euro Customers...Hopefully in the next 2 or 3 weeks. What's your impression after a bit of use,Vorlander?

[SYN_Vorlander]

Salute Pirato,

 

It takes a day or two to get use the sticks feel ( hand position and thumb controls). Although the stick is very light the plastic is of high quality.

 

Accuracy is top notch. Don't worry you will be happy when she arrives m8

 

Cheers

 

V

[ST_Pirato]

Thanks,looking forward.^^

[AndyHill]

Sooo... When will we see an ultra-precise and strong force feedback version with effortless drop-in switchability for extended Warthog stick (and a number of equally effortlessly switchable alternative grips)?

[Revvin]

Sooo... When will we see an ultra-precise and strong force feedback version with effortless drop-in switchability for extended Warthog stick (and a number of equally effortlessly switchable alternative grips)?

It's due for release just after the release of a totally bug free flight sim that looks light years ahead of anything we have now yet runs maxed out at 100fps on a 5 year old PC

[SYN_Vorlander]

It's due for release just after the release of a totally bug free flight sim that looks light years ahead of anything we have now yet runs maxed out at 100fps on a 5 year old PC

+1

 

Perfect

[AndyHill]

So approximately end of November?

[Sokol1]

(and a number of equally effortlessly switchable alternative grips)?

 

In SimHQ are a topic of Bauer's KG-13 grip, a attempt to do a "joystick" version of this grip, using the now available 3D printer technology.

Estimated cost: 260 Euros (for a "4 button" joystick...).

Previous (RiP) Tarmac Aces KG-13 grip (only) are sold for 300 Euros or more.

 

A F-something/Su-something grip probable cost more, due more buttons/HAT, need of multiplexer chips.

 

The question is, how many Warthog users invest in a replacement grip that will cost more than half Warthog price - just for look - that make profitable someone make then?

 

Probably this will never be available.

 

Sokol1

Edited October 23, 2013 by Sokol1

[racingslippers]

Fat Black Mamba now available in the EU chaps

 

http://flightsimcontrols.com/store/joysticks/vkb-fat-black-mamba-joystick-for-eu-customers/

 

Edited November 5, 2013 by Mayfields

[SYN_Vorlander]

That's great news for the EU gents.

[LLv44_Mprhead]

So guys, now when you have a bit more experience about Mamba, how does it feel? How ergonomical is the stick, are the buttons easily reached, does it feel like it's going to last for years to come? Does the accuracy still feel good? I want a proper review

[SYN_Vorlander]

Hi mprhead,

 

I have played and still have most of the commercial sticks under the sun. During 2013 I bought a new MFFB2, TM T160000 and G940. Most virtual pilots love FFB so do I but my accuracy and precision sucks with the FFB. I have learned to play with a soft hand, not always possible if you are trying to kill or be killed in ROF but it works.

 

When I received the mamba it took me some time to get use to the grip of the stick and the buttons on the stick. The G940 ergo was better at that time but I was use to it. Now a month later the mamba is like a tame snake in the hand. Lol.

 

It's perfect for me. Will the stick last for a long time? Yes, if you take care it. The gimbal is super strong and I'm 100% sure if anything does go wrong VKB will assist in fixing it ASAP.

 

The future R&D of the sticks is also a plus point to be considered.

 

If have ordered a obutto flight sim cockpit and should receive it during the next three weeks in South Africa. I'm going to mount the mamba base onto the cockpit.

 

Hope it helps.

Edited November 6, 2013 by SYN_Vorlander

[LLv44_Mprhead]

Thanks, this was helpful indeed. One question, if you have tried CH fighterstick, how does it compare to that? It's the one I am using now and I do like it and am quite happy with it, but it still doesn't feel perfect. So I am still looking for joystick that is just right for me.

[LLv44_Mprhead]

Oh, and when you get that cockpit set up done, let us know how it worked for you

[SYN_Vorlander]

I'm sure someone soon will give a comparison between the two sticks.

[Sokol1]

VKB work on Steuerknüppel KG(?) grip, seems they choose the version without bomb button - due ergonomics.

 

http://www.sukhoi.ru/forum/showthread.php?t=72100&page=99

 

Sokol1

Edited November 9, 2013 by Sokol1

[SYN_Vorlander]

Thanx for the update Sokol

 

I'm ready to order one. For sure.

[ST_Pirato]

Mine arrived Today.

 

It looks nice and feels nice too. Although the base is a bit smaller than I expected,but thats no negative point. A big downside for me is the small throw in the Pitch axis. If you push forward there is not much travel until the stop is reached. If you pull backward the travel is noticably more ,but I still find it to be a bit on the short side. The travel in the Roll axis is again a bit more,if the same travel would be in the Pitch axis it would be perfect. I think it's intended to be the way it is.

The precision is very good,but the short throw in pitch prevents from getting the most out of the precision as small and fine corrections are hard to do imo.

I'm using a Warthog with a 10cm Stick extension,and I'm certainly a bit spoiled by the long throw of this Stick. But I honestly can't remember any other Stick I ever used that had such a short throw in the Pitch axis.

 

I propably will need a bit more time using it,but I really think it's not a great choice for a sim like Rise of Flight. For modern Plane sims it should be just fine.

[SYN_Vorlander]

Salute Pirato,

 

I ordered myself a warthog after the Mamba and received it a month ago. Ordered 7.5cm extension from 1PL_Sahaj and should receive it at the end of Nov.

 

Joysticks joysticks joysticks.

 

Edited November 18, 2013 by SYN_Vorlander

[ST_Pirato]

Just to be clear,I'm not saying that it is a bad stick,it's just up to personal preference. The Gimbals of the Mamba are superior to the Warthogs...the WH has small downsides too,like the plastic internals. Although it's propably high quality plastic, its still plastic...or the Rubber ring that will sooner or later needs an replacement.  I'd say out of the Box the Mamba is the better Stick as it is smoother in movement while the WH has the sticktion issue that needs to be fixed by yourself because Thrustmaster want to save some cash on the grease they use...if they use at all. When I opened up my WH to grease it there was almost none ,and the bit what was inside was almost dried. The WH needs some modding to become a very good stick,same could be said for the Mamba. Adding an extension would certainly work wonders.

[Sokol1]

Adapter kit for Warthog, Cougar grip on VKB Mamba base.

 

http://www.sukhoi.ru/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=172238&d=1385788407

 

Sokol1

 

[ST_Pirato]

Hey thanks Sokol1. Do you have by chance any idea on when there will be the extension to the stick aviable?  BTW on the European site there are now downloads for firmware,the configurator Tool etc. aviable. Just saw it today,did not get a notification about it by email though.

[SYN_Vorlander]

Thanx for the info Sokol1

[ST_Pirato]

If you find that your Stick doesn't have the same travel forward and backward in the Pitch axis,remove the the plastic ring and the rubber cover held by the 6 screws. Then you can check if the stop is fully reached. In my case it didn't,the screw used as stop was away like 5mm when pushing forward. I think it was an assembly mistake so I losened the screw,pushed forward until it reached the stop and then tightened it again. Now the travel back and forth is the same. You can't break anything doing this. Only thing to take care off,when you put the cover and the plastic ring back don't tighten the 6 screws too much,the thread is only 3mm into Aluminium and may get lose otherwise.

 

Another thing I found out,you can extend the stick by 30mm. It could well be an undocumented feature,not sure about this though. Again you can't break anything doing this,but you shouldn't force anything. You just need to open the  screw at the bottom of the grip. I mean those without the head that are on the left and the right. Now you can slide the grip up and if you want you can offset it a bit too,you can not pull it out completly as it has a stop to prevent this. Then tighten the screws again.

 

Edit: By offsetting the stick I meant rotate...had the wrong term in mind.

Edited December 1, 2013 by ST_Pirato

[Emgy]

Isn't less forward pitch travel intentional? See devgineer Petrovich's thread here:

http://riseofflight.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=2564

From paragraph 2.3 and on.

 

But in any case it's cool that you can easily customise it for your preference.

Edited December 1, 2013 by Calvamos

[ST_Pirato]

Thanks Calvamos for the link. Yes,it's what I thought too at first that it's intended that way. But what made me wonder is why they didn't design the stops that way. As I mentioned the screw used as stop was like 5mm away from the stop on the Gimbal. It would make sense if it was a long throw stick,like a real aircraft has. But for a Stick used on a desk with a short throw it doenst make much sense.

[Sokol1]

Another thing I found out,you can extend the stick by 30mm. It could well be an undocumented feature,not sure about this though.

 

Like this?

 

http://www.sukhoi.ru/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=142420&d=1318160164

 

Seems that for Warthog, due more weight are a new extension, in inox tube:

 

http://www.sukhoi.ru/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=172236&d=1385782225

http://www.sukhoi.ru/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=172237&d=1385782228

 

Sokol1

[ST_Pirato]

 Sokol1 yes it's like in the 1. link. These extensions are looking really good. Now that I see it I think it would have been better for me to just get the Version without the buttons on the base though. :D

[Sokol1]

I dont like buttons on joystick base.... look to "gamey".

 

And in case of Mamba VKB sold a "button" box kit for use NJoy32 extra resources.

 

Sokol1

[ST_Pirato]

Saw that info about the seperate Buttonbox when you have the Pro Version of the Mamba a few days ago . I wish the info was there earlier.^^

[Emgy]

Don't worry, if you get a long enough extension, those potmeters and switches are big enough to be used as toe controls .

 

And thanks for info on the stick internals.

[ST_Pirato]

Hehe good idea,I might consider it

[Sokol1]

You have "Black Mamba", "Fat Mamba" and now "Long Mamba":

 

http://www.sukhoi.ru/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=172429&d=1386574621

 

And "Long Wild Boar":

 

http://www.sukhoi.ru/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=172430&d=1386574624

 

 

Sokol1

Edited December 9, 2013 by Sokol1

[ST_Pirato]

Looks awesome Sokol1. I just hope  it's possible to rotate the Grip a bit for more comfortable use. Otherwise the wrists will hurt after some time I think when using it as Centerstick.

On another note,now that I have some hours of flying time with the Mamba I have to say it is a much better stick than I initially thought. It is easier to bring the guns on target in Rise of Flight thanks to the seperate axis movement. Also it is smoother than my Warthog and small adjustments are easier.

Now the only advantage the Warthog has is the more "natural" feel because of the soft Center when using an extension. And of course the metalgrip which feels a lot better than the stock Mamba grip,propably because of my large Hands. Also the buttons are better placed imo.

It will be a tough joice once I can mount my Warthogs grip together with an extension to the Mamba. I guess I have to put my trusty old Warthog in a Box and store it somewhere.

[SYN_Vorlander]

Thx Sokol1 again. Ur the gift that keeps on giving.

 

Good to hear Pirato.

[AndyHill]

Who should I contact at VKB if I was writing an article on simulator hardware? I know two words in Russian ("vodka" and "da") so it might be useful if the contact was somewhat fluent in English.

[SYN_Vorlander]

vkb@flightsimcontrols.com

 

Eduard