Thoroughly impressed with the VIRPIL MongoosT-50 throttle

[ShamrockOneFive]

Hey folks,

Several weeks ago I ordered a VIRPIL MongoosT-50 to replace my old Saitek X-52 HOTAS. I've spent the last few weeks putting the new throttle system through its paces and I'm thoroughly impressed with the build quality, the features, and the overall experience. It's not a perfect throttle but I feel its now the best on the market for a wide variety of different flight sim aircraft.

I've just written and posted my full review here: https://stormbirds.blog/2019/04/28/virpil-mongoost-50-throttle-control-system-full-review/

[jaygee485]

Good review, thanks.

I've long admired this throttle, and have only heard good things about it. I've never used one, but the only thing I don't like about it,

which you also criticised in your review, is that yellow/red button. It looks very toy-like and spoils the otherwise beautiful design.

Still, on appearances alone, this would have to be my second favorite throttle. 

[No_85_Gramps]

I have to agree with the OP's comments. I've had mine for about 8 months now and absolutely love it! Other than the snafu with the pre-ordering, I don't have any complaints.

[dburne]

 

Very nice and detailed review, thank you !

 

Now I am going to have to seriously consider getting one.

[NiiranenVR]

Jaygee .... Whats your favorit ???? 

[Alonzo]

I have had the throttle since January and I like it a lot. The sheer number of buttons is wonderful -- you can even fly a P47 on it! My two things I would improve are the circular button as you mentioned (I have that bound to eject, with engine-start on the flippy red button), and the fact that with the throttles linked there is a tiny bit of play in the secondary lever. Not enough to cause any problems but I feel it and would love it to be magically better. But I am not a mechanical engineer. Other noteworthy bindings that may or may not work for other pilots:

• 109 adjustable stabilizer on the "ring finger scroll wheel"
• Supercharger gear on one of the right-hand flip switches, boost/water on the other
• P47 supercharger interlink on leftmost 'pinky' button

This throttle is also fantastic for flying the Spit IX -- in-game we have no throttle/RPM link (when in fact there were field mods for this, even if not factory standard) and the T-50 throttle just does this out of the box with no configuration. Just set RPM to the secondary throttle axis, main throttle to main axis, then physically bind the two together using the T-50 slider thingy. Great stuff. For taxi and some scenarios you will want to separate them and have higher RPM, but for 95% of my Spit flying I have the two linked.

[Schmehl]

I've had mine since Christmas 2018.  Overall I love it, but just recently discovered a problem.  The little joystick-like thumb switch has a plastic knob with a flat spot on it to keep it from spinning, but it started to spin while using it and wore off the flat spot.  The switch itself has a metal post and it doesn't spin and appears to work perfectly.  I entered a warranty claim with Virpil on Friday, so I'll see what happens.  It seems to me that a metal insert in the switch knob would be much more robust.

[LLv34_Temuri]

I had to cut off a small bit from the pin that locks the throttle handles together, as the pin was scraping the other handle in the unlocked state and because of that the pin kept popping up on its own. Other than that, a very nice throttle!

[TWC_Ace]

Expensive toy bring you joy.

 

?

[jaygee485]

17 hours ago, IV./JG51-H_Steinbaur said:

jaygee .... Whats your favorit ???? 

 

I like the Kanttorin Kone best. Again, I've yet to try it, but it won't be long now!

Construction should be starting this week, with shipping hopefully next week. This is another one I've only heard good things about.

 

 

Edited April 30, 2019 by jaygee485
typo

[Hanu]

With any luck I'll get my Kanttorin Kone today if Finnish mail does not fail... At least it was registered in the logistics centre of the town I live.

Edited April 30, 2019 by Hanu

[jaygee485]

1 hour ago, Hanu said:

With any luck I'll get my Kanttorin Kone today if Finnish mail does not fail.

 

Lucky you, living in Finland! Very handy for delivery.

I'm on the other side of the world, so I expect delivery to take longer than construction time.

Anticipation...........

Edited April 30, 2019 by jaygee485

[Schmehl]

On 4/29/2019 at 12:17 PM, Schmehl said:

I've had mine since Christmas 2018.  Overall I love it, but just recently discovered a problem.  The little joystick-like thumb switch has a plastic knob with a flat spot on it to keep it from spinning, but it started to spin while using it and wore off the flat spot.  The switch itself has a metal post and it doesn't spin and appears to work perfectly.  I entered a warranty claim with Virpil on Friday, so I'll see what happens.  It seems to me that a metal insert in the switch knob would be much more robust.

Update - Virpil responded quickly and said they will send a replacement cap.  They recommend a small drop of super glue on the switch shaft when installing the cap to prevent future rotation.  Great customer service.  I can tell they care about the reputation of their company.

[ShamrockOneFive]

On 5/1/2019 at 12:10 PM, Schmehl said:

Update - Virpil responded quickly and said they will send a replacement cap.  They recommend a small drop of super glue on the switch shaft when installing the cap to prevent future rotation.  Great customer service.  I can tell they care about the reputation of their company.

 

That's great to hear! VIRPIL is a small company and they seem to be working extra hard to provide good service. They certainly seem to stand behind their stuff!

[dburne]

7 hours ago, ShamrockOneFive said:

 

That's great to hear! VIRPIL is a small company and they seem to be working extra hard to provide good service. They certainly seem to stand behind their stuff!

 

Agree that has been my experience with them as well.