VIRPIL WarBRD Base and Grip review

[ShamrockOneFive]

Hey folks. I've had a chance to get my hands on VIRPIL's WarBRD Base and Grip and after several weeks of flying with it have finally gotten around to doing my full review. In summary I will say that the WarBRD is one of the best pieces of flight sim tech I've had a chance to fly with. The feel of the base (particularly the tension) took me a bit of time to get used to but once I did I think there's no going back.

 

 

Read the full review here: https://stormbirds.blog/2019/06/04/virpil-warbrd-base-and-grip-full-review/

 

Do any of you fly with the WarBRD? What's your experience?

[RIVER]

Didn't read the review, just wanted to add my Virpil Warbrd base is not level, stick "hangs" to the left. Throttle has some flaws eather. Rattles, buttons super loud, some switches hardly move. Not overwhelmed by Virpils quality standards.

[ShamrockOneFive]

5 hours ago, RIVER said:

Didn't read the review, just wanted to add my Virpil Warbrd base is not level, stick "hangs" to the left. Throttle has some flaws eather. Rattles, buttons super loud, some switches hardly move. Not overwhelmed by Virpils quality standards.

Interesting experiences. I've not found that with either my throttle or the WarBRD. In particular the WarBRD stays perfectly centered.

 

Have you checked the springs and cams to make sure that everything is ok?

[Herne]

I think if I was to go down this route I would probably get the mongoose base with extensions. I'm currently using and still largely happy with my x55.

 

That could very well all change though if I was ever to get my hands on a quality stick.

[J5_HellCat_]

Been running a WarBRD base w/warthog grip since last summer best setup I've ever had  and I've had most of them .

[Warpig]

2 hours ago, Herne said:

I think if I was to go down this route I would probably get the mongoose base with extensions. I'm currently using and still largely happy with my x55.

 

That could very well all change though if I was ever to get my hands on a quality stick.

As a former user of the X55/X56, getting a high-end VKB or Virpil device is life changing. I myself have owned two VKB sticks , and the all metal cam and spring gimbals are totally worth the investment. The smoothness and precision are unmatched, and it will show in your flight performance. No more jerking out of center! You'll never want to go back to a plastic and spring system again.

 

I still use my X56 throttle. Although, that might change next time Vipril has throttles in stock.

[Sokol1]

Shamrock

 

An small "nick-piking" about review text: 

 

" EU customers should have an easier time going through the EU webstore."

 

EurAsEU in VirPil store don't include European Union, but Eurasian Economic Union (Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia...) only.

 

European customers should use "Rest of World" store. ?

 

About: "...and the long press travel of the two buttons..." 

 

Thing is that Cougar/Warthog users used criticize VirPil (and VKB) by the short travel of their press buttons (similar to CH joysticks), that this is "not real".

Probable in WarBRD they add a spring under button cap (like in Cougar/Warthog) for have a "realistic travel". ?

 

"...you can’t please all of the people all of the time." ?

 

BTW - Could inform that WarBRD "twist rudder" - embed in grip and no in the base, use contacless sensor in place of potentiometer, like used in Saitek's and low cost Thrutsmaster.

Edited June 5, 2019 by Sokol1

[VIRPILControls]

15 hours ago, RIVER said:

Didn't read the review, just wanted to add my Virpil Warbrd base is not level, stick "hangs" to the left. Throttle has some flaws eather. Rattles, buttons super loud, some switches hardly move. Not overwhelmed by Virpils quality standards.

 

Hi River  - your WarBRD base absolutely should not "hang" to the left at all, it should be centered! Please get in touch with us via our support portal regarding any issues you're experiencing so we can get this resolved for you  

[RIVER]

All right guys, thank you. Will do after Holiday.

[ShamrockOneFive]

On 6/5/2019 at 11:18 AM, Sokol1 said:

Shamrock

 

An small "nick-piking" about review text: 

 

" EU customers should have an easier time going through the EU webstore."

 

EurAsEU in VirPil store don't include European Union, but Eurasian Economic Union (Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia...) only.

 

European customers should use "Rest of World" store. ?

 

About: "...and the long press travel of the two buttons..." 

  

Thing is that Cougar/Warthog users used criticize VirPil (and VKB) by the short travel of their press buttons (similar to CH joysticks), that this is "not real".

Probable in WarBRD they add a spring under button cap (like in Cougar/Warthog) for have a "realistic travel". ?

 

"...you can’t please all of the people all of the time." ?

 

BTW - Could inform that WarBRD "twist rudder" - embed in grip and no in the base, use contacless sensor in place of potentiometer, like used in Saitek's and low cost Thrutsmaster.

Hey Sokol!

 

Interesting. My understanding was that the store applied to the EU as well. Can someone confirm? I thought that was where VAT was applied whereas the rest of world one does not (although we more than pay for that with import fees).

 

Also interesting regarding the travel. I prefer a short press but if that's what people are after then who am I to say

 

According to VIRPIL's product page the twist sensor is contactless:

 

Quote

★ All-Metal Twist Axis Mechanism with VPC Contactless Sensor

https://virpil-controls.eu/vpc-warbrd-grip.html

[Sokol1]

This Reddit post confirm that WarBRD grip pinky button and probable the button in top of grip has spring under button cap - the guy removed the spring of pinky button.

 

https://www.reddit.com/r/hotas/comments/c0yhxk/diy_warbrd_grip_twist_axis_lock/

 

The text under «  » in this review of Thrustmaster F-18 HOTAS AddOn praising the "heaviness" and course of joy buttons by some brand exemplify this "realism" preference of some virtual pilots.

 

http://www.checksix-fr.com/test-thrustmaster-hotas-addon-grip-f-a-18c-hornet/

 

An no, the switches in the stick mentioned in that review are not "haut de gamme" but the most cheap possible - just a cooper dome exposed over a PCB, costing less than the  "solution « économique »" used by CH, VKB, VPC. That spring do the "realism" trick. 

Edited June 15, 2019 by Sokol1

[Knott]

I have the warbrd base and throttle a couple of grips. No issues at all I got good versions.  I have the thrustmaster warthog before in one of multiple attempts to actually be comfortable flying with the right hand but it´s impossible to dog fight. You can land and do simple planned manoveurs but you can never ever get anything in your sights that is just requiring to much precision

I haven´t had any issues with mine but for sure the cougar all metal grip certainly feels more solid. Way more it really wins the grip department though less buttons. As for the base the war brd do feel really weird for me in FS 2020. The progressive resistance ramps up pretty quick. But in IL 2 I do understand why it´s. It´s so smooth circling around in the middle when trying to get the crosshairs on I always know where it´s but no stickiness anywhere and you really have to fight it to be able to overfly and constantly stalling.

The warthog is a bit to stiff for me by default but with an extension it becomes supersmooth and absolutely incredible for helicopters and probably general FS 2020 use too. Just wish there was a handle for it for lefties.