New VKB Extension Modules

[dburne]

VKB Announces four new extension modules - available Oct 20th.

 

http://forum.vkb-sim.pro/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=5786

[LukeFF]

Be sure to watch this video as well for some teasers - there's a first look there at a WWII throttle grip. ??

 

 

Edited October 6, 2021 by LukeFF

[LukeFF]

I wonder as well if that's another image of the WWII grip:  

 

Edited October 6, 2021 by LukeFF

[LukeFF]

At about 1:32 into that video, you can also see they've modified the KG 12 grip to have at least one hat switch and maybe also a brake lever. 

 

F-14 grip also coming to the Gladiator. ?

[kissTheSky]

5 hours ago, LukeFF said:

I wonder as well if that's another image of the WWII grip:  

 

I hadn’t watched the video and thought you spotted it in the photo ?

[Sokol1]

This throttle grip have a rocker similar to the one in GVL224 throttles for adjust Bf 109, Fw 190 propeller pitch, embossed "Drehzahl".

 

Edited October 6, 2021 by Sokol1

[Robli]

Quite interesting. As the throttle is based on the THQ module, I guess it might not be very far away from launch either, even if not launched at 20th of October yet.

It is tempting, but I have been waiting for news about the TECS throttle as it also covers the needs for DCS.

[F19_Haddock]

These look just brilliant. Still not available, right?

[LukeFF]

33 minutes ago, F19_Haddock said:

These look just brilliant. Still not available, right?

 

http://forum.vkb-sim.pro/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=5820

Edited October 20, 2021 by LukeFF

[cardboard_killer]

2 hours ago, F19_Haddock said:

These look just brilliant. Still not available, right?

 

Right.

[Sokol1]

Prices $70 - $99 (for USA/Canada):

 

https://vkbcontrollers.com/?product_cat=gladiator-nxt-stand-alone-modules

Edited October 20, 2021 by Sokol1

[LukeFF]

1 hour ago, cardboard_killer said:

Right.

 

Negative, they are available now. That's why I posted that link. ?

[cardboard_killer]

Just now, LukeFF said:

 

Negative, they are available now. That's why I posted that link. ?

 

I followed the link but did not see an official announcement, so I went to the website and did not find a place to order them. Can you link to the order page?

[Sokol1]

1 hour ago, cardboard_killer said:

 Can you link to the order page?

 

If you are in US or Canada is the link that I post above. Rest of the world need await.

 

https://vkbcontrollers.com/?product_cat=gladiator-nxt-stand-alone-modules

 

BTW - Pay attention that these modules are "brainless", they can't be plugged in computer USB ports, but in

the GNX HID USB-controller ($15): *

 

https://vkbcontrollers.com/?product=gnx-thq-usb-controller

What is just a PCB, that seems will be housed in one of the modules, e.g. THQ and next modules, e.g. SEM, plugged there.

 

One GNX HID handle up to 16 axes, for more need a second.

 

* Not sure if one that own a NXT joystick can just buy  e.g. THQ module - without GNX HID; and plug in NXT base. ?

 

 

 

Edited October 20, 2021 by Sokol1

[Robli]

Quite big price difference, with $70 in America and €99 ($116) in Europe. 

 

13 hours ago, Sokol1 said:

One GNX HID handle up to 16 axes, for more need a second.

 

One GNX HID handles up to 8 axes.

This part is actually a little bit messy in the announcement, though, where they say that for 8 axes you don't need GNX-HID and up to 16 you need one GNX-HID, but they also say that modules can't be connected to computer without GNX-HID. So that sounds to me that you would need one GNX-HID anyway and then another one, if you go over 8 axes.

[cardboard_killer]

4 hours ago, Robli said:

This part is actually a little bit messy in the announcement

 

I think they need help on their website design if it isn't obvious to their customers that they have doubled their inventory. The IL-2 website has issues too; I would guess that between BOK and BOBp they lost the person/people that designed the site.

[Sokol1]

Quote

 

* Not sure if one that own a NXT joystick can just buy  e.g. THQ module - without GNX HID; and plug in NXT base. ?

 

 

At end of the video say that an module without GNX HID can be hardwired to Gladiator NXT base.

 

 

 

Edited October 21, 2021 by Sokol1

[Tarapatraptar]

20 hours ago, Robli said:

Quite big price difference, with $70 in America and €99 ($116) in Europe. 

 

 

One GNX HID handles up to 8 axes.

This part is actually a little bit messy in the announcement, though, where they say that for 8 axes you don't need GNX-HID and up to 16 you need one GNX-HID, but they also say that modules can't be connected to computer without GNX-HID. So that sounds to me that you would need one GNX-HID anyway and then another one, if you go over 8 axes.

The difference comes from the fact that the products are shipped from China head office (so not local stock) and shipping is included in posted price. As well as VAT.

You don't need a GNX HID controller if you connect the modules to the Gladiator NXT.

[Robli]

2 hours ago, Tarapatraptar said:

The difference comes from the fact that the products are shipped from China head office (so not local stock) and shipping is included in posted price. As well as VAT.

You don't need a GNX HID controller if you connect the modules to the Gladiator NXT.

 

Yes, I guess the European price might go down, once they get ship freight to the Netherlands stock.

I think that the 8 axes rule per GNX HID is there, even if you connect the modules to Gladiator NXT. Gladiator has 4 axes of it's own, so you could add one THQ module (3 axes) or two SEM modules (2x2 axes) to it, but after that would need an additional GNX HID.

[Yogiflight]

16 hours ago, Tarapatraptar said:

The difference comes from the fact that the products are shipped from China head office (so not local stock) and shipping is included in posted price. As well as VAT.

You don't need a GNX HID controller if you connect the modules to the Gladiator NXT.

The main reason is according to VSK Europe, that the new products don't get shipped to Europe, but are sent by air mail, to get them here in not too far future. They reckon, that in Q1 2022 the first sea shipped products will reach Europe, then the price will go down.

But with the additional shipping to Europe, the price surely will stay above the price in America.

[Tarapatraptar]

20 hours ago, Robli said:

 

Gladiator has 4 axes of it's own

The GNX Standard version has actually 4 axes (pitch, roll, twist, mini-throttle) and the Premium version 6 (the 4 from before plus the ministick with 2 axes).

[kestrel79]

What throttle was shown in the last couple seconds far left? Looked awesome. 

[Sokol1]

7 hours ago, kestrel79 said:

What throttle was shown in the last couple seconds far left? Looked awesome. 

 

Is what VKB call "WWII throttle", the THQ (3 axes,* 8 buttons module), with  a grip based on Focke Wulf 190 "Gashebel" throttle knob, with the "Drehzahl" rocker switch for control propeller pitch (increase/decrease) plus two extra buttons, no existent in FW 190 knob. VKB probable was "inspired" in GVL224 similar knob.

 

* For strength reason, two levers of THQ axes is used for support the new knob, so the throttle has 2 axes an 8 buttons.

 

VKB early idea for an "WWII throttle" was more ambitious, see this sketch, with FW 190 "Gashebel" knob, extra levers, trim wheels and switches - similar to what GVL224 and Kanttorine make.

 

 

But, since WWII is a tertiary scenery, behind "Space Combat" (ED, SC), modern military jet (DCS) and GA (FS, X-Plane), the project was reduced for a simple optional knob. 

Edited October 24, 2021 by Sokol1

[LukeFF]

3 hours ago, Sokol1 said:

But, since WWII is a tertiary scenery, behind "Space Combat" (ED, SC), modern military jet (DCS) and GA (FS, X-Plane), the project was reduced for a simple optional knob.

 

Given that TECS is still in development, it's too early to say how much support VKB will give to making WWII-style controls. That they've already revealed this new throttle grip and a revised KG 12 flight stick gives me hope that more stuff like this is on the way from them. Whatever the case, they are keeping their plans for the moment a well-guarded secret - I asked on their forum what plans they have for other WWII-themed controls, and their response was essentially "you'll just have to wait and see."

Edited October 24, 2021 by LukeFF

[Sokol1]

On 10/22/2021 at 4:57 AM, Robli said:

I think that the 8 axes rule per GNX HID is there, even if you connect the modules to Gladiator NXT.

 

Supposedly the modules in this picture is controlled by one GNX-HID. 16 analog axes in total.

 

 

 

[Robli]

On 10/25/2021 at 10:03 PM, Sokol1 said:

 

Supposedly the modules in this picture is controlled by one GNX-HID. 16 analog axes in total.

 

Interesting. Would be nice to have a screenshot of the Axes1 tab also. Right now it shows that one HID recognises all the devices, but does not really tell if all the axes of these devices are also recognized. I would guess that on the Axes1 tab you could select which axes are active, if you go over the limit. 

[Sokol1]

On 10/24/2021 at 8:17 PM, LukeFF said:

 

Given that TECS is still in development, it's too early to say how much support VKB will give to making WWII-style controls. 

 

 

"We're not going to do a WW2-style body kit for TECS. It is too modern and technological. And it does not have enough axles to fully work with piston aircraft."

 

Their "WWII" throttle is just THQ modules:

 

"The configuration of 3 THQs allows you to comfortably fly both single-engine and twin-engine aircraft."

Edited October 31, 2021 by Sokol1

[LukeFF]

5 hours ago, Sokol1 said:

"We're not going to do a WW2-style body kit for TECS. It is too modern and technological. And it does not have enough axles to fully work with piston aircraft."

 

Their "WWII" throttle is just THQ modules:

 

"The configuration of 3 THQs allows you to comfortably fly both single-engine and twin-engine aircraft."

 

Well, that's pretty lame, and it shows where their focus is at.

[dburne]

Yeah one would think developing a new throttle they would put as many axis as reasonably possible.