Which is the best Flightstick with extension? TM Warthog / VKB / Virpil

[kissTheSky]

11 hours ago, Algy-Lacey said:

 

Thanks to you all for helping me choose the right flightstick. I have now ruled out the SCG grip and will go with the VKB Gunfighter Mk III with MCG Pro grip and 200mm extension. I hope that this thread will be useful to others too.

 

Happy Landings!

Alfy-Lacey

You’re absolutely going to love it! Happy

[Dallas88B]

3 hours ago, dburne said:

Virpil Cm3 Throttle?

pretty sure its refering to the collective version that has the "Throttle Twist Axis Input with Engine Idle Button and Switch Restrictors" not the CM 2 or CM3.

 

From reviews VPC Rotor TCS Base (the one without the twist throttle) is supposed to be better, but, disturbingly, both of them have a problem in that they sag down after a time, and then they cannot be tightened enough to stop this happening. Maybe, if the mooted new model is actually released, the Apache collective will not have this problem. 

 

 

Edited April 26, 2022 by Dallas88B

[dburne]

18 minutes ago, Dallas88B said:

pretty sure its refering to the collective version that has the "Throttle Twist Axis Input with Engine Idle Button and Switch Restrictors" not the CM 2 or CM3.

 

From reviews VPC Rotor TCS Base (the one without the twist throttle) is supposed to be better, but, disturbingly, both of them have a problem in that they sag down after a time, and then they cannot be tightened enough to stop this happening. Maybe, if the mooted new model is actually released, the Apache collective will not have this problem. 

 

 

 

Yeah I have been reading that about the Virpil Collective and is a primary reason why I have not ordered one yet. Seems I am going to be sticking with the Apache so getting more interested in getting one, but going to wait a bit and see what Virpil says or does about this issue. I am not much keen on spending that much money on a collective and have it do that. So far I am getting on ok with it with my CM3 Throttle and Gunfighter stick.

Edited April 26, 2022 by dburne

[Lusekofte]

I am pretty happy, I bought new used Virpil setup. Throttle With rudderpedals. All as new with 10 cm extention and desk mounts.

I do not have to spend month  deciding between VKB or Virpil

I wanted a easy   small as possible setup with highest quality possible for the money.

Now I order another Virpil Collective, without throttle this time 

Got a new rig with a 3080 in it 

Kind of a today's middle setup, sufficient to run G2 medium setting.

I am OK with that because it was relative cheap and mid tower

[LLv34_Flanker]

S!

 

Happy with Virpil WarBRD base + 20cm curved extension and MongoosT50 grip. I would get better travel if using the other Virpil base, but I like the long travel and lighter resistance, more precise and less straining to fly. Throttle is being built at the moment, own design with help of a friend at work.

[Algy-Lacey]

4 minutes ago, LLv34_Flanker said:

S!

 

Happy with Virpil WarBRD base + 20cm curved extension and MongoosT50 grip. I would get better travel if using the other Virpil base, but I like the long travel and lighter resistance, more precise and less straining to fly. Throttle is being built at the moment, own design with help of a friend at work.

 

Thanks for the info. Have you had a chance to compare the WarBRD base and the MongoosT-50CM2 base? I wonder how the travel compares? The exact setup that you have (minus the extension) is available second hand on Ebay right now for £350

[LLv34_Flanker]

S!

 

The WarBRD base is more or less for desktop use having larger travel, the other is for putting on mount or floor mounting + extension. Travel is less to make it better for extension. Again I have no problems with the slightly larger travel of the WarBRD with extension. Depends on your seat etc. I have built a cockpit so I sit low.

Edited May 3, 2022 by LLv34_Flanker

[Lusekofte]

I bought new used virpil set with rudder pedals and 10 cm extension.

For use in a second house

On 5/3/2022 at 2:31 PM, Algy-Lacey said:

MongoosT-50CM2

I never knew about virpil  had 2 choices , I thought both was Baur design. But I get this

Edited May 5, 2022 by LuseKofte

[dburne]

1 hour ago, LuseKofte said:

I bought new used virpil set with rudder pedals and 10 cm extension.

For use in a second house

I never knew about virpil  had 2 choices , I thought both was Baur design. But I get this

 

WarBRD was Baur design. Mongoos ( CM) is Virpil design.

[Voyager]

What is a Baur design? Is that the name of the designer or a specific type of mechanism? 

[dburne]

1 hour ago, Voyager said:

What is a Baur design? Is that the name of the designer or a specific type of mechanism? 

 

The designer.  He used to design and make the products to sell then he joined the Virpil team and works with them now.

[Lusekofte]

Got  it in mail today

Going to check the axis on them with my work lap top to see if everything is ok.

The mongoose base do indeed have less travel, but in my opinion ok or perfect if smooth.

The custom made is in my opinion a bit wide on movement but suupersmooth

Edit: tested it, perfect for choppers  light and easy center.

Is it a way to adjust the grip for center mount? Right now it is a sidestick, and that is very bad for choppers

Edited May 6, 2022 by LuseKofte

[dburne]

I would think the grip would have a locking screw where it attaches that you could loosen to turn it to a little to suit a center mount. After all that is really what they are designed for. I have a VKB stick so can't say for sure, I know that is how it works on my VKB. Maybe another Virpil stick owner can elaborate on that.

[Lusekofte]

On 5/7/2022 at 1:43 AM, dburne said:

I would think the grip would have a locking screw where it attaches that you could loosen to turn it to a little to suit a center mount. After all that is really what they are designed for. I have a VKB stick so can't say for sure, I know that is how it works on my VKB. Maybe another Virpil stick owner can elaborate on that.

That was it, just loosen a screw and tight it again

[dburne]

2 hours ago, LuseKofte said:

That was it, just loosen a screw and tight it again

 

Good deal!

[Sokol1]

On 5/3/2022 at 9:31 AM, Algy-Lacey said:

 

 ...WarBRD base and the MongoosT-50CM2 base? I wonder how the travel compares?

 

T50CM gimbal has 16+16º deflection angle.

WarBRD gimbal has 22+22° deflection angle.

 

An review comparing the two:

https://www.mudspike.com/vpc-mt-50cm2-warbrd-review/

 

The thing with gimbal with big deflection and extension is the possible "conflict" with legs, chair seat, desk.

[Lusekofte]

12 hours ago, Sokol1 said:

 

T50CM gimbal has 16+16º deflection angle.

WarBRD gimbal has 22+22° deflection angle.

 

An review comparing the two:

https://www.mudspike.com/vpc-mt-50cm2-warbrd-review/

 

The thing with gimbal with big deflection and extension is the possible "conflict" with legs, chair seat, desk.

I bought a used as new set with T 50cm , it got a lot less travel than I am used to. Warbrd would be in area with my Polish custommade at home. 

I will not for a while know how this suit me, but for choppers, I expect a perfect base, ww2 warbird, not so much authentic movements , but expected to be accurate. 

With 10 cm extention, the travel is still relative small, I expect with longer, it will be noticeable longer

[=EXPEND=Dendro]

Anyone checked out wwsimstore.com? They producing some pretty cool stuff.....collectives and throttles and sticks.

[Dallas88B]

2 hours ago, =EXPEND=Dendro said:

Anyone checked out wwsimstore.com

 

Yes I have checked the store, from Australia the store shows everything is "Available for pre-order - Out of stock/Restock at unknown" but I guess this will change.

There are a couple of good reviews on YT by Grim Reapers https://youtu.be/1y6_pTy745I  and Spudknocker https://youtu.be/RR1BlK2dYus

They do a collective too

 

Sorry I have no personal experience with their products though

[cardboard_killer]

2 hours ago, =EXPEND=Dendro said:

Anyone checked out wwsimstore.com? They producing some pretty cool stuff.....collectives and throttles and sticks.

 

Do a search for Winwing here and you'll find some reviews.

[1Sascha]

Can't comment on the Gunfighter, but I was at a flight-sim LAN-event on the weekend where everyone was using either Virpil or WinWing stuff. Got to try both the top end Virpil grip and base and the WinWing F-18 setup (grip and throttle, forgot the names).

 

First impressions: As much as I consider my Gladiator Evo a huge step up from anything else in the entry- to mid-range categories, these things are on a different level than it altogether. They make lesser sticks feel like cheap toys and the difference to the Evo is also quite pronounced. Not sure it's €250 to €400 or more pronounced, but it's definitely a big step up.

 

Tried the WinWing first and that thing was impressive AF already. Very smooth and precise, not overly stiff but not floppy either. Pretty much perfect and despite sitting on a strange PC with a completely strange HOTAS (only the pedals were MFGs and familiar to me) *and* despite the fact I was using VR for the first time, I managed to kill five or six "hard" AI planes in a single IL-2-QM .. and without breaking much of a sweat.

 

Next was the Virpil and it only took about 30 seconds of messing with that thing to understand why it's even more expensive than the WinWing. That stick felt even smoother and as precise as a scalpel. Again: I'm not sure that it's worth the huge extra cost over the WinWing, but the difference in precision, build quality and feel is definitely there. After this short encounter with the two products, and if money were no object, I'd dish out the €1000+ for the Virpil stick, grip, throttle and mounts in a heartbeat. Heck, since actually using their stuff, I find myself on Virpil's website on a daily basis, trying to suger-coat their prices to myself ...

 

 

The guys at the event also told me that Virpil has something of a life-long warranty policy. Their customer service is supposedly super helpful, offering video calls to help with installation of new or spare parts and basically responding to an inquiry about warranty that they didn't care how old their product was and wouldn't stop helping the customer out until it worked again as it should.

 

 

S.

 

 

Edited May 17, 2022 by 1Sascha

[dburne]

Yes I have experience with Virpil's customer support and for me it was truly outstanding.

Don't discount the VKB Gunfigher Mk III. With the Ultimate Grip ( all metal) it is outstanding as well,

Both Virpil and VKB Products are truly great products.'

I use a Gunfighter Mk III Pro (with 200mm extension) and Virpil CM3 Throttle. Love them both very much,

 

My Virpil CM3 Throttle review and experience:

 

My VKB Gunfighter Mk III  Pro L review and experience:

 

My VKB Ultimate Metal Grip impressions:

 

 

[1Sascha]

53 minutes ago, dburne said:

Don't discount the VKB Gunfigher Mk III. With the Ultimate Grip ( all metal) it is outstanding as well,

Oh I wasn't discounting it... I just never used one so I can't comment on it.

 

I will say though that all the high-end guys that were there stated that they had moved away from VKB and converted to Virpil (or in some rare cases WinWing). They stated quality and customer service as their main reasons. Couldn't believe it myself, but they did tell stories of the Gunfighter's gimbal breaking under extreme circumstances. Not sure if any of this is accurate or relevant, just relaying what they told me.

 

 

S.

[dburne]

26 minutes ago, 1Sascha said:

Oh I wasn't discounting it... I just never used one so I can't comment on it.

 

I will say though that all the high-end guys that were there stated that they had moved away from VKB and converted to Virpil (or in some rare cases WinWing). They stated quality and customer service as their main reasons. Couldn't believe it myself, but they did tell stories of the Gunfighter's gimbal breaking under extreme circumstances. Not sure if any of this is accurate or relevant, just relaying what they told me.

 

 

S.

 

I had the original Virpil Mongoos Stick with extension. Had issues that required support help, even to the point of my basically breaking the gimbal and had to get a new one. Virpil cut me a deal on that one which helped. Used it for quite a while before acquiring a Gunfighter stick. Even still have it.

I have the Virpil CM3 Throttle. Had issues that required returning the throttle for repair. Support was great, very quick and helpful, but mine did require warranty repair. Been using it ever since with no issue. I think total turn around time including shipping both ways was 10 days - excellent.

 

VKB Gunfighter MK I with extension - used for quite a while, no issues. Still have it.

VKB Gunfighter Mk III with extension - have used quite a while now and still no issues.

I did manage to break the brake lever spring on the Mk III Gunfighter. Support was outstanding and they sent me a couple of springs at no charge to me. Note to self - quit playing with that dang brake lever all the time when sitting idle at my desk.  

 

To close, at least to me both Virpil and VKB Products just reek of quality out the chute. We are incredibly lucky to have those two companies to provide hardware to our very niche product line. And customer support from both was outstanding in my experience with them.

 

 

 

Edited May 17, 2022 by dburne

[9./JG27golani79]

On 5/6/2022 at 7:49 PM, LuseKofte said:

Got  it in mail today

Which deskmount are you using for the throttle?

 

Have the same setup but didn't get a mount for the throttle because I thought it would be fine the way I had set up my old one .. would prefer a mount though now.

[kissTheSky]

It bears to add that VKB updated their cams twice, both in material and coating process.