Thrustmaster or VIRPIL?

[AlexCherman]

Hi!
I'm trying to choose between  two variants of throttles:
1) Thrustmaster Hotas Warthog 
2)VIRPIL VPC MongoosT-50CM3

What's the best for DCS + IL-2 and Elite Dangerous player like me?

[1Sascha]

So price isn't a factor?

 

Honestly, I view the Warthog as my only feasible option to upgrade from my TWCS right now, but only because there's nothing else there between the TWCS and the higher end stuff. Still: ~€240 for the Warthog stand-alone is downright cheap when I look at the Virpil which would set me back €500 or more with taxes/shipping.

 

That said: Given the choice between the Warthog and the Viripil (and money no object), I'd choose the Virpil every time. Pretty sure it has more functions, but more importantly, it is not a replica device, so you're not bound by whatever the designers of the real A-10 wanted/needed to put on the real thing, plus it did feel nicer to me when I tried it a couple of weeks ago. I also hear very good things about Virpil's customer service and after-sales efforts. Plus the Warthog is getting a bit long in the tooth these days.

 

S.

[=LD=Nephrill]

Virpil! You will love it!

[dburne]

Virpil hands down.

 

 

[Dallas88B]

Virpil. 
I had TWCS for a long time, then Warthog for years and it was good for me, but....

I upgraded to Virpil CM3 throttle and Gunfighter Mk.III Modern Combat Edition Ultimate stick from late last year. Far superior products, more buttons and axis. The Virpil software is excellent. If your happy to spend the funds don't hesitate. 
I tell myself it would have been more economic to get this level of gear than buy constant upgrades, but its only viable to spend such money if your really hooked on the flight sim hobby. I am.

With Virpil just check if your country has import restriction in place... some, but not all, do. Here Australia has an extra 35% import tax on Russian manufactured goods and Belaruse is that...

 

 

[1Sascha]

12 hours ago, Dallas88B said:

and Belaruse is that...

I could be misinformed but one guy I spoke to who owns nothing but Virpil stuff claimed that they're now officially a Swiss company? Again... I (or he) could be wrong there, not sure. Or perhaps I'm confusing Virpil and VKB here? LOL!

 

However.. I do seem to remember that they moved parts (or all?) of their business to Lithuania... which seems to be supported by this statement from their T&C section on the website:

 

Quote

These Terms of Service and any separate agreements whereby we provide you Services shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Tulpiu St., 4, Alytus, AL, LT-62121, Lithuania.

 

S.

Edited May 31, 2022 by 1Sascha

[Dallas88B]

@1Sascha My Virpil purchases earlier this year Virpil exported and provided repair support out of Lithuania. They manufacture in Belarus.
 

This, below link on Virpils site. I am sure if its wrong Virpil would be happy to set the story straight with advice to their customers. They have not.

https://forum.virpil.com/index.php?/topic/7904-australia-to-revoke-mfn-trading-arrangements-with-belarus-april-25/#comment-37071

this on Aus government site

https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/marise-payne/media-release/australia-impose-tariff-increases-all-imports-russia

Edited May 31, 2022 by Dallas88B

[1Sascha]

6 minutes ago, Dallas88B said:

My Virpil purchases earlier this year Virpil exported and provided repair support out of Lithuania. They manufacture in Belarus.

Well... this sucks. Although I can't say I'm in disagreement with the sanctions that are the reason for these punitive import fees. But enough of that.

 

I also just checked their store where they will add on taxes for EU-customers automatically before checkout (Germany in my case). That function doesn't work for Australia though, so that didn't help me verify what you guys would've to pay. I guess it's a bit like when I import stuff from the UK into the EU these days where DHL will handle customs for me and then collect that money (plus a fee, bastards! ? ) from me on delivery.

 

 

S.

Edited May 31, 2022 by 1Sascha

[Robli]

Another option that you could consider is Winwing Orion.

You can choose between FA-18 or F-16 throttle handles (or KA-50 helicopter). 

 

P.S. Unrelated, but I wonder why these real life throttles (A-10, FA-18 etc) are not ergonomically more comfortable. I mean, for example Saitek X52 feels a lot better in hand ergonomically compared to these A-10 or FA-18 replicas. Maybe it is the two engine thing that prevents it? F-16 throttle looks more comfortable, but have not tried that myself.

[1Sascha]

31 minutes ago, Robli said:

P.S. Unrelated, but I wonder why these real life throttles (A-10, FA-18 etc) are not ergonomically more comfortable.

Unless one would sit in the real thing, handling the controls for hours on end, one would never know. I mean... these things were meant to be used in an environment that's pretty far from the one we use them in, sitting at our desks. Besides: AFAIK it's pretty unusual for a RL pilot to be using/handling his controls without flying gloves on.

 

 

S.

[dburne]

If you can swing it Virpil is well worth it. I am about to order a collective from them but I am in the States.

When I had my CM3 Throttle serviced for a micro stick issue little over a year ago it was sent to Belarus for servicing. Total turn around time from me shipping to me receiving back here was 10 days. Virpil arranged all the shipping from my end and theirs.

Edited May 31, 2022 by dburne

[No_85_Gramps]

44 minutes ago, dburne said:

When I had my CM3 Throttle serviced for a micro stick issue little over a year ago it was sent to Belarus for servicing. Total turn around time from me shipping to me receiving back here was 10 days. Virpil arranged all the shipping from my end and theirs.

My experience was the same as dburne's when I had to have a button repaired on my T-50 stick. Excellent service. It is now my back-up for the T-50 CM2.

[AlexCherman]

Thanks buddies.
Virpil was chosen

Edited June 6, 2022 by AlexCherman

[Jaws2002]

⁹

On 6/6/2022 at 3:54 PM, AlexCherman said:

Thanks buddies.
Virpil was chosen

Ah crap. Couldn't you wait a few more weeks to make up your mind? 

Now, when I want one, they are backorder again.

?

Edited June 9, 2022 by Jaws2002

[1Sascha]

5 hours ago, Jaws2002 said:

Now, when I want one, they are backorder again.

In several months of regular window-shopping with them, I don't think I've ever seen any item on the Virpil page that was not listed as "on backorder".

 

S.

[dburne]

9 hours ago, Jaws2002 said:

⁹

Ah crap. Couldn't you wait a few more weeks to make up your mind? 

Now, when I want one, they are backorder again.

?

 

That is the way their ordering system works now. Everything that is available to order will show a status of backorder. After order placed you are not charged until  they have it ready to ship - usually around 2-4 weeks, sometimes a little less.  I ordered a collective over the weekend, mine still shows back order but I expect to be charged here soon.

[Dusty_Steppes]

On 6/9/2022 at 6:00 AM, dburne said:

 

That is the way their ordering system works now. Everything that is available to order will show a status of backorder. After order placed you are not charged until  they have it ready to ship - usually around 2-4 weeks, sometimes a little less.  I ordered a collective over the weekend, mine still shows back order but I expect to be charged here soon.

 

I have been leaning heavily towards purchasing a Virpil throttle. I see an order from the US may have run into some type of customs issue. If possible, could you keep us informed as to how your purchase proceeds?

[Lupus]

1 hour ago, Dusty_Steppes said:

 

I have been leaning heavily towards purchasing a Virpil throttle. I see an order from the US may have run into some type of customs issue. If possible, could you keep us informed as to how your purchase proceeds?

 

I am in the US and own a Virpil Throttle and Joystick.  I had no customs issues in shipping.  But I did own them pre-pandemic so there is that.

 

I can say, I am very happy with the products I have, I would purchase them again.  The only thing I would change is that given the size of my hands, I wish the grip was a bit bigger around.   It would be more comfortable then.

[dburne]

9 hours ago, Dusty_Steppes said:

 

I have been leaning heavily towards purchasing a Virpil throttle. I see an order from the US may have run into some type of customs issue. If possible, could you keep us informed as to how your purchase proceeds?

 

Sure will, I have now been charged and it is showing preparing to ship.

[Dusty_Steppes]

4 hours ago, dburne said:

 

Sure will, I have now been charged and it is showing preparing to ship.

Thank you. Do they offer DHL as shipping to the states? DHL seems to be a more reliable and timelier shipper than others when ordering from overseas.

[1Sascha]

1 hour ago, Dusty_Steppes said:

Thank you. Do they offer DHL as shipping to the states? DHL seems to be a more reliable and timelier shipper than others when ordering from overseas.

[dburne]

Yeah I selected DHL for shipping also, I seem to get quickest service from them when ordering from Virpil and others. It is little more expensive but worth it imho.