WinWing Orion 2 or Virpil Mongoose throttle?

[1Sascha]

I'm pretty close to pulling the trigger on a TWCS-replacement and while I'm pretty sure it'll be the Orion 2, I thought I'd ask around for opinions first. Thing is: Based on their own website and on info from WW-customers from other EU-countries, I *guess* the WW would be between €300 and €330, all in, (depending on import-duties) while the Virpil would be just under €500, all in. I'll admit that it's the Virpil that really gets me excited and I only ever tried the Orion's predecessor, not the current, updated variant. Which felt great, but the Virpil I tried after that felt even better.

 

 

I also am not a fan of this whole "importing from China"-business and potential hassle with customs and/or customer-service issues this could bring up. But €200 is quite a substantial difference, so ...

 

Thanks for your input!

 

S.

[kissTheSky]

VKB TECS. Because you know. “It’s almost here” ???

 

Too soon?

[dburne]

Absolutely love my Virpil CM3 Throttle.

[Lusekofte]

On 7/4/2022 at 2:10 PM, dburne said:

Absolutely love my Virpil CM3 Throttle.

I have one on my other setup

It feel like a pro equipment.

I have not use it for GB . ButFor DCS it kind of shine.

Both your throttle options are quite

Modern.  I read about broken throttle handles on the orion. I am quite sure they have a lack of quality checking.

Because a absolute few git bad experience, but most is very satisfied.

I am sure you won't regret any of the choices 

Orion seem to be much bigger

Edited July 16, 2022 by LuseKofte

[Chilli_40]

On 7/4/2022 at 4:57 AM, 1Sascha said:

I'm pretty close to pulling the trigger on a TWCS-replacement and while I'm pretty sure it'll be the Orion 2, I thought I'd ask around for opinions first. Thing is: Based on their own website and on info from WW-customers from other EU-countries, I *guess* the WW would be between €300 and €330, all in, (depending on import-duties) while the Virpil would be just under €500, all in. I'll admit that it's the Virpil that really gets me excited and I only ever tried the Orion's predecessor, not the current, updated variant. Which felt great, but the Virpil I tried after that felt even better.

 

 

I also am not a fan of this whole "importing from China"-business and potential hassle with customs and/or customer-service issues this could bring up. But €200 is quite a substantial difference, so ...

 

Thanks for your input!

 

S.

I'm with you a 100% on the importing anything from China! But after reading a pile of reviews and watching youtube video's I sucked it up and bought the Orion HOTAS Max. This was a couple months ago when they were backordered, which I only waited a week for the shipping notice. Not being a fan of Fedex their deliver time to the US was less than 5 days which is stellar, no problems with customs whatsoever. So, from the time of the order to in my hands was less than 2 weeks. Hotas Contruction is really,really well made with more buttons than I will ever use. So just my 2 cents, I don't think anyone would be disappointed with the WinWing Hotas.

[1Sascha]

13 hours ago, Raven4 said:

I'm with you a 100% on the importing anything from China! But after reading a pile of reviews and watching youtube video's I sucked it up and bought the Orion HOTAS Max. This was a couple months ago when they were backordered, which I only waited a week for the shipping notice. Not being a fan of Fedex their deliver time to the US was less than 5 days which is stellar, no problems with customs whatsoever. So, from the time of the order to in my hands was less than 2 weeks. Hotas Contruction is really,really well made with more buttons than I will ever use. So just my 2 cents, I don't think anyone would be disappointed with the WinWing Hotas.

Yeah, I had to change my plans ... slightly.

I went and re-checked WinWing - their updated website now lists two versions of the Orion 2 and the one *with* lifts is $285. Due to the crappy current EUR/USD exchange rate, and adding shipping, import duties into the EU and (mandatory) handling fee for the shipping company to handle customs for you, that would've been well over €400, delivered to my door. Which is within striking distance of the Virpil (€495) as far as I'm concerned, since I prefer that throttle's "generic"/non-replica design.

 

While I was talking myself into the Virpil, I got a price alert for the TM Warthog throttle (stand-alone, not interested in the WH stick) at €207, all in and delivered in 4 or 5 working days. Which is a pretty sweet deal, IMO, so I bought that one. The way I see it, that will make it easier to go for the Gunfighter MCG Ultimate instead of the regular one or with the Virpil T50 instead of the WarBRD once I upgrade my stick later this year. I'm sure I'll be cursing my decision once I have to deal with the WH's crappy slew control, but I think that if it's between the stick and the throttle, putting more money into the stick is probably the right choice.

 

S.

Edited July 17, 2022 by 1Sascha

[ACG_PanzerVI]

I did this dance, and decided to try the Orion 2 Throttle.  Its very pretty.  Nice LEDs.  Feel is... ok.  The new detent release finger tips seem to work ok.  However, the mapping issues are horrible with IL2 which I play more than DCS.  So I tried downloading the "sim app pro" software from Winwing's site.  This thing lit up my anti-virus security software like a Christmas tree, and digging into it, it really does look like no-kidding malicious code not just a freaked out security app.  So...  what sorts of things are embedded in the hardware itself, hard coded?  This thing is either going back or on Ebay (and I recommend  you don't get it from me there, but I'll sell it to you if you want it!). 

 

FWIW I also don't think that its all that great even w/o the malware piece.  The feel is good, but not quite intuitive, and the idea of having all the controls pre-labeled, while neat if you are into F/A-18 on DCS, is kind of not so for other applications.  I want a system that works well with VR, so I need an intuitive feel for all of the off-throttle switches, and this is not that - for me. 

 

All that said, its still here on my desk waiting to get unplugged and swapped out for my X-56 that I'll be plugging back in and running again, with all its limitations.  I'd love to hear from anyone with in-depth knowledge on the safety of this device, as well as more positive experiences.

 

[BladeMeister]

FYI, the VKB GF III with the 200mm extension and the MonsterTech desk drop mount is completely awesome. There is no way to describe the difference between a standard joystick and an extended length joystick other than   it is the best experience I have ever had in sim with a joystick. Expensive, yes, but glad I pulled the trigger and did it. Just got the Virpil CM3, expensive, yes but after just 2 weeks I am very happy I got it. In fact I have the  VPC SharKa-50 on order right now to complete my Hotas and give me dual control axises for throttle, prop and mixture controls in the dual engine kites. Unnecessary, yes, but I am getting older and I want to enjoy my CFSs to the utmost before I can't anymore.

VKB= HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

 

VIRPIL = HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

 

Nuff Said!

 

S!Blade!<><

[1Sascha]

13 hours ago, BladeMeister said:

FYI, the VKB GF III with the 200mm extension and the MonsterTech desk drop mount is completely awesome.

I'm kinda, sorta thinking about extensions already.

 

I think it's safe to say that going with a mount (VKB UCM Short), putting it in a central position and adjusting my seating position around that mount is probably one of the more "transformative" experiences I've had in this hobby. I know it's a silly word, but I'd call it a game-changer. And that's with the KG-12 Gladiator Evo, which is a bit cumbersome on a central mount due to the dimensions of its base and the mount's base-plate needed for it.

 

There's just so much more control over the stick this way  - I'd always been using my sticks on the desk before, sitting to the right of my keyboard and the difference in feel is quite remarkable (after a few days of practice).

 

Not only does the central position give me a better feel for the stick, it also meant that I could adjust my MFGs in such a way that I now have way more authority over them (lower seating position so that the chair's seat fits under the mount, pedals rotated almost to the maximum "heels on the floor" position). Now it's like I'm pushing the pedals forward, like the clutch pedal in a sports-car with a low seating position - whereas before it was more like I was operating the pedals from above like in a big rig truck or a large bus. Which doesn't really work too well with the MFG's design.

 

 

Problem is: If I'll use a Gunfighter or WarBRD/T50 with an extension, I'll probably have to lower the mount, which will push me even further away from the desk. And my monitor arm is already at its forward limit now, putting my screen at about 5 to 10 cm from the front edge of my 80 cm deep desk. I fear if I move back further from the desk, I'll end up too far away from my screen and keyboard/mouse which I still need to use in a couple of my sims ... ?

 

S.

Edited July 18, 2022 by 1Sascha

[BladeMeister]

LOL! The never ending saga of getting your Hotas setup and monitor just right.  I still haven't decided how I will mount my new VPC SharKa-50, but once I do, I should be set for life. Except,... the only constant in life is,.....change.

 

S!Blade<><

[dburne]

5 minutes ago, BladeMeister said:

LOL! The never ending saga of getting your Hotas setup and monitor just right.  I still haven't decided how I will mount my new VPC SharKa-50, but once I do, I should be set for life. Except,... the only constant in life is,.....change.

 

S!Blade<><

 

Lol yeah set for life, that is what I keep telling myself. It don't work lol.

[1Sascha]

On 7/17/2022 at 5:11 PM, ACG_PanzerVI said:

So I tried downloading the "sim app pro" software from Winwing's site.  This thing lit up my anti-virus security software like a Christmas tree, and digging into it, it really does look like no-kidding malicious code not just a freaked out security app.  So...  what sorts of things are embedded in the hardware itself, hard coded? 

Thanks! Feeling better about my decision already... ?

 

S.

[1Sascha]

Wohoo!

 

 

That TM clamp seems at the upper limit of its load capacity with the WH...Damn! I mean... I had been told that it's heavy, but... boy oh boy! Do they put a couple of depleted uranium 30mm slugs in there or what?

Kinda weird having to map all these mechanical toggles, but so far, I haven't run into any difficulties that either my brain-cells or Joy2Key couldn't fix. Difference between this one and the TWCS couldn't be more pronounced. One feels like a toy, the other like a professional's tool. And the throttle-axis action is so much more precise and way smoother.

 

At €207 all in, this thing is worth every penny IMO. Yes: The slew-control is indeed a bit crap (all I use is its central button press, lol) but otherwise I'm very impressed.

 

S.

[BladeMeister]

My VPC SharKa-50 is supposed to be here on Monday. First order of business, take everything out of the face plate and give it a custom paint job. I don't like all the pre labeling paint scheme, so I have decided I will give it a more plane label paint job like the CM3. Then to mount each one in their final position and begin my final Profiles for each of my Combat Flight Sims. This is my final solution to Combat Flight Simming and I intend to use this setup until I am done flight simming. FYI, for anyone wondering if the CM3 can just be used on the factory installed feet without mounting it, the answer is yes. The CM3 is heavy enough and has very good quality rubber feet that will keep it from sliding unless you are particularly violent with the actual throttle throws during use. I don't think I have had mine slide at all during the last 3 weeks of use.

 

S!Blade<><