Hardware & Technical HOTAS Roundup
- Thread starter Rafał Gan-Ganowicz
- Start date
I have a warthog setup with VKB rudder pedals and am more satisfied with this arrangement than I was with my Saitek or CH setups. I prefer the metal sticks with their 'too stiff' buttons and switches, as apparently I have sufficient strength to manipulate them. The other sticks mentioned feel more like cheap toys to me.
I did modify the warthog gimbal slightly, put in a higher quality grease (NYOGEL 767A), and reduced the spring's tension slightly to allow a little finer control when targeting NPCs a few kilometers away.
I have been toying with the idea of designing and making a new gimbal for the stick, or if I get lazy, I will buy a VKB Gunfighter base with the TM adapter. Then I can take my time at redesigning the existing base's gimbal as I will have a functioning stick during that period.
Just my opinion, but after seeing the inside of the Virpil stick and finding out that the tuning software is still in the works I have no interest in looking at one of those.
I did modify the warthog gimbal slightly, put in a higher quality grease (NYOGEL 767A), and reduced the spring's tension slightly to allow a little finer control when targeting NPCs a few kilometers away.
I have been toying with the idea of designing and making a new gimbal for the stick, or if I get lazy, I will buy a VKB Gunfighter base with the TM adapter. Then I can take my time at redesigning the existing base's gimbal as I will have a functioning stick during that period.
Just my opinion, but after seeing the inside of the Virpil stick and finding out that the tuning software is still in the works I have no interest in looking at one of those.
That VKB video got me really excited until I saw the price tag. I could replace my GPU for that amount...
While not the most reasonable expense just to play Elite, which is perfectly fine being played with M+K, no amount of CPU/GPU upgrade will offer a competent high end input device for flight sims. Therefore one has to either suck up these price tags or make do with inferior options - in terms of quality and/or functionality. Which goes for practically everything Saitek, Logitech or Thrustmasters offer atm. Seeing as the Warthog has it completely wrong (metal on the outside, plastic inside), that one isn't an alternative either. :-/
Well, I'm another one in the 'my X-55 is a ticking bomb' camp. I've seen the internals and the basic throttle design is flawed- unsupported stiff wires constantly stretching and contracting in the moving throttle handles will eventually fail. Having said that everything is still fine after three years, so I might be getting suckered by alarmists...
The big issue for me is that Thrustmaster's Warthog has problems, too. It's not just a case of spend more cash, get a better HOTAS. I suspect that many of the Hog's most fervent fans don't actually own the stick. They wear out frequently enough for Thrustmaster to have a repair kit ready to ship. Users seem to be proud of the cachet of having the 'best' stick available; it's difficult to gauge how hard they use their kit, or how often, or how likely they'd be to admit to their favourite toy breaking, after publicly defending it and rubbishing the competition for an extended period of time.
I'm very interested in VirPil. The internals look decently put together, the support (thus far) from the manufacturer seems to knock spots off the big Western companies. If/when the X-55 dies, I'll probably give them a punt. But I'm looking at late summer this year at the earliest, I'm not suggesting you throw down eye watering amounts of hard earned until the throttle has been thoroughly tested and impartially reviewed and the software for their sticks is finalised.
The big issue for me is that Thrustmaster's Warthog has problems, too. It's not just a case of spend more cash, get a better HOTAS. I suspect that many of the Hog's most fervent fans don't actually own the stick. They wear out frequently enough for Thrustmaster to have a repair kit ready to ship. Users seem to be proud of the cachet of having the 'best' stick available; it's difficult to gauge how hard they use their kit, or how often, or how likely they'd be to admit to their favourite toy breaking, after publicly defending it and rubbishing the competition for an extended period of time.
I'm very interested in VirPil. The internals look decently put together, the support (thus far) from the manufacturer seems to knock spots off the big Western companies. If/when the X-55 dies, I'll probably give them a punt. But I'm looking at late summer this year at the earliest, I'm not suggesting you throw down eye watering amounts of hard earned until the throttle has been thoroughly tested and impartially reviewed and the software for their sticks is finalised.
Wait, you mean I shouldn't have been banging away at the HOTAS with my GTX 970? That was my first troubleshooting plan...
Rationally or not, I am soured on Thrustmasters. When I do need to replace my joystick, I'll go with Virpil or VKB despite the cost.
I've been using Virpil for a few weeks now. I don't think that they're perfect for me because my short fingers struggle to operate the pinkie buttons, but apart from that, they're pretty good. I had hats that din't click feedback, though they operated 100% ok. After these few weeks the feedback clicks have improved so I can feel a small click in all positions on all hats now. I've done probably 3500 hours with X52, so a little bit of trouble with muscle memory and button assignments, but the more I use these Virpil dual sticks the more I feel that they are worth the price.
Consider the WarBRD:
The guy (Baur) is damn good at designing a gimbal. It also uses the same socket as the Virpil and Warthog. TM are rumoured to be releasing an F-18 grip, there is the Warthog grip, and Virpil Mongoos T-50 grip, and the upcoming constellation grip - all will fit off the bat.
I'm not sure what your gripes are with the existing Mongoos base, but I'm very happy with mine - was better than the Warthog base (that I also have), though, it's certainly your call.
I've seen many posts of issues with the VKB WH adaptor, thus, given the choice, I'd prefer a base that is just plug and play. If you're going VKB gunfighter, get the MCG Pro, and be done with it. It's a fantastic looking grip!
Z...
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I’m looking for a new joystick, however my warthog HOTAS has been serving me for many years now and never broke down.
Maybe I was lucky maybe I’m just a gentle guy with the stick
However I want a metal gimbal not fimsy plastic.
I’m looking for a new joystick, however my warthog HOTAS has been serving me for many years now and never broke down.
Maybe I was lucky maybe I’m just a gentle guy with the stick
However I want a metal gimbal not fimsy plastic.
Get the WarBRD base, keep the using Warthog grip - win win!
Z...
I've been thinking of just that. It would allow me to design and build a metal gimbal to replace the WH throttle base without loosing game time.
If the WarBird base ever becomes available...
I've been thinking of just that. It would allow me to design and build a metal gimbal to replace the WH throttle base without loosing game time.
If the WarBird base ever becomes available...
Pretty sure it's slated for the next few months.
As usual, though... Soon™
Z...
A good middle ground is the vkb gladiator and thrustmaster throttle. The gladiator is $100 and the TM throttle is $65. It's a wonderful set up and it has twist for yaw.
The Gladiator is ok, but you'd want the MCG grip, the WWII group they come with is.. Well, lacking in bindings.
Z...
I dunno. I feel like it's got enough buttons for me. On the pinky is a modifier button I use to switch the thumb hat to targeting stuff. Up is target ahead, down is target highest threat, left and right are target subsystems.
What can't you bind that you want?
What can't you bind that you want?