Hardware & Technical Virpil introduces new Mongoos T-50 Throttle

[Zeeman]

Looks very promising for those after a high end throttle - with analog thumbstick, for ED. Looks like a viable alternative to what I consider the best ED throttle at the moment, the CH Pro, which, in all honesty, is extremely dated, though still capable and sturdy.

Info below from DCS forums:

► Introducing the VPC MongoosT-50 Throttle

You’ve seen our initial concepts earlier this year, you’ve see our working-prototypes at MAKS 2017 - but today we are incredibly excited to officially announce the VPC MongoosT-50 Throttle!

Based on the feedback from the community, testers and professionals, we’ve made many changes since our initial concepts. This feedback is a true testament of the endless, exciting things that are possible with the help of you, the community!

The VPC MongoosT-50 Throttle is a fully featured, dual-engine throttle unit based on the generation 4 and 4++ modern fighter jets. Designed to complete the VPCockpit MongoosT-50 control set, it can also be used as a stand alone USB device.

As with the VPC MongoosT-50 Base, the mechanics are constructed from high precision aircraft-grade duralumin which include fully adjustable idle and afterburner detents.
The full feature set includes a huge number of controls surfaces and configuration possibilities that will surely satisfy even the most avid of virtual pilots!

VPC MongoosT-50 Throttle Base

• 9 x Buttons
• 7 x Toggle Switches
• 2 x Axis Dials
• 3 x Encoders + Push
• 2 x Throttle Axis
• 1 x Auxiliary Axis

VPC MongoosT-50 Throttle Handles

• 4 x Buttons
• 2 x 2-way Switches
• 1 x 4-way + Push Hat or 1 x Analogue Mini-stick
• 1 x 4-way Hat
• 1 x Wheel Axis

With our VPC Configurator software, the 8 x buttons on the base can be assigned up to 40 bindings through the use of shift-states.

The VPC MongoosT-50 Throttle will be available for 239.95 EUR. All existing owners of the VPC Mongoost-50 Grip up until the release of the VPC MongoosT-50 Throttle will receive a special 15% discount code to help them complete their VPCockpit setup! VPC Founder’s Club members will also receive their 5% discount.

Stay tuned for further information including availability and shipping dates!

Being the owner of both a Warthog setup, and the Mongoos T-50, the quality of the Mongoos is a level above the Warthog (which is saying quite a bit), with full metals gimbal and adjustable gimbal mechanism. Uses magnetic sensors for the various Axis, and high quality pots for the knobs and roller.

For those of us lucky enough to be VPC founder members, and owners of the T50 stick, there is a nice discount that should make it easier to pony up the cash. Looking forward to this one!

Z...

 

[Morbad]

Looks like there is an option for an analog mini-stick, which I consider an absolute must for a HOTAS in a game like ED.

 

[Zeeman]

Agreed - which is what makes it look so promising. Positioning of most of the throttle buttons is not too unfamiliar for CH Pro throttle users.I'll perhaps re-bind the pinky and middle buttons (currently my FA on/off for middle, and shift key for the pinky), but otherwise, this looks very awesome.

Z...

 

[Knightshark]

That looks great. Is there a release date?

 

[Deleted member 110222]

Damn that's beautiful.

Way outta' my reach, but damn...

 

[Zeeman]

Damn that's beautiful.

Way outta' my reach, but damn...

You know, that's what I would have said 2 or so years ago... But here's the thing, I've got nearly 2k hours in ED, and I've gone through enough "cheap" controllers to fund a good one. I would say that if you find yourself loving ED, it's worth the money in the long run, as the set up is likely to out last many PC's.

Anyways, we all have our own priorities, I'm sacrificing a few things to pay for this (heck, my coffee habit is about $100 a week!, if I cut that in half, that's paid for in a couple of months!).

Anyway, I'm really looking forward to this, also hoping VKB drop information on their throttle soon...

Z...

 

[Zeeman]

That looks great. Is there a release date?

Not yet, but I'll keep this updated with new info.

Z...

 

[GraXXoR]

I'm currently using the X65F and have done since the end of the Alpha. The throttle has an "analogue" thumbstick but it's only 4 bits precision per axis (7 steps in any of four directions) so it's rather poor but it's still very useful in game.

I've just ordered the Virpil "Nobbifier" bundle as shown in the below video.

[video=youtube;ASNLt0ZcRUU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASNLt0ZcRUU&feature=youtu.be[/video]

I'm still not sure if dual sticks will trump a HOTAS with a decent analogue thumbstick.

 

[Zeeman]

I'm currently using the X65F and have done since the end of the Alpha. The throttle has an "analogue" thumbstick but it's only 4 bits precision per axis (7 steps in any of four directions) so it's rather poor but it's still very useful in game.

I've just ordered the Virpil "Nobbifier" bundle as shown in the below video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASNLt0ZcRUU&feature=youtu.be

I'm still not sure if dual sticks will trump a HOTAS with a decent analogue thumbstick.

Wow, that's a sweet set up - dual stick is something I've been thinking about - but kinda really enjoy having the throttle. Having said that, I suspect dual stick is *much* better for fine control for combat and high speed canyon racing type stuff.

Plenty of buttons to bind, too...

Curiosity may tempt me in the end...

Z...

 

[GraXXoR]

If all else fails, Virpil just released their Mongoose T50 Throttle on the 19th... It looks incredible and has a "proper" analogue thumb stick.

 

[Knightshark]

I'm currently using the X65F and have done since the end of the Alpha. The throttle has an "analogue" thumbstick but it's only 4 bits precision per axis (7 steps in any of four directions) so it's rather poor but it's still very useful in game.

I've just ordered the Virpil "Nobbifier" bundle as shown in the below video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASNLt0ZcRUU&feature=youtu.be

I'm still not sure if dual sticks will trump a HOTAS with a decent analogue thumbstick.

I am very curious to hear your impressions!

 

[GravitusMaximus]

I'm currently using the X65F and have done since the end of the Alpha. The throttle has an "analogue" thumbstick but it's only 4 bits precision per axis (7 steps in any of four directions) so it's rather poor but it's still very useful in game.

Hey GraXXoR, tried hitting you up with a private message, I'm using the X65F as well, any chance you can send me your bindings (and corresponding .pr0 file if used) for this? I'm stuck with just straight to Elite, and I'm not getting all the buttons to work because of DirectX limitations.

 

[Deleted member 110222]

You know, that's what I would have said 2 or so years ago... But here's the thing, I've got nearly 2k hours in ED, and I've gone through enough "cheap" controllers to fund a good one. I would say that if you find yourself loving ED, it's worth the money in the long run, as the set up is likely to out last many PC's.

Anyways, we all have our own priorities, I'm sacrificing a few things to pay for this (heck, my coffee habit is about $100 a week!, if I cut that in half, that's paid for in a couple of months!).

Anyway, I'm really looking forward to this, also hoping VKB drop information on their throttle soon...

Z...

I get what you're saying. That said, turns out the Speedlink gamepad I purchased is really robust. And with six extra programmable buttons... I retain full control of my ship.

Love it.

 

[GraXXoR]

I don’t want to appear elitist but after having to use a game pad for NMS, I could not imagine using one for ED. Eww.
Yep, I come across as elitist, don’t I? Lol.

 

[Deleted member 110222]

I don’t want to appear elitist but after having to use a game pad for NMS, I could not imagine using one for ED. Eww.
Yep, I come across as elitist, don’t I? Lol.

Not at all dude. HOTAS is *the* way to play. I am currently deciding if I should buy a t16000m FCS. My X52 died, and it's out of warranty. So I'm looking at new ground.

 

[BurnyBurns]

HOTAS is *the* way to play.

Nah, it shares with M+K. What a HOTAS has over M+K in fine control of the control surfaces, the M+K has over the HOTAS in aiming fixed weapons, due to the excellent implementation as quasi virtual joystick but still pointing device in Elite. HOTAS or gamepad however are almost required for VR play. The advantages and disadvantages are really a bit more elaborate than "HOTAS or bust". I'm playing with both, M+K and a CH HOTAS + MFG Crosswinds setup and both are equally fine.


Edit: Oh, right, the throttle! Whenever Virpil actually releases the hardware that goes with this nice render, I'll have to control a twitchy finger on the "buy" button. Not that I'm unhappy with the CH Products pro Throttle, but its electronics are outdated and its mechanics very, very basic.

In terms of Elite, it's the version with mini stick I'd want to have. According to reddit comments, they're unsure whether to replace one of the "thumb" hats with the stick or the one below the index finger. While i vastly prefer such a stick under the thumb, I can understand the argument for putting it under the index finger: preoccupying the thumb with the stick for vertical and lateral axis is more limiting than the index finger, as the thumb would otherwise control multiple hats, whereas the index finger pretty much would only control a single one.

Granted, that kind of throttle is utterly wasted on just playing Elite. It's more elaborate software like DCS, where all the switches and dials on the base and the two throttle axis will shine. I'm rooting for Virpil (VKB too for that matter), to really find their place as the new goto "enthusiast" option for flight sim hardware. The established HOTAS manufacturers seem to be happy with not significantly evolving their hardware for about a decade and certainly with not going for very high quality mechanical internals in the first place.

 

[Zeeman]

From what I've read on the DCS thread, the analog stick will be thumb located - very similar to the CH Pro throttle in terms of layout.

As for KB+M vs HOTAS vs Gamepad - I actually think FD have done a brilliant job keeping it all quite well balanced. I've seen top players on each, and not even high end versions either. I like using a HOTAS, but that's because I like to feel as much as possible like I am in the ship - especially with VR.

Z...

 

[Dad Rock]

(heck, my coffee habit is about $100 a week!

Where do you get your coffee?!

I've got myself an aeropress and a subscription to Pact Coffee, and it works out to about a tenner every 10 days since I started grinding my own beans two years ago.

Sorry, to get sidetracked, OP. That controller looks amazing...

 

[Zeeman]

Where do you get your coffee?!

I've got myself an aeropress and a subscription to Pact Coffee, and it works out to about a tenner every 10 days since I started grinding my own beans two years ago.

Sorry, to get sidetracked, OP. That controller looks amazing...

Depends - I live very near the CBD when in Sydney (a boatload of sensational cafes), and very close to several good cafes when in Manila. My usual is $4 (double ristretto latte, or a double macchiato), and I tend to have 2-3 a day...

I also enjoy the social aspect, and I also treat the cafes I go to as my office, it's where I do a lot of work, emails, quotes etc... Much cheaper than an actual office!

I had an Aeropress once - it made quite a good coffee, very impressive - gave it to my GF's mum, and it is now lost...

Z...

 

[Iskariot]

Looks very promising for those after a high end throttle - with analog thumbstick, for ED. Looks like a viable alternative to what I consider the best ED throttle at the moment, the CH Pro, which, in all honesty, is extremely dated, though still capable and sturdy.

Info below from DCS forums:


Being the owner of both a Warthog setup, and the Mongoos T-50, the quality of the Mongoos is a level above the Warthog (which is saying quite a bit), with full metals gimbal and adjustable gimbal mechanism. Uses magnetic sensors for the various Axis, and high quality pots for the knobs and roller.

For those of us lucky enough to be VPC founder members, and owners of the T50 stick, there is a nice discount that should make it easier to pony up the cash. Looking forward to this one!

Z...

If the joystick had twist axis I would buy the Virpil HOTAS today.