Hardware & Technical VKB North America Stock Updated

GravitusMaximus

GravitusMaximus
Don't worry... they'll screw it up. I gave up on VKB and cancelled my order for the MCG after it was delayed three times. I bit the bullet and grabbed a Logitech x56 (new version) instead, got it in two days.
 

NascentChemist

N
GravitusMaximus said:
Don't worry... they'll screw it up. I gave up on VKB and cancelled my order for the MCG after it was delayed three times. I bit the bullet and grabbed a Logitech x56 (new version) instead, got it in two days.
Click to expand...

Really, they screwed up the order after it was placed? So far I've just been waiting for things to come into stock.

Of course, first they said the rudder pedals would be in stock Jan 15, then Jan 25, then Feb 25, then mid-March...

Maybe I'll feel better when my order is no longer processing.
 

Cruise

Cruise
I have a couple of VKB questions, I wonder if you guys can answer, as my emails to VKB are taking ages to get a reply.

What’s the difference between the ‘table top’ & ‘Pro’ versions of the Gunfighter?

What’s the difference between the ‘MCG’ & the ‘Pro MCG’ grips?

Do you plug the rudder peddles[mk4] into the little orange box along with the joystick?
Will it be possible and/or necessary to plug in the ‘TECS’ VKB throttle[when it arrives]into that little orange box too?

Thanks in advance Cmdr’s
o7
 

Bill Clement

Bill Clement
As I understand it (I don't own a VKB stick yet) :


  • The 'table top' is the grip, the base (gimbal) and a large metal plate. Bolt the three together to make a conventional joystick. The 'pro' comes with an eight inch extension that fits between the gimbal and the grip, an additional small metal plate suitable for mounting in home cockpits/simpits and extra, stronger springs to handle the additional leverage offered by the extension. Basically, use the tabletop for a desk mounted setup and use the pro for a simpit.
  • MGC grips have 14 buttons and five analog axes, while the MGC Pro is visually almost identical, has the same layout, but some of the buttons have been upgraded to give 24 button pushes and 6 axes.
  • I'm not sure on the last point. As I understand it plugging two devices in to the same orange box is possible if you only want one connection to your PC, although each controller comes with an additional 'black box', so it shouldn't be too much of an issue even if you have to use multiple ports. Having said that, TECS is a long way off, mate. With VKBs usual lightning fast development and delivery schedule it might not be here this year. When it does arrive I suspect that there'll be individual connections marked for joystick and pedals- the pedal's black box already has additional connection points, they're currently marked 'bus'.

Here's a wee demo vid showing the pedals and the black box to good effect:
[video=youtube;BvymdgZIGLg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvymdgZIGLg[/video]

Hth! :cool:
 

Cruise

Cruise
Hi Bill,
Many thanks for that info.
Just need to wait for VKB to get some items in stock.
Their products do seem to be of a very high standard, just a shame production/stock levels, general communication etc is not as good.
 

Cruise

Cruise
Hi Bill,
I’ve found a second hand Gunfighter mk1 for sale(£200), but it has a KG12 grip, which does not have enough buttons/hat switches for ED.
Do you think it would be possible to fit the MCG to it??
I’ve emailed VKB twice but no response
 
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Bill Clement

Bill Clement
I'm not sure mate. The company have been churning out different grips over the last couple of years. At one point I think they were all compatible, but now there are so many different combinations I'd be very wary of getting something with the intention of upgrading. If the Mk 1 used a five pin connector then the latest grips won't be any use to you, as they've switched to a three pin design. There are firmware issues hinted at on the official forum, too. I'm not sure how many links the mods will put up with, but there are some pretty unhappy bunnies on this thread: http://forum.vkb-sim.pro/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=3062

My take would be that the KG12 is a really good grip that will work well for an extended period- several years, hopefully. But if you want a different grip, then it's probably better to wait until one of those becomes available.

What about the competition? VirPil are supposed to be pretty good and they actually keep a decent level of stock! :D Their desk mounting system wouldn't work in my simpit, otherwise I'd have had one of their sticks months ago.


 

Cruise

Cruise
Good advice, cheers for that Bill.

I did have a look at Virpil, but like you, I don’t like the desk mounting system.
They even have a bit of a sale on at the moment.

I think I will hang on, & rethink the whole issue.
In the mean time, just hoping that no more buttons fail on my X55 & VKB get their act together.
 

Bill Clement

Bill Clement
With the X-55 it's more likely to be the wires than the buttons. They're a real pita to solder- they're tiny!- but a repair is possible. Mine is on it's last legs. I spent a whole week rewiring the blighter, but it's held up since (over three months now). I might redo the throttle properly at some point, or I might just buy something cheap to tide me over until VKB bring out their TECS. The Thrustmaster TWCS retails for about £70, that'd get me used to a slider rather than the pivot on the X-55? I could get some of that back by punting the thing on fleabay once I've got a working TECS.
Or there's the VirPil throttle. Ugly as sin, but it's got all the functionality in the world, I don't think even I'd run out of buttons on that beastie!

Still, 'act in haste, repent at leisure'. I think I'll follow your lead mate. Stick with what I've got for a wee while longer and see what comes out in the wash.
If Logitech ever decide to sell their X-56 throttle seperately (at a reasonable price, say @£110?) I'd be willing to give them another try. The two year warranty means £55 a year with the possibility that it'll outlast the X-55 by a decent margin. That sounds like a pretty reasonable proposition.

I guess a lot depends on whether gamers start flocking over to VirPil! :D
 

Cruise

Cruise
I’ve been doing a bit of research on Virpil, & I think that’s looking like the route I’m going to go.

Their customer service is spot on, I’ve filed a couple of tickets requesting info on the MongoosT-50CM Flight-stick.
I got replies within 24hrs.

I’m now looking at potentially going down the MongoosT-50CM Flightstick & Virpil throttle route.
I’ve requested info, regarding twist on the MongoosT-50CM Flightstick.

I’m just going to do a bit more research before pulling the trigger on the purchase, as don’t want any regrets on a big spend like that.
Fortunately, the throttle is currently only available as a pre-order item & I’m told there should be more stock of the MongoosT-50CM Flightstick in a couple of weeks. So no burning desire to ‘add to basket’ at the moment
 

INaeem

Elite Greeter
INaeem
Cruise said:
I’ve been doing a bit of research on Virpil, & I think that’s looking like the route I’m going to go.

Their customer service is spot on, I’ve filed a couple of tickets requesting info on the MongoosT-50CM Flight-stick.
I got replies within 24hrs.

I’m now looking at potentially going down the MongoosT-50CM Flightstick & Virpil throttle route.
I’ve requested info, regarding twist on the MongoosT-50CM Flightstick.

I’m just going to do a bit more research before pulling the trigger on the purchase, as don’t want any regrets on a big spend like that.
Fortunately, the throttle is currently only available as a pre-order item & I’m told there should be more stock of the MongoosT-50CM Flightstick in a couple of weeks. So no burning desire to ‘add to basket’ at the moment
Click to expand...

The MongoosT-50CM Flight stick does not have a twist axis. I'm having a blast with dual stick desk mount setup.
 

Cruise

Cruise
INaeem said:
The MongoosT-50CM Flight stick does not have a twist axis. I'm having a blast with dual stick desk mount setup.
Click to expand...

Hi INaeem,
I know the dual stick setup is quite popular, but how exactly do you have yours configured?
I’m use to a hotas setup, but interested in how different that would be.
Especially as I’m probably going to place an order in the next couple of weeks.
Really don’t want any regrets after order is placed :D
 

INaeem

Elite Greeter
INaeem
Cruise said:
Hi INaeem,
I know the dual stick setup is quite popular, but how exactly do you have yours configured?
I’m use to a hotas setup, but interested in how different that would be.
Especially as I’m probably going to place an order in the next couple of weeks.
Really don’t want any regrets after order is placed :D
Click to expand...

It is work in progress, left stick for roll, right stick for pitch, 4-way button for yaw and brakes for throttle. ​I'm having a blast, I thought I'd struggle to adapt coming from the Elite Xbox Controller. Going forward I will complete my setup with the analogue stick throttle. Virpil have confirmed a throttle with analogue stick will be available at some point after the release of the current pre-order throttle. I plan to use both sticks + throttle.
 
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Cruise

Cruise
Hey Bill,
I’m going to order the Virpil throttle(should be available 20/5/18), so will have an X55 throttle if your wanting to buy a spare at very reasonable price?
 

Bill Clement

Bill Clement
:D No, I'm good mate. Thanks for the offer, but I've just forked out a ridiculous amount on a new Gunfighter. My X-55 repair is still holding, hopefully it'll last until I've saved enough for a VirPil throttle or VKB bring out the TECS.

Make sure you let us know how you get on with the VirPil throttle- that thing looks amazing!
 

Cruise

Cruise
As soon as I get it, I will let you know all about it.
Actually quite excited to get hold of it, now I’ve made the decision :D
It should be available on the 20th, so it’s going to be a long month.
 

Bill Clement

Bill Clement
Yeah, I'm thinking the same thing. At least you can be reasonably sure VirPil will ship when they've promised. Our Dutch pals running VKB's EU branch have a whole different take on customer service... :rolleyes:

Lol- it's like living the 70s all over again. We were constantly skint, I was never quite convinced I was going to get a Christmas present! My parents were stars, though, they always came up with something really cool. Maybe not quite as pricey as the neighbour's kids, but I was always really grateful (and a bit relieved) on the day. I told them I didn't really mind not getting anything, but I don't think I was particularly convincing! [haha]

Thinking about it, that's probably why I buy myself such expensive toys these days. :O
 

znôrt

znôrt
Cruise said:
Hi INaeem,
I know the dual stick setup is quite popular, but how exactly do you have yours configured?
I’m use to a hotas setup, but interested in how different that would be.
Especially as I’m probably going to place an order in the next couple of weeks.
Really don’t want any regrets after order is placed :D
Click to expand...

i'm in the same boat, just got me 2 mongoost and absolutley love them. takes a while to get used to, and i've still a lot to do but i'm in no hurry. current setup is:

left stick: lateral and vertical thrusters. analog brake for main thruster axis, set to forward only with a reverse hold button.
right stick: pitch & roll.
pedals: yaw.

left stick feels very natural for strafe circling in any direction, not so much for landing and scooping, but i'm slowly improving.

the main thrust combination thing needs some adaptation. i would love to have the right analog brake set to reverse thrust axis but sadly no can be, the game allows for one axis only (or digital).

i also bought the extension set. with the long extension you have much greater precision but you also need proportionally more displacement. i seriously tried but never really got into it. i finally decided to install the smallest extension and adjust pitch&and roll on both sticks to the lowest tension possible, i find it much more comfortable now.

this is impressive gear, i highly recommend it.
 
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