streakeagle

For the record, I use my Warthog and F/A-18C grips just fine with the VKB base, but you have to buy and install the adapters that bolt on and replace the Thrustmaster connector. So the Virpil might be more convenient/cheaper with separate bases that are natively compatible with the Thrustmaster grips, but the VKB is awesome hardware with great supporting software. I have two Gunfighter MkII bases that I just upgraded to MkIII bases and have every single grip I could possibly use with them: MCG Pro, SCG Pro, KG12, adapted Warthog, adapted F/A-18C, and I have the VKB F-14 grip on preorder. The "feel" and precision of the VKB can't be beat. There are cams, springs, and dampers to meet most people's preferences. I personally like harder springs and soft detent cams when using the extensions. It centers well, but the stick forces are still light enough for precision movements: no Warthog "stiction" or bumps crossing the axis centers.

Enjoy. It is an awesome setup.

I don't see any comments.

I may use VR for weeks, then switch back to the monitor for a week or two depending on which sim I am running and what type of mission I am flying. I used to split about 50/50 between VR and 2D, but the RiftS improved the quality enough to allow me to use VR more often. So now the split is somewhere between 70/30 to 80/20 in favor of VR. But the image quality on a giant 4K screen puts VR to shame and the frame rate is pretty much locked at 60 fps compared to the 40 fps normally experienced with the Rift S. I see no reason to give up VR or 2D/TrackIR when I have both and can switch between them at will.

DHL was frustrating when all they would leave was a slip. I could get to their depot after work to pick it up in person with about 45 minutes to spare before closing and sometimes the line moved very slow. This time, the delivery guy showed up while I was home and I was out in the garage with the door open, so I took the package from his hands.

While sim parts are far more common for US aircraft, Ebay has had lots or real parts for former USSR aircraft. At one point, I saw complete panels for a MiG-25. But ebay parts come in waves. It may be a year, two, or even three with nothing. Then one day there is a flood of parts available.

Both kits have been installed, one has been flashed to 1.98.1 and is fully operational.

All of my parts/kits came in. I realized way too late that I ordered two twist grip conversions because I have two GF MK2 bases... but I only have one MCG Pro grip that can use the twist grip adapter. Now where do I go to verify the installation procedure? Just found it on the VKB product page for the upgrade kit:

I solved the battery problem a long time ago: by leaving them out except when I absolutely need them. The batteries haven't died yet and it has been quite a long time since I got my Rift S. I primarily used VR for flight sims and don't want floating hands when I have HOTAS, MFDs, and even the keyboard/mouse within easy reach. So, I put a battery in one of the controllers and use it to close the default store window, then open the virtual desktop. Then I take out the battery and use the keyboard/mouse to start applications before finally starting DCS World or other such sims like Aces High 3, Aerofly FS2, and Prepar3d. The only sim I use controllers with is the Project Mercury capsule simulation I got from Steam. I don't care for my hands floating in space pretending to hold the stick and throttle when I can rest them on a real stick and throttle.

The safer way to do it would be to wear air bladder chaps on the legs. Done wrong, at worst, that could cut off blood circulation to the legs or maybe pop and hit you in the face with debris. A little less risky than pressurizing your chest while trying to breath. Air bladders that compressed your thighs mixed with the jet seat would let you reserve vibration modeling for buffeting while the air bladders give you the sensation of pulling g. I have seen tensioning systems that pull straps around your legs and chest to simulate g-force. As long as the mechanicals had a safe torque limit, that could work as well or better than air bladders, but G-suits use air bladders... so maybe combine the two techniques. Putting some elastic lines on a helmet and pulling down on them to increase the apparent weight of your head would risk some serious injuries to your neck and spine, but would be the ultimate while wearing a VR headset and trying to look around while in a dogfight. The people with reclined F-16 seats would be at an advantage, as their head would be supported at an angle that is more useful in a dogfight just like in real life. While other people holding up their heads with their muscles would fatigue faster and be less able to follow visual targets in a dogfight.

I am able to waive the signature via a DHL account they offered when they sent me the notification of arrival a few deliveries back. So, my Gunfighter 3 upgrade kits with twist grip adapters should be dropped off at my door tomorrow. But waiving the signature also leaves me with the liability if the package is stolen. I have had 0 packages lost in my 6 years in this neighborhood, including deliveries of big boxes with the parts to build a gaming machine. But my neighborhood has had some problems in recent years. Hopefully, my luck will hold out. One of the DHL emails from an early order said this: "If you need to make a change or track your shipment, click here:" https://delivery.dhl.com/welcome.xhtml I went there and was able to register an account and then alter the delivery date/time/place and signature requirements.

So I will be in the middle of the January shipments... excellent since it is almost January :)

F2H-2 would be the best for me. I like the standard fighter variant the most, but I wouldn't mind the night fighter variant with radar and a long nose to house it.

I will gladly by any well modeled version of the F-15 released A/C/E with whatever revision level that is picked. But if I could have any version, it would be an F-15A. The older the better as far as I am concerned. I would also have preferred an F-16A, an F/A-18A, and an F-14A. The F-14A is supposed to eventually be available, but when? I love old steam gage cockpits. Aside from the nice radar, HUD, and RWR/ECM system, the F-15A is more like a single seat F-4E with a massive thrust to weight improvement and a bubble canopy. My kind of plane!

I couldn't resist. I ordered the full blown upgrade kits for both of my Gunfighter Mk.IIs. Even though I may never use them, I went ahead and got the twist axis upgrade. It is something my son may eventually use since he sometimes likes playing mech games which benefit from using the twist axis to rotate the torso and or steer the mech depending on your control preferences. My first stick is an early revision from the initial pre-order release of the MCG Pro/Gunfighter MkII. The second stick was just recently bought to use until I could replace a bad bearing on the roll axis of the first one that I damaged by using two #50 springs on each axis. They have slightly different PCBs as expected based on the website's ordering note to provide a photo of the gimbal to show the PCB revision being used. Now to wait for the delivery information!

Is there an axis or button mapped to the zoom control? It looks like you are zoomed all the way out.

[Edit]My mistake: It appears all of these have been added already and I even had most of them mapped correctly, which means one less joystick/throttle lua I need to edit after patches![/Edit] While I am making DCS AJS-37 Viggen wishes, I would really like it if the following control maps existed so I didn't have to past them in after every patch: {down = 3001, up = 3001, cockpit_device_id = devices.ENGINEPANEL, value_down = 0.0, value_up = 1.0, name = 'Alt Start System', category = 'Motor'}, {down = 3003, up = 3003, cockpit_device_id = devices.ENGINEPANEL, value_down = 1.0, value_up = 0.0, name = 'Alt Ignition System', category = 'Motor'}, {down = 3002, up = 3002, cockpit_device_id = devices.ENGINEPANEL, value_down = 1.0, value_up = 0.0, name = 'Alt Low Pressure Fuel Valve', category = 'Motor'}, {down = 3001, up = 3001, cockpit_device_id = devices.ELECTRICSYSTEM, value_down = 1.0, value_up = 0.0, name = 'Alt Main Electric Power', category = 'Motor'}, {down = 3002, up = 3002, cockpit_device_id = devices.ELECTRICSYSTEM, value_down = 1.0, value_up = 0.0, name = 'Alt Generator', category = 'Motor'}, {down = 3003, up = 3003, cockpit_device_id = devices.ELECTRICSYSTEM, value_down = 1.0, value_up = 0.0, name = 'Alt Backup Generator', category = 'Motor'}, {down = 3001, up = 3001, cockpit_device_id = 7, value_down = 1.0, value_up = 0.0, name = 'Alt Reversal', category = 'Flight Control'},

The Viggen is a great plane and is a great DCS World module. But it has been around for quite some time, yet is missing some things I have come to expect from full blown DCS World modules regarding mapping and verifying stick and throttle grip controls. This isn't really a bug list, but more of a wish list: 1) All graphically modeled buttons should be functional in the game (with rare exceptions for systems that will not be modeled in any way). 1) A dedicated group in the control mapping category drop-down list for the stick grip and/or throttle grip, such as "HOTAS" or "Stick" or "Throttle"'. 2) Animated in-game controls that permit easy verification of control mapping. 4) Listed controls should have names that match the diagrams identifying them in the manual. From the Viggen manual: Control Stick 47. Radio transmit/receive Fr-22 (available in control map, but not really named or grouped to know it is a stick grip button, not animated). 48. Trim switch (adequately named, but would be better in a stick grip or HOTAS group, not animated). 49. Trigger safety (adequately named, but would be better in a stick grip or HOTAS group). 50. Autopilot disconnect (not mapped at all). 51. Reference button (for HUD altitude reference) (adequately named, but would be better in a stick grip or HOTAS group, not animated). 52. Event marking (no function) (perhaps one of the exceptions for buttons that can not be modeled?) 53. Trigger (adequately named, but would be better in a stick grip or HOTAS group, not animated). I frequently fly in VR, so I would really love an animated pilot model, too!

I love the Simulator Edition seat and bought a 2nd one for spares. I hate flying sims that aren't natively supported by the software.

Got my request to be notified enabled.

Extensions are the way to go if you can get the length/shape that is right for you and have a good way to mount the base at the right horizontal distance from your seat and the right height. I need straight extensions for my setup and I am fabricating the lengths that I need: 125 mm, 150 mm, 175 mm, and 200 mm. I have VKB's 100 mm straight and 200 mm curved extensions. I have no interest in stacking two 100 mm to make 200 mm. I already have some aluminum tubing with the right inside diameter and a 1/8" wall thickness that will make very good extensions with very little work: cut accurately to length, drill correct holes, and transfer end caps/wiring from 200 mm extension to the length I need at the moment. For the Warthog, I bought a 150 mm extension from Sahaj that works perfectly for both the Warthog and Hornet grips. But I have converted both to work with my VKB Gunfighter Mk.II base.

Have you installed the Gametrix Jet Seat Control Panel software? It acts as the driver for the USB device. If that software is not installed or does not recognize the seat, it won't work. http://dsteam.azurewebsites.net/downloads/JetSeatControlPanel_Eng.zip If you have this installed and it doesn't recognize the seat, check your cables, make sure the seat's power adapter is plugged in and getting power, and try cycling the power switch on the external seat control.

I damaged a bearing on my VKB and had to switch back to the Warthog until I could resolve the problem. While they definitely feed different, the Warthog wasn't that much of a downgrade. The main thing I lost was the MCG Pro grip, which a use for several aircraft that have analog brake levers mounted on the stick. I also like to use it for aircraft that have flip down triggers. But the Warthog grip and Hornet grip cover a substantial number of aircraft very well, particularly US aircraft. So, I just stuck to flying those types until the VKB was available again. The adaptability of the VKB for the spring resistance, dampers, etc. makes it really good for special functions like formation flying and helicopters cyclic sticks. Even with the heaviest permitted spring setup (2 x #40), The VKB feels smooth and precise over the entire range of motion, unlike the Warthog which feels like crap anywhere near the center and is really difficult to make small precise movements if "stiction" in a problem.

The VKB is still better in many ways, but a Warthog with a decent extension works wonders. Especially if you don't have any "sticktion" problems.

I only found that guy after I had already ordered my throttle board from TM. Originally, TM was out of stock and I didn't want to wait, so I got a 2nd complete HOTAS to hold me over. A few months later (maybe a year?), I finally got a hold of TM again and got the board. The week the new board arrived, I stumbled onto the ebay offer. It would have saved me time and a whole lot of money ($375 for the extra HOTAS). But now I have redundancy. Two fully functional throttles and two fully functional sticks. The new stick doesn't have much if any stiction either, very smooth. But now I know where to go if another board pops, both faster and cheaper than TM.