Scott-S6

So, overall? I wanted to like the MH16 but the buttons, the issue with the CMS switch (not being able to use the CMS push is not acceptable) and the poor fit to a realsim base means it's no good for my use case. If you've got a Moza base setup sidestick then the MH16 or the Virpil Alpha (if Moza get their support for it sorted) should be at the top of your list. Not many grips available with the correct forward rake built in.

Internal construction is okay. As expected the hat switches are just regular tactile switches in a plastic holder. The tailpipe is connected the same way as a TM but is a much better fit for the shell so it ought to resist the fore-aft slop problem at least somewhat. My guess is that the tailpipe is a MIM part which would be very sensible (better than the cast zinc on the warthog). Whoever did the alu castings did a pretty good job. They aren't bad at all and there are machining operations on the cast parts to ensure a good fit (odd that it seems at least some of the machining was done after painting - was the plan that they would not need to do this?). The shell fits back together well. The only hassle on reassembly is the spring for the trigger. Also, all of the shell screws are identical which makes things slightly easier. (They do spoil this by having two different screws for the expansion module which also requires two screwdrivers, neither of which is the one for the shell screws)

Yep, not making the shell out of cast zinc (like TM and WinWing) will do that.

As a versatile stick for use with various bases? Warthog with a steel 3d printed tailpipe that has the angle built in is approximately the same price and better. I've just put that back onto my realsim fssb. I like the better materials, the engraving on the top, the adjustable palm shelf. The poor buttons let it down and the CMS issue will be an annoyance every time you try and bind it. The press on all hats and all functions of the expansion module don't work. For use with the Moza base if you're using it sidestick and don't have a TM? You get a few extra presses and the 3pos switch. The hat switch on the extension module is ergonomically useless. The forward angle is basically essential for a sidestick. It's the same price as the warthog once you add the forward rake to the warthog. If Moza support the virpil alpha properly then that'll be the best sidestick grip for it. For center stick use - warthog or virpil.

Got a response back from Moza about the CMS functioning incorrectly. Apparently this is just how it acts on 3rd party bases. That is rubbish. You can use the four directions but not the push and binding them will be a massive hassle in some games and impossible in others. ETA - I'm still talking to Moza about this and have challenged them as to which bases they believe it is compatible with. Their website says "Effortless plug-and-play compatibility ensures it fits most bases seamlessly" which currently appears to be an outright lie.

Testing - On a Warthog base the buttons and hats mostly work. The expansion module does not work and the press doesn't work on any hat except the CMS. However, the CMS press is triggered in addition to the direction when moved in any direction, even when taking great care not to actuate the press. This is either a compatibility issue or an electrical fault... The nut fits the base very well, better than the TM nut. On a RealSim FSSB base, it gets the same results. The tailpipe doesn't fit the base well resulting in a left-right rotational slop even when tightened down. On a Virpil CM2 base, it gets the same results again. Fits well enough. I had expected that the extra functions may likely not work but the faulty CMS is a problem. I'll be raising a ticket with Moza on this. CMS Right, Left and Press shown below.

Some initial comments, more to come. (I'll be testing it on a variety of bases and taking it apart) Moza didn't update my order to shipped and give me the tracking number until the day after it was delivered, which is useless. Packaging was fine. All of the hat switches have push so the two they do describe are described incorrectly (their website is horrible), to confirm: they are all 5 way. They describe the trim as 8 way, it's 5 way but you can push a diagonal and get both adjacent functions (i.e. pushing up/left gives you up and left rather than a separate button). The hat switches are pretty good. They have a nice tactile click in all directions, a little slop but not too bad. The push is stiff enough that you don't accidentally activate it. No need to use them carefully to avoid that like with virpil. The trigger has two tactile clicks but they're very weak. It also has a grinding spring noise as you pull it. Not great. The three buttons and paddle switch have no tactile click and are softly sprung. Disappointing. The paddle is very rigid and has a very positive texture. Can't tell if the tailpipe is cast or machined from the outside (it's painted and has good surface texture). Also interested to see how it's attached to the base (the slot in the nut suggests that it's very similar to the TM and will become loose fore and aft with heavy forces). It has a separate connector that can be rotated but it has the lugs that engage with bases that have TM style attachment so cannot be rotated on those.

Correct. The winwing F16EX has a castle switch and an analogue stick on the expansion module, the MH16 has a castle switch and a three pos latching toggle.

Ideally you want both rotary encoders and analogue dials. Some sims/games/modules work better with one or the other.. You still haven't made an argument for why Arduino other than familiarity in programming them which doesn't really matter if the alternative is something that doesn't require programming. If you're not planning any functionality that can't be provided by a simple USB interface board then what's the point? If you are then it makes sense - for example you could have virtual analogue outputs bound to the rotary encoders so that one control can be either (as virpil, for example, offers).

You say the goal is maximum compatibility but you're proposing on-off-on switches which are less compatible than on-on-on. I would definitely suggest changing that. I also don't see why you're intending to go with arduinos over simpler solutions unless you are planning some functionality you haven't mentioned which requires them. If you aren't then the BBI64 will be far simpler for you. Or you could go with a pair of boards if you wanted some analogue axis in there. A couple of analogue rotaries is worth considering, sometimes you just can't get the behaviour you want with rotary encoders.

Are you talking about the Alpha or the MH16? The MH16 (which is what this thread is about) doesn't have an analogue stick.

The brake lever, mechanically, has both an analogue axis and a button. The base isn't doing any kind of conversion or mapping. The analogue stick is analogue only. Correct, there's nothing you can configure that will be transferred with the grip to another base.

This grip doesn't have any analogue axis.

The only toxic thing here is Moza's code theft and it is actively harmful to the community because it discourages people from producing things like this and making them freely available. It will cost Moza nothing to comply with the GPL - it will cost them far more to eliminate the code they've used which will have saved them a LOT of development cost. You might want to go do some reading on GPL because it's clear that you don't understand it at all.

Yeah, it's not the best.

The programmable light won't work and if you get the one with the twist axis that won't work.

Just replace the momentary switch with a similar latching one. It won't require any electrical/electronic changes.

They've promised shipping in a week. Other people have already received them...

Delayed to Dec-Jan

The first thing I do when learning a new module is to build an abbreviated start up check list. Then I build that check list into a stream deck profile with a bunch of automation.

I'm still waiting for mine to test with a bunch of bases.

https://virpil-controls.eu/vpc-flnkr-grip.html Looks pretty good. The default config isn't much use to me but swap the side button and the front 2way to 4ways and it's pretty versatile.

The page has changed from pre-order to buy now. My order hasn't shipped yet.

So, going back to my point, the AimXY is cheaper than a TrackIR setup.

Have you checked the prices of real trackir (not clones) lately? Chinese knockoffs on AliExpress are significantly more than €65.