Barefoot Bandit

Amen to that. Personally, I'm glad for the choice, and it's good to know I can buy hardware that is likely to last a decade or more. The BRD F3 is a beast, and my VKB T-rudder 3 is a perfect example of a quality product at a reasonable cost. I truly love them both! I do think the smartest thing Virpil have done is to use the some din connector as the Warthog, kinda wish VKB had done this, too, but regardless, the high end world is truly looking good, it seems I came back to sims at the right time. The last sim I played properly was Falcon on the Atari ST, and Gunship was the last chopper sim... There's been some change! It's been a long time coming, but... If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. And I think they are doing everything they can to ensure it is done right. We're almost there!!! Z...

They don't need to be like the Warthog (and it is good that they are not), but the Warthog is the benchmark, just about anyone that knows what HOTAS means knows what a Warthog looks like. Thus, everything will be judged against it - for better or worse. Personally, like anything, it has it's pro and cons. Z...

I'd love a good analog thumbstick... Probably a swear word for the more die hard sim only folk, but it'd be nice to have it useful for space stuff too... Z...

You could always get a bit of wood to use to thicken it out a bit. edit - whoops, was thinking 10mm... 10cm? Really? wow... Z...

On a side note - the choice of using the same DIN connector as the Warthog is a very intelligent move. It means I can use a Virpil base for my main rig, and swap stick depending on the game, and shift my Warthog base to my secondary gaming rig, and add a second T-50 stick. This does make decision making easier... Z...

This is look fantastic. Z...

You folks are all making it very difficult to choose a stick... That's a good thing, by the way. Z...

For me, the Warthog grip seems to be a great blend of ergonomics and function. It's very easy to get at all the buttons. The big area over the thumb that just hangs out on Russian style grips kind of forces me to use some sort of gymnastics with my thumb to get above/below. But... The Russian style grips also tend to not have much (if anything) in the way of bindings on the thumbrest, so the thumb can easily stay up on top for most functions. Personally, I appreciate both designs, and there is a certain industrial beauty to the Russian style grips that I like. I, personally would be trying to use the right grip for the right aircraft - which is one of the reasons I appreciate the likes of VKB, Virpil allowing for changing of grips. I'm not sure if Baur's grips allow for easy grip replacement, but he seems to be very forward thinking, so would assume he's made allowances . I'm almost surprised there isn't a market for easily attached adaptors for mixing and matching grips and bases... Z...

Actually, this is ... Z...

I think this map has just got me interested in WWII birds... Z...

Right, how many beers buys me a tour? Always worth a shot... I'm in Vegas frequently, and always wished I could poke my nose in the door without getting it shot off... Z...

Fair enough, worth a shot... Z...

Is there a way to actually purchase a Warthog grip - do TM sell them stand alone as "parts" or something?, on it's own, in any way? Just thinking I'd like to standardise my set ups (I have two) and not have to re-learn everything each time I change rigs. ie - I want gunfighter bases and warthog grips for both my rigs, I only have one Warthog right now. Z...

That looks like an interesting grip. I still find the big hangover on "Russian style" grips above the thumb a bit annoying (I have the Cobra, and the thumb gymnastics to get my thumb above and below can be be awkward), but otherwise, it actually looks like a great grip. Colour me interested... Z...

Wow... Nice job. Currently looking into modding me CH Pro throttle to get magnetic sensors and a high quality thumbstick, very interesting to consider the work you have done to make this work. Z...

I got the F3's, thank you! I am looking forward to assembling it! Z...

Cheers, may just end up getting one and doing this in that case.I was put off by the lack of a way to mount the HOTAS, but it seems you've provided an excellent solution to that issue... :thumbup: That fact that I can hide it in a cabinet when not playing will make the pretty lady happy. Z...

Interesting! I was just thinking of something like this as a temp set up whilst I design my coffee table cockpit, but decided to save the money to actually pu tit toward the build. Looks quite good, may yet do this, as it may be a while before I can get my concept brought to completion... Is it comfy? Z...

Excellent review! I can also report the Baur is a perfect businessman. Order my F3 pedals in January, and they arrived 4 weeks later. I have it in my garage, ready to start building (I also ordered it in parts - I enjoy assembling things, one of the reasons I probably still enjoy Lego, and Technic lego in particular). Seeing as I'm currently in a position to buy a new stick, and this is heading up the list... I have a Warthog, but want to keep the warthog as is so I can keep using it (I have 2 PC's in different countries, the Warthog will be a nice second rig setup). So.. Anyone know where to get hold of just a Warthog grip? I woudn't mind standardising my control grips, and I quite like the warthog layout. Otherwise, I guess a Virpil or VKB grip is an option (once VKB have a jetfighter or space sim grip out in the wild). Now, how do we convince Mr. Baur to make a Throttle ? Also, thanks for the pic, it has given me ideas for my coffee table sim pit... Z...

So... Adapters for Cobra M5 Grips? Pointless to order without it for me... *money burning hole in pocket* Z...

It's all good. Once I get mine, I'll try and do some English instructions. It should be fun! Though I am away for the next month, so I hope it arrives while I am away, so I'll have something to be excited about on my return to Aus... Z...

I suspect this means everything connected via a USB cable, that plugs into the PC, and it works, all in the one package, ready to go. Z...

As that a mini-stick at the front of the throttle? Looks nice - can't comment too much on what I want on the base, as I like as many buttons as possible at my fingertips. It does look promising, though, looking forward to it's release. I may have to hold out for that one. Z...

It's also nice to have the fps divide nicely into the refresh rate, otherwise, dropped frames and juddering may result. Z...

Exactly - I have a Cobra M5 - and the WWII style grip, whilst nice, is useless for me, as I fly modern jets and space sims. Simply not enough buttons on the WWII stick. If I am going to get he WWII stick, I'd cough up for the metal one when it become available, so, again, the plastic one is a waste for me. Looking forward to adding this to my control setup... :joystick: Z...