AlpineGTA

Did I see the Mi-24 pilot body briefly in the 2.9 trailer? I didn't see it mentioned in the patch notes.

It sounds like it's because ASW is on. If I recall correctly from my Quest 2, with ASW on I get a frame time of around 22, as you describe, no matter what my DCS settings. If I disable ASW the the frame time is half, to around 11.

That's one thing I'm disappointed with on the Q3 specs - no 72hz. I get better performance out of my G2 at 60hz than I do my Quest 2 at 72hz and lower resolution; same DCS settings. So I'm thinking at 90hz my performance with a Q3 won't be so good. I don't like using ASW.

No separate USB controller required, it connects to the front of the STECS and all the bindings appear as part of the STECS throttle in DCS.

Good spot. Easy to forget, probably always best to check the website! A SEM-V still works really nicely with it.

Oh I see. You mean have a STEM on the MFH, like on the STECS Max, but with the STECS Standard, so you have effectively two STEMs attached. Basically the same as my picture but with a STEM in place of the SEM? Interesting. You would think it should work because the STEM has a BUS connector just like a SEM. But I don't know, it's probably something someone from VKB can answer?

Like this? It works really well for me.

I don't know sorry, I don't have a GF blackbox. I'm sure VKB could answer that for you.

I've no experience with the Warthog, sorry, but if it's anything like the WWW Orion it might take time to adjust from having mostly metal toggles on the base to mostly buttons. I think everything is about compromise to some extent, it depends what you fly and what you prefer. I think some modules suit button mappings better and others you might prefer to have lots of toggles. For me though, the most important part is the throttle itself and the STECS feels really nice, smooth and accurate, as smooth as the WW Orion, which I think feels excellent too. I don't see why it wouldn't work well with the WW2 planes. I have all the Warbirds and will be using it with those too but I haven't had the time to map any yet. The only thing that is perhaps missing for WW2 planes is having a couple of dedicated axis levers like the WW Orion has, and I think the Warthog has one too? I found those useful for things like mixture and rpm. It does have the thumbwheel axis on the throttle though and the flap switch can be converted to an axis. I think all the essentials can be mapped with a bit of creativity. It would be nice though if VKB included a small axis lever or two on the base out of the box.

I was initially going to buy the Max too but after seeing that you could combine it with the NXT modules I went with the SEM and Standard. I like having the landing gear and flaps in front of me (the Max would give this too), but it also then frees up the ones on the Standard that I like to use for other things. The only caveat I would add is that with the Max you will have most of your buttons in front of you and because the throttle base is shorter on the Max, you won't have to reach as far behind to reach the few that are on the base. But I suppose that all depends on your personal setup and preference. Because of the SEM on the holder in front of the throttle I have had to mount my throttle a little bit further back than I had my WW. I would prefer it mounted about an inch further forward but there's a protrusion on my flight stand that prevents me from doing so. Or if the gap between the throttle and the NXT mount was about an inch less would be perfect, but I suppose they have to account for those with larger hands. It's not a deal breaker though, just a small niggle, it's not like I have to twist around to reach the buttons or anything, it's just me being a bit pedantic trying to get my setup perfect for me. I will probably devise a better mounting solution eventually.

Yes, no problem, as soon as I have it done! Sorry, I haven't got anything to share yet, I haven't fully mapped all the buttons yet, I've just been going through some of my modules getting the axis mapped for now. The only aircraft that I have fully mapped at the moment is the Mirage F-1 CE as that's what I'm mostly flying at the moment. And I'm still experimenting, playing around with some of the mappings to see what I prefer.

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That's a good idea, I hadn't thought of that.

I've been going through all my other modules mapping the controls and one slight niggly annoyance is that the throttle axis default to the joystick pitch and roll axis, so you have to unbind them and then rebind them to the correct throttle axis. And then you have to invert them because they move in the wrong direction. It's not a major thing and is easily fixed but it does start to get a bit tedious when you have to do it for every module. I don't know if it's a VKB thing or if it's something on the DCS side, with it being such a new device, but it would be nice if it defaulted to the correct axis bindings.

I'm not sure to be honest because I just have both on my C drive.

I have two installs on the same drive. They each have their own separate Saved Games folders.

They're not the new Mk.V VKB ones with the new style foot rests. They look very similar but they're actually Virpil ACE Torq pedals. I got them over the VKB for the adjustable clutch damper. They don't have brakes either but that doesn't bother me, I use the brake lever axis on my stick.

The SEM side extension module arrived today so I thought I'd add a couple more pics to show it. It might look like a lot of buttons but I don't believe you can ever have too many for DCS and I like the extra options it gives. I like having the flap and landing gear levers on it, they're easy to find in VR and it frees up the ones on the base module for things like master arm toggle. I've changed the grip colours to green too, it's a bit more subtle.

Yes, thanks, I've seen that video. I think it's the same cap that comes with the analogue stick on the Gunfighter Modern Combat grip but I think you have to buy that stick to obtain it. It'd be nice if in future they provide a spare with the STECS. I'm slowly getting used to the thumb stick now and beginning to like it.

Yes, I'm going to persevere with it, I'm sure I'll get used to it. Thanks.

Hi Gianky, Yes, it would be nice if they made an option to place a mini-stick module on the front. I know VKB say they do their own thing and don't copy others, but for something that they've made so configurable everywhere else it seems a bit strange that they don't make this a configurable option too, so people have the choice. But it's really not that bad with your thumb once you're used to it, my main gripe is the shape; it would feel better with a dish type hat. I haven't thought of using the 5-way hat for the TDC, I'll give it a try. But then it would seem a bit of a waste not using the analogue stick. I have no problem reaching the front 5-way, I don't have particularly large hands, I think they're quite average. My index finger is about 7cm or approx. 3" long. I didn't think the two triggers on the back would be that useful too but it's still great to have more buttons and options, because they don't get in the way and as I mentioned they're surprisingly useful for things like drag chutes that you want quick access to, without having to look around the cockpit, or take your hand completely off the throttle to press a switch on the base, or use up another button on the throttle that might be accidently pressed. You don't have to take your hand completely off the throttle to use them, I think you can even just twist your hand slightly and use your thumb. And it's still early days, I'm sure I'll find uses for them in other modules too that don't have drag chutes. I think the best thing about it is it's customisation; the ability to swop hats and buttons around and the detents, although I'm still learning my way around the config software and don't know how to configure the hats and buttons yet to work properly when you swap them around, but I'm sure it's probably easy once I've learnt how. I'm still also learning how to configure the detent zones and curves to match the throttle travel in DCS, but I'm sure that will become easier too once more people start using them and start writing how to guides and tutorials. There's probably already a ton of information on the forums and Discord that I haven't looked into yet. But I think it's quite exciting how you'll be able to configure it for different aircraft. BTW, you don't need to keep the software running in the background when you're in DCS. Once you configure a setting it's flashed and saved to the throttle so you can then close the config software. EDIT: I'm using Meza mounts mounted to a GT Omega racing stand that I used to use for sim racing. The keyboard holder and custom aluminium piece holding my trackball I machined myself. EDIT 2: Yes, the rotary wheel on the lower back side is easy to reach with my thumb, I use it for radar elevation on the F-18.

So, my STECS Standard throttle arrived today and I thought I'd give a quick initial impressions along with a few pics. First of all, shipping was very fast (to the USA), I ordered it Sunday evening and it arrived on Thursday. I've not had time to do a lot of flying with it yet because I've spent a lot of time today just getting it set up, configured, mapping buttons and learning how the detents work etc. Quality feels very good, it actually feels a little heavier than my WW Orion 2. The throttle axis is very smooth, I like the friction adjusting knobs on the front, they're really quick, simple and easy to use. The buttons on the base are lower profile and have a different feel if you're used to something like the more prominent toggles on a WW or TM Warthog but I think it's just a question of muscle memory and you will get used to the different feel. I fly only in VR and I like that they're uniformly laid out. The rotary button that is used for selecting the different detents (when holding the grey button at the same time), if just turned by itself (without holding the grey button) doesn't do anything regarding changing the selected detent, It acts like just another switch, so it can also be mapped for something in DCS. I'm thinking wing fold on the F-18, or a weapon select dial in other aircraft. I like too that there aren't any buttons on the front of the base, so I don't have to feel and reach around the front of the throttles in VR. The throttles have buttons and hats galore and they're laid out differently to what I'm used to, but it doesn't take long to adjust and alter your mappings a little. The front of the throttle feels a bit crowded at first but I love all the options it gives. I found that the two front triggers work really well for VR zoom and VR spyglass zoom and the two triggers on the back are great when you need to quickly press a drag chute button! The one minor negative thing I'm not so keen on is the TDC slew on the side operated by your thumb. It takes a lot of getting used to after operating it on the front with your finger for so may years and it's harder to feel which is the up/down, left and right. I also would prefer the shape was the dished type rather than conical. But that's a minor gripe that I will probably get used to. I'm sure it will be possible to change the shape of the hat also. Probably the best thing about the throttle are the interchangeable detents. I'm still getting used to the config software and learning how to set everything up properly but I have it working for the F-18 and it's great just being able to push back and forth over a detent to activate the idle and cutoff and push into afterburner. I was constantly looking down in VR and listening to the sound to see when I was in or out of burner, but now I can just feel when the throttle is pushed up to the detent and push over when I want burner and back again to come out. And all the while I can just keep focusing on what's going on outside the cockpit. I can see it's going to be really cool in dogfights, especially when I have it set up for all my other modules. Here are a few pics mounted on my rig and next to my WW and T16000M for some size comparison. The mounting holes in the base are the same dimensions as the WW Orion, which I believe copy the TM Warthog:

My STECS Standard has arrived. That was quick! Shipping took less than a week. I'm still waiting for the SEM extension module to arrive though - that's due Monday. In the meantime I'm looking forward to setting up the throttle and seeing how it compares to the WW Orion 2.

Yes, of course, I'll be posting my impressions and probably a couple of pics.

I've taken the plunge and ordered the STECS Standard, along with a Multi-Function Holder and Vertical Side Extension Module. It will be interesting to see how it compares to my WW Orion 2. My plan is to use the landing gear and flaps levers on the extension module and to configure the flaps lever on the STECS as an axis and use it for things like Harrier nozzles, F-14 wing sweep, warbirds mixture control, etc. Plus, all the other buttons combined should give me enough options for all other bindings.