Fat Mamba MkIII is back!!!!

[Sokol1_br]

......even after sing a nda sokol1 is my primary source of information.[/font][/size]

 

LOL. :lol:

 

That "History of VKB"...

 

I know most of this history when happened, like the discussion about creation Cobra M5 joystick in 2007/8 in (Rip) Sukhoi forum.

 

 

At start is said that the project was for Thrustmaster - a entry level HOTAS - but this was dropped in favor of the "toy'ist" T.16000M... :huh:

 

Well, I hope the Gladiator "fight" well. :thumbup:

Edited December 5, 2015 by Sokol1_br

[rrohde]

Nice! Thrustmaster wanted VKB to build a HOTAS? Wonder what they would have called it.

 

Again, always nice to see some of those tidbits of information, Sokol1! :) Keep 'em coming! ... and thanks!

[RFC Rudel]

one thing must be resolved.

 

the use of a extensions to implement twist.

I think It could be made very short

 

 

pro line require rudder, that's a no deal for many.

 

imagine if rudders are out of stock......

 

 

That kill part the flexibility and scalability of the system.

 

 

the twist will be there.....

[RFC Rudel]

LOL. :lol:

 

 

 

I know most of this history when happened, like the discussion about creation Cobra M5 joystick in 2007/8 in (Rip) Sukhoi forum.

 

 

At start is said that the project was for Thrustmaster - a entry level HOTAS - but this was dropped in favor of the "toy'ist" T.16000M... :huh:

 

Well, I hope the Gladiator "fight" well. :thumbup:

 

 

 

I think that sokol1 and uiv are the same person:music_whistling:

[RFC Rudel]

 

 

[doveman]

I'd definitely buy a VKB HOTAS if they make one with a A10/F16 style grip, with the necessary number of hats/coolies. I refuse to spend hundreds of pounds on the Warthog considering how cheaply it's been built and would love to get something with decent metal gimbals.

[Bourrinopathe]

Thanks for those pictures Sokol!

I was seriously considering adding that "2" button… or preferably a momentary toggle/rocker switch (ON-OFF-ON). It's interesting to see there was some interest for more controls.

 

And I agree VKB would greatly benefit from a better visibility and english manuals. They seem to be on the right track though and the new russian website (vkb-sim.pro) is a good and important step.

 

I can't imagine how much work is required right now with all the products about to hit the market!

 

And UIV might be crazy about quality but it's also why I love VKB's work and design. I remember a video showing the stress test on the KG12 trigger and if I recall correctly the amount of pressure and successive actuation were definitely overkill ;) (I'm not sure, but I think it used 1kg pressure on the button each time).

 

Thanks for all the insight RFC Rudel/DHRF and Sokol. And please, Rudel, keep your heart safe and sound, you'll need it to pump at full power in the upcoming months!

 

I really hope the affordable Gladiator series will sell really well.

I'm not flying WWII aircraft but I'm considering buying one for the Mustang P-51D and the MiG-15Bis. And also because I'm curious about the design.

Same for the Gunfighter series… unfortunately for my budget.

 

I already own a perfectly efficient Black Mamba MkII and even if I'm fully satisfied with the current gimbal (feeling, precision, obvious resistance), I want to try that new gimbal to see if it can push my comfort and control even further and closer to what I'd consider a perfect mechanical response for a specific aircraft (mostly the Su-27 in that case).

 

See? VKB is becoming an addiction (as a martial artist, I'd consider their way of perfecting the devices like a flight controls gung fu :D)

[Bourrinopathe]

I refuse to spend hundreds of pounds on the Warthog considering how cheaply it's been built and would love to get something with decent metal gimbals.

 

That's exactly why I didn't buy a Warthog (and, of course, I loved VKB's "Cobra" russian stick design). The gimbal is the vital part. And for a home simulation, I think a good quality plastic/resin grip is more efficient than a metal grip.

Ok metal is probably virtually indestructible but with a modular design, good ABS/polypropylene/resin and excellent buttons/hat quality, it should fit the need of most pilots. The mechanical stress on the grip should remain reasonable.

To illustrate my thinking: the real F-18 flight grip is made of a nonmetallic resin like material. So it can't be that bad!

(also: I already tried the Warthog grip)

 

Most of us are not piloting with gloves, we're piloting different airframes with the same HOTAS, so I'd prefer owning different control sticks on a modular design instead of a metal replica build to last ages (unless I'd want to build a dedicated sim pit, which I won't).

In the long term I'd probably prefer evolving to different control stick designs.

But I also understand some people would want their stick to last a decade of abuse (and that's what I require from my gimbal(s)).

Edited December 5, 2015 by Bourrinopathe

[Sokol1_br]

I'd definitely buy a VKB HOTAS if they make one with a A10/F16 style grip, with the necessary number of hats/coolies.

 

Hardly this happen, why they will try compete with a design already in the market for over 10 years, to be sold for the same public that already have this in form of Cougar or Warthog?

 

And this design probable involve costly licences to be used by 3rd part...

[RFC Rudel]

Hardly this happen, why they will try compete with a design already in the market for over 10 years, to be sold for the same public that already have this in form of Cougar or Warthog?

 

And this design probable involve costly licences to be used by 3rd part...

 

one because I will kill VKB if they sold a hotas whit a mamba and a gametrix.....

 

2 IT will be a complete solution whit rudders and other parts.

 

3 They cant compete whit half a solution.

 

VKB cant afford not to have a hotas

 

 

the must be modular escalable and very nice like the mamba.

Edited December 5, 2015 by RFC Rudel

[rrohde]

I'd prefer owning different control sticks on a modular design instead of a metal replica build to last ages (unless I'd want to build a dedicated sim pit, which I won't).

In the long term I'd probably prefer evolving to different control stick designs.

 

These are excellent points! And that's just what I am looking for these days - and if possible, all from the same vendor. I really think that VKB will be delivering on that premise. I will soon get the MkIII Mamba, and also the extension set for it. I am sure that there will be different grips available for me to interchange as I see fit. As an example, the Mamba's default stick for all Russian DCS things, the Knueppelgriff with extension for DCS WWII, and whatever future grip they will be offering.

 

I already own the MkIII T-Rudders, and all I need is a VKB-made throttle. For the short time I know about VKB, I am already hooked on their quality approach, and their "vision".

[rrohde]

 

the must be modular escalable and very nice like the mamba.

 

:thumbup:

 

That's what we're all hoping for!

[doveman]

Hardly this happen, why they will try compete with a design already in the market for over 10 years, to be sold for the same public that already have this in form of Cougar or Warthog?

 

And this design probable involve costly licences to be used by 3rd part...

Well not everyone already has a Cougar or Warthog (especially new simmers) and even those who do might like to buy a better quality alternative. Many people seem to settle for the Warthog as it's arguably the best option currently available but that doesn't mean they think it's good value or quality. I don't know about licences, maybe if they made a generic western HOTAS which has the right controls but without actually calling it an A10/F16 HOTAS they could avoid this.

[doveman]

A FFB stick would be awesome as well. For now I'll be sticking with my FFB2 (I plan to combine two and add a curved extension sometime) for helos as a spring stick is no fun for those. I guess a spring less stick which stays in place through friction might be an alternative, as sometimes I experiment with my FFB2 without blocking the sensor, so the motors are deactivated and the stick moves with the slightest touch, which seems a bit closer to how light helos work compared to the resistance from the motors. The friction is a bit too low like that though and the stick is liable to move by itself or if you knock the table, but something a bit stronger could work well I think. Maybe use magnets to hold it in place, which are deactivated whilst holding the trim button.

[Harle]

whit

 

escalable

 

What do these words mean?

[RFC Rudel]

What do these words mean?

 

 

 

scalable will mean it can grow, can start low, later you upgrade to metal gimbal, later upgrade electronics, and grow as your wallet allow.

[Harle]

What about "whit"?

[RFC Rudel]

What about "whit"?

 

 

you can move the H around or for insertion in the place you like the most

[Bourrinopathe]

No need to build a new Tower of Babel guys ;) Sometimes our minds and our keyboards have their own rules.

The best thing is our intent to help providing better sim controls to all of us (and despite our own flaws and misjudgment).

And I personally think Eagle Dynamics and VKB are both on the right track and both show a palpable passion about flying an aircraft (it's obviously not all business and profit even while both are essential to survival).

Edited December 5, 2015 by Bourrinopathe

[rrohde]

Here's an image of the new MkIII Fat Black Mamba with the new VKB "Knueppelgriff" (KG-12) grip; perfect for DCS warbirds. :)

 

[Sokol1_br]

Or Mig-15 :)

[Bourrinopathe]

Looking good!

 

If I'm not mistaken the stick is from the Gladiator line and it will be even more efficient with the metal replica (bolstering two clickable hats and a pinky trigger/lever). It should be a perfect match for the MiG-15Bis. Indeed. ;)

 

 

Metal KG-12 (WIP)

 

[Sokol1_br]

This model, the "Black Mamba Vintage" edition, exemplify well the VKB ... erhh..."confusion". :)

 

- Is "add-hoc" created due the unexpected shortage of Cobra M-5 grip (3rd part product).

 

- Is not advertised by VKB Western resellers.

 

- But advertised in this Russia page (2nd upwards)

 

http://www.vkb-flightsimcontrols.com/zakaz/index_z.php

 

- That advertised too the base only without grip (1st upwards), what many Cougar/Warthog owners want buy - mostly in the Western.

 

But his English PR/partner recently say that buy only bases are not possible: :music_whistling:

 

http://forum.vkb-sim.pro/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=2015

 

I suspect that their "Rasputin" (Rudel) is the culprit. :D

Edited December 8, 2015 by Sokol1_br

[dburne]

Ok so I do not mean this in a negative way at all, I am more curious than anything about these sticks.

 

I keep seeing all this information on different VKB sticks being posted on different flight sim forums, many pictures and talk, but not sure I have seen anyone speaking of their experience actually owning and using one?

I could very well have just missed those posts, would not be a first time for me...

[Sokol1_br]

Very few people have this joystick (early Mambas) outside Russia/CIS.

 

Bourrinopathe is one, in this thread has this option.

 

Troll in SimHQ is other.

 

ATAG_Invictus in ATAG forum. Are more but don't remember now...

 

I have the T-Rudder pedal, plenty satisfied with functionality/quality.

Edited December 8, 2015 by Sokol1_br