My VKB Black Mamba MkIII arrived today... Unboxing Pics!

[rrohde]

Thanks for the writeup Sokol! Good info.

 

@Yurgon: To me, these additional switches, buttons, and dials on that Mamba base is nothing more than a gimmick; I don't even consider them, and as Sokol stated, if you use an extender these switches become unreachable anyway. So yeah, nice to have for a desktop-based stick, somewhat useless when using an extender. :)

Edited April 7, 2016 by rrohde

[Martini]

Spotted on CheckSix (main french sim community website):

 

 

Any idea how to get an invite to this?

[Yurgon]

No, VKB Mambas now "is history". The end. :)

 

Gunfighter is a new concept of joystick - a modular one. [...]

 

Great info, thanks a lot! :thumbup:

 

@Yurgon: To me, these additional switches, buttons, and dials on that Mamba base is nothing more than a gimmick; I don't even consider them, and as Sokol stated, if you use an extender these switches become unreachable anyway. So yeah, nice to have for a desktop-based stick, somewhat useless when using an extender. :)

 

Errr... yeah... now that you mention it that kinda makes sense. :D

 

Still, like I said, one can never have too many buttons on a HOTAS, even if they're down on the floor [is what he said to disguise a rather obvious oversight]. :music_whistling: ;)

[RFC Rudel]

From Mechanical upgrades to sticks changes, VKB offer a scalable system that allow you to build your simulator according to your needs and your wallet.

 

 

hope to get there fast.

[Bourrinopathe]

Still, like I said, one can never have too many buttons on a HOTAS […]

 

Are you sure about that?

 

 

:megalol:

 

 

Everything is in place and envisioned to offer that modular control system. The Black Box (key component - controller hub) is almost there, and that's very positive.

 

If the Gunfighter does not have any additional controls like the Fat Black Mamba, it's for a very good reason. Throttle ;)

 

The Fat Black Mamba was an improved version of the Fat King Cobra:

 

And it was designed as (and derived from) a desktop controller used without a throttle.

 

I can only think how exhilarating it would be to pilot the improved Su-33 and F/A-18 with a complete VKB HOTAS (even using a F/A-18 compatible grip, the Warthog grip, and obviously the VKB grip inspired from a modern russian flight stick).

 

 

In the meantime, I'll get the Black Box and the Gladiator :D

…but I probably should buy more free time first :music_whistling:

Edited April 10, 2016 by Bourrinopathe

[Yurgon]

Are you sure about that?

 

 

:megalol:

 

Now isn't that the coolest stick ever?! :D

Edited April 11, 2016 by Yurgon
Typo

[RFC Rudel]

…but I probably should buy more free time first :music_whistling:

 

??:dunno:

[Bourrinopathe]

^ because I'd just love to fly way way more!

An efficient and reliable controller is a key component when it comes to flying, even in a simulator and that's precisely what VKB is providing (and ED offers a top-notch simulation - they should marry).

Edited April 11, 2016 by Bourrinopathe

[spaceraver]

I wish I could get the Gimbals and the sensor package separately, would be a nice mod for any joystick. If I could get that for my X55 to make a upgrade I would be more than happy.

[BHawthorne]

No, VKB Mambas now "is history". The end. :)

 

Gunfighter is a new concept of joystick - a modular one.

 

Looks very promising. I'm looking for something new to build a simpit tub project with. This looks like a solid start.

[Sokol1_br]

I wish I could get the Gimbals and the sensor package separately, would be a nice mod for any joystick. If I could get that for my X-55 to make a upgrade I would be more than happy.

 

I think you can buy only the CAM gimbal - look at VKB parts list, e.g. the one for upgrade Cobra M5:

 

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

 

But VKB "MaRS" sensors work in digital mode and is only compatible with Njoy32 firmware.

At moment this MaRS sensor are available only with Tinybox - for upgrade old RDR pedals.

 

You can use the CAM gimbal with different sensor, but not the one (Melexis)in X-55 because this work in "3D" - read X and Y axis simultaneous.

 

In the same way probable X-55 controller - set for Melexis 3D Hall sensor in X, Y axis will be not compatible with other type of sensor, e.g. Mega_MOZG TLE5010/11 (digital) , GVL224 MagRez (analog).

 

Then for use a different gimbal with X-55 controller will be need sensor with operation different than "3D" but compatible with his controller - Melexis have other models of sensor, able to read axis individually, but probable need program then with thousand dollars device...

Edited April 11, 2016 by Sokol1_br

[rrohde]

Still, like I said, one can never have too many buttons on a HOTAS, even if they're down on the floor [is what he said to disguise a rather obvious oversight]. :music_whistling: ;)

 

Okay, I guess I was wrong after all! After using the Mamba with some of the switches, rotaries, and dials, I really came to like them as well. In fact, I like them so much that I am contemplating to *not* consider putting the extension on (for now).

 

For example, there are three rotaries on the Mamba that - depending on how to rotate them - act as two buttons. If I rotate left, it's one button, and if I rotate right, it's another button. On top of that, each rotary can also be pushed, acting like a third button. This comes in very handy for the adjustment of brightness levels, zoom levels, and/or turning things on/off.

 

On top of that, there are two additional axes on the mamba base that are rotaries as well; they are perfect for dialing in the wingspan/distances for the DCS warbirds.

 

Needless to say, the various toggle buttons are very useful as well.

 

So, there you have it - I spoke too soon. The Mamba's base with all its buttons, switches, and dials is more useful than I thought, and now I am relying on it!

[Sokol1_br]

Okay, I guess I was wrong after all! After using the Mamba with some of the switches, rotaries, and dials, I really came to like them as well. In fact, I like them so much that I am contemplating to *not* consider putting the extension on (for now).

 

Think that whit some DIY unless the enconder in front of base case (soldered in Njoy32 PCB), the other "buttons panels" can be moved for remote positions if you make extension cables.

[rrohde]

Think that whit some DIY unless the enconder in front of base case (soldered in Njoy32 PCB), the other "buttons panels" can be moved for remote positions if you make extension cables.

 

That's interesting to know! Thanks Sokol. Sadly, I lack the skills on building such custom stuff myself. ;)

[rrohde]

Quick update: I hired a welder in order to customize the Obutto Ozone center-stick flight control mounts to accommodate my Mamba with its extension. He shortened the center-stick mounting tube by 3.5 inches, and brought it in more by removing the horizontal tube. He also cut the Ozone's flight stick mount steel plate to match the Mamba's base plate in size; he also drilled screw holes using the Mamba's base-plate as template, so I can mount the Mamba using screws without having to use double-sided tape.

 

The outcome works really well for me, but I might have to ask him to maybe cut another inch off so that the Mamba sits a bit lower. But we'll see....

 

Needless to say, having the Mamba with extension is an absolute dream to fly DCS aircraft with, especially helicopters. However, the downside is that I no longer can reach the additional buttons, dials, and switches that the Mamba base provided... oh well. :) I hope that this can be remedied once I'll be able to buy the TM Warthog grip adapter for the Mamba base, since the TM grip has more buttons than the Mamba itself...

 

Here are some photos that show the custom job:

[Bourrinopathe]

Congratz! It's looking great!

I can only imagine the accuracy and finesse improvement of the axes.

 

The FBM has been originally designed to be used on a desk but you should be able to use some of the controls on the base for several pre-flight systems.

Also, but that would require some tinkering, you could link those controls on a side controls box in the future.

 

Great installation! :thumbsup:

[rrohde]

Thanks Bourrinopathe!

 

The challenge now is to re-evaluate the various DCS axes settings from before with the newly extended Mamba. So far, I've tinkered a bit with resetting the saturation values to 100% again, but leaving the curves at 25% for now... Maybe, because of the much longer throw now, I have to go back and change the saturation again, to even lower values? Argh... :)

 

I only wished that I could use double-springs on the hardware axes, simply because of the added leverage, the Mamba feels rather "loose" right now. Should I dare adding a second set of springs? :)

 

It would be nice to be able to extend the Mamba's base functions and extend them somehow, but my I have no skills/knowledge to do something like that - unless VKB has a ready-made product for that... .

[Akatsuki]

I received mine today.

 

I just flew a little in the MiG-15 and the Mi-8.

It's much much more precise than my X-52 Pro!

 

Reallly cool stuff! Well worth the wait! :)

[aaron886]

Gaaaah I want one so badly. Can't tell if I should go for the Gladiator Pro or wait for something with a slicker/metal base. Actually, I don't even really want to do that because they stopped selling the Warthog adapter.

[rrohde]

Gaaaah I want one so badly. Can't tell if I should go for the Gladiator Pro or wait for something with a slicker/metal base. Actually, I don't even really want to do that because they stopped selling the Warthog adapter.

 

I would wait for the Gunfighter (the Mamba replacement); they will sell another batch of Warthog adapters once they make them. :)

[rrohde]

I received mine today.

 

I just flew a little in the MiG-15 and the Mi-8.

It's much much more precise than my X-52 Pro!

 

Reallly cool stuff! Well worth the wait! :)

 

Totally! Amazing quality, too! :thumbup:

[tommytank]

Mine arrived today; had a quick look but haven't hooked it up yet. Any tips on fitting the Warthog adaptor?

[SinusoidDelta]

Mine arrived today; had a quick look but haven't hooked it up yet. Any tips on fitting the Warthog adaptor?

 

Be very careful :thumbup:

 

If you haven't seen, Stratojet has a good how-to video on their site. It's very easy to pinch wires when you reassemble the two halves of the grip.

[rrohde]

Mine arrived today; had a quick look but haven't hooked it up yet. Any tips on fitting the Warthog adaptor?

 

http://forum.vkb-sim.pro/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=2178

[tommytank]

I assume the spring in the bag with the yellow dot is for the warthog pitch?

Does the connector need to be switched on the MKIII or only on the vintage mamba?

Vintage or Mamba

Edited June 4, 2016 by tommytank