Introducing the VKB-Sim Gunfighter

[Bearfoot]

Yep, no shipping info for me either ... and I ordered within the first two hours as well.

[rrohde]

Well, I've been working closely with VKB HQ on a really large number of international shipping invoices during the last couple of days for all pending Gunfighter deliveries, and this task is quite enormous. It's easy for me to see now why the shipping process takes some time.

 

Maybe next time when I say "shipping starts on XZY", I need to put a disclaimer right next to it saying that "shipping started" does not mean that your order is on its merry way that same day, or the day after. It means that there's a ton of logistics to work through first, and getting your tracking numbers is the very last step.

 

Hang in there - everything is going to plan - all shipping invoices are complete. The next step is the DHL agent picking up all orders, and returning with tracking numbers to VKB HQ. Once VKB HQ sends them to me, I can complete your orders and you get your tracking numbers.

[rrohde]

I pre-ordered and ordered among the first but I'm not sure what will be the advantage of having done so.

 

The problem is always that everyone has the same idea - which sounds good - but generates a ton of backlog over at VKB HQ. It even broke the server at point in time. It's much easier to handle orders when they trickle in. Instead, a rather large amount came in at once and they are much tougher to pull apart and prepare for shipping, especially since quite a few customers requested to change their order, add or delete items, etc, etc - even late in the game. All that had to be filed and organized between two countries.

 

So yeah, lesson learned for VKB (and my webshop) - no more ordering early until the products are ready, fully tested (to avoid late production PCB issues as we all encountered with the Gunfighters), boxed, and ready to ship within 3 days. The MCG will be first. :)

Edited May 3, 2017 by rrohde

[Bearfoot]

All makes sense. Sorry for the plaintive note, but yes, when I think when we read "shipping starts Tue", we understood "shipping notice on Wed, delivery Friday, persuade wife to take kids to zoo so we can play with new toy on Saturday". At least, some of us did! Good idea regarding disclaimer --- always good to manage expectations --- and great idea to open up ordering when products ready to ship! Also, I will say just you stepping in an explaining the process and what steps we are at and what steps are around the corner, etc. goes a looooooooong way to helping out and is greatly appreciated! THANKS!

Edited May 3, 2017 by Bearfoot

[rrohde]

Thank you for your understanding! I will ensure to manage expectations more carefully. It's easier for me as I am on the inside, and I know how things work now. But for customers - on the outside looking in, wanting their shiny new toy - waiting is tough and every delays is seen as something done on purpose, or something broke, or something isn't right, or fishy, or bad.... you get me. :)

 

So yeah, communication is the key here - and I am always available to explain what's happening behind the curtain.

[aaron886]

So yeah, communication is the key here - and I am always available to explain what's happening behind the curtain.

 

Hey, you've done a great job with that. If the product lives up to the hype, that's the recipe for a happy customer! It will be interesting to see how the MCG/TCS/ECP process unfolds in light of the lessons learned with Gunfighter. :)

[rrohde]

Hey, you've done a great job with that. If the product lives up to the hype, that's the recipe for a happy customer! It will be interesting to see how the MCG/TCS/ECP process unfolds in light of the lessons learned with Gunfighter. :)

 

Thanks Aaron!

 

Oh, you forgot the SCG - Space Combat Grip, close on the heels of the MCG. :music_whistling:

[Bearfoot]

So yeah, communication is the key here - and I am always available to explain what's happening behind the curtain.

 

Hey, you've done a great job with that.

 

+1

[Outlaw24]

I agree with several of the other members, and greatly appreciate your efforts in keeping us in the loop, outstanding job, it makes waiting a little easier. Thanks!

[Axion]

As others have said, your communication policy has been beyond reproach. So looking forward to receiving my GF Pro and the availability of the MCG Pro in the near future!

 

Thank you, Sir!

[rrohde]

Thanks guys! I really appreciate it! :D

[ChinNoobonic]

To my surprise, mine arrived in Jamaica early! Picked it up this morning. Exciting times ahead! I'll try and write up a mini review/comparison with my Warthog.

[norbot]

Hi rrohde! You made a really great job. While the VKB-Shop in Europe doesn't even list the gunfighter in their store or show a picture of it, you are already shipping them. So I think the problems are not on your side of the Atlantic. :thumbup:

[rrohde]

All remaining Gunfighter orders have

 

 

Tracking numbers later today (tonight) once I get them from VKB HQ.

Edited May 4, 2017 by rrohde

[FalcoNg]

What's the typical total shipping time to the US? Hopefully customs leaves us all alone

[rrohde]

What's the typical total shipping time to the US? Hopefully customs leaves us all alone

 

Mine took 4 days.

[ChinNoobonic]

What's the typical total shipping time to the US? Hopefully customs leaves us all alone

 

Mine was shipped on April 26th, picked up on the 27th by DHL and delivered on May 1st in Miami.

[rrohde]

Double #50 spring per axis. Gonna see how that feels with the extension, the heavy TMW grip, and the damper dialed in just enough. :)

 

 

 

 

 

EDIT:Guys, those of you with Gunfighter Pros and TMW grip, do yourselves a favor and try the #50 dual-spring per axis configuration. This really makes the stick feel awesome. Just dial in enough damper - not too much - and you have a nice setup for DCS. Had some stick time just now and have to say this works really well for me.

Edited May 4, 2017 by rrohde

[FalcoNg]

Mine was shipped on April 26th, picked up on the 27th by DHL and delivered on May 1st in Miami.

 

Thanks. I'm in the Miami area as well.

[Bourrinopathe]

A Gunfighters army ready for combat! What a beautiful picture!

 

All remaining Gnfighter orders have

 

 

Tracking numbers later today (tonight) once I get them from VKB HQ.

[PabstBleuRibbon]

Thanks guys! I really appreciate it! :D

 

Thank YOU for keeping us in the loop! Can't wait to get my hands on mine!

[Barefoot Bandit]

So, silly question... If one were to have a cobra M5, and wanted to buy a Gunfighter base and keep using the M5 grip whilst awaiting, say, an MCG, or space grip... Where does one find the adaptor?

 

Z...

[rrohde]

So, silly question... If one were to have a cobra M5, and wanted to buy a Gunfighter base and keep using the M5 grip whilst awaiting, say, an MCG, or space grip... Where does one find the adaptor?

 

Z...

 

Such adapter would have to be produced according to VKB HQ, and frankly, there doesn't seem to be enough demand to warrant a production run. Also, the adapter would cost $40, and the basic MCG $99 - and offers a lot more off the bat.

 

But of course I get it - the Cobra grip offers a few more buttons than the KG12 default Gunfighter grip, and the MCG isn't here yet... what to do...

[ChinNoobonic]

Here's my quick experience so far. Disclaimer: I've only used it for only a few hours.

 

Setup

 

Getting things ready is pretty easy since there's not much assembly to be done. If you bought the WH adapter however, then you're gonna have to do a little work. I had swapped out the #20 springs for 2 #40 springs on each axis. Installing the springs will be a little challenging and is probably the hardest part of the installation, just be sure to have a pair of needle nose pliers on hand.

 

I had to re-seat the nut for the Y axis dampener as it would not tighten no matter how many turns. After removing it and putting it back together, things work as they should.

 

The #10 cam feels amazing! However, with the Cougar grip installed, I couldn't get it to recenter on it's own properly. I thought the dampener was the issue but that didn't make a difference. I ended up using the #30 cam which has a center detent.

 

Software

 

I'm pretty familiar with the VKB config software since I had a Mamba MKI prior, so finding my way around was pretty easy. I ended up setting a deadzone of 1.5 for DZ Lo. That helped me in getting the centering just right and I also changed the axis multiplier from 10 to 9 since the stick behaved overly sensitive otherwise. Please note, do not use Windows to calibrate the joystick. Use the VKB config tool. Just hit start calibration, move the axis around and end calibration. That's it!

 

I re-did the config to match the buttons on the Warthog as the default profile doesn't do this.

 

How does it feel?

 

With the dampening set right, it feels much heavier than the Warthog and there's no stiction! The cams add some feeling of weight as you move the stick around, something the Warthog doesn't do.

 

Overall, I'm happy with it. I might mess around with the #10 cams again some day. :joystick:

Edited May 5, 2017 by ChinNoobonic
Grammar

[rrohde]

Thanks for this write up, ChinNoobonic! Glad you like your Gunfighter. :)

 

I agree, it's all about setting it up just right, and people get quite a few different options by using different cams, different springs and damper settings.

 

For me, I just stuck with the #10 cams because I like the feel - and because I use an extension I am now experimenting with two #50 springs per axis, and only a slight damper setting do get that no-oscillating type input. Which is amazing when you try to do precision rolls. Tested it with different aircraft, and love it so far.

 

Thanks for the pointer regarding the dead zone, as the default deadzone is indeed rather small. I've set mine to 1 for DZ Lo.

 

Also, thank you about the info on the axis multiplier - I am going to try this as well. :)

 

PS: When any of the axes damper nut spins while you're trying to tighten the clutch, just press with a finger against the nylon clutch itself and keep turning the nut. That finger press prevents the loose nut from spinning initially.

 

Again, thanks for the write up - there is a lot of useful info here that others might find helpful as well! :thumbup:

Edited May 5, 2017 by rrohde