Introducing the VKB-Sim Gunfighter

[rrohde]

One thing I have noticed about my new Gunfighter from just sitting it on my desk and moving the stick around:

 

On the X-Axis, the stick does not return to center upon letting it go - even when letting it go when it is at the extreme of the X-axis travel. It never makes it all the way back to center, the less travel the less it tries to go back to center, but it is a few degrees off center in any event unless I physically move it by hand to center. Not so much on the Y-axis, it is most prevalent on the X-axis.

 

Is this normal? Perhaps does not really matter as I am sure I will be moving it to center whilst flying anyway... just an observation on my part, just was a little surprised at it not returning to dead center.

I did initially loosen the two screws mentioned for the dust cover by two turns, that was recommended in the email blast we got.

 

Long story short, this is normal - that slight lean is normal with any gimbal design that uses one cam per axis. This 'cam loading' (or the slight angle off) is compensated for by the Gunfighters MCU (micro controller unit) and does not affect the returning of the axis to dead-center within 0.01 degrees.

 

That said, the VKB MaRS (magnetic resonance sensor) sensor finds the center of the stick after calibrating at the cam-level, not at the grip level, and is thus always precise - there is no need to 'fix' anything. It's meant to operate like that. :thumbup:

[rrohde]

@Bearfoot - Good stuff! :)

[Bearfoot]

Hi Rainer, what is the screw size for the holes on the floor mounting plate (the ones through which we will secure it to something firm on the ground)?

 

P.S. so, one good thing to add to the wiki idea is full specs of all screws/parts?

[rrohde]

Yeah, every Gunfighter product page at VKBcontrollers.com has a "Measurement" PDF file for download. Those should cover the needed info.

[Bearfoot]

Yeah, every Gunfighter product page at VKBcontrollers.com has a "Measurement" PDF file for download. Those should cover the needed info.

 

Ah yes, got it! Sorry for the trouble!

[aaron886]

I can't even get the WH grip to be recognized by VKBdevCFG. I get a blinking red light, and the program says "Device cannot be opened." I was meticulous with the installation, and just checked - no pinched wires. I have to say I think it's the board...

 

After restarting my computer, VKBdevCFG worked normally with the KG-12 grip. I then tried the WH grip, and sure enough, although it flashed red on the box, I was able to run VKBdevCFG and load the Warthog firmware successfully. Green light. Everything seems to be working correctly now. Solution, apparently, was to restart the computer. I feel like an old person. :D To be fair, I'm not sure why the software stopped working - it was working before the grip change.

[rrohde]

Glad you got it working Aaron, but usually a PC restart isn't required.

 

:thumbup:

[aaron886]

That makes sense, of course, but it seems that the problem was not hardware. No changes were made there between failure and success. Only difference is that the software recognized my stick AFTER the restart. Sometimes computers really are black magic...

[norbot]

Where should the "W" cam of the Warthog adapter be mounted? On the pitch or roll axis? :huh:

[rrohde]

Pitch axis. :)

[norbot]

Thanks, Rainer. You're fast as lightning! :thumbup: Do you ever sleep? :D

[rrohde]

Thanks, Rainer. You're fast as lightning! :thumbup: Do you ever sleep? :D

 

I need more sleep, for sure! But the whole Gunfighter being out now has me run ragged. :)

 

BTW - there's no need to install the W cam if you're more happy with soft-center cams. You could always add stronger springs to offset the heavier weight of the TMW grip instead.

[rrohde]

FYI - VKB HQ has released an updated KG12 grip profile that enables the pinky switch to be a shift button, so you can have up to 12 buttons when rocking that KG12 grip.

 

Get it here:

http://ftp.vkb-sim.pro/Profiles/BlackBox/BB_GF-KG12_12B%281_85_2%290_79_99.zip ; download and unzip.

 

How to Install:

 

1) Run VKBdevCfg, click on your device name to make it active

2) From the Action tab, click on "Load"

3) From the Action tab, click on "Set" and confirm the dialog box

4) The VKBDevCfg sofware will restart your device

5) Done! 12 programmable buttons. :)

 

EDIT: So when pressing and holding the pinky switch, while at the same time pressing the trigger, the trigger has a different function than the trigger without the pinky switch depressed. This goes for all of the KG12 buttons. Different functions based on them being switched/unswitched. :)

Edited May 11, 2017 by rrohde

[dburne]

Long story short, this is normal - that slight lean is normal with any gimbal design that uses one cam per axis. This 'cam loading' (or the slight angle off) is compensated for by the Gunfighters MCU (micro controller unit) and does not affect the returning of the axis to dead-center within 0.01 degrees.

 

That said, the VKB MaRS (magnetic resonance sensor) sensor finds the center of the stick after calibrating at the cam-level, not at the grip level, and is thus always precise - there is no need to 'fix' anything. It's meant to operate like that. :thumbup:

 

Ok thanks for the info.

[TAnker737]

So is that a MonsterTech mount? Do they already have one for the Gunfighter Pro?

 

No just using my warthog plate. I'm only using 2 screw at the time, thinking of drilling a hole for the others.

[zbmtwo]

No just using my warthog plate. I'm only using 2 screw at the time, thinking of drilling a hole for the others.

 

I used the small gunfighter plate that came with my pro as a template and drilled the extra 2 x 4.5mm holes in my Monstertech plate. It helped having a small file to get a perfect fit. Very happy with the result.

[TAnker737]

Sorry I should have been more clear:

 

Everything works, all axis's/etc. I loaded up the WH profile according to the instructions and didn't get any errors or anything. I have the WH grip installed and all buttons are functional and mappable in DCS.

 

Just no green light!

 

edit: When I first plugged in the Blackbox usb to my computer, and during initial configuration, I had a blue and the green joystick light. It was only at some point after loading the WH profile, and calibration, that the green disappeared.

 

I just got this also.

Everything looks like it works just the green LED isnt on anymore.

Also when I unplug the stick no red LED flashing.

[dburne]

Hey I downloaded the Gunfighter Quick-Operations Guide PDF and was having a look at it this morning.

I noticed this mentioned:

 

NOTE: VKB HQ tightened the frictioner of the dry clutch to prevent it from loosening during

shipping. So before you connect your Gunfighter to your PC, you will need to adjust the dry

clutches for both pitch and roll axes accordingly.

 

I guess I am stupid or something, I have not done this. Is this still required? If so, can anyone elaborate how one accomplishes this?

 

Thanks for any tips,

[Bourrinopathe]

Hi dburne,

Nothing wrong about it if you're satisfied with the movement. If it feels loose enough, it's good enough.

But for safe measure, you might want to extract the gimbal and check the bolts/nuts, as it's also a good opportunity to adjust each axis resistance/feeling to your liking.

 

Otherwise, just follow the calibration guide from the official forum (w/ pictures) to loosen the dry clutches.

 

Edited May 11, 2017 by Bourrinopathe

[Bearfoot]

Hi dburne,

Nothing wrong about it if you're satisfied with the movement. If it feels loose enough, it's good enough.

But for safe measure, you might want to extract the gimbal and check the bolts/nuts, as it's also a good opportunity to adjust each axis resistance/feeling to your liking.

 

Otherwise, just follow the calibration guide from the official forum (w/ pictures) to loosen the dry clutches.

 

 

This is a fantastic guide, Rainer!!!

[dburne]

Hi dburne,

Nothing wrong about it if you're satisfied with the movement. If it feels loose enough, it's good enough.

But for safe measure, you might want to extract the gimbal and check the bolts/nuts, as it's also a good opportunity to adjust each axis resistance/feeling to your liking.

 

Otherwise, just follow the calibration guide from the official forum (w/ pictures) to loosen the dry clutches.

 

 

Ok will for sure do this, thanks much for the link!

[Bearfoot]

FYI - VKB HQ has released an updated KG12 grip profile that enables the pinky switch to be a shift button, so you can have up to 12 buttons when rocking that KG12 grip.

 

Get it here:

http://ftp.vkb-sim.pro/Profiles/BlackBox/BB_GF-KG12_12B%281_85_2%290_79_99.zip ; download and unzip.

 

How to Install:

 

1) Run VKBdevCfg, click on your device name to make it active

2) From the Action tab, click on "Load"

3) From the Action tab, click on "Set" and confirm the dialog box

4) The VKBDevCfg sofware will restart your device

5) Done! 12 programmable buttons. :)

 

EDIT: So when pressing and holding the pinky switch, while at the same time pressing the trigger, the trigger has a different function than the trigger without the pinky switch depressed. This goes for all of the KG12 buttons. Different functions based on them being switched/unswitched. :)

 

So, I ran into a few problems with this procedure.

 

I complete steps 1 and 2 ok. When I try (3), though, I get a "no new data" alert. When I try (4), there is an access violation warning. When I try to go to the button wizard, there are a whole bunch of access violation errors that keep popping up, so much so that I have to hard quit the application using the OS. However, it appears that I still end up getting the shifted keys, at least, as given by the VKB_Btn_tester.

[Bearfoot]

@rrhode, is it possible to order backups of the little clamp screw thingamajigs that secure the grip to the extension or the extension to the base?

[Bearfoot]

No just using my warthog plate. I'm only using 2 screw at the time, thinking of drilling a hole for the others.

 

I used the small gunfighter plate that came with my pro as a template and drilled the extra 2 x 4.5mm holes in my Monstertech plate. It helped having a small file to get a perfect fit. Very happy with the result.

 

Do you folks find that the horizontal displacement (forward-aft) of the mounts is sufficient so that the shaft/grip + 20 cm extension does not knock against the table at full forward displacement at all heights?

[Mars Exulte]

Hiya, I just ordered the Gladiator Pro II. Wanted the buttons. Never have too many buttons. Just waiting on the MCG now... and throttle.

 

I accidentally kicked my stick last night and snapped it off at the base, thus my renewed interest lol