Introducing the VKB-Sim Gunfighter

[jasonstory44]

Does anyone have any experience using the vkb configurator? Just got my gunfighter pro and warthog adapter, went through all the physical alterations fine. Can't for the life of me get the configurator to not throw errors. DCS recognizes the axis but no buttons. I've tried the VKB forums and registered but it won't let me log in there. Ugh so frustrating.

[UIV]

I answered your question on the VKB forum.

[jasonstory44]

Thanks UIV. I can't seem to find the quick guide though

[rrohde]

Thanks UIV. I can't seem to find the quick guide though

 

Try this? http://vkbcontrollers.com/?product=gunfighter-quick-operations-guide

 

Let me know if there's anything I can help you with.

 

Just a note - usually, when buttons on a grip don't work, make sure the grip is properly seated.

[rrohde]

Posted this news item containing links to my Gunfighter related Quick Guides; hope you find them useful: http://vkbcontrollers.com/?p=4669

[jasonstory44]

Got the buttons working thanks. Not sure if I didn't have the grip seated properly or was doing something else wrong but that was good advice thanks. One last question, what's the purpose of the "w" cam with the warthog adaptor? And why only one and not two? I didn't install it but maybe I should? Thanks Jason

[rrohde]

It's all mentioned on the available quick guides. The W cam is used on the pitch axis and has a noticeable center detent. The idea is to keep the heavy TM Warthog grip centered, because it has the tendency to lean forward a bit - which, of course, you can counter by either putting stiffer springs in, or adjust the dry clutch damper accordingly. BTW - how is that dry clutch working for you? I haven't gotten my Gunfighter yet (go figure), but like to hear about it. :)

[jasonstory44]

Btw, I think everyone is in for a treat when they get their new bases and setups! This base feels nice! Huge improvement over the TM base

[rrohde]

Well, how about some pics, btw? I will do some unboxing pics when I get my Gunfighter hopefully next week - but would love to see some pics beforehand. :)

[jasonstory44]

I'm gonna have to play with the dry clutch a bit. I'll let you know! Haven't permanently mounted my base yet. Maybe I'll swap out the cam as well. I put in the 50 springs but I'd say my grip has a tendency to pitch back if anything. Maybe the w cam will fix that

[jasonstory44]

Will do. Gonna choke back some coffee and get back to work on it

[rrohde]

I'm gonna have to play with the dry clutch a bit. I'll let you know! Haven't permanently mounted my base yet. Maybe I'll swap out the cam as well. I put in the 50 springs but I'd say my grip has a tendency to pitch back if anything. Maybe the w cam will fix that

 

You can also have a second spring on the pitch axis if you prefer that. The W cam will add a noticeable center detent, which I personally didn't like too much in my Mamba Mk.III with TM Warthog grip. I prefer the soft center cam, so I tried to compensate with more springs on the pitch axis. That dry clutch will certainly help here as well

[jasonstory44]

Oh and I noticed it looks like they removed the ground on the PCB board for the adaptor? That's the only difference I noticed from your guide. I hope that's the case

[jasonstory44]

The dry clutch is the screw on the base that inserts into the spring in the gimbal?

[rrohde]

The pics were taken from the TM Warthog Adapter for the Gladiator Pro, so that might be slightly different. :) Doesn't really affect the assembly process, though. :)

[rrohde]

The dry clutch is the screw on the base that inserts into the spring in the gimbal?

 

I highlighted them in red; each axis has its own dry clutch damper!

Edited April 30, 2017 by rrohde

[rrohde]

Couple of beauty shot of the VKB Gunfighter's gimbal inside the housing:

[Sokol1_br]

Readme for this 'toe brakes" for T-Rudder Mk.IV say:

 

VKB-Sim BlackBox controller

GF+KG12+T-Rudder with virtual brakes

Axes: 5 (X, Y - Gunfighter; Z - T-Rudder; Rx, Ry - Virtual Brakes)

Brake button: Pinky button

Buttons: 6

HAT: 0

Firmware version: 1.85.2

VKBDevCfg-C version: 0.78.9.9

 

Looks that are for T-Rudder combined with Gladiator - what make sense since is need a physical button for press the brakes (for both wheels), as "virtual toe brakes" can't be pressed :) - and not for T-Rudder standalone.

 

And the "Brake button: Pinky button" suggest that this is "Russian 'bicycle lever' brakes" and not "tip-toe brakes". :)

Edited May 1, 2017 by Sokol1_br

[jasonstory44]

So just a suggestion or bit of advice for anyone when they get their gunfighter PRO and Warthog adaptor. After tweaking and experimenting all day I can strongly suggest using the "w" cam and also using 2 50# springs for the pitch axis. Otherwise I found their was a constant and annoying tendency to pitch up in sim. I hope this saves someone quite a bit of assembly and breakdown time.

 

For the record this thing is marvelous feeling.

Oh, I also greatly tightened the dry clutch

[Sokol1_br]

[rrohde]

Otherwise I found their was a constant and annoying tendency to pitch up in sim.

 

That's something I cannot confirm from the Mamba without the W cam. How do you calibrate your Gunfighter? Hopefully, not with the built-in Windows device calibration, right? :) VKB devices with MaRS sensors should only be calibrated from within VKBdevCfg, and the stick needs to remain centered (in other words, don't move it around like you would in old-school calibration tools). Just click on Start Calibr, wait a second, and then click End Calibr. That allows the MaRS sensor to find the center and store that value inside the stick itself. :thumbup:

Edited April 30, 2017 by rrohde

[rrohde]

And the "Brake button: Pinky button" suggest that this is "Russian 'bicycle lever' brakes" and not "tip-toe brakes". :)

 

Yeah, a more appropriate term would be "differential brake", but for some reason "virtual toe brake" stuck as a name. :)

[jasonstory44]

I was calibrating in the vkbdevconfig...maybe i was doing it wrong but the weight of the TMW kept pulling thew stick aft. Seems all good now with those modifications

 

Loving the stick

[rrohde]

That's good to hear then! :)

 

So, how does the dry clutch feel? Does the stick movement feel "heavier" because of it, less oscillation when letting go, etc? That's what I really want to hear. :D

 

Also - totally glad you you're loving your new Gunfighter!

[aaron886]

Rainer, I don't want to hassle you, but how is the progression through the "day one" pre-orders? Are all shipped orders currently updated? I've got a vacation coming up and would hate for the Gunfighter to be schedule to arrive after I leave.