Introducing the VPC MongoosT-50

[Barefoot Bandit]

Thanks for the update, and all the best to the new staff!

 

Z...

[cepanamea]

How heavy will this new throttle be?

[Mr_sukebe]

Looks like my T50 arrives today, been busy trying to disguise the fact that I feel like a kid let lose in a sweet shop.

 

Couple of questions:

- based upon your experience, do I calibrate it using the Virgil supplied software or in windows? Does it really make any difference

- I’ve downloaded the English manual for the grip. Is there an English manual for the base? Couldn’t see one on the Virgil site

[dburne]

Looks like my T50 arrives today, been busy trying to disguise the fact that I feel like a kid let lose in a sweet shop.

 

Couple of questions:

- based upon your experience, do I calibrate it using the Virgil supplied software or in windows? Does it really make any difference

- I’ve downloaded the English manual for the grip. Is there an English manual for the base? Couldn’t see one on the Virgil site

 

Do not under any circumstances attempt to calibrate it in Windows. Only use the Virpil calibration.

 

VPC Mongoose Base Quick Start Guide:

https://virpil.com/en/forum/vpc-hangar/86-vpc-mongoost-50-base-quick-start-guide

[Mr_sukebe]

My thanks for advising. Glad I asked.

 

If using windows calibration is such a bad thing, probably worth adding that warning to the user guide

[dburne]

My thanks for advising. Glad I asked.

 

If using windows calibration is such a bad thing, probably worth adding that warning to the user guide

 

Yeah they probably should.

Main problem I think with trying to use Windows calibration is with the brake lever axis, as it also has a button press early on in it's travel.

So when try to calibrate it's axis, it sees that button press and thinks it is end of travel, screwing up the travel of the axis in Windows.

 

The Virpil software is very good at calibrating the stick, just be sure and follow each step exactly.

[Cyph3r]

► VPC Support Staff Availability

 

Due to the high workload that the VPC team is currently experiencing, we are announcing some potential delays in responses from our support staff.

 

While our support team will still be available to help with any queries, we’re increasing the estimated response time from 24 to 72 hours.

 

This is a temporary measure running from 19th May to 9th June - after which we will be back to full availability. We appreciate everyone’s patience during this period!

 

Thank you for your support!

VIRPIL Controls

[Mr_sukebe]

The T50 arrived today and is now bolted in place and running.

Didn't seem to need any calibration. Just worked out of the box.

Coming from a CH Fighterstick:

- Plastic quality of the grip seems similar, i.e. feels durable and long lasting, though the moulding is better done. Definitely has a good feel to it from an ergonomics perspective and it instantly felt like my hand fit

- Similar number of buttons overall. Only real difference being the analogue brake lever

- The Fighterstick has a lump sticking out for a rest. The Mongoose is adjustable

So from a button/stick perspective, yes it's better, but not hugely, but then I always thought the Fighterstick was rather underrated

 

The real significant difference that I've found so far is with the base. It clearly requires more force (the Fighterstick is very light), so I've backed off the tension of the springs using the adjusters that are accessed using a screwdriver. More importantly, with the Fighterstick, it's just obvious that the gimball is on two axis. The T50 feels more like a ball-head on a camera tripod, i.e. force is VERY consistent regardless of the angle you move it. Early days, but as expected, also seems to be easier to be more accurate in my flying. Tried an aerial re-fuel in my harrier, and it seemed much easier.

Also flew my Spitfire, Huey, Su33 and Viggen. With all, consistently better.

 

Is it worth 3 times the price of the Fighterstick? Debatable. Like most things, once you get past reliable and serviceable, refinement is progressively much more expensive. Is it better, definitely.

[Sokol1_br]

T50... CH Fighterstick:

 

- Similar number of buttons overall. Only real difference being the analogue brake lever

 

3 buttons more (~19%+). :D

[cordite]

Mr_sukebe, did you get the extension set?

[Mr_sukebe]

Mr_sukebe, did you get the extension set?

 

No. With my cockpit setup, I have to side mount, which precludes from using an extension.

Another point that I didn’t mention is that the T50 requires less physical deflection than the Fighterstick. You’d think that this may result in precision flying being more difficult. The reality is that the gimball decision easily overcomes that.

[Raz_Specter]

my T-50 is currently in transit - hoping to get it before the weekend :)

[dburne]

my T-50 is currently in transit - hoping to get it before the weekend :)

 

:thumbup:

 

Congrats, excellent choice!

 

I will say I have had my Virpil setup now for about 8-9 months. And I use it, I mean really use it. Not just a weekend thing, but mostly every day. I am talking many hours in the course of a week. One of the luxuries of now being retired.

 

This thing is just so solid and smooth, it truly is incredible. And I love the feel when I wrap my hand around my center mounted stick and head off for some great combat. No question my gunnery skills improved over what I was doing with my Warthog.

 

And the support from these guys, from what I can tell pretty much blows any others out of the water in that department. Yeah it is nice to never need support, but also this stick I have was their first offering and being a smaller boutique mfg easy to have some growing pains at first. I managed to break my flip down trigger after several months of heavy use, contacted support and had a replacement in couple of weeks. I will try to be more gentle with it now too.

 

In any event, I would encourage anyone wanting to invest in a better quality stick with all metal gimbal system, Virpil is definitely the way to go.

 

Just be aware the T-50 which is a premium gimbal, is designed to be center mounted to desk. Their mounting bracket handles this very nicely, along with extension kit.

For desktop users, the upcoming WarBRD would be an option.

[moespeeds]

I just got my T50 base/Stick and I love it. I would like to map the pinky lever as 'Target undesignate/NWS' for the AV8B but for some reason, it doesn't work in this capacity, it either sticks on or doesn't work at all. I'm assuming it's because the axis is setup as digital. How can I make it analog?

[Sokol1_br]

In fact is the inverse, the lever is an analog axis, and at end of their course press a (digital) button - #19.

 

https://virpil.com/images/support/MT-50_Grip_ButtonMapR.png

 

Try assign the control for 'Targer undesignate/NVS' selecting in drop down menu the button # 19, instead pressing the lever.

[sze5003]

I just got my T50 base/Stick and I love it. I would like to map the pinky lever as 'Target undesignate/NWS' for the AV8B but for some reason, it doesn't work in this capacity, it either sticks on or doesn't work at all. I'm assuming it's because the axis is setup as digital. How can I make it analog?

I heard that if you calibrate your stick using Windows it can mess up the calibration/function of the lever since windows detects a button press half way through and thinks it's done traveling when really it should be pressed all the way in and still be able to function as an input. Did you use the virpil software to calibrate?

[moespeeds]

Got it thanks. Now if I can only get it working again. Seems that in playing around with the virpil configuration software, I've gone and bricked the thing. Completely dead after just 2 hours of use. Put in a ticket to virpil, hopefully they respond soon. The thing was amazing for the 2 hours that it worked.

[dburne]

Got it thanks. Now if I can only get it working again. Seems that in playing around with the virpil configuration software, I've gone and bricked the thing. Completely dead after just 2 hours of use. Put in a ticket to virpil, hopefully they respond soon. The thing was amazing for the 2 hours that it worked.

 

You might also try sending an email to support@virpil.com

 

I believe Cyph3er here on the forums gets copied on those and he can be very helpful as well.

[Flamin_Squirrel]

I heard that if you calibrate your stick using Windows it can mess up the calibration/function of the lever since windows detects a button press half way through and thinks it's done traveling when really it should be pressed all the way in and still be able to function as an input. Did you use the virpil software to calibrate?

 

I don't have my T50 plugged in at the mo, but I'm sure I got around this problem. I think I held the lever in BEFORE getting to the brake calibration bit.

[sea2sky]

The base has arrived finally, and yeah - hats off to the Virpil team for making such a fine gimbal, very happy!

 

 

[fruityflyer]

Hi guys,

 

Finally saved enough and I’m upgrading from a T16000m to the Virpil T-50, desk mount and extension! Also ordered the VKB pedals as I got fed up with the thrust master pedals (good for the money as VERY basic pedals but not a fan.) can anyone tell me if I need to calibrate the stick when I first use it or is it plug and play? Also can anyone give me a rough estimate on the delivery time? Sorry if this had already been asked.

 

Can’t wait to receive them!

 

Cheers guys.

[Mr_sukebe]

Mine just worked out of the box

[Uther]

Hi guys,

 

Finally saved enough and I’m upgrading from a T16000m to the Virpil T-50, desk mount and extension! Also ordered the VKB pedals as I got fed up with the thrust master pedals (good for the money as VERY basic pedals but not a fan.) can anyone tell me if I need to calibrate the stick when I first use it or is it plug and play? Also can anyone give me a rough estimate on the delivery time? Sorry if this had already been asked.

 

Can’t wait to receive them!

 

Cheers guys.

 

You should d/l and run the Virpil calibration tool. Mine took about a month to arrive in the UK.

[dburne]

Hi guys,

 

Finally saved enough and I’m upgrading from a T16000m to the Virpil T-50, desk mount and extension! Also ordered the VKB pedals as I got fed up with the thrust master pedals (good for the money as VERY basic pedals but not a fan.) can anyone tell me if I need to calibrate the stick when I first use it or is it plug and play? Also can anyone give me a rough estimate on the delivery time? Sorry if this had already been asked.

 

Can’t wait to receive them!

 

Cheers guys.

 

Congrats, you will love the T-50!

 

It will likely come already calibrated fine for you, if you find you want to though, whatever you do DO NOT calibrate in Windows. Ever. It will mess up your brake axis lever as there is also a button press early on in it's travel and the calibration will stop there.

 

Download the software from Virpil and very carefully follow the calibration instructions.

[fruityflyer]

Okay thanks guys. And use the Virpil software not windows calibration. Noted.

 

Cheers