Question about electronics in current line of VKB sticks/bases

[elecsys]

Can anyone provide some information about the electronics that are used with the Gunfighter/Gladiator MKII base, as well as their current line of sticks (KG12, MCG)?

 

What is the main controller used in their base? I previously heard something about njoy32 or njoy32 PRO? Can someone confirm? Would it be possible to order the controller board as a spare part?

 

What's the interface of the Shift Register board being used in the sticks? (i.e. CD4021 interface is used in the Warthog stick)

 

 

I'm trying to assess whether it would be feasible to modify a force sensing base (FSSB R3 Lightning) into accepting VKB sticks.

 

 

Summoning sokol1 :D

[Sokol1_br]

Is their proprietary Njoy32 USB controller based on ARM32 mc.

 

More info: http://vkbpro.wikia.com/wiki/%D0%A1%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B8%D1%8F_%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BD%D1%82%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%BB%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2_NJoy32

 

Years ago they sell this controller for DIY - but due users misuse (don't RTFM) they withdrawn this option (1)

 

Their Shift Register interface use digital protocol instead serial like in Cougar/Warthog - why is required additional electronic adapter for use Thrustmaster grips in VKB bases.

 

What you can use in this FSSB base is MCG TM grip due their compatibility - now include mechanical - with Thrustmaster base.

 

(1) Depends on your plan, rest get a VKB Gladiator "vanilla" and "hack" their USB controller.

Edited August 5, 2017 by Sokol1_br

[elecsys]

Thank you :thumbup:

 

Do you have any more details which shift register in particular is used?

 

(1) Do you mean the Gladiator MK II, or would the MK I also work? (3-pin?)

 

 

I have thought about using one of the upcoming VKB TM modded sticks, but i was worried that i might not be able to use VKB thumbsticks as an additional analog axis in this case. It's the future "Kosmosima" that i would like to use with the FSSB R3, and hence i would like to keep the third analog axis (for 3DOF analog).

 

Also, another reason why i would like full VKB compatibility:

The Warthog stick already has stability problems with the force sensing mod, because the connector/molding (internals) is too weak. It is not able to withstand a lot of pressure, it feels like it is about to break when too much pressure is applied. I'm afraid the VKB TM modded sticks might suffer from the same problem?!

Edited August 5, 2017 by elecsys

[Sokol1_br]

(1) Do you mean the Gladiator MK II, or would the MK I also work? (3-pin?)

 

Now you find new only Gladiator Mk.II - both versions use 3 pin connector and digital protocol, but best you ask in VKB forum if their firmware is compatible with MCG grips.

 

- I see a case of guy trying use Gladiator PRO KG12A grip on Gunfighter, that use the same KG12A grip, but result not compatible due changes in grip protocol for Gunfighter.

 

It is not able to withstand a lot of pressure, it feels like it is about to break when too much pressure is applied. I'm afraid the VKB TM modded sticks might suffer from the same problem?!

 

Probable will be the same - this VKB grips don't consider this Force Sense use in their project.

 

But VKB connector in MCG PRO looks more sturdy than one used in Warthog, and consider use of extension and heavy springs in their project, should be more resistant than Warthog parts (done in weak Zamac metal).

[elecsys]

Yes, the VKB connector looks very sturdy

 

 

Maybe I'll better wait for MCG & Kosmosima release. Might be easier to make a more sturdy TM connector for the sticks, compared to modifying the entire FSSB R3 base :joystick:

But then unfortunately i will likely be losing the additional analog axis...

 

Do you know if the 3-pin adaptor can be ordered as a spare part?

 

Edited August 5, 2017 by elecsys

[mx22]

My understanding is that VKB will release the 5-pin (aka TM) adapter for their bases at some point in the future.

[elecsys]

I wasn't aware of that. I only know of the sticks themselves being offered with compatibility for TM bases in the future.

 

 

MCG TM lacks support for additional analog axes.

 

And I'm worried that the VKB TM connector might be just as unsuitable as the original TM connector when it comes to using it with a force sensing base, because a great deal of pressure is being applied to the stick/connector in this use scenario.

[AeroGator]

I briefly replied here.

Tell me if that helped or not.