Unveiling the VKB TECS Throttle Control System

[Lehmen]

I am sure they are probably appealing to the Russian market first and foremost.

Probably they are. But the money are on the Western market, not Russian, so I guess they can't just ignore it. VKB have great products, but with some weird decisions. As an example, trim hat on their MCG, already mentioned. Another one, slew stick on MCG. It look cool and comfortable to reach, but it works somehow strange. I ended up with using factory slew control on Warthog throttle. Which is terrible, but still feels much more natural.

[RabidRider]

Judging from the work that's being done, the comments by UIV on that russian forum, looks like this is going to be an awesome piece of kit. Hopefully available somewhere in the not too distant future. CH throttle will have to do in the meantime.

[StandingCow]

Image from VKB forum testing ergonomics:

[Saltat_cum_mortem]

Glad too see it. It looks like a few interesting changes have been made.

 

Sent from my Moto Z2 Play using Tapatalk

[Mars Exulte]

After waiting more than one year to order a Gunfighter Pro MCG only to constantly see "Out of Stock" on the North American VKB website, I fear the polar ice caps will melt and we will meet Kevin Costner in WaterWorld before you can actually place an order for a VKB throttle and have it arrive at your doorstep in North America. (or at least by boat after the caps melt)

 

I really hope not. Watching him drink his pee once was enough to convince me we needed to stop global warming 0.0

[Sokol1_br]

"Grandfather" of deskmount, by (VKB) Borada ~2004. :D

 

Drawings and prototype of deskmount.

 

https://forum.il2sturmovik.ru/topic/7776-%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE-%D0%BA%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BF%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B5-%D0%B4%D0%B6%D0%BE%D0%B9%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B2/?do=findComment&comment=645044

[rrohde]

Thanks Sokol! ;)

 

For those who aren't seeing it on the photos linked above, there's also a 3D printed mock-up of the TECS throttle sitting there if you look closely.

 

I've attached it here as well:

[33-DFTC]

The picture is so tiny, we (I) need a bigger resolution photo pleaaase !

 

I've been flying with the MCG Pro for 9 months now and I just can't wait to put my hands on the TECS. Thanks for the snippets of information)

[rrohde]

I agree - but sadly, until VKB HQ has something else to show, these little teases will have to do.

 

(btw, I am in the same boat as everyone else - really looking forward to this one!)

[Bob_Bushman]

Why not just post the model files themselves so we can print them out for our amusement ?

 

:D

[JGr124_boRada]

Poets, artists, and designers usually show finished works, not drafts. Yes?

Otherwise we will discuss what has already been crossed out...

[HoneyBadger]

I assume this throttle has an afterburner detent? If so, is it easily "removable"? I use this 3D printed detent in my TM WH Throttle: https://www.shapeways.com/product/UBB8WRU3A/warthog-throttle-part-afterburner-detent-with-0?optionId=66710386

 

I keep the cover off the throttle so I can quickly remove that detent when I'm flying something that doesn't need it, and would in fact be a hindrance with it in, such as the Huey.

Edited October 27, 2018 by HoneyBadger

[Sokol1_br]

TECS detent(s) still in discussion phase, too early for ask about.

[JGr124_boRada]

I assume this throttle has an afterburner detent? If so, is it easily "removable"? I use this 3D printed detent in my TM WH Throttle: https://www.shapeways.com/product/UBB8WRU3A/warthog-throttle-part-afterburner-detent-with-0?optionId=66710386

 

I keep the cover off the throttle so I can quickly remove that detent when I'm flying something that doesn't need, and would in fact be a hindrance with it in, such as the Huey.

https://forum.il2sturmovik.ru/

[JGr124_boRada]

TECS detent(s) still in discussion phase, too early for ask about.

Yes, it is, but something has even been printed on a 3D printer and tested

[rrohde]

Here's another tidbit shared originally in the Russian IL-2 forums by BoRada; still 3D printed for research and development, but a nice look at the envisioned detent solution and palm-release-plates to lift the throttle grips over these detents (yes, I say detents as there can be more than one detent installed by the user, in different positions, along each throttle axis).

 

This photo ties nicely into the concept art above.

 

[Lehmen]

VKB have great products, but with some weird decisions. As an example, trim hat on their MCG, already mentioned. Another one, slew stick on MCG. It look cool and comfortable to reach, but it works somehow strange. I ended up with using factory slew control on Warthog throttle. Which is terrible, but still feels much more natural.

I have to take it back. Since I get more familiar with VKB config utility, there is absolutely no problems with VKB controls: it do exactly what I want and how I want.

Edited November 21, 2018 by Lehmen

[streakeagle]

I love the MCG setup. I run only the default configuration for all of my sims. Any customization I need I provide from within the sim.

 

Any design can be improved, but the MCG can mimic any Warthog stick setup AND support Russian stick setups. The Warthog grip is still better for the F-16 and A-10 because of the native arrangement of the hats, but in pretty much any other aircraft I fly, the MCG can mimic the real stick and still leave me some extra buttons/hats to provide some extras like knee pad control and show pilot toggle.

 

The VKB throttle setup looks very nice, too.

[aaron886]

Here's another tidbit shared originally in the Russian IL-2 forums by BoRada; still 3D printed for research and development, but a nice look at the envisioned detent solution and palm-release-plates to lift the throttle grips over these detents (yes, I say detents as there can be more than one detent installed by the user, in different positions, along each throttle axis).

 

This photo ties nicely into the concept art above.

 

 

Am I correctly understanding that these would be on the back of the throttle and pushed down to activate, as opposed to Western-style finger-lifts on the front?

[Seb71]

Take a look at the images from the first post.

[Sokol1_br]

Palm or thumb operated detents lifts.

 

This option leave more space in front of grip for buttons/HATS/Slew/Dial and contribute for keep overall throttle design low, ideal for desktop use.

 

Seems that VKB major compromise is usability and not "western or eastern" designs. :joystick:

[Fri13]

This proposed revision looks as if it would be an improvement for VR users. Looks like it'd be more intuitive when "under the hood".

This will likely be my next HOTAS purchase.

(patience is a virtue) ;)

 

 

Images found here.

 

That does looks great for VR users.

 

In the future when we have the "hand movement" with VR (like currently with Oculus Touch and coming PointCTRL https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=218861) we do not need throttle to have all the possible controls from the cockpit.

 

Simply a good throttle with the throttle buttons, dials, hats etc is required and the base can be left as much as possible clean. And that version above is exactly something about that. The 4x4 button layout and few rotaries are good to have little flexibility on some modules but otherwise you just move hand and operate the cockpit itself. So you can even bind those extra functions to other things like a overall volume control on computer etc so you don't need to "step out" from the VR.

[Weegie]

Looks very nice indeed and is tempting

 

I wonder what the throw or total throttle travel length is? It looks quite long & the longer the better. I had reservations on the Virpil as the throw looked a little short.

 

I don't have a preference on linear Vs arc travel & don't care if it mimics a real aircraft throttle or not, as long as it's comfy and ergonomic. I'm currently using the hog throttle but very rarely fly the hog in the sim

 

Wonder what the materials are especially the throttle handles.

 

I just hope they make them in sufficient quantity as that is currently VKB's Achilles heel

Edited December 4, 2018 by Weegie
spacing

[aniron]

Looks very nice indeed and is tempting

 

I wonder what the throw or total throttle travel length is? It looks quite long & the longer the better. I had reservations on the Virpil as the throw looked a little short.

 

I don't have a preference on linear Vs arc travel & don't care if it mimics a real aircraft throttle or not, as long as it's comfy and ergonomic. I'm currently using the hog throttle but very rarely fly the hog in the sim

 

Wonder what the materials are especially the throttle handles.

 

I just hope they make them in sufficient quantity as that is currently VKB's Achilles heel

 

Likely the same quality plastic as the MCG.

[aaron886]

I sure hope not, I’m not the biggest fan of the MCG plastic. It feels very thin and brittle, instead of dense and solid. They need plastic with a higher amount of fiber reinforcement.