VFX buttons not working on Warthog base

[Snake122]

None of the buttons are working on my VFX/Warthog combo. The connection both on the stick and base look fine with the pins. I can switch also to all three of my other grips (Virpil older T-50cm, Thrustmaster A-10 and F-18) and the buttons work but still nothing on the VFX. I have firmware 12 in the Warthog.

 

I think I can tell the VFX making good connection because on the Warthog without a grip all the buttons show pressed in Windows Game Controller/VPC joytester and then when the VFX is connected it shows none of the buttons are being pressed. Seems something software with the VFX. Can you load a VPC software profile to their stick through a Warthog base?

 

All this surprises me since my T-50cm just works with the Warthog. I know the DLC and brake axes will on be buttons, but I'm not even getting that right now.

[HC_Official]

post on the virpil tech support forums, see if NVV answers you

[SVgamer72]

For what it's worth I just tested on my WH base, and my VFX buttons work. So it is compatible.

[Snake122]

For what it's worth I just tested on my WH base, and my VFX buttons work. So it is compatible.

 

Thanks! Do you have a VPC base too? If so, did you have the stick profiled on it before? Wondering if the VPC programing need cleared out of the stick to use on a Warthog if the stick itself has some kind of ROM chip in it.

[SVgamer72]

Thanks! Do you have a VPC base too? If so, did you have the stick profiled on it before? Wondering if the VPC programing need cleared out of the stick to use on a Warthog if the stick itself has some kind of ROM chip in it.

 

It was put on my T-50 day 1. I don't think the grip receives code from the software. It should just work. I suspect there may be a loose connection in your VFX, but Virpil support is your best bet.

[Snake122]

It was put on my T-50 day 1. I don't think the grip receives code from the software. It should just work. I suspect there may be a loose connection in your VFX, but Virpil support is your best bet.

 

Thanks again. That's my experience with the T-50CM grip as well on the Warthog base, it just works. I have a thread on their forums and help ticket as well. Not holding my breath on the ticket from what it sounds like. Trying not to throw money at the problem and buy a WarBRD base and pray that it works with it. I can tell its connecting somehow because of the change from all buttons pressed without any grip on the Warthog to no buttons pressed when connected. It's just that with other grips the buttons then work:rolleyes:

 

A single loose connection doesn't sound like the problem either because then I would think some of the buttons would work then unless there was a way to ground them all out before the connector or something similar.

[SVgamer72]

It might just be a connector that didn’t get plugged in when they assembled it.

 

There are pics on the Virpil forum showing disassembly to repair a broken wire. Up to you whether you want to try self repair.

 

https://forum.virpil.com/index.php?/topic/1269-vfx-grip-weapon-selector-press-suddenly-not-responding/

 

 

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[Snake122]

It might just be a connector that didn’t get plugged in when they assembled it.

 

There are pics on the Virpil forum showing disassembly to repair a broken wire. Up to you whether you want to try self repair.

 

https://forum.virpil.com/index.php?/topic/1269-vfx-grip-weapon-selector-press-suddenly-not-responding/

 

 

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We must be looking at the same threads tonight. While it's not the exact same problem I'm seeing since all the buttons aren't working, not just the weapon selector. But the work he did to get the weapons selector working is a little scary yet he made it look decent.

 

More and more that's what I'm starting to think it's connection in the D5 male to whatever internal connection. After reading the similar problems WarBRD base guys have had with their female 5 pin DIN connector wire break due to the wires being to stiff, not enough slack, and chaffing on surfaces here:

https://forum.virpil.com/index.php?/topic/1233-warbrd-base-buttons-suddenly-dont-work-anymore/&tab=comments#comment-8514

https://forum.virpil.com/index.php?/topic/1423-warbrd-base-cable-breaking-issue/&tab=comments#comment-9424

 

This problem seems to result in the same issue I have. Also there is this thread where this customer had the exact same issue as me with his VFX:

https://forum.virpil.com/index.php?/topic/1025-can%C2%B4t-get-vfx-f14-buttons-working-only-axis-vpc-warbrd/&tab=comments#comment-7465

 

Also it seems Virpil is really slow to respond to tickets and service work. I really love the externals of this stick but I'm starting to believe the internals are not so hot, especially the wiring. I feel like I could make a similar cable to what the WarBRD guys are doing but then how long until my weapons selector wire breaks and I have to do some major surgery. The weapons selector switch was the main reason why I wanted this stick anyway! It also turns me off on getting a WarBRD/T50CM2 base even though that was a long term want to buy.

 

I love my early T50 stick, hopefully they used better wiring in it.

Edited April 11, 2020 by Snake122

[VIXEN413]

Yeah, I made it work in the end

going from safe to Gun is still a bit stiff but I can live with that. at least the button on the selector is functional. Still running strong after the mod ..

 

As for the looks, well, it's quite a clean repair although it would be nice to be able to get the black plastic bell casing as a spare part to get it back to mint condition....

 

But the worn out look is fun to....

 

I opened all my Virpil stuff. Bases and throttle and always found great quality hardware in clean and well build fashion.

I was very surprised by the difference I saw here in the build quality and internals. both stick halves are also glued together unlike other products, a lot of plastic shaffing inside and liberal use of hot glue compared to the chirurgical application I noticed on my CM2 throttle. SO I wonder if the VFX is not made by a sub contractor...

Nonetheless, once I overcame all those issues, it's a fantastic piece of hardware and I love it the DLC wheel is fantastic, the selector has a look so typical of the tomcat and the trim china hat is very tactile and precise with center push.

Really happy with it!! You see the filiation between this stick and previous technology so I fly f86 and mig 15 with that stick too. These were the days before a true hotas ergonomic concept...

 

About your WArbrd bases, one of mine was trouble free from start. the second one came with the cable routing arranged in a different way. It looked to me that it could create issues so, and since I was changing for the stronger springs and cams, I also unplugged it and route it like in my other base. Full control washout shows no excessive bent or pinching but you might have a look at it before going any further with the base. Rerouting also got me back more slack in the cable so less stress.

 

I m done with the over G in the tomcat thanks to that base with it's stiff spring and aero hard cams it's really a pleasure to fly... Enjoy

Edited April 14, 2020 by VIXEN413

[Snake122]

Yeah, I made it work in the end

going from safe to Gun is still a bit stiff but I can live with that. at least the button on the selector is functional. Still running strong after the mod ..

 

As for the looks, well, it's quite a clean repair although it would be nice to be able to get the black plastic bell casing as a spare part to get it back to mint condition....

 

But the worn out look is fun to....

 

I opened all my Virpil stuff. Bases and throttle and always found great quality hardware in clean and well build fashion.

I was very surprised by the difference I saw here in the build quality and internals. both stick halves are also glued together unlike other products, a lot of plastic shaffing inside and liberal use of hot glue compared to the chirurgical application I noticed on my CM2 throttle. SO I wonder if the VFX is not made by a sub contractor...

Nonetheless, once I overcame all those issues, it's a fantastic piece of hardware and I love it the DLC wheel is fantastic, the selector has a look so typical of the tomcat and the trim china hat is very tactile and precise with center push.

Really happy with it!! You see the filiation between this stick and previous technology so I fly f86 and mig 15 with that stick too. These were the days before a true hotas ergonomic concept...

 

About your WArbrd bases, one of mine was trouble free from start. the second one came with the cable routing arranged in a different way. It looked to me that it could create issues so, and since I was changing for the stronger springs and cams, I also unplugged it and route it like in my other base. Full control washout shows no excessive bent or pinching but you might have a look at it before going any further with the base. Rerouting also got me back more slack in the cable so less stress.

 

I m done with the over G in the tomcat thanks to that base with it's stiff spring and aero hard cams it's really a pleasure to fly... Enjoy

Definitely good work!!! An F-1 4 stock should have some battle scars I think. I agree that it would make a great F-86/Mig-15 stick.

 

I don't own a WarBRD, but just ordered T-50CM2 base off eBay today, so good to hear they are good internally (and not too many complaints about them at the Virpil forums). Worst case I sell it off if, but going all in with Virpil's last chance with me. So we'll see if it is just a base issue.

 

But my main bet is that connection cable is bad, basically the stick mirror of the WarBRD base cable that reported as break. I have peeked inside my VFX. My halves were not glued together, the cable I'm talking about was crimped by one of the boards. As expected, unplugging that cable from the stick makes all the buttons show pressed in Game Controller/VPC joytester, which is the normal condition for a stickless Warthog base. So the VFX is getting some kind of connection, just not enough to make the buttons work or maybe a board is bad, but I see no scorch marks, especially around the chip. I agree there is something different in its construction feel from my older T-50CM.

 

I actually had to reflash my Warthog a couple times when trying to go back to my T-50CM. I think it was grounding out between the metal base and 5 pin connector. I added some electrical tape at the a little past where the shrink wrap ended and it stopped grounding out. So who knows what's going on there. It may be the grounding wire in the Warthog causing all this, I remember when I mounted my base thinking "I got to be careful of that wire, it looks like you could snap it easily."

[Snake122]

Just an update in case someone else has the same issue. the VFX grip works fine on on my T-50CM2 base. I think maybe that I got it used and it was on a T-50CM2 base first and profiled on, then me putting it on a Warthog with the VPC programing made the buttons not work. I haven't tempted fate and tried to clear the profile and go back to the Warthog, but a heads up for you Warthog guys. Also if anybody needs a Warthog base for cheap, PM me:lol:

Edited May 1, 2020 by Snake122