VPC WarBRD base questions

[sirrah]

I am playing with the thought of purchasing a VPC WarBRD base, to replace my center mounted Warthog and use the Warthog base for a side stick setup.

(Preferably I'd like to go for a used one, to reduce costs, but I've pretty much never seen them for sale anywhere)

 

Anyways.. I have two questions:

1. Is the WarBRD bottom plate removable for center mounting purpose? (much like the Warthog base plate)
   
2. How strong are the springs of the WarBRD compared to the Warthog? (I use a 10cm extension and the WH spring is OK, but only just. Would be nice if the Virpil base springs were to be a bit stronger
   

[Sandman1330]

I use the warbrd base in a side stick and love it. The extra travel without an extension is very nice.

 

The bottom plate is removable (I have mine mounted on a J-PEIN mount)

 

The springs I think are lighter than a warthog, but they can be swapped out. It comes with standard and heavy, I just use standard and I’m happy with it. I also use the stock installed cams, which are nice and progressive - meaning the more you deflect the control, the more force is required. It makes it much easier to determine how hard you are pulling, and simulates aerodynamic forces. So what you get is a nice gentle center for precision in formation, AAR, etc while retaining stiffer forces for greater deflection.

 

Overall I’m very happy.

[sirrah]

I use the warbrd base in a side stick and love it. The extra travel without an extension is very nice.

 

The bottom plate is removable (I have mine mounted on a J-PEIN mount)

 

The springs I think are lighter than a warthog, but they can be swapped out. It comes with standard and heavy, I just use standard and I’m happy with it. I also use the stock installed cams, which are nice and progressive - meaning the more you deflect the control, the more force is required. It makes it much easier to determine how hard you are pulling, and simulates aerodynamic forces. So what you get is a nice gentle center for precision in formation, AAR, etc while retaining stiffer forces for greater deflection.

 

Overall I’m very happy.

They come with an extra set of heavier springs? That's really nice

 

Sounds good.

 

Setting out my fishing net on ebay and local used product sites :thumbup:

[bart]

I have a Virpil WarBRD base with a Warthog stick on it and MUCH prefer it over the stock Warthog base. The "feel" is so much better and no stiction what so ever like you get with the Warthog stock base. The WarBRD is very precise and great to use.

 

I used to have an 8cm extension on my stock Warthog base but I don't use any extension on the WarBRD, I find no need for one.

 

I can't recommend the WarBRD base highly enough, one of my best buy's for flight sim hardware I'd say. It's great.....

[sirrah]

Well, I don't have any issues with stiction (maybe I'm just lucky with my WH, but still... nothing but positive feedback on the WarBRD so far (apart maybe from all the ordering issues)

[Lange_666]

1: Yes

2: Very weak (without extension on the WH)

2 bis: i never used an extension so i can't say how the WH base feels with it but without it it's just plain stiff, very stiff (i was coming from a U2modded Cougar so i was spoiled). Replaced the stock WH spring with Saja's green spring, way better but still no match compared to the U2 modded Cougar.

And still to much friction, even after sanding and re-greasing. Then got the Virpil WarBRD base, cool gimbals, different setups possible. Only drawback is the weight of the stick if you use an original WH stick which rules out the less heavier springs on the WarBRD since they can't support the heavy stick and keep it standing straight up 100%. I use the heavy's on my desktop.

[VpR81]

I use the WarBRD base as sidestick with the Warthog grip on top without extension, heavy springs installed and it is very flippy floppy compared to the WH. Mostly related to the heavy WH grip, but also with one of the VPC plastic grips it is much softer than the WH base. And it recenters perfectly so i stick with that setup. I also purchased the extra heavy springs for the WarBRD base and they make it a bit more comparable to the WH, but still significant softer IMO. I liked the heavy spring setup better, so i switched back. Tested the base also with the soft springs and the WH grip on top and the stick struggles to perfectly recenter (It does, but it is floppy as hell). The heavy springs and 75mm extension + WH grip worked, but was very floppy. Tested this as well. I guess the extra heavy springs should be okay for a 100mm extension with the WH grip, in terms of stiffness i would assume its pretty much comparable to the setup i use.

Edited June 13, 2020 by VpR81

[Supmua]

I am playing with the thought of purchasing a VPC WarBRD base, to replace my center mounted Warthog and use the Warthog base for a side stick setup.

(Preferably I'd like to go for a used one, to reduce costs, but I've pretty much never seen them for sale anywhere)

 

Anyways.. I have two questions:

1. Is the WarBRD bottom plate removable for center mounting purpose? (much like the Warthog base plate)
   
2. How strong are the springs of the WarBRD compared to the Warthog? (I use a 10cm extension and the WH spring is OK, but only just. Would be nice if the Virpil base springs were to be a bit stronger
   

 

The springs are quite soft if you are used to the Warthog’s stiffness. It is also a bit floppy in the center with heavy grips unless you use the strongest spring (even then it can bounce around a bit). If you plan to use the Warthog grip with extension it is better to consider the more expensive CM2 base.

 

Yes, it is very precise, but so are my VKB base and my modded TM base (lower springs mod). I’d prefer a little more stiffness in the center but I’m quite used to it now and my TM F18 grip is permanently on it. I like it better than my Warthog base but not by much, and if I had to do it over again I’d probably go with the CM2 which is designed specifically for an extension.

Edited June 14, 2020 by Supmua

[sirrah]

After reading all this, maybe I should better save some extra money (or sell an extra kidney) for the T-50CM2

 

It's mainly the spring stiffness in combination with the 10mm extension I use, that make me doubt about the WarBRD

[VpR81]

After reading all this, maybe I should better save some extra money (or sell an extra kidney) for the T-50CM2

 

It's mainly the spring stiffness in combination with the 10mm extension I use, that make me doubt about the WarBRD

 

 

I wanted to get a T-50CM2 base to replace my center mounted WH base as well, but the issue about non symetrical cam forces made me scratch that. I don't want to use more force rolling to the left, than rolling to the right. The T50-CM2 cam shape is a design flaw. I don't know if VPC already redesigned the cams that come with the T-50CM2. At least i haven't seen any reviews yet, but have to admit that i rarely visit the VPC forum.

[hornblower793]

I use a 5cm extension on mine with the heavier springs and it has great feel for me - it can wobble a bit around the centre, but with a light hold this is easily overcome

[Lange_666]

The T50-CM2 cam shape is a design flaw. I don't know if VPC already redesigned the cams that come with the T-50CM2.

They shipped out the replacement cams already 2 weeks ago.

[Bob_Bushman]

I got a t50, original albeit, and a warbrd.

 

And if I where to sell one of them I'd probably sell the t50.

The WarBRD is rather nice.

 

Since ED is not carrying forward with VR in Odyssey, I'm not likely to carry forward with Elite, so I might at some point re-affirm my decision to go center mounted stick, and the warbrd, with a heavier spring might be the way to go.

[sirrah]

Hmm

Experiences and preferences/opinions seem to be quite diverse.

 

I think the T-50 is pretty expensive (especially after reading about the cam thing... I didn't know that.. I'm definitely not going to pay €290 + shipping for just a base, when it's not absolutely flawless...)

[VpR81]

They shipped out the replacement cams already 2 weeks ago.

 

That's great news to me. So if i would order a new T-50CM2 base, let's say in 10 minutes, i will get one with the redesigned cams?

[Supmua]

Hmm

Experiences and preferences/opinions seem to be quite diverse.

 

I think the T-50 is pretty expensive (especially after reading about the cam thing... I didn't know that.. I'm definitely not going to pay €290 + shipping for just a base, when it's not absolutely flawless...)

 

There is no flawless device out there, if you check their respective support forums you’ll always see complaints about this and that. They all have their own shortcomings. It all comes down to personal budgets and preferences.

[noxyd]

Hi I switched from the warthog base to the warBRD 2 months ago and I'm 100% satisfied.

Based on what I read on forums I replaced the standard springs by the stronger ones (included with the base).

It's softer than the Wharthog but you won't notice any of this after a few days of use.

It's much more precise, much smoother. A real pleasure to fly with.

 

You need to adapt as you'll tend to apply too much force coming from the WH base, but as I said, it's only a matter of a couple of days before you really enjoy the upgrade.

[HC_Official]

Hmm

Experiences and preferences/opinions seem to be quite diverse.

 

I think the T-50 is pretty expensive (especially after reading about the cam thing... I didn't know that.. I'm definitely not going to pay €290 + shipping for just a base, when it's not absolutely flawless...)

 

 

People with problem CAM's are having them replaced by Virpil

 

 

If you compare what you get with the CM2 base and how much extra you would need to buy to have the same functionality with the warbrd base ..... the difference is 40 Euros

Edited June 26, 2020 by HC_Official

[Bunny Clark]

After reading all this, maybe I should better save some extra money (or sell an extra kidney) for the T-50CM2

 

It's mainly the spring stiffness in combination with the 10mm extension I use, that make me doubt about the WarBRD

 

I've got a TM Cougar mounted to a WarBRD and I love the crap out of it. I really enjoy the softer feel, and the slight amount of "wobble" around center is picked up perfectly as control input by the WarBRD sensors, so it actually behaves more like a center zone of extremely fine sensitivity. The smoothness of the cams and deflection force is miles better than any factory TM gimbal I've ever used.

 

BUT, you're starting to hear feedback that is exactly in line with Virpil's design intention. The WarBRD is intended to be a desktop or direct mount base. It's fantastic with a stick mounted directly on it, but the cam design is too weak to exert a proper amount of force on a stick with an extension, especially a heavy one. If running an extension, the proper way to do it is with the Mongoose base. The extra customization and stronger cam selection available on the Mongoose is intended to allow extension users to get the right amount of force.