New Virpil CM3 Throttle has arrived

[dburne]

Ok so I just checked tracking and as of this morning my CM3 throttle is in Virpil's hands.

I sure hope they can get on it soon as I am truly miserable without it. Sad I know...

[Drac]

After reviewing the replacement cable video (sent by the Virpil engineer), I have requested Virpil send me the replacement cables. They gave me a choice to send it back at their expense or if I was comfortable, to replace the cable myself.

[dburne]

Just now, Drac said:

After reviewing the replacement cable video (sent by the Virpil engineer), I have requested Virpil send me the replacement cables. They gave me a choice to send it back at their expense or if I was comfortable, to replace the cable myself.

 

Hope it all goes smoothly for ya!

[dburne]

Ok got confirmation email from Virpil support this morning they have received my throttle and will be servicing it asap.

Progress baby,  hope it is not too much longer.

 

[DucS2r]

I’ve had mine about a month. After all the helpful posts from group members, especially Imacken, I have it set up the way I want it for the A10C II and F18. Including both throttle rotaries, as of last night. I can see why you miss yours! Good luck getting it fixed. 

[dburne]

1 hour ago, DucS2r said:

I’ve had mine about a month. After all the helpful posts from group members, especially Imacken, I have it set up the way I want it for the A10C II and F18. Including both throttle rotaries, as of last night. I can see why you miss yours! Good luck getting it fixed. 

 

Yeah I mean I really miss that thing, thanks!

[zildac]

Happy to start another thread for this if required, but I have just finally got around to setting up my CM3 properly (thanks to the great guide by @imacken) and I can't help but notice that there is a lot of physical play betweeen the two throttles when linked. It's about 2mm and whilst it sounds tiny it is very off putting especially during AAR or carrier circuits where fine throttle control is required. On the Warthog I "migrated" from when the two throttles are linked there is next to no play at all. It's almost like there should be bush or gromet in the left throttle to locate and hold the locking pin tight. Is this normal?

Edited April 6, 2021 by zildac

[dburne]

38 minutes ago, zildac said:

Happy to start another thread for this if required, but I have just finally got around to setting up my CM3 properly (thanks to the great guide by @imacken) and I can't help but notice that there is a lot of physical play betweeen the two throttles when linked. It's about 2mm and whilst it sounds tiny it is very off putting especially during AAR or carrier circuits where fine throttle control is required. On the Warthog I "migrated" from when the two throttles are linked there is next to no play at all. It's almost like there should be bush or gromet in the left throttle to locate and hold the locking pin tight. Is this normal?

 

 

Yeah there is a small amount of play in mine, however when they are linked the Virpil software just mirrors one axis to the other. So should not affect what is output I wouldn't think. I have some Teflon thread seal tape and considered wrapping some around the linkage to try and tighten it up a little, but after using I really did not feel I needed to try that.

 

Of course yours may have more play than mine, hard to say really. But there is a small amount of play, I would not consider mine as a large amount.

Edited April 6, 2021 by dburne

[zildac]

 
Yeah there is a small amount of play in mine, however when they are linked the Virpil software just mirrors one axis to the other. So should not affect what is output I wouldn't think. I have some Teflon thread seal tape and considered wrapping some around the linkage to try and tighten it up a little, but after using I really did not feel I needed to try that.
 
Of course yours may have more play than mine, hard to say really. But there is a small amount of play, I would not consider mine as a large amount.

Thanks for clarifying. The actual logical linkage is fine and causes no thrust imbalance, it just feels a bit crap frankly for a product of that price. I did see a few reddit posts suggesting heat shrink wrap, and Teflon tape could also be good. Just feels a bit "cheap" tbh. Perhaps I'll get used to it, but it's bugging me.

[dburne]

12 minutes ago, zildac said:

17 minutes ago, dburne said:

 
Yeah there is a small amount of play in mine, however when they are linked the Virpil software just mirrors one axis to the other. So should not affect what is output I wouldn't think. I have some Teflon thread seal tape and considered wrapping some around the linkage to try and tighten it up a little, but after using I really did not feel I needed to try that.
 
Of course yours may have more play than mine, hard to say really. But there is a small amount of play, I would not consider mine as a large amount.

Thanks for clarifying. The actual logical linkage is fine and causes no thrust imbalance, it just feels a bit crap frankly for a product of that price. I did see a few reddit posts suggesting heat shrink wrap, and Teflon tape could also be good. Just feels a bit "cheap" tbh. Perhaps I'll get used to it, but it's bugging me.

 

Just be careful so as to not affect the electrical connection when they are linked.

When I get mine back from Virpil I may wrap a little teflon thread seal tape around mine just to see how it does. I had really forgotten that I had planned to try it.

 

I gotta say though, having to go back to using the Warthog throttle again for the interim, to me the Virpil CM3 throttle feels anything but cheap in my hands. I absolutely can not wait to get that throttle back in my hand. Plus the pinky switch on my Warthog throttle crapped out on me yesterday. 

[zildac]

7 hours ago, dburne said:

 

Just be careful so as to not affect the electrical connection when they are linked.

When I get mine back from Virpil I may wrap a little teflon thread seal tape around mine just to see how it does. I had really forgotten that I had planned to try it.

 

I gotta say though, having to go back to using the Warthog throttle again for the interim, to me the Virpil CM3 throttle feels anything but cheap in my hands. I absolutely can not wait to get that throttle back in my hand. Plus the pinky switch on my Warthog throttle crapped out on me yesterday. 

I'll defientely have a try with the tape first. The throttle doesn't feel cheap, I meant rather the sloppy linkage makes it feel so. A bit like having a loose rattling panel in the interiror of your 100K car (unless you own a Tesla  )

[imacken]

I have no issues with this at all.  Yes, there is a little movement between the throttles, but when you are holding them both in the palm of your hand, they are effectively locked together.  It is only if you are moving the pair by holding one of them, that this would be noticeable, and even then it would make no difference to their use as the movement is locked between them.

 

Coming from the CM2, in my opinion, the whole linkage thing with the CM3 is way better.  Flicking the linking lever back and fore in the CM2 was really really difficult because it was so stiff and tight.  I personally like the amount of play that is in the lever now as it is very easy to use, and with both throttles in the palm of my hand, there is no movement between them.

[zildac]

I think it's just a case of getting comfortable with the new feel for me, but I would prefer if they actually locked more tightly. Just my opinion. I only unlock them for the Harrier so never have a need to unlock them during flight, so a tighter coupling wouldn't cause me an issue for my use cases. Thanks for your guide by the way, the axis position to button mapping was really useful for IDLE/OFF. And for some reason the AB detent calculator which worked perfectly well on my old Warthog throttle just didn't map quite right on the new CM3, so the saturation apprroach worked perfectly. Having only configured the WarBRD before the learning curve required for the Virpil software was pretty steep!

Edited April 7, 2021 by zildac

[Drac]

Since I have elected to replace the cables myself in lieu of sending the CM3 back to Virpil, here is their latest statement:  "You need to wait for a service center representative to contact you, he will explain everything to you, I give the ticket to them".  

 

Anybody with experience with the service center representative, is that person local (in the U.S. in my case), or overseas?  Will they contact me via email or phone?

[dburne]

1 hour ago, Drac said:

Since I have elected to replace the cables myself in lieu of sending the CM3 back to Virpil, here is their latest statement:  "You need to wait for a service center representative to contact you, he will explain everything to you, I give the ticket to them".  

 

Anybody with experience with the service center representative, is that person local (in the U.S. in my case), or overseas?  Will they contact me via email or phone?

 

Probably in Lithuania and I would think they would email you.

Just a guess on my part.

Edited April 7, 2021 by dburne

[dburne]

Woohoo got notice my throttle is being shipped back out to me today!!

It is shipping Fed Ex for the return, so I will be keeping fingers crossed. Have seen a couple of horror stories lately of them getting hung up in Customs for a length of time when shipping via Fed Ex.. Hopefully next week I will be back in business, can't wait! 
Nice turnaround Virpil thank you!!

2 days to be serviced and shipped back out - can't ask for much more than that!

Edited April 8, 2021 by dburne

[Drac]

Received my FedEx tracking number for my replacement cables this morning.  They are recommending that I replace both cables so they are shipping 2 sets.

[dburne]

Checking Fed Ex tracking it shows my throttle still at DeGualle since Saturday.

However checking tracking detail it shows anticipated delivery of Wed. 4/14.

I kind of find that hard to believe at this point, but if that happens I will be one most happy camper.

 

I am so ready to retire this Warthog throttle again!

[Drac]

1 hour ago, dburne said:

Checking Fed Ex tracking it shows my throttle still at DeGualle since Saturday.

However checking tracking detail it shows anticipated delivery of Wed. 4/14.

I kind of find that hard to believe at this point, but if that happens I will be one most happy camper.

 

I am so ready to retire this Warthog throttle again!

Great!  I bet they sent you a new one.  One way to find out is removing the base to see if you have ribbons or individual wires in a sleeve.

[dburne]

16 minutes ago, Drac said:

Great!  I bet they sent you a new one.  One way to find out is removing the base to see if you have ribbons or individual wires in a sleeve.

 

I kind of doubt that, I would think they just replaced the mini stick. I believe they also mentioned it had been repaired.

 

Edit: Just checked the communication, their words were it had been serviced.

 

Edited April 12, 2021 by dburne

[DucS2r]

On my last orders I have used DHS and they have been doing customs in Cincinnati. I had it two days after Degaulle on my last two orders. Hopefully it works out that way for you. 

[dburne]

2 minutes ago, DucS2r said:

On my last orders I have used DHS and they have been doing customs in Cincinnati. I had it two days after Degaulle on my last two orders. Hopefully it works out that way for you. 

 

I think you mean DHL right?

Yeah they had me send it to them via DHL, and they rocked getting it to them quickly.

But they elected to return it to me via Fed Ex.

[DucS2r]

Yeah, sorry. DHL. I don’t think DHS would be my carrier of choice, lol. 

[dburne]

Woohoo the throttle is now showing in the states. Still shows standard delivery should arrive tomorrow.

Keeping fingers crossed!

[Dangerzone]

15 hours ago, dburne said:

Woohoo the throttle is now showing in the states. Still shows standard delivery should arrive tomorrow.

Keeping fingers crossed!

 

Just in time for...... CLOUDS!