My Openwheeler / X-Keys Rig

[Munkwolf]

Hey everyone, today I updated my rig, and I'm pretty excited about it, and feel the need to share with some people that will (hopefully) understand.

 

I present to you my Openwheeler / X-keys "Maximum Button" rig. A primary goal was being plane-agnostic. I love the replica pits everyone sets up, but it's not for me until I could have multiple replica pits setup for the planes I want to fly. I'm really liking having that 80-key work good enough for A-10 UFC, F-16, FA-18, AV8.. vs having something that would work perfect for one plane and notsomuch the others. Then the red keys in the main blocks on the side 80s are modifiers for different instrument layers (top 2x4 block), and actions (bottom 2+1). 6x6 block per side for controls. Below that are keys mapped for function keys, time controls, etc.

 

I had the Openwheeler as a racing rig before, but re-purposed it for flight a few months ago and have been adding to it since. The upgrades never end, as you all know. The structure is a bit of a frankenstein of Openwheeler and NLR parts I had sitting around.

 

Recent upgrades:
+ RSSB-R3L arrived today, several days early! 2nd A-10 (F-16, natch) grip arrived too! That is my new side-stick, and I moved my warthog to the center with a stick extension. I've never used a force stick, nor had a center stick, nor a stick extension. This is the root of my giddyness.

+ Vesa mounts, also today, to mount spare 24-keys on tubes. I used to have them on the sides, but replaced them with the 80-keys.

+ Used 2 of the Openwheeler keyboard trays to create a new center console. I used to have that stuff mounted on the wheel plate that the center-bottom 24-key is now mounted on.

+ New keyboard, so I don't have to move my main one. It swivels, so I rotate it out of the way when in-game, and rotate back in if I need to ESC and do something.

+ Cupholder, which is getting far more use than I anticipated.

+ Not shown, a big red button as a dedicated eject button to mount behind headrest. I figured "why not".

+ Also not shown, spare 8-key under right rear of seat, dedicated to kneeboard controls.

 

 

Here is an alternate view, compared to my "v1":

 

 

Underneath the seat are 2 of the dayton shakers, mounted on two 6x12 aluminum plates. Powered with a 2x50 amp visible in above pic on rear bar of seat.

 

 

Center console has a USB hub on the back, so there's one wire from there, to one of the two USB hubs I have mounted under each side of chair. One USB cable o my PC for pedals, one other for everything else.

 

Brake bias knobs are pulled from my racing rig, as I wasn't using them there and wanted some dials for rudder/airelon trim in at least the P-51.

 

Next up:
+ VKB stuff arrives next week for new center stick! Gunfighter + MCG grip + F-14 grip + 200mm curved extension. Between what's already next to me, and VKB stuff, I haven't been this happy about anything in years (me having surgeries, family deaths, 2020 in general, etc).

+ Virpil collective pedal, whenever that releases. Or at least see how that plays out and re-consider Komodo.

+ Buy a house so I can do a fresh 80/20 with hydraulics, crank up the sim shakers, and not have to worry about bothering neighbors.

 

Also, just a general shout-out to ED. I think only iRacing has captured me as much as DCS has. I bought the A-10 many, many years ago.. but was intimidated by the controls, and only had a Logi Force 3d Pro, and avoided really giving it the shot I knew it deserved. Once I got my v1 setup last year, I sat down one night determined to learn the TF-51, and got hooked. Bad (obviously).

 

Sure, things are delayed or cancelled, sure the engine isn't as current as the latest AAA title. I'm used to those things from iRacing. What's already available is something special, and what's planned for the future is just plain exciting to see.

Edited February 27, 2021 by Monkwolf

[streakeagle]

That is a crazy number of buttons. How do you ever keep all of the key assignments straight? I can use muscle memory to find controls while flying VR, but that set up would be insane for me.

 

Stick extensions are a very nice upgrade. They improve both the precision and feel of any stick, especially when you have a good base. My warthog was a lot better with the extension. But the VKB is just plain perfection with an extension.

 

I have all of the VKB stuff. I have both the original MCG Pro grip AND the MCG Ultimate. The original Pro is a great grip, but the Ultimate was worth the cost of duplication for me. The MCG Pro was my go-to grip for multiplayer and now the Ultimate is the best grip for adapting to any aircraft. The best part about the MCG series is the analog brake axis. I like to fly MiGs quite a bit and most Russian aircraft had the brake lever on the stick rather than toe brakes. The brake lever makes the MCG a good fit for the Spitfire. The other benefits to the MCG grips is that there are so many switches available, that you can map everything that is supposed to be there on the real aircraft's grip and still have switches free for custom controls. I got the twist rudder axis upgrade and configured it to provide button inputs, which I use for paging through the kneeboard. It is hands down the best grip available for DCS World, though the Virpil equivalent with nearly identical controls should be just as good in theory.

 

I have been flying the F-14A almost exclusively for a few weeks now, so I have had the F-14 grip installed the whole time. I love the F-14 grip. The only limitation is that it is only practical on older aircraft that have fewer stick controls. The similarity between the standard B-8 grip found in many US/allied aircraft and the F-14 grip make it a good stand-in for all of those aircraft. F-86, F-5, and UH-1 are all aircraft fit very well with the F-14 grip. Of course, all WW2 aircraft have no problem being mapped to the F-14 grip. Again, I used the twist axis to generate extra buttons and typically map them to kneeboard paging functions.

 

[Munkwolf]

On 2/27/2021 at 6:23 AM, streakeagle said:

That is a crazy number of buttons. How do you ever keep all of the key assignments straight? I can use muscle memory to find controls while flying VR, but that set up would be insane for me.

 

I do a visual grid system that works well for me. The red inner 2 columns on the side 80-keys are my instrument and action layers. Top 2x4 for instruments (per side.. using l/r win, shift, alt, ctl), where I lay out the side instruments into that grid. Some planes I only use one column (the inner one on each side) of those instrument layers, when the plane only has one column (F-16, FA-18). Some planes I do use the 2 columns (A-10). Like on the right 80-key, the top-left instrument layer is for the CMS in the A-10.

 

Then below the instrument layer buttons on each side in that red block are 2 buttons that are my left/right actions (Kkeypad - and Keypad +), and the bottom red key is a down action (Keypad dot). Up is when I'm not holding an action button. Toggles I do as up/down, dials are left/right. Things like the FA-18 wing fold I'll use down as pull, up as stow, and then left/right.. with those all on one wing fold control button.

 

The 6x6 blue block outside of the instrument/action buttons are my control buttons. That's another visual grid. Using the CMS in the A-10 as an example again.. the OSB buttons are the first 4 buttons of first row, the toggle switches are the 2nd row, etc. I find I'm rarely using half of the 6x6 control buttons per instrument, except for instruments like the CDU. The bottom blocks sectioned of at the bottom of the side 8-keys are dedicated to system things like function keys, kneeboard, time accel/decel, music controls, etc.

 

I find I don't really have to memorize what keys are for what buttons, I just need to look at or visualize the cockpit and instruments to remember what to push, and then keep consistent with my system. INS dial in FA-18? That'd be the 3rd instrument layer button on inner row, then 2nd button of 2nd row in the 6x6 control block. Hold down KP+ action button and tap to turn it right. 1st button on 2nd row is the radar dial. I feel like I'm learning more about the plane and the instruments than if I abstracted the instrument/control locations away and had the same buttons mapped to the same controls regardless of what plane I'm flying. Sometimes the same instrument (TACAN, UHF) is just in a different spot in a different plane, so I'll have the same controls but on a different instrument layer. Or the FA-18, the two VHFs are same controls just on different layers on the left side.

 

My center console I usually don't use modifiers for, though there are a few exceptions. Overall it maps out well. The top center 80-key is 10-wide, which works out perfect for the A-10 UFC. I use separate up/down buttons for the toggles on it. The F-16 and FA-18 UFC/IHCP I have a couple of blank columns for so that they are centered.

 

The 40-key strip has worked out great in a few ways. That 4x2 block maps out perfectly to the nav mode selection part in the middle of the A-10 where you select EGI. The left side 2x7 block is perfect for the F-5, with the 7 pylon switches going on bottom row.

 

Then on my joystick, when in shift mode, TMS hat doubles as my action buttons (left for KP-, right for KP+, down for KPdot). DMS up or down doubles as instrument layer toggles, if I need them.

 

Also I've got a lot of bump dot stickers in a pattern on the x-keys which has really helped me find the right keys in VR.

 

Quote

Stick extensions are a very nice upgrade. They improve both the precision and feel of any stick, especially when you have a good base. My warthog was a lot better with the extension. But the VKB is just plain perfection with an extension.

 

I have all of the VKB stuff. I have both the original MCG Pro grip AND the MCG Ultimate. The original Pro is a great grip, but the Ultimate was worth the cost of duplication for me.

 

This past weekend I got to spend a lot of time flying with about 150mm extension on the warthog. Such a difference. Did my standard loop with FA-18 of launch, AAR, trap, repeat. AAR is so much easier.

 

Then yesterday my VKB shipment arrived a couple days early. Was able to at least get it setup before I went to bed. Tonight'll be the first time in-game with it. I do really want the Ultimate, but it's not in-stock right now and I didn't want to wait. I'll be ordering one when they are back in stock for sure. So far I'm alreading loving the GF base, but the VKB grips haven't had the best first impression with me. Very cheap plastic feel compared to the TM grips, and the attachment mechanism is just plain bad. The process to switch a grip is much more of a pain, and the MCG even just popped off of the attachment point when I was just moving it around to calibrate it. Guess I should tighten it more than I did, but didn't want to break the plastic on the first day of me having it.

[streakeagle]

I agree that swapping grips on the Gunfighter base is a pain in the butt. They finally implemented a solution on the newest grips that makes it easier to lineup the barrel-nut lock collar by adding a flat spot to keep both round pieces lined up when you insert it into the grip base. Then you have to flash the firmware, reset to defaults, calibrate the axes, and if you are using one, load a saved custom profile. It would be nice if it had the ability to automatically recognize the grip and use the profile/calibration from the last time that grip was connected.

 

I haven't had any problems with the grips detaching from the base, and they have taken a beating. I had some kids try my VR simpit and they really banged the stick around hard. I am surprised they didn't break a spring or worse. The plastic is light but sturdy. It is fairly rigid yet hasn't cracked or broken at all. But if it takes metal to make you happy, that's the purpose of the MCG Ultimate. I didn't want the Ultimate for the metal. I wanted the new switch modules and stiffer switches. The fact that the metal gives it a little more weight was just an added bonus.

 

Hopefully, after you try it out, you will overcome your first impression and appreciate the VKB setup as much as I do. But you can always get the adapters to use the TM grips. I did. But I rarely use them. The adaptability of the MCG Pro (now Ultimate) makes it the best choice if you are constantly switching aircraft, particularly in multiplayer. I do periodically switch to the F-14 grip and TM Hornet grip. But I almost never use the TM Warthog grip because I have never cared for it that much and the only aircraft that benefit from its use, the A-10C and F-16C, are among the aircraft I fly the least.

[Munkwolf]

14 hours ago, streakeagle said:

I agree that swapping grips on the Gunfighter base is a pain in the butt. They finally implemented a solution on the newest grips that makes it easier to lineup the barrel-nut lock collar by adding a flat spot to keep both round pieces lined up when you insert it into the grip base. Then you have to flash the firmware, reset to defaults, calibrate the axes, and if you are using one, load a saved custom profile. It would be nice if it had the ability to automatically recognize the grip and use the profile/calibration from the last time that grip was connected.

 

I haven't had any problems with the grips detaching from the base, and they have taken a beating. I had some kids try my VR simpit and they really banged the stick around hard. I am surprised they didn't break a spring or worse. The plastic is light but sturdy. It is fairly rigid yet hasn't cracked or broken at all. But if it takes metal to make you happy, that's the purpose of the MCG Ultimate. I didn't want the Ultimate for the metal. I wanted the new switch modules and stiffer switches. The fact that the metal gives it a little more weight was just an added bonus.

 

Hopefully, after you try it out, you will overcome your first impression and appreciate the VKB setup as much as I do. But you can always get the adapters to use the TM grips. I did. But I rarely use them. The adaptability of the MCG Pro (now Ultimate) makes it the best choice if you are constantly switching aircraft, particularly in multiplayer. I do periodically switch to the F-14 grip and TM Hornet grip. But I almost never use the TM Warthog grip because I have never cared for it that much and the only aircraft that benefit from its use, the A-10C and F-16C, are among the aircraft I fly the least.

 

I think I'm coming around. I'm starting to like the lighter weight more and not minding the feel of the plastic. I did get a TM adapter at the same time, but want to try out the VKB grips before I switch one of my TM grips onto it. I still haven't used it in-game - I went down a rabbit hole with the config utility last night checking out the options there, and trying out different combos with springs and clutch dampers. Really cranked down on the grip attachment and it's stayed put.

 

The config utility is really nice. I was getting an access violation using it at first but found a beta of the config utility on Oz's site that worked well. Read something somewhere about the multidevice version of the bios that allows hotswapping of the grips(?) but didn't want to flash a beta bios (yet). Got the hats configured to stay as an analog axis but also throw buttons. Looking forward to getting through work today.. then one more set of adjustments to put 2 more turns on the dampers and maybe up the springs by 10#.. and then finally get into the virtual skies with it.

[gersonh]

I had the Openwheeler as a racing rig before, but re-purposed it for flight a few months ago and have been adding to it since. The upgrades never end, as you all know. The structure is a bit of a frankenstein of Openwheeler and NLR parts I had sitting around. I agree with coming around. I'm starting to like the lighter weight more and not minding the feel of the plastic

[streakeagle]

Before I got the MCG Ultimate with the optional hat switches, I had my cursor controls programmed to simultaneously be both analog axes and buttons and made the center press a button rather than toggling between analog and button modes. But I almost never used the analog axes. Since the Ultimate have me the option of dedicated hat switches automatically detected and configured, I used them.

 

So the only customization I do on the ultimate are:

1) configure flip-down trigger to detect up, down, and pulled.

2) Configured the twist axis to have 5 buttons: center, left/right, far left/far right.

3) made the twist axis far left/far right continuously flashing on and off when triggered.

 

I use that button configuration to page through the kneeboard as fast or slow as I want.

 

It has taken me some time to get used to the ergonomics of the MCG style grips. The TM Hornet grip was my favorite. But I like to fly MiGs and many of them have a grip similar to the MCG, especially the brake lever. I also started flying multiplayer quite a bit. The MCG can be configured to work well in any aircraft and still have unused buttons/controls. But as well as the MCG works and as painful as it can be to change grips, I still like swapping in the closest grip I have to the aircraft I am flying. I try to keep my grip swaps no more frequent than one week per week.

[Munkwolf]

Update.. added more buttons.. VKB MCGU and F16SGRH... Virpil collective will hopefully get here in a week or two.. also strapping stuff to my legs.

 

Front x-keys pictured in "Ka-50/Sabre/MiG mode", with the top left 24-key rotated for, using Ka-50 as example, the datalink panel. Able to map a good number of modules fully without using the layer modifiers on the side 80s, so every control is one button away, and pretty close to where the controls are in VR. It's rad.

 

Edited July 20, 2021 by Munkwolf

[Munkwolf]

Added Virpil collective and control panel! Now at maximum HID devices. Only able to fit control panel under device limit courtesy of Virpil's great design of supporting chaining the panel through the aux port of their bases.

 

Rig is now "complete" for foreseeable future (until VKB releases TECS).

 

[Munkwolf]

Rig update..

I like buttons. I can't stop adding them. I might need help.

Decided I wanted to do two main updates: 1) switching out warthog throttle for virpil, and 2) switching out the side 80-keys for 128-keys so that I can map the whole CDU in the warthog without modifiers (among other things.. like Ka-50 right console, and all the controls available for the Hip and Hind).

As part of the throttle upgrade, I decided to add the Ka-50 panel to it's left, to have extra levers to the left of the throttle for warbirds and other miscellaneous uses like having the F-14 flaps lever on an axis.

Switching out the side 80s for 128s meant I had two extra 80s, and decided to rebuild my front panel with those to replace the x-key 40 strip, as I wanted more buttons at the bottom left of it for things like the armaments panel in the Harrier. Also I had seen someone's build where they put an MFD on top of an x-key device and decided to layer my front panel with buttons behind the cougars.

Finished getting everything mounted this week after a couple of months of getting everything in place. Haven't flown in that time yet, still configuring all the buttons and such. Hoping to fly this weekend for the first time in a while and check out multithreading.

Between the x-keys button pads and the x-key buttons (like behind headrest), I now have 1000 buttons available... hotas devices excluded.

Before, most stuff was velcro'd down to random spare mounting plates I had accumulated for my flight and racing rigs. Now, almost everything is bolted down onto aluminum sheets. Then added some 24-keys for wall controls mounted on L brackets, with dedicated flare button for hornet on left side.

The left side slides out for 'heli mode' if I want to use the collective.

I do miss having the virpil panel #1 mounted on right side though.. so one more is on the way to mount behind the Ka-50 panel on the left.

Next on the list: Second panel #1 on left side, on the VPForce Rhino waiting list to replace vkb center stick... and then not sure what else I'd care to upgrade asides from moving everything to a motion rig.. or if virpil comes out with a new panel that i want.

Edited May 18, 2023 by Munkwolf