Looking at swapping to VIRPIL, Facts please ALPHA-R stick, T-50CM3 Throttle + Control panels #1 or #2

[M4ND4L0R3]

I am also looking at VKB, but since VIRPIL seems to be the pricier option, I thought I would start here.

 

Im coming from running an Logitech X56 with pedals. Had a few issues before ( thanks Iron mike for the help ), and it runs fine now, but I have finally swapped over to VR ( RIFT S ). With this in mind, im thinking about also upgrading my setup to something that " looks " to have a much easier " touch recognition " for when im feeling around with the headset on. Some question's:

- Ive noticed the T-50CM3 throttle also has " mode select " buttons. Can anyone confirm that these will hold the " switch " signal with DCS? That was the problem with the X56. You would change the mode select button, but after 20-30 seconds the throttle would stop transmitting the mode select and you would default back to whatever your base map was. Otherwise, I guess I would use this like I do now for my ECM dial in the hornet, haha.

- Virpil of course say that you can either use the control panels independently, or attach an auxilery cord that then merges the panel's together to become one big controller block. Does it work as they say it does, WITH DCS?

- If the above two conditions work, can anyone verify that attaching a control panel and using the T-50CM3 mode select switches all work as they should?

- One of the reasons I am also looking at VKB is that they have some very good stick ranges for those of us that like to really immerse with the plane ( F18/14 sticks, etc ), But I do actually float around from plane to plane quite frequently. I also dabble in Squadrons/x-wing alliance quite frequently, so having a set stick is not the worst, but I feel that the ALPHA-R might be able to fit more moulds than most. Thoughts?

 

Again, I am also looking at VKB, but its not a question of money as it is functionality. VKB dont seem to have a good throttle on hand, unlike VIRPIL who have a very good example in the T-50CM3 ( strictly looking at what it offers ). But the VKB sticks are very tempting.

I can obviously run two different brands, but I do prefer to just run a single brand rather than have a mess of brands. I havent found a suitable replacement for the logitech rudder pedals, but I dont think I will replace them as rudder pedals dont really have that many functions.

Also would like to hear of any pressing bugs/incompatabilities from current owners.

Thanks for taking the time to read/and or reply.

[HC_Official]

- Ive noticed the T-50CM3 throttle also has " mode select " buttons. Can anyone confirm that these will hold the " switch " signal with DCS? That was the problem with the X56. You would change the mode select button, but after 20-30 seconds the throttle would stop transmitting the mode select and you would default back to whatever your base map was. Otherwise, I guess I would use this like I do now for my ECM dial in the hornet, haha.

You can configure it to act as a held down button if you want, but that is a bad way to use it

- Virpil of course say that you can either use the control panels independently, or attach an auxilery cord that then merges the panel's together to become one big controller block. Does it work as they say it does, WITH DCS?

Nope, you can add one control panel on the AUX port of a base eg throttle or CM2 base, you cant put two control panels together

 

[M4ND4L0R3]

First thanks for your reply, really appreciate it.

2 hours ago, HC_Official said:

- Ive noticed the T-50CM3 throttle also has " mode select " buttons. Can anyone confirm that these will hold the " switch " signal with DCS? That was the problem with the X56. You would change the mode select button, but after 20-30 seconds the throttle would stop transmitting the mode select and you would default back to whatever your base map was. Otherwise, I guess I would use this like I do now for my ECM dial in the hornet, haha.

You can configure it to act as a held down button if you want, but that is a bad way to use it

Ok great, I did watch some video's on the software and outside of any of the complaints I saw I think the software is great for what it can do. Rather than just outline what a " bad way " is, would you perhaps be able to share some suggestions on the best way to get the mode select switch to work as a " mode select " with DCS? Before i used the logitech software to individually program each mode function and assign a hotkey in DCS to each function, but then all of a sudden with the F14 module from heatblur, this didnt work anymore. What are your suggestions to make the mode button actually give me more than one base map?

 

2 hours ago, HC_Official said:

Virpil of course say that you can either use the control panels independently, or attach an auxilery cord that then merges the panel's together to become one big controller block. Does it work as they say it does, WITH DCS?

Nope, you can add one control panel on the AUX port of a base eg throttle or CM2 base, you cant put two control panels together

 

Thanks for clarifying, I probably should have been more clear myself. I meant putting a throttle and a control panel together, not two control panels together, my mistake. But its good to know that wouldnt work anyway.

So If I link the throttle and control panel #1 together as an example, the mode selector switch will then apply to the entire assembly? even if making the mode selector act as a held down button is a bad idea?

Ive been doing a lot of research lately, really excited for this product but I still kind of need a direct answer to my questions, no one has really asked these kind of questions before on the forum. ( that I have found... I may of course missed some )

Thanks again for your reply.

[HC_Official]

I use the mode dial on my throttle to control profiles in Joystick gremlin, I do it this way because I am lazy/efficient and like to do things the easiest way possible

Benefits of Joystick Gremlin for using button press on device to keyboard press:
example: you fly a bunch of different aircraft from different vendors
DCS will auto assign a device button to a function eg flaps
so for A-10C that maybe button #2
for M-2000C that might be button #4
for Mig-21 that might be button #5

So I have to remember a different button to do the exact same function depending on which aircraft I am flying ...
or bind the same button in DCS to that function for each aircraft (PITA)

The smart way, I use joystick gremlin to create a profile that handles this better
eg I assign button #2 on my throttle to send keyboard press F to windows

Now I know that button #2 does flaps toggle for pretty much every DCS aircraft

I hope this explains why GJ makes life easier, I only bind axis for DCS in game JG does the rest

 

[M4ND4L0R3]

On 12/3/2021 at 8:51 PM, HC_Official said:

I use the mode dial on my throttle to control profiles in Joystick gremlin, I do it this way because I am lazy/efficient and like to do things the easiest way possible

Benefits of Joystick Gremlin for using button press on device to keyboard press:
example: you fly a bunch of different aircraft from different vendors
DCS will auto assign a device button to a function eg flaps
so for A-10C that maybe button #2
for M-2000C that might be button #4
for Mig-21 that might be button #5

So I have to remember a different button to do the exact same function depending on which aircraft I am flying ...
or bind the same button in DCS to that function for each aircraft (PITA)

The smart way, I use joystick gremlin to create a profile that handles this better
eg I assign button #2 on my throttle to send keyboard press F to windows

Now I know that button #2 does flaps toggle for pretty much every DCS aircraft

I hope this explains why GJ makes life easier, I only bind axis for DCS in game JG does the rest

 

I definitely understand the thought process, this is basically what I did with the logitech profiler, except I still just had to swap the profile quickly in the profiler, as some aircraft are different obviously.

It unfortunately doesnt answer my question about the mode select though.

Does anyone know if the mode-select will -> hold the signal <-, or will it time out like the logitech hotas does.

[HC_Official]

it is held down , one button per position

[M4ND4L0R3]

2 hours ago, HC_Official said:

it is held down , one button per position

 

Great!

Thank you for the insight, you have made my decision much easier.