How is Orion as a UNIVERSAL throttle? Helicopters, WW2 etc...

[Katmandu]

Just wondering about the opinion of the Orion users on how the throttle performs beyond the F/A-18 and F-16. Can one easily disable detents to fly a helicopter for example? I only want one throttle and it thus needs to be a Jack of all trades.

Edited February 5, 2022 by Katmandu

[rob10]

There is no way to disable the detents (short of maybe slacking off the friction control for the throttle handles which probably wouldn't be ideal).  Having said that, they are easily pushed through (very noticable, but not difficult to get through or requiring another motion to get through).  Haven't flown a chopper with it so I can't comment directly on that.

[Simm0]

I set the detents for cruising power in ww2 planes, not sure if this applies to helos. Then when I want combat power just push through them.

[niru27]

15 hours ago, Katmandu said:

Can one easily disable detents to fly a helicopter for example?

Easily? No, but it is possible to remove the detents altogether by taking apart the throttle. Not something you want to do everytime you switch between rotary and fixed wings

Quote

I only want one throttle and it thus needs to be a Jack of all trades

Easiest solution would be to adjust DCS curve to be between physical IDLE and MIL detents. You lose some throw/accuracy, but it's way easier than repeatedly removing/reinstalling detents. Since the curves are per aircraft & per device, you only have to do this once

[Katmandu]

Thanks for the replies!

1 hour ago, niru27 said:

Easiest solution would be to adjust DCS curve to be between physical IDLE and MIL detents. You lose some throw/accuracy, but it's way easier than repeatedly removing/reinstalling detents.

Helis throttle input requires a lot of precision - during hover for example - so limiting the throw/accuracy at hardware level would definitely be the last resort. Good to know that permanent removing of detents is possible through taking the throttle apart as I do not care for the detents personally. 

Would be good if WinWing addressed this with a built in solution. And a universal fantasy throttle handle that has lots of hats and buttons - like VPC's CM throttle. I would've got a VPC, but it's too ugly for my tastes

Edited February 6, 2022 by Katmandu

[some1]

3 hours ago, Katmandu said:

Helis throttle input requires a lot of precision - during hover for example - so limiting the throw/accuracy at hardware level would definitely be the last resort

I limited the throw for helos below detent and have no problems with it. The levers still have a good throw and the electronics are precise enough to be a non issue. 

I previously used Warthog without detent for helos, so I'm coming from something with larger throw. 

Edited February 6, 2022 by some1

[DeltaMike]

For prop planes, it's kind of nice to be able to split the throttle, use one side for the gas and the other for the prop.   I've tuned my axis for the hornet (83-84) and on the two planes I've tried (yak52 and T51) popping out of "afterburner" puts my prop right at 80%.  Typical cruise setting for either plane isn't anywhere near the AB detent, it only comes into play on takeoff.  

I wouldn't go out of my way to buy an Orion for prop planes, but it works... 

WW does sell a collective that goes on that base, and it looks like it's calibrated from detent to detent, in other words they take the detents out of the picture.  There's at least one youtube review out there

[Bottebeitel]

I use it for f18, a-10, spitfire, mustang, uh-1, mi-8, ah-64. And works just fine for all of them. Just think thoroughly on how to map you buttons and axis and the range of motion of the throttle handles is more than enough. 
it is really, as you stated , a jack of all trades