Alpha Grip thumb wheel and analog stick uses

[X-31_VECTOR]

Hi all. I fly a mix of pancake/TrackIR and VR, and I use one of the hats on my T-50CM2 grips for zooming my view. For example, in DCS I've mapped updward push to Zoom In Slow and downward to Zoom Out Slow. 

I'm considering replacing the T-50CMs with the Alpha, and one reason is that using the thumb rotary wheel on the Alpha seems like a better way to zoom in/out.  I'm wondering if anyone has had any experiences (good or bad) using it for that purpose. 

Also, how is the analog thumb stick when used as a hat? I like the idea of using it for stuff like the thumb controller on the AH-64 TEDAC, but not at the expense of losing a usable four-way hat in modules where an analog axis there really would have little use. Does it have to be configured as either/or in the Virpil software, or can it be mapped in DCS as an axis in some modules and as buttons in others? 

Many thanks as always for taking the time to read this/reply!

[Mr_sukebe]

I’ve had an Alpha for a few months now.

As a grip, I think that is ace.

The thumb wheel is if anything the only thing that annoys me.

I believe they describe it as a scroll encoder.  In use, it scrolls in a similar way to a mouse, with “clicks” that you can feel whilst rotating it.  In practical use, I seem to need to rotate it enough to have 3 clicks on the wheel before it registers as a button press.  I’d much prefer if it was more sensitive, but couldn’t see a way to do that in the Virpil software.
I’ve asked on the Virpil forums, but didn’t get any useful suggestions.

 

As mentioned, it’s now my primary grip and I love using it, but for me, the scroll encoder is a bit of a dead duck.

 

For ref, I’ve been through the older Virpil CM grip, Thrustmaster F16 and F18 grips, along with cheaper units from VKB and CH.

Edited March 16, 2022 by Mr_sukebe

[imacken]

My experience is very different. I love the thumb wheel, and one ‘click’ activates the button both up or down for me. It can also be configured as an axis, and as such, it can be used as buttons or axis for different modules, so answering the OP’s question on that. 

[X-31_VECTOR]

Thank you both! It likewise looks like using the analog thumb stick as a four-way hat is fairly simple via the Virpil software, without losing the axis functionality.

I went ahead and took the leap... ordered a CM3 throttle to replace my venerable Warthog, and the Alpha grip to replace my MongoosT-50CM2. Aaaaand now I can go remap all my controls for every module. (I find I am perversely looking forward to it, which worries me...)

[bones1014]

I don't have the stick yet. It's almost here! I was just going to use that thumb stick for the TMS switch in the Viper.

[Mr_sukebe]

22 hours ago, imacken said:

My experience is very different. I love the thumb wheel, and one ‘click’ activates the button both up or down for me. It can also be configured as an axis, and as such, it can be used as buttons or axis for different modules, so answering the OP’s question on that. 

Sounds like I've got my config wrong in software.

Any chance of you grabbing a screenshot from the Virpil config software for the encoder?

[imacken]

Sure, here is one of the axis and the button tabs.