Desk-mounts vs height adjustable desk?

[IonHawk]

Hi!

Currently starting my journey into the higher echelons of this insanely expensive hobby by ordering dual Virpil Alpha Primes with Warbd-d base, mostly for Star Citizen but will likely use it for other things as well. This forum has helped me a lot in that decision, by just searching through it and making comparisons. Currently have 2 VKB NXTs SCG which I really like, combined with CH Pro Pedals.

However, the wallet is starting to scream, so I am wondering whether ordering desk mounts directly from Virpil is a good idea while there are cheaper options on Amazon, although I wonder if the quality is comparable. In the end, feels like a bad idea to waste a wonderful stick on a horrible mount. However, Virpil mount with how it sticks out on top of the desk and also out from the desk makes it feel a bit clumsy however, and I have no plans to add anything else after getting the sticks. So it's ability of extensions seems pointless currently, though who knows in the future.

Another idea that I have heard others use is just to have them on the desk, but just a height-adjustable desk. This is something I am probably planning to get anyway since I do a lot of work from home. Also perhaps an argument against mounts since I plan to use it for work, and having the joysticks be easy to move when not in use might be a big plus.

So main questions:
Do you recommend the official Virpil mounts?
Do you think just having them stand on a electrical height adjustable desk would be a good option?

Thanks a lot in advance!

Edited July 24, 2023 by IonHawk

[Burt]

I would recommend Monstertech deck mounts over Virpil mounts. When I was converting to Virpil over Thrustmaster WH Hotas I already had the mounts and only needed the plate. The reason I stayed with Monstertech is because I’ve seen several videos about the mounts and I didn’t like they stuck out so far for one and also they had a lot of side movement. Have you thought about chair mounts ? Check some of Monstertech chair mounts they are really nice. 

[SharpeXB]

Having gone through this decision loop myself. Some thoughts…

Adjustable height desks are expensive if you aren’t going to move them up and down regularly. Like some people want to change to standing height occasionally while working. If that’s not a preference for you, that desk might not be worthwhile and the money better spent on the mounts. 
Think about your monitor height. A low desk will require a monitor arm to raise the screen. Those are cool. But they have a cost as well and with a bigger heavier screen they can get pricey. 
I ended up going the route of a fixed high desk with HOTAS mounts. Had a monitor arm at one time just because it looked very cool but then got a bigger 48” screen which can sit on the desk and really is too heavy for an arm. Something to consider if you want to go big with a screen eventually. 
Also the adjustable height desks seem wobbly. I sometimes do racing and clamp a wheel to the desk so it needs to be heavy and solid. 

[BigBANGtheory]

if price is a concern with the height adjustable desk you can try what I did...

1. Buy a decent used/2nd hand height adjustable desk system i.e. the base and electrical parts (I used a product from ConSet) but you can get these from used office furniture places

2. Unscrew and throw away the crappy desktop surface that comes with it, so it doesn't matter if its marked/damaged in anyway

3. Attach your own new desktop, you can get kitchen counter tops cut to size or in my case I bought someone's damaged old oak dining room table, chopped it to size with a circular saw, sanded it down and re-varnished it

result = huge, rock solid sit/stand computer desk with a 1 inch think solid oak desk which cost £350

I use Virpil desk mounts with it though if you want a center mount joystick on the 200mm extension its right on the limit and likewise the Warthog or CM3 throttle has to be about as far back on the mount as it can go.... but it works well and is stable tbh I think the only way to improve on that configuration is to opt for the MonsterTech chair (and obviously simpits but you need the space for that)

[Scott-S6]

Putting your controls on top of a height adjustable desk does not allow you to position them well. You want the underside of your controls to be lower than the tops of your thighs. Clearly this isn't possible.

[Pally]

Absolute beast of an adjustable table.  Hane crank for height change.  Goes well with steam gauges and dials, if you know what I mean.    

Husky Adjustable Table.  Varying length from 46 to 72 inches w/ wheels or can be left out.

 

I absolutely loved mine.  Sturdy built, in fact, overbuild to last literally forever. 

Edited November 23, 2023 by Pally
Hyperlink text fix.

[Mr_sukebe]

If you have the space, my opinion is to stop mucking about and go straight to an extruded aluminium frame system.  Dump a s/h car seat on it (much better than most gaming seats) and bolt your HOTAS to the frame

[NAM]

4 hours ago, Mr_sukebe said:

If you have the space, my opinion is to stop mucking about and go straight to an extruded aluminium frame system.  Dump a s/h car seat on it (much better than most gaming seats) and bolt your HOTAS to the frame

Car seat...  very neat idea..

with ability to adjust up/down as well front/back...

never thought of that,  much better than gaming seats