Need recomendation for Winwing Orion2 Throttle handle for combo F/A 18 and F15

[kmaultsby]

Hello all, I'm thinking about purchasing the Winwing Orion2 Throttle, but I am not sure which is the best choice.  One is the NavyAce and the other StrikeAce E / StrikeAce EX.  I will be use mostly in DCS F/A18, but also occasionally use for F15. I already own the Orion Rlight Rudder Pedals with Damper. Also should I add Finger Lifts yes or no?

Edited March 2 by kmaultsby

[speed-of-heat]

Honestly, go with the most buttons you can afford, you will use them....

[Dunska]

I started with the F/A-18 throttle grips, then later swapped to the F-15 EX throttle grips with finger lifts - much better having more buttons, hats and rumble vibration.

[kmaultsby]

Thanks. That was my thinking.  Which Joystick are you using, the Viper or the Navy Ace?

[Dunska]

I have the Viper stick grip with the EX Shaker Kit (more hats and rumble)

[kmaultsby]

Are you using the extra hats on the Shaker?  If so, what aircraft are you using, and how are you using it? Also, do you have to keep SimApp pro open while using it?

[Nightdare]

10 hours ago, kmaultsby said:

Thanks. That was my thinking.  Which Joystick are you using, the Viper or the Navy Ace?

Again, go for the one with the most buttons 

[MustangSally]

I have both and occasionally swap them out, but I'm finding that I use the F-18 grips 90% of the time as I Fly the F-18 90% of the time

[kmaultsby]

Any other Winwing products you are using?  ICP or PTO 2 Panel etc.  I am also looking to joint F/A 18 wing.  Newbie to the F/A 18 will start train as soon as I get equipment.

[kmaultsby]

Thanks for the feedback everyone, below is what I am going to go with for DCS to fly mostly F/A 18 and some F15 and 16.  I used the Thrustmaster Viper TQS in Falcon BMS don't tell anybody.

 

Throttle Base:

WINWING Orion2 Throttle Base

Throttle Grip:

StrikeAce EX II Metal Throttle Grip (With Finger lift)

Joystick Base:

WINWING Orion2 Joystick Base

Joystick Grip:

ViperAce EX Metal Joystick Grip(with Shaker Kit)

[speed-of-heat]

null

[kmaultsby]

Now I see how the lifestyle of the rich & famous lives.  Very nice.   I am trying to understand dose the MFD's display video or is just for the buttons like the Thrustmaster MFD'S? I have the Thrustmasters.

 

Edited March 3 by kmaultsby

[speed-of-heat]

1 minute ago, kmaultsby said:

Now I see how the lifestyle of the rich & famous lives.  Very nice.   I am trying to understand dose the MFD's display video or is just for the buttons like the Thrustmaster MFD'S? I have the Thrustmasters.

 

ah the joys of a well spent youth ... they are similar to the thrustmasters in the version i have, as i fly in VR 99% of the time, so no video displays, but you can buy the video displays if you wish, but for VR it makes no sense.   A couple of differences firstly they are slightly bigger than the TM's and secondly they have more buttons/axis, what is not obvious is that the seperators between the buttons are also buttons, so that's another 16 buttons, which i use a surprising amount, on the Apache, F-5E, the Tomcat, and the even the Viper , though that is mostly the lower MFD for startup functions  they are just really useful button boxes! 

[Nightdare]

37 minutes ago, kmaultsby said:

Thanks for the feedback everyone, below is what I am going to go with for DCS to fly mostly F/A 18 and some F15 and 16.  I used the Thrustmaster Viper TQS in Falcon BMS don't tell anybody.

 

Throttle Base:

WINWING Orion2 Throttle Base

Throttle Grip:

StrikeAce EX II Metal Throttle Grip (With Finger lift)

Joystick Base:

WINWING Orion2 Joystick Base

Joystick Grip:

ViperAce EX Metal Joystick Grip(with Shaker Kit)

 

 

That should get you well on your way regarding most modules (as stand in, that O2 with EX grip will do great for flying apache as well)

[MustangSally]

[kmaultsby]

Very Nice.

 

[Dunska]

On 3/3/2025 at 3:54 PM, kmaultsby said:

Are you using the extra hats on the Shaker?  If so, what aircraft are you using, and how are you using it? Also, do you have to keep SimApp pro open while using it?

Yeah, I use them for View controls.  The analog stick for moving the view around in external camera mode and the upper one for selecting different view (e.g. weapon view, fly-by view, F10 Map view, etc.) in all airframes - jests, helos, props.  You need SimAppPro running to have the vibrations working.

[kmaultsby]

All, Did any of you change the springs in your stick base?

[speed-of-heat]

i did, but changed them back 

i think the stronger springs work better with an extension 

[kmaultsby]

Well, I am coming from a Warthog much stiffer.  I still like the feel of the Orion just have to get used to it.  Do you have F16 or the F\A 18 handle or both?  I have both, but wondering is that a good idea.  For the F-16 I am using Orion stick with shaker, my throttle is the Thrustmaster Viper TQS.  For the F/A18 and F15 I will be using the Winwing  Orion Throttle base with the F15EX handles.  I was going to create a new topic to see if anyone else was doing this.

[kmaultsby]

6 hours ago, speed-of-heat said:

i did, but changed them back 

i think the stronger springs work better with an extension 

 

On 3/3/2025 at 10:01 PM, Dunska said:

Yeah, I use them for View controls.  The analog stick for moving the view around in external camera mode and the upper one for selecting different view (e.g. weapon view, fly-by view, F10 Map view, etc.) in all airframes - jests, helos, props.  You need SimAppPro running to have the vibrations working.

Ok that will give me some ideas

[Nightdare]

15 hours ago, kmaultsby said:

Ok that will give me some ideas

 

Keep in mind using buttons you might need for modules, yet are using for other functions, might give some issues with muscle memory

 

I tend to have to 'adjust' to the reverse movement of my Orion 2 when switching from plane to helo and back again after flying helo's a while

...and yes, in panic situations this will at times have the wrong results