One thing I'm glad Virpl does, that most other companies don't seem to, is they label stuff generically. On that one it's fine, literally an F-16 throttle you know? But I was put off getting some VKB panels because the buttons are labeled for general aviation use with a very specific layout I won't be using. Extra potential for confusion.
Just fly in VR, problem solved
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GnomeTankWhat the what?Portland, OregonRegistered Userregular
So the base got here today, but the grip is stuck in Korean customs. I can just imagine the Koreans going "Wait a second...why is someone shipping an F-16 throttle from China?".
So the base got here today, but the grip is stuck in Korean customs. I can just imagine the Koreans going "Wait a second...why is someone shipping an F-16 throttle from China?".
Box 1/2: F-16 Throttle
Box 2/2: GE F110
( < . . .
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GnomeTankWhat the what?Portland, OregonRegistered Userregular
Loud whistling noises ensue as Gnome starts up a GE F110 strapped down with bungie cords in his backyard.
Loud whistling noises ensue as Gnome starts up a GE F110 strapped down with bungie cords in his backyard.
It’s a shame it’s not the old PW engine, or you’d be getting the freedom squee from the nozzle actuator as well
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GnomeTankWhat the what?Portland, OregonRegistered Userregular
edited March 5
I didn't find it as hard to put together as some others have noted. Once I understood how it needed to be aligned it was relatively easy to get the throttle moving smoothly. The grip itself is INSANE, you could beat someone with it. All metal with really positive feelings switches. I'm not a real F-16 pilot but I've sat in the real thing and have flown a "military grade" sim and from my amateur point of view the grip is perfect. Feels exactly like it should. That opinion has been backed up on YouTube by some actual F-16 pilots. The only "not real" thing is that in the real jet cage/uncage is not a four way, it's just a press. Having the extra inputs is nice though for a sim piece. Also I'm not sure the tiny finger buttons on the under side of the grip are on the real thing? I can't remember...again, more inputs isn't bad for a sim piece.
The base itself has a bit more plastic then I'd like, but frankly at the price point, and with the quality of the F-16 grip itself, I'll deal. The guide rail/board is also plastic, but the mounting hardware is all metal. Frankly I don't think it will be an issue since the only thing that makes contact with it is a small plastic bearing. It comes with spare bearings which is really nice.
Haven't booted up a sim with it yet, but first impression are positive. I will say that my idea of buying the F/A-18 grip and just swapping them is not realistic though. If I do decide to get an F/A-18 grip I'll buy a whole separate throttle base and attachment plate and just swap the entire thing. Taking the guide rail and mounting apart, and then unscrewing the grip to put a new one on, is a process. One I wouldn't want to repeat regularly.
GnomeTankWhat the what?Portland, OregonRegistered Userregular
Been flying a bunch of DCS and BMS with the new throttle. I used the Warthog throttle for so long it's taken me time to retrain my muscle memory. The speed brake and DGFT override keep getting confused in my head.
Overall it's a pretty incredible experience. Feels great to use and was crazy easy to bind in both DCS and BMS. BMS basically auto-bound, while DCS took a few minutes but was easy.
Been flying a bunch of DCS and BMS with the new throttle. I used the Warthog throttle for so long it's taken me time to retrain my muscle memory. The speed brake and DGFT override keep getting confused in my head.
Overall it's a pretty incredible experience. Feels great to use and was crazy easy to bind in both DCS and BMS. BMS basically auto-bound, while DCS took a few minutes but was easy.
Retraining muscle memory is actually a huge deal in aviation. There are a lot of mishaps that occur when pilots react using the wrong aircraft procedures.
Posts
Just fly in VR, problem solved
Box 1/2: F-16 Throttle
Box 2/2: GE F110
It’s a shame it’s not the old PW engine, or you’d be getting the freedom squee from the nozzle actuator as well
I didn't find it as hard to put together as some others have noted. Once I understood how it needed to be aligned it was relatively easy to get the throttle moving smoothly. The grip itself is INSANE, you could beat someone with it. All metal with really positive feelings switches. I'm not a real F-16 pilot but I've sat in the real thing and have flown a "military grade" sim and from my amateur point of view the grip is perfect. Feels exactly like it should. That opinion has been backed up on YouTube by some actual F-16 pilots. The only "not real" thing is that in the real jet cage/uncage is not a four way, it's just a press. Having the extra inputs is nice though for a sim piece. Also I'm not sure the tiny finger buttons on the under side of the grip are on the real thing? I can't remember...again, more inputs isn't bad for a sim piece.
The base itself has a bit more plastic then I'd like, but frankly at the price point, and with the quality of the F-16 grip itself, I'll deal. The guide rail/board is also plastic, but the mounting hardware is all metal. Frankly I don't think it will be an issue since the only thing that makes contact with it is a small plastic bearing. It comes with spare bearings which is really nice.
Haven't booted up a sim with it yet, but first impression are positive. I will say that my idea of buying the F/A-18 grip and just swapping them is not realistic though. If I do decide to get an F/A-18 grip I'll buy a whole separate throttle base and attachment plate and just swap the entire thing. Taking the guide rail and mounting apart, and then unscrewing the grip to put a new one on, is a process. One I wouldn't want to repeat regularly.
Overall it's a pretty incredible experience. Feels great to use and was crazy easy to bind in both DCS and BMS. BMS basically auto-bound, while DCS took a few minutes but was easy.
Retraining muscle memory is actually a huge deal in aviation. There are a lot of mishaps that occur when pilots react using the wrong aircraft procedures.
Now if they only released the damn plane