Got mine yesterday!
Will be using it later this week and then I’ll give my rough take.
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Did you get any shipping notification prior to delivery? I’m still waiting “patiently” for a FedEx e-mail confirmation…
When I ordered my Orion 2 (last year?) I received the shipping notification on the same day it was delivered… I had heard they got better though?
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Same here, back when I ordered a full stick and throttle combo. I’ve yet to receive anything concerning a tracking number, and so I’m still just playing the waiting game…
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I placed my order Jul 19 at 11PM ET when they went from being “out of stock” to “buy.”
I got a shipment email on the morning of Aug 1. Signed up for updates from FedEx Aug 2.
Got delivery on Aug 7 (with a few emails from FedEx on 2nd and 6th).
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I finally received my FedEx tracking number today!
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Quick and dirty first impressions tomorrow, after I get some actual free time! Swapping the grips could not have been easier though, 4 screws and 10 minutes later!
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Wow, that looks good! Glad to hear the change is easy after the whole Viper grip thing.
Looking forward to your impressions!
So far my impressions are favorable.
This could almost, almost, replace the Hornet grip while flying the Hornet except for a couple of differences, on the left grip 3-pos switch and the right grip AB switch.
If I’d bought the cheaper F-15E grips it would definitely be a “no” because it would be missing too many things, but the EX is almost a “Warthog + Hornet grip” with even more controls.
The most important thing to note is the 3 scroll wheels on the grip. The right and middle one on the right grip are spring loaded/self centering. The right one has a push-in button the middle one does not.
The left one on the left grip is NOT self centering but has a detent. When tilting the radar, though, I can control how fast/slow it moves up or down quite easily with gentle movements. It is closer to the one on the Viper grip but has a smaller range of movement.
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Quick and dirty first impressions:
First, this is not a review, but a personal comparison to the F/A-18C grips that I’ve been using w/ the Orion 2.
Spoiler alert! I love both the F/A-18C and F-15EX grips! The F-15EX grips have more switches and buttons, which in turn will likely mean that I will probably never swap them back!
The overall shape is very similar in the palm, so one grip doesn’t feel more or less comfortable than the other. So, if your swapping out the F/A-18C grips for the F-15E(X)'s, it will feel very similar to operate. The real difference, by comparison to the F/A-18C, is in the overall increase in the number of switches, buttons and sliders on the F-15EX! The layout of the switches is also very similar, if maybe a bit more crowded on the F-15EX. But, it never feels clumsy or awkward to use.
As for the individual switches and buttons, my observations are as follows:
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Starting at the top with the Mic Switch; It’s a 2-way (caged) switch that clicks forward and aft only. This honestly feels restrictive. I’m sure WINWING have a good reason behind this decision, but I feel like a 4-way+c switch would have been a better choice.
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Next, we have a combo of switches directly below the Mic Switch; A standard 4-way+c switch, similar (identical) to the TMS switch on the F-16EX stick, which simulates the F-15E(X) Speed Break switch. Unlike the F/A-18C Speed Break (caged 2-way, momentary aft / toggle forward), the F-15EX switch has full 4-way+c deflection. Next to the Speed Break is also a small (mini) hat switch. I honestly don’t know how I feel about this switch yet…
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Under the Speed Break, we have the (4-way+c) F-15E(X) Boat Switch; The switch on the F-15EX has a 90 degree rotation (similar in orientation to the Mic Switch on the F/A-18C grip) as compared to the F-15E. It feels very different from any of the switches on both the F/A-18C and F-15EX grips. It’s very . . . soft. The click is almost non-existent. This is neither a good nor a bad thing, just an observation!
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There’s also a button located directly under the mini hat switch, comparable in position to the CAGE/UNCAGE switch on the F/A-18C. It’s very small, and sits almost flush with the grip. Looking at an XBOX gamepad, it’s very similar in both size and shape to the View / Menu buttons on the XBOX gamepad.
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The China Hat switch at the bottom of the F-15EX grip is comparable (identical) to the Pinky Switch on the F/A-18C, with the addition of molded plastic. In fact, this switch shares the same hardware input identifiers as the F/A-18C Pinky Switch.
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Next, the (actual) Pinky Switch; As compared to the F/A-18C Pinky Switch, the F-15EX Pinky Switch is a spring loaded (momentary) 2-way switch that travels up and down, rather than the 2-way forward and aft toggle switch on the F/A-18C.
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The Target Designator on the F-15EX is identical to the F/A-18C. The addition of a Coolie Hat next to the Target Designator is perfect for both the F-15E and the A-10C (as are most of the additional switches!)!
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The center RADAR ELEVATION CONTROL slider is also identical to the F/A-18C.
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The LEFT MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH is a 4-way+c switch, w/ 2 more XBOX buttons on either side. In my opinion, the 3 small buttons on the F-15EX grip are a good replacement for the F/A-18C CAGE/UNCAGE / ATC / RAID/FLIR buttons, which makes a good case for whether you’ll choose to replace the F/A-18C grips for the F-15EX!
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The F-15EX RADAR ELEVATION CONTROL is a dial with a center detent, similar in range to the center RADAR ELEVATION CONTROL, but isn’t spring loaded.
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There’s also a slider located next to the Coolie Hat similar to the center RADAR ELEVATION CONTROL, but much smaller and with an additional click. I’m currently using this for both VR zoom and re-center functions!
I’ve currently re-configured the F-15EX grips for the (DCS) F-15E, A-10C, and the F/A-18C. I’ve tested all 3 modules, but I’ve only flown the A-10C as of today. Configuration was very easy, especially the F-15E and the A-10C (duh!), but even the F/A-18C transitions better than expected!
Overall, I’m very happy!
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Nice!
I am trying to decide if I should upgrade my Orion 2 with the F-15 EX grips or get VKB’s new throttle. I have too many decisions to make and spending a lot of time staring at pictures trying to plus/minus the different features. It does keep putting me off on making a decision.
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Great review, thanks for the detail!
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Yes! Nice review!
Thanks for going through all the switches, that was still something I wasn’t certain about but your review helps a lot.
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Yes, I am Reviving this Thread. The Motors give me a lovely feedback when I am flying. No, its not Force Feedback and its not going to make me an Ace but it does provide some tactile feel. Albeit just entertaining rather than coaching in any way. However, tonight I enter the F-16EX Stick. I am dying of curiosity to see if it will give me some feedback I can use.
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I had to disable mine because it was overloading my USB hub. 
As soon as vibrations kicked in I’d hear the Windows “USB disconnect/reconnect” sounds and get a message in upper right that the stick was gone and then back again.
Until I get either a powered hub or an easier way to connect my HOTAS/pedals to onboard USB, that’s how it will have to stay.