The VIRPIL Controls team has been working non-stop preparing our latest products for dispatch - the VPC V.F.X Grip and the VPC WarBRD, ACE-1 and ACE-2 Rudder Pedals.
We’re pleased to confirm that these items are in production at the VIRPIL Controls factory and we’re incredibly excited to get them out into everyone’s hands. The remaining pre-orders are scheduled to dispatch out on 15th October - keep an eye out for your shipping notification!
We would also like to announce some new additions to the VIRPIL Controls lineup!
Introducing the VPC MongoosT-50CM2 Throttle
This is the latest revision of our popular VPC MongoosT-50 Throttle which includes an all new design with a number of changes based on the feedback we’ve received from the community:
The overall dimensions of the throttle have been reduced and now match the form factor of our upcoming control panels.
The throttle lever arc angle has been increased by 20 degrees to allow for more physical position precision of the throttle levers.
The throttle no longer has a base plate, but instead has removable support legs with rubber feet for desktop use.
The detachable USB and AUX connections from our MongoosT-50CM2 Base Unit have been carried over to the throttle.
The metal toggle switches have been changed to larger toggle switches to offer a more “realistic” response.
The RGB backlighting has been removed and we are using new customisable push buttons which feature direct RGB lighting. The buttons feature a removable transparent cap, so you can insert your own inlays.
The toggle switch on the left side throttle handle has been changed to a large encoder dial.
Some additional information from the pre-order page (link):
Throttle Base Panel:
★ 6 x Customisable Momentary Buttons
★ 3 x Momentary Toggle Switches (ON-OFF-ON)
★ 4 x Latched Toggle Switches (ON-ON)
★ 1 x 5-Way Mode Dial
★ 2 x Encoder Dials (+ Push)
★ 2 x Throttle Axes (VPC Contactless Sensors)
★ 1 x Auxiliary Axis (VPC Contactless Sensor)
Throttle Handles:
★ 1 x 8-Way Hat (+ Push)
★ 3 x 4-Way Hat (+ Push)
★ 1 x 2-Way Hat (+ Push)
★ 1 x Encoder Dial
★ 1 x Encoder Dial (+ Push)
★ 4 x Momentary Push Buttons
★ 1 x Slider Axis
★ 1 x Analogue Ministick (+ Push)
The VFX Grip looks incredible cool, but I fear that it would be of limited use for more complex aircraft. Even for the Tomcat I would miss two administrative buttons (3rd party Push-to-Talk and Jester). My rather boring baseline T-50 grip probably remains a more usefull option.
That’s the way I see a lot of these specialized and simple grips. I use two of my buttons on my stick for zoom in and out, which tends to leave me rearranging a lot of control schemes. I’ve got a kind of standardization going with my control bindings and it’s hard to move away from that.
My CH setup seems positively ancient but even with the bad things, it’s hard to move away from it. Who else has a throttle with a ministick + push on the thumb? Logitech, I think?
Sometimes it just feels like I’ll have to make my own stick to get the features I want.
That’s the option I’d entertain if I had the cash and absolutely had to get away from CH. I’ve also got small hands and I’m not sure if the Virpil products would fit me; a lot of coin to drop to just find out. I’d totally entertain the throttle though, it seems to be a better value than the grips + base. Still, going from thumb ministick to index ministick bugs me.
It all looks fantastic to me, Virpil are doing great stuff.
Mostly settled here for HOTAS n stuff now though, but noticed an S shaped stick extension, if that fits my early Virpil base with Warthog grip it will be heaven for me … exactly what I need
Can’t see why not… They haven’t changed the interface other than screwing down the female din 5 contact in the base.
I’m really interested in the S extension too.
Yeah Troll, it will work, no doubt about it, was thinking more along the lines of how it would screw into base adapter on my Virpil base, it would need a locking nut/ring at bottom to ensure the S bend is pointed directly at me … it probably has, just not seeing it in the pics I’ve seen so far.
Regardless though … I want the S shaped extension, don’t have the skills to make my own and will buy as soon as its available … its really good and encouraging to see company’s like Virpil go from strength to strength
So, yeah, seeing the extension does have a lock nut/ring now, 90 days availability, went ahead and ordered, be here for Christmas perhaps … a nice wee present indeed.
Ordered covers that will fit my TM Warthog throttle … very decent of Virpil to produce something for a competitors product, also a stick cover too … even though I’m a dedicated TM Hornet and Warthog stick grip user.
Love my Virpil VPC MT50 base … but to be honest, was disappointed with my MT50 grip, gave it away to someone on here in fact, was keen on a Virpil throttle too for a while, but the quality of the MT50 grip put me off, just a personal reference as i prefer the feel of solid metal, my thinking was, if the throttle is like that too, well … well, to be honest my TM Warthog throttle is nigh on perfect, just wish it had some rotaries, realistic or not … TM would do well to produce an add on for the Warthog throttle to provide that … I would welcome that.
High praise for Virpil here though and its great to see them expand and succeed, wish they had a paypal option, but no worries, trust them very much and looking fwd to my S shaped extension very much too … its a simple thing like that extension that will make a big difference to my flying.
Yes, I’m curious to see if it has the regular nut/friction connector. The S bend will move the grip backwards and create a twisting moment that could potentially rotate the extension… But they have probably thought about that, and tested it.
Yeah, me too.
But I like the functions of the MT-50 too much. Especially the brake handle.
But I hope VPC will make metal grips one day.
As a multi-decade CH user (going on like 20 years with the current stick/throttle) I want to upgrade. I want something generic with a lot of buttons/axes due to, as you mentioned, the ‘admin’ button usage and standardization scheme I [try to] have, to work across multiple sims.
As a VR-only guy now I want, say, my gear & flaps buttons; zoom in/out input; comms buttons, etc, to be in the same place. But they take up buttons on replica-like sticks.
Will probably go with one of those gawd-awful ugly Virpil sticks since it seems they have a ton of buttons. And I can’t see them in VR anyway.
Just curious Chip … I wonder why its not recommended? I love the Virpil stick bases, almost bought the old Virpil dual throttle once (I know Troll loves it) but for me I cant fault the TM Warthog dual throttle with slew mod and I only really have room for one dual throttle
I think @chipwich meant that as a Mudspike In-house joke.
I had the WH HOTAS but I broke the stick and the VPC MT-50 has a better layout for VR, IMO.
I’m tempted to try the CM2 throttle, but it has less axes than the CM, since it’s made with the VPC Control panels in mind.
