Virpil, VKB, Thrustmaster, Oh My!

For more than a year I am using the following:

Throttle: VPC MongoosT-50CM2
Well built, no problems with either switches, buttons or levers. A good number of buttons and switches to work with, a good number of 2-way and 4-way hats + an analog ministick (great for TDC). A nice feature which I use often is a 5-way mode dial which can be used either as a 5-way switch or a mode selector which changes logical buttons (so one button can be used for different actions depending on the position of the 5-way mode dial). Neat. I would not change and I hope it will last forever :slight_smile: The software could be more user friendly but I set it once and forgotten since.

Base: VPC WarBRD Base
Also coming from Virpil with a specification that it is supposed to stand on a table and be used with no extensions. I found it too high to be used on the table so I mount it below the table (more on that below). It comes with different springs and cams and I settled on the no-center cams which feels very well and natural.

Grip: Thrustmaster F/A-18 Grip
Here I deviate from Virpil. Mostly because they were too slow with getting out their Alpha grips but hey, I am actually REALLY happy I got the TM F/A-18. Besides being almost a perfect replica of its real world counterpart, it works with the WarBRD base flawlessly and is very easy to mount and set up (as long as you become friend with the VPC conf software). It took already a lot of beating from my reckless flying :slight_smile: and it starts to be a bit loose at the screw. I need to tighten it but havn’t found the time so far (too busy flying when kids sleep to “waste” it on maintenance :-)).

Mounts: monster.tech
After checking few reviews I chose this one. Sure, it is the most expensive one out there but I have no regrets at all. The whole gear already comes at a price (not to talk about the PC and the VR!) so at least it is mounted properly. Very good materials, easy to adjust and easy to clip/unclip to the table. Just bear in mind that it weights a ton so make sure you have a table that can support it (no glass, obviously :slight_smile:

As you can see no strikingly new devices here but a solid high-end (?) in desktop flight sim genre. In case your pocket can afford, do not aim lower than that :+1: (and do not tell your wife :crazy_face:)

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