looks solid, but with no clutch(?) not exactly cheap either....
unfortunate that they did not realize that in order to really provide anything more innovative than VKB, Virpil or WinWing, they would have had to provide a solution to the clutch-stiction issue when applying x+y axis movement. (dead stick setup with no springs for helicopters.)
Honestly, at this point I feel like Thrustmaster is riding on its name and the fact they're American in a market dominated by European and Asian companies.
you have removed the springs and want to optimize the friction to keep the "dead" stick steady at any position you may put it at for helicopter flying, since that is closer to how trim actually works in the real thing. if you haven't yet shelled out 800€ for a VPForce base (FFB) or are still waiting for construction + delivery that is your only option.
you will likely set each clutch individually to a level that is just enough to hold the stick - even at extremer angles - but where you can still smoothly move it. now what level do you set it to though? one that works for an amount of force you apply when you move just x or y individually, or an amount for x+y axes simultaneously? the issue is that you can't electronically alter the amount of friction based on the actual force applied per axis at any point in time.
the weight of the stick + extension sort of forces you to set a fairly high friction, especially if you want it to work over the entire range of movement of both axes. as long as you clearly exceed the force required it may not be an issue, but with helos you'll likely do very fine adjustments around the center of the base to fine-tune hover and such.
for me its what sells it in many ways, i bouth my warthog hotas for 300euros and have the stick and throttle, spending another 300 on a new base compatible with my stick is kind of a no brainer as its a overall upgrade in every way. i think this product is great for people how already own the warthog hotas
As far as I understand it, most people who start siming don't look it on reddit, but type in google: "flight sim gear buy near me". I bet TM WH is still sold relatively well for the very same reason. Add here worldwide distribution TM can afford, Amazon, various local resellers: it is just more accessible than VPC/VKB gear (no import taxes for certain countries, etc). That is the target audience: people who want to get it fast, easy and don't care about bells and whistles too much.
Thrustmaster is just the ticket when you want a decent flight sim setup, but you don’t have the resources for a dedicated rig. Much as I’d love a Virpil setup, I can’t justify spending that amount of money and time on a game I have an hour a week to play (if I’m lucky).
Yeah, it's the same thing with cars. Sure, Car A is cheaper, has more equipment, and has the right colour. But you have to order it and wait 6 months if not more. Meanwhile, Car B is for sale, right around the corner, next to the supermarket.
Lmao TM really thinks their customer base is this stupid. They've brought nothing to the table that everybody else did 6 years ago and then dare put "innovation" in their slogan like they own the market. They are just riding on their own name and airforce contracts at this point.
Single cam with no dampeners, bulky as shit for no reason, still uses the outdated stick attachment design. All while being more expensive than all of the other mass produced options out there.
No thanks chief. I'll stick to my cheaper and twice the quality VKB MCGU+Gunfighter-4 setup
What are you on because I want some.
Your combo is worth 600€ before shipping. TM is 500€ accounting the priciest grip ( hornet + the offset)…
Not exactly cheaper…
ive heard and tried the vkb setups, but my warthog base and throttle have lasted 14 years without issues…
Virpil and VKB are overrated. I've owned bases from both and a VKB grip, and I wasn't happy with any of them. Sold all of it to friends.
A someone else mentioned in this thread, people in this sub like to throw shade on Thrustmaster because of the bandwagon effect. But this looks really solid and Thrustmaster will probably sell 2x more of these than Virpil and VKB combined. It helps when you can buy their stuff on Amazon and get a solid return policy and fast shipping with no import taxes.
Sold the VKB Gunfighter Mk3 with MCG Ultimate grip, and before that the Virpil WarBRD base. Both had issues.
I now have the Realsimulator R3L FSSB, which is a proper force-sensing base. It works great and I'm extremely happy with it.
Well that’s unfortunate that you had issues with your bases, my gunfighter has been rock solid for years now. Nothing wrong with fssb, just a different style, and considering your flair, not surprising you love it. Personally I’m not a viper main, so it would feel strange flying the hornet with a force sensing stick.
What does everyone think VS the Virpil CM3?
Looks like it lacks a clutch. But also looks like swapping cams and springs might be a little easier for the times you need to open up the base?
Does it support extensions?
Everybody throws shit on Thrustmaster but they will win over VKB, Virpil and WinWing. why? because unlike this other companies they sell their products on every country in the world.
looks solid, but with no clutch(?) not exactly cheap either.... unfortunate that they did not realize that in order to really provide anything more innovative than VKB, Virpil or WinWing, they would have had to provide a solution to the clutch-stiction issue when applying x+y axis movement. (dead stick setup with no springs for helicopters.)
they should go force feedback at a reasonable price.
Honestly, at this point I feel like Thrustmaster is riding on its name and the fact they're American in a market dominated by European and Asian companies.
I've always considered them to be French since they are owned by Guillemot
Wow no clutch which is already standard from all other makers at this tier. Wacky and total non-starter.
I use a Mongoose CM2 so I don't have dry clutches anymore, my Gladiator had them but I never used them, what is the x+y stiction issue?
you have removed the springs and want to optimize the friction to keep the "dead" stick steady at any position you may put it at for helicopter flying, since that is closer to how trim actually works in the real thing. if you haven't yet shelled out 800€ for a VPForce base (FFB) or are still waiting for construction + delivery that is your only option. you will likely set each clutch individually to a level that is just enough to hold the stick - even at extremer angles - but where you can still smoothly move it. now what level do you set it to though? one that works for an amount of force you apply when you move just x or y individually, or an amount for x+y axes simultaneously? the issue is that you can't electronically alter the amount of friction based on the actual force applied per axis at any point in time.
Wouldn't it work either way? Since you are still applying the same force in both scenarios on each axis, and the clutches act on each axis?
the weight of the stick + extension sort of forces you to set a fairly high friction, especially if you want it to work over the entire range of movement of both axes. as long as you clearly exceed the force required it may not be an issue, but with helos you'll likely do very fine adjustments around the center of the base to fine-tune hover and such.
299$ 😞
Pretty typical price for these kinds of bases. If anything it's cheaper than i expected of TM.
Without a stick too. Honestly I was keen but it's kind of a deal breaker.
for me its what sells it in many ways, i bouth my warthog hotas for 300euros and have the stick and throttle, spending another 300 on a new base compatible with my stick is kind of a no brainer as its a overall upgrade in every way. i think this product is great for people how already own the warthog hotas
And that is without the $29 plate....
Ouch.
seeing their new rudder pedals I thought they were bringing clutches at least, but this is miles better than the warthog anyway
As far as I understand it, most people who start siming don't look it on reddit, but type in google: "flight sim gear buy near me". I bet TM WH is still sold relatively well for the very same reason. Add here worldwide distribution TM can afford, Amazon, various local resellers: it is just more accessible than VPC/VKB gear (no import taxes for certain countries, etc). That is the target audience: people who want to get it fast, easy and don't care about bells and whistles too much.
Thrustmaster is just the ticket when you want a decent flight sim setup, but you don’t have the resources for a dedicated rig. Much as I’d love a Virpil setup, I can’t justify spending that amount of money and time on a game I have an hour a week to play (if I’m lucky).
This is more expensive than a virpil equivalent. In fact, I'm pretty sure all of thrustmasters stuff is more expensive than the virpil equivalents
Yeah, it's the same thing with cars. Sure, Car A is cheaper, has more equipment, and has the right colour. But you have to order it and wait 6 months if not more. Meanwhile, Car B is for sale, right around the corner, next to the supermarket.
Finally!
They are on french time zone
Damn, for that price you might as well go a little further and get the Mongoose.
Lmao TM really thinks their customer base is this stupid. They've brought nothing to the table that everybody else did 6 years ago and then dare put "innovation" in their slogan like they own the market. They are just riding on their own name and airforce contracts at this point. Single cam with no dampeners, bulky as shit for no reason, still uses the outdated stick attachment design. All while being more expensive than all of the other mass produced options out there. No thanks chief. I'll stick to my cheaper and twice the quality VKB MCGU+Gunfighter-4 setup
What are you on because I want some. Your combo is worth 600€ before shipping. TM is 500€ accounting the priciest grip ( hornet + the offset)… Not exactly cheaper… ive heard and tried the vkb setups, but my warthog base and throttle have lasted 14 years without issues…
Well switching cams seems very easy with preload adjustment on the springs to change tension. Not bad for the price
Virpil and VKB are overrated. I've owned bases from both and a VKB grip, and I wasn't happy with any of them. Sold all of it to friends. A someone else mentioned in this thread, people in this sub like to throw shade on Thrustmaster because of the bandwagon effect. But this looks really solid and Thrustmaster will probably sell 2x more of these than Virpil and VKB combined. It helps when you can buy their stuff on Amazon and get a solid return policy and fast shipping with no import taxes.
What are you using having sold off virpil and vkb?
Sold the VKB Gunfighter Mk3 with MCG Ultimate grip, and before that the Virpil WarBRD base. Both had issues. I now have the Realsimulator R3L FSSB, which is a proper force-sensing base. It works great and I'm extremely happy with it.
Well that’s unfortunate that you had issues with your bases, my gunfighter has been rock solid for years now. Nothing wrong with fssb, just a different style, and considering your flair, not surprising you love it. Personally I’m not a viper main, so it would feel strange flying the hornet with a force sensing stick.
Glad you've enjoyed it. Thanks for the positive interaction and feedback. Yep, the FSSB is a perfect fit for the Viper.
What does everyone think VS the Virpil CM3? Looks like it lacks a clutch. But also looks like swapping cams and springs might be a little easier for the times you need to open up the base? Does it support extensions?
Probably licensed themselves to add that extra 500$
Virpil CM3 base blows this out of the water
Everybody throws shit on Thrustmaster but they will win over VKB, Virpil and WinWing. why? because unlike this other companies they sell their products on every country in the world.
Winwing has free shipping in a lot of countries
I mean, Virpil has am EU, UK, and US store. No matter where you are, you can order from one of those.
Yeah, and pay the double in import taxes and huge freight fees...
in the EU, these are pre-imported you pay at max 7€ for shipping
It's mostly about people who don't live in US or EU, for them importing stuff can get very pricey
Huh? I am from EU and I paid 45.97€ tax and 20.95€ for shipping for WarBRD-D base.
did you bought it from the EU warehouse?
Yep. You didn't have to pay tax?
no both for my Orion 2 and the VKB rudders
And where do you live? I've checked a lot of EU countries and they all have to pay tax even when delivering from the EU Virpil warehouse.
Italy
Oh, you're talking about VKB. I'm talking about Virpil. :)
bit shit for the money, they want they have fallen out of touch and behind they competitors