Lights are useful for seeing your controls in a dark room. For me, it is also useful for VR. My VR headset has a tiny space around the bridge of my nose, where I can look down and see my controls. Lights help in this instance.
Uhm, I have never looked at my HOTAS / HOSAS ever in my life, not in pancake and not in VR. That's their whole point, to put the controls in a place where you can reach them without looking and different enough so you can tell by the feel. The lights definitely don't light up enough to make all the controls visible anyway. They are meant for gamer looks and state display, not for finding buttons.
Nice overview. It's worth your time to look at the Havoc Company guy's joystick gremlin setup. Your mode modifier with joystick gremlin is pure magic because it multiplies your throttle and stick by five (the number of modes you have). Very handy if you want to setup something like: air-to-air & nav (mode 1), air-to-ground (mode 2), taxi & lights (mode 4), start-up (mode 5). I haven't figured out a use for a middle mode yet. You may even find that switching the lighting to represent each actually comes in handy.
LOL I have one of these and I didnt even know about the lil third push button on the right side bottom of the throttle. Great review. Better than the so called mainstream.
The backlight buttons grew on me over time. (Probably makes me a boy-racer!) I use them for flaps and gear in FW190A-8. The backlight can colour code the buttons (green-yellow-red) the same way as they are in the cockpit.
Awesome video!! Gave me ideas on what to use all of the buttons for. Other channels are just saying how it comes from the factory while you’re telling us about it in its full potential!
Nice. I have the older one T50CM which I love. I mapped two buttons on the top and bottom (4 altogether) on the 'Flaps' slider which I use for Gear Up + Master Arm and Gear Down + Safe. Liked your use of the rotary for elevation I was using it for mouse zoom in DCS think I will change that. Oh, also use the push-button rotary at the bottom for Push = Kneeboard Open Close / rotate right = next page / rotate left = last page (if you are a kneeboard user).
I did this originally, felt really great! however I started flying the F14 more and as that does make use of the analogue flaps lever, I went back to having gears on the switches, simply for sake of uniformity so when I'm fumbling around in VR my hands don't get too confused. If I didn't fly the Tomcat, I would have used the flaps level for gears though, great suggestion.
I can’t wait. 2.5 weeks ago I ordered the new Virpil throttle, the Virpil rudder, and the Constellation flight stick. Virpil shipped my order 5 days later, but Fed Ex has taken freaking for ever to deliver my order.e
I have the previous version of this throttle & your F-18 profile is remarkably similar to mine. I use the lever for gear up/down via the axis to button function. I use the left & right encoders for radio tune & select, the centre encoder (there are 3 on a T50-CM) is mapped to the jettison control rotary & push button. I'm sticking with mine though, I like the fresh look of the CM2 but I would definitely miss the extra functionality I would lose.
can you do a diagram with all of your settings that you would program if you HAD a CM2? that way , i can use it to program my Virpil CM2 throttle and i'll post it on DCS forum in the event that it is good work (which i would assume it would be with your capabilities and experience)....thanks so much in advance...we really need one for the F/A 18 for the DCS and for the Virpil t50 CM2. just right away.
I got the CM3 yesterday and it seems like the up/down switches issue has been resolved. Great advice on controls, will be doing all of that. Paired this with a VKB MCG Ultimate.
There's an easier way to deal with encoders. Add delay to encoders of 40ms or more and you will get smooth 1_1 turning on knobs in DCS. There's is an option that controls delay times in the new software. Do way with the buffer. 😉
No you don't. It's 10 dollars of aluminum extrusion they use for 3d printing and a 25 dollar table mount and 10 minutes of screwing it together for 100 bucks+. These aluminum extrusion mount companies are a scam. You can source all parts locally in an hour way cheaper.
@@JSpark135 Sadly, I don't fly anymore. After spending a couple hundred bucks on jets I found out that I'm not smart enough to remember all the controls, lol.
i think it is safe to say that a control panel connected to this throttle would be ideal if not mandatory DCS. just not enough switches and buttons on the throttle base. Just hoping that Virpil has a good price on them or I'll have to make my own.
@@aDogboydave a lot of wasted space on those but since they emulate the buttons, im thinking they are worth it. Are they pretty simple to operate and coordinate during flight, or is it a bit awkward looking at the screen and trying to fiddle with the buttons wile flying?
@@harpoon_bakery162 actually use mine in VR and I have them hard mounted to my control space where they are between my throttle and stick. They are secure, steady and easy enough to find. I tend to use for thing that are not directly flight related like lights, engine start up, canopy open/close, maps, things that I don't do much while I am in a hurry during flight. But they are easy to find anyway and I could use them for flight ops but I just dont need them. For the money they are a no brainer.
@@aDogboydave great info, are they lighted individually or is it a backlight LED strip stretching the length of one whole side, so 4 LEDs total in the square?
@@harpoon_bakery162 TBH I am not sure. If I was forced to guess, I would say they do it with only one LED for the entire panel but I am not sure. I understand that they are dimmable but I have never bothered. They come with a mounts but I purchased a couple of ACE brass friction lid supports. Basically fancy brass hinges left and right which I used to mount mine. I fly a lot of WWI (Flying Circus) so they actually look nice in my pit for for that and like I said it holds them steady right between my stick and throttle. I'll take a quick video of them and post them on my channel later this week after I get the pit back together. Just finishing a new desk tomorrow to clean it up a little bit. I want to finish that before I do a video. S!
This looks so much better for dcs than the warthog throttle. One feature that’s missing is the afterburner detent. Not sure if I can live without the detent...
Which aircraft were you in, F/A 18? also, in the video, i couldn't quite catch what modification you did to the switches over in the right area of the control panel config software that allowed them to react more appropriately. i see what you did to the encoder knobs but not the other and thanks for sharing your configuration experience!
Sorry, I completely failed to mention! yes I was in the F/A 18 Hornet. Regarding the switches, out of the box they only have 1 'button' associated with them which is pressed when the switch is on, and not pressed when it is off. For DCS (and probably other applications too), it's better to have 1 button assigned for the up position and 1 button for the down position.
+senorprime *The VIRPIL® MongoosT-50CM3® adds throttle lifts to the controls on the '50CM2, with five detent plates for general engine-control profiles.* Virpil Controls has many of the components for a composite HOTAS in the '50CM3 engine controller, '50CM2 roll-pitch gimbal (which takes a variety of control grips, e.g. the Constellation ALPHA™ on a 200cm extension), ACE™ Combat Pedal set, and Control Panel #1. Tek Creations crafts reasonably accurate F-18 Up Front Control Panel, Gunwale-Console Panel, and Gear/Armament Panel USB controllers but has yet to design a Hook/Caution-Advisory/Wing USB panel. I have an idea of how I'd have executed the Pilot Cockpit on the Northrop F-14E and/or EF-14G, had the Navy pulled the trigger on Tomcat 21 and/or Tomjammer. With the '50CM3, I'd reassign the "Flaps" slider to Wing Override (full forward = Spread/Auto, full aft = Oversweep), reflecting the historical placement on the Grumman G-303; the throttles would have the Warthog idle detents (set at 4%) and the Classic+ MIL detents (set at 52%). The #2 grip would have Standby Gunsight Depression around the COM1/COM2/ICS, with the other 4-ways for Chaff/Flare/Jammer, Spoiler/Divebrake, Wing Auto/Spread/Sweep/Bomb, and RDR/IR Acq Mode, the straight pushes being WPN Cage/Uncage and A/A Msl Prep, and the slider being RDR Elevation; the #1 grip's 4-way would be Sensor Select, with the adjacent push Ext Lt master push-on/push-off (the actual aircraft would have an outboard toggle missing from the '50CM3) and outboard rotary being perspective zoom.
I like using the axis at the front of the controller because it's easily accessible, you can reach the flap level with your thumb, but I like to zoom in and out very quickly, and the lever is a bit stiff/awkwardly positioned for me to do that. Personal preference - it could work, but not for me
Great overview, very helpful! Does the throttle have mounting holes on the bottom? I recently ordered a cm2 and I was under the assumption that the mounting brackets were required, but I don't see the brackets on yours.
It does indeed - 4 mounting holes on the underside taking 4x 20mm m5 screws. I removed the side bracket (just unscrews) as that's only needed if it sits on a desk.
I was wondering if it’s possible that you can send me one I been playing DCS on keyboard for 4 years now and I really want a hotas but I can’t afford one so I was wondering if you have any old hotas that you don’t use no more I well take anything i just want a hotas to play the game I enjoy the most
By default, not all physical buttons have logical buttons, but you can easily set them in to VPC configuration tool. Some DCS modules work ok with this because they have binds such as "Speedbreak, deploy else OFF", so you only need 1 bind. However, that's not on every module, so I'd say it's best just to add logical buttons to any switch direction that doesn't register.
I don't plan to pick up the Virpil #1 control panel, the #2 design with the landing gear handle looks more appropriate for how I think I'd use it, so I'm going to hold out for that one. I don't believe there's a date for it yet unfortunately.
That's a good question, the 35-40 physical button range seems to be unused. I don't know any good reason why the usable range wouldn't be sequential, very curious!
Lights are useful for seeing your controls in a dark room.
For me, it is also useful for VR. My VR headset has a tiny space around the bridge of my nose, where I can look down and see my controls. Lights help in this instance.
Haha! I do the same thing with my setup.
Uhm, I have never looked at my HOTAS / HOSAS ever in my life, not in pancake and not in VR. That's their whole point, to put the controls in a place where you can reach them without looking and different enough so you can tell by the feel.
The lights definitely don't light up enough to make all the controls visible anyway. They are meant for gamer looks and state display, not for finding buttons.
Nice overview. It's worth your time to look at the Havoc Company guy's joystick gremlin setup. Your mode modifier with joystick gremlin is pure magic because it multiplies your throttle and stick by five (the number of modes you have). Very handy if you want to setup something like: air-to-air & nav (mode 1), air-to-ground (mode 2), taxi & lights (mode 4), start-up (mode 5). I haven't figured out a use for a middle mode yet. You may even find that switching the lighting to represent each actually comes in handy.
LOL I have one of these and I didnt even know about the lil third push button on the right side bottom of the throttle. Great review. Better than the so called mainstream.
For a speculative Northrop F-14E, that's where I'd put Missile Prep.
I really want the flap lever for the nozzle lever in the AV-8B, and the mode selector would see so much use in the Viggen.
what an excellent review. This is what I wanted to know. Virpil should have sent you this controllers for review instead of the nobifier. thank you!
The backlight buttons grew on me over time. (Probably makes me a boy-racer!) I use them for flaps and gear in FW190A-8. The backlight can colour code the buttons (green-yellow-red) the same way as they are in the cockpit.
You could also use the flap lever for your landing gear lever. Set the axis to 0-10% gear down 90-100% gear up
Awesome video!! Gave me ideas on what to use all of the buttons for. Other channels are just saying how it comes from the factory while you’re telling us about it in its full potential!
Nice. I have the older one T50CM which I love. I mapped two buttons on the top and bottom (4 altogether) on the 'Flaps' slider which I use for Gear Up + Master Arm and Gear Down + Safe. Liked your use of the rotary for elevation I was using it for mouse zoom in DCS think I will change that. Oh, also use the push-button rotary at the bottom for Push = Kneeboard Open Close / rotate right = next page / rotate left = last page (if you are a kneeboard user).
Good suggestions!! Thx!
Great video, it’s like you read my mind. I look at all the possible inputs and for some reason can’t fathom everything I’d bind to it. Lol
This was really helpful to help me imagine what I’d use it for in DCS. I’m thinking you should use flaps for a great landing gear handle.
I did this originally, felt really great! however I started flying the F14 more and as that does make use of the analogue flaps lever, I went back to having gears on the switches, simply for sake of uniformity so when I'm fumbling around in VR my hands don't get too confused.
If I didn't fly the Tomcat, I would have used the flaps level for gears though, great suggestion.
You can usually tell from cockpit visuals if a gear is up or down but not so with flaps. Using it for flaps makes more sense
I can’t wait. 2.5 weeks ago I ordered the new Virpil throttle, the Virpil rudder, and the Constellation flight stick. Virpil shipped my order 5 days later, but Fed Ex has taken freaking for ever to deliver my order.e
I have the previous version of this throttle & your F-18 profile is remarkably similar to mine. I use the lever for gear up/down via the axis to button function. I use the left & right encoders for radio tune & select, the centre encoder (there are 3 on a T50-CM) is mapped to the jettison control rotary & push button. I'm sticking with mine though, I like the fresh look of the CM2 but I would definitely miss the extra functionality I would lose.
can you do a diagram with all of your settings that you would program if you HAD a CM2? that way , i can use it to program my Virpil CM2 throttle and i'll post it on DCS forum in the event that it is good work (which i would assume it would be with your capabilities and experience)....thanks so much in advance...we really need one for the F/A 18 for the DCS and for the Virpil t50 CM2. just right away.
@@harpoon_bakery162 If there's a template document somewhere, sure.
Very good informations in this video. Thank you very much.
Excellent review well done. None shown how to change different settings for different buttons.
I got the CM3 yesterday and it seems like the up/down switches issue has been resolved. Great advice on controls, will be doing all of that. Paired this with a VKB MCG Ultimate.
There's an easier way to deal with encoders. Add delay to encoders of 40ms or more and you will get smooth 1_1 turning on knobs in DCS. There's is an option that controls delay times in the new software. Do way with the buffer. 😉
Love that throttle. But those MonsterTech mounts...oh yeah. I need those.
No you don't. It's 10 dollars of aluminum extrusion they use for 3d printing and a 25 dollar table mount and 10 minutes of screwing it together for 100 bucks+. These aluminum extrusion mount companies are a scam. You can source all parts locally in an hour way cheaper.
@@JSpark135 Sadly, I don't fly anymore. After spending a couple hundred bucks on jets I found out that I'm not smart enough to remember all the controls, lol.
i think it is safe to say that a control panel connected to this throttle would be ideal if not mandatory DCS. just not enough switches and buttons on the throttle base. Just hoping that Virpil has a good price on them or I'll have to make my own.
I use a pair of Cougar MFD's with my Virpil set up which gives me 56 more buttons for less than 90 dollars US.
@@aDogboydave a lot of wasted space on those but since they emulate the buttons, im thinking they are worth it. Are they pretty simple to operate and coordinate during flight, or is it a bit awkward looking at the screen and trying to fiddle with the buttons wile flying?
@@harpoon_bakery162 actually use mine in VR and I have them hard mounted to my control space where they are between my throttle and stick. They are secure, steady and easy enough to find. I tend to use for thing that are not directly flight related like lights, engine start up, canopy open/close, maps, things that I don't do much while I am in a hurry during flight. But they are easy to find anyway and I could use them for flight ops but I just dont need them. For the money they are a no brainer.
@@aDogboydave great info, are they lighted individually or is it a backlight LED strip stretching the length of one whole side, so 4 LEDs total in the square?
@@harpoon_bakery162 TBH I am not sure. If I was forced to guess, I would say they do it with only one LED for the entire panel but I am not sure. I understand that they are dimmable but I have never bothered. They come with a mounts but I purchased a couple of ACE brass friction lid supports. Basically fancy brass hinges left and right which I used to mount mine. I fly a lot of WWI (Flying Circus) so they actually look nice in my pit for for that and like I said it holds them steady right between my stick and throttle. I'll take a quick video of them and post them on my channel later this week after I get the pit back together. Just finishing a new desk tomorrow to clean it up a little bit. I want to finish that before I do a video. S!
This looks so much better for dcs than the warthog throttle. One feature that’s missing is the afterburner detent. Not sure if I can live without the detent...
I believe the new CM3 model has custom detents you can swap out.
@@pandaa109 It does. Sexiest detents on the market on the CM3.
Hello Sir.
Thanks for this review, you did a much better job of it than Noobifier (no offense to him).
You got yourself a new sub :-)
I’m a pilot… and I’m jealous! Nice job :)
Lots of changes in the latest Virpil updates. Seems like the 32 button split got resolved and it's just one column now.
Unfortunately it doesn't come to Brazil, they don't deliver here in Brazil.
I really wanted one of these, but they don't deliver in Brazil.
Which aircraft were you in, F/A 18? also, in the video, i couldn't quite catch what modification you did to the switches over in the right area of the control panel config software that allowed them to react more appropriately. i see what you did to the encoder knobs but not the other and thanks for sharing your configuration experience!
Sorry, I completely failed to mention! yes I was in the F/A 18 Hornet.
Regarding the switches, out of the box they only have 1 'button' associated with them which is pressed when the switch is on, and not pressed when it is off. For DCS (and probably other applications too), it's better to have 1 button assigned for the up position and 1 button for the down position.
Thx for this video. What is the mounting construction you have?
I cant bind my analogs to anything can you do a tutorial on how to activate your analog sticks?
Great review!
+senorprime *The VIRPIL® MongoosT-50CM3® adds throttle lifts to the controls on the '50CM2, with five detent plates for general engine-control profiles.* Virpil Controls has many of the components for a composite HOTAS in the '50CM3 engine controller, '50CM2 roll-pitch gimbal (which takes a variety of control grips, e.g. the Constellation ALPHA™ on a 200cm extension), ACE™ Combat Pedal set, and Control Panel #1. Tek Creations crafts reasonably accurate F-18 Up Front Control Panel, Gunwale-Console Panel, and Gear/Armament Panel USB controllers but has yet to design a Hook/Caution-Advisory/Wing USB panel.
I have an idea of how I'd have executed the Pilot Cockpit on the Northrop F-14E and/or EF-14G, had the Navy pulled the trigger on Tomcat 21 and/or Tomjammer. With the '50CM3, I'd reassign the "Flaps" slider to Wing Override (full forward = Spread/Auto, full aft = Oversweep), reflecting the historical placement on the Grumman G-303; the throttles would have the Warthog idle detents (set at 4%) and the Classic+ MIL detents (set at 52%). The #2 grip would have Standby Gunsight Depression around the COM1/COM2/ICS, with the other 4-ways for Chaff/Flare/Jammer, Spoiler/Divebrake, Wing Auto/Spread/Sweep/Bomb, and RDR/IR Acq Mode, the straight pushes being WPN Cage/Uncage and A/A Msl Prep, and the slider being RDR Elevation; the #1 grip's 4-way would be Sensor Select, with the adjacent push Ext Lt master push-on/push-off (the actual aircraft would have an outboard toggle missing from the '50CM3) and outboard rotary being perspective zoom.
My left ear loved this
Do you think is it pissu le to use the flap axes for the zoom command? I use the similar Grey lever (indr_ decr) on the thrustmaster for zooming.
I like using the axis at the front of the controller because it's easily accessible, you can reach the flap level with your thumb, but I like to zoom in and out very quickly, and the lever is a bit stiff/awkwardly positioned for me to do that.
Personal preference - it could work, but not for me
I think it needs more buttons...
What size bolts did you use to mount the cm3 throttle to the desk mount. The 4 mounting holes on the cm3 base underneath
I've only got the CM2 but it's the same as CM3, it takes М5х12 screws
Great overview, very helpful!
Does the throttle have mounting holes on the bottom?
I recently ordered a cm2 and I was under the assumption that the mounting brackets were required, but I don't see the brackets on yours.
It does indeed - 4 mounting holes on the underside taking 4x 20mm m5 screws. I removed the side bracket (just unscrews) as that's only needed if it sits on a desk.
I was wondering if it’s possible that you can send me one I been playing DCS on keyboard for 4 years now and I really want a hotas but I can’t afford one so I was wondering if you have any old hotas that you don’t use no more I well take anything i just want a hotas to play the game I enjoy the most
What's the rail/bracket you are using to mount this hardware ?
This is on the MonsterTech table mount with the corresponding plate for the throttle
Did you have to download any 3rd party toggle software or does it register all the toggles on DCS?
By default, not all physical buttons have logical buttons, but you can easily set them in to VPC configuration tool. Some DCS modules work ok with this because they have binds such as "Speedbreak, deploy else OFF", so you only need 1 bind. However, that's not on every module, so I'd say it's best just to add logical buttons to any switch direction that doesn't register.
Rockivey today happy 😊 thank goodness 😅 box 📦
Virpil T-50 CM2 seems to be still better than the two of VKB throttle(unreleased).. Do you have a review for the Virpil Control Panel?
I don't plan to pick up the Virpil #1 control panel, the #2 design with the landing gear handle looks more appropriate for how I think I'd use it, so I'm going to hold out for that one. I don't believe there's a date for it yet unfortunately.
there is a cm3 now! preordered mine yesterday!
@@emmnauelalexandergonzalez9078 how long did you get yours since backorder？
@@suppermanzzzz291 like a month, but i was one of the first preorders i dont know how long it would take now.
@@emmnauelalexandergonzalez9078 Thanks just got a reply it will takes 4-6 weeks
Why´s there so much lag between your inputs and the reaction of dcs?
Probably just a slight desync in the videos when editing, there is no lag in DCS itself from the controller
@@senorprime Ah. I thought of something like this. Thanks for the fast reply. 🙂
Hi, what's plate u took with the monstertech for the throttle ?
It's the "Throttle Mounting Plate - VPC MongoosT50/CM/CM2 Throttle"
@@senorprime okay thanks dude
Any clue what 35-40 are?! I can't for the life of me figure it out.
That's a good question, the 35-40 physical button range seems to be unused. I don't know any good reason why the usable range wouldn't be sequential, very curious!
where is gameplay
Ey mate... you reckon Benjamin Buttons had anything to do with it? 🤪
Without idle and afterburner detents, its just a piece of crap.
It has them.
@@platinumc3ll No.
@@DerMoosfrau The new version, the CM3, has them. Different swappable sets, hard detents with finger lifts and push-through style. Very sexy.
@@JETZcorp Got it a couple if months now. Its just perfect.
@@DerMoosfrau I'm basically at the 'saying goodbye to my money' stage. Those detents are really shoving me forward.
Only for righties ... so sad.