Virpil Cadet VPC CDT-VMAX Review
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- čas přidán 6. 09. 2024
- A look at Virpil's recent new throttle model, a premium design, cut down to a slightly more budget option, without buttons on the base. With their New ergonomic grip design and friction adjust! All metal internal parts and base, with high grade plastic handles.
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I have a full Virpil setup, Hotas, Rudder pedals and 2 Panels. I will absolutely agree that the software for anything other than axis calibration requires a degree in physics - even with the "user Guide". To be fair to Virpil, they have great support and helped me with the items I wanted to change, but I've also registered that perhaps they should re write the User guide from a layman's perspective
Yeah... I'm honestly shocked it's still like this. Last time i looked at it was years ago setting up my WarBRD. It needs a friendly user interface for the programming options and easy common pre-setups like detent buttons, being a core part of the CM3 set, it really would benefit them.
Agreed. Too me waay too long to figure out how to change the led color on my CM3 throttle when i got it
On the other hand if you _are_ a programmer it's incredibly powerful, moreso than any other HOTAS software IMO.
i currently own a VKB STECS and while i am absolutely bias i think the modularity and general build for similar cost of the STECS makes it a clear winner. Only at $40 with much better modularity, more buttons, better software, and much much better detent system.
Agree. The STECS is so much better than this crap, the peoples that are saying this throttle > STECS because it made of metal are just insane
Same here.......so glad I waited as long as I did so I could upgrade to the STECS.
I kinda regret buying the Vipril Cadet throttle.
I currently own both VKB HOTAS systems. For VR, Virpil is unmatched. It doesn't matter how the throttle looks and how many buttons are on the base if you aren't looking at it, only the throttle and its features itself matter, and it's the closest thing to a sturdy, real aircraft instead of the plastic VKB uses that I've experienced so far. I use Virpil exclusively for VR for the immersion and feel.
@@thechemistastronaut6364 So I take it you're comparing feel/immersion to a milspec throttle from a real 4/5gen fighter aircraft?
I have an X-52 and I'll say about the airbrakes you *do* get used to holding it if you only have 'momentary' type switches. I usually have it set up so that I hold one button for extend and then press/tap one button for full retract which seems to work quite well and at least in DCS is supported in almost all aircraft (but with software you *can* force it to work in every aircraft). The only time it gets particularly annoying is in aircraft that have configurations where the airbrake auto retracts without continuous input such as the viper when gear down retracting to that partially out state when sometimes I want it full and holding it is possible but a little inconvenient. I did get used to it more or less fully though, so it's only a minor impact for me.
...having said that if I were buying a new product this *would* factor into my opinion as there's no denying that it's quite a lot nicer to have it be a held switch
Thank you for the review. I'm glad I bought the CM3 2 months ago.
TM Warthog is basically plastic with metal cosmetics and mine has been broken and repaired twice. So it was time to replace...
I really struggled with this. CDT, CM3 or even VKB STECS?? Finger lifts were not important to me, the buttons cluttering up the throttle grip on the CM3 were off-putting and VKB was cheaper but looked like a toy, but had many, many other positive features. I've got the Mongoose base already because it is compatable with my Warthog stick ( the only bit that still works), so stayed with VIRPIL. I've eventually bought the CDT and a separate control panel. Still think VKB is a strong contender though, and is modular.
Interesting, but I wonder if the price is really competitive vs STECS or Orion 2. With taxes (no shipping yet) the thing would be ~273€, and at that point you get a full sized, but mb slightly less quality Orion 2 with finger lifts, the STECS mini plus, or for a bit more the STECS standard.
i think you are one of the most knowledgeable persons about DCS. I have a problem and hopefully you can figure it out for me. I have a problem with the Kiowa and have sent in 2 requests for repair. For the first time in 10 years there is no response from DCS. When I look at my tickets, no tickets been generated. Have they changed how and where to submit a request? If they had you please let me know what I have to do to submit a request. Thank you very much
Its interesting what the of the new Cadet control panel will be. I wonder if you can get a Cadet throttle with a Cadet panel, for the same price as a CM3 throttle.
5:16 May I ask what Hornet throttle that is from? Thank you for doing an honest review!
That was a WinWIng Hornet throttle handle, thanks!
STECS is tad cheaper yet offer better customizability, more modularity, and much better detent, not sure why Virpil thought this was a good idea. If the price of this is 15-20% cheaper than the STECS then this would make more sense as a budget option
metal vs plastic . you get what you pay for
@@Not-today-wb9do yea, also less functionality. You are insane with the bias of "metal always better than plastic".
Bummer. I really had high hopes for this throttle. Thx for the review.
What where you looking for?
buy STECS. A tad cheaper yet offer better customizability, more modularity, and much better detent.
5:30 re airbrakes, on the tomcat and f4 you can just momentary press airbrake retract and itl come all the way in on its own
Varies depending on the aircraft, but also, having that physical switch position, you gain a way of knowing if your air-brake is closed, without the need to check visually.
Glad to see a fellow bushwhacker pilot!
Had a soft spot for it since Mechwarrior 3!
I’ve preordered and already received my unit but didn’t have a chance tatest it just yet.
Some remarks:
- the only visual difference is that the „head“ on the right axis is black instead of grey
- The rotator on the left side is still quite weak
- The axis buttons on the right side have a lot of play which annoyed me initially but I read somewhere that it’s to avoid accidental activations when pressing on them which makes sense to me.
- The indents are really useless but I hope there will be a official or unofficial upgrade kit with „press to unlock“ similar to what they have on their newly announced premium throttle (not sure what the technical term is)
Overall it seems like a great fit for someone like me who is just getting started and planning to mostly play in vr.
Thanks for your honest review!
Oh and rhe packaging was also nicer like you expected 😅
Thanks for the details on your unit! So, my comment on the hats, if you compare to say, the Thrustmaster Warthog hats, they're much stiffer and sit centred, you have to use a little force to 'break out' of the centre and hit a position. It's less about accidental activations as it is there's no central holding mechanism.
I've been looking around, and you can probably 3d print alternate detents, which is what i'd personally go for, to make my own push through stops.
@@RedKiteRender have you seen the images of the newly announced VPC VMAX Prime Throttle on their forum? They have some levers which can be pressed with your palms to unlock reverse / full throttle. From the pictures it seem a little bit unergonomic to press the levers but I’m sure there will be something like this in the future for the cdt throttle.
Regarding the switches: I don’t have anything to compare but I just gave them another try and you’re right they are very loose around center. But I think I’ll get over it after a while (fingers crossed)
I've seen that yeah, I'm very curious on the ergonomics. It looks just like the cadet throttle/axis but with paddles added to the detent runners.
It'd be just fine for idle cut off, but looks inconvenient for afterburner selection.
you could've just order the STECS and it will give you much better value than this with better customizability and detent
Digging the Raven and the Locust. You got a Kitfox or a Cicada back there somewhere?
Been meaning to get a Kit fox! no Cicadas. Those on the table are a Bushwacker, unpainted Longbow, Raven, Locust and a House Arano Blackjack (per the HBS Battletech game tutorial intro)
Howell Circles
Good review, thanks. Interesting unit, strangely they decided no not to offer an alternative to STECS with its thumb-stick (OTS), which is strange - considering it is a decision factor to many people. I noticed that the throttle hold just fine in the forward position, no creep as with STECS - is it because it is that tight? I also asume you can change the tightness only if you open the unit.
Friction can be adjusted on this one yes, so you can leave it loose enough to droop, though i imagine most will want it to stay put. STECS. that's something I'd love to try one day, some interesting ideas, VKB has been on my radar, but never tried them.
STECs has creep? I am considering buying a new throttle to go along with a new FFB stick since Moza is releasing one now. If I were to get one it'd be a STECS. Mind explaining what this creep is? Is it that if the throttle is past the half way point it will slowly slide further towards full on or full off?
@@jimmydesouza4375 Yes, STECS is affected on the top end (max) by the creep, if you set it "more comfortable" (loose). It is not balanced, but I doubt any mid-end throttle is. If you tighten it, it's OK, but you have to tighten it a bit more than comfortable - for instance for the desktop setup. I have it, I live with it, it stops if you hold it for a while because it also has a minor stiction after a while. It's the first throttle in this category for me, so I can't compare it to others. It was still a good buy in my eyes, with tons of buttons. But nothing ever is perfect, is it. ;-) I made a 3 part review on the DCS Unscripted channel, if you are interested.
@@virgo47 Thanks, I will watch those reviews. Hearing it has stiction is a bit annoying, but might be able to be fixed with grease. I am okay to tighten it a fair bit though as I have a "cockpit" mount rather than using it on a desk.
I personally right now am using the throttle from a G940 with the left throttle grip replaced with the grip from a TWCS (since the original left grip on the 940 has no buttons). It's got a ton of buttons and 6 or so axis just on the grips so it's nice in that respect but it would also be nice to have a purpose built throttle.
@@jimmydesouza4375 The stiction is minor, but more annoying when tight. The moment you start moving the throttle it is
smooth as butter.
Looks at aging CH Pro Throttle...hmmm
Nice review bud. Tempting
CH products have been such troopers over the decades! I only recently retired some CH pedals.
Love it
Elyse Shoals
Narciso Crossing
Baumbach Court
Have they announced a price?
Check the description's store links to find your local price, still pricy, being a smaller slice of a premium design, but high quality for the price range.
and they still want 230 euros + ship, thats like $450aud, love my other Virpil gear, but this seems a cash grabby, without the usual quality
Abshire Canyon
Casper Ports
Not sure who will get this , Winwing is much better choice for throttle in my opinion.
I think those looking to avoid having a replica throttle will be interested. It's not quite there for jet fighters, but space, mech sims and games in general, it's a pretty nice fit.
Winwing is also more expensive. The main competitor here is VKB, and I think it'll come down to the shipping price especially wheb bundling an order with a stick.
@@_Zaid STECS is cheaper and offer customizability, also the detent is so much better. Not sure why Virpil thought of this was a good idea?
yep there are only 2 worth looking at these days virpil an winwing the rest are just scrambling for scraps
@@Not-today-wb9doVKB is really great value, RealSimulator makes great Force Sensing stuff, and VPForce makes a great FFB base.
Huel Fields
Cuando salga para zurdos, ¡LO COMPRO!
Kreiger Loop
Not enough switches or features to justify the price. Vibration would be a seller but like this its a pass.
Virpil should stop trying to invent designs and ergonomics and just inspire directly from what is used IRL.
If they do change those crappy hats and come with better layouts I may want to buy Virpil again.
For now Winwing has still the edge but Virpil is far superior in terms of build quality.
The problem is that quality cannot outperform bad ergonomics ...
this is for all kinds of players winwing do copy the real thing but not everybody fly's in dcs let alone a F-15 or F-18.
This _is_ inspired by a real world design. It's similar to the throttle from a MiG/Sukhoi. Their sticks are also Soviet style.
@@Not-today-wb9do
That's the problem ; they are far more useful for space simmer than flight simmer.
They're may be inspired by real soviet plane for sticks, but I really don't believe it for throttle.
The CM-3 is so unergonomic ... I can't believe it is like this in real planes.
Anyway.
My OP was more about noticing thr gap between the outstanding level of construction and the incredibility low level of design.
Something that could be corrected ''easily'' without skyrocketting the prices ...
@@simonhouel1984 Let me offer my take as someone who is very much in the target market for Virpil's high-end stick/throttle options. I generally dislike pure replica setups. I fly a wide variety of DCS modules and need something that can handle a lot of different control configurations without getting trapped by the limitations of replicas. Likewise. I also play MSFS so having a wide variety of controls makes a lot more sense than just replicating a Warthog, F-16, Hornet, or the like.
One thing to keep in mind. My prior HOTAS was a TM Warthog. It was okay for the time (there wasn't really anything better) but as more and more DCS modules came out, I increasingly got frustrated with the lack of versatility that came with using a replica setup. I know that some folks find it more immersive to have one for one replica HOTAS arrangements but since I don't just fly one module, I don't really see the point in limiting myself to a setup exclusive to a specific aircraft.
As far as ergonomics go. I have no problems with the Virpil setup. There are aspects that I certainly would have done differently but they are minor in the grand scheme of things. It is a comfortable, versatile HOTAS that I never need to fuss with. I know I will be able to bind everything without a problem.
@@startrekmike
I'm in the very same spot as you are. My Winwing Orion 2 with the F-15EX grip has been outstanding. The Hornet grip was doing a good job bit I needed a little bit more for VR.
I had a CM-3 and sold it a couple of month after owning it. Awful layout, poor button feeling ...
Narciso Crossing