VIRPIL Controls - VPC MongoosT-50CM3 Throttle (virpil-controls.eu)
Just ordered this unit, why? It’s way smaller than the Honeycomb Bravo I currently have, it works for all the planes I fly, from Single to mult-engine types. It’s built of metal and has excellent reviews. But the big thing is, it’s much smaller, and I can get my desk back, as space is premium on it.
I already have the VFX and T-50 Mongoose base, so familiar with them, and love the quality of the devices.
Programing will be complex, in both MSFS and FSX, not going to bother in x-plane, it is way more complex than I want to deal with.
Any button/switch recommendations anyone has who has unit, I am open to suggestions. Suspect it will not be delivered until March at the earliest. HC-BTQ is up for sale, contact via the craigslist ad if interested. The honeycomb is fine, works real good, but just too big.
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Good choice. I have CM2 throttle and the Sharka Control Panel 3 but I’m likely to stick with the Sharka as I prefer that for GA aircraft and like the 4 available axis. I did try the CM2 for TPM throttle but felt the two main throttle handles a bit excessive for this.
It’s a great throttle with all the available controls at your finger tips and I imagine it would shine in VR. The mode dial and shift states for the 6 led push buttons is a great option that provides a large number of available assignments. I personally use the two encoders for camera views and AP control respectively and the momentary flip switches for the likes of landing gear, flaps and spoilers.
Virpil make great gear.
I have the same throttle and I love it, especially the detents in the throttle, I use some settings in the in sim control settings but for certain things I use spad.next because it can do more complex things. For example I can make it use reverse throttle when I pull it all the way back past the first detent for planes that have reverse.
I use the mode dial as buttons and that enables me to have 10 rotary knobs because I use a different position of the rotary for each set of 2 knobs but that part I can do right in the sim controller settings.
Gentlemen and Ladies, if you have configuration data, please post so I can copy it. I have given lots of thought to how I am going to configure all the buttons/switches. The little buttons/hat switches on the throttles are I think going to take the place of the trim wheel on the Honeycomb. I can use the 1st position and those switches for cold and dark startup, the position 2 for Autopilot functions that can be programed, and a whole host of things can be put into this device. I am anxious to receive it and get started.
Like with previous devices, I created a document, and then listed how each button/switch/lever will/is programed and keep that document as a guide for my old mind. MSFS has bad habit of losing settings currently, so having it written down will be saving grace.
Thank you for the info above. MS71
I have both the CM2 and CM3 - love them both, so much that I couldn’t bring myself to sell on my CM2 once I “upgraded” so now I use them both together side by side. Very solid.
The detent rails that it ships with are great but the community has also been busy and if you have a 3d printer there are some nice alternatives.
If you have a base and grip you will already know that the config software is very powerful and writes direct to device so no need to have any additional software running during use. Just be sure to disconnect other Virpil devices when flashing to device.
The sky is the limit for config options though.
I can only confirm what has already been said:
The Virpil CM3 is a very solid device, well made and extremely versatile. Good choice!
I am looking forward to it. I hate to program things, but the TM3 looks like it will be a whole lot of fun to configure for MSFS and FSX. FSX has way less options and as long as get throttle/spoiler/flaps done, will consider it good, as can use mouse to enable AP and other systems. The descriptions in FSX for the Auto Pilot systems is confusing. Some functions in MSFS and FSX are not programable.
For instance, the F-14, the TO/LDG button is NOT programable, so that one has to be engaged by mouse click. This may be an MSFS limitation, believe some work being done to remedy this. Most of the other AP buttons/switches are programable so once I get it I will work on that too.
The unit is on backorder, suspect end of March before I see it.
Update - Order in Paris awaiting east coast WX and backlog to clear. Have printed off pictures of unit, and now need to figure out how going to setup spoilers. Going to use default lever for flaps, and throttles. I have buttons on JS configured for pushback and pause, parking brake etc.
I am going to work out the rotary dial with the 5 modes as follows.
- Ground operations, i.e., battery switch, APU, Ldg/Taxi lights, strobe, etc.
- AP Options, AP on/off; HDG hold, Alt Hold, AT-Air Speed; Vnav and Lnav*
- Unknown
- Unknown.
- Unknown.
Only fly MSFS and FSX, not sure FSX will even see device so usually use mouse for AP stuff since not as full featured in MSFS. *Hopefully can configure just the 6 of them to work.
Once I got it configured, I will make up Word Document showing how I have them assigned. So I have record and will make backup of the profile, so I don’t have to do it again if PC crash/Sim Crash.
I have X-Plane 11, not installed, and down road, more than likely will reinstall it so I can go completely nuts programing it into that. Way more options in XP than MSFS for button/switch assignments, more descriptive, but also more complex in case anyone wants to know.
Will NOT try DCS, just not into that type of flying.
Ok, got it on Monday. Tried firmware update, did not need, configured it and played with some of the levers and trying to figure in mind what to assigne to what. Don’t like the slider on front of the Throttle, which have spoilers on, want a different thing, Flaps work fine. In MSFS throttles have worked fine in two and four engine plane profiles. However, cannot figure out how to setup for reverse thrust. Watched a couple of videos which I through were going to help, nope, for DCS, totally different bread of cat. No videos on MSFS showing RT. The afterburner in F-14 works and have to push past detent for that. So that seems to be correct, not really sure. Have not setup any other switches except battery switch and parking brake release, and Landing Gear at T6, and it’s works half the time and not half the time, think I got to hold it for second, not sure. Mostly still testing to see if I like the configuration.
What I do like is the smaller footprint on desk, have big worksurface back.