Microsoft Flight Simulator - My Flight Sim Setup in 2024

My thanks to Virpil for sending over the controls used in this video. Here's a look at my experience with them over the past three months. Setup in this video is as follows:
MT-50CM3 H.O.T.A.S Bundle - ALPHA Prime Edition
VPC SharKa-50 Control Panel
Tobii Eye Tracker 5
BenQ Mobiuz EX3415R
Ryzen 7 5800X
RTX 3080
32gb Ram
Virpil controls in depth details by Down to Earth Astronomy
• This Changes EVERYTHIN...
• Virpil Control Panel 2...
• Virpil MongoosT-50CM3 ...
Music by Epidemic Sound

[@theblackwhisper]

Virpil is unmatched. Best bit of gaming kit I’ve ever bought.

[@barnhaardkraft875]

8:25 As a none Excessive DCS Player i can say at this Point: There are always not enough Buttons, Switches and Axis to Configure available, regardless which out of the Box Pro-Joystick your Wallet can effort! And as 1st Time Flightsim Enthusiast ( since Late 80´s) i am a bit Jealous, when i am watching the Video! 🙂

[@doodmonkey]

Always wanted to get a Virpil setup, good stuff.

[@theblackwhisper]

If you think you’ll stick with flight simming, I’d go for it without hesitation. Virpil will last you years.

[@Tiber234]

Nice one Ant! - thats a solid set-up you have there! looks like it def isnt going anywhere soon. Cant imagine using a Hog on the desk that must've worked your arms hard. Me Im a recent convert to WinWing (Orion2,Skywalker Pedals and F16 ICP panel) having upgraded from my trusty Saitek X52 Pro and pedals after 10years - and like yourself I cant imagine going back to my previous set-up.

[@mikecoffee100]

good information as always thank you

[@Frankestein01nl]

Well done, thanks for showing. I too have been looking at the Virpil and VKB to maybe change from my slowly desintegrating G940 stick and throttle.. (the pedals have already been replaced). Thanks for this interesting review ;)

[@billyclement5141]

The Virpil setup looks amazing, but at the price, it really ought to be! Although I'm sorely tempted, I just can't see me ever spending that much on a HOTAS and instruments... I'm still using VKB; a left handed stick and throttle combo with a Gunfighter centre stick. It allows for twin stick shenanigans in Elite or a more conventional feel for DCS. Total cost was still eye watering, but they seem to last for ever (no issues on my Gunfighter yet, over six years old and it's still like new!). The THQ throttle physically attaches to the Gladiator base, making mounting it into your simpit a little easier. I couldn't figure out a way to get it to clag in on the right hand side of the base, so I lost my lovely 'omni throttle' (stick canted over to the right) but apart from that I'm fairly happy with it (for now! 😄). The cash 'saved' by going with VKB over Virpil made forking out for my MFG Crosswind pedals a little easier to justify, at least in my head...

[@luciddaze248]

Virpil was more than I could justify... went VKB and have no regrets. Mostly space sims for me. Pedals for thrust, omni left and gladiator right.

[@frederickvondinkerberg7721]

I used to love playing ATIC ATAC on the Spectrum and Starglider on the Amiga

[@hjr2000]

Ant is a legend 🎉

[@DjDayOne]

Good sticks are hard to beat. I went VKB, but it's hard to lose with either company.

[@cajltd1737]

Three things: 1.- I have mine on my keyboard shelf/tray (pull out) with some industrial Velcro and it doesn't move at all! So you can definitely use them without brackets. 2.- I've spent more over the years buying cheap ones (and having to replace them every few years) than it took me to buy the stick and throttle for these. 3.- Finally, my buddy bought his warthog HOTAS at the same time as me (about 3/4 years ago) and he's already experiencing a bit of drift on the stick! Very happy with Virpil!

[@bookergrimm]

If you're not playing in VR, you're missing a treat.

[@mememachine5244]

Just looks terrible compared to a good quality monitor

[@vron123]

@@mememachine5244 Not anymore, and you miss an entire dimension on flatscreen:)

[@PhilippSeven]

@@vron123 I have Pimax Crystal and Oculus 3, and msfs still looks hideous compared to the monitor picture. Plus it has scale issues: cockpits in VR look smaller than in reality. And it's also hard to fly for a long time because your neck and eyes start to hurt.

[@NickyNiclas]

@@mememachine5244 the loss of fine detail is worth it for the next level immersion. VR is really good now IMO. Flying fighter jets and helicopters is amazing in VR.

[@RolandDobbins]

@@mememachine5244- completely untrue, with a high-end gaming PC. Why lie?

[@PRodi_]

VR is the best way to experience it.

[@caaront]

If all goes well,m nevet week I'll be ordering the custom build I have built with a builder, and it will be more powerful of a PC than I ever dreamed I'd have. Nice rig there.

[@panhakhmer6224]

thank u

[@preferredimage]

Starglider 2 for the win!. slingshotting around the sun and trying not to melt the cockpit! Also Atic Atac is still a 10/10 game!

[@Elwaves2925]

Atic Atac, one of the first games I sunk a whole lot of time into.

[@parablax]

Starglider 2, amazing memories... And SPACE WHALES

[@preferredimage]

@@parablax I used to grab the space whales, and release them into the tunnels... POP!

[@TheT0nedude]

you speak truth, although Jetpac on the 16k Spectrum in 1983 was my first Ultimate game that I played for hours on end.

[@EnsiFerrum]

Best setup you can get without FFB. Have exactly the same + the rudder pedals and mounted the stick where it belongs, between the knees.

[@nigelpearson2173]

North Yorkshire here Guisborough

[@omsi-fanmark]

What a collection of hardware, from dirty cheap to luxuriously expensive!

[@ThomasFrieden]

Atic Atak and Starglider II... good menories

[@lillen141]

I had a warthog then got a virpi. Good both but im using my logitech x56. Love it most.

[@nzavon]

Great 😀 But curious that is the Tobii eye tracking +/-90 degrees in the horizontal ?, looked liked it 🤞 (I prefer VR but could be corrupted ;-)

[@ElliotCassar]

I have the same throttle & stick. They’re excellent! I do wish there were native keybindings within MSFS for Virpil products instead of having to start from scratch. Any key bindings you’re particularly happy with?

[@EditioCastigata]

9:28 I did participate in the MW Online World Championships with mouse and throttle. I guess, WarThunder players would prefer the throttle, too, if it came to one-or-another. 🙂

[@Anachroschism]

I multi-task too much to have a dedicated sim-rig. However, I may need to modify my desk with rail to add mounts for various peripherals, as nothing is currently what I'd call rock-solid.

[@PIECEofTOAST]

What great timing, I was actually just thinking about getting my own sim setup for helicopters/planes after seeing MSFS 2024, lol Do you have any recommendations for a good "starter" setup? I.E one that's high enough quality to not hold you back, but also one that doesn't completely break the bank. There's so many options I'm a bit overwhelmed.

[@tim-3705]

I would really recommend VKB or Winwing for less expensive options. Just don't buy anything from the big companies like thrustmaster or saitek, which the way in which these sticks are built is outdated, and you'll be spending way more money than it is worth. Virpil is coming out now with a beginner set of periferals of their own. so maybe wait for that. hope i helped

[@cammy9r]

Without a set budget it will be difficult to answer this question. I started out with a X-52 and it served very well. But do you want to fly stick or yoke, single or multi engine. Regardless of how you start , if this becomes a time spent hobby you will change and adapt your setup to what you need. I have changed my setup a few times now. Right now I have a virpil warbrd/alpha a warthog throttle virpil rudders and various button boxes I have made, making your own is not so difficult.

[@tomas5577]

I have Thrustmaster TPR’s Virpil Mongoose cm3 base, 200mm extension and Alpha prime grip. Also Virpil collective without twist throttle and the Sharka grip. Works well for GA planes but fantastic for helicopters. Cost adds up but didn’t get everything all at once.

[@toshibavoodoo]

LOVE my CH Products set up, have had a CHProducts for close to 20 years! Had to replace the Throtle with an exact same unit to upgrade to USB. Throttle good fro EVERY GAME I play. it makes it easy for Diabo, Doom, and Space Sims! I would love to get my pilates license can I use MS Flight Sim to learn the basics?

[@toshibavoodoo]

Your gear is clearly a few steps up from my set up, looks good!

[@EditioCastigata]

I’ve been playing Elite with a Saitek X55 (2020?) for 200 € and hat a ton of fun. But, speciality equipment is expensive. For comparison, a bicycle “trainer” most enthusiasts use sets you back 500-1.2k €; a rowing machine 1k; the price of a GPU people here will know better than I. Luxury for a market that exists, apparently.

[@Magnumaniac]

I suppose the only question I have about Virpil is how accessible they are for repairing? I can easily get into my Warthog to replace a switch or other component when they inevitably wear out, or change the throttle detent with a 3d printed alternative profile. I am definitely more likely to look at Virpil in the future, since their move away from Lukashenko, but I suspect the old Warthog has a few more years in her yet :)

[@remic2902]

Hello, thanks for the video. I thought you would be talking about CPU or GPU kinda stuff. 😅

[@Beeterfish]

That Starglider II footage brought memories! Amiga A500?

[@ObsidianAnt]

Yep, A500. My favourite computer ever!

[@Beeterfish]

@@ObsidianAnt Such good memories. I miss Commodore days. C64 and later A500 were a big part of my childhood and adolescence.

[@poolhallshark]

♥♥♥♥♥

[@CMDR_Shokwave]

If you really want a Virpil setup, and yes- you do, take advantage of their Black Friday sale. Got a full set for $2k in 2022. That was twin Alpha Prime sticks, bases, newest throttle, rudder pedals, and mounts for all. It is alot of money for most folks, but they are simply ones you have to use to see what the deal is. Each stick has something like 32 button inputs plus axis controls, so VR flight is easy to do all the things with no kb peeking. Simply can't recommend Virpil enough.

[@lurchilurch5507]

I do love this channel but that setup is sorely missing VR!!!!

[@Red-Wyrm]

VIRPIL surely a very friendly company. And i mean it. Not like you usually get from something like Logitech, putting plastic smile and pretending to be friendly, but in the end it all about ice-cold business. No, VIRPIL actually very friendly company, who is deeply care about how satisfied their customers are.

[@andrew1906]

What what game was that at 0:15 ?? I used to LOVE that game!!!

[@stevo905]

wich route are you flying in the video?beutifull scenery

[@ObsidianAnt]

Took off from the airfield in Redcar, then flew towards Roseberry Topping, and then followed the Cleveland Way trail.

[@InquisitorEuro]

Would love a dual stick Virpil setup but the pricing is mental.

[@jrherita]

(my first) - Flight Simulator II on the Atari 800 represent! :)

[@Elwaves2925]

Same but on the Amiga.

[@jamesmbutler]

My first was flying SubLogic Flight Simulator (before microsoft bought it) - also on an Atari 800 w/ a digital joystick. Pretty amazing at the time.

[@jrherita]

@@jamesmbutler yep flight sim ii was still Sub logic :). That's interesting you had an actual special joystick on your a800 for flight sim?

[@jamesmbutler]

@@jrherita No, nothing special - an upgraded/clone of the basic squarish black atari joystick. I do still have the original SubLogic copy - box & all. Still have the Atari 800, too. Not that it's been powered up in the last 35+ years.

[@jrherita]

@@jamesmbutler that's awesome x2! I still have my original 800. Powered on today infact :). If you ever get back into it or want to look up "fujinet". It's a device that plugs in to the SIO port and lets you run software from Internet servers. Emulates drives, modems,.etc . Enjoy

[@mjk9388]

Can anyone comment on the pros and cons of using the eye tracking software vs. an actual VR setup? I'm thinking about getting into Flight Simulator, DCS and revisiting Elite Dangerous again, but want a more immersive experience.

[@bigbangerz5856]

Just pedals, VR and HOSAS to go then 😅

[@ultraviper1884]

I use a saitek x-55. it's not that good, it has an annoying ghost button problem that I've been completely unable to fix despite trying every "fix" I've found online. it's just what I bought years ago and since it still (mostly) works I can't justify buying anything newer/better

[@Extramediums0]

Do you not run pedals at all, or are they just hidden away at the moment?

[@ObsidianAnt]

I don't run pedals. I used to years ago, but found they got in the way when I want to do non sim related things. Maybe I will try some again at some point in the future.

[@hatchimmmmm]

That is not a setup that is all the plane on a desk 😮

[@THESHADOW97139]

😅😂😂

[@ovaloffice6869]

Finally buy a used PC with amd 7 5800x and a rtx 4070 super :) sadly it has no dvd slot so i must buy me a extern dvd slot first to install my fav simulator :D or iwait for the 2024 :P

[@ovaloffice6869]

Love your videos please let us enjoy more in the future. greetings from germany

[@nightgoon_0_0]

similar specs except I have a 7900XT

[@krisztm7221]

Winwing - very good quality and much cheaper.

[@Tuuvas]

First! (cliche, I know. But I saw "33 seconds ago" and just had to do this)

[@davidw7269]

VKB and Virpil are so far ahead of the 20+ year crappy Thrustmaster Warthog design it isn't even funny. It is a shame that TM is still making the same crappy product and charging a premium for it. Since I have smaller hands, I chose VKB as the Virpil joystick grips are quite a bit larger. With my Gunfighter SCE (using the Kosmosina grip) and the STECS Max, it is a far better experience than any other joystick/throttle combo I have ever had. It pains me to hear you say there is "nothing that compares" to Virpil when VKB has been doing it longer and has a lower cost to entry with the Gladiator EVO.

[@panoras1]

nice i need the help of the users to help me buy some new gpu and vrpimax crystal if they are so goodwilling and their pocket can handle it .i am in a desperate need of a 4070 ti super and a x52 please world out ther if you are listening i would do the same if i could

[@bujin1977]

If I could afford a set-up like that, I might as well just do real flight lessons.

[@cammy9r]

In the region of £10-12k for a pilot licence, then what do you do with it as planes are not cheap to keep. So if you can afford all that then a couple of virpil products is no sweat. 😁

[@bujin1977]

@@cammy9r It was meant as a tongue-in-cheek comment.

[@VagabundoOMC]

Where could I find the coordinates of the locations? A little watermark on the videos would be so helpful.

[@ObsidianAnt]

I took off from the airfield in Redcar, England. Then flew towards Rosebery Topping, then followed the Cleveland Way trail.