MSFS Knobster | The little device that does BIG things for VR Pilots | Sim Innovations

[@diggler64]

95 euros seems like a social experiment to see how far they can go

[@markamber1480]

At the quantities they are looking at, to not completely lose your shirt it’s fair. If it was as popular as an Xbox controller sure it could be 5€

[@FlightSimCFI]

Might as well just buy a realsimgear GNS430 lol…

[@kevincaruthers5412]

@@FlightSimCFI I have to agree. The entire point to the knobster is to increase immersion. But you have to use your mouse to select the 'button' you want your knobster to control at that point in time. It also does nothing to help with muscle memory. have to give it a pass at that price point. Still, it looks nifty. :)

[@ChrisM541]

@@kevincaruthers5412 Lol, the entire point of this video is to provide an 'relatively' affordable solution to a problem - NOT flaunt how rich you are by going down the realsimgear route ;)

[@Kannon_BR]

One year later its 119 euros...

[@donovannamibia7883]

While the Knobster vastly improves the sense of realism and ease of use of MS 2020 do not underestimate its cost. In mid April 2023 its list price from Sim Innovations was 95 Euros ($ 139 CDN) but with currency conversion, shipping, duty and tax it totalled $ 248 CDN. Now, it was shipped by DHL and arrived within 4 days but it was a bit breathtaking. Your comment, Mark, about considering cheaper alternatives is absolutely correct. I can't wait to see my credit card bill for April!

[@ChrisM541]

That's some crazy shipping fees. An excellent project would be to consider building your own external panel/s. There's plenty breadboard + rotary encoder + various switches videos out there to get you started, and it's relatively cheap. Yes, there's the initial work to plan, source, build and configure, but if you're the type of person that likes to build things (and this will last you years) then it would be a nice option.

[@phil_nicholls]

I already had a knobster for use with Air Manager - so when the VR plugin came about I was so happy! It's made a great change to my VR flying, being able to fly procedures in the 'old school' way is much more intuitive now.

[@frenchylions8964]

I use VOICEATTACK in VR and I'am able to toggle nearly every button / instrument with vocal command, but this knob may come in handy sometimes. Thanks for this review Mark.

[@TheTuckster123]

will voiceattack do anything with the MCDU ?? Like how you change your FP if ATC gives you a new routing ??

[@frenchylions8964]

​@@TheTuckster123 With VA, I am able to change the heading / altitude on the control panel as I would do with a knob. Nevertheless, I am not able to modify the MCDU / FP directly and need a mouse to do so.

[@mokumkat]

As always a very clear and well done video Marc. I really like the Knobster and purchased it november last year on a flight-sim event in the Netherlands at the Sim Innovations stand. One word of warning though when you have used double sided tape to fix it. The back of the Knobster is a bit flimsy, detaches and breaks or bends easily, so be extremely careful if you wish to reposition it.

[@franzbri]

Thanks Mark for all your very informative videos. Especially the advice to get the Cosair PCie 5.0 cable. The Knobster and sw is a great VR tool. It’s pricey and it took two weeks from NL to SE. I paid 12.55€ for postage AND 26.89€ VAT!!! In all 134.44€ also I didn’t get the same expensive looking USB cable that you and VR Flight Sim Guy got in your videos.

[@dave-j-k]

The Knobster is a small but important game-changer for immersion. I have two, one on each of my AirManager touch panels and they work flawlessly in FS2020, yes they are a little pricey *but* the build and presentation makes them so easy to fit and use that its just not worth messing about with components and building one.

[@LeCheneDeTele]

« one on each » You really have to buy one for FS and one for X-Plane?

[@dave-j-k]

No, i have two touch-screens with a knbster on each one@@LeCheneDeTele

[@johnhoy7442]

Nice peripheral. If I didn't have a button box with rotary knobs I'd consider this. Thanks for the review!

[@Hani_Santa]

What this should have been like is that you select the knob with your mouse ingame and than use the knobster....much more immersive. But yeah the MSFS devs should work on their mouse implementation, more like Aerofly.

[@nathanwildthorn6919]

The Knobster is a bit on the pricey side, but its functionality is appealing enough for my consideration. Thank you, Mark. Great review!

[@georgesiebes]

Hi Mark, while a little late to the party, I bought the knobster. I also found a 3-d printed stand for the knobster on Etsy, it's made for the Bravo (and I'm glad I did). Even though I fly GA in 2-d, not having to mouse-control the G1000 range (PFD and MFD) button alone is worth it. I'm expecting to develop some muscle memory once I settle on a well configured menu of buttons, so as to not need the window too much. I'm also interested in doing some programming of additional modes. All and all, despite the cost, a big step forward.

[@4secsharkmr352]

Thanks for the video. First class as always. I got the Knobster. Very useful device for VR. Knob FS is a brilliant piece of software. I did 2 small scripts for the Hjet. It is easy to do. Take care bud.

[@Duvoncho]

I held it together until you mentioned downloading "knob FS" software. I tried, I really did! I guess I should just face the fact that I'm an overgrown child. Joking aside, this is a neat looking product. While I have plenty of dials, knobs and switches on my Virpil throttle, I do really like that you can change the function mid flight and the in-screen menu is fantastic!

[@manic_miner]

This looks brilliant but I really wonder if it's quicker than using the mouse. Easier definitely. If they could only make it work that you hover the mouse cursor over the dial you want to adjust and then use the Knobster, I would buy it in a flash. Thanks for the great video!

[@communicatescience]

Helpful review, but I would buy a Bravo throttle first (which I have). At ‘only’ 3 times the cost of this, it’s a lot more knobs for your buck and covers all the autopilot functions incl HDG,CRS, etc. I love it in VR and see how the knobster has similar appeal. In practice though, I think I’d use it additionally only for the GPS as you demoed. And I can’t believe there’s not a much, much cheaper hack out there (hi-fi gear, the trackball mentioned elsewhere in comments). Plus, with aircraft ipad, Sky4Sim and ATC open, I don’t have room for another immersion-busting window. I’m mainly living in the C414 btw.

[@glenjordan4886]

Nice but I think it is way over priced. Nice video as always. Definitely can see the benefits. Just not at that price

[@scr33tch]

I use a Kennington Orbit Trackball, the trackball is more controllable than a mouse, and the Orbit ring will give you rotary control over any knob without having to go into a menu

[@dabneyoffermein595]

i use a trackball now, but it doesn't have that ring, but it does have a bunch of clickable mouse buttons and little gadgets and it's great, can you tell me if the Kennington has additional clickable buttons beyond the left and right mouse buttons? FURTHER, I notice that there are many models of Kennington with that "track-ring" which one is the best one for flight sim regardless of cost?

[@johnf6545]

Now that sounds cool, this is why I read the comments lol, so you just use the track ball to get on top of a dial and then the ring scrolls left or right?

[@dabneyoffermein595]

@@johnf6545 Im not sure that it works that way. But I'd like to find out. Purchasing a dual clickable-dual-knob used to be affordable, not sure why prices are through the roof.

[@johnf6545]

@@dabneyoffermein595 I ordered one from amazon yesterday, will let you know when it arrives and I can test it, hoping it does.

[@dabneyoffermein595]

@@johnf6545 which model?

[@sascenturion]

Must admit i thought it was origionally designed by Russ Barlow too ..around 4 years ago he did a video on it. Very cool though 👍😀

[@radar-kiwis-canfly-nz3492]

You are correct Flight Sim KZbinr content creator Russ Barlow is the original creator designer of the Knobster, which is what he named and called it back then. Russ later sold off the development production rights to Sim Innovations who took over from him to do further development and production of the Knobster, which is why Russ has done a few early video's of it on his channel that are also linked on the Sim Innovations web site.

[@sascenturion]

@@radar-kiwis-canfly-nz3492 hey cool ...interesting and thanks for that 👍 I'll check out Russ's channel Sim Innovations have done a great job on the software

[@startrekmike]

It's a really cool idea and certainly a welcome one but when taken in the context of the larger flight sim peripheral market, the price is incredibly difficult to justify when you actually stop and think about it for a minute. Don't get me wrong. I know that flight simming is an expensive hobby but there is a point where it does start to feel like it is more expensive than it really should be. Unlike other enthusiast hobbies I have experience with, flight sim peripherals don't really have any sense of consistency in the pricing. You could buy a super high-end HOTAS for about $700/$800 made with a bunch of high-end components and then spend $300 on a box with a couple of switches on it. Obviously some of this comes down to the size of the companies involved and where they manufacture their products but it does seem like we (as the consumers) should be a bit more assertive about establishing some kind of norm in the way that other enthusiast hobbies have.

[@SimHangerFS]

I agree with your sentiment, but in this case the value is in the software and usability.

[@BostonClipper]

You can use VoiceAttack with the knobster. Selecting any knob by saying the name(s) you give it can be more immersive (avoid the mouse).

[@spediegunz]

How? Is there a video showing this

[@BostonClipper]

@@spediegunz search KnobsterVoice Tutorial - Demo It uses "Set a Text Value to the Windows Clipboard". The value is a 64-character GUID.

[@NylonStrings46]

The Knobster was first invented by Russ Barlow for use with Air Manager a few years ago....

[@SimHangerFS]

👍

[@VRFlightSimGuy]

Nice review Mark, I wouldn't be without mine now! Great to see you flying the 310, I have to agree it's the best GA out there. Although that's probably about to change very soon ;) Cheers!

[@dabneyoffermein595]

can you please explain?

[@manic_miner]

The 414 is looking down it's rather long and elegant nose at you with disdain VRFSG. Back on your bike!

[@VRFlightSimGuy]

@@manic_miner I feel bad now, I'll take her out for a spin tomorrow I promise ;)

[@eldadgefen1436]

This is the best add-on for VR immersion. Very pricy, especially when including shipping costs.

[@PeterBurton50]

Somewhat pricey. Have you tried ClassEcho? Very much more functionality and with an Arduino-controlled touch screen.

[@briancrawley8440]

I nifty little device, too expensive for me. I will stick to the Class Echo which offers much better value. Thanks for the video. Perhaps if I was a VR user it would be worthwhile , but only if they lower the price.

[@JJ-kz4zq]

I love it but can't get past the price + shipping 😞. He really needs a US distributor.

[@RedRuffinsore]

My big question is could you possibly use more than one of these at a time. If they were half the price, I'd definitely buy one (or more).

[@SimHangerFS]

Good question, I don’t know to be honest.

[@spediegunz]

At the moment no only 1 knobfs at a time

[@SimHangerFS]

@@spediegunz thank you

[@kenhamilton3954]

how do you get the msfs toolbar in VR great videos

[@SimHangerFS]

Check in sim…there is a config to a button in the vr options

[@paulthurston2883]

I bought one together with Air Manager 4. I gave up on AM4 as my touch screen monitor was rubbish. I'm now using it in my 2D sim with KnobFS. I can at least get some value from it. Handy for certain things like Baro setting, AP functions etc.

[@micgrech]

Thanks for the review. I presume that there is no issue using this device along with the bravo? Ate you able to share aircraft profiles. Is there a place where you can download profiles from the Web? Anyone successfully use one of these with pmdg 737? Thanks

[@marcosa995]

Hi Mark , do we really need the knobster when using Quest 3 ? What is your experience ? thanks. Marco

[@bobbob8765]

Easy to make your own for less than half the cost using an Arduino Nano & a rotary encoder, usually no soldering required and Air Manager will flash it ready to go.

[@ralphrietveld]

Not for VR, sorry.

[@alvarocortes9448]

I bought it, but as you say, it’s annoying trying to change all time the gauge that you want to manipulate. It would be easy if the software let you map various gauges with combo keys. For example, knob right garmin 530 initially, with shift, knob left of 530, control for knob right 430… it could be keys but buttons of yokes or hotas to… left hand on modify (key or button) right hand for knobster… this would be DELICIOUS

[@ralphrietveld]

Keystrokes go to MSFS, so I don't think it is possible to catch those.

[@carlboulianne4284]

Hi, I use air manager with panel g1000 with the knobster, everything is working fine when flying with the monitor but If I'm flying in vr quest with virtual desktop and color passthrough, air manager panel g1000 is not effective and when I open the knobster in toolbar it says not connected, do you have a idea what can be my problem, thank you and have a nice day.

[@docslappy8946]

It seems pricey for what it is but this whole VR flying is pricey... I'm still on the fence though. It seems too immersion breaking for me: looking away to a menu, then back to the actual in cockpit dial, then back to the menu, etc. And I worry I'd start thinking every plane cockpit was the same because I always use one menu and one controller. Saying all that, hunting around with a mouse to find a tiny click point, and constantly missing, is also extremely immersion breaking.

[@jay6817]

Use Active Pause, then Dials? 😃

[@jetarty4196]

Potentially massively enhancing for VR. Expensive, but if I were to invest, flying the Caravan, I'd like several rather than flick through menus, with each pre-assigned (and laid out on my desk). Are multiple capable of being used at the same time, do you know?

[@jetarty4196]

They are now listed as OoS, and are over 100 euro now. Needs a business to invest and mass produce this product I think. Expand upon the offering, too.

[@michaelkohen6730]

Hey Mark. Great Video! I love your set up. Mike here. I am such a newbie to flying and to flight sim. I would love to pick your brain on setting up a similar set up like the one you have. I would build up slowly, but your set up looks like it "just works".. Could you help me? any chance you could give me a detailed break down of your set up? I've been looking at staylevelavionics for their panel (pricey-any other options?), and I do like the Honeycomb set up too. I'm learning in a cessna 172 p r s, so looking to have a similar set up for muscle memory from home to real thing. Also looking at virtualfly: FLIGHT SIM TPM - V3RNIO+, again pricey, but looks like a real-world feel. As far as the avionics go, don't know where to start with this. Love this knob thing, as using your computer to turn dials looks clumsy. If you could baby step me through this, I would really appreciate it! Mike.

[@SimHangerFS]

Virtually fly is great quality, I prefer Honeycomb, a few compromises but very good bang for your buck. For real world nav/gps etc I recommend taking a look at flightsimbuilder. Great prices and true functionality.

[@ANACRU5IS]

€95 ex Vat and not including shipping is just a bit too pricey for me...

[@SimHangerFS]

Look at what you can do with it….in this case size doesn’t matter 😊

[@ANACRU5IS]

@@SimHangerFS 😄

[@rogerferraro6661]

It's a great little device; software is what makes it, as you say. I think it is just an intermediate step until MSFS morphs into a true metaverse, and our pilot avatars can click and twist knobs while we wear our haptic gloves. Of course it could be tough to control the rudder with no legs. With MS putting all their bucks into AI in Azure, maybe they'll even get the AI traffic working. 🤣 (MooseP)

[@Hani_Santa]

Why would you only use your glove? I would combine physical throttle, time and rudder with he haptic gloves to press buttons and twist knobs.

[@ryanchenoweth5673]

Can this be used simply to adjust the instrument or button that your looking at in VR? 🤔

[@ralphrietveld]

If you convince Microsoft to offer an API for this :)

[@steeltribe3967]

Looks nice. Great video. Does DCS recognise it?

[@SimHangerFS]

I’m not sure to be honest.

[@K11...]

Hopefully msfs will add eye tracking, so you can simply look at which ever knob you want to control.

[@JonahCBR]

Knobster is great with air manager and touch panels. Press a button on touch screen and twist the knob. I don't see it being useful in VR unless there is a way to click a knob with mouse to make it active and start twisting Knobster. Nobody wants to dig through a menu list.

[@cicciohelpdesk2969]

But is better this or loupdeck in your opinion

[@SimHangerFS]

Two very different things. Knobster for VR, Loupedeck for monitor flying.

[@steveflynn9279]

I just received mine and pretty happy with it. I'm interested in creating new commands to control the G3000 on the TBM930. Does anyone know where to get the LVAR listings for that aircraft or is there a program such as DataRefEditor that is available for XP11/12 that can be used on FS2020 aircraft to display the data refs as each knob or switch is moved?

[@SimHangerFS]

Steve, I stand to be corrected but I think SpadNext can do that.

[@steveflynn9279]

@@SimHangerFS Thanks, I'll give it a try.

[@spediegunz]

Do you know if there is a way to keybind making the knobfs hide and appear without using the mouse to open and close it from the toolbar I love this thing I just want to quick hide it so as to not break immersion.

[@SimHangerFS]

I don’t know. I found I would minimise it to only leave the top toolbar visible often.

[@ASo5one]

It would be far more impressive, if it just assumed the function of the knob or screen thats in focus at that moment.

[@SimHangerFS]

Yes, gaze control. Hopefully this function will be available in the not too distant future, but MSFS doesn’t have this functionality yet.

[@Tuno85]

Does the software support multiple knobsters at the same time?

[@SimHangerFS]

I don’t believe so, but stand to be corrected.

[@tomjohansen2083]

is there a way to make the menu list not continious?? its so irritating!! really hate that. think I'm gonna sell it for that reason.

[@Blodwyn1976]

Purchased the knobster and it works very well with the predefined instruments. However I mostly fly the H145. Did anyone manage to use the knobster only with knobfs (air manager is not useful vor vr) with the MFDs and the autopilot settings in the H145? I would be grateful for help (as many mentioned: it`s an expensive toy, especially if it doesn´t work as planned 🙂)

[@Blodwyn1976]

Managed it meanwhile with the H:Events from the H145 folder (just in case someone else has the same problem).

[@miamisburgcricket2166]

thanks for the video im still can do better with Logitech multi panel in vr

[@matthieurichard2955]

Bravo throttle

[@regwatson2017]

If they dropped the price I'd buy it. As it is I'll wait until it's clone turns up on AliExpress as soon as the Chinese realise there's a US dollar to be made making them.

[@themorethemerrier281]

That's the spirit!

[@ralphrietveld]

They don't have the software, so that will not work.

[@rikoulegeek7384]

114 € juste one. A little bit expensive. We can have a thrust with knobster for the same price..

[@notimportant10]

Well, I never thought I'd need a NSFW warning for your videos. Knobster / knob fs /

[@SimHangerFS]

😂

[@scr33tch]

Is the Knobster designed by Russ Barlow?

[@SimHangerFS]

No, but he did an excellent review on it…😊

[@ralphrietveld]

Yes and no. It is an upgraded version with native USB and such.

[@SimHangerFS]

I stand corrected, Russ designed the very first Knobster….clever guy!

[@daywalker5458]

1/3 of the price being shipment to the US is ridiculous to me. Is there a US distributor of the Knobster I imagine it would sell like hotcakes without the over the top shipping cost.

[@SimHangerFS]

I don’t know, check on their site…I couldn’t find anything. If one of the devs read this perhaps they could answer.

[@Heli_Junkie]

Been using it since it was released although it’s ridiculously overpriced for what it is. Only reason I decided to pay the extravagant price is because I only fly in VR.

[@SimHangerFS]

When I consider the price, I am not considering the size of the device only, but the value of the software, and as you say the usability.

[@carlmarchand1634]

It's not worked with G3000.

[@gepflegtePCSpieleKultur]

Hmmm i'm using the Loupedeck Live for FS2020, DCS World, IL-2 Sturmovik. For €270,- you get 6 Knobs, 12 LCD Buttons and 7 normal Buttons. In VR the 6 knobs are clear to differentiate, the Buttons? Well Muscle Memory. The Knobster goes at €95,- A Knob (potentiometer) for a DIY Buttonbox goes around ten Bucks (Premium Quality) A Zero Delay Arcade USB Encoder cost €15,- and supports 8 Knobs. I don't see the value in this “limited” (aka overpriced) Product. Or, as diggler64 said, "the social Experiment". Yes 270,- for the Loupie Live is steep... but is has many, many uses. Even Video editing ;-). Cheers...

[@deesto]

Stay Level Avionix works really well with the knbster. Sleek mounting solution as well. Check out kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnmkoHWIaZ6Iqrc (around 3mins in)

[@kcs4212]

0.63 on ali express

[@nexe7271]

Bit to pricey.

[@gridfreeca]

you do realize this is a game right? the prices for this game is completely out of hand, just like a plane that costs more than the game itself, c'mon really....