Virpil Constellation Alpha - Full Review

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[@OptimusVlad]

I appreciate that you actually reviewed the pros and cons of the stick, rather than just fawning over it. Thanks.

[@aetlaa]

Three things to note that were not mentioned. The scroll wheel has two depression levels. (Rather than the one mentioned here) The hand-rest is capable of a lockout to prevent play. DtEA here has it engaged so he thinks he cannot reduce the hand-rest height much more, but has about 2/3 inch to go (which is significant) if he removes the lockout nut (an intended feature). Also, you can buy a similar nut that’s the right size and put it onto other Virpil sticks with the same feature (EG. MongoosT50CM3 Grip). And finally, Virpil sticks have the availability to rotate on their base 360 degrees for ergonomics and mounting purposes (in case of chair mounts). This is important in that you don’t need to rotate the base itself if you’d like a proper 15 degree left rotation for wrist fatigue relief (like in modern fighter jets). This feature is especially useful in center stick setups.

[@mavhizd]

How is the analog, is it practical as a secondary throttle? Essentially getting all 6 axis in one hand for space sims?

[@aetlaa]

@@mavhizd All the axes on Virpil sticks are incredibly fine, but it is a spring loaded lever pinned at the bottom so you’d need to be stable with pressure. I regularly use it as an analog brake lever in flight sims, so I can vouch for it as a fine control axis. So, yes, practical as a second throttle, though I’d recommend momentary usage.

[@brimstone5931]

Watching this vidio convinced me that a pair of Alpha's + WarBRD bases were the right choice. Thanks for sharing, I actually forgot to leave a comment in January when I first watched it. Two updates... Wait times 2021 Ordered on Virpil Website 10th Feb Took my money on the 10th of March Dispatched From Virpil via DHL on 22nd of March On 22nd March DHL gave ETA as March 31st Delivery actually arrived 26th of March Also, you can now program the LEDs to react to button presses. I.E. RED when undercarriage is down, and GREEN when up

[@mclaine7342]

3:52 Xenomorph! :)

[@uther10]

Great detailed review! Especially when you focused on the ergonomics and people's different sizes. Thanks again!

[@ericandi]

I’m glad they offer different cams. Contrary to popular belief the flight sticks in modern fighter jets DO NOT have greater resistance the farther the sticks are moved from center.

[@goodhope2111]

Great review--appreciate the candid comments on both the positives and the negatives. Well done.

[@CodenBahn]

Great review. I’ve been eyeing this since you bought it

[@tparker]

That's a sweet mixer you have on the counter back there... stick is awesome too.

[@Andulvar]

Thanks for the review, I've been looking into getting this stick.

[@DMoss84]

This video was very helpful. Thank you much!

[@Akira42]

Good honest review there. I'm perfectly happy with my X52, but I can certainly see the attraction of a top-end HOTAS. Thanks for the info

[@loud_damage]

Mind if I tweet it out to virpil, your comments on what could be changed seem quite fact based and would love to see virpil response to why / why not

[@DowntoEarthAstronomy]

sure. please do

[@Humanaut.]

Did you get any reply from Virpil? Mind sharing?

[@loud_damage]

@@Humanaut. haven't had any luck, no

[@Humanaut.]

@@loud_damage That's too bad.

[@darkzide7558]

Well now we are going to need a follow up video with your Elite bindings and what you like about this hotas vs. your X56/X52 pro.

[@Abyssdiver]

I was thinking the same thing

[@CRAZY6256]

I am thinking the same thing also

[@souvarine4368]

Good review. I have the Alpha left and right variants and agree completely that the four way+push hat switches are easy to mis-press. They are very good joysticks, potentially the best out there, but they’re definitely not perfect. There is a reason the Thrustmaster Warthog doesn’t have push on any of its hat switches. The Alpha is designed more around small hands I think. If you have larger hands, the Constellation Delta is probably a better bet for you. You can now pre-order Virpil equipment on the website - no waiting around for restocks any more.

[@tuunaes]

Thrustmaster HOTAS Cougar/Warthog sticks are less featured because of being design wise 1:1 carbon copies of real sticks designed for only that specific job.

[@kurt120032002]

8:36 The pinky button is perfect. The last thing you want is to activate front wheel steering on your jet. Great review

[@thatonespirit8358]

That joystick looks AWESOME

[@spacep0d]

Great review, thanks!

[@imaner76]

Nice I've been waiting for your thoughts on this one! And I'm back on page one ;)

[@bunker1213]

OMG, the chaos when the Virpil web store restocks is going to be double now ;-) Last restock was total mayhem (!) when they tried to make changes to the webstore at the same time as they stocked the Alpha grip. Nice honest review!

[@CMDTRipador]

Nice review! I only missed talking about the price, and if it's worth the cost of the stick + base.

[@tomriley5790]

Great review, looks good - keeping my CH HOTAS, but if I was buying one from scratch would seriously look at it. Would be nice to see what you thought about the throttles too.

[@harpoon_bakery162]

When will Virpil have the control panels that are compatible with the short deskmount with a T50 CM2 throttle? I am so looking forward to the release of a few control panels. This video rocked so keep up the good work and thanks for sharing!

[@hertzvador2220]

Very good review, thank you very much. Thumbs up + subscribed!

[@MMARIC20]

Hey Down to Earth, would be great if you could upload a video or link your key bindings for this setup. I just ordered this setup. ❤

[@menacegtr]

Beautiful base and stick. I have just ordered from Virpil to the UK. Cannot bloody wait, could be a long wait though but not fussed. Using a Thrustmaster T. 16000M at the moment for MSF 2020and loving that so lets see how good the Virpil is. Thanks for the review

[@joseaugusto-vd9vg]

Its possível tho use a turtmaster trlotle ir the virpil josticks?

[@commanderroddi7742]

Ordedred two bases (Wardbird) and a RH and LF COnnieALPHA stick, and took like 2 months to get. WORTH THE WAIT!!!! May buy the control panel, and maybe I'm also getting the 2 foot extension to place the stick on the floor (can't desk mount because I have to moved stuff around my desk quite often since it doubles as work desk). Use laptops on the side, etc, and desk mounts just won't do.

[@Brimmlinn]

Check out MonsterTech HOTAS desk mounts. I have used a couple different models from various companies and I always go back to the MonsterTech mounts.

[@lofflof]

Thanks for this.

[@alanhobson9121]

My Alpha arrived just a couple days after yours and I pretty much agree with all your points, especially about the push function on the hats. I think they could improve the situation a little bit if they used different shapes on the caps, like a castle switch.

[@jeffsfolio]

Mine should be arriving in a few weeks. I plan to 3D print a castle hat or two to compensate for this issue.

[@xsoniczek]

@@jeffsfolio make 3 please! And I will buy it from you.

[@ericbucklin3382]

Did you share or release your config files? I feel like I missed a configuration video, I purchased this setup and it is arriving today. Thanks for all the great content.

[@itoao]

Well now I need to know what you did t like about the throttle. The one I saw looked cool.

[@PragmaticTornado]

Ordered one of these earlier this week, with a v4 desk mount, adapter and BRD base. Finally found a proper stick with twist. Bought a Logitech X56 last year, but jeez, that joystick is almost unusable - my previous X52 Pro was MUCH better. Have to set massive deadzones just to keep it center (on both X, Y and twist axis), and even had to return the first one due to these issues. Second one is only slightly better. Now, the Alpha stick alone costs about double what the entire X56 set costs, but I have a feeling it'll be worth it. And I can still use the X56 throttle, which is actually pretty decent. This review set my mind at ease, and confirmed my hopes and thoughts.

[@commanderroddi7742]

I never had an issue with the hats where I can easily use the push and point with no issue. HOWEVER, I have had issues with the analog thumb stick not resting at 50% (its at 49 on one axix, and 57% on the other), same with the Z axis, its usually at like, 51%. A bit of deadzone helped that one and the 49%, but the 7% I can't quite get rid and it tends to want to thurst my ship down. I had had to add a lot of dead zone on it. LOVE the feel of the grip, though I wish I had the Mongoose base instead of the Wardbird I bought. Good review!

[@andreybox8915]

Thanks for review. I dont understand where is a brake axis in software?

[@bully444]

Hi Astro, I will get my Alpha and Throttle soon. Do you have found a good button layout for ED? Would be great if you can give insights on this topic.

[@ScottSlooper]

I just got my new Virpil alpha left hand, replacing a Thrustmaster 16000. Big difference! Much more like my Warthog right hand, but still much lighter.

[@gppl77]

It'd be really good if you could share your opinion on the throttle. Especially how you're configured it for Elite and whether it's more comfortable than x56. I like how you review stuff, it's really an opinion and real use-case, rather than just drooling on expensive hardware. It's rather hard to convince yourself to spend so much money without any prior experience:) Thanks for great vids!:)

[@Erpyrikk]

the height of the stick and it not being available is why i got a VKB Kosmosima pro with Gunfighter base. i maybe miss out on the scroll and brake lever but it's such a big upgrade over my Thrustmaster t16000m that i dont really care

[@Toquer88]

Great review 👍

[@Fellgrim]

Very nice review DtEA, currently trying to decide to either go with the Virpil constelation alpha or the VKB gunfighter mk3 with the kosmosima grip... any input apreciated!

[@DowntoEarthAstronomy]

I have never tried the VKB stuff so I cant say much about that. All I can say is I'm very happy with my Virpil gear

Thanks for the review! Got a T16000M atm but was looking at this as a possible upgrade due to it having the twist built in (need that cause I can't use peddals). Looks good but very high as you mention so would probably need the under table mount :/

[@xsoniczek]

I've been using t16000m and just uprade to Virpil a week ago. This is a game changer!!!

[@xsoniczek]

Sorry if I posted this twice, but any chance of getting your virpil bindings please?

[@dotnetdevni]

Has the hard centre been removed in the most recent revisions?

[@richard_d_bird]

i've been using that great old 40 dollar logitech "extreme 3d pro" joystick for years. sure you have take it apart and clean out its incredibly cheap and flimsy potentiometers every couple of weeks, and they never really work incredibly well even for all that... and then you have to unplug it and plug it back it at random times, before trying to use it, so that it doesn't just perversely decide to completely skew its calibration in a way that can't be corrected with the calibration utility otherwise... but aside from that, it's a pretty good joystick. i really hope logitech gets around to making a better version of it one of these days, honestly.

[@cmdrparasite]

I've been dying to have these but they were about as expensive as my whole pc lol. Now I have to save up again for them cuz I did a new build lol

[@807800]

Now, that's a review. Just watched another "review" on this one, yet it feels more like a commercial rather than a review.

[@rustykoenig3566]

I kind of get the feeling that that "Tall Stick" with that huge space between the bottom of the actual base of the stick itself and the surface it rests on was probably purposely make like that..... it seems to me that it would do REAL WELL in more of a "cockpit" type of setup where the "table" sits between your legs and the stick "reaches up" to be the right height and it looks like there is a perfect place to put 4 screws (or bolts) on those 4 horizontal "legs" sticking out the corners. I think it would make an AWESOME stick to use in even a "simple" cockpit build.... with just a chair, short table and monitor placed where the windshield would be..... Or even just find a nice sturdy wood box or low table for ur desk setup and scoot back and still put the stick between your legs..... that's how that type of "control" was designed to be used anyway :)

[@maximilianyuen]

i like the solid built on it, but now i am certain x56 is a better experience in ED

[@mackan072]

The stocking issues kept me from getting their stuff, but honestly, It was for the better. While the Virpil things are premium products, they're already *very* expensive for what it is, and if I were to have to pay for several shipping fees, due to them never having all of the things I want in stock, then it simply becomes far too expensive. I had some 1000€ set aside for a proper upgrade, but after some 5-6 re-stocks, and still not being able to get more than half of the things within a single order, I instead decided to cave and instead bought a used Thrustmaster Warthog HOTAS, in brand new condition for some 240 Euro. Throttle €320, MongoosT-50CM2 grip €170, VPC MongoosT-50CM2 base €290. Totaling 780 Euro, and that is with VAT excluded, and thus nowhere near what one would actually end up paying. With the 25% Swedish VAT, it would end up costing €975 plus shipping, which is mental. I have tried the Virpil throttle, the mongoose grip, and the base mentioned above at a friend's house, and while the throttle and the base in some sense are more premium than the warthog one, it's not, at least to me, worth the very steep asking price. Things get even more skewed when used hardware is an option, as the warthog is far easier to find used than any of the Virpil stuff.

[@jetnavigator]

I've never seen them have anything in stock...

[@joseaugusto-vd9vg]

Its possível tho use a turtmaster trlotle?ir the virpil joysticks?

[@guitaristtom]

How is the stick still working for you this far after the review? I've heard some good and some bad things about VIRPIL after a bit of use.

[@preppen78]

Nice review. Overall opinion is that you're satisfied with the product? It's quite pricey so the standards for it should be decently high too

[@DowntoEarthAstronomy]

I would like the hats to be better and the small issues with the hand rest. Other then that im very happy with it

[@Smood47]

How does this compare to the space combat grip ?

[@sntxrrr]

So jealous, I missed out on the pre-order and am now endlessly trying to get my grubby hands on a true left-handed grip. Good observations though.

[@CRAZY6256]

I ordered on June 11th and got mine yesterday

[@Thatguy101987]

So the stick, and the base, and throttle will set you back over €600, or $700. I think I'll stick with my X52.

[@ajuanjojj]

X52 software can be a nightmare to get working though :(

[@Thatguy101987]

@@ajuanjojj I find using the logitech drivers usually works over the saitek drivers.

[@ravenwda007]

I’m interested, but expensive. Maybe desk mounted for me

[@ArztvomDienst]

That Magloop behind you looks realy cool, what spectrum is it for?

[@DowntoEarthAstronomy]

It's just decorative time my gf made. edit: But i guess it dose look like a magloop

[@ArztvomDienst]

Down to Earth Astronomy It does look pretty cool, so no joking on that ;) For a Sun/Inner Planets, the ratio was far of, so I went for the antenna ;)

[@konfinoyair]

Can I use the center wheel as throttle ?

[@herisson15]

good review, but it looks like you guys have forgotten to wipe off the grease off your camera

[@KnightPoetic]

I want one but they are all on backorder

[@Trbrigade]

Hi fellow virtual pilots! Need to replace my old X52 flightstick! I decided with a grip . This would be "Alpha Constellation". But what is the best base for "Constellation"? It will be used mostly for military simulators. It will be used first on the table. But in the future I plan to move flight control under the table. But I'm in doubt. What is the best base to buy? Is it true that Mongoose base is better quality than Warbird base? Or are they the same? For me, it is the quality of the base, the "clear center" , the absence of central backlash and the response to the handle deflection is the most important. The rest I can get used to. What would you suggest?

[@spellingmistake1]

I want to buy Virgil products for quite some time now, but I don’t own a credit card...

[@evemaniac]

remove the nut under the handrest it increases the height for your hand about 0.5mm.... i hesitated first resumed the build quality would not be as perfect as it apeared and for that price was i not that sure ... But all my concerns where unnecassary and all went well.. sure it needed a.little longer to get the parts but all was very good packaged and after allmost 2 years i get an additional grip for my right hand

[@noblefiend4474]

Are you still using this HOTAS? If so, how has it held up? Looking at purchasing this.

[@DowntoEarthAstronomy]

Yes still using it and it stil feels like new

[@TIB1973]

Is this stuck usable in series x consoles?

[@ionageman]

How long is the usb

[@The_Danimator]

I'm new to this hosas/hotas or even flight stick game, is there any really nice entry level setups? I really wanna get into it but I don't wanna pay a price that cost half my pc yet.. I would like something that will be viable in star citizen/Elite dangerous pvp so I'm leaning towards a hosas instead of a hotas.

[@tuunaes]

For cheap level Thrustmaster T.16000M set would be the best by using magnetic hall sensors instead of wear prone potentiometers. Though number of controls is very limited and you might want to mod it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJ_Ch2qXpLilq9k For next/mid level set of VKB Gladiator NXTs would be good choise. (and base can be later upgraded) While not as fully packed as Alpha, VKB's space sim grip still beats Thrustmaster's top models with analog mini-stick in Premium grip version. Or if wanting to lower cost, VKB Gladiator for your dominant/main hand and Thrustmaster for other hand.

[@goldenstateaviation2861]

Can someone tell me where I can go to find out when the restocks will happen? Have been waiting a while to get my hands on a stick but never can.

[@ClaptrapRapture]

Announcements section of their forum.

[@TermiteDave]

Good review, BUT do you like it?

[@DowntoEarthAstronomy]

Yes. Very much.

[@HiddenPalm]

Bruh... Does it have lights?

[@OrchardKoi]

If I bought the stick and base, would I be able to use my thrust master throttle with it?

[@DowntoEarthAstronomy]

The stick and throttle unit are completely separate

[@KenCarsonfromatlanta]

Does it come with the cables required to hook it up?

[@DowntoEarthAstronomy]

Yes

[@Ploskkky]

I have never seen it in stock at all.

[@DerekMoore82]

No flight sim peripherals are in stock due to the popularity of Microsoft Flight Simulator.

[@bulletstop100]

Since time has passed, has anything changed on your opinion. My warthog after 11 years is dieing..

[@psychotoddler2149]

So is it worth scrapping a functional X-56 for this?

[@DowntoEarthAstronomy]

For me it was. But I also spent more time with my HOTAS than most people.

[@psychotoddler2149]

Down to Earth Astronomy What did you like better about this than the X-56?

[@DowntoEarthAstronomy]

The movement of the stick is smoother and more accurate. Especially close to the centre. The hats and switches are about the same, but overall it's a more premium feeling stick.

[@robertrossiter346]

750 quid, or thereabouts, do more than double the price of x56

[@DankTank374]

Fkn dank

[@bmw_m4255]

hey you want to sell me that setup? Are you in germany?

[@vizionthing]

Now I see why the dream catchers not working....

[@DeviantDeveloper]

Being tall isn't really relevant, it's body length that's the key point (varies a lot).

[@Make_Canada_Trudeau-Less-Again]

Pretty much futile to order one unless you just forget about it until it arrives next year, but hey................Fleet Carriers June 9!!

[@alanhobson9121]

Virpil changed their ordering system so you can no longer do pre-orders. You can only order things that they actually have in stock. That means if you do get an order in, it should ship relatively quickly. The hard part is just catching their stuff when it's in stock.

[@Modified__Guy]

Dora the alpha constellation have a z axe

[@Katojana]

Looking at the price of everything combined... I think i stick to my thrustmaster hotas T-Flight Stick X xD

[@ItzAllMine360]

Don't tell folk about the email. Now I'll never get one. Lol

[@DankTank374]

Get thr helli collective for throttle

[@justintorres6781]

The whole site is sold out lol

[@ericlanegen]

Lol, check the forums

[@cpypcy]

It is ALWAYS sold out!

[@Hipporider]

@@ericlanegen which forum please

[@ericlanegen]

Chris H Restocks: forum.virpil.com/index.php?/topic/142-worldwide-webstore-restock-date/ Ordering: forum.virpil.com/index.php?/topic/1803-ordering-from-virpil-controls-community-discussion/

[@Mean_Mr_Grinch]

That twist is disappointing.

[@8406181100]

I have been waiting half a year for this and its now out of stock all the time. No idea what Virpil are doing but this is ridiculous !!!!! Also wjy would they discontinue the best throttle ever and replace it with a worse one ????? Seriously can't stand the yellow accents on the new one ! It looks so cheap !

[@1chefadam]

So wait, you gotta buy a $200 dollar flight stick THEN fork over another $200 for the base? That’s like buying a car then having to buy the tires and engine separate. Wtf euro people?!

[@Talenin2014]

Well it is high-end product, so you naturally pay more for that. Virpil sell different bases and different grips, so having them separate allows someone to buy exactly what they need. It ain't cheap, that's true, but they're worth it if you are really into this and are looking for high-end pieces of kit.

[@secundus6457]

It's the very capitalism which the West likes so much. Expensive hotas, expensive gas, expensive everything😆

[@snakeruben]

why is so very expensive, and you nedd must buy the base expensive to pls!!!!, you need for all set 1500$ +++$$$$$, this control it is for few people bad bad bad

[@DankTank374]

Def do not like that trigger

[@cpypcy]

Why bother posting link? They are constantly out of stock for 3 years now. They don't even care about selling it.

[@emvill4520]

Hate this company due to their web site's ordering process. It can't handle the traffic or something. Wasted so much time ordering. It's a mess.

[@noxxi]

4th

[@zukezamamee9033]

1st

[@mrboatface4023]

Nobody cares.

[@kizz.Commented]

It must be hard to make some of these video's, especially if you , as you say, paid for the equipment. Let us agree on one thing before we start, if the joystick has a spring for centering, in any axis, then it is a toy and not to be used by people who want a good experience. No aircraft has ever had spring controlled flight surfaces, ever. Look up how a spring works and how the loads are derived, it is the exact opposite of the loads experienced by any flight surface. If it uses a spring, then it is a toy and it is over priced. You are a mug for buying it.

[@mrragnarokk7415]

This company has a great joystick but the customer service is absolutely trash. Good luck at getting one. You might get the base then 6 months later get a grip. The company sales team is absolutely trash. High demand with no way to to pre order. Don't believe go to virpil offical forums on there site. Buy a VKB space sim joystick just as good.

[@cpypcy]

Well I might look at some other brand because Virpil might be really good, but sales are shit and they are just one big unorganized mess of a company. Hell I if i'll find better quality systems (throttle,stick,base,panels,mounting plates) than Virpil I will immediately jump ship because waiting forever is not my game.

[@Lillowh]

@@cpypcy VKB

[@raddofzennla]

I wouldn't say that. I've bought a couple sticks and bases from them upon initial release and have contacted their customer service for one issue after receiving and setting them up and I got a response from them immediately and they resolved my issue quickly (ended up being user error on my part). They are just a newer company than a lot of the others out there and are in a growing phase. They are working to improve their output. You just have to keep an eye on the restock forum and have your email on the when available list and you can get them. This last stock with the alphas and some rework to their site was admittedly a bit of a disaster, but s**t happens. They could do better for sure on how they sell the product and maybe offer some sort of a preorder, but I have no idea what the real demand is. You could be in for a long wait either way. Just has to do with supply and demand. Regarding the Alpha sticks in particular, remember that this was basically the first time they've sold since the original preorder, so of course demand for these particular sticks is going to be high and more difficult to get for the near future. Anyways, just my two cents. Wouldn't call their CS trash. They're just a relatively small company that has seen a high demand over the last few years for their product. Is what it is.

[@xsoniczek]

Any chance of having a look at your bindings? I just freshly bought the alpha(didn't knew about any previous problems with ordering from Virpil- if I knew I would probably order from VKB or WINWING but it came 10 days after I've made preorder) By the way have you seen the WinWing hotas? I love the look of their throttle.

[@achtvier873]

3rd?

[@mrboatface4023]

Nobody cares.