Virpil WarBRD-D Gimbal Initial Impressions

[@PoleBear5]

Great hands on impressions, even more excited for mine to ship now

[@DanielDrake]

Thank you for your review.

[@alexandsimba]

Extra likes folks for the dog flapping ears! 🐶😁

[@FalconsLedge]

Haha yeah, it's a pretty chinsy operation right now folks! No improved audio tracks, falcons flapping, dogs in the room, 10 puppies in the next room hehe.

[@bulletstop100]

Going to upgrade as soon as I can!!

[@eric90000]

Is the full review still coming? :D I am using VKB Gunfighter 4's, but I am really considering moving over to Virpil.

[@FalconsLedge]

It absolutely is. These are taking me a bit as I'm full time work and full-time graduate school right now

[@FalconsLedge]

In terms of a comparison to the GF4. The CM3 is superior, the WarBRD isn't a huge step up from the GF4 if at all. Software wise it's a step down. Grip wise, depending on what you are flying, I'd much rather have a MCGU than a constellation any day.

[@eric90000]

@@FalconsLedge Thanks! I only ever fly dual stick in Star Citizen, so it would be for dual side stick usage. The GF4 have been nice, and the SCG/MCGu grips are nice - however, it's mainly the base that I am curious about (probably the warbrd-d as I won't be using extensions other than Omni adaptor on left). Some things I have noticed about the GF4 since purchase: Clutches can be 'sticky' and make a click/pop noise when moving the stick from cold. This seems to be a common issue. Space-S cams have a soft but still noticeable detent in the centre, which I don't enjoy the feeling off for a right stick. MCGu is primarily designed as a centre stick for jets, and so it's probably less than ideal ergonomically as a side stick. Mine shipped with chrome-plated cams, which are known to wear over time. They have since fixed this issue with new cams however.

[@FalconsLedge]

@@eric90000 I used the MCGU but as a side stick and center stick, I found no issues in using it as a side stick. You can regrease the clutches with 767A grease. The constellation is based on the F18 grip (the handle not the face), a center stick. I find it to be very badly designed from an ergonomic perspective as a side stick. The main issue being the size and shape of the grip. The MCGU actually has a much nicer grip shape for this, but they're are other issues with using it as a side stick, but IMO it's better than the constellation as a side stick. You may like the feel of the no center cams on the warBRD, but I recommend regreasing the dampers on that too

[@eric90000]

@@FalconsLedge Thank you for your thoughts! Much appreciated. VKB support kindly sent me fresh 767a grease and even new dampener arms, which helped but hasn't solved the stiction issue completely, unfortunately. They are essentially out of ideas, and it seems plenty of others experience it too based on the discord chatter. Don't get me wrong it's not a huge deal, and was 75% solved with fresh grease, but it happens at times and is mildly annoying. I totally hear your concerns about the Constellation being used side-stick. Perhaps the perfect grip and base combination just doesn't exist yet and I should wait lol. Virpil have said there's new designs being announced this year, maybe they will release an updated space stick or something. I am really interested to try the WarBRD-D, though as I have a feeling I may enjoy it more than the Gunfighter 4 - main reasons being dual-cam for symmetrical force, no-centre cams, and no stiction.

[@jagheterbanan]

Looking to replace my X56 stick (🤢) but I have a real hard time trying to decide if I should get the GF-IV MCGU or the warBRD-D with alpha prime. I fly DCS only and will have it standing on my desk. I like the look of the MCG more and I’m planning on getting a STECS when funding allows so the natural choice seems to be the GF-IV. But then there’s a lot of praise to VPC, it’s a bit less expensive and as I understand it they’re made in Europe instead of China.

[@FalconsLedge]

Between those two, I'd go with the gf4/mcgu. The mcgu is the superior grip, the two gimbals are really close.

[@FalconsLedge]

Money says the electronics are still produced in China. Country of origin is irrelevant.

[@kal-nor]

Totally agree about the mounts. I’ve had them for a year or so and if you can afford viper high quality stick(s) then I’d prioritise mounts first. I’d rather have VKB Gladiators (a cheaper alternative) with mounts than paying to have vipers desk mounted. Vipers are a better sticks but mounts are so important. I see we have a new challenger on the high end market with the Evo Mark Ones from flicontech and hopefully they send you some to review as they need to get their name out there. Good to see some challengers to Viper and VKB. Hopefully Thrustmaster up their game again one day.

[@FalconsLedge]

A friend of mine reviewed the Flicon. In my opinion they are good, but overpriced.

[@JackManiacky]

Your two falcons!? So random

[@FalconsLedge]

I'm a falconer, my emblem is a falcon, I link to my Falconry podcast in the description, I have falconry videos earlier in the channel ;)

[@JackManiacky]

@@FalconsLedge ya know, I just didn't pick up on it until you mentioned it. I immediately went to the playlists to see if you had falcon videos

[@FalconsLedge]

@JackManiacky there aren't many, but I hope your enjoy those that are there. I've considered doing some more, but a lot of falconers tend to be very judgemental about social media, so it makes me wary.