VPC Constellation Alpha Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 ก.พ. 2024
- This is our initial impressions of the Virpil Constellation Alpha Prime Grip Gimbal!
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Rig specs:
Intel i9 12900K
ASUS PRIME Motherboard
64GB DDR 4 3200 RAM
2x 1TB M.2 NVME SSD
1TB SATA SSD
1TB HDD for storage
GeForce RTX 3080
NZXT i510 case (modified)
Samsung Odyssey HMD, Oculus Quest 2, HP Reverb G2
VKB Gladiator NXT Left Premium (Omni)
Xbox Controller (for TEDAC)
VPC MT-50 CM3 Gimbal
VPC WarBRD-D
VPC Constellation Alpha Prime Grip
TM F-16 Grip
VKB STECS Standard
Winwing Skywalker Pedals
TM Cougar MFDs
Foxx Mounts x2
MonsterTech long mount
Predator Mount
HiKig Mounts
#HOTAS #HOSAS #DCS #DCSWORLD #F16 #F15 #A10C #HARDWAREREVIEW #THROTTLE #VKB #Mounts #DeskMount #HOTASMount #PredatorMounts #Winwing #Virpil #VPC - เกม
Hands down the best and most informative review I've seen while researching this. Everyone else just talks about how amazing it is because it's metal and I get that anything new is exciting but I wish other youtubers would be as objective as this. With that said if Virpil sent me $1200 in free gear I would think it's the best flightstick as well even when trying not to be biased.
Excellent review!!! I didn’t know about many of the ergonomic points you picked up on, very detailed and backed up with examples, this is a very well rounded and informed review, thanks
For space games the scroll wheel can be very handy - Look Zooming, Scan Range/Angle, Finely controlling max/min speeds. For star citizen stuff such as mining or any beams. I have also seem profiles in which people modify stuff for missile and bomb counts or detonation ranges and such. The sides do and should be 5 ways, agree with you there
I'll have to disagree there. For virtually all of those things you mention an axis is better particularly mining beams.
I use the scrolling wheel on my Alpha as game speed changer (click set it to 1x), it helps in singleplayer. 2-stage switch on the back used for VR zoom and click as the VR reset position.
Glad you have a use for it. Uses that a hat could do just as well ;)
A mouse wheel with press is something that I have no idea I needed but had become more obvious that it is a genuine good feature. Yes I actually like a scroll wheel on my MCGU😈
I still have yet to hear a real use for it from anyone that isn't better filled by some other function on the same device or another
Awesome review. I love how honest you are here - there's so many Virpil reviews where they praise every single thing about the sticks but don't really mention any flaws. Your review is refreshing to see!
I was never able to test sticks myself before purchasing, but I'm glad that I went with VKB (SCG left and MCGu right with GF4 bases).
I’ve recently upgraded from an X-52, so saying this is an upgrade is putting it mildly. Unfortunately I don’t have much to compare this to except for the X-52, so nothing like a Winwing or VKB. I do agree that the thickness of the stick is a bit too much (and I have pretty large hands), and on most of the points you’ve mentioned. Thanks for the review!
It's a good stick, I'm sure it will serve you well, I've actually looked it d decently as a center stick
Interesting so see some more insight details about the ergonomics. I made a written roundup between the SCG and the Alpha on Reddit and I came to the same conclusion. The Alpha is an awesome grip, but the ergonomics on the SCG are by far better.
I'd like to test the Alpha again on a CM3 against the MCGU, as the comparison against a SCG is not really on par, but for my purpose Star Citizen I kept the SCG and sold the Alpha again.
Thx for the video, got yourself a new subscriber :)
Somehow my previous comment vanished, so I assume the comment section doesn't like reddit links.
The MCGU is better for sure. But the CM3 is better than the GF
Pretty interesting review with coming from the ergonomic side of things and speaking about how the stick works great center mounted but isn't optimal as a side stick👍
Good, fair review. I've got the Constellation Alpha Prime (with the Warbrd-D) and I love it, but all your points are absolutely fair. Luckily for me I upgraded from an X52 so anything would have been an improvement, and Virpil stuff is fantastic.
Virpil engineering is great, quality is great, from an x52 that is certainly a world changer!
Watching your review has been bittersweet since I'm still waiting on my Alphas. On the one hand, I really appreciate your in depth input and take of the Alpha grips. On the other hand, your review has made me hesitate on my purchase and will reconsider VKB MCGU or even WW F16EX with MFSSB. Thank you very much for your review.
Make sure to watch my MFSSB video. If I were buying a FSSB, I'd save up and buy something purpose built like Realsim. I was not a fan of the Winwing approach on the FSSB.
Try the alphas out, not everyone's hands are the same. And it also depends on what you are coming from.
For example if you are coming from a Logitech product or T16Ks most any thing will feel amazing.
@@FalconsLedgeYeah I come from dual T16Ks. It is interesting that you say that about the WW FSSB because that is not the take I got from watching your video on it, just that they required a lot of tweaking to get the curve just right.
I think I will be patient and take your advice. Try out the Alphas and I'll pay attention to what you mentioned in your video. If they aren't for me I can always trade them for another set.
@@TrashPandicoot I went back to spring/cam and liked it better. It was ok on the F-16, didn't like it anywhere else. So i suppose if you only fly the F-16 and you want the ultra realistic type control, there you go, but I prefer the spring/cam over the winwing fssb setup. My main irk with it is the barrier between movement and force. It is blended logically but not physically.
thank you for the nice documented review. Always ni e to have real argument and comparison. Is there any dream fonction that you would love to have on the alpha?
Lower right button on the face changed to a hat, face moved towards the center by a bit to center hats on extended thumb. Grip narrowed a bit, more to the thickness range as the F16 grip. hats changed to 5 way gated hats.
Those changes would make it the best grip on the market.
As an Alpha user I do agree with you about the thumb reach and I have got big hands! btw the scroll wheel is always my rudder trim.
Very impressive
"Poor ergonomics choices such as anything logitech makes"
Yeah trying to dig myself out of the x56 hole right now. Had to prioritize the throttle because ghost inputs cost me multiple ships in ED. Got an orion2 throttle, still trying to justify the gimbal and stick, with an eye towards the alpha prime and cm3. I would prefer a force-sensing stick but I need the twist, no space for rudders. Wonder how difficult it'd be to mod in 20kg load cells instead of cams...
One of the main reasons I created this channel is to help direct people to hardware that is "best bang for your buck". I definitely wish you luck in getting away from the X56, as having used it for a bit, I feel for you man.
I am on the waiting list for a VPForce Rhino. Hopefully I'll be prepared when my number comes up.
Logitech is a perfect example of building something to "look cool"....... at least someone thought it looks cool. when it comes to the X52 I get very strong "The 90s called, they want their future concept joystick back" vibes.
I’d like this stick and cm3 but the price is very high. Might be slightly better than the winwing stuff, but it’s well over double the price. Not sure it’s worth it.
The CM3 is a better gimbal, but the F-16EX grip is a better grip
What do you think is the best stick right now for helicopters? Love your reviews btw.
Best stick or best gimbal? The grip is about comfort and usability, the gimbal is going to be key to the experience.
When talking about all gimbals, I'd say a FFB gimbal like the Vpforce Rhino would probably be "best" for helos.
But when looking at more common high end gimbals we are typically talking about spring/cam gimbals like those used by VKB, winwing, and Virpil.
Helos use center sticks and should utilize an extension. For this use case the Virpil CM3 gimbal is the best. There are a variety of sticks you can use. The constellation alpha is certainly a good stick, and currently the one I am using with my CM3 when flying helos. Another alternative would be the Thrustmaster Warthog f-16 grip, which works with the CM3.
@@FalconsLedgeoh wow thanks for schooling me. I am new to this hobby and i did not know you could that with the virpl cm3 gimbal. Thats really interesting i am going to look into that thanks.
Silly question: what is a gated hat?
Gated hats are hat switches where the hats movement moves through gates or pathways so that you don't get accidental activation of buttons. Look up a picture of a gated shifter in a car to get an idea
A thought: would the ergonomics be better suited to using a z-extension? I could see a space-sim rig using dual z-axis sticks with these on both sides.
Possibly, I used a Omni grip on the left but never really had an interest in using it on the right.
@@FalconsLedgeTo that point, would a Omni left and center mounted "right hand" hosas setup make more sense than side by side? I am still waiting for my alphas and I'm thinking of changing my order for a center mount instead of side mount if that would make more sense.
@@TrashPandicoot I think that would certainly work, yes. Your left and right hand would both be in an "open" grip which seems to be ideal for the way the stick is designed. I've liked using it as a center stick.
Considering gimbals and sticks as a whole, do you prefer this or the MCGU?
Depends, is it the WarBRD-D or the CM3?
I would take the MCG-U and GF4 over the Alpha Prime and WarBRD-D. When you put the CM3 in play, it becomes a more difficult decision. The gunfighter is a great base. I think that they've done everything they can with the footprint they are using. When it comes to strength, size does matter. I noticed after using two springs for a long while the bolts holding the cams did begin to bend. They are a standard size, so I just replaced them, but still.
The CM3 is the best spring/cam gimbal on the market. (Review coming soon). I think I'd go with the CM3/Constellation over the MCGU-GF4. Why? Because the gimbal is the most important part.
That said. You can also just get the TM WH F-16 grip, and IMO it has way better ergo than the Constellation, and you really don't give up much.
I was always going to get a vpc alpha but as I have developed as a dcs player I just can’t use something that doesn’t match the actual stick or at least a real one. Such is my planned purchase of a mongoose for when the mig29 comes. Still a quality product and have never heard big complaints.
Absolutely, it's a good product, high quality
Great review. Your ergonomics section makes sure that I will not buy this grip. I had enough of the awful x-55