Hey man random comment, you have amazing production quality and solid videos, you may want to expand your tags to have more multiword 3+ word phrases, and add a beefier description for search engine optimizations. New subscriber. Even your thumbs are solid, but you have to make sure people see them.
dude I'm 2 minutes in to watching my first video on your channel (recommended on my front page) and you're video production quality is superb. Keep up the good work!
Dude I have only been here reading you are comment for 5 words (recommended at the top of the video) and you are commenting skills is great! Keep up the good work!
@@naenx How so? I've been watchng vdeos like this and Noobifier. Seems like excellent marketing to me. My only peeve with Virpil, which I believe they have adressed now, is that they used thread lock for the cam screws. These are supposed to be interchangable but you need extreme heat to melt the thread lock (at least I couldn't get the screws up otherwise). I simply do not understand the reasoning behind that decision. It seems completely counter intuitive to lock a screw that you should want people to have easy access to. That's really my only major gripe, and I do believe the new Mongoose bases have adressed this, but check to be sure.
Hey man I have some questions if you can answer, how long have you used the Deltas, are you satisfied, any complains, and most importantly how's the twist z axis?
Will be getting a pair of these. I think Virpil should get the contract to supply the Expanse for their props now; it would be awesome but they might be too expensive.
A legit review as opposed to a paid endorsement. Integrity at 110%. Rock on Snake man! P.S. - Never saw, but you frmr USMC or Army Ranger / Airborne? Getting that Camp Lejune / Ft. Bragg vibe...
@@jessecalder - Sorry, last one... Great review, 'cause that stick is gonna replace my ancient CH in this: SimLab GT1 Evo Transformer: Evolution imgur.com/gallery/Qej95jW
I'm stuck between the Constellation Alpha R with Mongoos Throttle or just buying the HOTAS WARTHOG The Virpil, unlike the HOTAS Warthog has the mouse wheel - which you'd have to buy the Thrustmaster Cougar to get. That means it can easily adapt to the A-10, F-16, and F-18's realistic setups. My issue is that I only have a Saitek X45 which isn't good for a dual engine fighter and after playing HARRIER in DCS, I definitely want the third slider so I can adjust nozzle angles. There is no one-stick fits all, but the Warthog and Virpil HOTAS setups seem like the best possible choice.
Man I can't wait until I can order a pair of these. The store page has said "COMING SOON" forever, and I haven't seen any news on the restock page about it.
Expect Delays, due to the developing Global Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic situation, that is affecting everyone on the entire planet. In such ways as to disrupt the manufacturing supply chains with PCB electronics component parts for the grip originating shipment out of China and the Asian workforce enforced isolation lock down occurrences. forum.virpil.com/index.php?/topic/1448-constellation-alpha-pre-order-updates/
Finally found the guts to order these myself. My justification is ive been playing Star Citizen since day one and i love flying in general. Just upgrading to Saitek X52 from M&K was HUUUGE so i can only imagine how these will be. How are you enjoying them today? Still amazing?
@@semitrous9613 No regrets! Using em every day. While not playing Star Citizen i am also using em for Microsoft Flight Simulator. I have gone full on Virpil since this post. I have now two virpil alphas, virpil ace pedals, trackir, streamdeck as instrument panel. Once you start you get hooked haha. It definetely improves flying games without a doubt. You feel youre actually controlling a ship and not just a "game ship". Loving it.
Ok, bud. This was a pretty good review. A little drawn out but you kept the information coming without stretching out the video. Sometimes you tubers just keep lugging on about nothing to get longer times. Good job. You kept me to the end of the video.
Thanks for this - this absolutely helped me make my choice (picking up a quality grip for the first time), and on top of that the video/production quality was very good.
Instant sub (if waiting until the video's end counts as "instant," anyway). Excellent presentation, no generic buzzwords, crisp production quality that helps you get your point across, instead of just being there to look pretty... I wasn't exactly on the fence with this stick -- I'm planning to make the jump -- but I deeply appreciate your ability to give clear feedback and describe the product's qualities in a way that someone (or I, at least) can interpret easily. Nail on the head with the mention of the Alpha's design being more grounded in modern aerospace, and it helping suspend that disbelief that you're holding a flight instrument -- spaceship or not -- and not a game controller.
I really would like a set of these, but that price tag! For the price of two grips, two bases, plus two mounts I could get a decent second-hand car. That's probably not going to stop me, but It'll take a couple of years of saving.
I am in the same boat. For the mounts im considering the Monstertech Desk mounts. Also really expensive. Its almost impossible to order everything from Virpil cause maybe they have grips in stock, but not the base. Or maybe both but not the mounts. But yeah, really expensive.... My thought process right now is that you probably got joysticks for a lifetime. Ive already played Star Citizen for so many years now and it would be really fun to have these. Just need to find the courage to order these....
Would have pulled the trigger but the mounting solution, bases and grips all together make this nearly a $1000 leap. Absolutely will be getting 2 of these sometime in the future but for now I just got a VKB gladiator and I am thoroughly impressed with it at its price point and I’ll be sticking with it and maybe getting a second left hand one to use for the next 2-3 years.
I'd like to 'ease in' to a Virpil setup. Can I essentially 'replace' my Saitek X65 joystick with a Connne Alpha, and still use my X-65 throttle?...then maybe add a left hand Connie Alpha stick later...and still use my X-65 throttle? Anybody?
13:00 You don't actually understand why the sticks need to have so many high hats till you play F-16 in DCS. Dropping a bomb leaves you with asymmetrical wind loading and that forces you to have to trim it out immediately. I had to map trimming to my keyboard's Direction arrow keys. Definitely not as nice as being able to quickly trim with the thumb. HOTAS Warthog got it right since that stick is the same as the F-16 and A-10. They even have the Nose Wheel Steering button for the trigger finger.
Thanks for your great reviews. I'm needing to replace my Logitech X56 and you did two great reviews on the virpil and VKB sticks I'm looking at. Thanks for the time and effort!
Agreed, avoid buying Virpil. Buyer Beware. It can be months for them to respond to a ticket. Build quality is going down hill also. It’s still a mom and pop shop and they are struggling with growth in popularity and demand, in regards to quality and customer service... and it’s not acceptable at this price point.
Phil Palmroth I received a faulty stick in late December. I am still waiting to be contacted by the service center to arrange return authorization for shipping to Lithuania. I’ve had no response to my inquiries for many weeks. Several threads on the Discord server and on Reddit document similar experiences.
I have the first generation MongoosT-50 grip and primarily play DCS, but this is really tempting as a 'does-everything-well' grip that I would never need to swap out regardless of what I'm playing. The first gen T50 grip has less hats than the new T50 and is more plasticky... but I'm having a hard time trying to justify the T50CM2 over this, it does everything the CM2 seems to add to my current grip and more. This will be a hard one to resist... oh who am I kidding...
Quick question about the desk mount? How much depth is required to clamp it to the desk? What would be the minimum depth required? I have a large piano keyboard on a drawer under my desk so only have around 3cm to play with
@@jackaxe9258 because I ordered them right before Covid put to world on lockdown, and it was also back when any Virpil pre-order came with a minimum 90 day wait, so the 3 month wait became a 6 month wait.
Hello, great production quality btw!. Just wondering if you have a discount code for the Virpil Constelllation Alpha w/VPC WarBRD Base? I am very interested in purchasing the units also upgrading from the X52.
Sounds like a controller designer/manufacturer has made a device designed to work in SIMULATORS on a COMPUTER. This is something many others don't think about. "Let's design a milspec representation of this jet/airliner/ga plane controller!" But then how do we zoom when we don't have vr? How do we look around the cockpit smoothly when we don't have head tracking? We have a map function built into the sim, but how do we take advantage of this without having to switch to the mouse? Virpil are making massive waves in this sector and, although I've been looking at VKB gear (and own their limited function pedals) for years, I think Virpil are running rings around them.
The 2nd level mouse depress is a control that another review I watched definitely missed. It didn't make sense when they were counting and labeling the buttons numerically, and suddenly say "22 is unmapped" -- I was like "you sure about that bro?" I know how it is having a lot of buttons to find, but it's always your fault if you didn't find one. Keep searching. Even with devices I'm fairly familiar with, sometimes I miss activating a control if I'm just cycling them.
im gonna sell my alpha grip i actually didnt like it over my mongoose CM2 grip, the flip down trigger feels terrible and i dont like how it pulls threw to the main trigger, the build quailty it self is really nice, its heavy and feels good in the hand, but i just did not like that flip down trigger, i like binding that to missiles in starcitizen and simply does not work as well as it does on the mongoose. the other thing i didnt like its a very short grip and is front heavy when u calibrate it you can see it leans forward a bit , only way to correct that is to use cams with soft center and have the springs kinda tight, i perfer to play with very light tension and no center cams.
Kinda curious as to why you compared the C:A to the cosmo, when even in your video you had in the blurry background the OTHER vkb stick that is the direct competitor and far more equivalent to the C:A than the Cosmo: The VKB Gunfighter. And in regards to the Gunfighter, the two sticks are almost evenly matched except for the mouse scroll wheel and a 4-way is replaced by a button.
Just received mine to USA, 76 days from purchase to receive, the packaging is significantly different now from unboxing videos and no manuals or instructions of any kind for a purchase over $1,500 usd is really unexpected
Being left handed, the choice of flightsticks is extremely limited and a full HOTAS setup is out of the question. There are some cheaper options, but they lack the required number of buttons and switches etc to be used in VR. I think ~£350 for stick and base is too much for me, particularly when there's no throttle module made for left handed people :(
how is this frip for dcs world. i dont fly space sims. i am thinking of purchasing one of these let me know you opinion. let me know what you would get if you where me. these are my main jets in dcs world . f-14b, f-18c , f-16 viper. these are my main jets with the f-18 and f-14 being my main jets like jet a1 and jet a3. i also fly the av8b harrier. will this grip work as a great flight sim for real world aircrafts. great video by the way.
So now there is VKB base that still seems to be better choice than premium one by Virpil. On the other hand there is quite likely superb grip design by Virpil. As always - you do not have both at the same time and place. Trouble is - Virpil is much more expensive than VKB. You need base base (:-) ) by Virpil to be comparable in price with the VKB where you get top base in comparison to VKB. And still you will probably pay more for the Virpil.
Everyone's biggest complaint about the Alpha... availability. Virpil's products have all been out of stock every day I have checked since I found out about the company several years ago. They are literally throwing away money at this point by not stepping up production to rising demand.
So the Constellation height with the desktop base is not too high like people say the T-50CM2 is? Looks very nice, but I am constrained to a desktop mount for the time being.
To be fair, most modern fighters have something akin to a thumbstick, except on western aircraft it's usually situated under the throttle index finger. However, Russian designs do indeed have it under the right thumb, while western european designs vary a bit.
I don't think a single review has made me yearn so hard for any product in decades. Fantastic video, great production values, lovely product and, of course, that damned rumbley Snake eater voice. Kudos
Could You do me a favor and take a special measure from the stick? I can not test it, if my hands are big enough for this joystick. I have a x56 from Logitech and this one is too big for my hands.
Plastic? for that money I can not justify spending that much on plastic, sorry even my Hotas stick and throttle are aircraft aluminum stick and they cant make their match.
STICKCEPTION......BWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM. do you use a headtracking attachment too? I saw a livestream with some of the guys from CIG and one of them had that on.
Hope i have done the right thing, i have just ordered the VPC Constellation ALPHA-L and the VPC WarBRD Base off your video primarily for MFS 2020 to fly mostly the single stick planes but nice for the trainer planes . They are going to let me know how long it will take to get it ready for delivery. I just purchased and received a Thrustmaster T.16000M in the meantime and am loving that stick so am hoping the Virpil base and grip are as good
I missed the November pre order because of lack of funds . All saved up and ready to get these bad boys in my hands. Do they usually have more preorders down the road or is it just the one? kind of sucks needing to look at there web site each day for there order schedule to see if it updates.
Yo brother....considering you've had experience with both the T50 and the Alpha....I'm looking to replace my warthog on a warbrd base....for a space sim, which would you recommend? T50 or the Alpha if you had to choose....don't worry, I won't hold you liable for any personal opinions 😁
I have just had this Alpha grip, left hand and the Warbird base just a week now as from this post. What can i say that you haven't, its awesome in everyway. For any Microsoft flight sim user this setup is fantastic, very precise and detailed. I had the Thrustmaster T.16000M for around 2 weeks prior to ordering this set up and its night and day better but no slur on the T 16000 but its just so smooth. Very happy with my setup now👍👍
Snake Eater Company im planing to use the extension with the cm2 base and the consolation alpha grips I’m using this for flight swimming (dcs) and thanks
Excellent review. With the minefield that is the market of high end sticks like this, you've sold me on the Alpha for my first VIRPIL purchase. Thanks!
Thanks for the excellent review. I am a flight sim guy with a simple Thrustmaster setup. The "VPC Constellation ALPHA" video talks a lot about the multi-stage trigger. It is the most important button ever. What is the typical function of a multi-stage trigger when flying a GA plane? Is it more than just braking on the runway? What can I use this luxury trigger for?
The twist is the reason why i will buy it as replacement for my old x-52 habbits! I could not use Rudder Pedals - I hate them! Thank you for your excellent Review, Bud!
Snake, I have not had time to watch this vid completely and also read through all the comments, so if this commnet is redundant I apologise. I have the VKB Kosmosima and GunFighter tabletop base and it has been great for my right hand flight stick. I use a TM 16000 for my left hand and while my setup works, I want to have both sticks be the same. Would you recommend upgrading both sticks and bases to Virpils C. Alpha and WB, and sell my current setup, or just buy a LH Kosmo and another GF base? Your content is awesome and I would take your advise whole heartly, keep on rockin' dude!!
So for me, it seems like a better VKB comparison would be the MCG Pro + twist, given the buttons and feature set of the Alpha. Taking into account the excellent Gunfighter III base, and reputation/build quality of VKB vs some of the QC issues and delays faced by Virpil owners, this becomes a tricky choice!! What are your thoughts between these two offerings, as opposed to the Kosmo?
Every single time you showcase a new Virpil product ; you make me angry .....had i discovered your channel before buying tha A10 warthog set......It's a nice HOTAS ; buth imo throttle could have had more rotary axis... Just looking for Virpil products now ; and waiting to get some more time to come back to flight sims....
Thank you a lot for this review. I'm currently in the process of getting a flightsim upgrade planned and this review helped me a lot. Very good job. The detailed way a choice of words you use to describe things is very very good to imagine it.
Agree with a lot of the comments. Great production quality and I LOVE the thorough review, given my consideration for purchasing this product. Also, how can you beat that beard and voice? Subbed!
Curious how you map your sticks to space sim games - how do you bind your axis? Are you still using a traditional "inverted" pitch as is common in flight simulators?
@@jessecalder Thanks for the quick reply. Coming out of about 4 years of retirement from elite: dangerous, and decided to do it right. Bought 2 of these on your recommendation, and it seems there's no clear consensus on how people like to map their dual sticks. Even pulling "back" on the nose doesn't seem to be something everyone agrees on. Clearly i'll have to experiment. Love the videos though - clear, thorough, well produced.
I have been less than satisfied with Virpil's products. The Toggles switches in the Throttle are wobbly and feel like they are going to break at any moment. They havent yet but I dont use them because of it. The rest of it is great. The thumb axis on my left Delta stick went tits up after about 30 hours of use. The Z axis on my right Delta stick just bought the farm and Ive had this equipment for less than 6 months. They literally fell apart. This stuff costs a very large sum of money and is billed as the top of the line. While that is true for some characteristics, some aspect such as toggle switches and thumb axis are very obviously substandard JUNK. And good luck getting it replaced.
Not really a critical issue but, do you know if you can program the RGB strip with the assigned colours for fire groups in the ship HUD in games like Elite Dangerous? I think it would be a nice ambience feature to have the colour on the sticks change to match the weapon mode of the HUD as you cycle between them, but I'm odd like that.
I am experiencing the same thing you talked about. I just got the constellation Alpha on a warbird base. If feels as if the stick has too much play in it. When I try and select something with th e Alpha the cursor flies past it and I have to slow bring it back to where I want it to be. Coming from a Warthog which was very percicse when moving around the screen. I can't find the 0 cam you speak about on Virpil site. What cam would you suggest for a solution? Love your videos btw.
I'm really trying to justify the Euro to Canadian Dollar for these, but this review has been a big help and push. I'm probably going to own these by the end of the year! Thank you!
Hey Snakeeater - new subscriber here. Would you please compare some of the leading HOTAS out there? I’m mostly a combat aviation simmer, but I enjoy your approach that takes the space sim hardware offerings into account
this video ended up costing me around 1960€. thanks i guess?
I’m on the same page as you on this one
This comment is literally scaring the S! out of me... lol!
$1750 after taxes and shipping, on the Primes.
Thanks Jesse and PayPal Credit.
Hey man random comment, you have amazing production quality and solid videos, you may want to expand your tags to have more multiword 3+ word phrases, and add a beefier description for search engine optimizations. New subscriber. Even your thumbs are solid, but you have to make sure people see them.
As solid as I am sure his thumbs are, what do they have to do with anything?
@@jimmehjiimmeehh9748 Pretty sure you's trollin... but he's talking about thumbnails.
dude I'm 2 minutes in to watching my first video on your channel (recommended on my front page) and you're video production quality is superb. Keep up the good work!
@@jessecalder just came across it too....subscribed after 5min :) great review
@@jamesb7759 I don't understand how such a quality channel doesn't have 364 million subs
Dude I have only been here reading you are comment for 5 words (recommended at the top of the video) and you are commenting skills is great! Keep up the good work!
people: boo, the top looks like a xenomorph head
me, an intellectual: sweet, the top looks like a xenomorph head
Yo I literally looked at it that was the first thing that came to my mind “sick it looks like a xenomorph”
I wasn't planning on upgrading from the Deltas, but after watching this.... I'll be watching the restock page like a hawk.
I feel like they could make a killing with these products but whoever is running this company obviously has no marketing skills whatsoever....
@@naenx How so? I've been watchng vdeos like this and Noobifier. Seems like excellent marketing to me.
My only peeve with Virpil, which I believe they have adressed now, is that they used thread lock for the cam screws. These are supposed to be interchangable but you need extreme heat to melt the thread lock (at least I couldn't get the screws up otherwise). I simply do not understand the reasoning behind that decision. It seems completely counter intuitive to lock a screw that you should want people to have easy access to.
That's really my only major gripe, and I do believe the new Mongoose bases have adressed this, but check to be sure.
@@goffe2282 I am not sure but i could be safety needed.
Hey man I have some questions if you can answer, how long have you used the Deltas, are you satisfied, any complains, and most importantly how's the twist z axis?
I'd like a trackball instead of the main stick. Velocity based axis is really helpful for menus and fine aiming/reticle setting
I'm trying to decide between Alpha, and the VKB Kosmosima, what I really need to know though is which works best for really small hands?
Will be getting a pair of these. I think Virpil should get the contract to supply the Expanse for their props now; it would be awesome but they might be too expensive.
A legit review as opposed to a paid endorsement. Integrity at 110%.
Rock on Snake man!
P.S. - Never saw, but you frmr USMC or Army Ranger / Airborne? Getting that Camp Lejune / Ft. Bragg vibe...
@@jessecalder USMC Aircrew... We'd give you guys a lift sometimes... 😉👍. Always liked Army shooters... Didn't care for the pogs too much... 😉
@@jessecalder - Sorry, last one... Great review, 'cause that stick is gonna replace my ancient CH in this:
SimLab GT1 Evo Transformer: Evolution imgur.com/gallery/Qej95jW
12:00 the thumbstick would be nice if you can map it to TDC slewing.
@Jesse Calder I cant decide between this and the MCE Ultimate. Which do you recommend the most? Which pleased you the most?
Thanks for the thorough review. I can’t wait to get this grip for myself. Keep up the good work. 18B all the way!
I'm stuck between the Constellation Alpha R with Mongoos Throttle or just buying the HOTAS WARTHOG
The Virpil, unlike the HOTAS Warthog has the mouse wheel - which you'd have to buy the Thrustmaster Cougar to get. That means it can easily adapt to the A-10, F-16, and F-18's realistic setups.
My issue is that I only have a Saitek X45 which isn't good for a dual engine fighter and after playing HARRIER in DCS, I definitely want the third slider so I can adjust nozzle angles.
There is no one-stick fits all, but the Warthog and Virpil HOTAS setups seem like the best possible choice.
Man I can't wait until I can order a pair of these. The store page has said "COMING SOON" forever, and I haven't seen any news on the restock page about it.
Expect Delays, due to the developing Global Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic situation, that is affecting everyone on the entire planet. In such ways as to disrupt the manufacturing supply chains with PCB electronics component parts for the grip originating shipment out of China and the Asian workforce enforced isolation lock down occurrences. forum.virpil.com/index.php?/topic/1448-constellation-alpha-pre-order-updates/
Finally found the guts to order these myself. My justification is ive been playing Star Citizen since day one and i love flying in general. Just upgrading to Saitek X52 from M&K was HUUUGE so i can only imagine how these will be. How are you enjoying them today? Still amazing?
Hey man, how did you enjoy your upgrade? was it worth buying for Star Citizen? greetings from the Netherlands!
@@semitrous9613 No regrets! Using em every day. While not playing Star Citizen i am also using em for Microsoft Flight Simulator. I have gone full on Virpil since this post. I have now two virpil alphas, virpil ace pedals, trackir, streamdeck as instrument panel. Once you start you get hooked haha.
It definetely improves flying games without a doubt. You feel youre actually controlling a ship and not just a "game ship". Loving it.
@@Avean Thanks for your quick response! I just ordered 2 Alphas, desk mounts and WarBRD bases. Can't wait till it comes in the mail!
@@semitrous9613 Congrats! You will love em. Quality that lasts for a lifetime.
You sound like a young Mike Rowe (in a good way!)
That's it! I was wondering why he sounded familiar. :)
Ok, bud. This was a pretty good review. A little drawn out but you kept the information coming without stretching out the video. Sometimes you tubers just keep lugging on about nothing to get longer times. Good job. You kept me to the end of the video.
Hey great video! Very informative. Question: what do you mean when you say along the lines of “virpil is gearing up for a third preorder round”
Thanks for this - this absolutely helped me make my choice (picking up a quality grip for the first time), and on top of that the video/production quality was very good.
Instant sub (if waiting until the video's end counts as "instant," anyway). Excellent presentation, no generic buzzwords, crisp production quality that helps you get your point across, instead of just being there to look pretty...
I wasn't exactly on the fence with this stick -- I'm planning to make the jump -- but I deeply appreciate your ability to give clear feedback and describe the product's qualities in a way that someone (or I, at least) can interpret easily. Nail on the head with the mention of the Alpha's design being more grounded in modern aerospace, and it helping suspend that disbelief that you're holding a flight instrument -- spaceship or not -- and not a game controller.
I really would like a set of these, but that price tag! For the price of two grips, two bases, plus two mounts I could get a decent second-hand car. That's probably not going to stop me, but It'll take a couple of years of saving.
I am in the same boat. For the mounts im considering the Monstertech Desk mounts. Also really expensive. Its almost impossible to order everything from Virpil cause maybe they have grips in stock, but not the base. Or maybe both but not the mounts. But yeah, really expensive.... My thought process right now is that you probably got joysticks for a lifetime. Ive already played Star Citizen for so many years now and it would be really fun to have these. Just need to find the courage to order these....
Dude...
That deep buttery voice
Subbed. Jokes aside, awesome and thorough review - I too will join the watch
Would have pulled the trigger but the mounting solution, bases and grips all together make this nearly a $1000 leap. Absolutely will be getting 2 of these sometime in the future but for now I just got a VKB gladiator and I am thoroughly impressed with it at its price point and I’ll be sticking with it and maybe getting a second left hand one to use for the next 2-3 years.
any sticks for civilian aircraft?
I'd like to 'ease in' to a Virpil setup. Can I essentially 'replace' my Saitek X65 joystick with a Connne Alpha, and still use my X-65 throttle?...then maybe add a left hand Connie Alpha stick later...and still use my X-65 throttle? Anybody?
13:00 You don't actually understand why the sticks need to have so many high hats till you play F-16 in DCS.
Dropping a bomb leaves you with asymmetrical wind loading and that forces you to have to trim it out immediately. I had to map trimming to my keyboard's Direction arrow keys. Definitely not as nice as being able to quickly trim with the thumb.
HOTAS Warthog got it right since that stick is the same as the F-16 and A-10. They even have the Nose Wheel Steering button for the trigger finger.
Thanks for your great reviews. I'm needing to replace my Logitech X56 and you did two great reviews on the virpil and VKB sticks I'm looking at. Thanks for the time and effort!
Ill pass, company has 0 customer service this is a huge red flag in my view.
Pierre-Luc Asselin True. Their warranty is fictitious right now. Zero support indeed.
Agreed, avoid buying Virpil. Buyer Beware. It can be months for them to respond to a ticket. Build quality is going down hill also. It’s still a mom and pop shop and they are struggling with growth in popularity and demand, in regards to quality and customer service... and it’s not acceptable at this price point.
I'm thinking about getting a grip and base. Can you elaborate on the experience you had with their customer support that was bad?
Phil Palmroth I received a faulty stick in late December. I am still waiting to be contacted by the service center to arrange return authorization for shipping to Lithuania. I’ve had no response to my inquiries for many weeks. Several threads on the Discord server and on Reddit document similar experiences.
Mike Gilbert ok thanks. Good to know. Good luck with that.
I have the first generation MongoosT-50 grip and primarily play DCS, but this is really tempting as a 'does-everything-well' grip that I would never need to swap out regardless of what I'm playing. The first gen T50 grip has less hats than the new T50 and is more plasticky... but I'm having a hard time trying to justify the T50CM2 over this, it does everything the CM2 seems to add to my current grip and more. This will be a hard one to resist... oh who am I kidding...
Thumb joystick application in normal flight sims: CAMERA! So awesome!
This video has convinced me.. Just waiting for payday.. Lol
Received my first one about 9 weeks after ordering! ;)
Why are all the good sticks always European and uber expensive? This does look amazing though.
Play this at 1.75x and its perfect! How does this grip compare to thrustmaster warthog? I am disappointed its not metal.
Quick question about the desk mount? How much depth is required to clamp it to the desk? What would be the minimum depth required? I have a large piano keyboard on a drawer under my desk so only have around 3cm to play with
I see you have virpil's pedals too.
altogether, the entire setup with HOTAS plus pedals is $1000.
I finally got my Alpha and throttle a couple weeks ago and they exceeded expectations! This review definitely helped me get through the 6 month wait.
Why was the wait so long
@@jackaxe9258 because I ordered them right before Covid put to world on lockdown, and it was also back when any Virpil pre-order came with a minimum 90 day wait, so the 3 month wait became a 6 month wait.
Hello, great production quality btw!. Just wondering if you have a discount code for the Virpil Constelllation Alpha w/VPC WarBRD Base? I am very interested in purchasing the units also upgrading from the X52.
Sounds like a controller designer/manufacturer has made a device designed to work in SIMULATORS on a COMPUTER. This is something many others don't think about. "Let's design a milspec representation of this jet/airliner/ga plane controller!" But then how do we zoom when we don't have vr? How do we look around the cockpit smoothly when we don't have head tracking? We have a map function built into the sim, but how do we take advantage of this without having to switch to the mouse?
Virpil are making massive waves in this sector and, although I've been looking at VKB gear (and own their limited function pedals) for years, I think Virpil are running rings around them.
How tall is this thing going to be on a desk with the WarBRD Base? I want to be able to compare it to my old Sidewinder Forcefeedback 2!
The 2nd level mouse depress is a control that another review I watched definitely missed. It didn't make sense when they were counting and labeling the buttons numerically, and suddenly say "22 is unmapped" -- I was like "you sure about that bro?" I know how it is having a lot of buttons to find, but it's always your fault if you didn't find one. Keep searching. Even with devices I'm fairly familiar with, sometimes I miss activating a control if I'm just cycling them.
im gonna sell my alpha grip i actually didnt like it over my mongoose CM2 grip, the flip down trigger feels terrible and i dont like how it pulls threw to the main trigger, the build quailty it self is really nice, its heavy and feels good in the hand, but i just did not like that flip down trigger, i like binding that to missiles in starcitizen and simply does not work as well as it does on the mongoose. the other thing i didnt like its a very short grip and is front heavy when u calibrate it you can see it leans forward a bit , only way to correct that is to use cams with soft center and have the springs kinda tight, i perfer to play with very light tension and no center cams.
hey man, where are you based? would be interested in your Alpha.
Of all the flight gear review video, you definitely take the coolest shots and have the best cameras！ Keep up the great work!
Kinda curious as to why you compared the C:A to the cosmo, when even in your video you had in the blurry background the OTHER vkb stick that is the direct competitor and far more equivalent to the C:A than the Cosmo: The VKB Gunfighter. And in regards to the Gunfighter, the two sticks are almost evenly matched except for the mouse scroll wheel and a 4-way is replaced by a button.
Just received mine to USA, 76 days from purchase to receive, the packaging is significantly different now from unboxing videos and no manuals or instructions of any kind for a purchase over $1,500 usd is really unexpected
Being left handed, the choice of flightsticks is extremely limited and a full HOTAS setup is out of the question. There are some cheaper options, but they lack the required number of buttons and switches etc to be used in VR. I think ~£350 for stick and base is too much for me, particularly when there's no throttle module made for left handed people :(
Only thing I don't like about this video is the number of jump cuts. Woulda taken 5-20 minutes to just redo it and not have jumps every 5-10 seconds.
how is this frip for dcs world. i dont fly space sims. i am thinking of purchasing one of these let me know you opinion. let me know what you would get if you where me. these are my main jets in dcs world . f-14b, f-18c , f-16 viper. these are my main jets with the f-18 and f-14 being my main jets like jet a1 and jet a3. i also fly the av8b harrier. will this grip work as a great flight sim for real world aircrafts. great video by the way.
So now there is VKB base that still seems to be better choice than premium one by Virpil. On the other hand there is quite likely superb grip design by Virpil. As always - you do not have both at the same time and place.
Trouble is - Virpil is much more expensive than VKB. You need base base (:-) ) by Virpil to be comparable in price with the VKB where you get top base in comparison to VKB. And still you will probably pay more for the Virpil.
Everyone's biggest complaint about the Alpha... availability. Virpil's products have all been out of stock every day I have checked since I found out about the company several years ago. They are literally throwing away money at this point by not stepping up production to rising demand.
Damn Virpil the Alpha looks so cool, think I'm replacing my stick. Great vid Snake.
Special forces veteran? Isn't this life more exciting than TH-cam? Some might find my comment very stupid, but I really envy you a part of your life!
So the Constellation height with the desktop base is not too high like people say the T-50CM2 is? Looks very nice, but I am constrained to a desktop mount for the time being.
To be fair, most modern fighters have something akin to a thumbstick, except on western aircraft it's usually situated under the throttle index finger. However, Russian designs do indeed have it under the right thumb, while western european designs vary a bit.
I don't think a single review has made me yearn so hard for any product in decades. Fantastic video, great production values, lovely product and, of course, that damned rumbley Snake eater voice. Kudos
Could You do me a favor and take a special measure from the stick? I can not test it, if my hands are big enough for this joystick. I have a x56 from Logitech and this one is too big for my hands.
Which desk mounts are those? S or L?
Trying to decide virpil vs monstertech...
Plastic? for that money I can not justify spending that much on plastic, sorry even my Hotas stick and throttle are aircraft aluminum stick and they cant make their match.
can you combine 1 mongoose and alpha together? Id like to have a center stick and alpha doesn't have the extension. reply if anyone has tried this.
Very nice rev man, thx for sharing the knowledge.
Ye I will get 2 of these a chair mount for them and the virpal bases. damn my savings is gona take a small hit :P
STICKCEPTION......BWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM. do you use a headtracking attachment too? I saw a livestream with some of the guys from CIG and one of them had that on.
@@jessecalder thats whats up.
Fawk, I bought the X56 but this is the one I meant to buy 🙃
a few of my friends suggested this and T50 CM3 and my god...
Can you thumb-stick be used instead of a mouse to look around the cockpit and can the wheel be used to zoom your view in and out?
Well, I guess it's time to say goodby to my superglue fixed x56
Of course i want them but @ 1200$ CAD fuck that shit
the constellation Alpha looks like it could burst out of your chest
Hope i have done the right thing, i have just ordered the VPC Constellation ALPHA-L and the VPC WarBRD Base off your video primarily for MFS 2020 to fly mostly the single stick planes but nice for the trainer planes . They are going to let me know how long it will take to get it ready for delivery. I just purchased and received a Thrustmaster T.16000M in the meantime and am loving that stick so am hoping the Virpil base and grip are as good
I missed the November pre order because of lack of funds . All saved up and ready to get these bad boys in my hands. Do they usually have more preorders down the road or is it just the one? kind of sucks needing to look at there web site each day for there order schedule to see if it updates.
@@jessecalder By the way. Another great review. Hit all the points and then some!
I have dual Deltas.. love them but FUCKING TAKE MY MONEY I’m getting the Alphas. I’ve been so stoked to see a review. Good job on this
I bought these after your review. Thanks boss!
flip down trigger for missile lock and fire :3
Yo brother....considering you've had experience with both the T50 and the Alpha....I'm looking to replace my warthog on a warbrd base....for a space sim, which would you recommend? T50 or the Alpha if you had to choose....don't worry, I won't hold you liable for any personal opinions 😁
@@jessecalder you da man. Thank you sir!
I have just had this Alpha grip, left hand and the Warbird base just a week now as from this post. What can i say that you haven't, its awesome in everyway. For any Microsoft flight sim user this setup is fantastic, very precise and detailed. I had the Thrustmaster T.16000M for around 2 weeks prior to ordering this set up and its night and day better but no slur on the T 16000 but its just so smooth. Very happy with my setup now👍👍
Which extension would you recommend with the MONSTERTECH extended mount the 100mm extension or the 200mm s curve?
Snake Eater Company im planing to use the extension with the cm2 base and the consolation alpha grips I’m using this for flight swimming (dcs) and thanks
Excellent review. With the minefield that is the market of high end sticks like this, you've sold me on the Alpha for my first VIRPIL purchase. Thanks!
That is a Xbox One controller thumbstick
you sound and talk just like the youtube Ryker who does diablo videos
Thanks for the review! I'm wondering can the VPC WarBRD Bases be mounted on a deskmount if desired?
it's been more than a year. how's it holding up?
Thanks for the excellent review.
I am a flight sim guy with a simple Thrustmaster setup. The "VPC Constellation ALPHA" video talks a lot about the multi-stage trigger. It is the most important button ever.
What is the typical function of a multi-stage trigger when flying a GA plane? Is it more than just braking on the runway?
What can I use this luxury trigger for?
The twist is the reason why i will buy it as replacement for my old x-52 habbits! I could not use Rudder Pedals - I hate them! Thank you for your excellent Review, Bud!
Can you use one stick cuz I want to buy this for the left handed one
Snake, I have not had time to watch this vid completely and also read through all the comments, so if this commnet is redundant I apologise. I have the VKB Kosmosima and GunFighter tabletop base and it has been great for my right hand flight stick. I use a TM 16000 for my left hand and while my setup works, I want to have both sticks be the same. Would you recommend upgrading both sticks and bases to Virpils C. Alpha and WB, and sell my current setup, or just buy a LH Kosmo and another GF base? Your content is awesome and I would take your advise whole heartly, keep on rockin' dude!!
So for me, it seems like a better VKB comparison would be the MCG Pro + twist, given the buttons and feature set of the Alpha.
Taking into account the excellent Gunfighter III base, and reputation/build quality of VKB vs some of the QC issues and delays faced by Virpil owners, this becomes a tricky choice!!
What are your thoughts between these two offerings, as opposed to the Kosmo?
Im buying Virpil gear. Base, grip and throttle. Which grip would you recommend? This or MongoosT-50CM2?
I just bought two of them... Can't wait for it to arrive
Every single time you showcase a new Virpil product ; you make me angry .....had i discovered your channel before buying tha A10 warthog set......It's a nice HOTAS ; buth imo throttle could have had more rotary axis...
Just looking for Virpil products now ; and waiting to get some more time to come back to flight sims....
Thank you a lot for this review. I'm currently in the process of getting a flightsim upgrade planned and this review helped me a lot. Very good job. The detailed way a choice of words you use to describe things is very very good to imagine it.
Agree with a lot of the comments. Great production quality and I LOVE the thorough review, given my consideration for purchasing this product. Also, how can you beat that beard and voice? Subbed!
Curious how you map your sticks to space sim games - how do you bind your axis? Are you still using a traditional "inverted" pitch as is common in flight simulators?
@@jessecalder Thanks for the quick reply. Coming out of about 4 years of retirement from elite: dangerous, and decided to do it right. Bought 2 of these on your recommendation, and it seems there's no clear consensus on how people like to map their dual sticks. Even pulling "back" on the nose doesn't seem to be something everyone agrees on. Clearly i'll have to experiment. Love the videos though - clear, thorough, well produced.
I love how it looks like a Xenomorph's head.
I have been less than satisfied with Virpil's products. The Toggles switches in the Throttle are wobbly and feel like they are going to break at any moment. They havent yet but I dont use them because of it. The rest of it is great. The thumb axis on my left Delta stick went tits up after about 30 hours of use. The Z axis on my right Delta stick just bought the farm and Ive had this equipment for less than 6 months. They literally fell apart. This stuff costs a very large sum of money and is billed as the top of the line. While that is true for some characteristics, some aspect such as toggle switches and thumb axis are very obviously substandard JUNK. And good luck getting it replaced.
Not really a critical issue but, do you know if you can program the RGB strip with the assigned colours for fire groups in the ship HUD in games like Elite Dangerous?
I think it would be a nice ambience feature to have the colour on the sticks change to match the weapon mode of the HUD as you cycle between them, but I'm odd like that.
I am experiencing the same thing you talked about. I just got the constellation Alpha on a warbird base.
If feels as if the stick has too much play in it. When I try and select something with th e Alpha the cursor flies past it and I have to slow bring it back to where I want it to be.
Coming from a Warthog which was very percicse when moving around the screen. I can't find the 0 cam you speak about on Virpil site. What cam would you suggest for a solution?
Love your videos btw.
I'm really trying to justify the Euro to Canadian Dollar for these, but this review has been a big help and push. I'm probably going to own these by the end of the year! Thank you!
Hey Snakeeater - new subscriber here. Would you please compare some of the leading HOTAS out there? I’m mostly a combat aviation simmer, but I enjoy your approach that takes the space sim hardware offerings into account
How tall from desk to base of hand rest with warbrd?
Hello 👋, where do I buy for this price?