Viper TQS Mission Pack Review

I was given the Viper TQS Mission Pack by Thrustmaster for a review and I'm going over all the aspects of this new Throttle system that is supposed to be a 1:1 replica of the real Viper Throttle!

Honest review is mostly positive but I do go into detail on every aspect that has caught my attention. Let me know in the comments what you think.

If you are interested in purchasing through AMAZON, then here is an AFFILIATED LINK:

Link to the Viper TQS Mission Pack:
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My PC Specs:

I9-12900KF
RTX 3080ti
Triden 64GB DDR4
Arctic Cooler II 360 AIO
LianLi Dynamic Evo case
Gigabyte Gaming X Z690 mobo

[ralfidude]

Hey guys, just as an FYI:
I wanted to experiment a little bit with this review and not make it a scripted review with voice overs. Thus I used a lav mic. First time doing so. Unfortunately, that also meant that I ran into some audio issues here and there. I apologize for the quality in some spots regarding that matter and I promise that next time I use this format that I will sort out that audio variance. I really wanted to go for a more honest, non scripted reivew where I get to just talk to you guys.
Let me know, did you like this format better than the more scripted voiced over parts? Or should I stick to how I normally do things instead?

[presur]

yet again a certified hood classic from ralfi, thank you.

[oznerol]

Afterburner can be done with custom curves in DCS. You can make a custom curve for every module that hits afterburner exactly on 80% of the axis, with linear sections before and after.

[irooper]

The paddle switch under the grip is the Blackout switch. It exists in some blocks of the real F-16

[Tuuvas]

I love that Thrustmaster included that extra 3 position knob-looking thing like on their TM Hornet grip @ 2:19
This is a great option for me in VR. I setup mouse left click to the depress, mouse right click to the same depress + modifier, and VR zoom or spyglass zoom for the forward/aft directions. Super convenient and valuable addition.

[Vortex]

I pre-ordered mine last month. Very excited to try it out soon! Thanks for the great review, Ralfidude.

[aaronwhite]

Now I'm just hoping you'll do a Zero-to-Hero for the F-16 like you did for the A-10C. It's awesome having people do start-to-finish videos for the planes, though I know it's got to be a monumental task of learning, filming and editing. It's appreciated!

[acktu]

Thanks for the review. I fail to see how at this price one can justify it when we have the Winwing counterpart where for the same price you also get the complete HOTAS with 100% metal F16 joystick. I own it and love it.

[CptAdhesive]

Honestly I'm glad that you've changed your review style, I absolutely love it. The lav mic problem doesn't really matter, it's your first time. A REALLY good first time, very well done!

[MsOpportunity]

One thing to point out regarding the throttle lever, is that button 19 is actuated by the position of the throttle itself. Once it passes the position where you have to lift the throttle to go into afterburner the button is activated. Removing the rail so you don't have to lift the throttle makes no difference as soon as the throttle passes that position the button is activated. As this is still within the axis range, it means that you you have no choice whether the button is pressed when throttling up to max.

[Duvstep]

interesting seeing the actual lifting of the throttle lever to go into afterburner; never knew that was how it was done in the viper. I wonder how real viper pilots deal with that movement like for flying airshows

[daszieher]

This thing is actually tempting me into building a gaming computer after a hiatus of over a decade.

I had and loved the old FLCS/TQS combo many moons ago.

[WartimeFriction]

The AB detent seems like a good excuse for a 3d printer, Ralfi. I won't be surprised to see community made printable AB detent clips in the future for this throttle

[flyingturnip]

That weird paddle switch would be great for VR gloves to track when the hand is off the throttle, I could see that being a use for it if the air force bothered to put their name on it

[NobbsAndVagene]

I have your wallpaper as a t-shirt.
_Live slow, die whenever._ The song of my people.

[AviationPlus]

Had the Warthog for 7 years now upgraded to the Viper. I just about solely fly the F-16 mostly Falcon BMS and occasionally DCS. Either way this purchase was a no brainer. Will have a review of my own soon...not all of us received it for free.

[ryanengle]

Thank you for addressing the Mode switch!

[xenozombie]

I'm a Viper freak. But in terms of sheer functionality, comparing this TQS to the Winwing Orion 2, the TQS looks like it costs more and does less.

Great review, though, Ralfi. Thanks, and I enjoyed the unscripted commentary. 👍

[starfleetau]

Hands-on Blackout (HOBO) Paddle Switch
The HOBO paddle switch, located on the throttle, activates/deactivates the blackout function when the NVIS switch is in ARM.
That's what that button is for as others have said, it exists on most modern vipers.

[tinglydingle]

Raf you can adjust where the afterburner kicks in by fiddling with the axis in DCS, just set the axis as a slider and adjust the saturation until the virtual burner kicks in at the same time as you pass the detent with your hardware throttle. Nowhere near as slick as the BMS system, but doable if you're like me and get annoyed by them not matching.