Thrustmaster F-16 VIPER Throttle Quadrant System! | Unboxing & First Look

[Chewwy]

Hey folks, just wanted to pin a quick comment from me. I’m reading all the comments and seeing the range of opinions on both ends of the scale. Please rest assured I do give direct feedback to Thrustmaster both on positive and negative receptions to products. This video is here to give those of you who may be interested in the Viper TQS an early first look at what to expect. Thanks for keeping the comment section respectful and honest, no matter how you feel about the product. I appreciate you all taking time out of your day to watch the video! 🙂

[generic_luke]

Outrageous pricing when compared to WinWings Orion 2 with viper grip. The full base/throttle price are more or less the same for both, but what you get for that price differs significantly.

[TARCMMANDR]

As an owner of a Thrustmaster Warthog HOTAS (F-16 and the F/A-18 grips, the throttle was produced circa 2018 and I am aware they have improved the TDC slew since), as well as a WinWing Orion 2 with F-16EX grip and rail. For about a year now the F-16 has been my aircraft of choice in DCS. Here's my take.

It's nice to see Thrustmaster trying to cater to the Viper gang. But I don't think this can compete with other products on the market. Yes, the unit is a 1:1 replica. Yes, the build quality in the Warthog caliber of products is generally good... but not as good as one might hope.

My issue is price point. At $530 USD, it's very hard to believe Thrustmaster will have upped their production quality enough to justify the price. The Warthog throttle showed the QC issues that can affect their products - nothing massive, but a pinky switch that was wobbly out of the box, and the action on the thrust axes, as well as a sticky hat on my Hornet grip, might be dismissable at the prices their kit was before the pandemic. But if they manifest in this unit, definitely not at $530. I am skeptical that Thrustmaster can meet the standard they are setting for themselves at this price.
Meanwhile, my Winwing throttle has an excellent motion and detection, equal (if not superior) QC and build quality, is better at syncing with DCS in terms of switch status and controls, seems to have better machining in the rail, and can be rebuilt into a Hornet (or soon, F-15E) grip if desired. With all the buttons, it's cheaper than the Viper TQS throttle only! So there's no way Thrustmaster can compete if buyers are informed; even after factoring in the extra shipping from China, the Winwing will be much cheaper but very comparable on quality and feature set.

I also don't think the rest of Thrustmaster's portfolio can hold up to the $530 price point, even if this unit ends up doing so. Thrustmaster doesn't currently offer any gimbals that match their pedals or the Viper TQS in quality - again, assuming that they hold up to their price tags. Is the Warthog gimbal bad? No, it's still my daily driver, and I appreciate how easy it is to switch grips on the gimbal. But when I'm going this high caliber for price, I would rather a Winwing Orion 2 F-16EX FSSB grip. Pricey, yes, but hardly the priciest - and you should really be getting the FSSB stick action for a pricey throttle.

Thrustmaster needs to do something better. As my first HOTAS five years ago the Warthog and Hornet grip served me well, but other companies have done more to improve themselves and innovate in this segment of the market by now.

[manolog.]

This is such great news. I've been waiting on TM to remake the Viper throttle and it's finally comeback to life. Thanks for the video!

[DVoidOfSpareUsername]

Having owned TM products like warthog and T500 but also winwing and virpil products the TM ones are a quality level below yet are priced the same. TM should be much cheaper to fill the gap between plastic fantastic and the better options.

[lakkchina]

can you please post a video review update? I would like to know how the panel goes attached and connected to the throttle...

[PeteyCarcass]

Looks incredibly cheap, but looking forward to proper reviews. If nothing else I'm glad to see Thrustmaster releasing new products.

[subwayak]

Does TM know companies like VIRPIL, VKB and WinWing exist? Why would I pay more to get less quality?

[MarcinW]

It seems like throttle travel distance is smaller than WinWing one. Is it?

[iFlyAircraft]

Pricing is awfully high. Virpil and Winwing own the market so they should align themselves with their competitors to be successful at selling units. I still see this as a DoD (USAF) and foreign export training product meant to be used for non-official sim training. Remember; blind brand loyalty is not normal so unless this product can deliver better quality/performance at a cheaper or competitive price it’s not the product for most consumers in the high end flight sim market.

[mikoyanyuk]

I don't know but it looks... odd for some reasons.

Pricing might be a little bit too high, but looking at high doesn't looks like an "professional product" but more as an Toy

[HADESPAYLOAD]

I dont understand why they do specific aircraft clones vs Virpil's agnostic approach (mostly). This could have been a good one for all single engine like the Mig21, FC1 and Mirage2k and the several single engines announced. I would like to see an agnostic single engine throttle with a zoom axis with center detent in the grip.

[jimmyg]

Is this throttle going to be mountable ? I just set up a Wheel Stand Pro and want to know if I'll be able to mount this.

[RainmanHST]

Do you have to use the pinky lever to move it to the AB gate or are you just doing that? The real throttle you just lift to go to AB gate. Only need the pinky lever for cut off

[MrPhantom]

Looking forward to your review of this in terms of build quality and functionality.

[kidd]

This is the great news for BMS and DCS players! Thanks! 👍

[ghislainnoel]

Not clear what material it's made off. Is it full metal like the original Cougar throttle?

[benyarnall]

You said this was ready straight away, and you weren’t kidding!

[Patrik.Pereira]

thrustmaster plastic for over 500 bux???? are they high?

[AdmiralQuality]

Looks great, but kind of sad that the friction control isn't the friction control and you have to go around back with an Allen wrench to adjust it. (That is NOT a trim control! They're twist-knobs on the Viper, or more commonly accessed by the hat on your stick.) The whole point of a friction adjustment is so you can change it in flight so it's loose when you want and tight when you want.