Fly Better - Z Extension Omni Throttle

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Star Citizen aims to span multiple video game types by combining space trading, space combat and shooter elements, in a first person massively multiplayer online game. We cover the ongoing situation to keep you informed and up to day. As an early backer and tester, you need to be ready for its quirks but you can also witness the game evolve.

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#noobifier #vkb #virpil #joystick

[jdoe]

I use the Virpil Z extension with my WarBrd Base. Works great. I would like to get the CM3 Base with the clutch but it is a bit too expensive for me to replace a perfectly fine working gimbal just to get the clutch.

I recently saw a video which helps with centering the stick. Setup 3 virtual Buttons for your y axis in the VPC configuration tool. 1 for 0 to 49% input, 1 for 50% (dead center) and one for 51 to 100% input. And now add color effects to the LED depending on which Button is "pressed". I used blue for 51 to 100% (forward), green for 50% (center position) and for 0 to 49% (backward). Now you can see if your stick is centered and you don't need to use a deadzone. Just push or pull the stick depending on the color of the LED.

I would like to claim this as my idea but i got it from @Afterimage Flight
Lock for his channel if you want to see his detailed setup guide for the LED colors. He also build a really great Star Citizen simpit.

[SVgamer]

Never skip HOSAS day. Thanks for the great content.

[eltreum]

I use the VKB Gunfighters with their omni throttle adapter and love it, total game play changer. It makes flight ergonomics comfortable for me and flight is 1:1 movement intuitive in 0g flight. Left stick is all axis translations/strafes and right is axis rotations like a plane except I put roll on twist and Yaw on side movement and ditched pedals. It matches 1:1 what's happening on screen.

[lostphotographs]

The Z-extension was a game changer when installed. Changed the virpils into an intuitive beast.

[DOSHIELD]

Thanks for following up. I hadn’t considered using one of the sticks as a throttle. I like that idea because it enables you to adjust and tune your controllers to the ships/vehicles you are flying (especially if you interact with multiple vehicles in one gameplay).

[chefhawkins]

I went z-extension on both sticks because I've wanted that setup since I saw Anakin's podracing controls in Phantom Menace in theaters

[lordfraybin]

I've been waiting for your follow up review since you first told us about the Z axis... BUT...
I purchased one about 10 minutes after seeing that video.

A few weeks later it arrived and I've never taken it off my left VIRPIL since.
I LOVE IT!

[reavern]

Interesting and informative video.

I also run dual Virpil Constellation Alpha Primes and a Z Extension on the left stick, but I also have the Virpil CM3 Throttle on a mount beside the left stick, as well as Rudder Pedals. For 6DOF, I use the dual sticks for dogfighting and I use the throttle and pedals for non-combat ships (haulers and racers). The new CM3 base’s drag clutch is a useful feature but doesn’t appeal to me, and the throttle feels more natural, especially with the detents. Also, the throttle has tons of extra buttons, switches, HATs, and mode switches, which are more useful.

[asymsolutions]

I have vkbs and have them ALMOST set up the exact way, except for keeping to your old throttle setup, and keeping the right stick & pedals the same as regular flight sims. The reason is I don't have the room for a dedicated throttle in my setup, so I use my left stick as a throttle and don't use the x axis or twist on it in DCS, the other reason for the throttle setup is that without some type of cam or detent, neutral is not intuitive on the VKB's due to how the stick feels like it cams over very early on the negative y-axis.

[gryphon]

i feckin love my omnithrottle because i dont have pedals, or the space to make pedals work so i have to use all 6 axis on my twin sticks to make 6dof work. and my stupid brain just does not do well with left/right twist for up/down movement, just laying the left stick on its side allowed me to go from consciously thinking about that part of my control scheme every time i used it to it being basically instinctive. I'm not a "better" pilot by any means, at least as far as skill goes, but it definitely aided reaction times

[wild_lee_coyote]

One thing I noticed from using my z bend is it makes the flight more intuitive. I have my z strafe on the twist axis of the throttle stick. With them vertical it felt kinda arbitrary which way to twist to strafe up. With the z bend it makes it very intuitive to rotate up to strafe up. When I first got my dual stick I wanted to try 3D printing a throttle to mount to the CM2 I have. With the z bend I don’t have to fuss with it.

[fubardad]

I work/play on a L shaped desk. Since my gaming is on my "right" side... the z-ext doesnt work so well because it can hit the "left-side" of my desk. Something very contextual but relevant to me. But, I do use the z-axis on my LH stick and it feels more natural to keep the whole grip vertical since it matches the relation to the roll/z-axis setup.

[karl]

I use the Z-extension for my strafing stick but not my regular flight stick. i love this setup.

[snaggletoof]

I think it's pretty awesome that they are modifiable like this. Thank you for the info, N00b!

[NULL]

Honestly the T1600 Throttle, with the analog stick at the index finger, makes a really good throttle. I have upgraded mine with polymer bearings and magnet detents at the 50% mark, so I get full use of the throttle for forward/back, then the analog stick gets used for strafe up/down, and left/right. It's not as fine as a joystick, but it does the trick. I would love a space joystick with analog sticks at either both index finger positions, or thumb positions for complete tracking. Turtle Beach got so close with their mouse track button, but I went with Evo gladiators. I like to keep all linear axis on my left hand, and all rotational axis on my right hand.

[IigAI]

Hey, I am that discord member! I am glad for the new content, I asked in discord for clarification but am asking here too for more visibility and permanence. You missed one part that I am super curious about and that was about using Z extension in both hands simultaneously, is it good that way? I dont see that setup ever and I wonder why.

[Fester_]

"We've received your order details, but have not yet received your parcel ". Soon I will be trying the above. Thanks for the uploads.

[Thibs]

When you do a full review of the WarBRD-D, please test out the Z extension with it. I am leaning toward buying a WarBRD-D and left Alpha Prime with the Z extension later in the year. I would love to know what to expect. :)

[TheUpintilldawn]

i use warbirds for both sticks. Left y i also use as throttle. y and x use springs. But thanks to this it gives me ideas for my Virpil Throttle use. i currently own left and right virpils, with all 3 panels, virpil m50 throttle plus pedals. My main problem... Trying to remember what button does what.. lol. I love duel stick flying in Star Citizen. See you all in the Verse.

[markdonnelly]

I have left and right Gladiator EVO Omni throttles, and ergonomically, for me, they are so much more comfortable. I find the twist on standard upright joysticks to be painful after a while, but with these that totally goes away.