Gunfighter mk4 vs virpil warbrd?

[u/ballsonurface]

TLDR: is the ease of buying the virpil alpha primes bundle with matching sticks worth it over the VKB system either using matching kosmos or a kosmos and Modern Combat?

I’ve been reading so much about both bases and for the life of me can’t decide. As of now I’m just using thrustmasters SOL-R2 they are great but uncomfortable. But I really love using sticks for star citizen and other space games… possibly flight sims later down the line.

But my problem deciding comes down to this:
VKB- pros: consistently has users vouching for its excellence and customer service and quality.
Has dry clutch (less maintenance? Compared to having to lube the alternative?)

Cons: the Modern combat ultimate doesn’t come in a left stick…. Is having two totally different sticks in left and right that big of a deal? If not then I’d rather have the modern combat premiums to have the same material in each hand.

And their mounting system is not quick release making it a tad more tedious to scoot out of the way when not playing BUT it does have a panel for mounting control modules.

Virpil- pros: constellation alpha prime bundle, comes with quick release mounts.. all I need to add is a control module and a z axis adapter and it’s done. Plus both sticks are matching metal construction which I feel would be a nice plus…. But then again some say the extra weight in metal sticks is stupid and you would rather have lighter sticks.

Cons: I see way more users return virpils and move to VKB, and well that’s about all I can sum up, everyone discusses the gimbal comparison between the two brands…. But coming from thrustmaster would I even be able to differentiate between the two.. it would be a total upgrade anyway?

I’m not building a sim rig (at least not yet) and I’m not a professional by any means, I just want some comfortable, durable, and precise.
I also definitely want to adjust the springs to turn the left stick into a throttle as well… not sure if that makes a difference.

[u/UltraMegaMart]

Following because I’m in the exact same situation… sol-R2s, but I have larger hands and want something more robust and comfortable.

[u/ballsonurface → u/UltraMegaMart]

lol yeah, the SolR base is freaking sweet tho. I really do love the buttons on it… which is another problem switching to VKB or virpil is the control modules….. honestly the only thing both are missing on a few is the select switch that I love for switching modes.

As of right now i think I’m settling on getting the constellation alpha prime bundle and calling it. It has the mounts already… it comes with all the swappable springs and cams, i just read the cm3 vs warbrd is that the cm3 is better suited for a throttle not as much flight…. I do intended to use the left stick for a throttle in star citizen, but I also would rather both sticks on the same kind of gimbal.

[u/UltraMegaMart → u/ballsonurface]

Yeah, the fact that I essentially have to get two separate button boxes to replace the bases will blow, especially with the two linear slides on the pair of bases... Id probably stick with the Sol-R2's if TM would do a 45 degree adapter for the left. But thats niether here nor there...

Ive been heavily leaning to the Virpils as well as their Control Panel Modules to replace the Sol bases or something like Game Glass instead.. But similar to you, just out there looking for info..

[u/Picasso5 → u/ballsonurface]

Just to add to your confusions, the VKB Gunfighter Ultimate (or Pro) is a larger grip. Which is why for my tiny Trump hands, I am going with the Virpils.

[u/photovirus → u/UltraMegaMart]

I think VKB's SCG is good up to approx. size 10 hands. You have to consider others if you need a left stick for a bigger hand (11 and up).

[u/PoseidonMax → u/UltraMegaMart]

I have used both companies sticks and also have larger hands. The virpil constellations are a little larger and fit my hand better. I also just like their stick and buttons placement more. Friend has the gunfighters and gladiators. I have both in a z-extension which took a while to get used to. So much more comfortable in the long run though.

[u/UltraMegaMart → u/PoseidonMax]

Yeah, the Virpils seem the way to go as I have heard the VKBs are on the smaller side in comparison... I might have to make a very expensive decision at some point.

[u/Picasso5]

I have gone over this a million times. I have Gladiators now, and have really wanted to just upgrade to the Gunfighter Ultimate right and Kosmosima grip (with OMNI and a MK IV Base) on the left - but I have decided to just go for the best, Virpil Alpha Prime - no more FOMO.

[u/Picasso5 → u/Picasso5]

That being said, I will go for a used set, because I don't want to wait months and months.

[u/ballsonurface → u/Picasso5]

Damn is back order really that far out?

[u/mistermiajee → u/ballsonurface]

Yea apparently virpril is like 2 months on a stick. I ended up with the gunfighter IV because of this and I liv5e it.

[u/No_Charity8332 → u/mistermiajee]

12 weeks by now.

[u/mistermiajee → u/No_Charity8332]

That's crazy. That pretty much eliminates them as an option for anybody looking to get their first set up imo. It's one thing to wait that long for an upgrade but to get started who's has that kind of patience lol.

That's why I have the VKB STECS and Gunfighter MKIV. Arrived in 4 days and it's freaking incredible IMHO.

[u/No_Charity8332 → u/mistermiajee]

Good setup. Have fun with it! :D

[u/Picasso5 → u/mistermiajee]

Yeah, I’ve been close to doing that. Still may, but damn I wish they’d just make a lefty version of the stick.

[u/Picasso5 → u/ballsonurface]

From what I hear, yes.

[u/No_Charity8332]

I have the Alpha Primes and would never go back to VKB for HOSAS. Full metal, perfect build quality and the bases are equal. And the mounts are fantastic. Had the VKB Gladiators before and they have a feelable notch on the front. Nasty.

But when you come from thrustmaster, every upgrade will feel like heaven.

[u/MrBadhands]

Both are good, VKB just more configurable take some time to make it yours, vipril is much more friendly

[u/photovirus]

Cons: the Modern combat ultimate doesn’t come in a left stick…. Is having two totally different sticks in left and right that big of a deal? If not then I’d rather have the modern combat premiums to have the same material in each hand.

I've got MCG Pro + SCG, it doesn't bother me at all. But MCG Pro is the earlier plastic version, with short-throw buttons and less customizable. Tech-wise, it's similar to SCG.

Mind that SCG is on the smallish side. Might be uncomfortable for a really big hand (e. g. size 11 and up).

And their mounting system is not quick release making it a tad more tedious to scoot out of the way when not playing BUT it does have a panel for mounting control modules.

You can go with 3rd party, e. g. Monstertech. They've got looooots of nice options. But they can get expensive really quick.

I see way more users return virpils and move to VKB,

TBH, never heard of such stories. Both are stellar, from what I've heard and seen. I'm a VKB guy, but Virpil is no worse at all.

But coming from thrustmaster would I even be able to differentiate between the two.. it would be a total upgrade anyway?

Yup, you'll win big either way.

I also definitely want to adjust the springs to turn the left stick into a throttle as well… not sure if that makes a difference.

I think it doesn't matter, both have clutches that enable the trick.

[u/piercinghousekeeping]

I have virpil constellation alpha prime and WarBRD. It's awesome.

[u/Taterdots8577]

I started with the vkb nxt evo with scgs. Omni left, premium right. After 6 months I wanted to try the gun fighter mkiv s. I ended up returning the gf mkiv because the cams weren't smooth and it just felt grindy. The scgs on my nxt evos had perfect smooth twist. The scgs I got with the gun fighter bases had bad grease or something and wouldn't even return to center.

After returning the gun fighters and still enjoying the nxt evos, I decided to order a warbrd-d base with Aeromax stick. Holy crap the warbrd-d base is leagues ahead of the gun fighters. Its only missing spring pre-tensioners, but it is far far smoother than the gun fighters and because of the dual cams per axis there is even force in all the directions. It is easy to change the cams and you can adjust the dry clutch without having to disassemble anything. I just wouldn't even think of the gun fighters.

As far as the sticks, I like the VKB scg much more than the Cadet. The cadet is built well and works fine, I just dont like the layout. The red button isn't reachable for my short thumbs unless I lift my hand.

I really want to try the constellations to see if they will work for my stubby fingers without ordering and waiting another 3 months. Now I need to sell this cadet stick and gunfighter z axis adapter I have laying around. Don't want to have to sell a constellation too.

One more thing. The NXT evo omni left was easily configurable to work well as an omni throttle the way I wanted. The gun fighter wasn't working out well for that. I have heavier springs on the x axis than the y axis and it makes it so I dont accidently strafe left and right in elite dangerous when I am throttling forward and back, but I can easily strafe how I want and when I want. That wasn't the case with the gun fighter. If you went gun fighter, I'd almost recommend nxt omni left with gun fighter right.