Ordered a new HOTAS
Posted: 02 Apr 2021, 14:24
Well, after many years of using low/mid-tier HOTAS, from the original TM stick through the FLCS/TQS, Cougar, G940 FFB, and now X56, I've finally ordered my first mid/high-tier. With the arrival of the Hornet grip for the Warthog I'd considered that one, but supply issues have made them impossible to find and their prices have skyrocketed.
My Logi/Saitek rudder pedals are fine for now, I can worry about them later.
That left the ones I've never bought from before, VKB, Virpil, and Winwing. The Winwing Super Libra/Taurus setup was almost $1k so that was out, but Virpil and VKB all seemed to have their plusses and minuses that left me not seeing a clear winner. Functionality vs ergonomics vs price vs ease of setup etc etc etc.
Then last week I saw a solution--Winwing released a NEW HOTAS--the Orion. For a mere $500 (intro price, will climb to $650 later) it's more Warthog-sized and actually has its mounting holes in the same spot so people who had a mounted WH could do a direct swap. It's a pretty good F/A-18 replica with a simplified (smaller box) throttle layout compared to Taurus. Designed for desk use and not extended desk mounts. https://wwsimstore.com/p/324.html
Shipping was $80, of course, so the total was still close to $600, but it was in stock without shortages inflation and in fact they've already shipped just 8 hours after order placement. I'm not giving up the X56 yet as this one seems like it might not be the best for helos, but I hope that it will.
My Logi/Saitek rudder pedals are fine for now, I can worry about them later.
That left the ones I've never bought from before, VKB, Virpil, and Winwing. The Winwing Super Libra/Taurus setup was almost $1k so that was out, but Virpil and VKB all seemed to have their plusses and minuses that left me not seeing a clear winner. Functionality vs ergonomics vs price vs ease of setup etc etc etc.
Then last week I saw a solution--Winwing released a NEW HOTAS--the Orion. For a mere $500 (intro price, will climb to $650 later) it's more Warthog-sized and actually has its mounting holes in the same spot so people who had a mounted WH could do a direct swap. It's a pretty good F/A-18 replica with a simplified (smaller box) throttle layout compared to Taurus. Designed for desk use and not extended desk mounts. https://wwsimstore.com/p/324.html
Shipping was $80, of course, so the total was still close to $600, but it was in stock without shortages inflation and in fact they've already shipped just 8 hours after order placement. I'm not giving up the X56 yet as this one seems like it might not be the best for helos, but I hope that it will.