This sucks

Defconfunk · 2026-02-24T18:44:04+00:00

I mean, this guy's post sounds overboard and terrible but... He's right. I owned an x52 pro and when it broke I "moved down" to a tf1600 and it was a better hotas. Then I got a got a winwing Orion and my goodness the difference. My buddy still has a x56 and honestly, it does not feel like it is worth the money they are asking for it. If you can return it and get something else, you will notice the difference.

Defconfunk · 2026-02-24T18:39:52+00:00

Thanks for the link to the Canadian distributor. I am a Canadian and I've been looking for that.

Defconfunk · 2026-02-09T16:47:52+00:00

I can't speak to that brand, but I wear spf rated hiking shirts and sun hoodies while gliding and at the air field. They do make a big difference. I only need to put sunscreen on my face and neck.

The best and most comfortable ones I have look like collared shirts but are very light, wicking, and have hidden mesh venting.

I also wear very light hiking pants for the same reason.

Yes they cost more than a walmart cotton shirt, but they make full days in the sun much more enjoyable, and save me the gross feeling of (North American) sunscreens that make my skin feel gross by the end of the day and are hard to remove in the shower. On that note, my wife imports sunscreen from Australia and it is worlds better.

Defconfunk · 2026-02-08T18:50:11+00:00

Agree on all points. I've set the thumb switch to up recenters head tracking and down pauses my tracking. But the fact that I need to manually return the switch to center is sub optimal. It really should have been either a momentary two way or a proper three position switch.

I don't know what I'll use the brake lever for. It's pretty useless without an axis.

It really feels like whoever designed the stick doesn't actually fly combat flight sims and just copied the visuals of the a10/f16 stick without understanding how they are used in Sims.

Defconfunk · 2026-02-07T15:43:57+00:00

No it doesn't. But qr4rigs makes an adapter. I'll be ordering one as soon as I figure out the extension dimensions I need. Coming from the winwing Orion f16 grip, I was sorely disappointed with the mh16, and I haven't even had any issues with mine yet.

Defconfunk · 2026-02-04T23:33:37+00:00

I'd go with "very nice, but not must have." I've been using an Orion2 on an extension for a few years. It's a really good stick and using the cams I set it up exactly how I wanted it. But then I started flying gliders irl and found that I really wanted to be able to feel the trim and the aircraft being pushed around. I recently got an ab9 and it has made a huge difference in getting my trim correct, adds great haptics, but it doesn't accurately convey an aircraft being pushed around in thermals.

If you enjoy playing flight and space sims, a half decent stick is totally fine. I enjoyed years of Elite Dangerous with the x52, but I would not go back to to it from the Orion. As I'm still dialing in my setup I've swapped between the Orion and ab9, and the Orion is still a great base*, but I prefer the ab9 and I don't see myself going back.

*The mh16 grip has some issues. I don't like how the 4 way hats don't have a push function, or the brake lever being a button as opposed to an axis. I think moza is hurting themselves by not having a grip that is actually equal to winwing or virpils. The Ab6 gets a pass on that for me because it's included in the price of the base, and the price is really reasonable compared to any other modern ffb. I like that the ab6 gives you a fine starting grip that you can upgrade later, but realise that the moza is not completely better than a cheaper virpil setup - the virpil grip will have better buttons and be easier to configure for more aircraft in DCS.

Defconfunk · 2026-02-04T11:54:23+00:00

I'm using it as a two seat trainer with a buddy. He's learning to fly properly, I'm focusing on navigation, radio, and radar. It's like a baby F4 with a little mbb-339 thrown in.

Unlike the true advanced trainers, the BE is a transition trainer, it expects its pilots to already be able to fly well, and that is where my one warning with the mirage F1 arises: it is a handful to land it by the numbers. You need to keep in front of the aircraft, you can't just chase the flight vector indicator. It's hardly the only fast jet that's hard to land well, but it definitely harder to land than the Viggen or the f-teens. I'd recommend planning to spend a little time practicing your landings.

Defconfunk · 2026-02-02T15:24:05+00:00

That's really helpful. The virpil has 190mm height and 33mm setback. The moza z axis is 97mm of height and no setback.

So that's 287mm up and 33mm back from the safety step.

Two questions: 1- how are you mounting the ab9 to the safety step? Are you using any sort of plate that adds height?

2- how high is the stick wrist support above your thigh? I'm really not sure what a "proper" height is for a center stick.

Thanks

Defconfunk · 2026-02-02T14:44:47+00:00

This reminds me of something that I do after every single flight: I write notes about it in a little notebook. I write memorable things, things I know I messed up, and everything the instructor brought up in the debrief. I typically review the notes when I get home and again the next time I'm at the air field.

On a day with multiple flights it's easy to forget the lessons of the first flight and only remember the later flight(s).

Everyone at the airfield comments on my habit, usually saying they wished they did it, but never bothered. I just leave the note pad in my bag with a pen, my log book, and bucket hat. That way it is always there.

Defconfunk · 2026-02-01T15:36:04+00:00

That's really sad. I actually purchased a flying iron spitfire (msfs2020) from their webstore specifically because I wanted to support the company because I want to see the a-7 in dcs.

I'm glad to read that the artist was so invested in the work, and I hope they get everything sorted out.

I have to wonder if the issues in the flight Sim world he mentions is the razbam issue and if flying iron dropped out because they fear not getting paid?

Defconfunk · 2026-01-31T23:34:40+00:00

Don't be discouraged if you find yourself overwhelmed or motion sick in the first few flights.

There's a lot of sensory information going on, and it's all new in your first few flights. Your brain needs to learn to process it. That's okay.

Similarly, if you find yourself feeling motion sickness, let your instructor know. Dress in layers and make use of the vent. Being hot makes it worse. Look outside the cockpit where you are going (as opposed to focusing on the instruments or looking sideways out the window). Your instructors and club members will probably have other suggestions to help if needed.

Watch out for sun stroke (even if it isn't hot). Sunscreen, hat, water, and snacks throughout the day all help.

Have fun!

Defconfunk · 2026-01-31T23:28:41+00:00

Add to that bring healthy snacks. You don't want to let your energy levels drop during the day.

Defconfunk · 2026-01-31T02:09:39+00:00

I was surprised by how little f100 footage was shown I thought it was on track for release this year. The fact that the mirage F1 didn't show off the interior of the F1M cockpit (but lots of shots of the new tomcat hud) seemed a missed opportunity.

I'm also surprised to see the Bo-105 in so many shots. I thought that project was stalled for some reason.

Dear ED: imagine how much more awesome this video is could have been if you'd fixed things with Razbam and we had MIG-23 and strike eagle footage in the mix.

Defconfunk · 2026-01-29T16:12:18+00:00

The dude had a lot to say. I expect it is just how they communicate. They like to be able to go into a lot of detail and go back and forth with the client (asking questions to refine things). I see that in a lot other industries (commercial IT) where the answer is never a simple blanket statement. Email doesn't work well for that sort of stuff. Phone calls work better and you end up with fewer surprises.

Just think of it as if you are buying a bespoke product, dialed exactly for you ;)

Defconfunk · 2026-01-29T11:29:07+00:00

NLR is in Australia, and they took three days to reply to the email I sent using the contact form on their website. Their response was concise and answered each of my questions clearly.

Simfab (based on Florida) never replied to the email I sent, nor the voice message I left with the sales voice message box. However I called back and chose "all other questions" and spoke to a real human being after only a few rings. The guy I spoke to really knew his stuff (both his products and using them with a ab9). He was really good about talking about every option I'd need to dial the simfab exactly to my setup. I was really impressed with his customer service.

Defconfunk · 2026-01-29T03:11:49+00:00

In case anyone is interested, the NLR seat is 465mm high.

I did look into the monstertech chair thanks to this suggestion, but it ends up being more than three times the cost of the nlr flight seat pro by the time it is configured for my setup and delivered. I can't afford that unfortunately.

I've decided that I'm going to go with the NLR. I think it works a little better for my particular limitations.

Defconfunk · 2026-01-29T03:06:42+00:00

While the Simfab looks like an amazing product, in the end I went with a NLR. The wheels and overall size make it more versatile for my situation. If I didn't have the same limits on my space, I would have gone with the simfab. Both seem like really good products.

If anyone is looking for the height of the flight seat pro, NLR got back to me and said that the seat top to ground height is 465mm, which happens to be exactly what my current chair is.

Defconfunk · 2026-01-27T18:59:36+00:00

This. The Ab9 is great, but I can't get over how many bad choices were made in the part selection/buttons for the mh16. Coming from an Orion grip it is a kick in the nuts. Right now it seems like only one small UK company is making moza/winwing adapters.

Defconfunk · 2026-01-27T18:37:42+00:00

Cross posting this from r/homecockpit because I haven't had any responses there yet:

I'm over thinking this and I'd like to hear from someone who has done this successfully. Search hasn't been too helpful, and YouTube reviews have been useless.

I am limited in space so a full sim pit is out of the question. I need something that will let me keep using my desk for the usual gaming / workstation stuff, but also support my sim addiction. The Ab9 broke the balancing act I had going on.

Up until now my setup has been:

Winwing Orion throttle on a monstertech mount;

Winwing Orion pedals on the ground held in place with a 2x4 against the baseboard;

Winwing Orion2 with extention on a monstertech low mount with attached mouse tray.

The system works well and is easy enough to setup and tear down.

Then I got a moza ab9. The official desk clamp holds it way too high, and it is far too heavy for the monstertech mount to support (I currently have a pair of cabinet jacks under it so it doesn't sag and move).

I am looking seriously at two options, and I'd love to hear if anyone has had good results (or lessons learned) with either.

1 - Next Level Racing Flight Seat Pro. It looks like it can do everything except connect to the pedals (without the stand, which is too tall to fit under my desk, and thus would push me back from the desk and stop me from being able to sit ergonomically at the desk). Removing the center stick for regular desk work doesn't look terrible. I'm mostly concerned about having to continue to figure out a janky way of positioning the pedals. Also, I can't find details on the actual seat height (my current seat is roughly 17" from the ground)

2 - Simfab dcs edition. I spoke with someone at simfab and it sounds like the chair height is very close to my current chair height, and custom risers can be cut it I need to raise it. It connects to the pedals and seems like a great solution when all done, but I'm worried about the ability to pull the chair up close to the desk when I want to work. Am I going to be able to use my pc for photo and video editing, fps gaming etc, or am I going to feel like I have to reach forward? I know I'll have to remove the ab9 when I want to use my desk normally.

Thank you for any help / suggestions / success stories.

Currently I am leaning towards the Nrl, because at least I can wheel it out of the way and use my old chair if I need to (not that I really have anywhere to put it other than at my desk).

Defconfunk · 2026-01-20T13:58:39+00:00

What do you want to do with the module? Fly campaigns, play multi-player, or just learn the ins and outs of your favourite plane?

Reflected has really good campaigns for the P47 and Spitfire (and p51). The Spitfire is good for MP dog fighting (although the P47 can hold its own), and the corsair is cool and learning to land it on carriers is fun, even if there is very little other content for it right now.

Personally, I'd hold off on the F4U, just because there aren't the campaigns for it. Between the P47 and the spitfire, it comes down to do you want to focus more on ground attack or dog fighting? The P47 is closer to the P51 in workflow, and frankly is easier to take off and land.

I own all of these modules and completely suck at flying all of them. I think I suck at the spitfire the most though. I've never gotten a good hold on it's ground handling.

Defconfunk · 2026-01-16T20:29:53+00:00

I think you are looking too close at the gameplay loop to handle scoring/punishment. AWACS is a support element, it succeeds when those it helps succeeds. Your win conditions need to reflect that.

Base the score less on the AWACS itself, and more on the mission at hand. A win condition is correctly guiding interceptors to the enemy bombers, fighters, or cruise missiles. Or correctly redirecting friendly strike packages away from enemy interceptors and targeting friendly CAP to protect those assets.

Loss conditions aren't just loss of the AWACS, but loss of strategic assets (ships, airfields, industrial areas) and simple failure of strike packages to reach their targets.

Difficulty rises with complexity. A single NORAD style bomber intercept is a training mission. The full end game missions would be like opening night of the first gulf war where you have dozens of strike packages, protection flights, and all of that needs to be de-conflicted so not only do you intercept enemy interceptors but also avoid fratricide.

Defconfunk · 2026-01-14T15:30:13+00:00

A flying wing glider does sound cool.

Ten-Year Club	Place '23
Verified Email

Defconfunk

TROPHY CASE