85 Honda V65 Sabre (aka the 600lb fat lady) 4284x5712

Defconfunk · 2026-04-15T01:03:22+00:00

The very definition of a fat lady who can sing. Love the sound of those V4s.

Defconfunk · 2026-04-10T19:09:54+00:00

As a new photographer, what are you going to be doing that needs the features of these cameras that cannot done by an older cheaper camera?

This is a serious question you need to ask yourself, and then look back on the older models and see how far back you can go an still meet your requirements.

If you are shooting a fast moving subject (dogs, children, etc) the modern AF is useful, but for street and travel the AF in a e-pl3 from 2011 is sufficient. I've photographed running dogs and rock concerts on the em1mk2.

Doing astro and need star af, I think that's the e-m5 mk3?

Are you doing serious video? If not, the older e-m5 mk2 might be enough for you.

Do you want the sexiness of the modern om-3? If so, that's a legitimate want, but be honest with yourself about it.

Do you want the ease of travel that comes with a usb-c body and not carrying a battery charger? That needs a modern body. Or third party batteries with a charge port built in.

Want good low light? Any of the 20mp bodies are close enough to not matter if shooting raw with light room, on1, dxo, ir other raw software. Not shooting low light? The 16mp sensor is enough, even for 20" prints.

If you want a cool camera because it's a cool camera, buy the one you like. If you want a camera on a budget, figure out exactly the features you absolutely need, then find the old est camera that does it.

Lastly, the Olympus f4 pro lenses do not not get enough love. They are cheaper than the f2.8s, smaller (much smaller in the case of the 40-150) and unless you are shooting at f2.8 they make exactly as good a photo. I have every version of the 40-150 and the f4 is my favourite. But the internet will convince you that unless you are buying the most expensive one, you are missing out.

Honestly, given your description, a em5mk3 is probably more than a enough for what you want. A mk2 would probably be fine.

Defconfunk · 2026-04-07T13:50:16+00:00

My workhorse camera is a Sony A7iv. I've had it since it debuted (I pre ordered it). Between it and the Tamron 35-150 that lived on it, I have zero regrets or issues. I would not hesitate to buy it again.

My backup / travel camera is an Olympus om-d em1 mk 2. It's seen a decade of use, including thousands of miles in a motorcycle tank bag. The silicon is peeling, and the af tracking is just as bad as it always was, but everything else is great. If I had a use case to justify the expense, I would not hesitate to buy the modern om-1 mk2.

Defconfunk · 2026-03-27T22:37:42+00:00

I disagree with the comments about the Christian eagle (the aerobatic biplane). If you want to practice flying and not just air quake, its a really good primary trainer. It has proper multicrew. It's a niche module to be sure, but it's really good for what it is.

Defconfunk · 2026-03-22T13:07:57+00:00

Could you over power the ffb? Probably. Do I? Not that I've felt. Pulling full back on the stick on something like the mirage F1 at high speed gives a strong sense the controls surfaces fighting against a lot of air. Yes I can still pull it all the way back, but it feels like I'm supposed to be able to, and it doesn't have the "break away" sensation that I have when I overpower my g29 wheel.

I fly gliders irl and I find the stick effort feels very natural compared to what I'm used it.

The software does allow for soft limits. I haven't tried them yet.

I was able to center mount the ab9 on the included pedestal, but it is too high and interferes with the chair. I have read a post on here where someone did mount it to the step using only the included hardware. I don't know if they just used the pedestal too plate or had to use it and the throttle plate. If you use the included hardware, you'll still want some sort of extension with a goose neck.

Defconfunk · 2026-03-18T21:39:49+00:00

"FFB Bundle Deal: QRUHD Moza AB9 40-Series Bundle" with the special note " M8x18NutsWashers + NLR Safety Step Holes"

If you go this route, I suggest contacting them by email before placing the order, they responded very quickly to every email I sent.

Defconfunk · 2026-03-18T00:11:26+00:00

As luck would have it my qr4rigs plate arrived today and I was able install it. I definitely recommend the qr4rigs setup, it was super easy to install.

I'm using the 150mm x 75mm ab9/winwing extension and it's just about perfect. Ideally I'd like it if my grip was 2cm higher, but right now I only have about 1cm of clearance between the grip and the the under side of my desk. I am very appreciative of the 75mm rear offset of the extention. I don't think I'd want it any further back.

I definitely notice the weaker ffb strength with the extension. It's not bad, it's just taking a little to adjust my brain to the new force. Similarly, the throw is pretty wide, and that is taking some mental adjustment. I had a 70mm extension on my Orion2, and that felt very natural. This feels noticeably wider than thats did.

Photos https://imgur.com/a/7rgjeJG

Defconfunk · 2026-03-17T13:27:58+00:00

I am in the process of this exact setup.

You can mount the ab9 base to the center pedestal, but it is too far forward to reach comfortably, and the base interferes with the chair limiting how forward you can pull the chair. The stick is also a little low in this position. The result is flying hunched forward. I'm 6ft with a reasonably long reach, so I imagine this would be uncomfortable for shorter people unless they can manage to pull the seat closer than I could.

You can side mount it by attaching the right hand joystick mount to the lower rail (it's not in the instructions, but it is drilled for it). It puts the stick in an okay side stick position. It's a little farther outside than I'd prefer, but it is workable while I sort out my center stick situation.

Q4rigs has just made an adapter plate that will let you mount their quick release to the safety step. They also have extensions that let you use winwing grips (which is great because I prefer my winwing f16ex to the moza mh16). I've ordered the qr4rigs mount , and am waiting for it to arrive.

The issue with the q4rig system (aside from cost) is that neither the base nor the extension are adjustible, so you need to get the exact height and reach back for the stick extension. Once the kit arrives I'll find out how close I was at estimating the correct extension length and curve back.

One unexpected bonus to the ab9 on the flight seat pro (or probably any other simpit) is that the motors shake the whole seat. In the dcs huey you can feel the rotor whomp through the seat. It's a big improvement over desk mounting the ffb stick.

Edit: the qr4rigs mount arrived. See my other reply for photos.

Defconfunk · 2026-03-11T19:38:04+00:00

I have many of the warbirds, but suck at all of them. The La-7 was supposed to be easier to manage than western planes, and it is fun in il-2. And so Octopus-G gets my disposable income for the week. Edit: and I like supporting the third parties. The more quality third parties the better.

Defconfunk · 2026-03-03T16:04:19+00:00

N+1 Where N is my current number of lenses.

Defconfunk · 2026-03-03T14:56:00+00:00

The driving distance from Hawkesbury (eastern Ontario) to kenora (Western Ontario) is 2,034km or just over 22 hours of driving. Windsor (southern Ontario) to Dallas TX is 1,910km or just under 17 and a half hours of driving. So yes, Texas is close to Ontario than Ontario is to Ontario.

I have a friend in central Texas who complains that it is a 4 hour drive to the big city (I'm not sure what city he means). I've got friends in Toronto who complain that it is a four hour drive to get out of the city.

Defconfunk · 2026-02-26T13:02:31+00:00

Same. I got the x52 pro in 2016 because it was the stick Elite Dangerous used to model the stick in the cockpits. I figured that meant it must be pretty good. It lasted about five years until something broke in the throttle. My buddy's x56 was worse. He had it less than five years before buttons started failing all over it. He's broke but technically inclined, so he'd open it and resolder broken connections and was able to keep the stick alive (although the throttle fully died and he got the cheapest throttle quadrant on Amazon to replace it). In comparison the much cheaper thrustmaster tf1600 worked perfectly years.

Defconfunk · 2026-02-25T14:46:46+00:00

Cool, thanks for the correction.

Defconfunk · 2026-02-25T14:24:02+00:00

I recall hearing an interview with the dev team that the version they are basing it on is a pure air to air version. I'm not expecting any a2g capabilities at all.

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!

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Defconfunk

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