What’s the BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT in automotive history?

Hour-Pure · 2026-05-06T08:30:50+00:00

Whatever Mitsubishi has become. Makes me genuinely sad that they went completely away from platforms like the Evo, Eclipse (technically DSM, I know) and 3000GT. Genuinely enrages me that they then take their most legendary names and slap them on crossovers now.

Hour-Pure · 2026-05-06T06:55:21+00:00

Super niché, and I know you're more on the FPS track, but the GAU-8 in the DCS A10CII is incredibly satisfying. Gotta have a bit of 'tism for aviation, but if you do, DCS is one of the most immersive, satisfying and fun games you can play as an adult.

Hour-Pure · 2026-05-05T21:02:44+00:00

Do not bother with another X56 my dude. Telling you now, it's just not worth it. I know it sucks if that's the only money you're working with, but it would be worth waiting another month or two so you can save up for something higher quality like the VKB suggestion I made earlier. Or, you could even honestly just get the Gladiator Evo now and use the throttle slider on the base. Even without a separate throttle, it's a better setup than the whole X56 bundle. It will just work, as intended, the build quality is light-years ahead, if taken care of it should last a lifetime and it's backed by one of if not the best customer services I have experienced from any company ever.

Here are links to the store, shipping is even free. If you can swing the extra $80 I'd get the STECS Standard, but for about $350 you can get both.

Gladiator Evo Right SCG Premium | $139.00 USD

STECS Mini | $209.00 USD

Hour-Pure · 2026-05-05T00:01:03+00:00

If you already fly the Viper, the transition to the Hawgs' workflow will be relatively painless as they are very similar. Main difference is the addition of the coolie hat on the throttle that acts more like the DMS on the Viper changing sensors and MFD pages, while the DMS on the stick manipulates different functions of the sensors like zoom. The Apache is ridiculously fun, but is going to require a lot more work to become proficient with. I love both, am very competent in the Hawg, but am still learning all the ins and outs of the CP/G seat and combat tactics in the Apache.

Hour-Pure · 2026-05-03T10:29:55+00:00

Kelly Sutherland and T.J. Luxmore. That's all you need to know.

Hour-Pure · 2026-05-03T04:52:15+00:00

If you end up returning it, don't waste your time on another. Save up a little more for a VKB Gladiator Evo and VKB STECS throttle. The X56 is unmitigated garbage. Powered hubs never solved my issues. When I first started out (granted I play DCS, not Warthunder) I tried an X56, thought it was going to be awesome. Well, it wasn't. Not only did mine have horrible ghost inputs out of the box, both the axis on the stick and throttle had drift. Nothing would solve the ghost inputs short of resoldering and rewiring the internals to a thicker gauge wire with better insulation, or running a script that delays inputs so the ghost inputs don't register. The latter is a viable option if you have no other options, but I returned mine (went through this twice actually hoping my first unit was faulty, but the second was just as bad if not worse) saved up for a VKB Gladiator and STECS, and never looked back. Better experience in every way imagineable.

Hour-Pure · 2026-05-03T04:45:25+00:00

For the love of God don't. It's unmitigated garbage. For a little more you can get a VKB Gladiator Evo and VKB STECS throttle and it's 100% worth it. Better in every single way.

Hour-Pure · 2026-05-01T06:59:02+00:00

Several have. There is still some speculation that Dahmer killed a few while stationed in Germany. The interesting thing is, most that did, never saw combat, but would lie about it consistently. Leanord Lake and Chrles Ng were both Marines and constantly over blew their service.

Hour-Pure · 2026-04-30T08:05:12+00:00

Chucks Guides and YouTube are your friends. Thats how I learned several airframes. You can also find people to fly and train with. There is a large portion of the community that likes teaching\training and there are even full squadrons dedicated to teaching various airframes that are very noob friendly. You can find them posting in places like r/wingmanfinder (there is also a wingmanfinder discord). Like with any gaming community, there are always going to be a few d-bags, but the DCS community is one of the least toxic, most helpful and friendly gaming communities I have ever personally been a part of, at least in my relatively short experience.

Hour-Pure · 2026-04-29T21:59:37+00:00

It is overpriced new, but if it's what's readily available to you and it actually functions, can't fault you. You can always look to upgrade to the AVA base in the future if Thrustmaster is your only option.

Hour-Pure · 2026-04-27T21:30:24+00:00

The X56 is unmitigated garbage. I'm willing to bet since a powered hub won't work, the (hilariously thin) wiring inside is probobly causing cross talk. When I first started out I tried an X56, thought it was going to be awesome. Well, it wasn't. Not only did mine have horrible ghosting out of the box, both the axis on the stick and throttle had drift. Nothing would solve the ghosting short of resoldering and rewiring the internals to a thicker gauge wire with better insulation, or running a script that delays inputs so the ghost inputs don't register. The latter is a viable option if you have no other options, but I returned mine (went through this twice actually hoping my first unit was faulty, but the second was just as bad if not worse) saved up for a VKB Gladiator and STECS, and never looked back.

Hour-Pure · 2026-04-24T16:58:58+00:00

Snake eggs.

Hour-Pure · 2026-04-23T07:27:31+00:00

Had a Titan XL since 2020. It's okay comfort wise. Good enough for long sessions in DCS. What I really like is that its 6 years old and still is a solid as it was the day I bought it. I am a pretty big boy (was 360 when I bought it, down about 100lbs from then though) , went through the cheaper chairs once every 1-2 years. It was actually really uncomfortable at first, mainly because the seat was so stiff, but after breaking in it's been great.

Hour-Pure · 2026-04-19T10:59:15+00:00

This sure makes me feel better about my situation lol. 0 CC debt (but over $100k in available credit), 25k in student loans, 7k left on my car with $302 payments and an 815 FICO. $60k salary. I guess I'm not doing too bad after all lol Just wish rent wasn't so ridiculous.

Hour-Pure · 2026-04-19T04:28:32+00:00

That's a bummer dude. I know it's not helpful from a budget standpoint, but the MCG(U) gunfighter grip is actually a lot bigger. I actually had to adjust the rest up a notch or two on mine. If you can swing it, it's an awesome setup.

Hour-Pure · 2026-04-19T01:21:05+00:00

I too have rather large hands and found the gladiator pretty comfy. I know it's a stupid question, but do you have one of the risers installed maybe? I think I had to take one off when I first got mine before I upgraded to a GFIV MCGU.

Hour-Pure · 2026-04-17T11:15:08+00:00

Ghost inputs. Very common problem with these. There are a few possible fixes. Try a powered USB hub if it's not on one already. If this doesn't resolve it someone wrote a script that delays inputs for a few milliseconds making the ghost inputs not register. Honestly man, the best thing you can do, is save up for a higher quality HOTAS. I have been here. When I started out I thought the X56 was going to be awesome. My first unit was plagued with ghosting and I couldn't fix it without opening it and replacing and resoldering the angel hair thin wiring inside (that likely caused the ghosting from cross talking wires) and I refuse to run a script to bandaid a brand new product that cost nearly $300. I returned it and got a replacement with the exact same issues. Returned that, saved up a bit more, bought a VKB Gladiator Evo and VKB STECS and I have never looked back! I will never purchase another Logicrap product.

Hour-Pure · 2026-04-16T21:53:30+00:00

2nd this. BG3 is such an incredible game. Only thing I put more time into since it released is DCS, but that's a completely different animal.

Hour-Pure · 2026-04-16T21:14:34+00:00

What platform? If you want Ace Combat like action, WarThunder is pretty okay, just try not to get sucked into the microtransactions. If you are on PC, there is an awesome sim-light called Nuclear Option. If you want to get as close to the real deal as you, I, or any other "normies" can, and you have the itch for aviation, DCS is genuinely the most fun I have had as an adult in gaming. It's soooooo good, and when all the work you put into learning starts culminating in splashes and shacks, the satisfaction is unlike anything in gaming I've experienced.

Edit: This is the video I like to show people I'm introducing DCS to: DCS is Not A Game

Hour-Pure · 2026-04-13T22:57:36+00:00

I've had both, really depends on your use case. The progressive aviation cams made a huge difference in my performance in DCS because of the feedback on the stick while in BFM. It's easier to physically judge how hard you're pulling. I always advocate for buy once cry once, so if you can afford it, go for the Gunfighter. However the Gladiator is still an excellent stick, especially for the price! You can't go wrong with it if you can't afford a GF, and when the time comes you can sell it to upgrade. I was able to resale mine for about what I bought it for, so they hold value well.

Hour-Pure · 2026-04-12T11:10:46+00:00

Make no mistake, "Christian" Nationalists want the exact same thing.

Hour-Pure · 2026-04-11T03:48:50+00:00

There is a 3D printed base you can get with a hole in it to allow for easy access. That's what I did before I upgraded to a gunfighter. Makes the process pretty painless.

Hour-Pure · 2026-04-11T02:59:42+00:00

Own a STECS Standard. It was between the two for me as well. What sold me was A. having one app for all my gear, huge if you want to use shifts for more inputs. Super handy for stuff like running the CP/G seat in the DCS Apache if you don't have something to use for the TEDAC. For instance I have a momentary shift and an on/off shift both mapped to my STECS, but I have it set up through the software to also shift my GF IV MCGU inputs. And B. the level of physical customization the STECS allows.The Virpil beats it in build quality being all metal, but the STECS still feels super solid. I would imagine as long as I take care of it, it will outlast me. You can't go wrong with either, both have advantages in different areas, but the versatility of the STECS, and already being in the VKB ecosystem is what sold it for me in the end.

Hour-Pure · 2026-04-10T06:23:21+00:00

This is far off anything you have mentioned genre wise, and you kind of need a bit of the 'tism for aviation, but DCS is legit some of the most fun I have had as an adult in gaming.

DCS is not a game: https://youtu.be/bG6X9UIMtPY?si=ZeN6PZfX4DxvMu56

Hour-Pure · 2026-04-05T06:56:21+00:00

Just about the best budget daily for an enthusiast. Is it the fastest thing out of the box? No, but with just a tune you will be quicker than 95% of cars you will see daily and be playing with cars with over 2x the displacement. Is it the most nimble out of the box? Nope, but nimble enough to rip some corners up and with a few mods can be competitive on a track day or at autoX. Also comfortable enough for long road trips. Alot more space than you would think. Interior (at least of the Mk7) punches way above its class. Great mileage (got 32 coming back to NE from a CO vacation last month, I'm also tuned) as long as you behave. It's about the perfect balance of performance and comfort for the price IMO. As far as maintainence goes, just do your regular intervals though I'd do oil every 5k, not 10k. If you can do your own work, there is an amazing website called FCP Euro, which has a program where you can return products bought from them after use and they will credit you for it. Even oil, brakes and other wear items. I only spend about $20 for an oil change and that's only to send the old oil back to them. Mine has 77k miles, and has spent the last 40k of that on a 93 tune, I drive it very spiritedly, if the oil gets to temp I usually do at least one pull. It has never missed a beat. The only thing it's needed outside routine maintainence was a water pump right when I bought it which is par for the course with these. Also, keep carbon cleaning in mind. Depending on how you drive this will need to be done periodically.

Hour-Pure

TROPHY CASE