Ralfi's Alley - VirPil WarBRD Base and T-50 Grip Review 

Slight correction: The bottom left HAT is an 8 way HAT not a 4 way HAT. Also, I know that the Russian style systems use the Big red button on the top left as the autopilot disengage. Not everybody is going to map it that way, not everybody is going to use this grip for Russian planes only. It's my missile launch button. Sue me.

Just a note: This is an outdated version of Virpil stick. They have the new one, where the thumb button is exchanged by 5-way hat and the all other hats are "depressable" now. The "secure" switch now has digital output for secured/armed position. BTW my most favourite CAMs are those without center detent.

My brain says yes but my wallet says no...

My other joystick is already at a slight angle, so this is good.

Really appreciate the review dude. You are very concise and informative and shoot a really clean video!

The reason why you have a gun trigger and a two stage trigger is because the "red button of peace through superior firepower" is the AP disengage on russian systems with the 2 stage always being weapon release. Always thought a heavy trigger pull was more satisfying than a measly button press Edit : Your reviews are always great , hope you do more .

Appreciate your detailed and honest reviews. Definitely the most comprehensive and well rounded comparison I've seen so far.

I've had the same base & handle as this for 6 months now & haven't changed anything out. I completely agree with everything you've said here Ralfi & although I can't comment on the frustration of changing cams as I've not tried it, I'd suggest holding the gimbal in a hobby vice (vise) ;) in future. I upgraded from a very badly worn Cougar & still use the handle on the WarBRD base, a most useful feature. Upgrading to this really transformed my flying. AAR, formations & just putting the thing on the thing are all easier with this setup. Initially I also missed the CMS hat & I see it's been added to the new version, so clearly that's something lots of users agree upon. However I think it's worth mentioning that overall there are more buttons on the T50 handle than a Warthog so you won't lose any functionality, but will need to re-learn some functions. All I have to add to what you said is 1 minor button layout nitpick about the left hat switch that often gets knocked when I move my thumb from it's natural rest position to the centre hats. Also you omitted to point out that the 'brake' lever also has a button press function as well as the axis response. Other than that, a great review. Better late than never.

Man the difference between "light and day" really sets off the contrast hahaha thanks Ralfi

I ended up buying this setup after watching this video + the Virpil CM3 throttle and ace interceptor rudder pedals. Extremely satisfied with it and leagues beyond my old G940 setup. The changeable cam and spring setup made it very easy to customize, which was necessary for the pedals as it was far too sensitive for me with the base light spring.

just picked up a set of warbrd bases with constellation grips for star citizen. been running dual thrustmaster t16k for a couple of years now. its going to be one hell of an upgrade

i really REALLY like VirPil's MO, they seem to be one of the few genuine companies that care about their customer satisfaction, and really take into account the user feedback, i'm very interested in what products they develop next and sincerely hope they're here to stay!

Any thing with BRD logo is pure magic! There is no better gimbal type.

I use the WarBRD with a 10cm extension and the Warthog grip on top and that feels sooo good. All curve setups go right out the window. An extension gives you so much fine control, it's like night and day. Downside is that it pretty much requires something that is not a desk setup.

You can tell that ralfi is not used to the eastern way of life, that red button is actually the AP off button ;)

I wrote a post on forums, and Im in contact, about possibility of an upgrade of existing throttles with this new grip component. Also bottom left hat on grip is 8 way. Anyway great review!

Hats off to them for making a left-handed grip. Elite/Star Citizen/Starfighter Inc players using twin sticks have been stuck with the t16k forever.

Thanks for the review, Ralfi. Nice pic at 2:51 btw. Honored that you use my photos in your videos. Cheers!

The grip shown in this video is discontinued, the following list of grips have been discontinued: The right hand MT50, MT50CM, and MT50 BE. The following grips are in production: RH MT50CM2, LH MT50 BE, Constellation Delta (ambidextrous), WarBRD (RH with twist, short grip for desktop use). There will be additional grips as the year progresses, with the next one being the V.F.X. which is the F14 grip. The following base is discontinued: MT50. Production bases: WarBRD (long throw desktop), MT50CM (short throw designed for extensions and deskmount).

WarBRD also has a grip that is specifically designed for desktop use (WarBRD), and the upcoming F14 grip appears to be as well. MT50 grip was not designed for desktop use, so while yeah I agree with the statement that it's not good for it, I do think talking about the fact it wasn't designed for it is important. Very much like if you would speak about the MT50 and MT50CM bases, which are both also designed for a deskmount only and not desktop, so talking about that as a "negative" is IMO a bad move and misleading as yes in fact they aren't designed for that so yes they suck at it, but excell when on the mount using extensions.... Also Virpil is a very new company, one that is iterating based on consumer feedback, which is why new versions are coming out of their products and the old stuff is getting discontinued. MT50CM base takes direct feedback from cam swapping of both the initial MT50 and WarBRD, for example.

Better late than never, thanks for the review! Now, VKB is next? ;-) A comparison between those systems would be great!

the Spring Cam setup could have been made a lot easier if you could preasamble them on a bracket which then gets mounted to the base itself. Similarly how HK did the Trigger group on the MP5, drop it in as a whole or pull it out as a whole and disasamble seperately from the gun

I know this review is old. After flying in the A10 sim that our ANG pilots use and then going to the warthog from thrustmaster I can confirm that the warthog did feel pretty close to the sim as it took quite a lot of force to move the stick and always felt like it was trying to push me to the center. Was an interesting shock the first few minutes

Fantastic review as always Ralfi, can't wait for the next one! I LOVE your setup with the shiny keyboard and the two screens by the way.

"...Playing with your other Joystick at night when nobody is watching..." XD Dude, i love Your videos!

I bought the warbrd base and love it matched with my TM Warthog. That being said it was a pain in the ass and super expensive actually getting it. Shipping from eastern Europe is ridiculously priced, their website was almost at a standstill on the restock and you have to be quick and lucky to actually get one in your cart and checked out before they sell out.

Already pre-purchased and still waiting for it. Polan!

I wish I could compare the T50 (CM2) directly to my VKB MCGP ... I have a suspicion that I'd still like the VKB better, since I do own the Virpil throttle and am not super excited about some of that thing's hat-switches and how they feel. The hats on the VKB feel a little stiffer / less "mushy" and thus more precise. From what I hear from Virpil stick users, the hats on their grips are also a bit too soft, so ... But never having used the T50, I couldn't tell for sure. And besides: All this is whining on a very high level... that CM3 throttle is still awesome.. :) Plus the fact that the MCG's second trigger and brake lever are made from metal is also a bonus. Still: I am kinda sorta tempted by the new CM3 base. One reason I went with the GF was the fact that it has dampened axes and that's pretty much a must have IMO. But now that Virpil also offer that feature, I can't help but notice that the CM3 looks a lot more beefy and over-built than the Gunfighter. Don't get me wrong: I don't think the GF's gimbal to be weak or anything like that, so added sturdiness would be more of a bonus feature. What really fills me with envy when looking at the CM3 is its ability for on-the-fly adjustments - which the VKB doesn't offer at all. Being able to adjust the clutches on the fly would be a much needed feature on the GF - which you have to take apart pretty damn far (and then partially re-assemble) to be able to adjust those clutches. That and the fact that GF springs will snap on you (that's why the sticks come with plenty of replacement springs) and when that happens you will be required to open the base and disassemble it to put in fresh ones. All that said: While there aren't many GF III vs Virpil bases comparisons out there (and I don't think anyone's done a CM3 vs GF III one yet) ... having read a few, I think my current "envy" of Virpil stick-users is probably a "grass is greener on the other side" type of deal. Both systems have their advantages and drawbacks... not least of which (I would suspect) is the fact that the CM3 is huge when compared to the GF's base. I would probably have to make quite a few adjustments to my setup/seating position to make that thing work for me... :)

What Virpil base is missing is damping. VKB mechanical base has nylon damper for that reason

1:14 I'm nit-picky but I think 'the big red button of peace through superior firepower" is in fact a autopilot disengage button.

Any height advantage gives you more possible control especially refueling in air or formation flying but I wouldn’t recommend to desk mount any of those not even the warthog

protip for (a lot of problems in life) apply generous amounts of -lube- ballbearinggrease should get rid of the clicking of the trigger and smooth out the centering even more

Ralfi Reviews are some of my favorite videos of yours and it also just so happens to be on a stick i was thinking about getting as an upgrade from my t16000 combo, sweet

All of the slew controls are supposed on the throttle. As the main hat in the center is for your trim and the right grey button is for Auto pilot toggle

My biggest problem is the price. I can get a full Warthog set for 400 euros. The Stick+WarBRD Base+Throttle by virpil would set me back 600 euros. If I get the other mount, it would cost 750 euros. I don't really see why I should pay that much more money, when I can get a Warthog.

Wonderful. I was just looking for a Mig29 HOTAS style.

*Whispers reassurance to my HOTAS X* haha one day... one day...

Brilliant review! (And I've watched many...too many so far)

Damn I was just watching the other one too. Good timing sir :)

The PK button is probably used for activating the higher PK rating for your missiles.

2:07 I love that dig.

@2:48 -- *Hey. I learned something NEW today!* Finally!! -- 2:48

So have you been able to try out the Constellation grip with the desk mount? Do you think that looks like it would be suitable for a desk mount player since it looks a fair bit shorter to me than the T-50?

Nicely objective review, Ralfi. I've honestly been waiting for this as the WarBRD base has been on my wishlist for a very long time. I have a very, very tired TM HOTAS Cougar that I've struggled to maintain in recent years (Google "Trigger's Broom"...) and those nice Virpil folks said I can use my trusty stick with the base. I just need to find the cash now :)

Love the review! Amazing job as always. Definitely going to consider the base at least! Looks good for the Huey & gazelle? You also now have to do a video on you’re setup . 😉 last one was 2015?🤔

What you complained about at 11:22 is you being used to the heavy centering action in TM Warthog. It takes about two weeks to unlearn your old habits.

Nice review! I pressed the like button at 2:10

I'd love to try it but they are never in stock so I'll stick with the x56 for now

Suhkoi Superiority!

I suppose this is a weird question as well, but I've always kind of wondered: when shooting guns, people talk about hand and eye sidedness. I almost wonder if that is true with sticks too. I'm a lefty when it comes to writing, but have worked with a right hand mouse and a right hand joystick for so long as to have gotten comfortable with them. But I've always wondered if I'd get better accuracy using my left hand with those things. If anyone happens to study the brain I guess feel free to chime in.

All real aircraft sticks/yokes/pedals have a physical center position. Although smooth, it's still very much present. Also, the harder you push or pull the stick, the heavier it becomes, which makes the higher profile gimble more desirable

man ive been looking at lots of vids about joystick, from high end to low and every explanation of the feel is "very smooth"

The silly struggle music made me chuckle.

9:58 Ralfi - complains about switches Me flying on Logitech 3D and keyboard...

I wish i could get one of these, but the base price + shipping would kill me lol looks amazing though

I'm waiting on delivery of a WarBRD to replace my Warthog base, would you say the standard springs are sufficient for the Warthog grip or would you reccomend the strong springs for it?

do you still need rudder pedals? or is there a good option on the stick or the throttle

You criticized the force required to rotate the stick (using the default cams) multiple times. Here's why that is exactly what some people want. It's intended for WW2 sims, like IL-2, where human muscles directly moved the aircraft's control surfaces. At high speeds pilots could not even pull the stick all the way in any direction. Wind resistance was simply too great. Nor would pilots have wanted to, as that would very likely have caused a stall. The high resistance simulates those forces. Only rarely, would a pilot ever exert full deflection. That's also true of the accurate WW2 sim. The high resistance you justifiably wouldn't like in a space Sim, is exactly what you want for a WW2 Sim. It's not a bug. It's a feature!

6:20 - I wouldn't let you change a Tire on my Car, Ralfi!

You should review some VKB products!

Is the stock profile cam perhaps trying to emulate the “push to override” the Russian fighters have on their AoA limiters?

Do you no longer use the thrust master warthog throttle?

hey ralfi if i might ask is there a rudder axis for the cm2 grip?

best review ever

If you mount the Warthog grip to the Warbird base do you still have access to ALL the Warthog’s buttons? Including the CMS down button? The lack of a 5-way hat on the Virpil grips makes me wonder if the base is compatible with them.

ralfi if you havent looked on virpils website they remodeled the MongoosT-50 its has a propper slew sensor now!

Does the Warbrd base come with alternate cams or do you have to buy them? Virpil has a cam set as an option for purchase. Also, What spring/cam setup did you use for the lighter resistance?

Hey, have you ever messed around with any good Force Feedback options that you'd consider reviewing? I know the good ones are all older now, but it seems like a rad thing to have especially for more historical sim games

Someone know how can I connecto my other joystick to DCS, and how can I map buttons in it, thx

Thrustmaster grips + virpil base and extentions

I just bought the Thrustmasters warthog system. Now that I watched your video think about sending the warthog bundle back and getting the VirPil System. Could you give me your opinion what I should do?

Hey Ralfidude, do you and the gang still play Elite Dangerous by chance? just curious

not the CM2? CM2 has 8 way pov hat and the thumb button is a 4 way hat, and all the hats are also push buttons.

That grip is discontinued now. Judging by your review of the throttle, it seemed like you had all this stuff arrive together, why didn’t you review it then when it was still a current model sold by Virpil?

Is that a bloody Tachograph chart you're using as a dust cover on the warthog 😂?

Well, now I'm even more on the fence about which set to get. I'd love to get the Virpil-set, but....the cost.. I wonder what the going rate of kidneys are at this time. Hmm, may have to look into that :P

i hear a hint of crash laobe here, is good!!

You have really nice smooth hands

I see Ralfi has never worked on drum brakes. :) Use a drum brake spring tool, turn that cam swap into a 30 second job.

Now when will they ever have them back in stock?

If i connect a virpil stick on my thrustmaster cougar base, will it work perfectly or some button will not be recognise in game ? Thank for the review.

Clean your warthog stick!!! Great vid though!

Does this thing have a Z axis?

Why is it always out of stock?

6:06 i have the exact same multi tool

very entertaining

Have you done a video showing how you've mounted everything? I want to set things up so I can put it away when I'm not flying so it's not entierly mounted and need inspiration. ^^

Nice video! What's the music at 6:26? ^^

Would the virpil base and worthog with exstension also get your recomendation?

My other joystick is a Virpil

Is the stick compatible with any vkb sim bases?

what's with the fake MFDs? or do they do something not apparent in the video?

Its not fair to compare centering forces to the Warthog base because Warthog one is an absolute trash

Warbird vs WinWing?

What the hell desk does Ralfi have? Need a new one.

Jesus...when you putted the sad music when telling the cons of the stick, it actually felt sad...really, really sad

“Light and Day”…

Has anyone had Virpil reply to a support ticket, or an email, or a reply on twitter, or a reply on facebook, or a reply on the forums?

Those are some Kung Fu master sleeves....

The big red button is for autopilot disengage....