I'm old and retired but been setting myself to fly DCS for my lazy-man hobby. I've watched every DCS and Virpil video on YT to try and learn everything I can about all this gear. Whatever you do...keep doing it. Your explanations on how and WHY to set and make custom changes on the Virpil gear really "clicks" with me. The way you explain things in plain language, and you don't go TOO fast or gloss over things that some act like I should already know makes this great. So for what you are doing...Thank You
Jon you are the man! Ive watched countless videos on how to set up the mode dial for DCS and you’re the only guy to that made sense of it all. The ED forum needs to reference your video as the tutorial on how to set up the Virgil throttle. Especially the mode selector! Thanks man.
Hey, I know this video is old, but I just wanted to say thank you so much for taking the time to go through this stuff in depth. The Virpil software is pretty complicated to understand, even with the technical documentation, so these videos you made are a really great resource.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. I'm on a budget and could only afford a side control Panel while using my thrustmaster cheapie HOTAS. This tutorial let me map the extra buttons to logically sync in number bindings to my thrustmaster. So my thrustmaster is 1-12 and then 13-32 for VIRPIL. Now I can use the control panel with elite dangerous. You are a lifesaver!
Hi Jon! Thanks for keeping the errors and small initial misconfigurations in the videos (like in 26:40). It helps seeing you figuring out the solutions to fix those errors :-) I bet I will make the same errors :-D
First, thanks for the video it did help a lot. BUT,.. I'm stuck trying to figure out how to have custom LED color patterns for each mode selected besides just having ALL the LEDs one color. I've got everything working as I want to this point (mostly) but the LEDs are driving my crazy. You did mention that Virpil has a lot of room to grow in regards to this so maybe it's just not possible? But it SEEMS like it should be a simple thing. So any thoughts on that? I also looked into the VPC Link Tool but that was also not working out for me at first glance.
This is a really good video. My throttle isn’t delivered yet and it is nice to know what I want to do with the extra buttons and switches and what the possibility’s are. Thanks!
@Tthmax! The possibility’s are endless. I found it took me some time to figure out how I wanted my hotas laid out. And I’m still not completely dialed in due to being indecisive. Hope you enjoy your throttle if you have questions don’t hesitate to ask.
@ Tthmax! The out of the box set up is 64 buttons. You are able to have up to 127 buttons you do this by adding more. You can add more using axis to buttons, virtual detent, and binding to your mode selectors. I started with the base vpc set up and added buttons as I went along. Hope this helps.
I don't know about the led system though. It seems bugged. Once they go on, they don't go off. It's impossible to turn on a led with a button and then turn it off with another button press (on the same button). Also the fact that you have 6 push buttons and 6 led lights in them but only have 5 ways to activate them seems odd to me. Perhaps its the software. Maybe you have a better experience or way the utilize it, than please let it be your next video :).
Good job on your videos. I followed all of them preparing for my CM3/Alpha Grip. Almost knew what all to do before my stuff arrived. Then when I got it and fired it up I saw the software was updated. Are you planning on updating videos? The layouts, button selection for axis set up, even for the detents have been switched up. Thanks.
Hi, first of all, you have saved me a lot of time figuring out by myself, so THANK YOU! I have an issue and maybe you could elaborate, If I do both virtual axis to buttons for the throttle as you did on a previous video, plus 3 way axis to button for the flaps, I can see in the software works but back in DCS is not recognized. I use the 5 way mode modifier Is this perhaps a limitation from windows on a max input keys number per joystick, or I did something wrong? Is there a workaround if its the first one? Again Thank you
Did you go into your buttons tab and set your physical buttons to logical buttons? If you leave the shift setting blank on the buttons tab then it should work on any of the shift modes.
@@JGandT I figured it out, For some reason it didn't like the default axis to btn and i had to do it custom virtual buttons just like you did with the throttles and now all works
nice video. Helped me a lot. however I have impression tghatg with version vpc 2021-01-02 it is no longer possible to get extra logical buttons using the mode dial with eg the metal switches. Follwed you video and when putting mode dial on 1 there is no more output
Is there any way to setup the mode switch to like an encoder? That is assign one button when switching up on each step up of modes, and one button for each step back down on the mode switch.
Nice video, one small criticism. You mentioned a few time, this is a really long video. I bet there several minutes of you just saving and reloading the throttle profile. While you were describing how the different types of buttons and how they work it really got slow. You might want to think about setting one or two buttons to each of the modes first then save. Then you can describe how they work. That way you do not have to stop every time between describing the behavior, set everything up again and save. It will probably flow a little better. Again it's a great video with lots of good information. Keep it up :)
Hi Jon, when changing the Toggle to a 2-button setup, I noticed that it does not do a true button-like "ON/OFF"...it just remains "ON" until you flip the Toggle. Is there a way to execute the button command as an instant ON/OFF? I would be concerned that it would be like feeding DCS a constant stream of "BUTTON XX ON" the whole time. For instance, if T4 is up, it executes Button 37 as ON with immediate OFF instead of just leaving Button 37 as ON the whole time.
I think I figured it out...you have to set the Mode to "Toggle ON" for both positions of the Toggle (both physical buttons need to be "Toggle ON" and not Normal). I Normal mode, it's like holding down a button until flipped, then it's holding the other button.
Hi Jon, great video! I was lucky to get through Virpil's lucky lottery online store to get a CM2 throttle. I've had a rough idea that there were a lot of functions/possibilities with the hardware, but holy crap this has blown my mind! I have actually learned a huge amount and am even more excited to use the system. Thanks for all your efforts, and I'm certainly looking forward to your next video. I was going to ask, what happens if you specifically set up your virtual afterburner detente for say the F-16, or F-15, but then fly a different aircraft in DCS where the afterburner only comes alive at a different throttle position, but I guess thats kind of self explanatory, I guess I would just use the virtual cut-off detente than an afterburner gate. What would be super interesting, is to see how you could combine the virtual detentes, with say the 3d printed stuff that one can find surfing Virpil's forum.... Maybe a future video on that?
I have looked around and would love to see a good quality aftermarket detent. I’ve seen a few 3D printed versions I don’t feel they will last. I can confirm that the f16, f18, f15 all have an afterburner that kicks in at 80%. Now the mig 29 I believe I tested kicked in at 50%. You can make multiple profiles within the Virpil software and change to match your aircraft. I would like to see a physical mechanism that’s adjustable on the throttle it would be a great seller. I also know you can adjust your throttle curves in dcs to match your Virpil virtual detent.
Hi Jon, I suppose the one thing about 3d printed detentes is that they can be reproduced relatively cheaply if there is easy access to a printer. I suppose the very next question is: how would one match their 3d printed detentes, virtual detentes and then DCS throttle curves.... and I guess the answer is pretty obvious. Slowly, and carefully. Thanks again for your great videos! Also... with regard to setting up different profiles, that could be easy enough, I suppose, until you change aircraft in DCS, and forget to change your profile.
Very helpful video. I subscribed and have been watching your tutorials since my Virpil CM2 throttle came in 2 weeks ago. I only “fly” in IL2, but using your afterburner video I set up the LED buttons to come on when I get to Emergency Power so I can avoid frying the engine. I have a question related to this video re: the LED buttons. If I want the button to turn on a function (the turbocharger for example) by pressing and releasing it (I think you called that a Soft Toggle) is there a way to then turn on the light for that button until I press & release the button again to turn off the function? Hope that’s not too convoluted. Keep up the good work, especially for us tech-illiterate types.
Hi, great video series, learned a lot from it! I have question regarding the LED buttons, I'm trying to set a button up as a switch to turn on/off the landing lights, one colour showing the button state in the on position & another colour showing the button in the off position (Hope that made sense!!) Is this possible?
If you use button as soft toggle let say like you said COMS PPT you have have the coms open until you press it again right? How to know if you have PPT ON or OFF tho? is there a visual indicator? Can this visual indicator be programmed with the LED lights?
@@JGandT I see now I think this VPC Link can do that? but icant get any good step by step tutorial tho.. one solution would be is using a stream deck wo link with DCS, but i would love the LED state change on the button itself that we are pressing..
Hello I've been trying to figure out why my flaps on my throttle control moves aircraft rubber z(left) / x(right) but its only binded (assigned)to flaps(LShift +F) (F) which also moves at the same time. In DCS i can see the A10 flaps moves in 3 stages correctly but the rubber also moves left/right. Please help anyone who's experienced same issue. Quote Edit Quote Edit
You are correct, the single button lighting options are limited. you can only do one that I'm aware of. I would guess someone as we speak is cranking away in the code mines to get a new firmware for us to allow individual lights to toggle for each and every light. It would be SOOOO nice if they could do that. I also wonder if we could mod the throttle with jewel lights on the front and tie them into the silver switches letting us know what mode they are in. (drilling holes in the front of the throttle and placing jewel lights and then soldering those in) HUGE JOB and I'm not adventurous enough to try it. (requires brains)
@Harpoon_Bakery first of all awesome name, I think they will eventually get the led software figured out, I hope. It would be possible to add led light to switch however I wouldn’t want to risk damaging my expensive throttle.
Hey Jon, is there a way to set up a button so a short press is one button and a long press another? I'd like to set up a button so short press is emergency jettison and long press is eject, not sure if that's possible. Thanks!
Hi Jon, thanks for some very good thorough videos. Have you by any chance covered how to program the rotaries? I am referring to the two rotaries on the lower right of the base and the one on the left side of the left throttle.
Nice thanks! this helps alot. I have a Question: Can you choose 2 different LED Colors for 1 Button which changes Color when pressing the Button? For Example - Engine Start On/Off So I set my Button to "Soft. Toggle" and: 1st Button press = On = Engines On = Green LED 2nd Button press = Off = Engines Off = Red LED Is this possible?
Hi Jon. Like everyone I want to say thank for your videos. I too play DCS and your info has helped a great deal but I also play World of Tanks. It uses letters and numbers for key bindings and I haven't seen anything on that. Can you make a video on that or send an explanation on how to set that up. Thank you again, Snakeye505
Hey hope you have a great day, Its my first day setting up my throttle and I've realized that when I switch the mode selector on dcs the previous T switch get canceled. Do you have any tips? Thanks a lot
EvaTOXx unfortunately when you switch the mode selector it will change all the buttons that are bound to it. I have mine set up where mode 1 is all of my start up mode 2 is take off and landing mode 3 is flight and combat. My switches I only use on mode 1 and afterburners on mode 3. I am putting a complete video series probably 2 parts on my hardware set up and software ( in game settings). I will have part 1 up by the end of the weekend.
Mnnn... VKB software allows to config each led in their MCG Ultimate grip with any color and effect (static, blink slow, blink fast, change color,...) triggered by almost any event. Virpil for sure must work harder in their software to allow the same level of led customization.
Hey man! Is there any way to get the Shift to work for the 4-way hats on the throttle (CM3)? I've tried switching up settings, but I just cant get it to work.
@Tom Robertsen you have to create 4 new buttons on your buttons list and select a shift number that you want set with the 4 way hat. You also need to go to the current buttons for the hat you are wanting to modify and add a shift number to those also. I hope this helps.
@@JGandT I've tried this and, for some reason, it does not work. When I assign Shift to any button, that button stops working= no output, regardless of Shift-position. I have this feeling that there is some setup to the Shift-function itself which I am overlook/haven't configured correctly. Any ideas?
@@JGandT Found the problem: In the "Hardware buttons modifications" I had the different Shift-buttons set to logical-buttons, not physical-buttons. Setting them to physical-buttons fixed everything! :)
Nice work on the tut. I am also trying to figure out how to set, b1 to toggle engines on in star citizen and light up then hit again to toggle off and go black.
@Redican Prime I’m not sure why the buttons won’t bind. I would make sure your throttles firmware is up to date and maybe create a new profile. I’m not Elite Dangerous savvy for some reason I thought that that game only picks up 32 buttons per controller. This could also be the problem.
@@JGandT thanks for the reply. That's the 2nd time I've heard of the limited bind the game takes. Wish I could choose which buttons to function. The X55 was working perfect.
@@redicanprime1181 The older software witch you can still get off of Virpil’s site will have the option during install to split virtual buttons. This will show up in game as 2 different devices. Check out my how to video that I originally made for the cm2 throttle it will be the correct version to set up. Hopefully this will help.
@Abner Jr. Paredes you can use the shift tool it populated 124 buttons leaving 4 extra. I found that not running the shift function works better for me. I have more buttons than I know what to do with.
Does anyone know if they (Virpil) or someone who has written a mod have come up with a way to program the LED's individually ? So in other words, I want just one LED to control the HOOK in an F18 for example for the hook down state of green, and then that same LED push-button turns red when depressed for Hook UP state. So one LED push-button doing two colors depending on the state of the HOOK in the F18. I'm not picky, how about two different LED push-buttons, one would be HOOK UP as Red when ON (lit), and below it another LED button light would be HOOK DOWN GREEN. Perhaps someone has written something, perhaps spad.next or another program or a custom written mod. But ideally, VIRPIL will write something so the firmware gets updated and then suddenly we get to control each and every light with anything we want to do!!!!!! ANY HELP FROM ANYONE THAT HAS FIGURED THIS OUT WOULD BE SUPREMLEY Appreciated!!!!!
