I think "EX" is just Wingwing's terminology for "hey we added more buttons to this model, because you might find them useful in other modules/sims", not an attempt at recreating the F-15EX grip. Winwing has an F-16EX grip that is the same concept. More buttons and another axis.
Thank you for this, very in-depth and helpful. My throttle is years in and moving on it's own so time for this one. I fly f-16 and F-15 so this is the best option I believe to have both grips. I also agree with having some kind of feedback. I use the butt-kicker as well and it's nice to feel when your gear is down or you feel a bomb coming off the rack.
I have an F-16ex stick, and I agree with your feelings about the vibration, in fact it reminds me of my Volvo and steering vibration in the steering wheel. For the stick and maybe later for the throttle, you can download settings from other people who have set up their vibration profile. Good video, I am planning to get the EX version of the throttle in the fall to replace my X-56 throttle, I believe Winwing understands that we might have numerous different modules, and have made it easy to use some switches and hats for certain situations, for instance, the back seat of the F-15e has different controls and instead of using modifiers to simulate, you can have separate hats to do the same.
Nice review, will be replacing my X56 with the F16EX & F15EX. Not that I need every single extra switch but it’s always nice to have some extras for controlling DCS stuff like zooming and changing view, centering trackIR etc.
Good review my friend, you answered most of my questions in this review, so have ordered the F-15 EX throttles for my existing Orion2 base too last night. Initially FA/18 throttle grips here, but with the advent of DCS F-15, this was hard to resist. My sidestick of choice now is the Winwing F-16 shaped stick with side shake gizmo, it works well in DCS feedback wise, but I hope and as promised Winwing expand the feedback shake that is suitably subtle compared to my much, much older MS Force Feed back 2 stick and apply to other simulations too. It's perhaps worth a mention, Winwing have a UK store now, so when I ordered my Winwing F-15 EX parts last night, hopefully I will have no FED EX import surprises this time, because have ordered many WinWing parts before and was always sprung with a big Fed Ex import bill. If you get the chance, and still have a good working relationship with Wing Wing, please ask for their new Rudder Pedals and damper kit review too, please.
I recommend using the advanced settings for the vibration. There are some community done settings that are much better than the basic vibration that the standard winwing option does. So it'll have variational vibration depending on your AOA.
Why is it the right choice? (Other than the higher price) Does the EX grip have any drawbacks compared to the E? From what I've seen the removal of the speed brake switch seems to be the only thing that can be seen as bad.
Hopefully WinWing will send you the F-16EX stick which also has the vibration motor in it (plus a removable TDC and 5 position castle switch). You need to get Starbaby in as your WSO.
Thanks for the review. I use a slightly modified TM Warthog throttle and don't see enough improvements (to me) to warrant a purchase. I prefer the speed brake on my current stick. Your comment " and you have a 21 lb Brain and can remember what all these buttons do" really echos my feelings on gear for DCS. While it is great to see lots of options out there, it still doesn't change all the hours we spend mapping keys and bindings. I require a clipboard with page after page of DCS module bindings and try to review that when swapping between planes. And yet I would still jump on the chance to buy a DCS AH-64 CPG Tedac controller with left and right grips.
im in the same boat. i also use TARGET for a lot of advanced state-logic with my hotas and MFDs so i cant really leave TM for these very cool looking new alternatives. i am really excited to see that new Viper throttle thats coming soon! im thinking i could maybe see having that as a second throttle to swap out with, hopefully. it looks very cool. WinWing and even Virpil or VKB need to take it seriously about getting a programmatic app like TARGET(Or Foxy before it. theres also JoystickGremlin i have heard of) to take that hardware to the next level. users need to start demanding it, but they dont know how powerful it can be.
@@marcocomparato5564 I'm happy with just using the DCS controls set up page, works just fine for everything I need. I do use SimmApp for the Vibration in the F-16ex stick.
So I don’t recommend setting the afterburner ratio in simapp because it’ll still be different for each aircraft. I set it in DCS, for most aircraft a program called DCS detent calculator is extremely helpful, for the strike Eagle it has a ratio built in to special options that is useful so you don’t need to do a user curve.
I've found for my throttle at least, just setting a curve of 3 on both sides in DCS hits the detent just right (TMWH with the push-through mod)). YMMV of course, but worth a try
I bought the EX for the "extra" buttons. I'm kinda miffed that the 3-way brake switch is gone, I really want that switch :/ buuuuuuuuuut, this will come in handy for the A10 and Apache with all it's coolie hats and hats and hoojiwhatsits.
@@10percenttrue How?? I just got my Orion2 with Dual Throttle connector (not Finger Lifts) and F-15EX grips. I have NO DETENTS. I miss the IDLE to OFF detent more than the AB detent, honestly. For now I stuck a few pieces of the Styrofoam packing at the IDLE position. NOT optimal for a pretty expensive piece of kit!! Am I missing an adjustment somewhere?
Sold my WH throttle to get one of the grips for the orion2. But watching all the E videos to learn the plane my head will explode. So might not get the handles or module
Nice landing! Until you tip the wing! 🤣 your sides would be sore from laughing if you saw my flying! 🤣 starbaby would be nice to have in the backseat!!!
I think WinWing lost a bit of an opportunity with the EX. Rather than deleting the speedbrake switch and keeping the com switch I think they should have done the opposite. When you think of it, you hold the com switch while you talk and then let go (much like hat - press as long as you need it) and that is how the com switch operates. The speedbrake switch locks into position until you unlock (not at all like a hat) and that would have been a better choice to keep. A bit of a rare miss by WinWing who usually make good functional decisions from an ergonomics point of view. Hopefully they will correct this oversight in a future version.
Interesting close look at the grips. It didn't really change my opinion on the things though. The EX feels like the additional buttons weren't given much thought (those twin hats in lieu of the airbrake switch look like you can way too easily nudge the first one while going for the other for instance). Flying for real myself (albeit very very very very much not anything pointy or even powered), I can't fathom the point of shaking the throttle grip. Something like a Jetseat seems more natural since buffet shakes the airframe mostly. The base also feels too messy in terms of button layout. I much prefer something generic that I can apply a module's logic onto should I need it.
In a sim, you don't really feel the aircraft which is super important in flying the real thing, and this is a cheap alternative to buying a 3D movable seat. I don't believe you need to use all the hats or switches but it's nice to know they are there if you do need them. HOTAS set up is a very "personal" thing and there are many variations in hardware set ups out there.
thank you for this review. The big downside with the Orion2 base is that Windows no longer recognizes it after a few months, for some people. I know someone who has the problem and who is in contact with Winwing support and still no solution.
I prefer replicas so the extra buttons don’t appeal to me. It’s an expensive preference seeing the number of grips, bases and throttles in my collection. Well….2 bases. Virpil Mongoose CM3 and a RealSim stick/grip combo for the F16. But out of my throttles 2x of them are Orion 2’s.
I think "EX" is just Wingwing's terminology for "hey we added more buttons to this model, because you might find them useful in other modules/sims", not an attempt at recreating the F-15EX grip. Winwing has an F-16EX grip that is the same concept. More buttons and another axis.
It also has the vibration (I call it a rumble pad).
I wish one one the hats on the EX would be a speedbrake 😢
The X probably stands for "extra"
^this 100%
This is my understanding as well. EX is just Winwing speak for "more features". Love my F-16EX grip btw!
Thank you for this, very in-depth and helpful. My throttle is years in and moving on it's own so time for this one. I fly f-16 and F-15 so this is the best option I believe to have both grips.
I also agree with having some kind of feedback. I use the butt-kicker as well and it's nice to feel when your gear is down or you feel a bomb coming off the rack.
I have an F-16ex stick, and I agree with your feelings about the vibration, in fact it reminds me of my Volvo and steering vibration in the steering wheel. For the stick and maybe later for the throttle, you can download settings from other people who have set up their vibration profile. Good video, I am planning to get the EX version of the throttle in the fall to replace my X-56 throttle, I believe Winwing understands that we might have numerous different modules, and have made it easy to use some switches and hats for certain situations, for instance, the back seat of the F-15e has different controls and instead of using modifiers to simulate, you can have separate hats to do the same.
Good video. I found buttons and axis that I hadn't realized where there. This has been a welcomed upgrade from my Saitek X-65F.
Nice review, will be replacing my X56 with the F16EX & F15EX. Not that I need every single extra switch but it’s always nice to have some extras for controlling DCS stuff like zooming and changing view, centering trackIR etc.
i was thinking the same, i use Thrustmaster f16 stick with x56 throttle.
How are you getting on with the F15EX/F15EX combo?
Very good review. You were able to answer on all questions which I had regarding this product.
Looks awesome, thanks for posting such an informative vid!
Good review my friend, you answered most of my questions in this review, so have ordered the F-15 EX throttles for my existing Orion2 base too last night. Initially FA/18 throttle grips here, but with the advent of DCS F-15, this was hard to resist.
My sidestick of choice now is the Winwing F-16 shaped stick with side shake gizmo, it works well in DCS feedback wise, but I hope and as promised Winwing expand the feedback shake that is suitably subtle compared to my much, much older MS Force Feed back 2 stick and apply to other simulations too.
It's perhaps worth a mention, Winwing have a UK store now, so when I ordered my Winwing F-15 EX parts last night, hopefully I will have no FED EX import surprises this time, because have ordered many WinWing parts before and was always sprung with a big Fed Ex import bill.
If you get the chance, and still have a good working relationship with Wing Wing, please ask for their new Rudder Pedals and damper kit review too, please.
I recommend using the advanced settings for the vibration. There are some community done settings that are much better than the basic vibration that the standard winwing option does. So it'll have variational vibration depending on your AOA.
thank's for review !!! nice product !
Great review, cheers
From the cockpit pictures on the internet of the real F-15EX Eagle II, it’s the same as the Strike Eagle one
Cheers Steve nice review
I ordered the standard E stick and based on comments I made the right choice
Appreciate your time and effort
Cheers
Why is it the right choice? (Other than the higher price) Does the EX grip have any drawbacks compared to the E? From what I've seen the removal of the speed brake switch seems to be the only thing that can be seen as bad.
looking to get this and the F16Ex stick > upgrading from a T16k hotas
a little curious about the rotary dial not as much travel as im used too
Good review, Steve! I’ve got an order in for the EX model. Kind of sad about the speed brake switch, but I’ll have to adapt I guess.
same. I am surprised
@sedlo Same as well but I think I will pick up the EX also
Is there an explanation for what these buttons SHOULD do or what they are commonly used for?
Hopefully WinWing will send you the F-16EX stick which also has the vibration motor in it (plus a removable TDC and 5 position castle switch).
You need to get Starbaby in as your WSO.
Impressive the amount of options this company is bringing to market!...
Thanks for the review. I use a slightly modified TM Warthog throttle and don't see enough improvements (to me) to warrant a purchase. I prefer the speed brake on my current stick. Your comment " and you have a 21 lb Brain and can remember what all these buttons do" really echos my feelings on gear for DCS. While it is great to see lots of options out there, it still doesn't change all the hours we spend mapping keys and bindings. I require a clipboard with page after page of DCS module bindings and try to review that when swapping between planes. And yet I would still jump on the chance to buy a DCS AH-64 CPG Tedac controller with left and right grips.
im in the same boat. i also use TARGET for a lot of advanced state-logic with my hotas and MFDs so i cant really leave TM for these very cool looking new alternatives. i am really excited to see that new Viper throttle thats coming soon! im thinking i could maybe see having that as a second throttle to swap out with, hopefully. it looks very cool.
WinWing and even Virpil or VKB need to take it seriously about getting a programmatic app like TARGET(Or Foxy before it. theres also JoystickGremlin i have heard of) to take that hardware to the next level. users need to start demanding it, but they dont know how powerful it can be.
@@marcocomparato5564 I'm happy with just using the DCS controls set up page, works just fine for everything I need. I do use SimmApp for the Vibration in the F-16ex stick.
Super useful video, thanks for that. Mine will arrive next week. 😊
I absolutely love the f-16 grip. I've debated the f-16 throttle, it's so nice.
So I don’t recommend setting the afterburner ratio in simapp because it’ll still be different for each aircraft. I set it in DCS, for most aircraft a program called DCS detent calculator is extremely helpful, for the strike Eagle it has a ratio built in to special options that is useful so you don’t need to do a user curve.
I've found for my throttle at least, just setting a curve of 3 on both sides in DCS hits the detent just right (TMWH with the push-through mod)). YMMV of course, but worth a try
That detent calculator is amazing! Highly recommend.
@@faelwolf1177 the user curves will get you something much more liner, it’s not as simple, but it does a lot for you for formation flight
@@ShawnHinck I'll check it out
Do you need Simapp Pro to be running to get the stick vibration working? If so, do you also need to be logged in too?
I bought the EX for the "extra" buttons. I'm kinda miffed that the 3-way brake switch is gone, I really want that switch :/ buuuuuuuuuut, this will come in handy for the A10 and Apache with all it's coolie hats and hats and hoojiwhatsits.
i really love the vibration feature, im not a fan if loosing my FA18 speed brake switch though
I could clearly hear the bass from the vibration motor 😂
Great review - do you have a pdf over your buttons, how you have maped them?
Afterburner detent can be set without finger lift or it is mandatory for this functionality?
Correct. You don’t need the finger lift kit to get the detent.
@@10percenttrue How?? I just got my Orion2 with Dual Throttle connector (not Finger Lifts) and F-15EX grips. I have NO DETENTS. I miss the IDLE to OFF detent more than the AB detent, honestly. For now I stuck a few pieces of the Styrofoam packing at the IDLE position. NOT optimal for a pretty expensive piece of kit!! Am I missing an adjustment somewhere?
Sold my WH throttle to get one of the grips for the orion2. But watching all the E videos to learn the plane my head will explode. So might not get the handles or module
I wouldn't want the EX. I'm more of a purist so I would go for the non-ex. Hopefully someone released a mod to add the spring recenter for the dial.
Nice landing! Until you tip the wing! 🤣 your sides would be sore from laughing if you saw my flying! 🤣 starbaby would be nice to have in the backseat!!!
Yeah, that's what you get for bouncing, floating and then landing half way down the runway!
I think WinWing lost a bit of an opportunity with the EX. Rather than deleting the speedbrake switch and keeping the com switch I think they should have done the opposite. When you think of it, you hold the com switch while you talk and then let go (much like hat - press as long as you need it) and that is how the com switch operates. The speedbrake switch locks into position until you unlock (not at all like a hat) and that would have been a better choice to keep. A bit of a rare miss by WinWing who usually make good functional decisions from an ergonomics point of view.
Hopefully they will correct this oversight in a future version.
Great parts that WinWing makes. Unfortunately, they can't keep up with their products. I've been waiting for the Fingliffts for weeks. Sad!
Interesting close look at the grips.
It didn't really change my opinion on the things though.
The EX feels like the additional buttons weren't given much thought (those twin hats in lieu of the airbrake switch look like you can way too easily nudge the first one while going for the other for instance).
Flying for real myself (albeit very very very very much not anything pointy or even powered), I can't fathom the point of shaking the throttle grip. Something like a Jetseat seems more natural since buffet shakes the airframe mostly.
The base also feels too messy in terms of button layout. I much prefer something generic that I can apply a module's logic onto should I need it.
In a sim, you don't really feel the aircraft which is super important in flying the real thing, and this is a cheap alternative to buying a 3D movable seat. I don't believe you need to use all the hats or switches but it's nice to know they are there if you do need them. HOTAS set up is a very "personal" thing and there are many variations in hardware set ups out there.
thank you for this review. The big downside with the Orion2 base is that Windows no longer recognizes it after a few months, for some people. I know someone who has the problem and who is in contact with Winwing support and still no solution.
I have had mine 13 months now, not had this issue at all.
I prefer replicas so the extra buttons don’t appeal to me.
It’s an expensive preference seeing the number of grips, bases and throttles in my collection.
Well….2 bases. Virpil Mongoose CM3 and a RealSim stick/grip combo for the F16. But out of my throttles 2x of them are Orion 2’s.
waiting for my EX
Same!
bro got them for free and im gonna sell stuff to get it 😭