I'm almost tempted to upgrade from my Mk III Gunfighter, just to get those adjustable spring pre-tensioners. Not for fine-tuning ability, but rather because they seem to eliminate the need to install/take off the springs using the removal tool. I run 50+40 on Y on mine and I think I've gone through two or three strings already on that tool. Let's hope the blackhead-remover I bought for the task will last a bit longer ... :D
So I understand that an upgrade kit for existing GF3 owners is going to be available eventually, as well has connector adapters for existing GF3 sticks. But are the existing BlackBox v2 going to work with the GF3 upgrade, or will we need to buy a BB v3 as well?
11 months later and still no news on the upgrade kit. Seeing the changes the gimbal has gone through (and having disassembled/re-assembled my Mk III gimbal lots of times), I have a hard time imagining how they would be able to bring a Mk III gimbal fully up to Mk IV-standard.
There's a screw hole on the back of the stick where it attaches to the base (closest to the pilot). Should anything be done with that? The bag which contains the tension bits for attaching the stick to the base also has extra screws in it. Not sure what to do with them.
I have to say the video is well done, BUT please ditch/remove the music. It's enough to give someone a headache. I am trying to follow along to setup my new Stick, so the music it extremely distracting. It's an instructional video, not a rockstar video. Thanks, Ed
Thanks, Just wonder.. what is original factory spring tension? I have MK4 base with 10 - 50 replacement springs but not really sure what is original sets of spring inside of the base. Any idea?
why is it plastic wedges against the metal knurled bit? why any connection between the base and the stick but the one that everyone else uses standard? :( I'd love to use my VKB grips with different bases.
The fastener is also metal. The connector has been replaced because this model is more reliable. We'll be offering upgrade kits for upgrade from RevB to RevC, so you won't have to buy the whole grip if you change revisions at some point.
Please turn off the commercials for this video so I can configure this with out being interrupted - since this thing doesn't come with any instructions at all. Thank you.
Can't comment on the spring tensioners, but I did/do adjust my clutches "on the fly". Only way to do it, really, IMO because if you want them set "just so", I want the stick sitting in my flying/gaming position and I want to be able to verify the effect of every adjustment I make. What I do is "simply" remove the dust-cover so that I can access the adjustment screws. Easier said than done in my case, since I use VKB's desk-mount in which the gimbal and its housing "hang" underneath the mount's baseplate. And since the screws that hold the dust-cover also hold the gimbal-housing, *and* the gimbal housing has a PCB in it that has a wire connecting it to the gimbal, getting everything set up for an adjustment-session is a bit fiddly. You basically have to disassemble the stick partially to take off the dustcover, then re-attach the housing via the four screws, then re-connect the grip. And once you're done, you have to put in a bit more work to get the dust-cover back on. I would imagine this is easier if you use the stick in the desktop setup or on a different type of mount where the gimbal sits on top of the baseplate (Monstertech mounts work like that, I think). The good news is that it's totally doable and will get easier with a bit of practice - plus the fact that if you adjust the clutches correctly, you won't have to touch them again for a long while. I only ever did this twice - once when the stick was new and then again when I added an extension.
@@VKBSim Thanks, is there any instructions available on how to do this for the vkb gf mk4? (Sorry, I assume that since you said it is easier that it means the process is different than the mk3 in some way?)
@@VKBSim Cheers, not trying to be difficult. I am new to quality gear and I may be wrong but it feels like the clutches are 'sticky' in places so I purchased some nye. I will probably be able to figure out disassembly.
@@Bee87ify The clamps too? The disc was already metal in gf3 (I took two of them apart today and regreased them with pg44a and 767a), kinda seems like having it be metal on metal might hurt adjustability, though increase max damping... Edit: though I'm certain vkb knows exactly what they're doing!
I can assure you it is :) It's an early model though and we're permanently upgrading a product during its life. Nothing that would make the video outdated at this time though.
Music is too loud, and the section on putting the wire away from moving parts, which is very important, is too brief and not shown clearly enough. I don't really like having to follow videos for assembly either. Having to keep pausing and jumping around, which is not precise on a phone, and the hands often block the view which makes it hard to follow along. Some key steps are too zoomed out and I have to pause and zoom in to see. But it is a great device nonetheless.
Every time i see new VKB notification I hope for throttle annoucement ;)
They already announced the throttles a few weeks ago.
I'm almost tempted to upgrade from my Mk III Gunfighter, just to get those adjustable spring pre-tensioners. Not for fine-tuning ability, but rather because they seem to eliminate the need to install/take off the springs using the removal tool. I run 50+40 on Y on mine and I think I've gone through two or three strings already on that tool. Let's hope the blackhead-remover I bought for the task will last a bit longer ... :D
Nice im off to the website . Arrived today . !!
lovely .
So I understand that an upgrade kit for existing GF3 owners is going to be available eventually, as well has connector adapters for existing GF3 sticks. But are the existing BlackBox v2 going to work with the GF3 upgrade, or will we need to buy a BB v3 as well?
if you look closely, you can see that the electronics have not changed on the MK4
11 months later and still no news on the upgrade kit. Seeing the changes the gimbal has gone through (and having disassembled/re-assembled my Mk III gimbal lots of times), I have a hard time imagining how they would be able to bring a Mk III gimbal fully up to Mk IV-standard.
There's a screw hole on the back of the stick where it attaches to the base (closest to the pilot). Should anything be done with that? The bag which contains the tension bits for attaching the stick to the base also has extra screws in it. Not sure what to do with them.
The hole is for fixing the twist, in case someone's using rudders. For more questions please visit our discord server discord.gg/UJAdpdHpYm
I have to say the video is well done, BUT please ditch/remove the music. It's enough to give someone a headache. I am trying to follow along to setup my new Stick, so the music it extremely distracting. It's an instructional video, not a rockstar video.
Thanks,
Ed
Thanks, Just wonder.. what is original factory spring tension? I have MK4 base with 10 - 50 replacement springs but not really sure what is original sets of spring inside of the base. Any idea?
The factory setup is a single #20 spring on each axis.
why is it plastic wedges against the metal knurled bit? why any connection between the base and the stick but the one that everyone else uses standard? :( I'd love to use my VKB grips with different bases.
The fastener is also metal.
The connector has been replaced because this model is more reliable. We'll be offering upgrade kits for upgrade from RevB to RevC, so you won't have to buy the whole grip if you change revisions at some point.
Please turn off the commercials for this video so I can configure this with out being interrupted - since this thing doesn't come with any instructions at all. Thank you.
The channel is not monetized. If you don't like commercials please contact UA-cam, we don't have any control over that.
The nylon dampeners in mk3 are too weak to fly helicopter. What materials are mk4 dampeners are made of?
MKIII's were just nylon pads. MKIV has some nylon strips covered by a very rigid composite material which doesn't change shape under pressure.
Is it possible to change the tension/dampener adjustment while connected? ie if you wish to swap between jet and heli
There's no external access to the adjustment screws, so probably not.
Can't comment on the spring tensioners, but I did/do adjust my clutches "on the fly". Only way to do it, really, IMO because if you want them set "just so", I want the stick sitting in my flying/gaming position and I want to be able to verify the effect of every adjustment I make. What I do is "simply" remove the dust-cover so that I can access the adjustment screws. Easier said than done in my case, since I use VKB's desk-mount in which the gimbal and its housing "hang" underneath the mount's baseplate. And since the screws that hold the dust-cover also hold the gimbal-housing, *and* the gimbal housing has a PCB in it that has a wire connecting it to the gimbal, getting everything set up for an adjustment-session is a bit fiddly.
You basically have to disassemble the stick partially to take off the dustcover, then re-attach the housing via the four screws, then re-connect the grip. And once you're done, you have to put in a bit more work to get the dust-cover back on. I would imagine this is easier if you use the stick in the desktop setup or on a different type of mount where the gimbal sits on top of the baseplate (Monstertech mounts work like that, I think).
The good news is that it's totally doable and will get easier with a bit of practice - plus the fact that if you adjust the clutches correctly, you won't have to touch them again for a long while. I only ever did this twice - once when the stick was new and then again when I added an extension.
is there a way to thighten the twist axis?
Thanks
Twist is not adjustable.
@@VKBSim thanks! 😸
3rd time is the charm.
I ask again: How are the data carried from the grip to the base? The metal plug?
Contacts inside the shaft, and IIRC pogo pins on the grip side.
how does one unlock the Z access to enable twist?
The twist is on the grips, not on base.
is cleaning and regreasing the clutch the same method as mk3?
It's even easier now; if you'll have issues please visit our Discord server discord.gg/UJAdpdHpYm
@@VKBSim Thanks, is there any instructions available on how to do this for the vkb gf mk4? (Sorry, I assume that since you said it is easier that it means the process is different than the mk3 in some way?)
@@viewer54322It's a brand new product, won't require regreasing for a good while though :)
@@VKBSim Cheers, not trying to be difficult. I am new to quality gear and I may be wrong but it feels like the clutches are 'sticky' in places so I purchased some nye. I will probably be able to figure out disassembly.
Wonder what went wrong with the first upload... =) EDIT: Oh hay, first!
sowwy for the back and forth, slippery fingers :)
@@VKBSim It happens. Great looking unit, the tensioners seem like a great upgrade to the design. =)
@@jubuttib the damper, as I understand it, is now not made of ilon, but aluminum
@@Bee87ify The clamps too? The disc was already metal in gf3 (I took two of them apart today and regreased them with pg44a and 767a), kinda seems like having it be metal on metal might hurt adjustability, though increase max damping... Edit: though I'm certain vkb knows exactly what they're doing!
What about force feedback? All DIY in this field looks good.
have you seen people effectively add force feedback to sticks?
That is not a gunfighter IV. The one in the video is actually different from the IV I just received.
I can assure you it is :) It's an early model though and we're permanently upgrading a product during its life. Nothing that would make the video outdated at this time though.
Music is too loud, and the section on putting the wire away from moving parts, which is very important, is too brief and not shown clearly enough.
I don't really like having to follow videos for assembly either. Having to keep pausing and jumping around, which is not precise on a phone, and the hands often block the view which makes it hard to follow along. Some key steps are too zoomed out and I have to pause and zoom in to see. But it is a great device nonetheless.
We would've posted it on TikTok if it was for phones.
🤣🤣@@VKBSim