I have a Virpil Warbrd-D which has adjustable friction clamps on X & Y axis which massively helps with the springy feeling of these types of bases. Had the old Warbrd base before that and it seems like The TM AVA Base is mostly like the old Warbrd, just for more money. It really feels like they are just too late to the game with a Joystick Base that doesn`t innovate and still costs more then already available Bases. Doesn`t make any sense for me to choose the TM AVA base, considering the available alternatives. Just my thoughts on this. Also, the Virpil Base doesn`t need an adapter to mount you stick in angled position.

I've seen over a half-dozen reviews on the AVA so far. This video is the only one that mentioned the calibration procedure, so thanks for that. None have said anything about the heart of the base being plastic. I'm one of many who own a broken Warthog because of that poor design. At least you didn't state "all metal" like several others have. It still seems strange that no-one is mentioning the obvious weak point though.

Looks fantastic but not enough to replace my Virpil Mongoose CM3. Nice to see thrustmaster getting away from the spring and cup design of the warthog. I would have gotten this instead of the virpil if it was out about 6 months ago. The virpil CM3 is $30 more and required international shipping for me. I too would love a FFB stick, if only Microsoft will get lax on the licensing requirements.

@DieselThunderAviation

2 ай бұрын

A reasonably priced FFB stick would be awesome! AVA sure seems like it will be a solid competitor against Virpil and VKB offerings :)

I just purchased one those joysticks while watching this video

@DieselThunderAviation

2 ай бұрын

Nice! Think you'll be pretty happy with it!

looking at this to replace my TM Warthog I have had for too long. Works great, but time to get something new!

@DieselThunderAviation

2 ай бұрын

Been pretty happy with my Warthog too. They've certainly improved upon that with AVA!

I can't help but feel like Thrustmaster was a bit too late to the game on this one. They stuck with the Warthog base for a long time and in that time, Winwing pretty much moved into their turf and took over with a better product at a similar price point. This base doesn't look too bad but I hope they don't expect people to trade up their Winwings (or the higher-end Virpils and VKB's) for it.

@Tiber234

2 ай бұрын

Yeah sometimes success leads to inactivity in knowing where the market is going and resistance to the inevitable change. When it was upgrade time I tried a friends TMWH which I had (until that time) always had my eye on and said "No" Opted for WW O2 and almost a year later Im still lovin it. Think I wouldve had buyers remorse if Id bought the WH.

@DieselThunderAviation

2 ай бұрын

Better late than never 🙂. I’ve been pretty happy with the Warthog since I bought that a couple years ago, and AVA takes that to the next level. Feels really nice and is as good if not better compared to Virpil, VKB, and WinWing (got to try out that gear at last year’s Flight Sim Expo).

Hey!!! That's my shirt!!!!

@DieselThunderAviation

2 ай бұрын

Pretty comfy one at that!

Welcome TM, to 2015. Let me know when the FFB base drops.

@DieselThunderAviation

2 ай бұрын

Would love to see a reasonably priced FFB stick/base someday!

@Tiber234

2 ай бұрын

2015!🤣

I'm in!! Gotta get some dosh raised but yeah, deffo. One thing, the old base mounting screws? Would they fit the AVA?

@DieselThunderAviation

2 ай бұрын

The screws from the Warthog? They should but definitely check and make sure they aren't too long so they don't hit any of the sensitive parts inside it.

@TheRaptorXX

2 ай бұрын

@@DieselThunderAviation Nice one, cheers DT. I'd just washer 'em or something if they were too long I guess.

@DieselThunderAviation

2 ай бұрын

That's what I did on the side plate I have it on currently, just threaded on a few extra nuts on each screw and to get the proper length.

oh wait ! What was the short attachment that was hooked to your warthog base (1:19)? ... i did not have that with my Boeing chair ! I want one !

@DieselThunderAviation

2 ай бұрын

That is the center mount for that very chair, just modified (the AVA base will mount to the plate without needing to drill new holes). I had reached out to Next Level Racing asking about a short mount for those of us with extended sticks and they said that they didn't have anything available, or that they were going to make one. So I took that mount to a local machine shop and had them cut it shorter and weld it together. Was very much worth it. I have some more pictures here on the DCS Forums: forum.dcs.world/topic/322958-next-level-racing-boeing-military-simulator-seat/?do=findComment&comment=5260575

I’d be interested to see how this base feels with Virpil constellation alpha grips for space games.

@DieselThunderAviation

2 ай бұрын

Not sure how that would work. The connector is a 6 pin instead of the 5 pin that they used on the Warthog. I image it would feel pretty good assuming the grip would function on that base. Which space sim do you fly? I occasionally play Elite Dangerous.

@fixitman2174

22 күн бұрын

The WarBRD-D base costs less, includes a base plate, and doesn't have any structural plastic. Buying the AVA really doesn't make any sense, unless you're in a hurry.

Nice rundown thank you, How it the movement in the centre? I've had a CM3 for a couple of years but even with Nyogel applied it's impossible to make small circular movements n the centre which can make Helicopter control a bit tricky. If this didn't have that I'd he tempted to elbow the Virpil and get this instead. I notice you have the Virpil collective mounted to your Next Level rig. Would you mind showing how you did this please, I was looking at that but Next Level sad it couldn't be done.

@DieselThunderAviation

2 ай бұрын

My pleasure! The movement is very smooth without the feel of a detent in the middle. This base would be very good for helicopter flying, especially with being able to adjust the feel to your own tastes! For the collective, I used a piece of 3030 aluminum extrusion (also called T-slot extrusion) and bolted that to the chair. That gives the horizontal surface needed in order to mount the collective. I did a little segment on how it’s mounted when I videoed the counterbalance kit for it here: kzread.info/dash/bejne/dq11x5VulZWYdZc.htmlsi=2GtjmEFKxTIDiI4T

@VRTrucker

2 ай бұрын

Ahh thank you, really appreciate your reply on that. Looks like it's time to get rid of the CM3. TM seem to have done a great job with this base. Thanks for the video link too. Going to have to speak nicely to the boss to grab the £700 from our savings for the NLR rig 😂.

How is the overall feeling of the resistance and travel compared to the F-4D that you work on? Is it closer to reality than previous joy sticks?

@DieselThunderAviation

2 ай бұрын

I would say it feels way better than any joystick I've tried in the past. With how I have it setup (similar to how it is right out of the box), the resistance increases the more the stick is displaced from the center. And it feels natural, at least to me. The Warthog is a really good stick too, though with only the one main spring, it feels the exact same across the entire range of movement. Can't say it feels the same as the Phantom though, as that has hydraulically boosted controls. :)

Any idea when this will be ready ? Really would like to upgrade my base

@DieselThunderAviation

16 күн бұрын

They are currently on sale! Both on the Thrusmaster webstore and on Amazon.

@HighAspect

15 күн бұрын

@@DieselThunderAviation any word on the dampener? I was debating if I should just wait for a force feedback base.

@DieselThunderAviation

14 күн бұрын

What dampener are you referring to?

how are you zooming in the Phantom pit??? My zoom doesn't work in this pit! of course i can lean forward with the Trackir but no zoom

@DieselThunderAviation

2 ай бұрын

There's a small slider on both the Warthog throttle and the Viper throttle that I have assigned to "zoom" under the axis binds within DCS. I think in real life these are the throttle friction adjusters.

@jdshkolnik

2 ай бұрын

I have a modifier set in every airframe profile. I then bind the zoom axis to modifier+trackir_z in each airframe so I zoom when moving head forward back while holding modifier.

Just go with Virpil or Winwing... Much better quality for the money.

@DieselThunderAviation

2 ай бұрын

Got to try some of Virpil, VKB, and WinWing sticks at the flight sim expo last year. AVA feels just a good if not better, and very well constructed as well.

@Frankietomatoes6189

2 ай бұрын

Winwing have metal fatigue just over a year of use. Yes replace no problem but a year? Many have sold their Virpil to go back to Thrustmaster. So chose wisely. I say Thrusmaster all the way.

@DieselThunderAviation

2 ай бұрын

@@Frankietomatoes6189 Interesting, had no idea WinWing had fatigue issues. Seen plenty of cases of Warthogs lasting for quite a lot longer. Think ralfidude mentioned his was over 10 years old and still going.

@Frankietomatoes6189

2 ай бұрын

@DieselThunderAviation yeah some have mentioned the fatigue. Some have also sold their Virpil to go back to Thrustmaster. Guess all depends what u want.

@Frankietomatoes6189

2 ай бұрын

My take on this. TM has been in the game a long time with a proven track record no? Many owners 10 plus yrs without an issue. Will winwing and others be able to say that? Some winwing owners have had metal fatigue after a yr. Some virpil owners sold and went back to TM. Longevity always wins. You can do everything you need to do with TM. My 2 cents