Category: News

Hi guys,

to make it easier to browse for MCG grips for specific, compatible bases, I’ve created a few more categories to drill into. This should make it easier for you to identify the right MCG or MCG PRO grip for you out of all 11(!) MCG variants by identifying the name of any existing base/stick combo first.

Hope you find this useful.

Until next time,

 

Hi guys,

a lot of you had run into a “Bad Gateway” issue while pre-ordering from VKBcontrollers.com these past couple of days, leading often times to multiple orders from the same customer because it wasn’t clear if the initial order was accepted by the system. Because of this, a lot of people tried to order again.

Our webmaster has allocated more RAM to the operation of the webshop, and we hope this issue has now been solved. Please let us know if this issue persist on your end. Thank you.

Until next time,

Hi guys,

for some reason Apple Pay does not play well with pre-ordering and has charged the credit cards of several customers immediately, instead of charging them at the projected shipping date of Nov. 1. 2017. The customers affected by this have been promptly refunded are are encouraged to pre-order again, outside of Apple Pay.

Because of this issue, I have disabled Apple Pay within the payment gateway for the time being.

Sorry for any inconvenience that may cause.

Until next time,

Got done a day early – so you can get your pre-oders in today if you wish:

• Gladiator Pro + MCG/MCG PRO
• Gunfighter/Pro + MCG/MCG PRO
• MCG/MCG PRO (3- and 5-Pin versions)

Have at it – and please do not forget* when ordering an MCG (standalone or bundle) to follow this simple task:

“DURING CHECKOUT, PLEASE USE THE ‘ORDER NOTES’ SECTION TO SPECIFY IF YOU WANT RUSSIAN OR ENGLISH LABELS FOR YOUR MCG GRIP! IF NO CHOICE IS GIVEN, THE DEFAULT WILL BE RUSSIAN (CYRILLIC) LABELS.”

*If you do forget, instead of emailing me your desired label language after the fact, please cancel your pre-order and start over again. This is the easiest option as nothing has been charged to your credit/debit card yet. This also helps me out tremendouslyt because I don’t have to track tons of emails that way. Thank you!

In other news:

• The MCG-Left is likely getting a name change to reflect its intended use for a space simulation grip. I was asked to remove it from the webshop until more details are available to share with everyone. It’s not gone, it’s just still being developed with not much to show for yet.
• The MCG Twist Adapter is shaping up nicely, and VKB HQ did some of their magic to not make the MCG grip stand taller at all. Their goal was to have the same MCG height for tabletop users whether they use a twist adapter or not. …and they pulled it of. Once I have more info, I will let you know.
  • Please keep in mind that neither the MCG-Left nor the MCG Twist Adapter are part of the pre-ordering process, and will be made available at a later date. 
• Also, please remember that MCG versions for the older Mamba Mk.II and Black/Fat Mamba Mk.III, as well as the King Cobra Mk.IV are currently not available for pre-ordering.

Until next time,

Hi guys,

here’s a nice writeup from VKB HQ about the compatibility of the VKB-Sim MCG variants with some of the legacy VKB controllers out here; have a look – you might find it interesting. It’s also been posted on the official VKB forums (feel free to ask questions and comment there as well).

A.
CONNECTORS in the BASE.
(“Connectors” are hardware (physical) couplings, usually “male” and “female”. Just hardware, no less, no more).
A1 – Female 5-pin air force style connector:
– Mamba Мк2\3
– Vintage Mamba
– Gladiator Pro Mk1
A2 – Springed 3-pin connector (rev A)
– Gladiator Pro Mk2
– Gunfighter RevA
A3 – 3-pin connector patch (platform)
– Gunfighter RevB
The above listed are the CONNECTORS.

B.
Now, the PROTOCOLS.
(“PROTOCOLS”, unlike “connectors”, are not “material/physical” plugs and sockets. They are pieces of software made to en/decrypt the signal/data that is received through the dedicated “connector” itself).
There are 2 of them:
B1 – 5-wire button protocol
– Mamba Mk2\3, Warthog
B2 – 3-wire digital button-axis protocol
– Vintage Mamba, Gladiators Pro MkI,II, GFs A/B
The above listed are the PROTOCOLS.
NOTE: Vintage Mamba and Gladiators MkI Pro are equipped with 5-wire connectors but 3-wire protocol. 2 wires are not used.
Mamba Mk2\3 internal controller on its PCB has a connector that can be used for digital grip protocol.

However there is also a Fat Mamba. It is based on Mamba but it has buttons and axes on its sides.
To connect MCG to Mamba it only takes replacing 5-pin connector with 3-pin one, and plugging it into a different socket.
However to connect MCG to Fat Mamba one would need an extra PCB because the socket that was meant for grip is already occupied by axes.
The above mentioned extra PCB allows plugging in additional jacks. By installing this PCB you will effectively turn your Fat Mamba into Vintage Mamba. Don’t forget to cast a spell “Mambio transformio!”

As everyone can see,
MCG GRIP CAN BE USED WITH MAMBA Mk2\3 and Vintage, GLADIATOR, and GUNFIGHTER.
It might be easy and straightforward, or take some 15 mins for installing an extra (cheap and easily available) PCB into the grip, but it is possible and perfectly doable.

Until next time,

Hi Guys, 

Good news – pre-ordering for the next batch of VKB Gunfighters and a select choice of MCG grips will start October 1, 2017.

I prepared VKBcontrollers.com with the new lineup of products – so have a look around:

• Gunfighters
• MCG Grips
• Gladiator Pro Mk.IIs

I will keep you updated about the development of the other MCGs (5-pin and left-hand versions), as well as the Twist Adapters availability as I learn more. I also hope to have a final MCG announcement out around October 1 – so stay tuned for more info soon. 

NOTE: Pre-ordering is contingent upon having received final pricing from VKB HQ prior to October 1, as well as having received a good ETA for shipment to start from VKB HQ. Worst case, pre-ordering could slip by a few days. 
NOTE: When pre-ordering, your credit/debit card will not be charged until the product is available for shipping from VKB HQ; if the shipping date gets delayed, the pre-ordering plugin allows me to push back the shipping date without affecting your pre-order status. 

Until next time, 

Hi guys,

I’ve decided to change the VKBcontrollers.com theme after receiving feedback about it not working very well on mobile phones and tablets.

The result is a rather fresh looking site with a few more modern options, plus far greater compatibility on mobile devices. I hope you like it as well.

Until next time,

 

Hi guys,

still no official news from VKB HQ about the availability of the MCG series of grips. I know that the MCG is the topmost priority currently to get it ready and out of the door, but I still don’t have a good enough ETA (and up-to-date pricing info) to open pre-ordering at VKBcontrollers.com.

The same is true for the next batch of Gunfighter sticks (whose release will likely coincide with the MCG so they can be bundled).

As I learn more, you will get notified via newsletter. Hopefully it won’t be too long of a wait for everyone anymore!

PS: To be on the safe side, I’ve pushed the MCG and Gunfighter availability date into “late October”.

Until next time,

Hi guys,

VKB HQ has provided a very limited set of 5-pin extension kits for VKB Mamba/Fat Mamba Mk.II/Mk.III and Vintage Mamba controllers. Have a look here. They might not last very long, and I am not sure as to when they will be available again.

Until next time,