Haven't tried my F-16 grip, but I would assume it would have the same issue as the F/A-18 with the current firmware, whatever buttons work as the super modifiers in RS software will not be caught by the rhino in current firmware
It's finally happening! 7 more Rhinos until my number comes up. I think I've found a used virpil z-extension somewhat locally that I can hopefully get before my Rhino arrives. I got on the waiting list in January of this year, so about an 8 month turn around time.
I had issues getting the Bluetooth working previously and ended up selling the real simulator grip. But considering getting another. So if the firmware update is fairly imminent, then thatβs good
The btle is finicky for sure. Only Walmis would know when the next update is planned, but I'm definitely excited for the prospect of not having to use the btle bindings and getting 2 devices out of my cluttered list on dcs
This might be of general interest: The recent FAI Virtual Sailplane Grand Prix was sponsored by Thrustmaster, and during one of the livestreams there was an interview where a question was asked about possible future force feedback joysticks, with a noncommittal but perhaps slightly positive-ish answer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-QPDOfXPRY&t=306s
I think the answer can be summarized as "People have been thinking about [a new force feedback joystick] including in our R&D department. It takes time to launch a product. There may be some news at the end of this year or beginning of next year; watch this space." but that of course does not guarantee anything.
If TM makes one it's going to be at most half the force of the rhino, and probably same price, significantly less features. And obviously only work with thrustmaster grips.
You also have to keep in mind the priveleged sense of perspective we have as sim enthusiasts. We already know every single brand on the market, everything they offer, and their pros and cons. To the average consumer who doesn't know anything about flight sims except that Xbox has an airplane game now (MSFS 2020), they'll have at least heard of Thrustmaster. So when they go to WalMart or Best Buy (USA example) what products will they see? Thrustmaster or Logitech. They are way more likely to buy something from Thrustmaster for flying on their Xbox than they are to decide to buy a PC, and discover other brands like Virpil etc.
So a company like Thrustmaster, with such widespread marketing reach that is already well established in the public's eye releasing a FFB base will be the single biggest improvement that could be made to the FFB landscape in terms of generating real change.
If we want to see FFB in a game like MSFS 2024, a company like TM making a FFB stick would go a long way in making that a reality. Because you know TM would want their FFB stick to be compatible on Xbox, so they'd (both TM and Asobo) want MSFS to be compatible with it.
I agree: A new Force Feedback Joystick from a recognized brand like Thrustmaster will mainly raise the visibility of force feedback for flight simulation purposes, by making force feedback more widely accessible, and that would hopefully encourage software evelopers to support force feedback in more flight simulators. That's why I think this is an interesting development.
I am worried about the connection a bit (sorry, really a noob with that stuff). So i would need an adapter with the wires coming from the stick connected to the adapter, correct?
Not at the moment. It's not even build yet. I was just thinking of building my own stick when the rhino ships. But this should be possible to do i guess if i can get hold of the connectors somehow.
Good point! You mean for ergonomical reasons? I can possibly find a solution for that. The question is more how does the rhino recognize my buttons and switches with the 5 pin mini din. But this will get off topic. I surely have to do some more research on this project. Thanks a lot for your help so far!
I have a question regarding building a sim rig. I have bought a set of hikig desk mounts and am in the process of designing an alu sim rig. I was hoping to reuse the flanges that connect my sticks to the extrusion, but I have noticed that the 20x60 profile I have seems to have an 8 slot, while the 2060 profiles I can find online have a 5 slot instead. Are there different versions of the profile or am I measuring incorrectly?
@walmisHow many total orders do you have now and what are you up to now on deliveries? I am trying to decide if I should order one and if I will live long enough to receive it...This is not a dig or a joke...I am a 63 yr old man in poor health and there is no guarantee that I will live long enough to get one even if I order now.
@fierce_fireI am aware of this but I do not have access to tools needed to DIY it. I live in an urban Apt. with no access to tools or workshop but thanks for the suggestion. Unless I can find someone to do the hardware then I might consider a diy motor kit but can't do the work myself.
I also dont have any cnc equipment or anything but I believe some shops might be able to machine/lasercut parts for you and all you'd need to do is assemble it
Thanks again...Maybe someone out there can give me more details on having that work done with ordering details...I have seen the many designs that people are making and like most of them.
Yeah only issue, from what I saw on the "Honey" thread over on DCS forums, is that an adapter made out of weak material might result in higher (than wanted) deflection (?).
Thank you for getting back to this topic. I am still in the reading/watching tutorials process but as far as i understand i could use a arduino micro inside the stick and connect that to a 5 pin mini din (i might be awefully wrong here though). I'll have a look into shift registers now.
Hey @jc523, So the last Shipped RHINO is #0187 on 2023-09-08 Average waiting time from preorder to shipped is 203 days, median is 216 days, max is 292 days 185 Rhinos are shipped in total