VB-Sim Gladiator MkII: Configuring the pinky switch for Up view

[quig]

This pinky switch doesn't show up as a button in game until you change it in the software.

The software to program this stick is a PITA to use. There are actually 2 programs, "Wizzo" and "VKB Device Configuration Software (VKBdevCfg)". To get this thing working, I had to use the second one - VKBdevCfg - because the 1st one kept crashing. It is nothing resembling user friendly, so here is how to set that pinky button:

Run it and get this screen:


From that confusing screen, the "sS7" under "Line 7" is what you're looking for. Click it and get this screen:


Change the setting to match what is in the image and you're set. Note, through, that the little mode switch on the base effects this button. So if you change modes on the stick, it screws up the views in AH. Remember to click "Set" at the top to write the changes to the stick memory.

Thanks to everyone that tried to help me last night.

[flippz]

Ii think you are speaking of the function switch which is not programmable.  You can actually push that switch and double program the buttons. So say the a button looks up you can push the function button and the a button at the same time and your wep will come on if that's how you program it.
My gladiator is at the office I will look at it in the am and repost to verify that is the button you are speaking of.  But if it is the function button it's not programmable.

Also try reinstalling from the vkb North America site as there has been several updates since the vkb mgcs came out.  I use the wizzo software as it is a ton easier. Also drano on here is real good with the vkb programming as he's all ready into macros with his unit. Pm him he's really great at helping with vkb questions as well

[quig]

Ii think you are speaking of the function switch which is not programmable.

No, I am talking about the pinky switch which is. The mode switch probably is also, but I haven't bothered with it yet. Wizzo crashes every time I use it.

[Wiley]

 

Y'know...  I think the next time I see someone grumbling about how kludgy the Saitek SST stuff is, I'm going to point them to that picture and say "it could be worse."

Hopefully they'll tweak that to be a bit more user friendly as it looks powerful and that stick deserves a decent profiling software.

Wiley.

[Drano]

Yeah the VKB programming software is a pita to learn but once you get the hang of it you find it's hyper configurable. You can turn any of the actual buttons into virtual buttons (multiple layers of them even). And there's a ton of different types of buttons you can config them to. The macro section threw me for a bit but I figured that out. Look around for one of the guides to it. Should be one on their download site. Vjoy32 or something like that. I highly recommend reading this thru before jumping in blind. It's about 90 pages. Goes over just about everything including stuff you'd never thought about!

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

[JimmyC]

I think flippz is right.. the pinky button doubles up every other button..hold pinky down and all buttons can be assigned again.. Very useful .. I do it for zoom etc.. get the hat switch doubled up..great.

[Drano]

You can make any switch the shift switch in the software. I kept my pinky switch as I'd had it on my fighterstick which was look up. Don't know why really as I use TIR. The POV hat is there as a backup if TIR fails. I use the second function of that hat as two axis for elevator and aileron trim.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

[quig]

Well now that I've used it a bit, I have to say that all in all I like the stick.

A couple problems with it are the flaps up and down buttons and that mode button are in line with each other and right below the throttle. There's nothing like tracking a red guy in a stall fight and hitting the flaps down button just to watch your views go wonky because you accidentally hit that mode button instead of the flaps. By the time you figure it out and fix it you've already lost sight of the bad guy and are missing things. Not to mention that the flaps you needed in the first place never lowered anyhow. 

This can probably be fixed in the 'software' *coughcough* but I'm not messing with that anymore than I have to.



Another thing is the hat switch itself. It's RIGHT up against the top of the controller, so your thumb hits the side of the stick and makes the right forward view hard to hit.



I've got a fix in mind for both of the problems and will post some pics after I get it done.

What is good about it is that it is smooth as butter. It's the smoothest stick I've ever used. Very, very smooth. There is no little 'jerk' from center at all really, unlike most cheap-ish sticks. That's helped my nose bounce exponentially. It definitely has potential so I'll fight with it until I get it like I want it.

[quig]

OK, hat switch is fixed. I sacrificed the hat switch off of a Thrustmaster twisty with a utility knife and with 10 minutes and a little help from some Future Glue™, 1 problem down.



--never claimed to be a photographer--

[Drano]

Was just looking thru the VKB site and found a link to the softwre manual. It's dated end of Jan this year so not very old. Something tells me there were small updates to this since then. One thing I wish VKB would do a better job of updating their software download page. I'm running updated software and firmware for my stick that I got by following discussions on other sites where they also have a presence. The stuff on their page is relatively ancient. You'd think they'd put stuff on there or at least their own forums FIRST so folks don't have to go pecking around on IL-2 or DCS or Reddit to find it.

Anyways, here's a link to the english version of the software manual:

http://ftp.vkb-sim.pro/Documentations/NJoy32_2_8_En.pdf

Prepare to go crosseyed reading this but once it clicks you'll see it's ridiculously comprehensive!

[100Coogn]

Y'know...  I think the next time I see someone grumbling about how kludgy the Saitek SST stuff is, I'm going to point them to that picture and say "it could be worse."

Hopefully they'll tweak that to be a bit more user friendly as it looks powerful and that stick deserves a decent profiling software.

Wiley.

Saitek SST is very useful, if one take the time to learn to use it.
I have my X52 throttle set to trip the wire for WEP when crossing detent to full throttle and apply brakes after tripping wire to 0.
Mini stick=flaps in/out & map zoom in/out.

Coogan 

[flippz]

quig its a hand memory thing with the flap buttons.  in a week you wont even remember that mode button is there, but as a secret you can clone the modes to all the same so I would not make a difference on the mode end.  but again muscle memory

also don't be scared of the software, its great software (agree with Drano it should be more available).  use it, theres nothing you can push that will make it blow up.  you may also find that softening the setting keeps nose bounce down
 

[Drano]

Before experimenting with the software just be sure to save your original profile so you can get back to there if you tangle things up too much.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

[quig]

Was just looking thru the VKB site and found a link to the softwre manual. It's dated end of Jan this year so not very old. Something tells me there were small updates to this since then. One thing I wish VKB would do a better job of updating their software download page. I'm running updated software and firmware for my stick that I got by following discussions on other sites where they also have a presence. The stuff on their page is relatively ancient. You'd think they'd put stuff on there or at least their own forums FIRST so folks don't have to go pecking around on IL-2 or DCS or Reddit to find it.

Anyways, here's a link to the english version of the software manual:

http://ftp.vkb-sim.pro/Documentations/NJoy32_2_8_En.pdf


Prepare to go crosseyed reading this but once it clicks you'll see it's ridiculously comprehensive!

I'm not reading a 90-page manual just to figure out how to change 1 stupid button! 

[quig]

quig its a hand memory thing

Oh I hand memory'ed it alright. Pics when I get a chance.