I say this because Virpil's only desktop stick is the Warbrd base, and it's inferior to their T50CM2 which requires a desk clamp/mount due to its height. The T50CM2 and VKB Gunfighter are very, very closely matched, easy to call a tie, but again, the VKB stick is perfect for desktop use, and can easily be put into a mount from several different mount makers such as Monster and so forth.
Ummm I have to disagree with you here. First Unless you your using a very short stick the warbrd Base is not very good for desktop use .... I have the T-50 CM2 stick and it's tall like 236mm (9.3 inches) by comparison the warbrd grip is only 180mm (7.1 inches) but I wouldn't put my CH fighterstick on my desktop either ... I ran it on a Writing board on a drawer with a board over it or in a mount, but never on the desk. I haven't put a joystick on my desk since I had Microsoft sidewinder twisty stick and I was playing Air Warrior for Windows on AOL.
I currently use Monstertech mounts for both my Throttle and Stick with JPein for my pedals.
Secondly the CM2 vs the Warbrd base is an Apples to Oranges comparison. They are meant for different uses.
The CH fighterstick has 24 Degrees of deflection giving it one of the longest flight stick ranges of travel ever. This is what I'm use to LONG TRAVEL. The CM2 base gives you 16 degrees and the warbrd Gives you 22 degrees of deflection.
My CM2 stick on a Warbrd base gives it a larger range of travel even over my CH fighter stick. On the Warbrd base the CM2 stick gets 230mm of travel (9.1 inch) the Warbrd stick in the warbrd base only gives you 180mm (7.1 Inch) of travel. I wouldn't even consider putting the warbrd base on my desk with anything larger than the warbrd stick. I also run an Extension ....
When I add my 50mm extension my CM2 on my Warbrd base it gives me 252mm (9.9 inch) of travel.
(Personal preference note: For fixed wing aircraft I prefer side mounted sticks f16 style over center mount and I prefer the feel of Scissor cams to a one piece cam)
This is functional difference between the 2 bases one is for no or short extensions and desk mounting one is for long extensions and floor mounting.
I would not replace my warbrd base on my existing set up as the CM2 base would shorten my travel distance on my stick.
However, when Virpil's Collective comes available or I give up and grab a Komodo collective I'm probably going to grab a CM2 base for my CM2 stick and some really long extensions for DCS Helicopters. (I also want to run Dual sticks in a HOSASAT set up for ED)
The warbrd base would be a bad choice as the increased deflection would give me way way to much travel from a floor mount and it also lacks heavy enough springs to handle anything over a 100mm extension (God forbid your using a TM F-16 Cougar or A-10 Warthog stick as they are heavy) another issue is the Warbrd base lacks a clutch or any tension adjustments other than spring changes and even then they lack the choices of the CM2 springs and cams, again the warbrd base wasn't made for long extensions.
If I'm not mistaken you can run without springs on the CM2 base a lot better than you can on the warbrd base which makes it better for choppers.
Between the VKB and Virpil bases the GFIII I heard has a superior clutching mechanism making it slightly better for Helicopters and Off hand HOSAS set ups.
Thats not even touching on the fact the T50-CM2 Base is 100 eros more than the warbrd base That's a third more expensive than the Warbrd.
http://www.havoc-company.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=1386 (Diagrams of Virpil products)