Joystick Calibration

[Paidin]

I suspect that I am doing something incorrect in my setup and use of the Gunfighter (I'm currently using the default springs & cam). I've been using the stick for around a week now and noticed a tendency for it to not return to center. Depending on the flight simulator (Rise of Flight vs Elite Dangerous vs. Star Citizen) this can lead to rolling or yawing until I manually correct the stick and hold it "straight" or slightly off-center in reality. I'm unsure if this is related to poor calibration, too soft springs, or some sort of mechanical interference as indicated by other threads here.

Here is a copy of my joystick readout:



It doesn't seem to be landing in the same spot after letting go of the stick, as you can see above. Is this intentional?



I was unable to figure out the calibration process using the recommended software. When clicking the button it changes the black box to "calibration" but no other indicators, exercises, or clue is given to what I should do next. I'm generally pretty good with hardware and software issues, but I can't make heads or tails of what I should be doing here.

Overall though, the stick is great - I just need to get it broken in I guess! The primary trigger is really feels like I'm accomplishing something. I can't wait for the MCG so I can have a few more buttons!

[UIV]

Wait a little, Rainer will post the quick guide, how to do right GF tuning.

[rrohde]

Here's a draft of the write up; hope this helps!

How To Calibrate your Gunfighter Correctly.

Since the Gunfighter introduces a dry clutch damper to the gimbal, calibration and centering can be a bit of a challenge. With that said, here's a ‘best approach’ write up for a successful calibration.

First things first:

1. Never calibrate from within the Windows Game Controller Settings panel! If you did, because that's what you've always done, go back in there and reset your VKB device from within.

2. Always use your VKBdevCfg for configuring your VKB Gunfighter.

Fully access the dry clutches:

1. Disconnect the grip.
2. Unscrew the six screws on the dust cover; remove the dust cover.
3. Unscrew the four screws on the bottom plate; remove the bottom plate.
4. Disconnect the 4-pin connector from the base.
5. Unscrew the four outer screws on the top plate.

6. Remove the gimbal from the base.


With the gimbal exposed:

1. Loosen the damper screws marked in red:

Note: The goal is to release some friction from the axes before calibrating, allowing the stick to find an accurate center based on its spring-loaded centering mechanism.
2. Insert the gimbal back into the housing
3. Reconnect the 4-pin connector
4. Insert two screw back into the top plate and tighten just enough to calibrate
5. Connect your Gunfighter to your BlackBox
6. Launch VKBdevCfg and calibrate

How to calibrate correctly:

1. Click on the VKBsim Black Box GF device to activate it
2. Click the ‘Start Calibr’ button, and then move your Gunfighter’s grip to all extents: full left, full right, full forward, full back.
3. Click the ‘End Calibr’ button.
4. Done!


Getting the damper ready:

1. Tighten the screws marked with a red arrow first! But please – only finger tight.
2. Tighten the vertical damper nuts for each axis to your liking – and test how the damping feels!

How to test?
i. Just place the gimbal into the base housing
ii. Do not put any screws in at this time
iii. Put the grip on
iv. Place your hand on the housing and hold it down
v. With the other hand, move the stick around; does the damper feel good to you? Also, consider spring tension and cams as well here. You can always change springs and cams to your liking later.
Yes? Put everything back together!
No? Repeat the damper adjustment and test again until you're happy with it.

Putting everything back together:
1. If you haven't already done so, take the grip off again
2. If you haven’t already done so, place the gimbal back into the base housing
3. Reconnect the 4-pin connector (important!)
4. Put in the the four outer screws into the top plate and tighten
5. Put the dust cover back on, tightening all six screws (they don’t have to be very tight at all)
6. Put the bottom plate back on, tightening all four screws
7. Put the grip back on and tighten it.
8. Done! Reconnect your Gunfighter to the BlackBox – ready to fly!
Note: There is no need to recalibrate your Gunfighter again at this time.

[Paidin]

Fantastic walk through - Many thanks! The action is much better and closer to the center line on the tester. I will experiment with the various springs and cams included to fine tune it.