What would you guys recommend

[zantetsu]

I'm looking to have a dual stick HOSAS setup, with pedals.

I currently have a Fat Mamba MK3 with the defender grip it came with and MFG crosswind pedals. I'm not too happy with the defender grip and looking to upgrade, it is possible for me to get the MCG pro grip and I will then have to update the firmware to install it. I will likely get a gunfighter 4 with the LH space grip and some adapters to try out the omni throttle for the second stick.

I guess my question is would you go through upgrading the grip on the fat mamba and dealing with firmware and having one stick on the black box system and the second grip without it or would you just upgrade the mamba to a gunfighter with the MCG ultimate grip. I've been told that the ultimate grip on the mamba is likely too heavy and would possibly lean, would also require new firmware that isn't readily available so its not really an option. I've also heard that the ultimate grip is worth it over the pro grip. I'm honestly not familiar with the VKB black box system and if there would be any issues mixing sticks with/without it. The gunfighter also has the dry clutches which the mamba doesn't.

I take good care of my equipment and will likely be using the setup for 10+ years. My mamba will turn 10 years old next week

[fallout9]

Fat Mamba is still metal gimbal; I think it has only 1 spring per cam, but even so it should be enough for the MCGU, especially with the WH cams. But you'll have to upgrade the connector to RevC in order to accommodate the MCGU.
Please get in touch with the head office at sales@vkb-sim.pro for options to upgrade.
I would keep the joystick as it is though on a shelf, that's history and not many to be found out there.

[zantetsu]

Ya I've spoken with a few people at VKB to get the info. Its possible for me to get a newer grip but it involved changing some things and redoing the firmware (the MCGU firmware isn't available and would have to be made or tinker with the pro grip firmware).

I think its at the point where upgrading to the gunfighter makes sense. Id hate to upgrade the grip and have any sort of firmware issues and not be able to swap back to the original easily.

[Ron61]

Configuring any knob in the configurator is no problem. The 1stGen firmware folder contains ready-made versions for this option.
The main task is to make a metal adapter to connect knobs with new connectors (ver. B, C).
If you have access to metalworking, the process is significantly simplified; the part is simple enough for any lathe operator.
The photo shows exactly this option.

[zantetsu]

That's pretty cool, you can use any Rev B stick. I'm not sure how to do that even with a lathe, I assume your base had a 5 pin connector originally and the Rev B is 3 pin so there must be more going on with your adapter. The guys on the aliexpress store say they have sticks that would work on the mamba (mcg pro/U) I'm not sure if that comes with an adapter or if the stick itself was modified to 5 pin.

The overall situation I'm running into is that if I buy the MCG U on aliexpress by the time i pay for shipping and duties (an unknown) I'm not that far off to being able to buy a gunfighter mk4 with the same grip from our local distributor and then i would be in the modern ecosystem and still have a great backup. I love the Mamba base but its probably worth it to upgrade and if i want some more switches to get a button panel.

https://imgur.com/a/eeJXx2j

[Ron61]

I had to disassemble the entire gimbal to remove the PS/2 connector and its board. Then I had to connect the three wires from the contact pad.