Button extension for HOTAS

Hi guys,

b-explorer is finally available to pre-order! https://www.black-hog.com/shop/

There is two options, one for throttles and joysticks, and other for desk mounts (Monstertech and Virpil).

Regards,

Jinx.

Assuming the monstertech-version is for monstertech deskmounts only I'm not sure I'm seeing a way to mount the HOTAS-version with the Virpil deskmount and still retail the "straight ahead" setup of the b-explorer like in the picture above and still clear the desk ... unless raising the throttle quite high like to the absolute top screw holes on the mount.

Even the canted 45 and 90-degree options looks a bit hard to pull off.

Am I just lacking imagination and I'm actually supposed to look at the monstertech version instead? :)

The button box itself looks frickin' amazing and I'd love to have one!

it looks like a space sim thing

Man if only you can add gear lever.

Assuming the monstertech-version is for monstertech deskmounts only I'm not sure I'm seeing a way to mount the HOTAS-version with the Virpil deskmount and still retail the "straight ahead" setup of the b-explorer like in the picture above and still clear the desk ... unless raising the throttle quite high like to the absolute top screw holes on the mount.

Even the canted 45 and 90-degree options looks a bit hard to pull off.

 

Am I just lacking imagination and I'm actually supposed to look at the monstertech version instead? :)

 

The button box itself looks frickin' amazing and I'd love to have one!

Hi TheBamse,

here you can see a Monstertech mount (

it looks like a space sim thing

Not really, it was intended to be versatile. I know that is not the best option, but with my limited resources, I had to develop a device that satisfied the basic needs for space sims, wwii sims and modern flight sims.

If you thought that because the current labels, don't worry, I will high probably do a neutral version to customize it with the included stickers (including stickers for all possible uses: space sims, wwii sims and modern flight sims).

Regards,

Jinx.

Nice addition to the sim world! Looks well made and infinitely useful for all summers!!

Great work.

Giving this some serious thought. jinx_nk do you have the dimensions for the panel and buttons etc so that I can make a cut-out in some form of plastic or hard cardboard?

Giving this some serious thought. jinx_nk do you have the dimensions for the panel and buttons etc so that I can make a cut-out in some form of plastic or hard cardboard?

Hi sobe, you can find here some aprox. dimensions, directly on the landing page: https://www.black-hog.com/

Please, contact me if you need more details.

DO the "1x Set of sticker with multiple functions" come with the order?

DO the "1x Set of sticker with multiple functions" come with the order?

Hi sobe,

just with the pre-orders. You can find a detailed table in the product's page: https://www.black-hog.com/product/b-explorer/

In the HOTAS mount version are already the Super early bird and Early bird bonus sold out. There is just the pre-order bonus available, they include all the set of stickers.

Regards,

Jinx.

I like it, but I'd like it even more if it had a gear lever!

I like it, but I'd like it even more if it had a gear lever!

Hi Ratcatcher,

thank you for your suggestion, I appreciate that. I have unfortunately not yet the resources for such mechanical development. Let the project grow, if it has success, could be an option in the future to develop an extra module.

I'm glad you like it. Thank you for your support Ratcatcher.

Regards!

Jinx

Ordered. Looking forward to receiving it.

Hi Ratcatcher,

 

 

thank you for your suggestion, I appreciate that. I have unfortunately not yet the resources for such mechanical development. Let the project grow, if it has success, could be an option in the future to develop an extra module.

 

 

I'm glad you like it. Thank you for your support Ratcatcher.

 

 

Regards!

Jinx

Well I wish you the best of luck with this one and hope it allows your buisness to grow with either a revised version or possibly an add on that could clip onto either the side or the top?

I currently use the hog throttle and have a DSD button box pretty much in the same posistion (however its stuck there with some wood and foam packaging) so isn't the most elegant of solutions :music_whistling:. However it does the job, what I have missed most is the fact that nearly everything I want is there to clean up the aircraft or prep for landing (flaps, throttles, etc) apart from the landing gear handle.

As I fly in VR I would really like to have that additional physical lever which is easy to locate from "muscle memory", but can be easily accessed and won't conflict with existing controls.

I really like the platform itself and your design to incorporate it into the throttles base.

Long story short, its not quite enough of an improvment on the current box to justify me ordering one, but as I said at the start (of this rather long post...apologies) I wish you all the best with it and hope it leads to further options or projects from you! :thumbup:

i really like your design, cool stuff,

if u do one with gear lever and rotarys instead of those sliders(i dont know for what to use in dcs) in the future, i will definately buy one!

ahh, i will support you, i buy this one as well,

order is placed

Ordered. Looking forward to receiving it.

Wow, thank you sobe for your support! Thank you very much!

Well I wish you the best of luck with this one and hope it allows your buisness to grow with either a revised version or possibly an add on that could clip onto either the side or the top?

 

I currently use the hog throttle and have a DSD button box pretty much in the same posistion (however its stuck there with some wood and foam packaging) so isn't the most elegant of solutions :music_whistling:. However it does the job, what I have missed most is the fact that nearly everything I want is there to clean up the aircraft or prep for landing (flaps, throttles, etc) apart from the landing gear handle.

 

As I fly in VR I would really like to have that additional physical lever which is easy to locate from "muscle memory", but can be easily accessed and won't conflict with existing controls.

 

I really like the platform itself and your design to incorporate it into the throttles base.

 

Long story short, its not quite enough of an improvment on the current box to justify me ordering one, but as I said at the start (of this rather long post...apologies) I wish you all the best with it and hope it leads to further options or projects from you! :thumbup:

Hi Ratcatcher, that was very constructive, I thank you again!

I know the current design could be more optimized for VR, but it is just the beginning, I had to satisfy the needs of different simulators. I have many ideas for the future, included a VR version, why not?

i really like your design, cool stuff,

if u do one with gear lever and rotarys instead of those sliders(i dont know for what to use in dcs) in the future, i will definately buy one!

 

 

ahh, i will support you, i buy this one as well,

 

order is placed

Nice! Thank you FoxDelta for your support and your trust. :thumbup:

I know, the controller could be optimized for DCS, but my development resources were really limited this time. I want to continue with a modular system, so you will be able to upgrade you panel with other models to complement the current design.

Thank you all guys, regards!

Jinx

Any news on this? I pre-ordered as well.

Edit: Nevermind, found this: https://www.black-hog.com/2019/02/06/project-update-production-january-2019/

Hi TheBamse,

 

 

here you can see a Monstertech mount (

). It is actually also compatible with the Virpil desk mounts, I will post some pictures soon.

Sorry for being slow, a tough couple of weeks at work have taken it's toll :)

But oook ok ok, I thought you were supposed to replace the Virpil TM WH Throttle base plate that I currently have mounted to the Virpil desk mount with the BlackHog HOTAS mount base plate and the mount the button box arm on that plate, but what I really want is the monstertech mounts is what you are saying.

Gotcha and thanks, pre-ordering before the weekend is over :)

Any news on this? I pre-ordered as well.

 

Edit: Nevermind, found this: https://www.black-hog.com/2019/02/06/project-update-production-january-2019/

Right! But anyway, feel free to contact me if you have any question. I will publish a new project report in a few days.

Regards!

Preordered mine as well. I think with joystick gremlin, you can convert one of the sliders to function as a gear lever (axis to buttons). Yep this is going to be good.

Preordered mine as well. I think with joystick gremlin, you can convert one of the sliders to function as a gear lever (axis to buttons). Yep this is going to be good.

Nice! :thumbup: I have already seen your order.

Thank you very much for your support Supmua!

TheNoobifier "review":

nyLQV62pnmc

"I think with joystick gremlin, you can convert one of the sliders to function as a gear lever (axis to buttons)."

The problem for some of us is that joystick gremlin requires VJoy and VJoy no longer works with Win10 and the developer is no longer supporting VJoy.

JoytoKey have "Axis to Button" function, and work in Windows 10.