VKB Gladiator joystick project

[21_Sokol1]

DHRF,

The thing is, knowing how are customs fees in Latin America countries, I don't think that a local retailer result in accessible (affordable) option for common simmers...

As example a 38.56$ BU0836 was sold be some America Latin Retailer in Brazil for about ~10 times this cost.

There prevail the "Gerson Law": "It's better selling few units for big money, than making less money per unit for sold more".

[DHRF]

DHRF,

The thing is, knowing how are customs fees in Latin America countries, I don't think that a local retailer result in accessible (affordable) option for common simmers...

As example a 38.56$ BU0836 was sold be some America Latin Retailer in Brazil for about ~10 times this cost.

There prevail the "Gerson Law": "It's better selling few units for big money, than making less money per unit for sold more".

they force MOQ.......I retire my statement on taking care of Gladiator in the region because AG have latin america

[21_Sokol1]

MOQ é "minimum order quantity" - quantidade miníma para compra.

Bom, para quem esta interessado:

O resumo da opéra é que o VKB Gladiator não aparecerá por estas longitudes...

Com "sorte" - dependendo do interesse de algum distribuidor de hardware local, tipo Leadership - poderá chegar a versão da Asia Games que é baseada no VKB, mas "chinesada"* para diminuir o custo de produção e aumentar a margem de lucros... Tipo um Thrust, Leadership Cobra... Coisa ChingLing.

* Para se ter uma idéia disto: no Cobra M-5 v 1.0 deixaram de usar um mc de 16k de mémoria porque custaria ~0,08$ a mais que um 8k.

Melhor por fé nos lançamentos da Thrustmaster, tem mais chance de chegarem (caros) aqui.

[DHRF]

But I already say many times that I will do my best to get VKB here.

If that include some proxy in the middle sorry AG.....I can dodge the restrictions.
Even if is only for initial release, And if I end up whit no profit I don't care.

What really worry me is VKB direction.......

[21_Sokol1]

Bom, Gladiator's disponível na VKB Russia:

http://shop.vkb-sim.pro/shop/

Gladiator - 80$
Gladiator PRO - 220$
T-Rudder Mk.IV + Black Box (que posteriormente permitira controlar também o Gunfighter) - 215$

O frete - direto da China - deve ser uns 30/40$.

O incoveniente é a forma de pagamento, que deve ser feita através de transferência bancária - e tarifa de bancos já sabe...

O T-Rudder vindo de lá demorou ~1 mês para chegar aqui.

Para quem não "passa fins de semana em Orlando"* é a melhor opção.

Na Flightsimcontrols o que atrapalha é o preço em Euros, e também lá não venderá a versão básica, já que o mercado Europeu foi reservado para a versão Ching Ling da Asian-Games...

E o 777 da Stratojet não negocia com o "restoftheworld" fora dos USA/Canada...

* Para estes afortunados a boa notícia é que o preço da Stratojet inclui o frete até Orlando.

[DHRF]

mercado Europeu foi reservado para a versão Ching Ling da Asian-Games... :

Latin America is under Asian Games too.....


PD: http://www.asian-games.com.tw/E/news/ne ... tex_0.html

[21_Sokol1]

DHRF

In practical terms this dont make difference, there in Brazil is highly unlikely that any distributor go bring the Asian-Games Gladiator "Ching Ling", as other "Ching Ling" joysticks cost cheaper for them. What they commonly sold there is this kind of joystick.



This crap was sold there under diverse non named "brands" at more than 10 years... Actually for around 70$.

[DHRF]

DHRF

In practical terms this dont make difference, there in Brazil is highly unlikely that any distributor go bring the Asian-Games Gladiator "Ching Ling", as other "Ching Ling" joysticks cost cheaper for them. What they commonly sold there is this kind of joystick.



This crap was sold there under diverse non named "brands" at more than 10 years... Actually for around 70$.

but VKB is not allowed to offer the VKB gladiator here..........

[21_Sokol1]

I know, my point is that hardware distributors there don't will have interest in this AG Gladiator "Ching Ling" as well will not have in the genuine VKB Gladiator - they don't have in Defender Cobra M-5, despite one have announced back in ~2010 never was sold there - they buy only the more cheap models available in China... supposedly allow more profit.

[DHRF]

I know, my point is that hardware distributors there don't will have interest in this AG Gladiator "Ching Ling" as well will not have in the genuine VKB Gladiator - they don't have in Defender Cobra M-5, despite one have announced back in ~2010 never was sold there - they buy only the more cheap models available in China... supposedly allow more profit.

so by by Latin America market for the product that have more market here........

VKB, I love VKB that is why I get so mad

VKB was modular design and parts, it even have product's competing for the same market segment (kin cobra/mamba)

and modular was the key:
From Mechanical upgrades to sticks changes, VKB offer a scalable system that allow you to build your simulator according to your need and your wallet.


now the products only fit in X segment and in X segment only.


no modular

Gladiator plastic originally planed will have at least the ability to change sticks, but no.
Gladiator pro no twist.....so you need rudders.......and that's a no deal for many (or at least rudders whit brakes)
Gunfighter is not for desktop
Blackbox is glorified usb hub and no even external power option


must have a gladiator with upgrade path (sticks, gimbal)
A stackable supports for switches/instruments and that open a line of vkb instruments and a scalable coptick whit minimum R and D.

Imagine if the mamba with a throttle where available?
mamba was already designed vkb will have the best hotas in the market and providing money
VKB was years apart from the competition, today is only joystick brand that for special uses offer metal gimbals……………

What's VKB today? don't know but when I see the old light mamba and fat, and options and upgrades I like a lot more the old VKB


Don’t get me wrong, we have a winner whit VKB but I think they could be much much more.

PD: all this is based on the small information we have and I can be wrong.

[DHRF]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sM2q_GjRc2A

[21_Sokol1]

Bem, o 32 bits ARM processor mostrado no vídeo é boa coisa, indica que Cobra V6 (esses Chineses não sabem usar outro nome para josytick que não Cobra? Já apareceu trocentas versões de "Cobra" por aqui) usará uma versão simplificada do VKB Njoy032 e não um obsoleto controlador ATMEGA8 como no Cobra M5 V3.

Resta saber se o sensor será uma versão do VKB MaRS digital - no M5 V3 usaram um análago, que sejamos honestos é melhor que os tradicionais pot's de "0,01$" usados até em Saitek e Thrustmaster.

A propósito, o vídeo promocional da Asian Games ficou melhor que o da VKB.

[21_Sokol1]

Perguntei para o UIV (VK) se o Ching Ling V-6 usaria os sensores MaRS no eixo X e Y - no leme/throttle "gay" será potênciometro de 0,01$ comum a joysticks.

Embora sua resposta seja "russa" como sempre, por dedução indique que será MaRS.

Q - This Cobra V6 for Europe, Latin American ... markets will use the same MaRS sensors of Gladiator in X, Y axis or a dumb down version?

A- Difference:
1) Cobra V6 use potentiometer for twist (rudder). Gladiator - MaRS.
2) Firmware for Cobra V6 is simple (only calibration, deadzones and precision functions).

Então, SE (duvide-o-dó) o Ching Ling V6 aparecer por aqui podem comprar que será melhor que qualquer outro "entry-level" do mercado.

[21_Sokol1]

Que novela, ontem a VKB disse que a linha de produção do Gladiator finalmente tinha sido iniciada.



Hoje tiveram que parar tudo porque os Chineses montaram os sensores com os componentes que bem entenderam, não os que foram especificados... Isso na cidade onde são produzidos 80% dos eletronicos consumidos pelo mundo.

[21_Sokol1]

Pre order na Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Gladiator-Joysti ... op?ie=UTF8

SE a Amazon enviar para este canto do "restoftheworld" o frete será caro e os ~99% (II+ICMS+CORREIOS) serão cobrados.
Mas ainda pode sair um preço "razoável" face ao que pedem por aqui nos Saitek "entry-level" e seus pot's de "0,01$".

OPS. Enviam, mas o frete é mais caro que a mercadoria: $99.99 + $132.59 \
Ai sairá por uns 1.800 Temer'ecas, NO WAY! Depois vejo quanto fica da China.

Tem também o PRO por.. 249,99$ mais 280,03$ de frete para o "restoftheworld"!!!

https://www.amazon.com/Gladiator-Joysti ... 0J3666EHKB

Desse jeito acabará custando: ~ R$ 3.700,00 - só 1.060 dollars (hoje, porque amanhã...)!