The Defender Cobra M5 joystick is now available again in Europe and the US.
The Defender Cobra M5 joystick is now available again in Europe and the US.
For those who enjoy joystick controls, VKB remains relatively unknown beyond Russia. Over the past year, especially after the Ukraine situation, their European inventory has largely vanished, making purchases from Russia nearly impossible. In December last year, they restocked one product—the Cobra M5 flight stick—available at their store: http://flightsimcontrols.com/store/avail...tick-revb/. I personally tested it using a borrowed unit and found it significantly outperforms similar options in price range. The only competitor with comparable accuracy is the $300 Thrustmaster Warthog, though it lacks twist functionality. The T.16000m offers decent precision but relies on inexpensive switches, particularly the trigger, which shows wear after prolonged use. My friend’s experience with the Cobra M5 has been positive for over a year without any loss of performance. A minor drawback is its slim handle, which may feel less comfortable during extended sessions. Some users have modified it with makeshift grips or accessories to improve comfort. VKB’s products remain scarce outside Russia, and their more premium items like the Black Mamba haven’t appeared on European shelves for a long time.
This appears to be a solid joystick at a reasonable cost, with potential for significant modifications. http://youtu.be/Qsrt_Sc4Seo
It's a pretty simple stick. I'd definitely try it if you understand what I'm saying. A little wink, a gentle nudge—thanks for the tip! I might include it in my list of extra gear later.