First of all, Fulcrum support is amazing. It seems like there are tradeoffs with each yoke, and it is seems to be travel vs. feel at the center. At the end of the day I wish there was a yoke that had everything for a reasonable price, but the lack of this is understandable. Overall, i really like the fulcrum's travel and handle, and am looking forward to the arrival of the next one. On a seperate note Chris, will you ever consider making a FFB yoke? I would definitely be interested in that in the future. 

14 hours ago, aviatoralb said:

First of all, Fulcrum support is amazing. It seems like there are tradeoffs with each yoke, and it is seems to be travel vs. feel at the center. At the end of the day I wish there was a yoke that had everything for a reasonable price, but the lack of this is understandable. Overall, i really like the fulcrum's travel and handle, and am looking forward to the arrival of the next one. On a seperate note Chris, will you ever consider making a FFB yoke? I would definitely be interested in that in the future. 

Hi

Yours is on the way, there are slight variations and we are working hard to make this consistent. Improved QA and a more consistent assembly process is being worked on to stop them slipping through like this. I have considered FFB and is something we will play with to see if it is viable. The problem with FFB is it increases the price massively to be done well.

I've got mine today, I have not installed it yet, but it feels very nice and smooth in both axis, I'm impressed, and I love the handle, feels just perfect.

9 hours ago, tutmeister said:

Hi

Yours is on the way, there are slight variations and we are working hard to make this consistent. Improved QA and a more consistent assembly process is being worked on to stop them slipping through like this. I have considered FFB and is something we will play with to see if it is viable. The problem with FFB is it increases the price massively to be done well.

Thanks Chris. I am really looking forwards to it arriving. For FFB, I am sure you could make a good yoke at half the price of the brunner CLS mkII. Also a screen isnt necesarry as you could just make a mount for your phone to fit on the handle. Then set up avare and then you have moving maps that are connected to the sim. 

3 hours ago, Ixoye said:

I've got mine today, I have not installed it yet, but it feels very nice and smooth in both axis, I'm impressed, and I love the handle, feels just perfect.

Glad to hear. I love the handle as well. LMK how it feels compared to the Yoko. 

59 minutes ago, aviatoralb said:

 LMK how it feels compared to the Yoko. 

LMK? Let Me Know? 🙄

The Fulcrum feels about £550 lighter. 😎

Yes i certainly agree with that. It is literally half of what a plus would cost in the US. 

14 hours ago, aviatoralb said:

Glad to hear. I love the handle as well. LMK how it feels compared to the Yoko. 

In terms of quality, they feel equal, as well as when it comes to fine-tuning during approach and landing, the Yoko are more silent in use, but the handle on Fulcrum is by far nicer to hold, the only thing I miss are buttons on the front of the handles, but that's probably a habit, I will use it for a couple of months to see if it retains quality over time before I decide which one I will keep, but my first impression is very good, and there is no reason to buy a Yoko instead of this one, even if you can afford it.

Edited October 15, 20214 yr by Ixoye

Good. it is great to hear the opinion of someone with both yokes. 

4 hours ago, Ixoye said:

In terms of quality, they feel equal, as well as when it comes to fine-tuning during approach and landing, the Yoko are more silent in use, but the handle on Fulcrum is by far nicer to hold, the only thing I miss are buttons on the front of the handles, but that's probably a habit, I will use it for a couple of months to see if it retains quality over time before I decide which one I will keep, but my first impression is very good, and there is no reason to buy a Yoko instead of this one, even if you can afford it.

 

This is exactly the same thing that i have experienced. On a seperate note I am currently seeing if a carbon fiber handle would actually be possible. I have no composite experience so it will be an interesting experience if I decide to go ahead with the idea

 

8 hours ago, tutmeister said:

You shouldn't have to lift the yoke to be able to move it even small amounts. As a friction test, will your yoke rebound backwards and forwards a few times if you release it from full forward? I don't mean loads but it shouldn't just stop dead when you let go.

Chris

 

5 hours ago, Ixoye said:

There is nothing wrong with my yoke, but if i lightly pressing the handle upwards to counteract the weight of the handle, I can feel that it moves more freely, it's a subtle feeling. but it is notable, and a lighter handle would probably make the shaft move completely unaffected.

I certainly find there is a small amount of stiction which I didn't notice from new. Lifting the handle definitely feels that bit smoother. Doing Chris's test, I get one large and one smaller rebound extension.

From main unit faceplate to bottom of handle faceplate is 23 cm. The first extension on release is approximately 27 cm, the second being about 24 cm before coming to rest at 23 cm again. Those measurements are just taken by eye whilst holding a measuring tape, so not that technically accurate.

For the record, I haven't tried any lubrication tips mentioned in other threads.

33 minutes ago, 109Sqn said:

 

I certainly find there is a small amount of stiction which I didn't notice from new. Lifting the handle definitely feels that bit smoother. Doing Chris's test, I get one large and one smaller rebound extension.

From main unit faceplate to bottom of handle faceplate is 23 cm. The first extension on release is approximately 27 cm, the second being about 24 cm before coming to rest at 23 cm again. Those measurements are just taken by eye whilst holding a measuring tape, so not that technically accurate.

For the record, I haven't tried any lubrication tips mentioned in other threads.

DO NOT LUBRICATE THE SHAFTS. That ruined 2 yokes

10 hours ago, tutmeister said:

You shouldn't have to lift the yoke to be able to move it even small amounts. As a friction test, will your yoke rebound backwards and forwards a few times if you release it from full forward? I don't mean loads but it shouldn't just stop dead when you let go.

Chris,

I think a short video showing what to expect with this friction test would be reassuring to your customers.

Al

Edited October 18, 20214 yr by ark

8 hours ago, ark said:

Chris,

I think a short video showing what to expect with this friction test would be reassuring to your customers.

Al

No video is needed for that, all conventional yokes on the market using either springs or rubber bands as resistance, and should rebound backwards and forwards a few times if you release them from full forward, you would notice immediately if anyone had problems with high friction.

Edited October 18, 20214 yr by Ixoye

Just a comment on the resistance of the yokes for info. You are all right that if you move the yoke up it removes friction from the front it so it moves easier. We need to be careful that misinformation is not spread though that the yoke has lots of friction. Hence the friction test you can carry out. When releasing the yoke from full forward it will bounce backwards and forwards a few times even when it is 'dragging' on the teflon bushing. If you lift it off the bushing, yes it will move easier but that was never the design goal, it should still be easy with the friction from the teflon bushing.

We have exchanged yokes for a couple of customers who have had more friction than that where the yoke handle would not bounce in and out and just stopped dead.

By the way I have a test unit here using bearing rail similar to the yoko but even though it is more rigid it is louder when moving backwards and forwards. We felt that the current solution was acceptable and quieter. However, we are still chasing improvements and looking at options.

For clarity here is one I pulled off the bench and filmed to show what it should be like.

https://fulcrumsim.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/yoke-movement.mp4

This is the current iteration of teflon coated metal bushing with a chrome shaft. It has been lubricate with WD40 Dry Lube PTFE spray. As far as we are aware, this is the same as any other teflon spray. In theory a yoke should not need much lubraication as it is applied during calibration and testing.

Hope this helps.

Chris

 

Edited October 18, 20214 yr by tutmeister