VRInsight Flight Master Yoke II

[Joeflyer]

I did get an email response from FlightSim Pilot Shop on Monday afternoon. They sent an email to VRInsight asking them to respond to the issue by
suggesting a possible fix or approving an exchange. Since VRInsight is actually in Korea, it may take a few days for them to respond.
It will be my luck that VRInsight misunderstands the Pilot Shop's email (like they did mine) and make some silly suggestion that has nothing to do
with the actual problem. Makes me wonder if anyone at VRInsight has any grasp of the English language

[darrinward777]

I hate to sound this way but, have you ever been at a drive through at a oriental restaurant and when they read back your order it sounds like @^%#&%#@&^*^@
until they give you the total " oh $ 499 "
Funny, that is all I could understand



Post Edited ( 03-18-15 22:03 )

[Joeflyer]

Well, I am going to open the yoke case and apply a dry lubricant to the yoke shaft and check the springs as well. VRInsight has given me the go-ahead
to do this to see if it works better. If it doesn't, I get to send it back to them for exchange at their expense. FlightSim Pilot Shop has been really
good about making sure VRInsight has communicated properly about the issue.

Here is my last review at Flightsim.com's Pilot Shop:



VRInsight - Flight Master Yoke-II
[VRI-235] $499.95
by Joseph Holmes *Verified Product User* Date Added: Thursday 19 March, 2015
This will likely be my last review for this yoke system. As of 3/19/15, I have been back and forth with the Pilot Shop and VRInsight via emails regarding the binding issue I have had with this yoke. The Pilot Shop has been great about intervening between myself and VRInsight in order to get quicker responses from VRInsight. So you know, VRInsight is in Korea, and the language barrier is what has been rather difficult during the entire process. If you intend to buy this yoke, you will likely experience some binding or sticking as I have described in my first review. Contact the Pilot Shop FIRST. Adam will respond in no time at all.

The reasons? First, remove the 12 small black screw around the outside of the case....3 on the top front, 3 on top back of case, 3 on each bottom side of the case. It's easy to remove the top of the case from this point. You will see there are a total of 6 springs that attach to the near mid portion of the stainless steel shaft (3 springs on each side of the shaft) The shaft is also held in place by 2 bracket systems that are firmly screwed in from the bottom of the case. The shaft does have some electrical components attached near the front of the case at at the end of the shaft. The shaft moves through a total of 3 grommets. Other than the several electrical "pads" for the various switches, there isn't much to it mechanically speaking. It's quite a simple system.

Second, VRInsight did not do a good job in ensuring proper lubrication of the shaft. Upon VRI's approval, I opened the case, carefully cleaned any greasy residue from the shaft and grommets with a paper towel. I sprayed a dry lubricant onto a paper towel and applied it to all areas of the shaft where I had access. I also used the straw sprayer on the can of dry lube to insert a bit of lube inside each grommet. This has helped to free up the shaft movement quite a bit. If the shaft begins to bind up like it did before, I will use a different kind of dry lube.

Third, the springs attached to the shaft are fairly tight and may be contributing to the binding while making small, incremental movements of the yoke while flying. I removed the springs for testing (believe me, even a monkey could do this part) and found the binding was less noticeable but still there prior to applying the dry lube. Attaching the springs takes about as much time as removing them....a little over a minute.

Lastly, the product description denotes "accurate movement" of the yoke. Well, yes and no. Yes, along the horizontal axis it does move accurately and smoothly. No, it does not along the vertical axis as I have described. For $500 (don't forget $90+ for shipping in the US), I had expected this yoke to be freely moving and accurate along both axis. VRInsight needs to downgrade their product description or do a better job of properly lubricating the shaft. I venture to say that all of the yoke systems will have this binding problem until VRI does a better job in quality control, so be aware that you may have to crack open the case and apply your own dry lubricant.

I cannot give this product a 5 star review based on the manufacturer's lack of understanding the problem, and that the customer has had to physically resolve the issue by doing the work on the unit. Otherwise, the customer would have to pack up the yoke and send it to Utah(Pilot Shop) or Korea for an exchange (at VRInsight's expense)/refund.

I can, however, give the Pilot Shop 10 stars for handling this in a very professional manner and working with me at every angle. Adam was superb in his communications and recommendations, so bravo to Adam for an outstanding job!



Post Edited ( 03-20-15 04:02 )

[darrinward777]

Joe,
I am happy you were able to get this device working better but it sounds like a design flaw is also likely. The bottom line , and sadly at your expense has left me with my
old phrase. " If you don't back it... I wont buy it" I hope you can get the device you spent your hard earned $$$ money on and I thank you for doing
theses follow ups. As for me whether it is a language thing or not, I will look elsewhere for another device. In the meantime I will continue to add to my Carenado aircraft.
Just added the King Air B200HD and the 1900 HD
Thanks again Joe,
Darrin

[Joeflyer]

I think you are correct Darrin...design flaw indeed. It's a real shame though. This yoke has such potential. Maybe I should have forked out $200 more
and bought one of the Precision Flight Control yokes.

Enjoy your Carenado aircraft. I have the B1900 and fly it often. Great aircraft! I do not have the B200 but it's on my list of aircraft to get