CDT-VMAX Throttle

Wow! Coming from the x56 I was worried without toggle switches how would I perform, but having these many hats switches for star citizens makes things a lot easier. DCS even feels easier with less movement.

Most if the reviews here say it all.. Well built, great products, well worth the wait and money.

When you pick up the package, you immediately know there's something massive there. It feels like a real tool. No comparison to the common mass-produced products from Logitech or Thrustmaster.

I use this VMAX Throttle and AEROMAX-R Flightstick for Elite Dangerous. A fantastic feel and precision. No more drifting and big deadzones to keep the ship on point. Virpil were the first with metal mechanics in this price range.

If I could wish for something, it would be software support in Linux. Ideally, like the keyboard manufacturer Keychron, in a browser, so that the OS is independent. But even so, I was able to kpnfigure in the Windows partition and save it in the respective firmware of the devices.

As soon as you hold the package in your hand, you know the weight; something massive is coming. In the hand, it feels like a real tool. No comparison to the common types from Logitech or Thrustmaster. Virpil were the first to introduce metal linkages in this price range.
I use CDT MAX Throttle and CDT-AEROMAX-R Flightstick in Elite Dangerous. The feel and accuracy are fantastic. Finally, no more drifting or large deadzones, so the ship stays right on point.
If I could make a wish, it would be for software support for Linux. But I was able to configure both devices in the Windows partition and save each one in the devices' firmware.

This throttle replaced an old CH Throttle and what an amazing upgrade this kit is. Lots of programmable buttons to work with. Love the ability to split the throttle. Currently programming and putting button choices to DCS, IL2 GB and Korea sims. I wish I had purchased this a few years ago, and whatever money I spent on the previous throttle went to this unit.

The sheer quality and feel of this throttle is fantastic. The wait for the backorder was entirely worth it. In addition, Virpil has managed to create a great software for their products, which is quite user-friendly and has a lot of useful features. Got it together with the Aeromax flightstick, and now I have enough buttons, hats and axis dials to bind anything I need in DCS or other flightsims.

For 35 years I used various inexpensive joystick and throttle setups that failed in one way or another. The failures were always due to plastic parts that felt good to start and then just wore out. Finally, I bought the CDT Aeromax Joystick and the Vmax Throttle. It's difficult to overstate the difference it has made for my simulation games. They are both of superb quality and the customer service could not have been better. There are so many programmable buttons between the pair, that I don't even use my keyboard now. The response and accuracy make the plastic joysticks look like arcade controls. Thank you Virpil for the materials, engineering and workmanship that goes into your products!

Literally nothing negative about these throttles. Solid build, already mounted onto my desktop directly. Plenty of buttons, dials, etc to do literally anything. Elite, SC, Flight sim,

I couldn’t recommend anything else, it’s really well built, smooth, and sturdy. This is my first set up and I probably won’t upgrade for a while unless I buy their collective for helicopters too.

It works great for the games I play, with plenty of buttons which are well placed, only a few requires moving the hand to access them.
Two minor complaints I would have about this product is :
1. The feet don't grip well onto the desk and have a tendency to slip. With it being 4 "points" it then means having two feet off the desk and the others unable to provide decent grip.
2. While there are 3D print files provided to make detents, it's a step file, which doesn't let the client modify them for custom detents easily.

Other than that, all good with some great build quality.

Great piece of gaming hardware. Its solid construction and ease of use make it a great Throttle that Im sure is going to last me for years to come

The throttle is for my second system, as I own the old monster throttle which is same quality; now the old one is on my simpit since 10 years and app. 5000+ hours in DCS & Il-2 as well in other sims. The only thing I regret is not having bought premium stuff earlier, but I enjoy every minute with it. Boys do not get adult, they just get older...

жаль что в комплекте нет кабеля AUX для подключения доп изделий

Rewelacyjny sprzęt. Komfort gry przy tej przepustnicy jest nie do porównania. Przepustnica posiada zróżnicowane przyciski, a ich ilość daje sporo możliwości konfigurowania , dlatego przyjemność grania w symulatory lotu jest dużo większa. Coś pięknego, Gorąco polecam!

Purchased as a backorder, it took a couple of months to arrive, however I was not disappointed. Base construction is solid metal with a robust movement giving me confidence the throttle movement will last a long time. The twin throttle handles are of a plastic construction with plenty of switches and buttons and the all important hat, to slew the radar cursers, that all feel precise. The Base support extended feet allow it to be nicely stabilised in a desktop configuration without the need for any brackets and the lighter throttle allows for movement of the throttle and not the base. This allows it to be easily removed and hidden away in a cupboard when not in use.

High-quality throttle with a very solid build, precise and smooth axes, and an excellent feel in hand. The compact format is ideal without any compromise on ergonomics.
The Virpil software is very powerful, but a simpler and more modern interface would be appreciated.
Points for improvement: the XLR cable, while robust, could nowadays be replaced with USB-C. There is also a real effort to be made regarding delivery times.
Despite this, the product is excellent and fully meets the expectations of a demanding simmer.

I love this Thottle, but must admit that I recently ordered a cm3 Thottle because using this throttle and my Control Panel 3 is a little problematic moving my eyes away from any action to find my button. Hopefully Cm3 is just as god as this and with buttons.

Coming from a TM TWCS throttle, I noticed an immediate and drastic improvement in my AA refueling, carrier landings, and formation flying with the CDT. Even the analog stick is miles better when slewing and selecting targets, I just wish the index finger 5-way switch was a tiny bit more grippy.
I went with this one over the other Virpil throttles because I primarily fly in VR, and have a Virpil collective attached to my office chair, so the fitment was a little easier to figure out and I can just tuck the collective under the throttle mounting to use the buttons and switched from that instead of having extra bindings built in to the base of the throttle. And it works great like this!

After decades of flying planes in the sky and on my PC, I still cannot get over how amazing Virpil products truly are. My mongoose has served me for 5 years now without an issue and now my new VMAX Throttle has managed to top that. Smooth transition, easy to set detents and buttons that feel crisp, easy to feel and more axis' than you'd think they could fit on to a small profile, the VMAX really does everything perfectly. Even the actual throttle out of the AV8B wasn't this well made and thought out.

I purchased this throttle for use with combat flight simulation titles like DCS, IL-2 and the upcoming Combat Pilot.
I fly Jets, warbirds, helicopters and WW1 biplanes in competitive combat situations mostly on multiplayer servers with fellow squad mates and friends. I also race warbirds and helicopters on multiplayer servers.
This throttle is doing the business for me across the range and I am very impressed. It was easy to set up and is a total pleasure to use. Great job!

3 hats with center click, analogue ministick, 3 axes (2 of them pushable) and 4 extra buttons provide everything I need. When combined with a Virpil control panel, it's more than enough for any situation. Plus the usual prime quality. Easily 5 our of 5.

Too many axes and no encoders. Shame.

Plasticky joining rod for split throttles.

Needs stiffer detents.

The Cadet VMAX Throttle is a great addition to the Virpil lineup. Amazing quality which Virpil has been know for at a lower price tag.

The lower price tag does not mean lower quality this is still the same quality level as there other throttle just having less features.

I chose the Cadet over the other throttles due to the smaller footprint and because i will be eventually getting a Control Panel to add to my collection.

My one and only problem is the left throttle has that out ridge bump that feels great and everything but makes it tough to get to the outer rotary axis/button.

Overall a must buy for people looking for a Virpil product that is high quality but does not want to spend to much.

4 Stars

I play mostly DCS in VR and this throttle is great for that. I don’t need all the buttons on throttle bases that I can’t actually see when I’m just clicking them by looking at them in VR, so they’re just a waste for me. This throttle gives me enough binds that I can easily map all buttons on an actual throttle to it, so I have all the key controls straight away, then use VR to interact with the rest.

The Virpil software is also really good. I turned 0-5% of my axis movements to act as a button press for the throttle unlock from off-idle, and moved the first detent to that position. Put the second detent up to about 90% and you have an afterburner detent as well!

Would really recommend to a VR user or someone that just doesn’t need all this extra buttons on the base.

After nearly 30 years of flight sim gaming I have to say that this throttle is the best choice not for the beginners but for the experienced but not military grade hard core simmers.
The only downsides are the detents.
Excellent built quality, great ergonomics.
Completed with panel#2 is my ultimate minimalist flight sim setup.

The throttle deliver largely what it promises but there is some room for improvement. To me the two main near misses are:

1. The looseness of the hats pre-click decreases the surety of the operator action and is below the level of quality I think VIRPIL is wanting to shoot for.

2. The lower hat just below the thumb joystick is too close to that thumb joystick by about a quarter inch, at least for me with what I think are average size hands. That coupled with 1, means that the selection of upper and forward buttons on that bottom hat are not as reliable as they should be IMO.

I am allowing that it may take some practice to get used to it but for a company with such a quality reputation it seems like a near miss to me.

What I dont like about the throttle are the detentes. They dont provide enough resistance so that you usually "Fly over them" making them next to useless. Also the hand guard on the left makes no sense. It makes it more difficult to reach the pinky button and blocks also easy access to the axis wheel which is just stupid. The throttle would be so much better if the pinky button would be on the back and without the hand guard just like the Thrustmaster TWCS.

Speaking of the TWCS, I dont recommend to replace it with this Virpril throttle at all. The CDT-VMAX is huge in height making it almost uncomfortable to use as a desktop throttle. Better use it with a desk mount if you can. If you can not, remove the legs and fixate it with Velcro.

About the good stuff:

-package is fine
-Built quality is fine
-tons of buttons which is nice
-Wonder full high quality ministick
-adjustable friction
-extremely smooth

Made a bit of a wrong splash by updating throttle in the old version of the software, but support guided me through 'unbricking' my item if you will. They sure do know how to do it efficiently, took me about 10h back and forth if it was even that long.

I only needed to send two screenshots.

As for the quality itself, amazing. The thumb analog stick is perfect for spaceflight. Use joystick gremlin and set up the throttle and the omni throttle to combine on Y, so now i can set a speed on throttle and fine tune it with the omni throttle (left hand constellation alpha).

For those interested, you need to use the merge axis function in gremlin. (I merged three axis total, it looks complicated but really isnt. just watch a video or two on it.)

Have a good one.

Great product Virpil, enjoying it so far.

P.S. The build quality is just as good as the more expensive throttle in my opinion.

The big reason i prefer this one is your hand grip is less cluttered, and the thumb stick is perfect for space flight, it was on the index finger on the other one.