I love it. Gave it a 10/10 and got a 3D printed mount to attach to the Pro Flight Trainer X2 collective. It's an amazing underated piece of hardware.

Been considering this product for a while, as I want to mitigate mouse usage as much as possible in VR. What's holding me back is the need for the panel. It just takes away the realism for me if I need to lookup on a panel which button or knob I want to select. If it could be used with eye tracking like you said, that would be cool, but I would also want to see a solution for HMDs without eye tracking. Maybe it could work like a cursor controlled by the HMD itself so you move your head around to and point at the button to then control it with the knobster.

Great device Steve but it's VERY expensive for what it is. I would love to find a DIY kit for this.

I exclusively fly in VR. About a month ago I purchased and installed the Knobster. I attached it to the mounting bracket of the Saitek Quadrant, so it is conveniently located within reach. It is a very useful flight simulator hardware item. I can now quickly change any number of settings within the virtual cockpit. I highly recommend it, especially for those flying in VR.

I agree that all VR sim have a gaze based option, like DCS, to interact with the cockpit. I cobbled together my own Knobster type device for DCS using an old mouse.

Underrated device. I’ve been using it for about two to three weeks now. Practical mounting is key.

Another great review, thanks! €95 and €30 to ship to the states seems a bit much on the surface. But considering the cost of software development and the lot, this is a complete package. I will be ordering soon and looking forward to firing up my new Varjo Aero along side my wonderful new knob in a couple of weeks!

I don't like the idea of having to use the menu to decide what it controls. I like the idea of eye tracking or at worst, using the controller or dare I say.... mouse, to point to what you want to control. The menu is immersion breaking and I have too much trouble pulling up the menus in VR. I'd get it if they worked in a different control system, it's a great idea.

I’ve programed my bravo throttle using spad next in order to use every single button/knob from G1000 PFD/MFD. Increase/Decrease knob from bravo used for outer and same knob used with a shift button from alpha for inner.

I bought my Knobster in March 2020 for X-plane 11 and i've been trying to get it incorporated correctly into MSFS. Air manager is great and finally getting to the level we have been missing in the game. But using the knobster in VR, YES! I bought a Garmin holder, drilled holes in it and used a 3M sticker. Gives it more room, but still kind of bouncy. Thank you for the video!

I've tried getting the wife into VR for a while now, just by the name alone!! she will definitely want to try VR now ... thanks

Ordered one. Love that sort of gimmicks. Thank you for testing💸🤣

Looks interesting. Can this be setup to use any dial or lever you want. Like the nossels on the Harrier or prop levers with a twist. And how accurate is it? Is it smooth movement or does it move in sections?

The best use of the Knobster is for monitor use because, you can use additional and cheap touch screen panel(s), that can display any instrument, so that when you touch a switch, it changes yellow to show input focus, now use the Knobster as needed - therefore no need for a mouse at all. Also the Sim Innovations site gives details on how to construct and load a usb script onto the Arduino board chip. I can make my own Arduino boards etc. but the extra money to get a quality ready made unit and the time saved, was a no brainer for me. The other thing you need is a copy of Air Manager to setup bespoke instrument panels on the touch screen(s). You can use Air Manager for a free trial period before deciding to buy. Search for Russ Barlo videos, there is loads of info and many other relevant subjects covered.

I purchased it a few months ago. I screwed it to my desk edge so it stuck out in a close position to me between the yoke and bravo throttle. I agree with your suggested alternatives for “knob” selection. When it was first designed for a different sim, you would click on the button to select it and then use the knobster. I like this approach. I’m not a fan of the menu.

Thank you Steve. Without your review I probably would never come across this wonderful bit of kit. Order arrived from the Netherlands to my UK in just two days (via DHL). Wonderful service, especially so near to Xmas. Headline price may seem high but when you consider its functionality well worth the cost - I'd decribe it as the "Swiss Army Knife" of MSFS add-ons. Only one slight downside - you don't seem able to change the four individual digits on the transponder units.

Great review, Steve! It seems really interesting. One question: can I select the knobs with the mouse and then turn them with this device? Or you select the switches with this window? (Which I wouldn’t like to keep open). Thanks!

Knobster is great. The only hardware design element I do not like is I wish the top cap was longer so it was lower than the top of the bottom ring. Worth mentioning is that it has two ring encoders AND a pushdown switch. If you want to install/experiment installation locations use a quality 3M double-sided tape. The easiest DIY. A GREAT VR gamer changer you have never mentioned that also works with Knobster is... VoiceAttack. Just say "Baro Knob" and turn the Knobster! There are so many uses for VoiceAttack but using VoiceAttack with Knobster is a natural fit.

Couple of questions. Can you press the end in for say syncing a heading knob or for instance to select input mode on that fiddly G1000 PFD knob? Does it actually let you increase say altitudes or FLC airspeeds any quicker than standard by using the knob. Flying say the Fenix or PMDG 737 and then going back to some of the other aircraft in the sim it can be painfully slow to set say a 20,000 ft altitude?

Hello, it's a very interesting peripherical, thank you for your review ! I am new to MSFS 2020 and i want to buy a panel, but i don't want to take logitech / saitek panels whitch seems not to be reliable. What panel have you installed on your Honeycomb Charlie ? Are you happy with this product in MSFS 2020 ? Thank you for your advices.

Sounds like a nice device. Have you ever looked at Point Ctrl? That is really a game changer, only works for DCS at the moment, but the developer is working on a firmware update so it can be used with MSFS as well. It kind of works like your VR controllers but they are strapped to your fingers so you can use your normal flight controls without issue. And when you need to flip a switch just point and click. Works amazingly well.

So how do you tell it which setting to change when you don't use the mouse??

Looking forward to receiving it. I suggest that they consider combining their software to be compatible with an Android Tablet that is then connected to the MSFS 2020 for displaying the selections as a separate cockpit device package with the switch attached to a container to hold the Tablet. Maybe I will explore doing this myself. I suggest the 10" Android Tablet that is on sale at Walmart currently for $99 and it is a high res screen an touch both.

I think a much better solution is to buy a midi controller with knobs. I have one called the the beyringer x-touch mini. Bought 2 years ago for only 35€ and with software you have multiple knobs!

Ooooh this looks good.

Any updates on the Varjo device with eye tracking to MSFS? This working would sell me on a HMU from them.

Does the top part click outward so it functions like the altimeter control on the Airbus autopilot? Or is it a dial only?

Great video! Do you know if it works to operate knobs of Fenix A320?? Thanks in advance!

Awesome bit of kit. I have a turning knob on my keyboard that is very similar to a Knobster. I wonder if there is a plug-in to allow knobster -like VR menu behaviour for my keyboard knob, or even if Air Manager can support it?

Ah man, I love that dog!

The selection on the list is made with the knobster itself? Or with the mouse?

If you've played DCS in VR, then I'm sure you've seen the blue cross that moves as you look around the cockpit. I've mapped mouse functionality to some knobs, buttons, and switches on my dash. So in DCS, I just look at the knob, and then twist my physical knob. If MSFS had the same blue cross that moved around your cockpit as you looked, we could do the same thing and that would be far superior to my impression of this product (having never used it). I'd love it it MSFS had this!

We Honeycomb Bravo Throttle people have two knobs that do most of the scrolling changing values for heading bug, Vertical speed, ... works just as fine for me. Don't see the need to have and extra floating windows that breaks immersion but I'm sure you get used to it and our Bravo knobs only turn and can't push... 95€ for a extra knob is what steep as a price to pay.

It looks like a solid device to me. However, I don't like the virtual panel so I'm not going to buy it. What do you think Steve about the possibility of eye tracking with e.g. the Varjo Aero combined with 'the knobster'? That would be great...

The device you used at Varjo looked really cool. Will that ever be for sale?

Do you know if there is a way to change date/time and weather using the knobster?

Thanks for the review. I don't use VR with MSFS coz it's too bloody awkward and as you say, the immersion is screwed once you start trying to use a mouse. This looks really good. Any chance of you doing a video showing how you use it? It looks great but I'd really like to know how you choose the particular menu items and then select which one you want. I don't really get a feel for the user experience here - would be great if you could do a quick demo? 10/10 on the knob jokes though! I'm pretty sure the creator of this project is not from UK or Ireland XD You had me in stiches.

Your dog reminds me of Sprocket from Fraggle Rock

When I went to place my Knobster order, the website said you must have the Air Panels software to use it. Is that required for VR use?

I want to feel a quality knob! 🤗

This tool is amazing.

I am going to get a knob of my own to twiddle with

Maybe attach it directly to the mouse and set it as scroll wheel somehow

Just read all the comments and it is interesting that the negative reviews are from people that haven’t tried it and the positive comments are by actual users. Complainers about the high price should remember that Knobster was originally designed to use with touch monitors on Air Manager panels. There is an open source Arduino DIY version of Knobster but you have to buy Air Manager to program the Arduino to use it. For VR use you must use the plug and play version since it connects directly to the sim (MSFS or XP) using the FREE KnobFS or KnobXP software plugin. It is short sighted to expect developers to give their software away for free without having some way to get compensated for their time and innovation. I realize sims are a hobby for many of us, and many hobbyists develop great products for free, but for many others this is a way to feed their families and the sim community would be far worse off without them. Just my opinion.

Any device which improves VR Immersion is weill worth having. If you make enquiries from the manufacturer of these encoders, you will discover, as I did that they are quite expensive, as most real avionics components are, so the cost is well justified. It would be fantastic to see better (VR) plugin integration in future.

Amazing accent :) where are you from man?

I would love one but that price is just ridiculous. If it ever goes on sale I'll get one.

Imagine if multiples of these can be affixed to glass or semi-translucent base plate, the plate itself affixed to a pedestal or a rod attached to the desk or chair, to mitigate keyboard-like reaching where users might have suboptimal DIY abilities. Then, the "Knobster" wouldn't necessarily have to sit "inside" the VR space. It would still be tactile outside the VR or HMF, but give dialed-up feedback. On command, it could display itself. Otherwise, as the user dials, the Knobster could announce things like "mission plan/flight plan", "trim controls", "radio settings", and so on. I wonder if a voice-actuated submenuing system for hobbyists exists. Would or could reduce the cognitive overload to call up subsets, and then speak the assistance needed. Actual or custom brevity-code-like commands would be necessary. Suddenly, for 95€, this all gets into FOMO and First Mover Advantage, before the industrial strength players overtake Knobster.

I think I'm going to try a trackball in a permanent position instead of a mouse. Mount it near my left hand just to the side of the throttle.

Just looking into this product and am actaully amazed that it needs its own window to operate...how immersion breaking and time consuming... Completely agree that it needs to be functional by highlighting rather than scrolling through a menu

Check out the Octavi, it‘s like a knobster with more buttons.

I really want a knob...

I've had a knobster for just over a year and it's quite worth it! and to have it in msfs vr now is amazing! I mounted my knobster on my saitek (cessna) yoke. I used velcro tape and mounted it just to the left of the yoke shaft, this yoke has a few usb plugs so I just plug it into the yoke and ziptie the rest of the cable to keep it neat. this puts its pretty close to the real world position of the real g5 we have mounted in our 172 club plane.

Great product. I brought mine for X-Plane 11 a few years ago. I just recently started using it for MSFS and it is great. I attached mine to the honeycomb throttle quadrant underneath the flap switch.

I really like the idea, and I believe the price is right for a non-mass produced product. But at the end of the day, it´s just to expensive for 1 knob. I´ve build a VR panel with 5 rotary push buttons, including korry-like switches including a cnc machined panel (from a service provider) all connected to a arduino for just about the same money (+ my personal time of course). I believe anybody could do this, it takes a little bit of time to figure out, but absolutely worth it.

That is legit!!

Excited to see the Knobster featured. Ever since I saw your experience at Varjo with their version. Is there a way to in-game switch between what controls it binds to? I can’t see myself buying several of these to control heading, altitude…

3:43 Never has "Saitek" been spoken with more venom lol. I would like a Knobster, but it's so expensive once you factor in import duty etc.

👍👍👍

Does it work with DCS?

I would love one of these but Cost + shipping to Australia $200.00 is expensive

If the menu has to be visible all the time, it's a complete deal breaker for VR. What we need is a way to automatically use the command we are actually watching, I can't believe such easy feature is not already part of MSFS. It's available in plenty of other simulations including much older ones.

If I could use a mouse to select the switch I wanted to change _directly on the instrument panel_ , and then use the Knobster to make the changes, I'd buy it in a heartbeat. But as far as **I** know, that's not possible?

Check stream deck. They have knobs now.

Obviously It also works great with a touch screen.

I honestly don’t think that I have a spare USB for anymore peripherals

Great product 😊

Just wait 'til she finds out that you've been sitting there fiddling with your knobster for hours on end. You might have to buy her flowers.

For two times that price you get the full Stream Deck+

In DCS in VR I just use voiceattack to put the mouse pointer where i want it and use the scroll wheel. No cost and no floating windows in VR. I just don't needs this as it's a worse 'solution' and costs money.

I think I missed the part where you explain how it's used.

I have the 3d connection mouse that sometimes works like a rotary nob. But it’s temperamental. I could probably configure it better in game.

Cool little device, but $140? Geez

Thanks for your video, great idea but I'm not going to be ripped off again at $145 AUD. I have already purchased one, V1, which of course doesnt work with the software so they want ANOTHER $145 bucks... I'm not gonna get ripped again, TOTALLY outrageous price even when I 1st purchased it!... not gonna fall for it twice... SimInovations (like a lot of the 3rd party developers) need to come into the real world, sell them at a reasonable price they would sell heaps.. rant over! *** No offer of to V1 users that supported them in the earlier days... thanks for the NON loyalty!

Thats what is used in a 737 flight deck anyway.

Never put down a good nob 😂

For $100 I find that the use of a mouse doesn't break my VR immersion whatsoever.

This one is brilliant. However there's another similar brilliant solution. Which one is better depends on personal preferences. The knobster VR is plug & play. The behringer x touch mini has a lot of setup involved. But check this out also: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/n7RgarCWu87KXWQ.html

Amazing! Not the knobster….the fact that people spent 95 euros on this. My X touch mini has 8 rotary encoders and cost me 40.

95 eur for one knob?😁

95.00€ is a bit steep

Nice, especially as you can physically place it so it correlates with the VR world. Three functions is good. 95 Euro is probably about right, given the time and effort and they're not mass produced.

If they sell for 30 dollar then yes , 100 nope 😂

95 Euros for a rotary encoder and some USB controller is what I would call a rip off. A good idea but way over priced for what it is but then again the world is run on greed dam shame that. I play in VR and will stick with the mouse. If I really wanted I could use my Leap motion and use my hands.

Come on, 95 € and no Airbus like pull button? They must be crazy. For 10 € I would have bought a couple of them.

Too expensive

it’s useful but extremely overpriced

@vrflightsimguy - you do make life easier - thx

Great idea and would love one, but to be paying 95 euros that will never happen. Your mouse wheel is the same thing although not as tactical, which makes it something way down the MFS perifrial list.