WIN CTRL Orion2 MFSSB Review
Steve | G-LOC MEDIA
Flight simulation enthusiast and YouTuber
The WinWing Orion 2 MF SSB from WINCTRL is the most authentic F-16 stick experience available in the consumer market — pressure sensing rather than deflection, full metal construction that rivals anything else on the market, and build quality that honestly deserves a higher price tag than the $300 to $350 asking price. The pressure control takes real time to adjust to and the SimApp Pro software still needs polish, but for dedicated F-16 DCS pilots who want to replicate the real aircraft feel this is the one to get. WINCTRL have set a seriously high bar with this release.
Pros
- Full metal construction, built like an absolute tank
- Most authentic F-16 sidestick experience available in the consumer market
- Build quality rivals and compares favourably to the Thrustmaster Warthog
- Every button, switch and trigger has a satisfying premium click
- Pressure sensing allows rapid full deflection and precise micro adjustments
- Great value at $300 to $350 given the build quality on offer
- No throw means minimal rig space required
- Compatible with a range of grips
Cons
- Pressure control has a steep learning curve and takes real time to adjust to
- Suction mounting plate is useless for this version, hard mounting is essential
- SimApp Pro software still needs polish and is not as intuitive as the hardware deserves
- Not suited to pilots flying a variety of aircraft beyond the F-16
- Eight to ten hours may not be enough time to fully adjust to pressure sensing
WinWing Orion 2 MF SSB Review - The Most Authentic F-16 Stick You Can Buy?
WinWing - now rebranding as WINCTRL - has a habit of knocking products out of the park, and the WinWing Orion 2 MF SSB is one of their most interesting releases yet. It's a flight stick that replicates the F-16 sidestick experience in a way no other consumer product currently does. But it's also one that requires a very specific type of simmer to get the most out of it. Let's break it down.
What Makes the WinWing Orion 2 MF SSB Different
The MFSSB version of the Orion 2 operates on pressure, not movement. Read that again - pressure, not movement. There is no throw on this stick in the traditional sense. Instead it measures the force you apply in kilograms on each axis and translates that directly into control inputs.
This is actually how a real F-16 sidestick works in the aircraft. The F-16 uses a force sensing stick rather than a conventional deflection stick, meaning pilots apply pressure to make inputs rather than physically moving the stick through a range of travel. WinWing have gone out on a limb to replicate this authentically and credit where it's due it's a genuinely cool and brave design decision.
Why does this matter for DCS flying? The F-16 is arguably the best dogfighter ever built and having a stick that responds to pressure rather than throw allows for incredibly precise micro adjustments and very rapid full deflection inputs. In the sim it translates well - you can flip the jet on its side almost instantly with the right touch.
Out of the box the software shows six kilograms of pressure on each axis. In testing the roll axis was reduced to around three kilograms while pitch was left at six. More on software shortly.
Mounting
The WinWing Orion 2 MF SSB comes with a suction mounting plate for desk use. Be direct about this - the suction plate is essentially useless for this version of the stick. Because this is a pressure sensing stick you are pushing and pulling against it, and a suction cup base simply won't hold up to that. This stick needs to be hard mounted. Factor that into your setup planning before purchasing.Build Quality - Where WINCTRL Absolutely Excels
This is where the WinWing Orion 2 MF SSB genuinely sets itself apart and where WINCTRL's reputation is fully earned.It is built like an absolute tank. Full metal design, heavy and cold to the touch. The rubber boot around the bottom feels premium, and every single switch, button, trigger, and lever has a satisfying click at the end of its travel that feels like it belongs on something costing significantly more. The finish on the metal casing is close to perfection. The hex screws and bolts holding everything together are faultless. There is genuinely not a single piece on this stick to fault.
The closest comparison in terms of build quality is the Thrustmaster Warthog stick - and the WinWing Orion 2 MF SSB compares very favourably side by side. Design-wise it's an F-16 replica in both looks and function. It may not be exactly one-to-one but it's very close, and the size and layout feel right for average to large hands.
When WINCTRL set out to build this stick they clearly aimed to make the best stick on the consumer market regardless of price. They may just have achieved it.
Value
At $300 to $350 USD this is expensive. But the build quality genuinely suggests a much higher price tag. In fact this might be the first time saying this - it should probably be priced higher based on what competitors are charging for lesser build quality. For what you're getting the WinWing Orion 2 MF SSB represents genuine value even at this price point.Software - The One Weak Point
The stick runs on SimApp Pro software and you'll need it to configure pressure levels on both axes. Be prepared to spend time in here adjusting and re-adjusting - there's a fair amount of back and forth to dial in the feel you want.SimApp Pro is the consistent weak point across WINCTRL's product range. It's not bad and it is improving with regular updates, but it still isn't as polished or user friendly as the hardware deserves. WINCTRL are clearly working on it and every update makes it better, but it has a way to go.
The Personal Honest Take - Pressure Control Takes Getting Used To
Here's the transparent part. After eight to ten hours of flight time with this stick the pressure control still hasn't fully clicked. Sometimes it feels incredibly precise for those tiny micro movements. Other times there's too much input without meaning to, leading to overcorrection. It feels like it's almost there and then it isn't.This is not a product issue - WINCTRL have done an excellent job. It's a personal adjustment issue. Pressure sensing is a fundamentally different way of flying and it genuinely requires time to rewire the muscle memory. If anyone has crossed that barrier and gotten fully comfortable with the MF SSB version let me know in the comments - I'd genuinely love to hear how long it took and how you got there.
The gut feeling after this testing period is that the standard Orion 2 version with 17 degrees of deflection would suit the flying style better. But that's a personal preference and not a reflection of the product's quality.
Who Is the WinWing Orion 2 MF SSB For?
Buy it if:
- The F-16 is your main aircraft in DCS and you want the most authentic stick experience possible
- You appreciate exceptional build quality and want the best feeling consumer stick available
- You understand that pressure control requires an adjustment period and you're committed to that
- You have limited rig space - no throw means the stick takes up almost no movement room
- You want something that replicates what flying a real F-16 feels like
Look elsewhere if:
- You fly a variety of aircraft in DCS rather than primarily the F-16 - the standard Orion 2 or something like the Virpil or Thrustmaster Warthog would suit better
- You're not prepared for the learning curve of pressure control
- You're using a desk setup without the ability to hard mount - the suction plate simply won't cut it with this version
Final Verdict
The WinWing Orion 2 MF SSB from WINCTRL is one of the most impressive pieces of consumer flight sim hardware available right now in terms of pure build quality and authenticity. If you fly the F-16 in DCS and want the full experience - replicating the actual feel of the real aircraft's sidestick - this is the stick to get and you will not regret it. There's something genuinely cool about knowing you're flying with hardware that mirrors the real thing.The pressure control learning curve is real and the SimApp Pro software still needs work. But for the right simmer this is arguably the best stick in the consumer sector. WINCTRL have set a very high bar with this one.
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