Need a new HOTAS setup

[USSR]

Hello Comrade aviators.

I've had it with my Logitech piece of garbage. The stick has no precision at all and is no good in a turning fight. I've had cheaper sticks that flew better. So it looks like I'm going to have to cough up considerably more roubles to the filthy capitalists for something better.

Looking at the VKB Gunfighter range and the STECS throttle module.  (click for link)

Anyone here got one and what do you think?

Edited Wednesday at 09:58 PM by USSR

[BlitzPig_EL]

I use the Gunfighter EVO (Space version, has more buttons).  I have found it to be an excellent desktop solution.  It is very precise, and has interchangeable tension springs so you can tune it to your preference.

I don't know how you can do better at this price point.

Oops, I have to make. A correction

I have the Gladiator NXT Evo.

Sorry about that, but my comments still stand.  Very smooth stick in all inputs.

Edited Thursday at 12:22 PM by BlitzPig_EL

[gecko]

I have a gunfighter and I love it. Smooth, precise, high quality materials. I have mine set up as a floor mount and use the extension pieces to bring it up to the right height and installed two sets of the heaviest springs. No complaints in the three years I've had it so far.

I've been looking at the STECS for a long time, haven't tried it yet. I'm pretty sure it will be my next addition.

[USSR]

Is it good in pitch and roll? My current crappy X56 is too Jerky whatever the profile curve is

I did look at the Turtle Beach Velocity 1 but that uses a similar spring and Hall sensor system. 

[GiftGruen]

I am using a Gunfighter 4 with 200mm extension. Love it ! So smooth.

Needs a rig of course, doesnt work at desktop.

Also Gladiator Nxt Evo was great ( for the price tag ). I used it with the WW2-Throttle-Set which I also liked well.

VKB stuff is really really okay.

 

Edited Wednesday at 05:09 PM by GiftGruen

[gecko]

2 hours ago, USSR said:

Is it good in pitch and roll? My current crappy X56 is too Jerky whatever the profile curve is

I did look at the Turtle Beach Velocity 1 but that uses a similar spring and Hall sensor system. 

Yes. I fly professionally and I find that I have a similar smoothness and precision of control with the Gunfighter as I have with a real aircraft. I had a Saitek X52 (predecessor to your X56) and had similar complaints to yours. In comparison, the Gunfighter is way smoother and more natural feeling. I still use the throttle portion of the X52 because I like having the detents, but I hope to replace it with the STECS eventually.

Edited Wednesday at 06:27 PM by gecko

[AndreiTomescu]

@USSR I've tried a Gunfighter at a friend. It is a VERY GOOD piece of equipment. Very good. 

However, a couple of yrs ago when i got fed up by my Logitech/Saitek plastics, i've chosen, after  not so long deliberations, Virpil. Not only because it has all metal, military grade type inside. It was a romantic/emotional choice.

For the same reason i wear only Vostok Europe watches. My grandpa gave me long , long ago an old original Vostok one.  

For the same reason i get enthusiastic seeing a Niva. My first cars were BA3 : 1200 and then Niva. 

[USSR]

3 hours ago, AndreiTomescu said:

@USSR I've tried a Gunfighter at a friend. It is a VERY GOOD piece of equipment. Very good. 

However, a couple of yrs ago when i got fed up by my Logitech/Saitek plastics, i've chosen, after  not so long deliberations, Virpil. Not only because it has all metal, military grade type inside. It was a romantic/emotional choice.

For the same reason i wear only Vostok Europe watches. My grandpa gave me long , long ago an old original Vostok one.  

For the same reason i get enthusiastic seeing a Niva. My first cars were BA3 : 1200 and then Niva. 

I own several Vostoks, but mine are Chistopol, Russia-made. Like them a lot. Soviet tech wasn't all garbage. Just had a few quality control issues due to Soviet workers getting paid twice a month, one for wages and one for bonuses and meeting quotas. And then they all went mad on the Vodka and then MiGs might leave the factory with a wing on upside down and an ejection seat facing the wrong way!

[spreckair]

I have been flying with the VKB Gladiator NXT EVO flight stick for several years and STECS throttle for over a year.  Very happy with both.  Even though the body is plastic, it is high quality and more than meets my needs.  I do not think I will be replacing either one for a while.

[kalerider1]

Same. Gladiator and stecs. Flightstick is very comfortable and very smooth response - responds well to tiny movements. I started with Gladiator as it has a throttle control and thought I might upgrade once I was certain I enjoy simming. However it's so good I really don't feel the urge to change it now!

Stecs is very solid, smooth throttle control and brilliant options for customisation, both hardware and in software.

Both throttle and stick are high quality plastic construction and have no sense of flimsiness I'd expect from other plastic components.

I know you didn't ask but I also rate the rudders, as they are very compact and fit nicely under my office desk. Those are all metal construction.

[Rocho]

Gladiator premium and Stecs Standard here. I don't need anything else. Both controllers are smooth, accurate and have plenty of buttons and hats.

[Aapje]

I'm also happy with my STECS. Started with a Gladiator as the joystick which was very good, but replaced it with a Moza AB9 for the FFB.

Edited 18 hours ago by Aapje

[CaptHook]

Gunfighter 3 - just a fantastic stick.  I used the Warthog throttle for years, even after replacing the stick with the GF3, but a couple of years ago sold it and replaced it with the Winwing Orion 2.  Excellent throttle base.  Also have an old CH Quadrant wired up right behind the throttle on the rig - the bank of 6 sliders is very useful for trims, prop pitch, mixture, and rads.  Was $50 on Ebay like... 8 or 9 years ago, and has been solid.  I'd eventually like to replace it with a GVL slider array, but he's doing mostly P-51 replica stuff now I think.

[JollyJack]

Bought a warthog set 4 years ago new, at a very good price on amazon. 

Later added the Deltasim axis button for the throttle for yaw, never regretted it. I almost never use my pedals now.

Had some issues with the viper base cabling which i was able to fix with parts sent from TM. 

Repaired it and sold the old base, and got an AVA base with the addons .. great thing. 

PS all the quality hardware seems very expensive these days.

Edited 13 hours ago by JollyJack

[von_Tom]

 

Don't ignore other options.  You have expensive VIRPIL but also WinWIng/WingCTRL.

Metal gimbals are the way to go.

von Tom