VKB Gladiator NXT EVO Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ย. 2024
- Please enjoy my review of the VKB Gladiator NXT EVO!
Here is a link to the Thingiverse file for the Gladiator NXT Angled mount:
www.thingivers...
Here is a link to the Gladiator NXT review:
• VKB Gladiator NXT Hard...
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Discord Channels:
Falcons Ledge:
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HOTAS/HOSAS/SIMPIT:
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Low level hell:
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DCS:
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Rig specs:
AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
ASUS TUF X570 Motherboard
32GB DDR 4 3600 RAM
2x 1TB M.2 NVME SSD
1TB SATA SSD
1TB HDD for storage
GeForce RTX 3080
NZXT i510 case
Samsung Odyssey HMD, Oculus Quest 2
VKB Gunfighter Mk.III with Kosmosima Right Premium and MCGU
VKB Gladiator NXT Left Premium (Omni)
Xbox Controller (for TEDAC)
Winwing Orion Throttle
Logitech PRO Pedals
Foxx Mounts x2
MonsterTech long mount
I love that VKB is filling the mid-market gap with 2 solid choices on each end of that range. I also love they let you upgrade and replace wear parts and expect you to tinker with it instead of voiding warranty. The software is intimidating at first but very powerful. I went with dual gunfighters with Kosmosima grips with the omni adapter for Star Citizen to replace my old CH Pro setup and I will never use anything else for flight now.
Star Citizen by default reverses the throttle axis for some reason. In my VKB software I reverse the axis so the game can stay default options and not need tweaks every patch after I install my profile.
Plastic grease bearings are what kills old joysticks. The fact that this one has a proper ball bearings, puts it above the Warthog.
I prefer it to the Warthog. I mean I like the metal stick and all, but the engineering is far better for VKB
Metal construction is far, far, too often conflated with quality construction.
Most modern fighter jets don’t actually use metal HOTAS controls either.
Metal gimbals are absolutely quality. Sticks on the other hand don't need to be.
Apart from the review (which is very good), my compliments to you for taking care of your health. I have a mate going through the same surgery and the same ordeal in these days... Man... you guys have my full support. you are great just because you endure this endevour which is hard af. good work mate! keep it on!!!
Thank you for your support. A lot of people think that surgery is a shortcut, but they don't realize you still have to eat right and excersize. It's just that the punishment for eating too much hurts or makes you sick after. It's going well so far, I'm about 110 down now!
@@FalconsLedge Yeah, people should restrain themselves from comment on topics they don’t know anything about or at least inform themselves before making stupid comments. I feel you.
That message at the start was some inspiring shit my man, keep it going! you got this!
Thank you!
As a left handed person this might be only option for a throttle for the right hand, does seem good tho. Hope you are still going strong wit the weight loss.
Yes absolutely, things are going great, and thank you for asking. It is a great option for those who want to use a left handed stick for sure!
Thankx! You made up my mind finally..Want to upgrade from X-52 & it's time learn HOSAS for E:D anyway...
You will love them!
This is definitely going to replace my left 16k stick for Elite Dangerous, and more than like the right stick too eventually.
Definitely worth it
Hey man congrats on your huge milestone. I used to be a big boi and losing the weight has changed my life. Kudos and keep up the healthy lifestyle!
@@stratcat3216 thank you! I'm down 290, and still slowly trending down. I'm almost able to bench my weight again. I'm really feeling good!
Good work on the weight loss! Keep it coming.
I just received my VBK Gladiator NXT Left Premium (Omni) and am trying to configure it as a throttle (to start) in DCS but having no luck. I am 63 years old and trying DCS for first time. I used to fly RC 450 Heli's and planes, but this is not the same. Do you perhaps have a profile for this stick. I was using a Thrustmaster T16000 stick and TW and want to replace the TW because it sticks too much. Please help!!!
I don't really use profiles sorry. I set things up ad hoc
To be honest, I'm gonna switch back to the stick. My wrist gets really tired with omni throttle
Certainly to each their own. Though it may be more about positioning than the grip itself.
I got the gunfighter MKIVs and actually wish I had gotten the gladiators instead.
Why?
Ok, the decision is made. I'm saveing money for a pair of those to serve as both HOSAS for space sims and HOTAS for flight's nothing beats the value per price of this package.
Even a collective as a bonus :D
It's a great combo
Happen to recall if , within the VKB calibration software, there's a way to inverse the throttle?
The Z-axis slide doesn't. Maybe there's some extra clicky in there that's crux?
I've been poking around all morning to nail this.
Ask on the VKB discord, should be in my description
I have a question about the Omni throttle. What do people usually use the trigger for? Does the the trigger get in the way of you’re just using it as a throttle?
The first or second trigger? I use the trigger as the secondary weapon group, if feels like using any other trigger, doesn't get in the way at all
@@FalconsLedge
Ok thank you. I’ve never used a HOSAS before and I was thinking about getting these for E:D. I was just wondering how people set up the left Omni stick.
@@Supernautiloid is probably different for everyone. There is so much preference that goes into such things
I've been really considering this stick and throttle for my pc. This will be my first hotas purchase so I don't want to buy something and then hate it. Do you feel the throttle will work with ace combat 7 and star wars sqaudrons?
without a doubt
Mine Just hit Memphis so I expect to have it and be flying with it tomorrow. It's the best on the market for me. Simply because I'm left handed and run a throttle in my right hand.
I'm sure you'll love it!
dumb question because i cant see it mechanically working but with the nxt angled, do you still retain the twist function?
Yes you do, the twist mechanism is in the stick, not the base
That's an interesting way to mount a joystick to make it work as a more realistic collective, didn't thought of that.
Great review. Been trying to decided if i should get the omni or not. But using it as a throttle has me sold
Hope you get well soon
Thank you, I'm doing pretty good now
Hey brother! Fellow WLS patient here. Won’t go into my story publicly but just wanted to say super proud of you man!!! You got this! Keep up the hard work and God bless!
Thank you! Great to see other WLS guys out there!
Well, I came for the stick review, new to your channel. Weight loss is hard and I wish you success insofar as it improves your quality of life. I'm struggling with it myself but making progress as well. You seem like decent folk and the world is probably best with you living a happy, healthy life within it.
I'm thinking about a pair of these to replace secondhand Saitek Cyborg EVOs, which have dogshit centering on a single spring and cone, no gimbal. I'm pretty sold, but man, the Saiteks were cheap...
I'm coming up on my year anniversary from the surgery. I'll be posting a big update in a few weeks, along with my thoughts on the current trends surrounding weight. Will probably piss some people off, but I feel it needs to be said.
Congratulations on the weight loss, I hope by now, you're almost at your goal weight! Great review
I switched from losing to bulking at the gym. I've maybe put on 10lbs but I've exchanged some fat weight for muscle and put on some more muscle weight. My goal is to build a stronger calorie burning engine in the form of adding muscle. After a year of working out I've more than doubled my bench max, and I now bench more than I did when I was a teenager playing hockey. So it's going decently.
@@FalconsLedge 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽 hell yea! That's awesome man! I'm going through the same trip. I hope it continues going your way!
Just got it last week as a right stick for DCS mainly, got a TWCS Throttle with it, it's juste Amazing, the 4 yo T.16KM that i got before feels like a toy next to tthis, the dry clutch gives you to make it perfect for your feel, and the mouvement on the stick feel Real, the ball bearing are just Amazing ! I Saw the early review on the Evo and call it, i don't regret any € spend on it, i play DCS a lot and i don't feel the need to buy a higher tier stick at all, thanks for your review !
Just put in my order for use in MW:5 / ED. To this day I haven't found anything that felt as good as my old Suncom SFS set up (I still have ine in a box in my closet, Curse the death of Game ports!!) for the money.
Just recently purchased a duel setup vkb evo and omni throttle setup. I originally thought remove the omni springs so it had more of a throttle feel, but I decided against it in the end. I also didn't add the metal plate stopping the left right movement
This allows me to use the throttle as strafing/thruster turn plus forward and back. It added a whole new dimension to my gameplay I didn't know was missing
Dual stick in space games is definitely the way to go
Thanks ! You actually show that you can make the throttle hold position
Wasn't sure, almost nobody shows this ! 🤗
Mate, congratulations on your step on getting a large amount of weight off! Keep at it and keep positive. Stay strong!
I can't believe for years my old and abused Logitech 3d pro had me thinking I just sucked at flying and I never bothered to research joysticks.
I was actually surprised how much of a difference it was when I moved away from my logitch x52 to a Warthog, it was so much more accurate, it did help.
@@FalconsLedge The worst part is I could have afforded to get this for years and I been playing flight sims on the 3d pro this whole time lmao.
Gee hope you stay healthy now.
Me too! it a was a bit of a challenging year, but already doing so much better, thank you!
can you use the nxt omni throttle as a collective
?
Yes in fact that is the only NXT I have left. It acts as a collective or left stick in Star citizen
That is so cool setting up my sticks watching your videos never knew you could do that. Thanks!
I also use my left omnithrottle as a throttle to DCS, but dont blok Y axis, I just dont bind it. I found that Z axis on throttle works great as momentary zoom, if I want stable zoom then I use slider on bottom.
what mount are you using for the center stick?
Monster tech long mount
@@FalconsLedge Thanks! love the video. I just ordered this and I'm super excited to get flying.
How i handle no center detent for the trust axis is I give it a deadzone (5-10%) and then make the fwd thrust clutch (the 2 clutches are for back and front half of Y axis) a little tighter than the backward thrust, this causes a little change in resistance that tells you when the stick is passing through the "neutral" position.
couldn't you also put a very soft spring in for similar effect?
@@Atlessa no because it will always pull in a direction or to neutral, the whole point of the clutch is to be able to leave the throttle at a set speed without having to constantly work against a spring
@@lilbippy7691 but if the clutch is stronger than the spring?
@@Atlessa the clutch causes the the stick to be able to hold itself in any position you leave it in (unlike most sticks that return to center because of the springs) and you can adjust 3 on the stick, 1 on the left / right axis and 2 on the up/down one on the top half and one on the bottom half. making them tighter makes the stick harder to move along the chosen axis
@@Atlessa this make it handy for people you play space and land based flight games, because a throttle can only go back and forth (ground) but you can leave the springs on the left right axis of these to have the forward/backward stay put but left/right will still return to center if you need to use them
It's true that the service of VKB is absolute luxury.
i don't think it's a problem with SC either. randomly clicked buttons is called ghost keys.
i have a X-55 HOTAS. Did the same thing in Elite Dangerous. it can be a variety of things based on USB card, or hubs.
one person said putting ferrite rings around his wires to isolate electrical fields helped in stopping it on his X-55.
sometimes getting a powered USB card is better than using the USB ports on the motherboard. some motherboards don't cause it.
it's a hard issue to research because there is very little reliable talk or solutions about it.
It's a hard issue to solve because there seems to be no single concrete thing that causes it; it could be one or a few things and it entirely depends on your setup as to what is instigating it.
Ultimately this is a Logitech quality issue. Their products are notorious for these kinds of problems. One of many reasons why I don't recommend the brand.
Good Luck on your improved health.
A much needed improvement to a narrow market!! Thanks for the video.
Would you recommend upgrading from an original NXT to the EVO? or is the difference not as big if you are just using it as a normal stick and not a throttle or collective?
That's up to you, I would upgrade(and did) personally. They sell an upgrade kit for 45
That you can use it as a throttle or collective is pretty awesome... but can you not do it technicly with every modern VKB Stick that uses the same base?
The NXT did not have the ability to do this. The NXT EVO does with any grip available to the NXT EVO.
You can also do this with the Gunfighter.
Thank you for the great review! After watching it, I just bought two Gladiator Evos for a HOSAS setup in Star Citizen. Do you happen to have a recommendation for pedals at a similar price point to go along with these?
VKB pedals are the best bang for your buck at this price point.
For cheap pedals they are all really bad, but the logitch pro pedals are the best of the bad. But at 140 I think, honestly I'd just save up a bit and get VKB.
Any benefit for getting the gunfighter with the OMNI attachment for the throttle hand? I am debating between that and the gladiator nxt evo. I'm not sure if it's worth the cost.
The difference is longevity and customizability. The Gunfighter is a top shelf product. The gladiator is a mid range solution
I do wonder just how much of a difference the new electronics actually make. the fact that they decided to offer gimbal replacements instead of base replacements make me suspect it's not Super significant at this time
Disagree, it's a huge difference having owned both
This is an excellent video. For the Y axis resistance it’s not that I’m worried about pilot fatigue it’s that I don’t want to lose thrust when I use my hand for something else when I take my hand from the throttle. You mentioned making a change to allow for that can you explain what you meant please? I’m considering purchasing this and that is a deal breaker for me and I’d love to get your advice. I’m using this for Star citizen. Thanks!
To clarify I see you’ve used it without the spring but I’m unsure as to how that would impact it while not locking the x axis? Any thoughts are appreciated.
The axis reversal is pretty common. I always have to invert fwd/aft strafe and fwd throttle.
I don't have that key mapped!
How do you use the joystick as a collective when it has a center position?
Like a collective axis is 0% to100% but a joystick axis is -100% - 0(center) - +100%?
So each axis may seem like 2 axis 100 to 0 to -100, but in reality that isn't how they work at all. It's more like 0 to 100, 50 being the "center" on 2 way axis' in game. But when using an in game axis like a throttle or collective, it doesn't care about the center, it's just 0 to 100.
As for the feel, to get a single axis action, I remove the y axis spring and tighten the clutches to get the amount of resistance I want and so that the stick would remain where I put it.
@@FalconsLedge Thanks champ!
Is there an advantage to using two omnis? I'm very hesitant
I don't see any advantage other than preference of two omnis.
Definitely can't beat the value (though I'm no expert in flight controllers by any means). Thanks for demonstrating your setup. I'll be looking at mounting that heli collective configuration! And for those interested, looks like there may be heli's coming to MS Flight Sim in Nov.
It's very innovative that VKB has designed in the various options to reconfigure the EVO for so many different flight applications. I just wish I wasn't so lazy to actually open it up to do it! But at this price point, maybe 3 or 4 EVOs is within the budget of many serious flight simmers, lol. 🤔
Ultimately that is the best solution, just buy a new one for the other control. That is the one thing I should've mentioned is that it's not a fast swap
Where exactly IS that nameless VKB throttle?
It will be released this year according to VKB
Thanks for the review. How is the ultimate grip? I’m starting from scratch and don’t know if I should just get the ultimate and gunfighter 3. For DCS, FS2020 and Star Citizen. I really want to use extensions and feel like the Orion 2 hotas might be better value. I do like the omni for a collective though. Has a slight Airwolf vibe to it being more horizontal.
I don't use extensions in space games. But I do on most aircraft on DCS. The ultimate is going to be my next review. So far it is extremely premium feeling. The nicest feeling grip I've used to date.
In terms of the Orion 2, it looks like it has all the features of the gunfighter mk.iii, which is good. Virpil is also releasing a new gimbal that has dampers as well.
Will it mean the gunfighter will be dethroned as the best spring/cam gimbal? It certainly could. We will see. I want to test them all, but money is a challenge buying them all.
@@FalconsLedge Thanks for the feedback. I’m currently using what is probably a 10+ year old Saitek Cyborg Evo, so anything will be an improvement. I’ve been playing flight sms since Flight Sim 2 on the C64, yes I’m old, but have never considered a serious setup till now. Too much lockdown TH-cam. The MCG ultimate is out of stock anyway so I might as well wait a bit longer to see what Virpil comes out with.
@@doifeellucky we may be similarly old. My first sim was MSFS 2 on my old 286.
Left a comment on your stick video and it further reinforced my additional research and I think this is what I’m going to go with. I’m big in bang for buck and these things look sick visually and technically!
Could you show us how the mounting plate is connected to the 3d printed plate?
You drill 3 holes, or however many you want in it
I left it blank as I figured everyone's setup will be different
I just hope that big brand with enormous amounts of money like thrusmaster and Logitech start new products that can compete vkb because if they don’t they will see their sales fall like crazy when the tecs will come out (PLEASE VKB YOU CAN DO IT)
The TECS will come out, VKB said on discord that they are not doing any new product releases til TECS, that gives you a decent idea that is soon.
Logitech doesn't give a flying crap about flight sim hardware, their gear is going nowhere, and no combat sim enthusiast should give them money.
Thrustmaster is rapidly moving in the logitch direction, there is no current indication that they are innovating at all.
I hope TM will get their act together. I know logitch won't.
well if we have only one brand on low end that could be difficult to have inovation (but i think that with vkb and maybe winwing we will be find)
@@FalconsLedge can I have a link to the VKB discord and do you have one ?
@@arthurc.5805 my discord is in the description, this is the discord that VKB is active on:
www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwizmLu6jN35AhXjLEQIHQtoBQAQFnoECAsQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fdiscord.com%2Finvite%2FszqaJE7&usg=AOvVaw2x_9LPiZqT2pvxfdXxI-i4
Do you know any good ark throttles too pair with the gladiator
Not yet, no. One should be coming out relatively soon though
Ok thankyou
You sob! I just bought the VKB rudder pedals and NOW you got me feaming for the VKB Omni throttle! Are you trying to get me divorced!!! LOL, sorry, I couldn't resist... After seeing your different configurations video and now seeing this video, I really want one. I tried the whole 2 stick setup in Star Citizen and absolutely loved flying that way. The biggest issue I had was that there weren't enough buttons to do all the tasks with a pair of T1600m sticks. When I tried to do the same in Elite Dangerous, I has issues with bindings, every time I plugged in the left stick, the right sticks bindings migrated to the left stick. Really made it a PIA to setup and test. After I stopped playing Star Citizen, I gave up on the 2-stick setup as I had a lot of muscle memory in Elite Dangerous with my HOTAS.
I'm intrigued at the thought of using the dual sticks for mining in Elite and you opened my eyes on using the throttle on the base of the unit to set the speed and the forward/reverse thrust on the x-axis. Gotta try some ideas out when I get home from my trip.
But I suggest you are deep mining ALL WRONG! Get yourself a Keelback, upgrade the thrusters (important, it gets really maneuverable DD5 drives) the power plant and distributor upgrades are recommended but optional, add a pulse wave analyzer, Abrasion Blaster and Seismic Charge Launcher. For the internals, run at least 64 tons of cargo (I run 72 tons) add a 1a prospector, detailed surface scanner and a 2 a refinery and then finish out the ship as you see fit but DO NOT ADD COLLECTOR LIMPETS. Load up with at least 64 limpets and head out. Now have a blast scooping up the bits. It is a huge blast to do it this way, the Keelie is nimble with the DD% drives and with your dual stick setup it would be awesome.
I have all the elite ships, but haven't really played elite in a long while. sC usually scratches the space flight itch for me. Partially because if I play with my friends it takes us half the time to get together in ED.
@@FalconsLedge I don't play with friends... Every time I get together with people they leave the game! 🤣
I stopped playing SC because you pretty much have to play it with friends and it changes so much with each update. I got tired of dying and loosing progress all the time.
I liked the way combat was before they made multi cannons obsolete.
The game has gotten too complicated for me to keep track of.
@@pville_piper5125 all of those things will change again. The great thing about their approach is that they can change all that
I’m so tempted to get this
They are great
Hi, how is omni throttles acuracy as throttle? Decision I'm making is vkb omni throttle for left hand with one gnx sem module or virpil throttle.
Now I mostly fly dcs, il2, but having omni throttle opens possibilities for elite and SC. How omni throttle performs in formation flight and air refueling? I haven't found any comparison with normal throttle.
Its a joystick gimbal, one would argue that joystick gimbals need to be more accurate than throttle gimbals because of throw etc. So its incredibly accurate. Obviously a purpose built throttle is going to work better, and comparing a joystick gimbal for $180 to a throttle that is $400 isn't really a valid comparison. Obviously the VPC throttle is going to be better, and it damn well better be.
After a little bit of use I really didn't even feel like I was using a joystick gimbal as a throttle, it felt like I was just using a throttle.
The advantage comes down to being able to use it for both air sims and space sims. It will have an advantage over standard throttles because you'll have better 6DOF ccontrol.
IMO Dual stick is far better than hotas in space sims.
For me it's more like 350€ and 250€ because of delivery. Currently I have Twcs throttle, and gladiator nxt non evo for right hand, so I know how good that gimbal feels. But I don't know how better omni throttle would be over trustmaster entry throttle
@@sinatragede it is better than the TWCS stock feel for sure
Mine arrives on monday
sponsered video TROLL
So sponsored I bought it myself with my own money lol.
So please, tell me exactly how you think I'm trolling? What stick do you think is the best in this class (mid range sticks between 100 and 350)?
I think that the only things that can make you Waite the tecs is the EVO like vkb is the only of the 4 big flight sticks manufacturer that does not sell a modern throttle (Virpil Vkb Thrusmaster and Logitech)
If you play space Sims why wait?
@@FalconsLedge but if you doesn’t (because I don’t want my pc to burn) and that you only play dcs well i would like a 2 engine military throttle with a russian style because i play a lot of flanker and mig 29 so i have only the tecs or the T50 CM3 of Virpil
Thanks for the video, been looking at collectives for helos but as I am retired the price put me off. Heard about the VKB setup and this is my first look at it.