While my hand models did not want to be in the credits, I would like to reserve this space to thank them for being part of the shoot and helping me. This was a new type of video for me so please let me know your feedback. Thank you to VKB for thinking of me and letting me part of this product launch. The HOTAS/SIMPIT discord can be found here: discord.gg/szqaJE7
i had a similar experience with VKB where i broke part of my flight stick modding it , and VKB sent me replacement parts, no questions asked. i only had to pay for shipping
It's hard not to love VKB's consumer friendly approach. Modularity and upgrade paths really help to make it less crazy for people to drop cash on a throttle.
Loved your video, 62 yo submarine vet with the attention span and mental capacity of a grape fruit, thinking of getting int DCS type simulators, never did because I was worried about having to upgrade every month because it was so new. Watching videos like yours gives me hope. Thank you for the time and effort you put into the videos, it helps a lot.
Came into this expecting not to be swayed from my want to own a mongoose throttle, but now find myself really thinking hard about the VKB. Great video, and I'm very thankful for the disclosures at the beginning.
Note: The white switch on the base can be converted to an axis (for flaps). The detent is removable like it is in VKB's SEM module (along with a change using the VKB software). Instructions here th-cam.com/video/GB-pf6dEICM/w-d-xo.html
Owned many VKB products and absolutely love the build quality and support. The discord help channel is amazing for any questions. I will never buy from anyone else. Thank you!
If I did not have my Virpil CM3 Throttle right now, I would have gotten the Stecs. I could not wait much longer after the STECS took too long to launch from the day it was announced. I kept visiting VKB website for news and impatience got me to buy the Virpil CM3. I am very pleased with the modularity features. This helps in easing the upgrade path.
I have the nxt premium stick and the rudder pedals and i can attest the one time i had an issue with my stick there support was absolutely amazing even well beyond my expectations. They have won me over and have a customer for life. Ive been using a thrustmaster twcs throttle but will be buying this very soon. Thanks for the great review
Thank thank thank you for the thorough disclosure! You're very right that youtubers often fail to disclose, or only strategically disclose, the nature of the relationship with the product manufacturer. The transparency is GREATLY appreciated!
Fantastic review. STECS looks really cool. I've been extremely happy with my VKB products and their customer service dept is the best in the business. Definitely will be getting the Mini when I replace my TWCS eventually
I bought an STECS Standard model in large part based on this review. I'm generally happy with it, but below are a few issues I've encountered, mostly related to ergonomics, even though my hands are not especially small. I configured my unit with four way hats in every configurable location. BTW, I paid full price for mine and have been using it for a few weeks. (While I appreciate reviews of this sort, and appreciate that Enigma fully disclosed his relationshp with VKB, I can't help think that getting a free unit induces at least some unconscious bias in favor of the unit, even if the manufacturer did not put any restrictions on the review.) First, (1) The lowest button/hat on the right hand grip requires a significant amount of hand movement away from the natural hand placement on the grips. It is difficult to operate it while also operating other grip functions. It's also at an awkward angle relative to the grip which makes it hard to distinguish which way to push for up/down vs. forward/back. This is a problem for all of the RHS hats, but especially for this one. This was never a problem on my old throttle, which moved linearly instead of in an arc. (2) The arc of the throttle is biased towards the forward direction. That is, the arc is not symmetric with respect to the vertical direction with far more range of movement (about 45 degrees) away from the user (relative to vertical) than towards the user (about 30 degrees). Furthermore, on the standard version, with its large STEM module in front of the grip, the throttle grips are actually quite a long way from you if you position the unit at the edge of a desk. These features together mean that it is a long reach to the grips when they are all the way forward, and they are at an awkward angle also at that point. As a consequence, it is difficult to find and operate the buttons and other controls on the back side of the grips (i.e. the side away from you) when in full afterburner. (3) The chrome plated toggle switch on the STEM module is very stiff and hard to operate. It makes a very loud click when operated. The white one is much better. Some of the buttons on the STEM module also require a lot of force. (4) Two of the buttons on the back side of the gripd (labeled ENT and RST) are almost flush and thus hard to find by feel. The encoder wheel that Enigma discusses at length in this video is also hard to find by feel since it is almost flush. The red "pinky" button is easier to find, but requires some force so is hard to operate using a pinky. It's also so far from some of the hats on the right hand grip that both can't be used at once. (5) The press operation of the ministick requires quite a bit of force and the cap on the stick is very pointy. As a result it is essentially impossible to depress it without also moving the ministick along its axes. This means it is not really possible to use it as a TDC with associated TDC depress function since pressing the stick almost always moves it at the same time. (6) I bought this to supplement my VKB joystick. However, while the two units share a common configuration program, they do not communicate with each other in any way. My old CH hardware had an integrated app that let you program functions that used inputs from both CH units together. This is not possible with the VKB software, since all settings are in the hardware rather than in a common driver running on the PC. I don't want to sound too negative since the throttle has a lot of good points. The build quality seems excellent, and the programming functions are excellent apart from the one issue I raised above, and a few bugs I've identified, which I expect VKB will eventually work out. And the price can't be beat.
For 2) I noticed this also so I moved it closer to me and it felt much better. That way your hand sits more on it. For 5) People who have 3d printers are printing out little buttons the are shaped like a grooved cup. This seems to make it easier to click down. I would share this feedback with VKB on their discord.
(5) is the biggest issue for me, the TDC should be at the front. On the side, as it is now, it is hard to find the proper axis as the angle of the arc changes. Also impossible to depress without moving it.
Thanks for that comparison. I've been waiting for a new throttle upgrade and this has given me the information I needed to pull the trigger on the STECS.
Thank-you for such an excellent review. I currently am using the VKB NXT flight stick and love it. I agree with you in regards to VKB support also, they are very hands on and go the extra mile for the customer. I use MFG rudder pedals just for the toe brakes, however the VKB pedals were a close second due to them having the ability to configure virtual brakes. Looking forward to switching out my old CH throttle of many years for this one.
This review was the deciding factor in my purchasing the STECs. It is amazing. The programing versatility means I can make almost any control act as I need. The 5 position rotary switch can be set to page in a manner similar to the Virpil (which was the feature I most wanted) thru software or the encoders into Axis as you demonstrated. It is so flexible there is a learning curve to the software but VKB has a discord and will rescue you every time. This was the MOST helpful YT presentation on the subject and I have gone completely to VKB equipment.
This thing looks sick! I ordered a VKB mini+ and plan to upgrade it eventually to the max, and for a stick I ordered the gladiator NXT with a SCG GNX grip. Thanks for showing me this, I like how customizable it is
I would love to see more hardware reviews from you! This was clear, concise, and your experience brought up unique product points I wouldn't have thought of otherwise. Well done (to you, and VKB!).
VKB has been aces for me. I bought a right hand VKB Gladiator NXT EVO Premium because I didn't have a lot of money. When I hit the purchase button I resigned myself to thinking that I'd deal with the 'sh!tty plastic' stick until I could afford to put real money into my sim pit Very happy to have been completely wrong about VKB's plastic stick. As Enigma mentions they are meant to be opened and adjusted, and you don't have to be a rocket scientist to do it. I removed the springs on mine after I bought the AH-64 on DCS Removing the springs and tightening up the clutches gave me the ability to make precise inputs that would also hold position. To say this is useful to mastering hover in the Apache is an understatement. I've put it back to standard after I got my Apache fix, and now move back and forth between DCS and Star Citizen. The Gladiator keeps on kicking. No muss, no fuss, just reliable service. I've only had one issue... a screw backed out inside the base and jammed up motion and cause an in game crash of my aircraft, but after I took it apart and reseated it and put a minute amount of torque on it, it has not fallen out since. That issue was in the first 3 months of ownership, and I've had this beast 3 years. I get the argument about metal over plastic, but again... 3 years later and it's as good as when I bought it. All switches, Hats, and buttons are just as crisp as when I bought it. It came with replacement springs but I've yet to need to do that. No cracks, no decline in performance, not even any discernable wear... it's borderline suspect - Are VKB gnomes sneaking into my house at night and replacing my stick while I sleep? (Also..with regard to Metal vs Plastic.... how much torque are we really going to throw on these sticks while maneuvering in a sim?) It is my intent to get a STECS (I've been making due with a Thrustmeter TWCS), and I will also be purchasing a Left-handed Gladiator NXT EVO for HOSAS in Star Citizen. I have no need to 'upgrade' to anything not from VKB A+ product.
Really really well made review for the throttle I have been been waiting so long. Can’t wait for the STECS tonight show up in EU Store. Max version of course 😎
@@sthompson3 I m a bit undecided. For me the design incl the size/spacing seems to be good for VR (struggling with my Warthog Throttle). I’m using a DIY metall rig and I should be fine as I don’t need space on my non existent desk. However I will have to move my setup somehow because I enter it from the left but this won’t be possible anymore I guess.
The Tutorial Videos from VKB are SUPER easy to use. th-cam.com/video/R_mqZZexkNE/w-d-xo.html To turn buttons into an axis watch this: th-cam.com/video/kfxYCqUgU7E/w-d-xo.htmlsi=TZwyMxtUbx7Ute1c&t=382 The VKB Videos are so good that I decided to spend less time on the software because the VKB videos do a better job at demonstrating the flexibility of the software than I can.
There’s an easy way to weigh things with a bathroom scale. Weigh yourself, then weigh yourself holding the item. Then subtract. Scales have a ‘sweet spot’ where measurements are most accurate. On a bathroom scale that’s around 200lbs. If you try to weigh something that only weighs 5lb, it’s not going to be very accurate - that’s where you’d use a postal scale.
Thanks for this in-depth review. I'm extremely tempted, more than ever, to pick up a mini+ and the switch pack. I've always wanted a dual throttle/power lever setup and I'm hoping the upcoming F-4 module will have smoky engines that will make use of a split throttle!
Recently got the Gladiator Pro and i was truly surprised about its quality and the options you get with the software and interchangeable buttons. When it comes to price/perfomance VKB is the best i have seen so far. Great vid - thanks ! ... finally made up my mind XD
Defo gonna buy this always wanted to get a VKB Gladiator but the lack of throttle to go with it deterred me from getting one. But now we FINALLY have STECS, I'll be getting one as soon as it comes to the European store!
Interesting to hear that you don't like the selector switch on the Virpil. For me it's one of the best things since it allows me to fly the f18 hornet almost without using the mouse. For example I have the first page of buttons etc. bound to startup tasks, second for a/g weaponry stuff and third page is for radar operation. This way I can change the range, scan mode, distance all without fumbling around with the mouse.
Great review, really like your transparency, attention to detail and consideration that this is a considerable purchase for many people and has to last.
Very good review Enigma. I like how you put the disclaimer at the start. I have a Virpil CM2 so am not in the market for a new throttle but if ever I am this VKB offering will definitely be on the short list.
Looks really good. Almost good enough to make me regret getting into Flightsims half a year ago and not now. I have a Mongoose CM3 and if I didn't already have that, I'd very likely go for the STECS.
Nice review, I’m going to be in for a mini plus. My desk space is also at a premium so I appreciate the compact profiles available. Looking forward to substantially more controls on the throttle vs my x52.
Well, if you ever were to review it, I’m sure I and a few others would like your thoughts on the ATEM module next to the throttle itself. I’ve only just found out that the jettison select knob look-a-like is not just a scroll encoder with push, but a 4-way hat as well, being not unlike a 7-way Fanatec “funky switch” or a BMW iDrive input device.
Probably the only thing that made me jealous from my Mongoos CM3 is looking at how that software just seems easy to use. The Virpil one can get almost anything done... it just gives you a migraine in the process. Also holy **** did that thing auto-detect the detents and changed configuration based on that? That's amazing!
You flip a knob and hold a button down when you reach the color of the right detent. This tells the throttle you switched detents and then it loads the right software profile. The detent software will change the curve to compensate for the detent being present on the track. It's very nifty
Thanks for the review. I really want the STECS now, but I know I dont have time to sim for the next few years of my life. Hopefully there is a version 2 that comes out when I finally have some free time to sim again.
I bought this throttle, and a stick, from VKB a couple of months ago and COULD NOT BE MORE HAPPY! :D seriously, both are just amazing, how exact the joystick is, and as you know the throttle is a genius device in itself, the swappable detents (can swap between DCS and Star Citizen in about 20 seconds), the buttons to swap out...the amazingly powerful software....FANTASTIC, probably one of the best products I ever bought in general .
@@Enigma89 And of course - thanks for your review, despite already having it I found it not only nice to watch but also helpful (did not know you could turn rotaries and buttons into axies!) Cheers
I don't regret not waiting for the STECS given the time it's taken to arrive, but if I had to make the decision today it does feel like the STECS is a winner vs the CM3. I'm still half tempted to switch over to it, as you really can tune in the exact setup you want, which takes months/years of use to really know.
Same here. My CM3 serve me well over the year, but I really wish it has some QoL feature that's present in STECS. I'd probably wait to see what the rail version look like first, but I'm really tempted to switch over.
Wow very solid review, informative, concise, no bullshit. I love it! Subscribed. I never found your channel only until I searched on this specific throttle's reviews. I come from Star Citizen, only recently hop onto DCS, so I need a throttle as the dual VKB sticks setup is not gonna work well in DCS. I think the SC community is gonna love your reviews also, if you make videos on it.
Thanks for the heads up. I have the gladiator and thq addon. love them. have been waiting for this throttle, and now have tons of info on it thanks to your review.
My Mongoose CM3 kind of just died after a few years.. So I'm in for a new one. Thanks for this review, I expected to not like this throttle but now I'm considering it.
Great video - I've been waiting for something like this. With your valid points on certain pet peeves, I hope VKB do address these. I do agree that the STEM layout could be a bit better. Hopefully, with time, I'll be able to finally get rid of my VIRPIL hardware for something with better customer service and reliability (I.E: VKB) - so far it's only the CM3 throttle remaining.
I went from my X52 to the Thrustmaster throttle and left stick to try dual sticks. I couldn’t get used to the dual sticks and now have the vkb nxt and an Omni. I love them! I mainly play Star Citizen and am struggling with dual stick. I am considering getting this as I am still used to using my index finger to handle my maneuvering thrusters.
Cheers for the great review, and airing out your issues with the device so clearly! STEM definitely is a divisive panel. My friend for example wouldn't really have issues with it otherwise, but absolutely loathes how it looks (big chunky and surprisingly colorful buttons make him think it look too "Fisher Pricey"), while I as someone who has been using a SEM module for a good while know how nice and tactile those switches are, and don't mind the looks that much. It being as big as it is is also divisive, many people have said that they'd rather have more metal toggle switches all over it. I can see that point, but I also appreciate VKB's logic, especially for VR users: Everything is spaced out, and apart from the B1-B5 buttons can be easily identified by feel, and takes a decent amount of force to actuate, so you're fairly unlikely to accidentally press on anything when trying to find a specific thing by feel. But for a lot of people who have no qualms about looking what they're doing, it's indeed wasted space, and lots of switches that do not look like actual plane switches. I hope they'll later either make a completely separate module, or swappable panels for the screw in parts that have something to cater to that crowd. OR even better, publish DIY guides so that you can fab your own panels and integrate to the electronics. =)
Lol- I waited years for the TECS to appear! Eventually I just put some VKB modules together to get the functionality I wanted (an nxt evo base, left handed kosmosima grip with a gnx-thq throttle attached) to go with my centre mounted gunfighter. I'm still setting up my bindings and they drop this! I don't know whether to laugh or cry... Great review and if I didn't have a brand new throttle quadrant bolted in to my pit I'd be all over the STECS on the strength of it.
Thanks for the review it was very informative. VKB software while very utilitarian is the most versatile thing I've ever found, also the fact that it uploads the profile into the peripheral software is a great plus for me as it means it can just run after being configured without ever having to have another program running in the background. Unfortunately I got into sim flying before it came out and ended up getting a NXT with the omni adapter which makes it a bastardized hotas/hosas otherwise I would have jumped on the mini plus variant (looks way more sensible in terms of footprint for the number of buttons) Just as a side-note, when wanting to weight something with a bathroom scale, weight yourself holding the object, then weight yourself without the object, subtract and voilà
1 thing I was wondering, you put the Winwing throttles at like 3-400 dollars. When I look on the Winwing site though, it seems I can pick up a set for like 400 dollars (with base & stick). Am I just overlooking something or are the combination orders just cheaper for Winwing products. Aside from that, great review. Really helpful and will assist me in deciding what to get!
Just another comment, the prices for your winwing products are seeming a bit misleading. For newcomers, who don't shop around, you're making them seem absurdly overpriced and they are straight up incorrect.... The f-18 throttle, even with the anniversary base, finger lifts... Doesn't reach $451, it's actually $415, unless you added shipping and it'd be more... At it's base, the minimum cost (What you stated on the graph at 16:39) is $235 excluding taxes and shipping. The price you have, $451, puts me at the point I could buy the F-18 hotas bundle, with no detents... The warthog, 'throttle' might be available for $279 used, but certainly not these days where the cheapest I can find it is $300 new. The f-16ex throttle you shared, is correct.
As the graph showed, I listed the MSRP price. The Orion2 F/-18 Hornet is $451.85 MSRP. It's currently on sale for $235.90. I did not list the sales price because it would not be fair to show a snapshot in time when one is on sale and another is not. The base MSRP price is more constant. Now while you think what I showed is misleading, let me challenge you to think about what the brands are doing. If they are nearly constantly on sale then what they are doing is using fictitious pricing which is misleading.
@@Enigma89 Or... hypothetically, you can rationally process that when it's been perpetually the same price for this long, that it should be noted, 'that is the standard price'. I can understand what you're saying.. but I feel like it's still misleading to make it out to be a worse deal than it is... even if you're being paid to make the stecs look like a much better deal than it really is. To add, Why didn't this same line of thinking make it over to the f-16 throttle?
Take your time when ordering and look over everything you may want. Shipping is currently very expensive. As an example, I ordered the mini+ because I wanted it to be smaller and didn't need all the switches on the standard base. I now wish I had ordered the switch set replacements that do not come with the Mini+ Mini+ is equiped with more single buttons and fewer 5 way hats. I am completely satisfied with the throttle, it feels and works great. You can order the additional switch kit for 30 dollars when ordering the throttle, but by itself that same small product ordered later may cost you double because of shipping. Get everything you want in one order.
Unfortunately I can't see where I'd put my Harrier Nozzle axis, first world problems 😅 Interesting design, modular is great. I'd love to see future modules. For now I have too many custom profiles and years of muscle memory I can't give up.
That numpad would be a great addition for sure. I'm at the point of ceremoniously burning the x-56 I stupidly bought a few years back, this one seems to tick the right boxes.
Thanks for the review. Agreed 100% about the thumb potentiometer rotary. Very ergonomically obtuse and could have been made larger with a push button or in a different spot. Also with the real estate I solved by ordering the STEM and ATEM bit cutting and moving them together in a mount sideways so didn’t use the standard footprint. Thanks for the upload and review
fun fact about the STECS ecosystem. I've heard that the current release is called the stage 1 release and i'm pretty hyped as to what the next stages will bring
The Winwing F18 throttle combo costs me $349 CAD ($253 USD) all-in shipped to my door, while the VKB standard throttle will cost me $470 CAD all-in...$121 more. The Virpil CM3 throttle (which is ALWAYS on back-order) is almost $600 CAD (?!) all-in. Is the STECS still worth it? I do have a VKB Gladiator NXT premium and it is a fantastic stick. My TWCS throttle cost me $70 USD brand new and has also been good.
Brilliant review - I have same requirements as you. I want to be setup to fly a wide variety of A/C from 1915 to modern day. I don’t want a perfect clone of any particular cockpit. I’ll probably pick one of these up this year to replace my Warthog throttle - mainly to benefit from the extra and better hats and sliders. Recently acquired a VP force Rhino and this will pair nicely with it. I need to feel the stall inception instead of waiting for the latent visual stall cues on screen. Thanks!
Thumb mini stick is the main deal breaker for me, since it's not easy to tell the direction and the tdc moves around before you figured it out. They should change the shape of the hat to MCGU style 5way hat. After installing that on I am finally able to use this mini stick.
As always your critical analysis is appreciated. I would have never known about this throttle and thought the red grips looked tacky and wouldn't have seriously considered it had you not reviewed it. If you haven't done so already I would love to see a video on your thoughts on the mongoose compared to the STECS. My Warthog throttle has been in a state of decay and am wanting to replace it in the near future so, thank you for your well done review. Your timing is impeccable.
I am going with this as my first throttle to go with my VKB gladiator NXT stick. I wanted something with more controls and better build quality than the Logtech X56 throttle but wouldnt be breaking the bank or had to be mounted on a sim rig. I play both flight sims (WWII Online and War Thunder) and Star Citizen so having a realistic replica wasn't a priority. Based on the reviews of the STECS I think I am making the right choice.
Thanks for the great review!! I totally agree with your point on the rotary encoder on the left grip not being an axis like the one on VIRPIL CM2 which I have. I tried to do what you did to concvert the encoder to axis using VKB CONFIG, however, the encoder still stutters even after the conversion process. I tried to set the multipler as low as possible while the slope of the zoom axis in DCS as steep as possible after which the stutter - zoom in or out in steps -persists. I would like to see how your encoder behaves.
Thank you for the review Enigma. I think you did a good job for this being your first one. That said, my experience with VKB has been the polar opposite. I purchased the gunfighter stick years ago, and since then have had to completely rebuild it with all new internals due to drift, (which cost a significant amount of money and time, and oh by the way the firmware/software still doesn't play nice with the new internals), and have had to replace the springs in the stick at least once a year due to them failing/breaking. As far as the software goes, I feel like they made it way over complicated and that it would be far better if it were intuitive enough that I could figure it out with out a tutorial video. To each their own but I will be avoiding VKB products in the future.
Very good video thanks man, I just ordered mongoose my self, I don't like the layout of neither throttles, but VPC just has a bit more of what I want, we'll see how it actually performs not sure yet. I like to stick to 1 Company instead of mixing it up! Just rolling in to the sim world with higher tier peripherals though. Hopefully they won't disappoint, because it ain't cheap. Nice BMS video as well. Good channel. Definitely worth subscribing to!
4:59 Thrustmaster does have SOME upgrade options in their throttle range, namely you can buy the F-16 throttle without the button panel, and then add the panel later, and the TCA Airbus throttle also has an addon that adds more controls to the left and right sides of the throttle.
Figures that they would finally release a sweet combat-airframe-focused throttle instead of their standard vanilla THQ like 6 months AFTER I bit the bullet and bought their GNX WWII Throttle Combo. Now I have throttle envy.
thanks for the video, appreciated. to get around that bathroom scale problem (also use it when required to weight animals), weight yourself with item. then weight yourself without, and get the difference.
I would like to see VKP drop the throttle handles and develop the base as a multifunction switch/axis panel. Something similar to the Virpil CP, CP-2 and KA-50. The ability to swap switch and button types would make it enormously attractive. Especially for those who already have a different throttle.
TL;DR Winwing good and VKB also good. I really love my Winwing, with a couple BIG exceptions. No on handle rotary (zoom). Tool required tension adjustment. And changing or adjusting detents requires finicky screws that are easy to drop into the body. I don't plan on changing throttles, but I LOVE my VKB gladiator NXT. Almost three years, and still going strong. To re-emphasize the consumer friendly approach: about a year in, I had a weird issue of Y axis drift. I'd have random out of trim issues in DCS. I'd re calibrate. Then fine. But it would come back. Turns out there was a known issue of the MARS (HALL) effect magnets coming loose and rotating. I contacted them and they said they could take it and fix it, or I could try it myself, following established guides. What's funny is that these are way simpler to work on than a potentiometer. There's no contact. A magnet rotates in front of a little chip. No contact. Nothing to clean. This was simply a mechanical issue of a circular magnet not being fully secure. So I popped it out of the gimbal. Dropped some super glue into the enclosure. Stuck the magnet in. Reassembled. Problem free simming for two years since. Sure it shouldn't have happened... But sometimes, you need to see someone screw up in order to see what they're made of. They stand behind their product and their customers. And even after having to fix it and take it apart myself, and lots of travel, the axes are still razor sharp. I could run dead zones at 0 if my hands were that steady.
Interesting review... i currently have the original mongoose T-50 (the longer/heavier one with the rounded throttle handles) which i like quite alot, its very solid, and so far the only thing i've been tempted away from it for is the winwing orion (which i've never had a chance to try and seems very polarising, some hate, some love).. But my mongoose is starting to have a few issues. The thing thats holding me back with the stecs is I 100% agree with you on the extension module, to me its so much wasted space that could have many more useful controls on it given the size. Plus the buttons to me (when i got to play with a friends) feel a bit cheap and plasticy. I really wish they could have compacted that area down though cause the throttle bodies and control layout on them felt quite nice. I could just get the mini or the mini plus, but theres alot of extra features with the standard that arent included with either. So im still torn. I also have a gunfighter mk 3 pro twist and as much as love it, the buttons/multiway hats on it do sometimes feel a bit plasticy (though not the analogue stick) and less rigid/solid compared to the virpil (like the vkb has more play in its buttons or something, they can move left and right more than they should or something), but i prefer the vkb base/software over the virpil versions. Hard to actually describe that well, but i think anyone who's tried those two grips probably knows what i mean. The last thing is, I dont realy like the look of the extension module and the controls that arent on the throttles, they just kinda look "cheap" and a toy-ish, similar to what i'd expect from logitech.. So im still torn... Actually, I know what it is, when my son was a toddler he used to have a play center which was really just a bunch of knobs and levers he could play with and all VKB extension modules remind me of that (not just the stem but also the GNX extension modules). They just have this look about them like they're made for children unlike the virpil control panel and the winwing PCR panel which look very serious and mature.
Also works good as a virtual axis in IL2 as 5 position oil radiator and inlet cowls in 20% increments. Don't need any more granular radiators than that.
I have 2 VKB NXT Evo sticks and they are amazing. I am using the Thrustmaster TWCS throttle. I use Target software to create "virtual throttle" to emulate F1, F2, F10, F3 keys. This is to use the Textbot on the Enigma server. I can press the "Communications Menu" on the VKB stick and find friendlies or the Bogey dope for the enemy. So, I mapped 5 buttons for these actions on the throttle. This way, I do not have to remove my hands off the throttle or the VKB stick when asking for Bogey Dope or Friendly Picture. I don't know if the VKB Throttle software will allow me to do the same thing. This is the only thing keeping me from switching to VKB throttle
If I were looking for a new throttle this would be top of my list. As things are having had a Virpil CM3 for over a year, it's just not worth switching for me. Good video though, hardware reviews are always interesting.
I went from warthog to the CM3, I can’t explain, but it didn’t catch me. The index TDC bothers me too, maybe it’s time to try the STECS. Would be awesome a STECS Ultimate.
15:33 This is by no means a constant. The F-15, F-22 and A-10 platforms (possibly some others but those are the ones I know for certain) have the TDC control under the middle finger, but on the flipside the F/A-18 has it under the index finger, and the AV-8B, F-16 and F-35 have it under the thumb. Outside the US, I know the Typhoon has it under the index finger, while almost everything French, the Tornado, the Gripen and JF-17 at least have it under the thumb. And of course rear seaters everywhere seem to use thumb TDCs. As an aberration, Russians put theirs on the flight stick, not the throttle, and naturally I have no dang clue what the Chinese are up to. So all in all I think the thumb TDC might actually be the most common layout. That said real life sticks also have either linear throttles (F-35, Typhoon, Rafale, Gripen etc.) or WAY longer levers (everything else) than our controllers do, so the throttle grips don't rotate as much due to the pivoting of the lever arms. For some the large amount of angle change has been an issue with a side mounted thumb TDC, messing up their sense of "which way is up?"
While my hand models did not want to be in the credits, I would like to reserve this space to thank them for being part of the shoot and helping me. This was a new type of video for me so please let me know your feedback. Thank you to VKB for thinking of me and letting me part of this product launch. The HOTAS/SIMPIT discord can be found here: discord.gg/szqaJE7
i had a similar experience with VKB where i broke part of my flight stick modding it , and VKB sent me replacement parts, no questions asked. i only had to pay for shipping
Very nice hands in the video!😊
Enigma subtly saying he's got models on deck was not what I expected to learn from this video
The last one feels like a lefty fingerstyle guitarist, for some reason... =)
Your hand model needs to trim his fingernails. /s Those things get in the way, can't be clickety-clackin' when you type angry comments.
It's hard not to love VKB's consumer friendly approach.
Modularity and upgrade paths really help to make it less crazy for people to drop cash on a throttle.
That and left handed sticks
Loved your video, 62 yo submarine vet with the attention span and mental capacity of a grape fruit, thinking of getting int DCS type simulators, never did because I was worried about having to upgrade every month because it was so new. Watching videos like yours gives me hope. Thank you for the time and effort you put into the videos, it helps a lot.
Get into it! It will keep you sharp and aware I promise
hope you decided to try dcs out
Any update?
Amazing review. Thank you for the detailed review. It made it easy for me to decide on buying the VKB system.
Glad I could help!
Came into this expecting not to be swayed from my want to own a mongoose throttle, but now find myself really thinking hard about the VKB. Great video, and I'm very thankful for the disclosures at the beginning.
Note: The white switch on the base can be converted to an axis (for flaps). The detent is removable like it is in VKB's SEM module (along with a change using the VKB software). Instructions here th-cam.com/video/GB-pf6dEICM/w-d-xo.html
Common VKB W
Owned many VKB products and absolutely love the build quality and support. The discord help channel is amazing for any questions. I will never buy from anyone else. Thank you!
If I did not have my Virpil CM3 Throttle right now, I would have gotten the Stecs. I could not wait much longer after the STECS took too long to launch from the day it was announced. I kept visiting VKB website for news and impatience got me to buy the Virpil CM3. I am very pleased with the modularity features. This helps in easing the upgrade path.
That was very well done. Thanks for the great video, and I'm convinced you're correct about the VKB.
Awesome, thank you!
I love your channel!!!
@@iNcog_AoE Thanks.
I have the nxt premium stick and the rudder pedals and i can attest the one time i had an issue with my stick there support was absolutely amazing even well beyond my expectations. They have won me over and have a customer for life. Ive been using a thrustmaster twcs throttle but will be buying this very soon. Thanks for the great review
Next time just weigh yourself holding and not holding whatever you want to weigh.
Thank thank thank you for the thorough disclosure! You're very right that youtubers often fail to disclose, or only strategically disclose, the nature of the relationship with the product manufacturer. The transparency is GREATLY appreciated!
Fantastic review. STECS looks really cool. I've been extremely happy with my VKB products and their customer service dept is the best in the business. Definitely will be getting the Mini when I replace my TWCS eventually
I bought an STECS Standard model in large part based on this review. I'm generally happy with it, but below are a few issues I've encountered, mostly related to ergonomics, even though my hands are not especially small. I configured my unit with four way hats in every configurable location. BTW, I paid full price for mine and have been using it for a few weeks. (While I appreciate reviews of this sort, and appreciate that Enigma fully disclosed his relationshp with VKB, I can't help think that getting a free unit induces at least some unconscious bias in favor of the unit, even if the manufacturer did not put any restrictions on the review.)
First, (1) The lowest button/hat on the right hand grip requires a significant amount of hand movement away from the natural hand placement on the grips. It is difficult to operate it while also operating other grip functions. It's also at an awkward angle relative to the grip which makes it hard to distinguish which way to push for up/down vs. forward/back. This is a problem for all of the RHS hats, but especially for this one. This was never a problem on my old throttle, which moved linearly instead of in an arc.
(2) The arc of the throttle is biased towards the forward direction. That is, the arc is not symmetric with respect to the vertical direction with far more range of movement (about 45 degrees) away from the user (relative to vertical) than towards the user (about 30 degrees). Furthermore, on the standard version, with its large STEM module in front of the grip, the throttle grips are actually quite a long way from you if you position the unit at the edge of a desk. These features together mean that it is a long reach to the grips when they are all the way forward, and they are at an awkward angle also at that point. As a consequence, it is difficult to find and operate the buttons and other controls on the back side of the grips (i.e. the side away from you) when in full afterburner.
(3) The chrome plated toggle switch on the STEM module is very stiff and hard to operate. It makes a very loud click when operated. The white one is much better. Some of the buttons on the STEM module also require a lot of force.
(4) Two of the buttons on the back side of the gripd (labeled ENT and RST) are almost flush and thus hard to find by feel. The encoder wheel that Enigma discusses at length in this video is also hard to find by feel since it is almost flush. The red "pinky" button is easier to find, but requires some force so is hard to operate using a pinky. It's also so far from some of the hats on the right hand grip that both can't be used at once.
(5) The press operation of the ministick requires quite a bit of force and the cap on the stick is very pointy. As a result it is essentially impossible to depress it without also moving the ministick along its axes. This means it is not really possible to use it as a TDC with associated TDC depress function since pressing the stick almost always moves it at the same time.
(6) I bought this to supplement my VKB joystick. However, while the two units share a common configuration program, they do not communicate with each other in any way. My old CH hardware had an integrated app that let you program functions that used inputs from both CH units together. This is not possible with the VKB software, since all settings are in the hardware rather than in a common driver running on the PC.
I don't want to sound too negative since the throttle has a lot of good points. The build quality seems excellent, and the programming functions are excellent apart from the one issue I raised above, and a few bugs I've identified, which I expect VKB will eventually work out. And the price can't be beat.
For 2) I noticed this also so I moved it closer to me and it felt much better. That way your hand sits more on it. For 5) People who have 3d printers are printing out little buttons the are shaped like a grooved cup. This seems to make it easier to click down.
I would share this feedback with VKB on their discord.
(5) is the biggest issue for me, the TDC should be at the front. On the side, as it is now, it is hard to find the proper axis as the angle of the arc changes. Also impossible to depress without moving it.
Thanks for that comparison. I've been waiting for a new throttle upgrade and this has given me the information I needed to pull the trigger on the STECS.
Thank-you for such an excellent review. I currently am using the VKB NXT flight stick and love it. I agree with you in regards to VKB support also, they are very hands on and go the extra mile for the customer. I use MFG rudder pedals just for the toe brakes, however the VKB pedals were a close second due to them having the ability to configure virtual brakes.
Looking forward to switching out my old CH throttle of many years for this one.
Great video Engima. It was really well done and it was only your first one!
Thanks a ton!
This review was the deciding factor in my purchasing the STECs. It is amazing. The programing versatility means I can make almost any control act as I need. The 5 position rotary switch can be set to page in a manner similar to the Virpil (which was the feature I most wanted) thru software or the encoders into Axis as you demonstrated. It is so flexible there is a learning curve to the software but VKB has a discord and will rescue you every time. This was the MOST helpful YT presentation on the subject and I have gone completely to VKB equipment.
Nice thanks for sharing that.
This thing looks sick! I ordered a VKB mini+ and plan to upgrade it eventually to the max, and for a stick I ordered the gladiator NXT with a SCG GNX grip. Thanks for showing me this, I like how customizable it is
this kind of fleshed-out review and the foresight it offers is so much more valuable than a 15% discount! About to grab one myself, thanks.
I would love to see more hardware reviews from you! This was clear, concise, and your experience brought up unique product points I wouldn't have thought of otherwise. Well done (to you, and VKB!).
VKB has been aces for me.
I bought a right hand VKB Gladiator NXT EVO Premium because I didn't have a lot of money.
When I hit the purchase button I resigned myself to thinking that I'd deal with the 'sh!tty plastic' stick until I could afford to put real money into my sim pit
Very happy to have been completely wrong about VKB's plastic stick.
As Enigma mentions they are meant to be opened and adjusted, and you don't have to be a rocket scientist to do it.
I removed the springs on mine after I bought the AH-64 on DCS
Removing the springs and tightening up the clutches gave me the ability to make precise inputs that would also hold position.
To say this is useful to mastering hover in the Apache is an understatement.
I've put it back to standard after I got my Apache fix, and now move back and forth between DCS and Star Citizen.
The Gladiator keeps on kicking.
No muss, no fuss, just reliable service.
I've only had one issue... a screw backed out inside the base and jammed up motion and cause an in game crash of my aircraft, but after I took it apart and reseated it and put a minute amount of torque on it, it has not fallen out since.
That issue was in the first 3 months of ownership, and I've had this beast 3 years.
I get the argument about metal over plastic, but again... 3 years later and it's as good as when I bought it.
All switches, Hats, and buttons are just as crisp as when I bought it.
It came with replacement springs but I've yet to need to do that.
No cracks, no decline in performance, not even any discernable wear... it's borderline suspect - Are VKB gnomes sneaking into my house at night and replacing my stick while I sleep?
(Also..with regard to Metal vs Plastic.... how much torque are we really going to throw on these sticks while maneuvering in a sim?)
It is my intent to get a STECS (I've been making due with a Thrustmeter TWCS), and I will also be purchasing a Left-handed Gladiator NXT EVO for HOSAS in Star Citizen.
I have no need to 'upgrade' to anything not from VKB
A+ product.
Really really well made review for the throttle I have been been waiting so long. Can’t wait for the STECS tonight show up in EU Store. Max version of course 😎
I had thought the Max was for me until I saw the dimensions. It's about 16 inches (or 400 mm) long so will take up a lot of space.
@@sthompson3 I m a bit undecided. For me the design incl the size/spacing seems to be good for VR (struggling with my Warthog Throttle). I’m using a DIY metall rig and I should be fine as I don’t need space on my non existent desk. However I will have to move my setup somehow because I enter it from the left but this won’t be possible anymore I guess.
The Tutorial Videos from VKB are SUPER easy to use. th-cam.com/video/R_mqZZexkNE/w-d-xo.html To turn buttons into an axis watch this: th-cam.com/video/kfxYCqUgU7E/w-d-xo.htmlsi=TZwyMxtUbx7Ute1c&t=382 The VKB Videos are so good that I decided to spend less time on the software because the VKB videos do a better job at demonstrating the flexibility of the software than I can.
Just got the STECS standard. My first proper HOTAS peripheral. I'm blown away by the quality and customization.
There’s an easy way to weigh things with a bathroom scale. Weigh yourself, then weigh yourself holding the item. Then subtract. Scales have a ‘sweet spot’ where measurements are most accurate. On a bathroom scale that’s around 200lbs. If you try to weigh something that only weighs 5lb, it’s not going to be very accurate - that’s where you’d use a postal scale.
Thanks for this in-depth review. I'm extremely tempted, more than ever, to pick up a mini+ and the switch pack. I've always wanted a dual throttle/power lever setup and I'm hoping the upcoming F-4 module will have smoky engines that will make use of a split throttle!
Recently got the Gladiator Pro and i was truly surprised about its quality and the options you get with the software and interchangeable buttons. When it comes to price/perfomance VKB is the best i have seen so far. Great vid - thanks ! ... finally made up my mind XD
Bit late here, but I can confirm 100% the VKB Discord is awesome. Had a bunch of people help me fix up a wandering Y Axis on my VKB Gladiator stick.
I just bought the VKB stick. I was on the fence about buying the throttle, now I'm sure I need to buy it too! Nice vídeo, as always!
Good choice!
Defo gonna buy this always wanted to get a VKB Gladiator but the lack of throttle to go with it deterred me from getting one. But now we FINALLY have STECS, I'll be getting one as soon as it comes to the European store!
Fantastic and thorough review! Ordered and waiting for my STECS Max to arrive next week - super excited!
Interesting to hear that you don't like the selector switch on the Virpil. For me it's one of the best things since it allows me to fly the f18 hornet almost without using the mouse. For example I have the first page of buttons etc. bound to startup tasks, second for a/g weaponry stuff and third page is for radar operation. This way I can change the range, scan mode, distance all without fumbling around with the mouse.
Great review, really like your transparency, attention to detail and consideration that this is a considerable purchase for many people and has to last.
Very good review Enigma. I like how you put the disclaimer at the start. I have a Virpil CM2 so am not in the market for a new throttle but if ever I am this VKB offering will definitely be on the short list.
Looks really good. Almost good enough to make me regret getting into Flightsims half a year ago and not now. I have a Mongoose CM3 and if I didn't already have that, I'd very likely go for the STECS.
well theres always something better coming..in 1-2 years one will maybe "regret" getting astecs
Liked just for the way you disclose your relationship with VKB. Good man!
Nice review, I’m going to be in for a mini plus. My desk space is also at a premium so I appreciate the compact profiles available. Looking forward to substantially more controls on the throttle vs my x52.
Well, if you ever were to review it, I’m sure I and a few others would like your thoughts on the ATEM module next to the throttle itself.
I’ve only just found out that the jettison select knob look-a-like is not just a scroll encoder with push, but a 4-way hat as well, being not unlike a 7-way Fanatec “funky switch” or a BMW iDrive input device.
Probably the only thing that made me jealous from my Mongoos CM3 is looking at how that software just seems easy to use. The Virpil one can get almost anything done... it just gives you a migraine in the process. Also holy **** did that thing auto-detect the detents and changed configuration based on that? That's amazing!
You flip a knob and hold a button down when you reach the color of the right detent. This tells the throttle you switched detents and then it loads the right software profile. The detent software will change the curve to compensate for the detent being present on the track. It's very nifty
Спасибо за отличный объективный обзор и сравнение, приятно было слышать ваши размышления. С приветом из Беларуси.
Thanks for the review. I really want the STECS now, but I know I dont have time to sim for the next few years of my life. Hopefully there is a version 2 that comes out when I finally have some free time to sim again.
I bought this throttle, and a stick, from VKB a couple of months ago and COULD NOT BE MORE HAPPY! :D seriously, both are just amazing, how exact the joystick is, and as you know the throttle is a genius device in itself, the swappable detents (can swap between DCS and Star Citizen in about 20 seconds), the buttons to swap out...the amazingly powerful software....FANTASTIC, probably one of the best products I ever bought in general .
Good to hear thanks for leaving your POV
@@Enigma89 And of course - thanks for your review, despite already having it I found it not only nice to watch but also helpful (did not know you could turn rotaries and buttons into axies!) Cheers
I don't regret not waiting for the STECS given the time it's taken to arrive, but if I had to make the decision today it does feel like the STECS is a winner vs the CM3. I'm still half tempted to switch over to it, as you really can tune in the exact setup you want, which takes months/years of use to really know.
Same here. My CM3 serve me well over the year, but I really wish it has some QoL feature that's present in STECS.
I'd probably wait to see what the rail version look like first, but I'm really tempted to switch over.
Great review. Highly appreciate the practical focus.
I've just ordered the Stec Max and Evo Space premium edition because of your review. Looking forward to trying it.
Very well done, best review I've seen on it so far.
Wow very solid review, informative, concise, no bullshit. I love it! Subscribed. I never found your channel only until I searched on this specific throttle's reviews. I come from Star Citizen, only recently hop onto DCS, so I need a throttle as the dual VKB sticks setup is not gonna work well in DCS. I think the SC community is gonna love your reviews also, if you make videos on it.
Thank you, I haven't dove into SC yet but hope it applied to your genre
@7:20 Just FYI, you can get around this problem by weighing yourself, weighing yourself while holding the STECS and then subtracting.
Thanks for the heads up. I have the gladiator and thq addon. love them. have been waiting for this throttle, and now have tons of info on it thanks to your review.
My Mongoose CM3 kind of just died after a few years.. So I'm in for a new one. Thanks for this review, I expected to not like this throttle but now I'm considering it.
Great video - I've been waiting for something like this. With your valid points on certain pet peeves, I hope VKB do address these. I do agree that the STEM layout could be a bit better. Hopefully, with time, I'll be able to finally get rid of my VIRPIL hardware for something with better customer service and reliability (I.E: VKB) - so far it's only the CM3 throttle remaining.
I went from my X52 to the Thrustmaster throttle and left stick to try dual sticks. I couldn’t get used to the dual sticks and now have the vkb nxt and an Omni. I love them! I mainly play Star Citizen and am struggling with dual stick.
I am considering getting this as I am still used to using my index finger to handle my maneuvering thrusters.
Cheers for the great review, and airing out your issues with the device so clearly!
STEM definitely is a divisive panel. My friend for example wouldn't really have issues with it otherwise, but absolutely loathes how it looks (big chunky and surprisingly colorful buttons make him think it look too "Fisher Pricey"), while I as someone who has been using a SEM module for a good while know how nice and tactile those switches are, and don't mind the looks that much.
It being as big as it is is also divisive, many people have said that they'd rather have more metal toggle switches all over it. I can see that point, but I also appreciate VKB's logic, especially for VR users: Everything is spaced out, and apart from the B1-B5 buttons can be easily identified by feel, and takes a decent amount of force to actuate, so you're fairly unlikely to accidentally press on anything when trying to find a specific thing by feel.
But for a lot of people who have no qualms about looking what they're doing, it's indeed wasted space, and lots of switches that do not look like actual plane switches. I hope they'll later either make a completely separate module, or swappable panels for the screw in parts that have something to cater to that crowd. OR even better, publish DIY guides so that you can fab your own panels and integrate to the electronics. =)
Lol- I waited years for the TECS to appear! Eventually I just put some VKB modules together to get the functionality I wanted (an nxt evo base, left handed kosmosima grip with a gnx-thq throttle attached) to go with my centre mounted gunfighter. I'm still setting up my bindings and they drop this! I don't know whether to laugh or cry...
Great review and if I didn't have a brand new throttle quadrant bolted in to my pit I'd be all over the STECS on the strength of it.
Been using vkb for 5 years and have bought 6 devices. The software has a huge learning curve but can do almost anything.
Definitely a good review and gave me something to think about. Thanks.
Thanks for the review it was very informative. VKB software while very utilitarian is the most versatile thing I've ever found, also the fact that it uploads the profile into the peripheral software is a great plus for me as it means it can just run after being configured without ever having to have another program running in the background.
Unfortunately I got into sim flying before it came out and ended up getting a NXT with the omni adapter which makes it a bastardized hotas/hosas otherwise I would have jumped on the mini plus variant (looks way more sensible in terms of footprint for the number of buttons)
Just as a side-note, when wanting to weight something with a bathroom scale, weight yourself holding the object, then weight yourself without the object, subtract and voilà
Thanks I appreciate it
1 thing I was wondering, you put the Winwing throttles at like 3-400 dollars. When I look on the Winwing site though, it seems I can pick up a set for like 400 dollars (with base & stick). Am I just overlooking something or are the combination orders just cheaper for Winwing products. Aside from that, great review. Really helpful and will assist me in deciding what to get!
I used MSRP not sales price as it is too hard to track sales price
@@Enigma89 Thanks
And the freight...the freight...
Just another comment, the prices for your winwing products are seeming a bit misleading. For newcomers, who don't shop around, you're making them seem absurdly overpriced and they are straight up incorrect....
The f-18 throttle, even with the anniversary base, finger lifts... Doesn't reach $451, it's actually $415, unless you added shipping and it'd be more... At it's base, the minimum cost (What you stated on the graph at 16:39) is $235 excluding taxes and shipping. The price you have, $451, puts me at the point I could buy the F-18 hotas bundle, with no detents...
The warthog, 'throttle' might be available for $279 used, but certainly not these days where the cheapest I can find it is $300 new.
The f-16ex throttle you shared, is correct.
As the graph showed, I listed the MSRP price. The Orion2 F/-18 Hornet is $451.85 MSRP. It's currently on sale for $235.90. I did not list the sales price because it would not be fair to show a snapshot in time when one is on sale and another is not. The base MSRP price is more constant. Now while you think what I showed is misleading, let me challenge you to think about what the brands are doing. If they are nearly constantly on sale then what they are doing is using fictitious pricing which is misleading.
@@Enigma89 Or... hypothetically, you can rationally process that when it's been perpetually the same price for this long, that it should be noted, 'that is the standard price'.
I can understand what you're saying.. but I feel like it's still misleading to make it out to be a worse deal than it is... even if you're being paid to make the stecs look like a much better deal than it really is.
To add, Why didn't this same line of thinking make it over to the f-16 throttle?
Take your time when ordering and look over everything you may want. Shipping is currently very expensive.
As an example, I ordered the mini+ because I wanted it to be smaller and didn't need all the switches on the standard base.
I now wish I had ordered the switch set replacements that do not come with the Mini+ Mini+ is equiped with more single buttons and fewer 5 way hats.
I am completely satisfied with the throttle, it feels and works great. You can order the additional switch kit for 30 dollars when ordering the throttle, but by itself
that same small product ordered later may cost you double because of shipping. Get everything you want in one order.
Unfortunately I can't see where I'd put my Harrier Nozzle axis, first world problems 😅
Interesting design, modular is great. I'd love to see future modules. For now I have too many custom profiles and years of muscle memory I can't give up.
I'm not in the market for a throttle (happy with my Winwing) but this is a great, thorough, informative review, thank you!
That numpad would be a great addition for sure. I'm at the point of ceremoniously burning the x-56 I stupidly bought a few years back, this one seems to tick the right boxes.
Thanks for the review. Agreed 100% about the thumb potentiometer rotary. Very ergonomically obtuse and could have been made larger with a push button or in a different spot.
Also with the real estate I solved by ordering the STEM and ATEM bit cutting and moving them together in a mount sideways so didn’t use the standard footprint.
Thanks for the upload and review
Great review man. I really appreciated your honesty. I am definitely thinking of getting the STECS now. Thank you
Glad I could help
fun fact about the STECS ecosystem.
I've heard that the current release is called the stage 1 release and i'm pretty hyped as to what the next stages will bring
The Winwing F18 throttle combo costs me $349 CAD ($253 USD) all-in shipped to my door, while the VKB standard throttle will cost me $470 CAD all-in...$121 more. The Virpil CM3 throttle (which is ALWAYS on back-order) is almost $600 CAD (?!) all-in. Is the STECS still worth it? I do have a VKB Gladiator NXT premium and it is a fantastic stick. My TWCS throttle cost me $70 USD brand new and has also been good.
Nice review bud!
Brilliant review - I have same requirements as you. I want to be setup to fly a wide variety of A/C from 1915 to modern day. I don’t want a perfect clone of any particular cockpit. I’ll probably pick one of these up this year to replace my Warthog throttle - mainly to benefit from the extra and better hats and sliders. Recently acquired a VP force Rhino and this will pair nicely with it. I need to feel the stall inception instead of waiting for the latent visual stall cues on screen. Thanks!
Thumb mini stick is the main deal breaker for me, since it's not easy to tell the direction and the tdc moves around before you figured it out.
They should change the shape of the hat to MCGU style 5way hat. After installing that on I am finally able to use this mini stick.
As always your critical analysis is appreciated. I would have never known about this throttle and thought the red grips looked tacky and wouldn't have seriously considered it had you not reviewed it.
If you haven't done so already I would love to see a video on your thoughts on the mongoose compared to the STECS.
My Warthog throttle has been in a state of decay and am wanting to replace it in the near future so, thank you for your well done review. Your timing is impeccable.
I don't really know much about the Warthog, I try to stay away from Thrustmaster. Their pricing seems to be really out of step with the industry.
I am going with this as my first throttle to go with my VKB gladiator NXT stick. I wanted something with more controls and better build quality than the Logtech X56 throttle but wouldnt be breaking the bank or had to be mounted on a sim rig.
I play both flight sims (WWII Online and War Thunder) and Star Citizen so having a realistic replica wasn't a priority. Based on the reviews of the STECS I think I am making the right choice.
Thanks for the great review!! I totally agree with your point on the rotary encoder on the left grip not being an axis like the one on VIRPIL CM2 which I have.
I tried to do what you did to concvert the encoder to axis using VKB CONFIG, however, the encoder still stutters even after the conversion process. I tried to set the multipler as low as possible while the slope of the zoom axis in DCS as steep as possible after which the stutter - zoom in or out in steps -persists. I would like to see how your encoder behaves.
Thank you for the review Enigma. I think you did a good job for this being your first one.
That said, my experience with VKB has been the polar opposite. I purchased the gunfighter stick years ago, and since then have had to completely rebuild it with all new internals due to drift, (which cost a significant amount of money and time, and oh by the way the firmware/software still doesn't play nice with the new internals), and have had to replace the springs in the stick at least once a year due to them failing/breaking. As far as the software goes, I feel like they made it way over complicated and that it would be far better if it were intuitive enough that I could figure it out with out a tutorial video. To each their own but I will be avoiding VKB products in the future.
I just purchased a Winwing setup 4 days ago. I didn't know this existed. I hope I don't regret it! Shipping cost to China will hurt.
Awesome review, please keep it up!😊
Very good video thanks man, I just ordered mongoose my self, I don't like the layout of neither throttles, but VPC just has a bit more of what I want, we'll see how it actually performs not sure yet. I like to stick to 1 Company instead of mixing it up! Just rolling in to the sim world with higher tier peripherals though. Hopefully they won't disappoint, because it ain't cheap. Nice BMS video as well. Good channel. Definitely worth subscribing to!
Thanks. The VPC throttle i do like. I like especially how compact it is.
4:59 Thrustmaster does have SOME upgrade options in their throttle range, namely you can buy the F-16 throttle without the button panel, and then add the panel later, and the TCA Airbus throttle also has an addon that adds more controls to the left and right sides of the throttle.
'Hang on, there's a Viper throttle?' I just said to myself. Sure enough, the TQS is out. Well now what do I do? 😅
@@MrChristoferoful You get the WinWing Orion 2 with the F-16 throttle grip and detent system. Costs about the same and looks less crappy. =)
Figures that they would finally release a sweet combat-airframe-focused throttle instead of their standard vanilla THQ like 6 months AFTER I bit the bullet and bought their GNX WWII Throttle Combo. Now I have throttle envy.
thanks for the video, appreciated.
to get around that bathroom scale problem (also use it when required to weight animals), weight yourself with item. then weight yourself without, and get the difference.
I would like to see VKP drop the throttle handles and develop the base as a multifunction switch/axis panel. Something similar to the Virpil CP, CP-2 and KA-50. The ability to swap switch and button types would make it enormously attractive. Especially for those who already have a different throttle.
The Rotary knobs I find quite useful for the HIND and Mig-21 for weapon selection in VR.
TL;DR Winwing good and VKB also good.
I really love my Winwing, with a couple BIG exceptions. No on handle rotary (zoom). Tool required tension adjustment. And changing or adjusting detents requires finicky screws that are easy to drop into the body. I don't plan on changing throttles, but I LOVE my VKB gladiator NXT. Almost three years, and still going strong.
To re-emphasize the consumer friendly approach: about a year in, I had a weird issue of Y axis drift. I'd have random out of trim issues in DCS. I'd re calibrate. Then fine. But it would come back. Turns out there was a known issue of the MARS (HALL) effect magnets coming loose and rotating. I contacted them and they said they could take it and fix it, or I could try it myself, following established guides. What's funny is that these are way simpler to work on than a potentiometer. There's no contact. A magnet rotates in front of a little chip. No contact. Nothing to clean. This was simply a mechanical issue of a circular magnet not being fully secure. So I popped it out of the gimbal. Dropped some super glue into the enclosure. Stuck the magnet in. Reassembled. Problem free simming for two years since.
Sure it shouldn't have happened... But sometimes, you need to see someone screw up in order to see what they're made of. They stand behind their product and their customers. And even after having to fix it and take it apart myself, and lots of travel, the axes are still razor sharp. I could run dead zones at 0 if my hands were that steady.
Highly tempted!!
Thanks for the review！
My pleasure!
Interesting review... i currently have the original mongoose T-50 (the longer/heavier one with the rounded throttle handles) which i like quite alot, its very solid, and so far the only thing i've been tempted away from it for is the winwing orion (which i've never had a chance to try and seems very polarising, some hate, some love).. But my mongoose is starting to have a few issues.
The thing thats holding me back with the stecs is I 100% agree with you on the extension module, to me its so much wasted space that could have many more useful controls on it given the size. Plus the buttons to me (when i got to play with a friends) feel a bit cheap and plasticy. I really wish they could have compacted that area down though cause the throttle bodies and control layout on them felt quite nice. I could just get the mini or the mini plus, but theres alot of extra features with the standard that arent included with either. So im still torn.
I also have a gunfighter mk 3 pro twist and as much as love it, the buttons/multiway hats on it do sometimes feel a bit plasticy (though not the analogue stick) and less rigid/solid compared to the virpil (like the vkb has more play in its buttons or something, they can move left and right more than they should or something), but i prefer the vkb base/software over the virpil versions. Hard to actually describe that well, but i think anyone who's tried those two grips probably knows what i mean.
The last thing is, I dont realy like the look of the extension module and the controls that arent on the throttles, they just kinda look "cheap" and a toy-ish, similar to what i'd expect from logitech.. So im still torn...
Actually, I know what it is, when my son was a toddler he used to have a play center which was really just a bunch of knobs and levers he could play with and all VKB extension modules remind me of that (not just the stem but also the GNX extension modules). They just have this look about them like they're made for children unlike the virpil control panel and the winwing PCR panel which look very serious and mature.
You can also add sem modules. I added a sem v to the front of my standard throttle, so you have even more options to customize it with
Which one, the GNX one?
I love the multiposition switch on the mongoose, i use it as the master mode of the viggen!
I love it too. Very useful to change weapon type quicky in e.g Hind.
same :D
Also works good as a virtual axis in IL2 as 5 position oil radiator and inlet cowls in 20% increments. Don't need any more granular radiators than that.
@@Taipan303 good idea
Thanks for the review
Great Review! Thanks!
I have 2 VKB NXT Evo sticks and they are amazing. I am using the Thrustmaster TWCS throttle. I use Target software to create "virtual throttle" to emulate F1, F2, F10, F3 keys. This is to use the Textbot on the Enigma server. I can press the "Communications Menu" on the VKB stick and find friendlies or the Bogey dope for the enemy. So, I mapped 5 buttons for these actions on the throttle. This way, I do not have to remove my hands off the throttle or the VKB stick when asking for Bogey Dope or Friendly Picture. I don't know if the VKB Throttle software will allow me to do the same thing. This is the only thing keeping me from switching to VKB throttle
To weigh a light object with a bathroom scale, first weigh yourself, and then weigh yourself holding the object, and subtract.
Bathroom scales are way too inaccurate to do that, unless the object is very heavy
thank god i waited, now i can afford a throttle and stick upgrade from my x52 for nearly price as just a t3 mongoose.
Just ordered the standard! 😊
If I were looking for a new throttle this would be top of my list. As things are having had a Virpil CM3 for over a year, it's just not worth switching for me. Good video though, hardware reviews are always interesting.
Thanks for stopping by again Fraggsta
Awesome Review!
I went from warthog to the CM3, I can’t explain, but it didn’t catch me. The index TDC bothers me too, maybe it’s time to try the STECS. Would be awesome a STECS Ultimate.
VKB is great, got a stick from them, but what about the Winwing Orion2? I like that it is a replica of the FA18 throttle.
15:33 This is by no means a constant. The F-15, F-22 and A-10 platforms (possibly some others but those are the ones I know for certain) have the TDC control under the middle finger, but on the flipside the F/A-18 has it under the index finger, and the AV-8B, F-16 and F-35 have it under the thumb. Outside the US, I know the Typhoon has it under the index finger, while almost everything French, the Tornado, the Gripen and JF-17 at least have it under the thumb. And of course rear seaters everywhere seem to use thumb TDCs. As an aberration, Russians put theirs on the flight stick, not the throttle, and naturally I have no dang clue what the Chinese are up to.
So all in all I think the thumb TDC might actually be the most common layout. That said real life sticks also have either linear throttles (F-35, Typhoon, Rafale, Gripen etc.) or WAY longer levers (everything else) than our controllers do, so the throttle grips don't rotate as much due to the pivoting of the lever arms. For some the large amount of angle change has been an issue with a side mounted thumb TDC, messing up their sense of "which way is up?"