I’ve had two of the Thrustmaster HOTAS-X, I would only recommend it if you really can’t afford something better and you can find it for dirt cheap. Just yesterday I dug out the one I still had and tested it and it was nowhere near as good as the VKB Gladiator NXT. I was surprised that I was using that thing for years and after I was done testing it I threw it in the trash. I also have the VKB Gladiator MK II, not made anymore but it’s very good. I think I bought it $100. The VKB Gladiator NXT is currently the best bang for your buck and if you want to upgrade to a better joystick without spending loads of money then it’s certainly the one you want to get.
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Well, I’ve been using mine for over six years and it works perfectly well. No issues at all, nothing broken, no spiking, smooth inputs. I said it doesn’t look as swanky as some of the others, but it does the job and it does it well. It’s easy to say that something is “inferior” when you’ve had experience of something “superior”, but you don’t miss what you’ve never had.
I also said it was even more budget friendly, which it absolutely is. If the difference between €50 and €140 is unnoticeable to you, then more power to you. But for many people that is the difference between being affordable and being out of reach, so cheaper options are always a good thing.
TCA Airbus Joystick plus Logitech (nee Saitek) three lever throttle. The Airbus has a hat switch you can use for trim, and between them 30+ buttons to assign all sorts of uses.
Personally, for Trim, nothing beats an actual wheel. I have the Flight Velocity one. Awesome fine control. One or two nudges gives me very close control over elevator trim.
I would not consider going from a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro to a Thrustmaster HOTAS-X really an upgrade, more of a sidegrade. Again, if money is a problem then sure go for it but the VKB Gladiator NXT is undeniably the current best bang for your buck and if one is willing to spend a bit more more for an objectively better joystick then it’s a no brainer.
I am trying to offer some pretty sound advice to someone looking for a joystick that is better than what they currently have. It’s not like I am saying they should buy from PFC, I have a 737 yoke from them that I paid over $1,000 for.
Again the VKB Gladiator NXT is an extremely good value for your money and if you’re willing to spend a bit then it’s something to seriously consider. OP is looking for an upgrade that won’t break the bank, the NXT fills both of those. The only thing the HOTAS-X does that OP is looking for is a throttle detent which there is only one on the HOTAS-X and that’s in the middle position (it’s quite annoying to be honest).
Note that the peripherals you use can have a substantial impact on your enjoyment in a flight simulator. I used a HOTAS-X for years in XP / P3D / DCS and did for a short while in MSFS. When I got the NXT it was incredible how much more enjoyable my experience was in all of those sims. I don’t regret spending $150 at all. I could have went with the $120 version but because I play DCS I went with the premium.
I guarantee that all it would take is 15 minutes of using an NXT to come to the conclusion that the HOTAS-X doesn’t hold a candle to it and you would take back what you say about the HOTAS-X.
EDIT: Added to post.
Buy once. Cry once.
If you are actually looking for a GOOD stick (well designed, good component choices) then the VKB Gkadiator NXT should be considered as your minimum entry level and ignore the mainstream brands.
For general aviation the Honeycomb bravo throttle quadrant seems to be regarded quite well and in truth the Thrustmaster TWCS throttle is considered a good entry level pairing with the Gladiator NXT once modded.
VKB are likely to release their own GA throttle quadrant soon (THQ) and will follow this with a more “premium” combat type throttle (TECS) which promises to be ■■■■■■ good…when it eventually turns up.
Worth taking a look at Virpil and the rest of VKB’s kit too if you fancy investing a little more.
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This is exactly the combo I use and yes I had to do some stuff on the TWCS.
When a joystick costs almost three times as much as another, you’d absolutely expect it to be a far better piece of equipment overall. However, you are completely and utterly missing the point. You’re making out like I’m suggesting someone should buy a Lada instead of a Mercedes just because it’s cheaper, when I’m clearly not. The OP was asking for options, and I have given him (and anyone else reading this thread) an option that would suit a modest budget. End of story.
Believe it or not, not everyone into flight simulators is rich, and buying equipment isn’t always about what someone is “willing” to spend, it’s more often about what they can afford to spend.
For you perhaps. If you need expensive gear to enjoy your sims then that’s your business, but in six years my “poor-man’s cheap rubbish” HOTAS has never once reduced my immersion or enjoyment in any of the many sims I’ve used it for.
Never once did I say it did. But since you’ve missed the point twice now, I really can’t be bothered with this anymore.
Don’t see how a $120 joystick (at least here in the US) is a far cry from modest in an already expensive hobby but alright. Many will agree the VKB Gladiator NXT is pretty cheap for how good it is. To each their own, won’t see me recommending a HOTAS-X unless they can’t afford the NXT.
I might be trying to push my opinion too hard but as someone who has used the HOTAS-X (been through two of them) I really can’t recommend it unless they are unable to afford something else. Sure, people are absolutely entitled to an opinion but I just feel OP should be getting the best value for the money. I really hate to sound like I am trying to belittle your opinion, I’m sorry if I come across that way.
Maybe I’m not being clear enough here, I sometimes have a problem getting my actual point across.
depending on the wear of your old stick, in particular ‘the jitters’ a liberal spray of contact cleaner to the pots followed by a blast of lubricant may be enough to fix it. I just did my cheapo Thrustmaster and it is now better even than when it was new.
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Just came to the forum to ask the very same question as the OP, also having used a Logitech 3D Pro for the last 15 years (at least).
Looking for a mid-level joystick. I was about to go for the TM T16000M or the Logitech X52 Pro or even the X56, but couldn’t find many good opinions about them. Now, however, having found out about the Gladiator NXT thanks to this thread, I’ve been able to find plenty of positive reviews.
Considering the VKB is significantly cheaper than the X56, can I assume it is still a better option for MFS2020?
Two questions about the Gladiator NXT:
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Can the Premium’s analog ministick be configured to control your view inside the cockpit, so that you can naturally move your view towards the runway as you turn into final, for example? If not with the ministick, what do you normally use to move your view?
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It’s a shame VKB don’t offer any type of throttle quadrant. I mainly intend to fly GA. Which throttle would you recommend to use together with the Gladiator NXT? The Bravo Throttle Quadrant looks great, but I’m just an occasional player so I’m not willing to spend that kind of money just now. It’s too bulky as well for my taste.
The TM TWCS seems to be quite a popular combination with the Gladiator, but I’ve read it’s quite sticky. Also, it doesn’t include a prop/mixture lever, so not quite sure this would be the best option for flying GA.
Then there is the Logitech Throttle Quadrant. Quite inexpensive and I like having 3 different levers. I’ve read some negative comments about it, though, regarding some jitters.
Any other options to consider?
Thanks!
Yes, this is possible but the precision is not as good as using TrackIR (which is what I use).
In this case the stick itself may be enough for you unless you absolutely want a separate throttle. The NXT has a throttle and two rotary encoders (I use the encoders for the mixture and prop).
VKB announced both a GA throttle quadrant (THQ) as part of their entry/mid level series (which the Gladiator NXT is part of)
They also announced a mil aviation style throttle (TECS) - both of which have suffered delay due to covid/supply chain but the most recent rumours place THQ release to be quite soon.
However, nobody has seen not put their paws on either yet so…
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Thanks! I’ll consider TrackIR, hadn’t thought about it, TBH. Would be a nice addition, since it would also be useful for my simracing rig.
Until now, I’ve always used the 3D Pro’s hat switch to control my view and I’m quite used to it. I guess using the Gladiator’s ministick should feel more natural than using a hat switch?
Using the encoders for mixt and prop is a good idea. What do you use for pitch trim in that case?
It’s amazing and a massive game changer.
That is correct.
The hat switch next to the analog stick.
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Thanks for all your feedback and information! I think I’ll definitely go for the Gladiator and will leave the throttle quadrant for later on, after seeing how much I like the stick’s mini throttle lever.
Is the Gladiator’s Premium version really worth the extra 40€? I like the analog ministick it features to be used to control the view, but I don’t think I’ll need the extra trigger switch and hat switch this versions includes.
This really sounds promising. I’ll wait for this THQ throttle quadrant then.
The only reason I got the premium is because I play DCS, a sim where I can make very good use of the extra stuff thrown on the stick. There are also some extra goodies that come with it but I’ve never used them. If you go for TrackIR you can pretty much forget about needing the analog stick, I don’t really use it much in MSFS, only value it has is when I pause TrackIR. I could get away with using the HAT switch though for those moments I do pause TrackIR.
TrackIR is a great idea but I don’t think I’ll go for it right now. I plan to move on to VR or a 3 screen setup for my simracing rig in the mid term, so for the time being I’ll content myself with a hat switch (or the analog ministick if I go for the Premium) in order to control the view.
Fair enough.
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The VKB Gladiator NXT Premium is worth it for the extra springs alone, I think. You can buy them separate, later, but will have to pay for more shipping.
I used the t1600’s and Warthog Stick for years. I got the NXT (left) and had it setup in MSFS to fly Thrustmaster Warthog Right or VKB NXT Left. There is just no comparison when it came to the ease and accuracy of flying with the NXT. That just sold me on getting better gear from now on. I always went with cheaper options before, nothing wrong with the journey. That’s how you get the “Oh My!” moments when you try something new and better. Anyways, here’s a new review of the NXT:
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Yes it worth the difference.
f you use the ministick to control view, you’ll use hat switch for trims, flaps, gear and/or others functions like going to external view and the differents fixed views without using keyboard.
It’s very useful, specially when you record vids of your flights.
In addition, you can use a button as a shifter to mutltiply functions on other ones.
Personnaly I use the trigger up/down + shifter to choose cockpit views (in flight, landing, instruments…).
Anyway, at use you’ll discover you never have enough buttons to bind all you want. 
Concerning the ministick, you can adjust sensitivity, speed and many others settings with the controller program provided with the stick, and finally get the precision you need. The VKB forum is reactive and helpful for programming.
I also have a TrackIR, but I never got used to it. I’m moving to much on my seat !
For throttle, use the one on the Gladiator, the time to see if it’ ok for you, And if not, it will permit you to wait until you find the good one.
Personnaly I use a (lot) modified Saitek quadrant giving me satisfaction, but this would need a separate topic.
The last thing you have to choose is right or left hand grip ? (VKB give you the choice, another difference with competitors).
As you, I fly GA planes and like IRL I have the stick in left hand and the right hand for quadrant, radios, trim wheel and so on.
Voilà, voilà…