The VKB Gladiator is a solid choice.
It is far superior to anything made by Thrustmaster, Logitech or Turtle Beach thanks largely to the gimbal design but also the build quality and software.
All the other brands mentioned use a cheap plastic ball and socket gimbal, even in the expensive sticks like the X56 or Warthog. The gimbal in the Gladiator uses cams working on pincer jaws with adjustable spring weights and independent adjustable damping via dry clutches. From the minute you touch it the flying feel, smoothness, sensitivity and precision are very clearly far better than the ball and socket gimbal products.
The materials used are very good quality, and the electronics are far sturdier than the hair-thin wires, poor sensors and lack of adaptability you’ll find in the mass-market products. It is designed and intended for the user to be able to open it up and add / change configuration.
VKB’s software is another positive - the configuration tool takes a little getting used to (loads of YouTube guides are available) but once mastered it is simple and intuitive, and offers lots of options for calibration, curves and general setup, including changing how the buttons work and the LED’s react.
Over the years I have had a Hotas X, T16000M and X56, all of which were frankly rubbish compared to the Gladiator. I used the VKB stick for over 1,000 flying hours in MSFS, and after that time it still looks and feels as good as new.
I had the means and opportunity to upgrade it around a year ago. A friend of mine has the Virpil Constellation Alpha and Mongoose base, which he let me borrow and try out for a time. The build quality and the action in use of the buttons and axes do feel better than the Gladiator, as you would expect.
To compare side by side with the Gladiator and the Virpil combo, I bought a VKB MCGU grip and Gunfighter IV base, along with the 100mm and 200mm grip extensions, with the intention of returning or selling it on if I didn’t think it was an improvement or worth the upgrade over the others. I kept the VKB combo.
Anyone who claims the difference can’t be felt or isn’t worth the cost has clearly not done a side by side comparison. The MCGU / Gunfighter IV combination felt superior to the Gladiator and the Virpil stick to me in every way - the action of the gimbal is much smoother and more precise, and the adjustment available from the spring weights and dampers make it feel absolutely perfect in the hand, and like a genuine aircraft part as opposed to a game controller. The buttons and hats are very noticeably much nicer than the other two as well - smoother but also more positive and solid feeling.
In short, the VKB Gladiator is a huge improvement over the mass-market products from Logitech, Thrustmaster or Turtle Beach, and stands out at it’s price point as being the entry-level to high-end controls.
If you’re prepared to invest a bit more and want a step up from the Gladiator, the Gunfighter base and MCG or MCGU grip is noticeably much better in every way.