Im getting a new joystick, and im looking for a good desktop joystick. It stands between the vkb nxt or TH warthog. Very interested in feedback from people with either of them or even better if you have tried both.
Im currently using a vkb gladiator. Its getting a bit worn and it doesnt have that much travel so im lookikg for one with more travel and quality.
At first the TH warthog was the obvious choice, but now im not so sure its the case in 2021, especially if the build design is the same as ten years ago.
How is the NXT compared to the gladiator? If its pretty similar in handling im not so interested considering i have had the gladiator for 4 years. My main complaint with it is that the centerpoint of the stick is not so well defined.
So, a joystick thats relativly stiff, with a good ammount of axis travel is ideal.
Not interested in a HOTAS
Sorry it got posted in wishlist, dont know how
I moved it to #self-service:peripherals and I hope someone will be able to offer advice to your query.
Regards!
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I take it you are using pedals also. The TH warthog does not come with Z axis (rotation for Yaw control). The VKB gladiator does if you buy the " GNX SCG âKosmosimaâ Premium Grip:" version.
I have used the TH warthog. The build quality was very good. The calibration seemed ok for the brief spell I tried it. I sold it on though due to the Z axis not being available. Other than that I had no real complaints. Buttons are a bit stiff to start, but I would expect them to loosen fairly quickly with use. The TH warthog is still fairly well sought after.
I have never used a VKB gladiator NXT.
My current joystick is the a Virpil constellation alpha with a VPC WarBRD base. This is a healthy step up from the TH warthog I had use of.
Iâve had the warthog stick since it first came out, and I would recommend avoiding it entirely.
The throttle is pretty decent, but the stick has many problemsâŠ
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The single ball gimbal is made of cheap plastic, which is a poor choice given the weight of the stick, and is easily broken if slightly mishandled.
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The gimbal is not properly polished or lubricated and picks up a tremendous amount of dust, which leads to what users call âsticktionâ. This results in uneven friction across the stickâs travel, which makes precision flying difficult and annoying. Constant maintenance is needed to keep it performing well⊠if the word âwellâ is even appropriate.
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The stick does have a strong centerpoint, but itâs far too strong in my opinion, even with the main (poorly designed) spring removed. The breakout force is too high for small precise corrections.
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The stick is highly sensitive to any static discharge, especially around the metal ring at the base. I bricked my first one after walking a few feet over carpet and touching the ring.
The only good things I can say about the stick are that its ergonomics are pretty good, and the buttons are well made and durable over the long term, and that for its day it was the best available.
Today though it is just an enormously overpriced annoyance. I would never buy another. Pretty much any VKB or Virpil product is superior. Even the winwing stuff seems far better on paper at least (never tried one).
I am still quite happy with the throttle though, never had a single issue with that.
Cheers.
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2K hours w/my Warthog. If you can swing the price, DO IT! The weight and build quality are second to none. Itâs steel and you can tell. I can fly anything from the 78X to the F-14 without changing a thing with the way Iâve mapped it. I also have a F/A 18C Hornet stick I can swap out in seconds. It ainât cheap by any means, but itâs super worth it!
This is why i am on the fence about the warthog. Some people are very satisfied and some complain about the plastic gimbal easily breaking because of the heavy steel.
Im sure its a good stick, but cant help but feel like the price tag is related to the ammont of metal used.
The price isnt really the issue, considering how much i will use the new stick.
Have also been considering the vkb gunfighter whitch is even more expensive.
When you use it in msfs, do you modify the curves at all?
Does it require a nudge to get past the center detendt?
I havenât touched the curves or dead zones at all. I use the defaults.
Yes, the warthog does require significant force to nudge from center (breakout force). This can be lessened by removing the large center spring, but the stick will still require more force than it should and the breakout is never clean and smooth, which for precison flying it really needs to be, especially for that kind of money.
As for the metal in the stick, that is cheap stuff as well. It feels quality only because itâs heavy.
In my opinion you are vastly better off getting a VKB gunfighter. It has the best and smoothest cam setup in the market, even better than Virpilâs, and the build quality is second to none. Short of a Brunner force feedback stick ($$$$) there is no finer stick that Iâm aware of. If you really want to use a warthog grip on either a VKB or Virpil base they both have adapters available as well.
Another nice feature of the gunfighter is replaceable/adjustable cams and springs. You can choose the resistance and centering force you want independently. Both the VKB and Virpils can handle extensions as well, which the warthog is far too heavy for. Even a small 10cm extension can provide a massive improvement in precision around center for small corrections (amazing for close formation flight etc).
Cheers.
Donât have experience with the warthogâŠonly had âcheapâ thrustmaster force feedback in the past. I have had the VKB Gladiator NXT (plus version) for about 4 months. I have nothing to complain about with this stick. I didnât know a stick could be so good. It is super configurable (albeit can be complicated for super advanced functions). You can setup like 40+ buttons (using one as a shift), axis as buttons, button as axis, encoders as axis or button, repeating buttons, etc. I have no problem with center and you can get a parts kit with it that comes with stronger springs if you want more tension. Its super sensitive. I easily use it for helicopters yet can throw it around in IL2 for combat. It does not have a clutch⊠so, as others have mentioned, you might want to look at their even higher end sticks that do.
IMHO, I think VKB blows away any of the other âbig companyâ sticks at any price point. No, I do not work for VKB.
Thanks for the info, that sounds promising. I decided to order the Gladiator NXT myself, i have heard nothing but good things about it and it seems like a safe bet.
You say its super sensitive? How does that translate into the flying quality in MSFS?
I got the premium one so i guess i can change springs.
Are you using any curves on the axis in MSFS?
i am hoping i will be able to have none, or very little and still controll aircraft in the sim confortably.
