Another vote for the VKB Gladiator. It’s design and build quality is in a completely different league from anything made by Thrustmaster or Logitech, even their expensive models.
When you feel the quality of movement against your T16000, you’ll kick yourself for not having got one from the off.
All the sensors are contactless and it has proper bearings throughout and a very good gimbal design whereby you can adjust the spring weight and damping.
I did over 1,000 flying hours with mine, and it still looked and felt exactly the same as the day I unboxed it. If in the future you want to add more functionality, VKB offer modules for flaps & gear etc., separate throttles and the excellent FSM-GA autopilot panel mentioned above. These can all be mounted to the Gladiator or separately, as you prefer. The icing on the cake is the superb and very powerful calibration and configuration software that comes with a VKB component.
Boring, but yet another vote for the gladiator .
I liked it so much i bought another one just for helicopter flying (removed the internal springs) and the addon modules are great.
Hi All,
Ive come to a decision.
All joysticks suggested were considered.
This includes the:
-Turtle Beach Velocity One
-X52
-VKB Gladiator
The VKB Gladiator Army in particular made a compelling case. I like the additional components that can be purchases and most definitely the highest quality joystick of all mentioned. I nearly purchased it.
But what at first was the joke of all entries won for me. I went with the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro (now $49 CDN).
Why? Because of its simple design (personal preference: buttons in all the right places) and ability to work reliably for 10+ years. If indeed they dont build them like they used to then I will happily try one of the other suggestions (probably the VKB Gladiator).
For $49CDN I really cant lose.
Thanks to all who helped. Not planning to delete this thread (if thats even possible)… may be useful for others.
Thanks.
The Logitech is the least “glamorous” of all the choices out there, but it’s perfectly functional and reliable. Mine worked flawlessly for seven or eight years before I replaced it with the Turtle Beach. And you can’t beat the price!
Hi fellows! I´m looking for aq new Joystick to use with FS 2020, in fact a simple one. I would like to know if anybody have a list or could indicate where I could find of joystick models that have a automatic profile in the FS 2020, I mean when you plug the joystick the FS 2020 recognize it and asume a profile and configuration for it so it isnt necessary to mape it.
Thanks in advence!
The extreme 3D pro does this, at least for me. MSFS came with the notification keep default settings, then I checked the mapping and all buttons were assigned to something.
I’m working on a review video.
-Bram
SkyLane
Of an entry level joystick that has been on the market for 20 years?
This site has the default button map for the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro:
Hi fellows! I´m planing to buy a new joystick (of course one that I can afford). I´m in doubt betwen the models Logitech extreme 3D pro and Thrustmaster T.1600M FCS. Anyone have experience with T 16000M? Tkanks in advance for your help.
Maybe some helpfull info over here:
Here you go. Yes it’s a cheap flight stick but just a great choice even for the long run. Still performs sitting next to my honeycomb alpha.
-Bram
SkyLane
The VKB Gladiator is a pretty easy recommendation because it’s a good design, well made and has a good price.
VKB also have products which are the next tier up (at which point Virpil and Win Wing ought to get a look at also)
For right handed military aviation enthusiast’s with deep pockets the VKB Modern Combat Grip Ultimate on their Gunfighter gimbal is probably the way to go…
If anyone is interested in trying one, I can confirm the VKB MCGU grip and Gunfighter base make an awesome joystick.
I started out with a Hotas X, and have been through a T16000M and X-56 before I got a Gladiator NXT Evo. The Gladiator performed faultlessly for over 1,000 flying hours in MSFS.
Looking to upgrade further, I was lucky enough to be able to borrow a Virpil Mongoose combo from a friend for a few days, and compare it with the VKB MCGU. Everything else was returned, retired or binned - the MCGU and Gunfighter IV really is in a totally different league compared to anything else I’ve had my hands on.
Yup. Sure they cost more but you feel where all that money went the moment you put your hands on quality peripherals.
The same just happened to me and I returned the joystick to Amazon for a refund. I posted here today about what to replace it with and many folks suggest the VKB Gladiator Evo NXT.
The T1600m FCS is rubbish. I’ve just returned mine for refund after a few months due to jitter on the Z axis which is a common fault.
Agreed.
As an update to this thread, I am very happy with the ultra cheap Logitech Extreme 3D Pro I purchased to replace it.
This thread has reminded me what a great buy my MS Sidewinder Force Feedback II was what? 20 years ago? For Christmas I bought a complete TM T16000M kit (joystick, throttle and rudder pedals) and, while I love the throttle and pedals, the joystick was just not up to the standard of the MS FFB stick. So I put that back and use it with the TM throttle and rudder: great combo!
Will have to bookmark this thread for the dreaded day my MS joystick dies…
@ SlabsFly:
I purchased the pre-USB Sidewinder force-feedback Pro & loved using it. Had to retire it when Midi ports were no longer supported by Windows.
Replaced it with the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro, many years ago (10+? I don’t recall the exact year). I’ve never had a problem with it and am still using it.