STECS Throttle System - Max

This HOTAS is a dream to use. So many options with the button swap system, software and very smooth throttle advancement. with a lot of buttons to map it has added to the immersion and ease of flying...I literally don't need to touch the keyboard for any flying now. I love this thing and would 100% recommend. It is a huge upgrade from my TM Warthog.

I have recently bought the STECS Throttle System - Max. The packaging is highly professional and the delivery was only 3 days which is Australia is impressive. I primarily play Star Citizen and the throttle is excellent for this. Easy to set up and the detent (using the W at the 50% mark) allows me to feel where the forward/reverse point is. Lots of buttons and switches to use although I am unsure if a HAT can replace the button at the MB2 position, I tried it and it didnt work. Not a big deal just the position fits a HAT.

The STEM is great and is easily adaptable for my needs.

The ATEN is good but I feel let down by the plastic safety covers for ARMED/SAFE. I keep catching my sleeve on them and as there is no spring to push them back down they then annoy me a bit. A spring for these in future would be a nice to have upgrade which I would buy.

I am hoping that at some point in the future VKB will make a panel specifically for Star Citizen players with the power triangle and some labelled butons to suit us. Until then this is a much appreciated upgrade from my X56 which was fine for what it was and how much I paid for it.

Finally I think this product is well worth the amount I paid for it and I am looking forward to many years of use.

Question. Is there anywhere that has a button map picture for me to print out so I can write down on it what each button has been assigned to. Tried the internet but theres not much out there. Maybe a way to print out from the Device Config utility with user labels a picture of the device and its config. Just a suggestion.

A full disclaimer: I exclusively (when time allows) play Elite Dangerous in VR, it's a hobby I love - and this is a non biased review from not a technically minded person.

Years back when I started playing ED i always knew I wanted to try a hotas, this is long before VR. My starter setup was an old hotas and it lasted remarkably well. However as time went by I felt the urge to spoil myself to an upgrade. It took six months of reviews, and reading to settle on a direction, Hosas or Hotas? Purely out of simple preference I decided to upgrade my throttle and decided on the VKB Max.

The main reason I chose the Max was simply because I could easily customise it to emulate the button and hat layout my fingers where muscle trained to.

Once I had done this - via the easily navigable software package, I was set to go. That's when the magic happened for me. I needed to change a hat - go to the youtube tutorial - bingo - easy. I needed to tinker with setting detents - video tutorial - bingo. Whatever I needed to the info was easily accessible - nailed it. After settling in to the new throttle and software the real benefits began to show, button choice, paddle choice, detents, comfort and feel all happened and over a week I went from the comfort of what I knew to a real game changing experience.

After moving beyond what I was so used to I really settled into this throttle and it has been a long time since I have played Elite and with a controller said 'awww yeah man - that's cool'.

TLDR: I love this thing and I can't overstate it. It is absolutely perfect for me. When I have the cash I am returning for the pedals!!! With just this one product alone I will be a repeat customer.

Excellent.

Heaps of buttons, pretty well laid out, detent system is great.

I realised I bought this from a rip off site, sorry for the bad review…