Gladiator Controllers

I came from a Saitek stick and was looking for a simpler and WWII style stick. I didn't need a plethora of buttons and hat controls as I use head tracking and my other peripherals for most aeroplane systems.
I had tried other makes of sticks that friends owned and didn't like the feel or the operation of them, but when I tried the VKB gladiator WWII that another friend owned I was convinced this was the stick I was looking for.
I was pleasantly surprised by the price as the gladiator feels, operates and has the build quality of sticks at a much higher price point.
I will definitely be looking at some more VKB gear. An added F14 stick seems to be calling to be in my future.

I've been using a set of two of these with the left in an omni throttle for about two weeks straight and I'm impressed, it's got some getting used to, I kept it default just to break it in and see what I'm dealing with and very happy with it. I think now I've gotten used to it with the out of the box setup I'm going to switch to a soft space axis and maybe stronger springs and this is fantastic because all of those things come in the box so whenever you feel it's no longer working for your setup you can change it, eventually when I get a full desk setup I really like that all the parts I need are pretty much here I'd have to get the stick extension but that's kind of a bonus because of how module this has been I'm happy that it's capable of being in almost any setup, so while it's just sitting on my desk, for now, knowing I can change it later without needing to really buy a whole new stick is why I gravitated towards these sticks and I didn't want to have like buyers remorse for going cheap now and having to buy again later so I just kinda went all in with what I could and am so pleased.

I've now been using this for two weeks straight, and thus far no issues whatsoever, the installation was the scariest part but I am a first-time user of anything like this. If it's your first time just heads up when installing the grip if you have to make adjustments when you take it out just be gentle as when I took mine off the grip's internal axis where it plugs in came out this thing has a strong hold on this and the other thing is if you have some wiggle when you move the throttle forward back left and right it's ok just tighten it a little more, mine was loose because I was worried I'd break it and the video said to be gentle and don't overtighten and I ended up under-tightening it so rest assured it's likely not a defect and you're being gentle like I was.

The T-Rudder Mk.V is a sturdy, all-metal build. I had a little trouble adjusting the pedals to the "high" resistance setting (which requires you to essentially disassemble the unit) but once that was done the resistance of the pedals felt great. I have been using them for a few weeks now and they're great, very happy with the purchase.

I’ve spent a couple of weeks with the STECS now and I wish i had bought it sooner.

Amazing customisability, great precision, and the detent system is both simple and excellent.

Great product

If you are primarily into helicopter sims and not concerned with brakes, then these are the perfect pedals for you. If you want brakes then there are sofware add ons that remedy this. They give far better control for tail rotors than any other pedals I've owned. The small footprint make it the perfect size for using under a desk.

VKB's products are perhaps my favourite in the entire flight sim industry, afaik the modularity of VKB's stuff is unmatched. I've bought the STEM, gladiator and one of its extension modules, and they've pretty much all got something you can change/personalise to fit your needs. Everything feels high quality, I thought I'd have an issue with the plastic but its super rigid and doesn't squeak at all, compared to my old X56. VKB will always be the first company I recommend my mates to.

Great uint to add to my other VKB gear.

This is my second VKB purchase after experiencing their fantastic customer service and support.

The build quality of my STECS MKII Max is outstanding and the online videos made it a breeze to assist with moving buttons and re-configuring them.

I do admit that I have too many buttons now, but this is a good thing for a DCS World pilot.

The throttle mechanism is buttery smooth and very precise making it very easy to make micro adjustments when A2A refueling. The ability to adjust the friction is fantastic. The throttle grips fit comfortably in my hand and the front buttons are easily accessible - I am 5' 6" and don't have large hands so I was impressed that I could access all of the buttons, including those on the STEM module which have me reaching to the full extent of my left arm.

The buttons are very well thought out and seem to be of very good quality and I like that I can move them around to suit my needs.

At this stage I have only setup one detent frame and that seems to be all I need...for now.

I am using the throttle on my desktop and I do find that the throttle moves around and sometimes lifts when moving over detents or if the friction is set too strong. This was resolved by attaching some velcro strips to the bottom of the throttle so that it grips my desk mat. I think that purchasing desk mounts for my joystick and the STECS is something I will need to look into to overall improve ergonimics of my setup.

I highly recommend this throttle to someone looking to upgrade or replace an ageing device.

This has been a great purchase. Solid build, easy to install and provides a much higher degree of control. Very happy with my VKB kit.

I was looking to purchase a Gladiator OMNI to go with my existing Gladiator for space simulation, but decided to go with the STECS Mini+ for the extra buttons and functionality. This was the correct decision. The build quality, the sheer number of customization options (both the hardware and software), plus the ability to expand at a later date all combine to make this a fantastic purchase.

I bought this as an upgrade to my first HOTAS stick, an X56. I could have chosen something more economical but once I saw the Gunfighter I couldn’t resist. If you’re going to use something, why buy twice?

The difference is predictably night and day. Its movements are smooth, it’s comfortable to grip, it feels sturdy, and it’s easy to reconfigure in hardware and software. I haven’t once felt short of buttons. It feels professional.

As for the ultimate upgrade, I think the aluminium body was well worth it. There’s nothing wrong with plastic, but I can’t imagine it would feel the same without the extra weight and thermal inertia. It’s cold to the touch. It just feels good.

My measure of money well spent on a premium product is how little it irritates you. Good tools are pleasant in skilled hands (still working on the skill part). The Gunfighter IV easily delivers. I feel no urge to buy another stick, and if it lasts, I doubt I will.

Simply perfect. I have been doing my Flight Sim hobby for over 30 years! Yes this means I am old and fussy. This is hands down the best stick I have ever owned the quality and feel is second to none ..... Buy one!

Wow what a transformation took my flightsim hobby from great the mind blown kapow!
The build quality and feel is exceptional.