STECS Throttle System Mk.II - Standard

I was using a HOSAS setup using a pair of Gladiator EVOs, and while that was fine, it lacked enough independent buttons and switches, and placed too much function on the throttle thumb that meant too much layering and the functions feeling crowded.

I swapped the left stick out for the STECS throttle with the STEM, and it instantly felt so much better. More comfortable to use, lots more buttons and rotaries to control space/air craft more intuitively, and with finger hats I can control thrusters much more easily and with less muscling up than the HOSAS setup seemed to need. The detent system is really easy and I like that you can swap out detents so that you can customise for different craft. Everything that can be customised makes it feel like you get more feedback from the throttle, and this reduces the mental load in combat, or with tricky landings.

My only gripe is that I can't find comprehensive documentation about how to properly configure everything. The YouTube videos are great, but don't cover the edge cases, and don't help when trying to push the limits of the hardware, or want to understand which register a switch belongs to. Switching HATS between 5-way or ministick took me way too long to figure out, yet was as easy as holding a couple of switches and plugging the device in, but this was kind of difficult to find out.

Overall, I rate this device. I am very happy with this setup, and wish I'd bought this a year ago. It's brilliant to use, feels better quality in the build than the price suggests, and is definitely a setup I'll be recommending to others.

The STECS Standard from VKB Australia is an outstanding piece of gear. The build quality is superb, and the control feel is precise and responsive — exactly what you'd expect from VKB. Customer service was excellent as always, with helpful communication and attention to detail. A great addition to any serious sim setup. Thanks VKB Australia!

Let me start with my only two complaints because that's what most of you will be looking for. I didn't buy it sooner and now I'm spending all my time playing with the buttons.

In all seriousness it is an amazing throttle. Not only is on par with other throttles cost wise but it in my opinion beats them for functionality and versatility. The Franky ludicrous amount of buttons/encoders/hats ect and the interchangeability of them to design the throttle however you want is something I was missing with other throttles. The detent system is amazing. I never thought I wanted the detents but now having them and seeing how easy they are to use and work with I could never go without. The build quality is as good if not better as any other mainstream throttle and it doesn't feel like I could break it even If I dropped it.

More importantly thank all of that, the VKB team seem to actually care about their customers and listen to them. This is not my first VKB product I also own the pedals, gunfighter and gladiator. The few problems I've had with the products the VKB team have been right there to help me within a day at the longest which is more valuable than any other aspect of their products.

I'd be surprised that the the STECS doesn't become THE sim throttle for DCS and similar games. I couldn't recommend this enough, even if you can't afford the standard get the mini, the option to upgrade in affordable steps is there and will only get better in the future.

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.

Pretty good product