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VKB Gladiator joystick project

Sokol1

By Sokol1
in Hardware, Software and Controllers

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LLv34_Temuri

LLv34_Temuri

Posted
Posted

I've been following this project for quite some time now, and have been through all the various press-releases, web sites, forums posts, etc., but I remain totally perplexed as to where I could buy a Gladiator-Pro in Europe. I appreciate the links with press information, pictures, stats, discussion, etc., but could someone please point me to the European sales web page where I can make an actual purchase?

This.

  • Upvote 1
Yogiflight

Yogiflight

Posted
Posted

The Pro is also in stock, I just had a look. But if you buy it from Germany, you have to pay additional $63.38 for shipping and Import Fees Deposit, for the normal it is $33.79.

So better wait until you can buy it here.

6./ZG26_5tuka

6./ZG26_5tuka

Posted
Posted (edited)

Gladiator Pro is expected to be availabel in September inn the VKB Europe store. At leats that's what I read last time I checked.

Edited by 6./ZG26_5tuka
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71st_AH_Mastiff

71st_AH_Mastiff

Posted
Posted

So it went from June to July to now September? What?!

dburne

dburne

Posted
Posted

So it went from June to July to now September? What?!

 

 

Hoping that does not mean now the Gunfighter will be delayed even longer...

Cheebs

Cheebs

Posted
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Any updates on the gladiator plus model? The one with attached large throttle and extra buttons. Thanks.

6./ZG26_5tuka

6./ZG26_5tuka

Posted
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So it went from June to July to now September? What?!

Well the very first announced release of the Gladiator was October 2015, than Dec 15/ Feb 16. The later announcement for June was only for the US and russian market. Recently Eduart (VKB's retail partner for Europe) siad he expects arrival of the first batch of Gladiator Pros from the factory in September.

 

Not sure when the Asian model (Cobra V6) is going to be availabel in Europe.

Edited by 6./ZG26_5tuka
1Sascha

1Sascha

Posted
Posted (edited)

So it went from June to July to now September? What?!

So many "variables" on a project like this.

 

Could be a Hardware- and/or Software-issue. Could be down to an issue with the factory assembling the sticks. Could be an issue with a supplier who makes a critical component. Or it could be something completely unrelated to production ... like an issue with distribution and/or legal issues re sales in different regions.

 

I'm pretty sure they don't have a dedicated factory making nothing but Gladiators for them. More likely it'll be a factory that makes all sorts of products and they'll have to reserve production-time, machinery and man-power to accommodate the project. Remember: We're not talking about a company like VW or Ford who have their own facilities to build/assemble their products. Heck.. and even those guys rely heavily on third party suppliers for a lot of components.

 

The important part is that the sticks *are* going to hit the stores this year. Seeing how the first examples of the non-Pro are already being shipped, I'm confident that we'll see both the Pro and the Gunfighter later this year, too.

 

 

S.

Edited by 1Sascha
Sokol1

Sokol1

Posted
  • Author
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Sascha,

 

You resume things very well, be reading in the other forum, is seem that first batch was delayed a ~mount because the contracted factory don't use the correct specified components in assembly, so was need start again.

In the end their managers complain that are forced to raised their quality standards. :)

 

G-940 PR man say that their RD cost 200.000$ at time, and this HOTAS was killed on market because the save of some 0,0$ in wire lengths and low quality potentiometers.

 

 

 

 

skline00

skline00

Posted
Posted

In the "for whatever it's worth" department, I just received the new Gladiator flight stick and it is FANTASTIC!

 

My old MS Force Field 2 stick is just that, old. It has taken some time to get used to this stick but it is MUCH more responsive to your movement.

  • Upvote 1
1Sascha

1Sascha

Posted
Posted

LOL.. already saw you posting that over on the DCS-boards... but I still can't read Russian.. sadly ... ;)

 

 

S.

Sokol1

Sokol1

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User video:

 

 

Trigger flip @ 2:24 - in this model installed the metal trigger from gift keychain.

  • Upvote 1
1Sascha

1Sascha

Posted
Posted

User video:

 

 

Trigger flip @ 2:24 - in this model installed the metal trigger from gift keychain.

OMG! :o:

 

Let's hope he won't cut off his finger with that ultra-dangerous trigger... ;)

 

Thanks for the link!

 

S.

  • 1CGS
LukeFF

LukeFF

Posted
  • 1CGS
Posted

 

 

Trigger flip @ 2:24 - in this model installed the metal trigger from gift keychain.

 

The metal trigger is being installed by VKB before being shipped - at least, that's how it was with the Vintage Black Mamba. 

Sokol1

Sokol1

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

:nea:

 

post-979-0-37389100-1468405132.jpg

 

http://forum.il2sturmovik.ru/topic/3586-oficialnyj-anons-9112015-gladiator-fat-mamba-virtualnye-torm/page-10?do=findComment&comment=431796

 

BTW - This metal trigger is a gift for Russian pre-orders only because they have to wait more for receive joysticks.

 

More about the Gladiator "soft" center:

 

 

"First, Gladiator was designed for maneuvering air combat (dogfights), and not for "Kosmosimov".

 

;)

Edited by Sokol1
  • 1CGS
LukeFF

LukeFF

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Posted

:nea:

 

Hence why I said - "at least, that's how it was with the Vintage Black Mamba." 

MaxVonDayGlow

MaxVonDayGlow

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Any word on when the Gladiator Pro's will start shipping to the USA?

Skoop

Skoop

Posted
Posted (edited)

^ Not sure exactly, but I just got an email alert from amazon that the glad pro was available so I promptly ordered one.  The amazon order details stated product will arrive between August 16th and the 26th.  Got a pretty good deal being a prime member, awesome that vkb arranged the option to use amazon.  It worked out so well, that I even upgraded my mkII pedals to the new and improved mkIV pedals.

Edited by Skoop
dburne

dburne

Posted
Posted

^ Not sure exactly, but I just got an email alert from amazon that the glad pro was available so I promptly ordered one.  The amazon order details stated product will arrive between August 16th and the 26th. 

 

Good to hear progress apparently being made on the Pro.

 

I am still holding out to see what the Gunfighter brings, will be interesting to hear thoughts on the Pro when folks start receiving them.

=362nd_FS=Hiromachi

=362nd_FS=Hiromachi

Posted
Posted

I checked amazon and its indeed possible to place an order, but if one lives in EU that makes it almost 100 $ more expensive (VAT, shipping and that kinds of stuff). The 250$ price grows by 90 $, so I think I'm gonna skip it in favor of standard Gladiator, even with shipping its not bad.

 

Also, did anyone already see any decent reviews in English ? I tried to look around and couldnt really find anything yet.

Sokol1

Sokol1

Posted
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Posted (edited)

No in depth review as found until now, more the typical impressions after "15 minutes" of use, or like in Amazon complains that don't receive a "Warthog for 99$" (like they complain about X-55 not be a "Warthog for 199$").  More informative there is one made by the user Rosenthal.

 

https://www.amazon.com/review/R29SKFGT186MJU/ref=cm_cr_dp_cmt?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B01G6GT49O&channel=detail-glance&nodeID=468642&store=videogames#wasThisHelpful

 

From Reddit:

 

https://www.reddit.com/r/hotas/comments/4u9rhm/vkb_gladiator_ch_throttle_pro_review/d5om3xi

 

Anyway since Warthog release no good joystick review like this was published, X-55/56 ones was more a "product description" with focus in programming soft...  :rolleyes:

 

When you receive your make a good review, focused in what matter for WWII dogfights - if the joystick help or not put the "piper over the bandit".  ;)

 

IMO - The best option for EU for now is buy from China like Russians are done - if this was not forbid by that "commercial agreements" - will take more time for receive but the shipping is more affordable.

Edited by Sokol1
=362nd_FS=Hiromachi

=362nd_FS=Hiromachi

Posted
Posted

Amazon has it for 99 $ + 51 $ for shipping, taxes and import fees. Not sure where and how could I get one like that from China :/ 

The worst thing however is the fact that in case of any problems warranty will be useless since nobody can sort this things in EU with standard Gladiator. 

Sokol1

Sokol1

Posted
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Posted (edited)

Try buy from China by this page or through the email in this page with Ms. Daisy - at least is from here that people outside USA buy Mamba Mk.III previous to this ..."commercial imbroglio".  :biggrin:

 

But, I think the guy from Flightsimcontrols don't update their sales page simple because he don't receive the new products to be able to sell then, is matter of wait more... "two weeks, be sure". :)

Edited by Sokol1
Sokol1

Sokol1

Posted
  • Author
Posted

If any Gladiator user want lock their "twist" movement, e.g. for use external rudder pedals, remove the palm rest and on right side of grip turn the screw in a small hole. Caution to don't turn much the screw because inside the tube pass the cables.

Yogiflight

Yogiflight

Posted
Posted (edited)

Thanks for this info, Sokol. I was already thinking, if this is possible, however from the film you posted yesterday, it seemsd the twist movement is not that easy, that it would disturb too much, but it is surely better, if you can lock it, when using rudder pedals.

BTW, today I found the Gladiator on Amazon in Germany for 288 Euro, which is 322 Dollars and the Pro for 620 Euro, Which is 693 Dollars sold by someone in the States. Crazy!

Edited by Yogiflight
Jason_Williams

Jason_Williams

Posted
Posted

Thanks for this info, Sokol. I was already thinking, if this is possible, however from the film you posted yesterday, it seemsd the twist movement is not that easy, that it would disturb too much, but it is surely better, if you can lock it, when using rudder pedals.

BTW, today I found the Gladiator on Amazon in Germany for 288 Euro, which is 322 Dollars and the Pro for 620 Euro, Which is 693 Dollars sold by someone in the States. Crazy!

 

Please show me a screenshot of these for sale on German Amazon.

 

Jason

Sokol1

Sokol1

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

Thanks for this info, Sokol. I was already thinking, if this is possible, however from the film you posted yesterday, it seemsd the twist movement is not that easy, that it would disturb too much, but it is surely better, if you can lock it, when using rudder pedals.

 

 

I think that even with rudder pedal the twist axis can be useful, for example as brakes axis for Russian/Italian planes. ;)

 

Please show me a screenshot of these for sale on German Amazon.

 

"VKB sim" or "VKB Gladiator" in Amazon.de show this seller, seems from San Fancisco, CA - sell China goods.

 

 

https://www.amazon.de/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?__mk_de_DE=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=VKB+Sim&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3AVKB+Sim

Edited by Sokol1
Yogiflight

Yogiflight

Posted
Posted (edited)

Yep, exactly that´s the offer.

Edited by Yogiflight
Sokol1

Sokol1

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

Gladiator (non PRO) for EU customers: AIRROW Flightstick by Speedlink (hardware peripherals distributor - not manufacturer - sold OEM goods made in China under his brand):

 

4027301432244xxl.jpg

 

https://www.data4u.ch/packshot/PCZ/PEX0HW73667/PEX0HW73667_1.jpg

 

http://www.speedlink.com/?p=2&cat=214&pid=39315&paus=1 - In product page the images links are broken for now.

 

As explained before a "budget" version of VKB Gladiator with ordinary potentiometer in twist rudder axis, not input for T-Rudder or other VKB controllers, simplified firmware without support for load custom profiles.

 

Pre-order in France Switzerland - it seems that these "simplifications" have not reflected in the price...   :P

 

https://www.exlibris.ch/fr/jeux/pc/accessoires/speedlink-airrow-flightstick-black/id/4027301432244

Edited by Sokol1
6./ZG26_5tuka

6./ZG26_5tuka

Posted
Posted (edited)

Still waiting for Eduart to announce the price for the European shipped Pro's although I doubt it will be affrodable for me with added shipping and taxes.

 

If the Speedlink stick does not compromise any structural integredy or precision of the stick it might actually be a good compromise (the link above says 92€ which surely isn't much cheaper than the Gladiator).

Edited by 6./ZG26_5tuka
=362nd_FS=Hiromachi

=362nd_FS=Hiromachi

Posted
Posted (edited)

Dennis, I tried to compare it and if you take a look at the amazon T-rudder MK IV and Gladiator Pro got same price and similar shipping/taxes (250 $ + 87-95 $), so I went directly on VKB Eu and checked the price of T-rudder pedals MK IV - its 197 Euro - but without 21 % Vat, so actual price for any Eu citizen is aprox 240 Euro. I got no idea whats the shipping cost on https://flightsimcontrols.com/store/ - that website is so badly done and so its not easy to find any details. But if anything, price of T-rudder should be quite good indicator of what to expect. 

Edited by =LD=Hiromachi

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