Gladiator Pros are here!

[Sokol1]

In the video the guy is removing CAM 10 - the "light" - think this is default.

 

The same in operation there.

 

In T-Rudder is the inverse, came with "hard" center, leaving the "soft" as option for heli flyers.

Edited September 13, 2016 by Sokol1

[=362nd_FS=Hiromachi]

Ah ok, it  feels soft in mine in the middle. I'm not sure if its good or bad, I've flown couple of missions with this stick. For maneuvering its amazing, absolutely love it. But for precise shooting, after two years of Cobra M5 its not easy to get used to so I'm slowly learning. 

[Sokol1]

I think you should use then a week or two - to get used with the different feeling from M5 - before change the CAM, so will have a better judgement about the "feel" of the two different CAM.

Edited September 13, 2016 by Sokol1

[SOLIDKREATE]

I'm just waiting for the Gunfighter

[Cheebs]

I received my Gladiator Pro today. I like it for the most part, much more accurate coming from the 3d pro. Only thing I can't figure out is in all the videos I have seen with people showing the motion of the stick, there is no "springiness" or wobble to it, it just slowly centers itself. If I try the same thing, pulling it to one side and letting go, it wobbles back and forth for like 5 seconds. I've tried changing out the cams, trying different springs, but it does the same thing. Any ideas?

[Sokol1]

...

Gladiator Pro...there is no "springiness" or wobble to it,

 

Cheebs,

 

It's a case of "apple and oranges".

 

The Gladiator who show "springiness" (dampened) recenter movement is the "Vanila",  because this model use a simple "pincer" gimbal (Cougar/CH like), system that provides a very "clunk" and tactile center position. With the dampening in Gladiator "Vanila"  - grooves and viscous greasy in gimbal plastic pivot axis - this undesired effect is minimized.

 

Gladiator PRO use different mechanical system, the more sophisticated VKB CAM "Next Gen" gimbal who provides a more "soft" center naturally, but don't retard the spring center force in recenter the joystick, so he will "wobble" if you release the stick grip from one size.

 

Gladiator "Vanila" grease damper solution don't fit there, because the axis pivot in PRO are steel ball bearings.

To don't do this fast center will be need add hydraulic damper in PRO gimbal  - what will increase this (high) price considerable.

 

Eg. http://www.slamproof.co.uk/Rotary-Dampers

 

PRO gimbal allow you change the tactile center feel (hard/soft) by exchange CAM profile and springs tension.

 

Eventually some users with extend Mambas/Gladiator PRO/Gunfighter will make a "MOD"  to add motorcycle steering damper (less costly) in their sticks.

The "Quest for the Feel Simulator" is endless. 

Edited September 14, 2016 by Sokol1

[Cheebs]

Understood Sokol, thanks.

[Marrond]

I wonder when next batch of Gladiator Pros will hit EU, I've kind of missed the first one. How about Gunfighter? Comming anytime soon?
 

[Sokol1]

"Two weeks, be sure."™ 

[Artunius]

Just got mine today. A little unhappy with what I saw out of the box. The front faceplate on the base was popped out of place on the left side, and on the right side there was a nasty gash scratch. The unit was covered in dust and had a few other minor blemishes, making me wonder if Amazon sold me a product that had already been used. The metal bolt, or whatever it's called, that holds the grip in place to the base had a nice crack down the center of it too. No instructions either, despite the box telling me to see the instructions before usage. Had to watch a quick YouTube video on assembly. 

I still rated it four stars, because other than those flaws, the thing operates like a dream. I feel the stock cam/spring setup is perfect for BoS/BoM/BoK/Bo?. I would change the horizontal cam and spring for Star Citizen as the roll rate was a little slow, or change my rudder to roll and left and X-axis on stick.

Edit: The 'damage' probably happened in shipping, but it's no issue as the stick works just fine. I also got me a set of VKB pedals, and they're absolutely awesome. Can't wait for the future throttle.

Edited September 23, 2016 by stuffinDmuffin

[Dutchvdm]

Maybe amazon screwed up. I would not blame VKB right away..

 

You will probably get a new one.

 

Grt M

[Matt]

I just received T-Rudder directly from VBK FSC Europe and they are in perfect condition, so I wouldn't worry about it (but I also would buy directly at the official VKB partners if possible).

[Artunius]

Maybe amazon screwed up. I would not blame VKB right away..

 

You will probably get a new one.

 

Grt M

 

I wrote Amazon and they've already started looking into it. Either I got a used one by mistake, or there was some damage in shipping. 

 

There was a decent sized hole in the box. They offered to let me return it and wait another month for more to come in, or take a discount. I took the discount because the stick otherwise seems to be functioning perfectly, thus far.

[Artunius]

Is the Y-Axis on the Glad pro supposed to make a ping/ding sound when pitching up/down? Doesn't do it on the X-axis. Should I open it up and make sure the springs aren't seated too close to the bolt or something?

[Sokol1]

Expansion springs are subject to make noise in their work. Less in plastic parts gimbal, more in all metal parts gimbal.

 

In my VKB T-Rudder I did some "tuning"  inserting  a synthetic "felt"

their "kiiii-kiiii" sound. 

 

Initially you can try add a drop of lubricant oil to the point of the contact of spring and their support (don't use spray oil for obvious reason).

Edited September 19, 2016 by Sokol1

[Marrond]

@Sokol1 Do you perhaps know if VKB does plan any further production of Mamba grips for standalone purchase? I'd love to get one for my Gunfighter Pro when it gets released. I mean in worst case scenario I can still get my hands on Warthog stick but that's sub-optimal solution. While I like the whole idea of vintage-lookalike grip I also like having a choice, and Mamba's grip is in my honest opinion one of best available on the market. That is, unless they make Su-35 copy 

 

 

Awaiting Gunfighter Pro I needed a stick to fly in the meantime as I left my Cobra M5 back at home and I've bought Speedlink Airrow through German Amazon since we don't have regular Gladiators in the EU. I've disassembled it and I can confirm that it looks exactly like the Gladiator (non-pro obviously) inside, with the exception of twist rudder which is analogue pot (of unknown brand and quality as I didn't dug that deep into it). It was said on the official VKB announcements that it wouldn't be possible to plug Rudder pedals or future Throttle box accessories but that must be blocked in firmware since all the connectors and sockets are there. 

 

Considering all of the above I presume it should be possible to upgrade gimbal once the opportunity arises with no issues whatsoever - not sure whether or not conversion of the grip would be necessary. There might be problem with availability though as getting upgrade for Cobra M5 back in the day was not an easy task (both due to hidden catalogue of upgrades as well as literally 0 availability at any given point in time).

 

Maybe someone determined enough would also flash firmware from the actual Gladiator and enable possible firmware upgrades and enable throttle/rudder sockets as well. If not, it will serve as great parts donor to any custom stick design as you've got all you really need - 2 magnetic sensors and a decent KG13-like grip with a bunch of buttons available to make your own, simple button box.

 

 

Also for everyone saying it's in any way improvement over Cobra, it's not true - gimbal design is pretty much the same, the difference being now that they use better plastic as well as rods that springs are attached to are thicker which should prevent it from breaking (it was rare case for some, my Cobra went strong took few years of constant beating without a hitch). The grip itself is considerably lighter than Cobra's but it's also feature-lacking (although that was the point going for KG13-lookalike) - I already miss the 2-step trigger.

 

Overall it's a great piece of equipment for the price - however if one has possibility to get Cobra M5 before they broke it, it's still a better bang for your buck.

Edited September 20, 2016 by Marrond

[Sokol1]

@Sokol1 Do you perhaps know if VKB does plan any further production of Mamba grips for standalone purchase? 

 

Cobra M5 grip used in Mambas is not product VKB - although VKB project    - is Defender (Russian hardware distributor brand) product.

 

Seems VKB don't have more agreement with Defender for use their grips, as they use in Mambas, so you need take this grip from a Cobra M5 for use in Gladiator PRO/Gunfighter.

VKB say that will provide a specific adapter for this Cobra M5 - to be released, besides the one they make for Cougar/Warthog grip.

 

I ask about adapter for CH grips, but are difficulties due use of Diode Matrix instead Shift Register inside this grips, so "not planed for a while".