So I got my Gladiator today

[Luft1942]

And let me tell you it was absolutely worth the wait! This stick is absolutely 100 times better than my old 3D Pro and is extremely accurate. It's such a dream to use! In my first flight with it on Berloga I managed to take out 6 guys with no problem getting guns on target. The only adjustment I've made to the stick so far is set the yaw dead zone to zero but other than that it's good to go out of the box! Now it's time for me to invest in TrackIR and get back in the swing of dogfighting and I'll be ready to start playing WoL again :D

[VictorUs]

Congratulations!!!

[J37_Spyboy]

Hi Luft.

How did you find the setting up?

I have played RoF since 2011 and to a lesser extent IL2 BoS/BoM using Logitech 3d Pro, like you, as my controller.

Took the decision to upgrade and have VKB Gladiator and T Rudder MK3 all of which arrived a couple of days ago, Gladiator ordered on July 18!

So I wanted to configure everything, am I right in thinking I just plug pedals in to port on Gladiator, no need to use tinybox, then do I have to assign yaw to the pedals axis in game, or do I use Wizzo? How do you use Wizzo? The d/load link for Wizzo on this site doesn't work btw.

My impressions are that the products are excellent build quality, with a high degree of engineered sophistication that isn't backed up by idiot proof manuals. Maybe its just me that is the idiot, so any help greatly appreciated

[LLv34_Temuri]

My impressions are that the products are excellent build quality, with a high degree of engineered sophistication that isn't backed up by idiot proof manuals. Maybe its just me that is the idiot, so any help greatly appreciated

As a Gladiator Pro user, I can confirm this. It took a bit of searching this forum and googling to find the information I needed. I ended up not using Wizzo, because I wanted the pinky button to be used as a button and not as shift, so I flashed the firmware with the Z-Bootloader and used the DevCfg tool to assign the physical button as a button.

 

Edit: err... I didn't mean that you are an idiot

Edited September 7, 2016 by LLv34_T_Temuri

[Matt]

How is the plastic of the grip, does it flex a bit If you grip it firmly or does it feel rock solid? Does it make any squeaky noises?

[Luft1942]

How is the plastic of the grip, does it flex a bit If you grip it firmly or does it feel rock solid? Does it make any squeaky noises?

The grip is very firm and I haven't noticed any flexing or squeaky sounds from it. This is one rock solid stick man

[TWC_Ace]

I emailed VKB FSC Europe and asked them why there is no standrad edition of the gladiator available in the "EU store". Just pro version. It kinda sucks.

[=362nd_FS=Hiromachi]

It was explained that due to some agreements VKB provides standard Gladiator for US only (I think you can still buy it via amazon and get into Eu for 150$) while Gladiator Pro is available in all regions. In Eu there was that Chinese company that was supposed to provide a copy of Gladiator, just with worse internals. 

[SvAF/F16_Goblin]

As a Gladiator Pro user, I can confirm this. It took a bit of searching this forum and googling to find the information I needed. I ended up not using Wizzo, because I wanted the pinky button to be used as a button and not as shift, so I flashed the firmware with the Z-Bootloader and used the DevCfg tool to assign the physical button as a button.

 

Edit: err... I didn't mean that you are an idiot

LOL that made my day

Edited September 7, 2016 by I./ZG1_Goblin

[Sokol1]

I have to assign yaw to the pedals axis in game, or do I use Wizzo? How do you use Wizzo? The d/load link for Wizzo on this site doesn't work btw.

 

Spyboy,

 

VKB controllers (joy/pedal) don't need software for install  - they use Windows native HID drivers, is "P'n'P".

Nor need software running during game play, just set the buttons axis direct in game controls.

 

WIZZO is just a friendly use tool for:

 

- Set axis deadzone adjust -  what is saved in joystick/pedal controller EPROM memory.

- Load/save buttons layout (buttons profiles) - too stored in controller EPROM memory.

- Upgrade firmware.

 

For change or make new buttons configuration use the advanced VKB Config Software.

 

This joysticks don't use the (IMO fool) concept : "press joy buttons to press keyboard keys for make command in games" - what is commonly used by other joysticks softwares, a kind of legacy from the time when games controls options are too restrictive, and this software by pass this restriction. 

 

Today, for example DCSW controls allow set modifier in anybuttons/keys, and even Mode with the "Switches" function, what give a good flexibility without need software running in games background competing for computer resources and eventually causing BSOD.

 

In other joy software when you use "Modes" the button 10 (example) press A in Mode1 and B in Mode 2.

In VKB the same button will press button 10  in Mode 1, but in Mode 2 will press button 20 (or other non physical button number - Njoy32 controller allow ~128 buttons, usage dependent of game, IL-2:Bo"X" use up to 64, DCSW up to 128, other are limited to 32 - Windows ability to "see").

 

Is important notice that VKB is not just "more of the same" - use different approach, so is need understand and adapt. 

Edited September 7, 2016 by Sokol1

[J37_Spyboy]

Thanks for all this assistance techmates. Will give it all a try, but will be back with more questions I think.

Salute

[LukeFF]

The grip is very firm and I haven't noticed any flexing or squeaky sounds from it. This is one rock solid stick man

 

+1

 

I have the Gladiator grip on my Vintage Black Mamba, and it's very solid. Nothing cheap about it at all.

Edited September 7, 2016 by LukeFF

[Jason_Williams]

I emailed VKB FSC Europe and asked them why there is no standrad edition of the gladiator available in the "EU store". Just pro version. It kinda sucks.

 

We've explained this many times on this forum and others. VKB does not have right to Europe for the basic Gladiator only the Pro. SpeedLlink sells their slightly different stick called the Airrow. FSC should eventually carry the Airrow.

 

Jason. 

[Haza]

We've explained this many times on this forum and others. VKB does not have right to Europe for the basic Gladiator only the Pro. SpeedLlink sells their slightly different stick called the Airrow. FSC should eventually carry the Airrow.

 

Jason. 

 

Jason,

 

I was wondering therefore, without going through all the previous posts/forums etc, is the Gladiator (basic or Pro) available in Australia? 

 

Regards

 

Phil (Haza)

[bzc3lk]

Jason,

 

I was wondering therefore, without going through all the previous posts/forums etc, is the Gladiator (basic or Pro) available in Australia? 

 

Regards

 

Phil (Haza)

 

I'm interested in this answer as well.

[xvii-Dietrich]

We've explained this many times on this forum and others.

 

Indeed.

 

However, if someone new puts "Gladiator Joystick Europe" into a search engine, none of the links that come up explain that.

 

Sure, one can dig through reams of posts on various forums, assuming one knows to do that. But unless it is made clear in the sorts of places that come up on Internet searches (incl. where Gladiator-Pro is sold), we should expect the question to be asked again and again and again and again and...

[Sokol1]

 

However, if someone new puts "Gladiator Joystick Europe" into a search engine, 

 

The return will point - in 2nd place  - for VKB FSC Europe - 3rd party VKB seller in Netherlands, the only existent in Europe.

 

"But, there's no other joystick in their store than Gladiator PRO and Defender Cobra M-5! "

And discontinued Mambas models as "sold out" - seems not removed from the page for confuse people more...  

 

It is simple. The - Gladiator Joystick Europe = Speedlink AIRROW -  not arrive there yet.

And the above page - as the announced Mambas show - It is known for always being outdated...  

 

Why most places who have the Gladiator Joystick Europe = AIRROW in pre-order say for October (Amazom.de say 1 to 3 monts).

 

Alternate.de say in ... "two weeks, be sure™". 

 

Centralpoint.be say 1 day.

 

Get one there and make a review. 

Edited September 9, 2016 by Sokol1

[KpaxBos]

 

 

The return will point - in 2nd place - for VKB FSC Europe - 3rd party VKB seller in Netherlands, the only existent in Europe.

Hello,

Gladiator pro is marked has sold out at VKB FSC Europe. Do you know when they will be available again ?

 

Thanks

[Sokol1]

KpaxBos,

 

Not exactly, but  UIV (VKB) say last week in Russian forum "The next batch will not be earlier than 1.5 months." 

 

So, expect be available in Europe again in "two months, be sure™".   

Edited September 9, 2016 by Sokol1

[=362nd_FS=Hiromachi]

Mine is stuck in Netherlands, wont arrive before the weekend 

[KpaxBos]

KpaxBos,

 

Not exactly, but  UIV (VKB) say last week in Russian forum "The next batch will not be earlier than 1.5 months." 

 

So, expect be available in Europe again in "two months, be sure™".   

 

Thanks for the answer.

2 monthes put us in november/december. May be close to the GunFighter release ?

 

Have Fun.

[Jason_Williams]

Guys,

 

I don't have an easy solution yet for Australia. I'm still working on one.

 

Jason

[TWC_Ace]

We've explained this many times on this forum and others. VKB does not have right to Europe for the basic Gladiator only the Pro. SpeedLlink sells their slightly different stick called the Airrow. FSC should eventually carry the Airrow.

 

Jason. 

Eduard (with whom I had great communication in the past) explained everything here. He is mentioning contracts signed in early phase of development. I think there is some chinese or whatever company very greedy about some joystick products (how insane) which nake problems. So basically they will use Gladiator grip and some mechanics from VKB but there wont be MARS sensors etc...I wont buy that... So VKB cant sell some of its stuff in EU.

Jason, Im a big fun of VKB stuff, was long before you joined in. They make state of art controller products which arent outmatched in the market. Put yourself (at least for a moment) in my shoes. You are "die hard" sim fan from Europe and you just found out you cant buy regular Gladiator. Sure I can try Amazon.de but on "regualr" Amazon they usualy dont ship to EU.

I hope I will figure out something.

PS. I would get pro but Im curently more like causal player than every day hardcore sim fan....

Edited September 9, 2016 by blackram

[Jason_Williams]

Blackram,

 

The Chinese company is not greedy per se. They pay for half the cost of development, so they get half of world. Luckily VKB get other important markets like USA Russia etc. This is normal for OEM business in China. VKB decide to make Gladiator slightly better than OEM stick and this cause issue in market. This deal was done before I became partner of VKB. If I was involved back then like now, I would have done things much different and help VKB avoid this issue altogether. I know it is frustrating, but this is only product it affects. In future, we will make new stick with no such market restrictions. But new stick from scratch very expensive. VKB made the best deal they could under the circumstances. I am helping them grow so these issues will not affect future.

 

Jason

[Sokol1]

So basically they will use Gladiator grip and some mechanics from VKB but there wont be MARS sensors etc...I wont buy that... So VKB cant sell some of its stuff in EU.

 

Still confused. AIRROW electronics is the same or copy of VKB Gladiator: ARM32 controller and contactless MaRS in X, Y axis.

 

The difference is: potentiometer instead MaRS in twist rudder axis, and blocked firmware - no option for load or modify buttons layout or upgrade, only this:

 

 

This locked firmware options means less post sales support need for OEM products.

 

And no option for plug other controls in back of joystick like Gladiator allow.

 

AIRROW is not a Gladiator (although cost similar   ) but don't looks a Defender Cobra M5 v3 (this don't have more VKB electronics heritage, just generic ones).

Edited September 9, 2016 by Sokol1

[Luft1942]

Silly question maybe but all Gladiators sold in North America are the real deal made by VKB with all the good sensors correct? So far my Gladiator has been so amazing I'm thinking about picking up a second one from Amazon for my shelf :D

[Yogiflight]

You can plug in the same controls in the back of the AIRROW´s base back as in the Gladiator.

[Haza]

Guys,

 

I don't have an easy solution yet for Australia. I'm still working on one.

 

Jason

 

Jason,

 

Ack and thanks for the reply.

 

 

Phil (Haza)

[Yogiflight]

@ blackram, you won´t find the regular Gladiator on "amazon.de", but "amazon.com" ships the Gladiator to Germany for a plus of about 37$ for shipping plus importing in Germany. I don´t know about the other european countries, but if you log in to "amazon.com", it will show you automatically, which additional costs you will have. That´s the way it worked, when I looked for it.

[TWC_Ace]

Blackram,

 

The Chinese company is not greedy per se. They pay for half the cost of development, so they get half of world. Luckily VKB get other important markets like USA Russia etc. This is normal for OEM business in China. VKB decide to make Gladiator slightly better than OEM stick and this cause issue in market. This deal was done before I became partner of VKB. If I was involved back then like now, I would have done things much different and help VKB avoid this issue altogether. I know it is frustrating, but this is only product it affects. In future, we will make new stick with no such market restrictions. But new stick from scratch very expensive. VKB made the best deal they could under the circumstances. I am helping them grow so these issues will not affect future.

 

Jason

No worries Jason. Thanks for response. I will find a way to get get a Glad,  maybe even via friends in the USA. hehe.

 

S!

Edited September 10, 2016 by blackram

[Artunius]

Ordered a Gladiator Pro off Amazon last night. Said they'll be in on the 15th and I should expect mine to be shipped on the 20th. Not too bad, since when I was previously looking it said it would take 1 to 2 months. Now I just have to wait to November for my Obutto to get here.

[Remontti]

I got mine Gladiator yesterday and so far it seems very good. There are less buttons for thumb than in my previous x52 pro, but I'll get used to it.

[Yogiflight]

I only own the european version AIRROW, I decided to order it after it had changed on amazon from shipping in 1-3 months to in stock and had it two days later. I am really satisfied with it as I don´t use the twist axis anyway and the programming looked to me to complicated.

Two things that would have been great for me, the original grey colour of the KG 12 and the Coolie Hat also pressable as button for dropping bombs, that would have been really cool. As I am flying with TrackIR I use the Coolie Hat 180° for dropping bombs, and the three remaining main directions for other button functions.

[=EXPEND=Tripwire]

Guys,

 

I don't have an easy solution yet for Australia. I'm still working on one.

 

Jason

 

Gives me time to decide if the trusty ole MS FFB2 really is ready for retirement yet or not - and to see what the Gunfighter offer is like in comparison.

[Sokol1]

Two things that would have been great for me, the original grey colour of the KG 12 and the Coolie Hat also pressable as button for dropping bombs, that would have been really cool. As I am flying with TrackIR I use the Coolie Hat 180° for dropping bombs, and the three remaining main directions for other button functions.

 

Is not more practical use Shift + top button or Mode2 + top button to drop bombs?

And in this way you have a '"safety lock" to avoid... "loose bombs".

[Yogiflight]

You might be right, but as I now finally have a stick, looking like the original, I like to use it like the original, so use the button for bombdrop that was used at the original KG12. That is why I would have liked the Coolie Hat to be pressable, too, which surely is not possible, but you can dream.

To be honest, I also was in fear that I would sometimes drop my bombs by mistake, but til now it did not happen.

[Yogiflight]

One question, do you guys use your Gladiators with or without handrest?

I had to remove mine, when I fixed the twist axis with a screw, and as the original Knüppelgriff didn´t have a handrest I gave it a try without. I don´t miss it at all, so it went back into the box.

What now is missing is a throttle fitting to the Gladiator from its style. If I could have it my way, it looked like the throttle of the Bf110 with two throttles, one removable for onemot flying and a handwheel for elevator/stabilizer trim. Plus of course a few buttons and two small wheels for aileron and rudder trim.

Let´s see how the VKB throttle will look like, when they have designed it and present it to us.

[Luft1942]

One question, do you guys use your Gladiators with or without handrest?

I had to remove mine, when I fixed the twist axis with a screw, and as the original Knüppelgriff didn´t have a handrest I gave it a try without. I don´t miss it at all, so it went back into the box.

What now is missing is a throttle fitting to the Gladiator from its style. If I could have it my way, it looked like the throttle of the Bf110 with two throttles, one removable for onemot flying and a handwheel for elevator/stabilizer trim. Plus of course a few buttons and two small wheels for aileron and rudder trim.

Let´s see how the VKB throttle will look like, when they have designed it and present it to us.

I kept my hand rest on. Since my joystick level with my chest and my arm would get tired otherwise. Would you mind sharing how you have your button layout setup? I've only the basics programmed and all the buttons on the base are unmapped. I use my coolie switch for head movement since I don't have TrackIR yet and the button on top of the stick is used to re-center my view. Edited September 11, 2016 by Luft1942

[Sokol1]

You might be right, but as I now finally have a stick, looking like the original, I like to use it like the original, so use the button for bombdrop that was used at the original KG12. That is why I would have liked the Coolie Hat to be pressable, too, which surely is not possible, but you can dream.

To be honest, I also was in fear that I would sometimes drop my bombs by mistake, but til now it did not happen.

 

In the planned VKB KG12 metal grip - for Gladiator PRO and Gunfighter - both top buttons will work as HAT and press button. 

 

I predict that someone eventually will make a MOD for Gladiator work in this way too. Russian guys already start do their mod's.  

Edited September 11, 2016 by Sokol1

[Yogiflight]

As far as I remember, it also has the original surface of the KG, not the smooth one like the Gladiators, which also makes it quite interesting.

Will MODs work on the european AIRROW, too? I am not really sure how far it really has the same software as the Gladiator?

 

@ Luft1942, I also don´t have a lot of buttons set on the stick, as I like to fly as realistic as possible and IRL the pilots did not have all their buttons at the stick.

It is just Trigger - MGs

Thumbbutton - cannons

Coolie Hat forward - defnsive MGs iron sight

                  left - change positions

                  right - change side in position#

                  rear -  drop bomb

throttle - stabilizer trim for 109

1 and 2 - select/unselect engines

red button - start/ stop engine

11 - safe/unsafe bombs      

12 - bail out

the rest is on my keyboard, because it is easier to handle for me, as my stick is between my legs, so it is easier to press the keys on my board directly in front of me.