Does anyone here use VKB products?

[R33GZ]

I'm looking at overhauling my peripheral setup at some stage and have been looking at the VKB range

 

Specifically, I'm looking at rudder pedals, flight stick, throttle and possibly universal mounts.

 

They're not cheap, but they look well made and sturdy. The website has good feedback, but I was wondering if anyone in the IL2 community has any feedback/advice

 

ps. any chance you could leave this thread in general for a few days before it dissappears into the controllers and hardware abyss Luke?

[=621=Samikatz]

I like my VKB T-rudders. They don't have toe brakes, but the action is effortlessly smooth and the vertical movement of the pedals means they fit comfortably under my small desk

[Aapje]

5 hours ago, R33GZ said:

Specifically, I'm looking at rudder pedals, flight stick, throttle and possibly universal mounts.

 

The VKB Gladiator NXT has been great to me. I can't remember seeing a poor review of any of their products.

 

I'm planning to buy their throttle later on (hoping for a second revision that improves some things) and probably also their rudder pedals. Although I do live in a spot where VKB shipping is pretty much the cheapest.

 

5 hours ago, R33GZ said:

They're not cheap, but they look well made and sturdy. The website has good feedback, but I was wondering if anyone in the IL2 community has any feedback/advice

 

The cheaper stuff is also just bad. VKB delivers pretty much the cheapest products at the quality standard they deliver (although shipping cost differences means that how much you actually pay depends on where you live).

 

For example, for the same price as the Gladiator NXT, you can get a Trustmaster Warthog stick, which is a much worse product that looks and feels premium, because they use pot metal on the outside and inside that feels more premium than having plastic on the grip (which is what actual planes tend to use). But the pot metal is actually less robust, and the quality of the stick is poor in general in a great many ways. And if you go down to cheaper products than this price point, the quality is pretty horrible.

 

Basically with VKB you get:

• A very high quality product that feels absolutely great and that lasts
• Products designed for repairability, expandability, moddability and upgradability. They often even deliver mod kits with their products so you can change out buttons and the like. They also try to bring out upgrade kits.
• Products that use innovative solutions (up down movement for the rudder to make it compact and fairly cheap, detents that can be switched out for the throttle, a throttle that can be switched between three different configurations)
• Software that is not easy to use, but is very powerful (they've become much better at making tutorials on their YouTube channel) 
• A company that keeps iterating on its products and making fixes
• A company that brings out upgrade kits for older products
• Decent support in my experience
• Products that are often out of stock
• Products that keep their value on the 2nd hand market very well (because people trust the older stuff due to their quality, repairability, etc)
• A company that takes their sweet time to design their products.

 

So I'm a fan, although I'll be the first to admit that companies like Virpil and Winwing make excellent products as well. Depending the shipping, availability at your location, they can be great choices as well, but their price points will typically tend to be the same or more expensive.

Edited April 15, 2024 by Aapje

[nachinus]

I own the Gladiator NXT EVO for jets (I still use an old Saitek AV8R wor warbirds) and the GNX THQ Throttle + WW2 Grip mod and I'm very happy with them. I suscribe everything wrote by Aapje above.

 

Both deliver very precise inputs with smooth operation and are really comfortable to use and compact. It is true that they are plastic made and don't look as good as other products but that's secondary. Actually the Gladiator sticks looks quite good, has a good weight and feels great in your hand, so I don't miss any fancy stuff. The GNX Throttle does feel more basic, but all the axis movements and precision are perfect. They now have these STECS Throttles that look better than mine, but don't seem so appropiate for a ww2 plane.

[JG52Rittmeister]

Hey Folks,

 

Iam also use the VKB Gunfighter with KG12 Grip and the GNX-THQ Throttle. I replaced the T Rudder because they didnt have even an Option for Brake Setting so I buy (used) The Virpil Rudder Pedals wich are Great . All Items do very Precise Inputs. A little complicatet is the VKB Software when you want to Program the LED. I Became good Help from there VKB Discord Server and now the LED Switch as want it. 

 

But yes if you want good HW for IL2 VKB is a good Deal.

[jollyjack]

Just was looking at VKB, seems too expensive for me at least.

Currently i still have a warthog set with a new base for the stick, and crosswinds pedals which are great.

Latter has a brake function, and the damper unit is recommendable.

[=MERCS=JenkemJunkie]

All the good things above about the NXT Gladistor are true, but it does have one big flaw in that the stick has a very short throw compared to other non-extended sticks, and it has a strong center detent which can make precision aiming annoying.

 

That one issue was enough to make me be tempted enough to spring for an extended stick from VKB too. The grip is very nice, and I have no complaints there, but the base feels dinky, and it always feels like I'm going to snap something in half. I used to use 2 50 (strongest they have) springs on it, but that was scratching the cams, so now I'm stuck using only lighter springs out of fear I'll break something. Even with 2 50 springs the tension was very weak, so if you get a VKB extended stick expect weak tension, and the constant feeling you'll break something. VKB also doesn't have an option for a cam with no center detent, but the soft detent version is tolerable but still there.

[Avimimus]

I really like the stick extension myself.

 

Just a note: The VKB STECs mini doesn't come with any of the accessories - so one might be better off choosing the omnithrottle or going for a STECs standard if one is looking for a throttle. I also found that it was a bit imperfect when used as a helicopter collective.

[Aapje]

@=MERCS=JenkemJunkie

 

Keep in mind that the NXT is not designed for use with extensions, so you need the more expensive Gunfighter for that.

 

And I personally have no problem with the NXT spring tension, nor did I feel I was going to break something.

 

@Avimimus

 

Some people seem to think that the STECS Mini is an entry-level version, but it is really more intended for a very tailored cockpit setup or a chair mounted setup where you have very limited space for a throttle. The Standard is what most people should get, if they get the STECS.

 

In general, VKB offers quite a bit more for the money if you get a bit more premium version.

[=MERCS=JenkemJunkie]

28 minutes ago, Aapje said:

@=MERCS=JenkemJunkie

 

Keep in mind that the NXT is not designed for use with extensions, so you need the more expensive Gunfighter for that.

 

And I personally have no problem with the NXT spring tension, nor did I feel I was going to break something.

 

@Avimimus

 

 

I know, I never tried extending the NXT. I sold it and used the gunfighter mk iii base to extend.

[Aapje]

33 minutes ago, =MERCS=JenkemJunkie said:

I know, I never tried extending the NXT. I sold it and used the gunfighter mk iii base to extend.

 

I thought so, but I wanted it to be clear to other people reading this thread. So they don't buy the wrong thing or end up with two half-sized joysticks

[percydanvers]

I love my VKB stuff. I have the Gladiator NXT, and T-Rudders. The T-Rudders are particularly good. I consider not having toe-brakes a worthy tradeoff for having something so durable and so easy to fit in the space beneath my desk.

 

The only issue I've had is that the NXT will sometimes lose connection with the the PC if it gets nudged the wrong way. I'm pretty sure this is just something I need to open the thing up and tighten on the inside, but I don't really know how to do that so I just live with it. Probably not a difficult fix at all if you know what you're doing and probably not something you'd even encounter in the first place. I still heartily recommend. 

[Aapje]

@percydanvers

 

Did you try a different USB-A/B cable? Could just be a broken wire in the cable. It's a standard cable, so easy fix if that is the issue.

[LukeFF]

I have the VKB MCG Ultimate. Yes, it's expensive but as the saying goes, you get what you pay for with this one. 

 

That said, also have a look at the Virpil line. I have two of their control panels - including their brand-new throttle, aka Control Panel #3 - and it's a superb piece of equipment. Solid metal, plenty of buttons, and good programming software.

[S10JlAbraxis]

 

3 minutes ago, LukeFF said:

I have the VKB MCG Ultimate. Yes, it's expensive but as the saying goes, you get what you pay for with this one. 

 

That said, also have a look at the Virpil line. I have two of their control panels - including their brand-new throttle, aka Control Panel #3 - and it's a superb piece of equipment. Solid metal, plenty of buttons, and good programming software.

 

 

Virpil is outstanding.  I have the T-50CM3 throttle, Constellation ALPHA Prime stick and control panel 1 + 3.  The quality is fantastic.  Expensive but will likely last forever and a joy to use.

 

[spreckair]

I have the Gladiator NXT EVO ‘Space Combat Edition’ and the STECS Throttle System - Standard.  I am very happy with both and do not see replacing either for the long term (fingers crossed, although I don't see any reason to cross them yet).  Because I fly in VR and cannot really use a keyboard, I like the way that this set-up allows me to keep all necessary controls within fingers reach without needing to see them.

[R33GZ]

Wow, thank you very much for the feed back gentlemen. Very much appreciated. I was considering the nxt with extension, so good to know that might cause issues.

 

I have looked at virpil too, but the cost difference to euros and shipping put them a bit out of reach for me versus aussie dollars and shipping from the west island 😁

 

Thanks again, very much appreciate the feedback

[kestrel79]

I've had a VKB Fat Black Mamba III stick since about 2017 still going strong.

[354thFG_Leifr]

I have the NXT EVO Space Combat Grip (Premium), the THQ throttle box and the T-Rudder MkIV pedals.

VKB are great, really great. I specifically went for their 'budget' stick and throttle box because I needed something affordable at the time and didn't want to lose out on the mainstream equivalent (Warthog, Thrustmaster etc), with middling to poor expectations of the larger companies. Despite being 'budget', the EVO NXT is great value and feels very robust and premium. VKB are very quick to reply if you have questions and/or issues; everything inside their hardware has been designed to be replaced by the end-user.

 

Rudder pedals are great if you're not fussed about toe-brakes, and like a user above, I chose them for their slim aesthetic and ability to tidy them away once done (on a tray beneath my desk).

Edited April 20, 2024 by 86th_Leifr

[1111mark*norma*]

Yes, i have a vkb nxt evo gnx thq.

[354thFG_Drewm3i-VR]

I have all VKB kit (Gladiator NXT Evo Kg12 + WW2 throttle) and pedals: love it all. I feel satisfied with this midrange offering and quality. I think if I were to upgrade, I would enter the land of diminishing returns. 

[69th_Panp]

I have new VKB stecs throttle and virpil MT-50cm2 stick and MFG crosswind pedal (serial number 74) and still working flawlessly.

You can't go wrong with any of the above products! All are great quality and will function well for years to come.

[BladeMeister]

I have the MCG 2 or 3,  can't remember, with the 200mm extensional and I love it. VKB makes very good quality products.

 

S!Blade<><

Edited May 22, 2024 by BladeMeister

[von_Tom]

On 4/15/2024 at 12:03 PM, jollyjack said:

Currently i still have a warthog set with a new base for the stick...

 

If you want a change and like the grip, you can plug the Warthog grip onto the Virpil base, which is what I've done.

 

von Tom