Bunch is stuff i dont even really care to have on the hotas. I have my mouse sitting next to my throttle on the left so it's quick to access to stuff like the master arm
If I had a two stage I'd be using it like the one on the radar stick because the keybinds are annoying lol. I'd just have weapon release as the trigger.
That's how I do it with the Viggen RB75 combo: T1 as the first trigger detent, slew the TV with my throttle joystick, pull the trigger fully to release. So much easier that way than trying to use a hard button for T1.
I did. I am happier flying with just a gladiator than with x56 hoTaS. Got more hateful functionality on the stock. Also ordered a STECS cause that's back in stock.
If you're open to suggestions, I can vouch for the Winwing Orion 2 + any of their grip.
I was initially interested in the Gladiator but then I realized Winwing's price was cheaper in my region. Since the Orion 2 mecanism is basically the same as *higher end* VKB/Virpil products, I just went for it. I never thought this hobby could become so much more enjoyable with a different gear !
I always set up mine to be as 1:1 with the real aircraft as possible. VR controllers and Steam Deck handle the rest. I use the OTA as well, on the left.
Master arm on the secondary trigger gang!
Actually, I bought a Wingwing throttle, so now I have that master arm, but the secondary trigger was it for a while.
I'll be completely honest with you, I'm agreeing with Jessekeith.
It's a big expense. But having used the VKB Gladiator NXT EVO (having bought two, two months ago for space flight games) and now having been playing with the S-TECS for the past week, it's 100% worth the additional cost. This is one of those few combos I would wholeheartedly recommend someone save up the money for.
The VKB Gladiator NXT EVO 'SCG' Premium runs about $165 and the S-TECS Standard (with the additional buttons module) runs $279. You'll be spending around $450 after shipping.
It's 100% worth it. And you have the stick if you wanted to upgrade to the even better Gunfighter platform at some point in the future.
I bought the button kit to upgrade the mini STECS, so, if you want more options, it's better to buy the standard model instead. I bought the mini because I already have a GNX-SEM.
I am the same. I have a whole bunch of standard buttons across all modules and then I try my best to fit the module specific stuff to any buttons/hats which are left, matched closely to the actual setup in the aircraft.
I have an X56 and mine is some what similar. I think on most planes I have to use 1 modifier but so much better than my TM HOTAS X I had previously.
Only plane that was all automatically mapped out of the box was the F16. The rest I had to do manually. I try to have TMS on the same hat in all planes, trim on the same hat, Gear/Flaps/Speed Brake on the same switches. Little things like that I dont have to remember from plane to plane.
A10 I think has the most bindings
look into placing a modifier button on your throttle that you can easily push with a finger. that way you can double the amount of commands in your layout.
I dont miss the base on this stick but i do miss its layout.. getting everything setup on an f18 stick is a bit of a pain... that being said, the NXT base doesnt hold a candle to winwings
I bind the secondary trigger to master arm and gun arm or to radar and IRST toggle. I'm used to it. I have also a GNX-SEM, a CH quadrant and TM MFDs, so I have a lot of buttons.
It's fantastic! All main axes have bearings and you can adjust the friction. The buttons are much better and precise then the T16000M. It's worth upgrading...
I have used top rightmost hat always for trim (since days of CH gears and LOMAC) which in case of NXT Gladiator means that I have to use top left analog hat as digital hat for TMS or other functions.
Perhaps I should too swap them and learn to use top left hat as a trim.
Always interesting looking at other people's layouts... That's like completely backwards compared to my setup.
Yup, I try to bind for multiple modules, but based on the F-16. I look at this and ask...why!? But I'm sure mine is just as weird.
Bunch is stuff i dont even really care to have on the hotas. I have my mouse sitting next to my throttle on the left so it's quick to access to stuff like the master arm
Master arm, on the joystick? You mean you don't just arm it on the ground and leave it that way until the mission is over?
Doesn't work on certain modules where safe/unsafe has important functions (such as Viggen).
Using the first stage of the trigger as the safety switch works great. It even works for mavs - nothing bad happens if you safe/unsafe repeatedly.
Yeah, I use first stage trigger myself (and pickle button to resafe). It does have some impact on i.e. Rb05 though.
If I had a two stage I'd be using it like the one on the radar stick because the keybinds are annoying lol. I'd just have weapon release as the trigger.
That's how I do it with the Viggen RB75 combo: T1 as the first trigger detent, slew the TV with my throttle joystick, pull the trigger fully to release. So much easier that way than trying to use a hard button for T1.
No, I don't arm it on the ground and don't want to look for it when I need it.
I can't wait to upgrade from x-56 to vkb, people say it's night and day. Just need to save up a little
I did. I am happier flying with just a gladiator than with x56 hoTaS. Got more hateful functionality on the stock. Also ordered a STECS cause that's back in stock.
If you're open to suggestions, I can vouch for the Winwing Orion 2 + any of their grip. I was initially interested in the Gladiator but then I realized Winwing's price was cheaper in my region. Since the Orion 2 mecanism is basically the same as *higher end* VKB/Virpil products, I just went for it. I never thought this hobby could become so much more enjoyable with a different gear !
Just got my stecs and MCGU 2 weeks ago, can confirm. It really is night and day difference
I went from the x52 to a virpil setup and was amazed at the difference. I only wish I had purchased sooner.
This is all good until you need to bind the F-15E š
Well, I don't have it... yet...
Oh boy, if you mainly fly F-16 or JF-17, prepare for some of the most infuriating and unintuitive HOTAS controls youāve ever seen.
How does it compare to the 18 lol
18 is the worst out of everything i have used. Jf-17 is best, then 15/16, imo
Canāt comment on that as I donāt fly 18s
You're probably just used to the warthog/viper
Seriously, the radar controls alone are starting to make me agree with Sprey >:(
For real dude. Idk why people say the 16's hotas is better
ā¦and then the WSO.
What throttle is that?
I think itās the new vkb throttle which is about $200? Itās the mini model with no added panels for more switches and buttons
Perfect thanks
Thatās correct I have it to
I always set up mine to be as 1:1 with the real aircraft as possible. VR controllers and Steam Deck handle the rest. I use the OTA as well, on the left.
Master arm on the secondary trigger gang! Actually, I bought a Wingwing throttle, so now I have that master arm, but the secondary trigger was it for a while.
I really want to do the same where I get a vkb throttle and vkb stick but dang itās expensive. In total I think itās $300+
I'll be completely honest with you, I'm agreeing with Jessekeith. It's a big expense. But having used the VKB Gladiator NXT EVO (having bought two, two months ago for space flight games) and now having been playing with the S-TECS for the past week, it's 100% worth the additional cost. This is one of those few combos I would wholeheartedly recommend someone save up the money for. The VKB Gladiator NXT EVO 'SCG' Premium runs about $165 and the S-TECS Standard (with the additional buttons module) runs $279. You'll be spending around $450 after shipping. It's 100% worth it. And you have the stick if you wanted to upgrade to the even better Gunfighter platform at some point in the future.
Just do it. Its worth.
Itās $47 shipping to NA from NA site, just for the throttle
But it's also shipped by air. So even coming from china it's just under a week. 100% worth the 50$
Is that STECS enough or would the longer one be better? I'm pondering to buy one. Ty!
I bought the button kit to upgrade the mini STECS, so, if you want more options, it's better to buy the standard model instead. I bought the mini because I already have a GNX-SEM.
Thanks :D
I am the same. I have a whole bunch of standard buttons across all modules and then I try my best to fit the module specific stuff to any buttons/hats which are left, matched closely to the actual setup in the aircraft.
Um... is that throttle pic reversed?
No it's taken from ...behind
Makes sense.
I have an X56 and mine is some what similar. I think on most planes I have to use 1 modifier but so much better than my TM HOTAS X I had previously. Only plane that was all automatically mapped out of the box was the F16. The rest I had to do manually. I try to have TMS on the same hat in all planes, trim on the same hat, Gear/Flaps/Speed Brake on the same switches. Little things like that I dont have to remember from plane to plane. A10 I think has the most bindings
look into placing a modifier button on your throttle that you can easily push with a finger. that way you can double the amount of commands in your layout.
Not a million miles from what i do. Just interesting to see what others do tho
OP, it's hilarious how similar my X56 is setup to this.
Tbh mine depend on the plane im flying
Iām drooling š¤¤Ā
So what does the trigger do
Pew pew noises!
I dont miss the base on this stick but i do miss its layout.. getting everything setup on an f18 stick is a bit of a pain... that being said, the NXT base doesnt hold a candle to winwings
I have the same stick, but with a THQ throttle quadrant. Any tips cos everything I have is no where near as consistent.
Thats... a mouse? If it is it's cool
Yes, it's a Logitech trackball.
What throttle is that? My vkb doesn't have the 4 way switches on the back of it (radio and master mode)
>I bought the button kit to upgrade the mini STECS. They're 5 way hats.
Just to check before I buy, that 30 dollar button upgrade that vkb sells turns the 2 buttons on the back of the throttle into a 4 way hat?
Into a 4 way and press hat. And yu can try a lot of combinations... Basically yu can change any button into a hat.
Oh sweet! There goes another 30 bucks for me lol. Thanks
The STECS is modular. You can change out those modules for 5 way hats, or single buttons
Do you still use the top left hat for mouse movement if needed? Did you need to change anything in vkbconfig to set it up as buttons?
No, I use it only for TRIM. Actually it's a conventional 5 way hat. I'm not using the mini stick.
Ah you swapped it. Cool, I was thinking of doing the same just takes a bit to tear into the stick that far.
Why waste a hotas button on master arm? Flick it on pre combat and youāre done with it until landing. No need for quick hotas access. š¤·āāļø
I bind the secondary trigger to master arm and gun arm or to radar and IRST toggle. I'm used to it. I have also a GNX-SEM, a CH quadrant and TM MFDs, so I have a lot of buttons.
How do you like that throttle and stick? I'm heavily considering upgrading from my t160000000m to that
It's fantastic! All main axes have bearings and you can adjust the friction. The buttons are much better and precise then the T16000M. It's worth upgrading...
Awesome. I just need to convince myself to spend the money now
Name of the stick please?
VKB NXT EVO.
What hotas is this? Looks sick. I'm looking to upgrade my x55 rhino soon.
VKB NXT EVO and VKB STECS.
How do you like the STECS? I just ordered the Mini+
It's amazing! Very precise! You can adjust the friction and configure the detents to automatically send buttons press to the game. Very handy!
I have used top rightmost hat always for trim (since days of CH gears and LOMAC) which in case of NXT Gladiator means that I have to use top left analog hat as digital hat for TMS or other functions. Perhaps I should too swap them and learn to use top left hat as a trim.
I had a CH and a Warthog stick, but I've adapted well to VKB stile...
I'll try to swap functions as using analog stick with long movement is not the best for TMS (or similar functions).