VKB Gladiator Pro - Quick Review

[Winston 60]

isn't there any video review of this stick?

I'm not finding a video review, but here's a written review and the IP did a pretty good job with his first impressions/review.

 

http://nerdtechy.com/vkb-sim-gladiator-pro-joystick-review

[rrohde]

Nice review you found there - thank you.

 

Just keep in mind that this is for the older version, and the new Mk.II adds this to the Gladiator Pro:

 

- Quick Release Grip Mechanism (new for the Mk.II)

- Spring loaded, 3-pin electrical Connector (new for the Mk.II)

 

This makes it compatible with the Gunfighter's electrical connection, and thus future VKB grip offerings.

[Sokol1_br]

This NerdTech review is just a "descriptive" review - that guy never put their hands on Gladiator's, make that "reviews" based on pictures from the Web, before Gladiator reach USA market, better focus in players reviews, like the OP. ;)

 

Player review: https://stormbirds.wordpress.com/2016/12/11/%EF%BB%BFreview-vkb-gladiator/

Edited February 21, 2017 by Sokol1_br

[ebabil]

thanks for the link. but it looks like non pro version.

inside of the non pro version looks smilar my cobra m5. i am experiencing stiction problem with it. otherwise it is very smooth joystick.

 

it would be great a comparison review of both version of gladiators. becasue price difference is huge.

[rrohde]

Well, it's simple when you look at he basics:

 

The Gladiator Mk.II is an entry-level stick, with a plastic centering mechanism that doesn't allow for custom grips (unless you purchase the upgrade kit which will be out some time later this year - but that's not the point here). Entry level here assumes that folks typically don't run with a super HOTAS setup, and typically might not own a decent set of pedals, thus the rudder is built into the stick via twist axis (contact less MaRS sensors, mind you - same for the roll and pitch axes; the built-in throttle uses a poti).

 

The Gladiator Pro Mk.II is made for customization and precision, by the means of an all-metal gimbal (also known from the Mamba Mk.III), with swappable cams (center detent vs soft-center), different springs with different stiffness, different grips (TM Warthog, of future VKB grips, such as the spacesim grip 'Kosmosima' and the soon to be announced 'Modern Jet' grip).

 

Both the Gladiator Pro and non-Pro share the same housing and the same buttons on the base (including the built-in throttle), and the same KG12 grip (swappable for the Pro), but that's about it. On the inside, they're vastly different animals - thus the price difference.

Edited February 23, 2017 by rrohde

[Sokol1_br]

Put simple, the difference is this:

 

 

Quality all metal gimbal that you don't see even in 450$ Warthog's.

 

A similar gimbal made by 3rd party as upgrade for Cougar, the famous UberNXT, cost 400 AUD ~ 300$ in 2004/5.

Edited February 23, 2017 by Sokol1_br

[Bourrinopathe]

As a Gladiator's owner and a Black Mamba's owner (with that very same gimbal up there), the difference is considerable.

 

About the metal gimbal:

 

One very important thing for me is that it's dead precise. No deadzone. (the default one is 0.3% for both axes). Each movement is the same every time, the metallic parts and the ball bearings exclude any perceptible variation. (more than 2 years in, and still 0.3% deadzone with zero issue)

 

And: you can customize the feeling.

I currently (mainly) fly fighter/attack jets (and the beautiful L-39) and if I tried the smooth centering for both axes for a few months, I'm happy to come back to my original configuration with a hard center for the roll axis and a smooth center for the pitch axis (using the average stiffness for both springs).

 

And don't forget the progressive resistance for the axes:

That means I know if I'm pulling too much Gs. It provides some very useful proprioceptive and tactile feedback.

 

And: swappable grips. Warthog, vintage KG-12, Cobra grip, future modern grip, etc.

 

Also, and very important: durability. Metal won't wear as fast as solid butter.

 

That being said, I'm very happy with my Gladiator and it feels smooth and precise. I use it for the WW2 airplanes and Elite Dangerous (twist grip!).

[rrohde]

Well said, Sokol and Bourrinopathe! :thumbup:

[pegon]

So, just to make things clear for a newbie. The warthog grip fits on this ? Also, will the weight of the metal warthog make the long version top heavy ?

[Sokol1_br]

This version - with extension - is made for work properly with Warthog ~1kg grip:

 

http://vkbcontrollers.com/?product=vkb-gunfighter-pro

[pegon]

Thanks for the reply. I realise i was posting in the wrong thread:doh: I was thinking of the Gunfighter. Will wait a bit and see what the modern jet grip looks like before i order.