Thrustmaster T.16000M FCS HOTAS Review

[Jabbers_]

I know this has been out for a while but I got my hands on one so I gave it a try, and here are my thoughts

 

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[Gman109]

Great review Jabbers.

 

You got a laugh from me on the unboxing, I completely agree, well done.

 

You've motivated me to do my quick video review and comparison of the newer HOTASs which are available now (I collect all HOTAS out there), such as the new VKB and Virpil products - at least the ones that are available now, their throttles obviously will have to wait.

 

I don't have the T16000 stick, as I tend to stick to buying and collecting the non-entry level Hotas out there, however I did pick up the TWCS Throttle when it first came out. The reason I did so was that there just isn't many stand alone throttle options out there. A few Euro/Chinese stand alone throttles pop up here and there, but for the most part it's just the CH Products USB throttle - which it and the gameport version have been around 20+ years, I swear my gameport version is over 20years in service now - as well as now this new TM TWCS unit.

 

 

I got it new in box on sale for $75 USD (it was less than $100 Canadian to my door) from an Amazon sale. IMO it's as good, if not better than the good yet dated CH products throttle. I think the argument that it's at least "as good" is unassailable, for many of the reasons Jabbers mentioned in his video. So far as quality/QC, since CH Products was sold to a larger...and at least what feels like a less caring company just over 10 years ago (cough, since then, internals look like drunk kids working in what would resemble a sneaker manufacturing boiler room at 10cents an hour, did the wiring and asembly), beating CH in the QC department is certainly no great feat. However, just to be sure I took my TWCS apart, and everything seemed adequate/good in this department.

 

Again, I can't comment on the stick, but Jabbers did a fine job in describing how it moves/feels, and the fact that it indeed DOES have Hall magnetic sensors as the higher end Warthog stick has, makes it a fantastic deal for the $.

 

As Jabbers repeatedly said, he's recommended this HOTAS to many other players as the best entry level option for those getting into this simulator. I'm going to do so as well in the future, for DCS and any other online flight simulation out there, as the best entry level bang/$ available right now.

 

 

+1 from me, based on my experience having used the throttle, and having a nephew and 2 nieces beat on it for the last 1/2 year or so, and I trust Jabbers review and video regarding his opinion on the stick side of this HOTAS. Many players out there may have an existing stick or another stick than the 16000 they prefer, and the TWCS throttle is an excellent, probably the best, current stand alone throttle option out there. Certainly for a sub $350-400 USD throttle, as the new Virpil and VKB throttles are expected to cost.

 

 

Nice job Jabbers.

Edited May 1, 2018 by Gman109

[Jabbers_]

Thanks, I wish i could get my hands on those other sticks (VKB, Virpil, etc) would be nice to do reviews on them as well, unfortunately I cannot afford to be buying all of them up and paying for the shipping to the states on the all, maybe one day in the future (not to mention they seem to be out of stock quite often, probably a good thing)

[Sokol1_br]

The reason I did so was that there just isn't many stand alone throttle options out there. A few Euro/Chinese stand alone throttles pop up here and there.

 

Throttle options (not considering Airlines throttles):

 

"Euro/Chinese" - In fact "Russian/Chinese" Gametrix ECS - model discontinued - some places have stock, just a cheap made "entry level" model w/HALL like sensor.

CH PRO throttle - "1990's vintage". ;)

Thrusmaster TWCS - the "new kid on the block".

Warthog throttle - It's sold standalone.

- that for their public target - "WW2 pilots" offer better value than the above "jet" models.

Kanttori "console throttle" - custom, similar to GVL224, although their very limited production make then virtually no existent.

 

Well, and VKB, VPC "promises". :D

Edited May 2, 2018 by Sokol1_br

[Lao Fei Mao]

I combined the TWCS throttle with the VKB MCG, a possible substitute of warthog hotas, for there are enough button to be mapped as the warthog do. I felt the TWCS throttle has the same precision as my old Saitek X52 Pro's. No problem to do the AAR.

BTW, Wags use the TWCS throttle too...

Edited May 2, 2018 by Lao Fei Mao

[DeathAngel1]

Can anyone who has that joystick tell me what are best settings for deadzones and curves for DCS:F-18? Thanks!

[fitness88]

I found the TM TWCS throttle to suffer from a bit of stiction no matter how I tried lubing the rails, it's built very light.

The TM T16000m on the other hand is a very smooth stick with quite accurate and controllable flight inputs.

I kept my Saitek X52 Pro throttle, very smooth/heavier than the TWCS and paired it up with the T16000m, my Saitek stick was still smooth but the centering springs had become weak.

I would love to get a boutique type HOTAS but the combo of supply/demand problem and the availability to put hands-on has kept me from getting one.

[JoeyJoJoJunior]

The yaw and trigger went on mine in less than a year. Yaw was fixable with a bit of deadzone, but trigger just made it frustrating to use. Would either miss presses or double press. Not really impressed with the durability. The stock grease is also pretty awful, and should be replaced with nyogel or something similar. The TWCS has been great on the other hand. I think the VKB Gladiator Mk.II + TWCS throttle is the best budget combo, and what I'm using now. For an extra $50 the VKB is well worth the extra cost.

[Seb71]

If the trigger fails out of warranty, you can replace the microswitch. Those are easily available at electronic parts stores.

 

 

The potentiometer for the twist would not be that difficult to replace, but finding a replacement for that is another story.