WinWing to STECS Standard- My very first thoughts

[MAThrasher]

I have been using the WinWing throttle for the past couple of years, and was ready to try a different throttle.  I didn't have many complaints with the WinWing throttle, but the RAID/Flir button quit working and the screw in the idle detent worked it's way loose and fell down in the base.  I could have replaced the screw, but never did.  A couple of days ago, the FLIR button started working again, but I had already ordered the STECS.

 

My list of gripes is very short.  

 

1) The pointed hat on the TDC axis is annoying!  It is hard to depress without inadvertent x and y movement.  Fortunately, I have an old Gunfighter stick, so I switched the pointed hat for one that is concave.  It is much easier to depress.  I am surprised that VKB did not add hat alternatives for the TDC.  They did provide several hats for the other buttons.

 

2) When the throttle is left around 25% or 75%, it will slowly drop down (like a hydraulic hinge).  I added an afterburner detent at around 75%, so the high side is no issue now.  It is probably rare that I will take my hand off the throttle at 25%.  The same behavior is there even when I tightened resistance.   As the throttle ages, this might go away.  It is not bad enough to annoy me.

 

There are many things I love about the throttle.  

 

1) The movement of the throttle is very smooth.  It feels very high quality.   It feels every bit as nice as the WinWing.  

 

2) It has many buttons.   I will probably never use all of the buttons since I like using PointCtrl (in VR).  PointCtrl  adds to the immersion.  If I were flying FC3 again, the buttons would be very nice!  I would rather have too many buttons as opposed to not enough.

 

3) The detents are easy to use and very versatile.  I usually fly the same jet, but it is a nice option.

 

4)  The latch for connecting the left and right sides of the throttle is very easy to use.  It was a chore with the WinWing.  

 

5) The next thing is particular to my setup.  I use the NLR Flight Seat Pro chair.  With the WinWing, the throttle mounted too far back.  It forced me to sit too far away from the flight stick.  I could have put some effort into it and made it better.  The STECS mounts further forward and the throttle grip is closer to the front of the base.  I now have a perfect distance for both the throttle and the flight stick.

 

6) The last thing I like is now all of my gear is from the same manufacturer.  I only have to worry about one piece of software for calibration, etc.

 

I have no regrets with the STECS purchase.   I will give feedback to VKB to spend the extra pennies to add hat alternatives for the TDC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 17, 2024 by MAThrasher

[AlpineGTA]

1 hour ago, MAThrasher said:

1) The pointed hat on the TDC axis is annoying!  It is hard to depress without inadvertent x and y movement.  Fortunately, I have an old Gunfighter stick, so I switched the pointed hat for one that is concave.  It is much easier to depress.  I am surprised that VKB did not add hat alternatives for the TDC.  They did provide several hats for the other buttons.

This is the top gripe for everyone that has the STECS, I think. I don't know why they can't just throw in a concave hat to give people the option of either.