Gladiator Pro Joystick, Flight Simulator Controller Stick - PC Mac Linux

This is hands down the best flight stick I have ever used. I primarily use it to play Elite Dangerous, so keep that in mind. Currently, I'm also using this in tandem with the X-55 Throttle, which is to say, not ideal due to the fact that half of the X-55 buttons don't work anymore.Having said all that, this stick is incredible. The movement along all axes is buttery smooth. There is a looseness to the stick around the center point that feels faulty at first, but soon you'll realize how necessary this is for fine adjustments. With the tension of the X-55, I found myself over correcting constantly when trying to make minimal adjustments to dogfighting, often shooting past targets. I blamed my clumsy hands for the longest time, at least until using the VKB Gladiator. I really can't stress enough how good this stick feels. That alone makes it worth the price, in my opinion.However, I am using this primarily with a VR headset. The additional buttons, while nice, aren't very useful if you plan on using this with a HOTAS/VR setup. I still haven't mapped any of these buttons. Also, the pinky shift button takes some getting used to (I would really love to remap it as a standard input, or at least a "toggle" instead). Additionally, the thumb hat is not the greatest. The flat design puts it just over the edge into "slightly cumbersome" territory, especially when hitting "right" as your thumb will collide with the bulkier part of the flightstick. A witch hat would have alleviated all of these issues, in my opinion.So why am I still giving this five stars? Well, as I mentioned earlier, the stick just FEELS good. Better than any flight stick I've used before. My current complaints with this stick go away as soon as I invest in a throttle that isn't complete garbage (seriously Saitek, good riddance). As it stands right now, I have to rely on the Gladiator hat to navigate menus, while pinky shift + hat switch to engage vertical and lateral thrust.With a proper, non-Saitek setup you'll adore this stick, guaranteed. If you plan on using this stick by itself, you'll find plenty to love as well. The mini throttle feels weighted and smooth, and does its job well (I have it currently setup for radar zoom). There are honestly enough buttons on this stick alone that using a HOTAS is more of a preference over necessity.

I just received this today, so barring any unforeseen issues I may update this review if I run into any problems. I have a lot of good things to say about this product, and a few bad things. I'll start with saying that this is only the fourth joystick I've ever owned. I usually stick with periphs for a long time. I used my Gravis Blackhawk from 1996 until I absolutely needed to get a USB stick a few years ago, and that was the Thrustmaster 16000M. After a few months I wanted to go big and get an awesome HOTAS system, stopping just short of getting a Thrustmaster Warthog and going with a CH Products setup instead. It saved me money, and gained me a better quality setup at the cost of some aesthetics.Since reading more into hardware I later discovered VKB, and how hard these things are to come by. I immediately set my sights on th Gladiator Pro as I typically fly Luftwaffe in most of my sims that I play, so it felt perfect. I'm not one to complain about lack of buttons, because even in Star Citizen and Elite, my CH Pro Throttle has enough buttons and hats to keep everything locked down... not to mention the Gladiator Pro has a moddable grip.When I opened up the package I immediately noticed the unit was covered in dust and looked like I may have purchased a used product. The front faceplate on the base was popped out in the left side, and the right side had a nasty looking, but small scratch. The metal pin that holds the stick to the base had a crack right down the center of the metal. Not much in terms of the 'quality' I expected from a $250 stick. It honestly appalled me enough I considered returning it, but I am a meticulous type of person that returns a new car to a dealership 3-4 times as I notice flaws in a NEW car, why shouldn't I feel the same about the periphs I use daily? Not to mention the box says see instructions before use... what instructions? I had to look up a video on YouTube on how to seat the grip properly and secure it. Shame.Other than those bad aspects, the function and actual operation of the stick is a dream. You can hear the clicking of the springs/gimbals if you make any harsh maneuvers in Star Citizen, but in games like Battle of Stalingrad I actually prefer the stick spring and can setup as I feel that's almost what the stick was made for. If you play a lot of space sims and you fancy a faster roll rate, I would either switch out the horizontal cam/springs or set your roll to your rudder pedals and lateral thrust to your sticks X axis.I recommend this product and I only take a 1 off for the quality mistakes. I'm sure it will become more flawed with usage over time but the internals will hold up a lot longer than other sticks on the market. We will see if VKB can beat CH's quality over time. I was about to pull the trigger on a VKB Mk. IV rudder... but if it's going to arrive beat up I'm unsure if I want one.Pictures attached of the flaws.Addendum 9/22/16: As this review went under the T-Rudders for some reason. I should also add that as I was so pleased with the function of the Gladiator Pro, I also ordered the T-Rudder Mk.IV. I'm amazed by these, I parted with my CH rudders as my friend wanted them along with my old CH Combatstick (I say old, but they were only a year old). I was thinking that I was just going to get another ordinary pair of rudders, except they would be all metal. I was wrong. Dead wrong.I've been using these Rudder pedals for hours in IL-2 BoS/BoM, and I simply cannot stop. I have a much further range of motion than I had with my CH pedals, I feel like I could almost fly the plane with rudders alone now. I am getting control that I lost since when I had a twist rudder, but using my feet. Starting to feel like an ace again.These came with instructions and installation was super simple. I even saved myself a USB port on my PC since I was able to use the included Ethernet cable to power these via my Joystick as an extra axis.You have to calibrate via WIZZO to get these to work.

Works great. I picked this joystick because of the rudder control (rotation around the horizontal axis), the built in throttle, and the heavy/mountable base. For all of these reasons, the Gladiator is a great stick.I removed two stars because the thread in the plastic holding the hand rest together at the base of the stick were stripped. The product support in the US seems a bit limited. I have yet to find a website for this company in English. It holds together alright and I'm not patient enough to send it in.

Avid Sim pilot with all flavors of sticks, this is up there with X55.I pre-ordered the Gladiator Joystick because of the great things I'd heard about their gear. The base looks and feels great, you can tell they use this on their pro line as the fit and finish is quality. Sorry I can't say the same about the stick. Pinky and top side pickle buttons were DOA. The stick itself is definitely thin plastic and has a such a weak feel that I'm worried about breaking it off in the heat of the moment. The action seems to be influenced by the stick as its not fluid or precise. Wave Off! Seems it is too good to be true, I would go with the pro or Warthog.