Recommended HOTAS for VR

operant

O
My thrustmaster t16000m hotas looks as if it has finally expired – or at least the throttle has.
I hate the t16000m slider throttle mechanism (sticky and lacks fine control), but the throttle handle has an ample selection of well placed buttons, joysticks and hats, making it great for VR.

Grateful for any recommendations for a good hotas for VR - other than the t16000m hotas?
 

Marbat

Marbat
I just recently upgraded from the 1600. I kept the throttle cause it works just fine, bought a Warthog flight stick and team that up with thre VKB T-Rudder. Very happy with this setup though it's a good chunk of money spent right there. I also use an Xbox controller to use for the FSS and camera.
 

operant

O
Had a Saiteck before the t16000m. Not impressed with the (lack of) quality, but maybe they have improved under logitech.
Warthog looks the business, but the lack of twist means rudders as you say.
Virpal looks interesting, but........
Leaning back to towards the t16000m again but having seen the inside of the throttle I am surprised it lasted as long as it did! Although mine was the origninal on initial launch, so maybe they have improved the wiring arrangement - inside the device.
 

VR andysonofbob

VR andysonofbob
I have just invested in rudder pedals.

Can't talk to throttles because I am a twin t.16000 user. Up until yesterday I used a pair racing pedals for throttle and the twist for yaw

Now I have essentially swapped yaw and throttle (rudder for yaw and twist for throttle) and it is taking a while to retrain my brain.

I've been slowly flying through canyons keeping the ship under control as best I can but it's hard.

I imagine you will be in the same boat as me if you choose a stick without twist :)
 

operant

O
Old Duck said:
Dualshock 4 ;)
Click to expand...
I did consider this. It looks almost ideal. But I may have been spoiled by the number of 'buttons' at your fingertips on the t16000m throttle, which makes VR so much easier.
(Just need a VR keyboard. FInd it difficult, almost impossible, to navigate the map screen.).
 

operant

O
Marbat said:
If you want twist, and I had thought of getting this one cause they make good stuff, I had consider this one from VKB. https://vkbcontrollers.com/?product=gunfighter-mk-ii-space-combat-edition

Depends on how much you want to spend i guess. Keep the TM throttle.
Click to expand...
Nice.
The t16000m hotas throttle has failed - pending on how long my soldering-repair lasts. (Yellow wire broke inside the slider mechanism, disabling all buttons.).
Having seen the wiring loom, I decided to look elsewhere - for a different product.
Stick is still fine.
 

VR micmacmoc

VR micmacmoc
I have Saitek x52 pro and VR, its great. have also bought one of those mini gaming keypads (x7 g100) which has panic buttons programmed, heatsink , chaff etc. I use an xbox controller for star map and SRV, they're just easier. Gave up trying on ED voice attack, but those who have managed to programme them correctly really love them, its my inability rather than theirs!
 

operant

O
Marbat said:
I think I understand now, you are talking about the throttle slide on the stick. Thought you had the stand alone TM throttle.
Click to expand...
I am not being clear enough. I think the correct product name for what I have is t16000m FCS hotas. A throttle and a seperate stick, as a set.
It is the standalone throttle that has broken.
The standalone t16000m stick is fine.
 

Faded Glory

Faded Glory
Marbat said:
If you want twist, and I had thought of getting this one cause they make good stuff, I had consider this one from VKB. https://vkbcontrollers.com/?product=gunfighter-mk-ii-space-combat-edition

Depends on how much you want to spend i guess. Keep the TM throttle.
Click to expand...

This is what I have done. I've had the T16000M Hotas for a while now, but for me the sticks have all failed (I've gone through four of them) with the yaw axis potentiometer failing each time. Haven't received the new stick yet (it was only released last week), but I've read very good things about it, and I want a twist yaw which limits options.

Personally I've not had any issue with the throttle, which as the OP points out has a lot of hats and buttons on it and I like it a lot. Certainly never found it sticky, although I'll agree it lacks fine control, but I make use of forward and reverse thrusters a lot.

@OP. Your options, if you want a twist yaw are pretty much the Saitek X52 and Pro or the Logitech X56.
 

operant

O
Slowfiddler said:
Have you had your money's worth out of the T16000 throttle? If so then just buy another as they are relatively cheap. You can pretty much fix the slider stickiness using the PTFE sheet mod I describe in this thread:

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/threads/what-joystick-controller-do-you-use.518084/page-2
Click to expand...
Interesting to see the picture. The yellow wire is the one that broke, just where it enters the slider housing - after the foam.
On seeing the prices of alternatives, I would say that I have had my money's worth. Just a little disappointed in the design. Suprised the cables lasted so long. Seems likely I may indeed buy a replacement throttle. The number of 'buttons' to hand on the throttle handle are a boon for VR.

The alternative is the Logitech X56, I guess. Bad experience of the Saitek/Madcatz(?) variant, so would need to be sure it was indeed logitech.
 

operant

O
Marbat said:
Well fix it, solder it, wax the rails with a candle and life is good.
Click to expand...
It is on its second repair. This time with a piece of wire inserted to make the yellow wire slightly less stressed.
Still no idea why the wire broke. The metal core is very thin, but also very flexible.
Interestingly, I saw a youtube video of the CH throttle being dismantled. The slider mechanism is similar, but instead of metal runners has two plastic plates: one fixed and one with ptfe feet that slides over the fixed one. Did not seem much there for the £130 it costs in the UK. Makes the thrustmaster look like a bargin. Although at least the cables were fully sleved.
 

CMDR Harada

CMDR Harada
I went thru a three T16k's in two years, finally had enough on the cheap stuff. How is your centering ? Mine always started to get sloppy after 6 months, and it only got worse.

Ended up getting a VKB Gladiator from VKB. Has a 'twist' handle, and plenty of buttons. Took a while to map it all, but now I push my KB to the side when I fire up the VR rig. PIP's management is one hat, thrusters are the second ( up/down/right/left/reverse ), and menus the third. More buttons then I have mapped. I can also use my TM throttle if I want, but haven't bothered.

I am very happy. Money well spent.

Gladiator Mk.II – VKBcontrollers.com

vkbcontrollers.com vkbcontrollers.com

and then upgraded with SCG handle :

VKB North America

We sell VKB Flight & Space Simulation Controllers for customers in the United States and Canada.
vkbcontrollers.com vkbcontrollers.com
 
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