New hotas from VKB - Gladiator NXT

[Dziondziak]

Ive been chomping at the bit for the gladiator to come back into stock. Looks like the next version is on presale.

Gladiator NXT – VKBcontrollers.com

vkbcontrollers.com

Can someone point out to me the differences between this and the gladiator K?
Do you guys think its safe to order one, or do you think kinks may need to be worked out?

 

[gorankar]

The old WWII version gladiator, with the upgrade kit lite, and the left hand space combat grip works fine. I have had one for many months now. Nothing odd to report about it. I believe this "new" product is them just putting that all together for us instead of us doing it ourselves. If's been pretty good as a left stick with some additional base buttons to complement a right hand gunfighter MkIII, and Warthog throttle. I believe I will do away with the Warthog throttle at some point and replace it with a button board of some sort. I don't use it's throttle functions at all, just the buttons. I am considering the 15 button streamdeck.

 

[CMDR Harada]

Wow... They stripped a lot of buttons off the base compared to the K and the original.

I use those buttons a LOT in ED.. all the handle buttons are spoken for ( Trigger 1+2, SCB, Boosters, and FSD.. Hat 1 = Menus, Hat 2 PIPs, Hat 3 = Thrusters ). I use the base for throttle, Target in crosshairs, next target, Landing gear, weapons deploy, cargo scoop deploy, etc etc.. I use all 32 buttons... I love this stick, it's compact, gives a lot of options, and is easy to put away for a few days if I need to to actual work.. The base buttons is what made it such a huge competitor to the X-56/55 series.

Hopefully the "Front Switchboard Module" and "Throttle Quadrant Module" that it mates too will help out with the lack of buttons.

 

[Some1else]

Looks pretty sweet. Makes me wonder if I might want to try the GNX Premium Right. It looks pretty much the same as the Gunfighter MKIII Space Combat, with a lower price. The only question I have is if the thumb "button" on the pro is a top hat? It looks like it is.

 

[Lyvan Kitaen]

The accessories look interesting but the joystick base looks a bit more limited than the old Gladiator base. Supposedly, the stick is coming first and then the other devices will follow at some future time. Fingers crossed that they don't delay as long as they have with the throttle they announced years ago and still haven't released.

 

[dognosh]

The old WWII version gladiator, with the upgrade kit lite, and the left hand space combat grip works fine. I have had one for many months now. Nothing odd to report about it. I believe this "new" product is them just putting that all together for us instead of us doing it ourselves. If's been pretty good as a left stick with some additional base buttons to complement a right hand gunfighter MkIII, and Warthog throttle. I believe I will do away with the Warthog throttle at some point and replace it with a button board of some sort. I don't use it's throttle functions at all, just the buttons. I am considering the 15 button streamdeck.

Check out my sig for photos of my Stream Deck with ED buttons.

 

[Lyvan Kitaen]

I'm not sure you could actually call this a true hotas. You can't keep your hand on the throttle lever and access other functions because it doesn't have any buttons or hats. It would be nice if VKB would come out with a throttle more like the Warthog or Virpil ones in addition to the ones more focused on civil aviation.

 

[Dziondziak]

Wow... They stripped a lot of buttons off the base compared to the K and the original.

I use those buttons a LOT in ED.. all the handle buttons are spoken for ( Trigger 1+2, SCB, Boosters, and FSD.. Hat 1 = Menus, Hat 2 PIPs, Hat 3 = Thrusters ). I use the base for throttle, Target in crosshairs, next target, Landing gear, weapons deploy, cargo scoop deploy, etc etc.. I use all 32 buttons... I love this stick, it's compact, gives a lot of options, and is easy to put away for a few days if I need to to actual work.. The base buttons is what made it such a huge competitor to the X-56/55 series.

Hopefully the "Front Switchboard Module" and "Throttle Quadrant Module" that it mates too will help out with the lack of buttons.

I noticed missing buttons from the base too. I have contacted VKB to see if that is the case and if the K model is completely out of production.
May be a deal breaker, which is a super bummer. My T16000 has all those buttons on the base and I use them the same way you do.

 

[Para Handy]

They are doing a free "Lucky draw" for one:

🕹

 

[Riverside]

Wow... They stripped a lot of buttons off the base compared to the K and the original.

I use those buttons a LOT in ED.. all the handle buttons are spoken for ( Trigger 1+2, SCB, Boosters, and FSD.. Hat 1 = Menus, Hat 2 PIPs, Hat 3 = Thrusters ). I use the base for throttle, Target in crosshairs, next target, Landing gear, weapons deploy, cargo scoop deploy, etc etc.. I use all 32 buttons... I love this stick, it's compact, gives a lot of options, and is easy to put away for a few days if I need to to actual work.. The base buttons is what made it such a huge competitor to the X-56/55 series.

Hopefully the "Front Switchboard Module" and "Throttle Quadrant Module" that it mates too will help out with the lack of buttons.

I only use 3 buttons and the throttle (for sensor zoom) on the base, so this would be ideal for me, assuming the gimbal quality matches that of the gladiator MkII plastic mouldings. I use it in combination with a Thrustmaster TWCS Throttle.

Looks excellent, good price point too, I paid around £200 for my gladiator MkII + adapter + K-grip.

 

[Dziondziak]

Got a response email super quick. I am incredibly disappointed.

Hi,

no, the old Gladiator Mk.II and - along with it - the Gladiator-K are discontinued.

The Gladiator NXT will have additional modules/extensions coming later this year that will offer many more buttons, switches, and dials.

On 8/12/20 8:12 AM, VKBcontrollers.com wrote:

 

[[VR] Enexemander]

Looks like a good product, but I would probably keep my Gladiator MK II over it. I use the buttons on the base for a lot of misc. stuff (lights, landing gear, Wing functions, etc).

 

[Lyvan Kitaen]

Looks like a good product, but I would probably keep my Gladiator MK II over it. I use the buttons on the base for a lot of misc. stuff (lights, landing gear, Wing functions, etc).

I have both a Gladiator Mk II and a Gladiator-K. Personally, I'd pick the NXT over the Mk. II especially for VR. The extra buttons and controls on the stick itself more than make up for the loss of buttons on the base and you don't have to take your hand off the stick to fumble around for them. Of the three though, I'd still pick the Gladiator-K hands down. Too bad it's discontinued.

 

[CMDR Harada]

I have both a Gladiator Mk II and a Gladiator-K. Personally, I'd pick the NXT over the Mk. II especially for VR. The extra buttons and controls on the stick itself more than make up for the loss of buttons on the base and you don't have to take your hand off the stick to fumble around for them. Of the three though, I'd still pick the Gladiator-K hands down. Too bad it's discontinued.

I fly with one hand on the stick and the other on the base, so the loss of buttons is a big deal on my end. One of the main reasons I don't play in VR ( as much ) is because it's a PITB to set it up for a quick hour. I have to clear my area, plug it all in, fire up ( Controllers, login to MS and STEAM VR ), and dedicate the time. It doesn't seem worth it for a quick hour. Two or three ? Oh hell yeah.. but the times I have that many hours without interruption is rare ( wife, kid, friends, dog, chores, job, side job, projects, hobbies )..

The MK II and K version were perfect, one device to plug in. 10 Seconds and I was done. If I have to add two devices ( and you HAVE to add them both or ED freaks out, assumes it's a new setup, and nukes your bindings ) all the time, along with clearing the space on my desk.. well, I might not be using it as much. I have a T16k throttle I don't use just because of that.

Of course.. this DOES give me an excuse to get that VIRPIL throttle I've been eyeing.. Or maybe a streamdeck.. or that farming Sim console with joystick and buttons..

 

[Kloppage Time]

This is not a new HOTAS...it's an expedient cobbled-together mish-mash cash-grab because the hardware people really want is always sold out due to managerial incompetence!

 

[Riverside]

This is not a new HOTAS...it's an expedient cobbled-together mish-mash cash-grab because the hardware people really want is always sold out due to managerial incompetence!

Do you have any evidence to back up your assertions?

It's clearly a development of existing designs (the grip is obvious). It seems to me the company is expanding their range & the new base is intended to be part of a new system of accessories which would necessitate a redesign of the outer shell at least.

 

[Lyvan Kitaen]

This is not a new HOTAS...it's an expedient cobbled-together mish-mash cash-grab because the hardware people really want is always sold out due to managerial incompetence!

I would say VKB is probably releasing this in anticipation of the new MS Flight Simulator as the throttle components seem more geared toward civil aircraft.

It's also been my impression that almost all high end flightsim gear can be hard to get a hold of due to it being a niche market. Just try and order stuff from Virpil for example.

 

[Retropolitan]

The Gladiator NXT is available now (at least in North America).

 

[CMDR Harada]

I'll pass until I see the accessories, what they actually do and how they connect. They've been promising a throttle for a while now. I don't want to invest in a joystick today based on what 'might' come out next week.. or month.. or year.

I love the MK II and am a huge VKB fan, but the NXT seems like a step back unless the peripherals are really well thought out.

 

[Dziondziak]

Has anyone ordered one yet? has anyone tried it?
I went to buy one, but the shipping is $40, so I think ill wait...