[Unboxing & Review] Gladiator MK-II Joystick (VKBSim)

[@mu2freighter]

This stick is an absolute godsend for me! To explain, I have multiple sclerosis and it's ruined the function of _both_ my legs and feet as well as my dominant left hand...so pedals are no use for me, and separate throttles are out too. This stick overcomes a LOT of these shortcomings, without a doubt. The pinky operated shift alone is amazing; it _doubles_ the functions available for each stick button, and for less immediate tasks I can use the mode button to QUADRUPLE the functions available for each stick button, no-rush commands like parking brakes and similar are a snap! The only slight awkwardness is having to A) release the stick to set my throttle, or B) to slide my hand down and use the disc on the stick bottom for control while a finger operates the throttle. This latter is what I'm trying to learn better, especially in games where small throttle adjustments are important while taking off, landing, and fighting like in the current IL-2 Sturmovik, and it's worth some practice time to build muscle memory for this oddball action. Rise of Flight WW I flying is no problem at all (especially with rotary engines that use a blip switch!) and my next venture will be X-Plane 11. I must say, I'm especially anticipating getting X-Plane 11. I spent 20 years as a professional pilot in real life and these days I'm stuck in a power wheelchair. Since I can't fly or even board a physical aircraft that sim is a great way to experience general aviation and my old Part 135 courier flying again. Heck, I see there's even a Mitsubishi MU-2 available for X-Plane 11 which should be a blast given that's what I spent much of my career flying. We're talking several thousand hours alone in it, so being able to recreate my old routes and missions in an airplane I'm so fond of will be pleasantly nostalgic. I'm having tons of fun exploring the added capability only this stick can give me. My sincere thanks to the VKB Sim folks for making it available and letting even a physical train wreck like myself enjoy flight simming again!

[@mu2freighter]

UPDATE 5/8/2019: I got around the throttle issues by constructing an extension that fits onto the throttle tab, I still have to learn the finger dance a bit when adjusting power wjen flying, but it's WAY better now, I'm comfortable and having a ton of fun. Here's wehat it looks like in use: scontent.fbna1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/53323420_10157019305002381_8703877660591259648_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&_nc_ht=scontent.fbna1-2.fna&oh=ab2b3c92c785b8d577824d9dd5e1c2c3&oe=5D6CD0C3

[@Arrmed]

as someone who only has function of their left hand, this comment was exactly what I wanted to read! Hope you are still enjoying the skies!

[@jameswilson8489]

I've been looking forward to a review on this. Thanks Thomas. This joystick looks awesome. I may pick one up sometime in the future.

[@ThomasRasmussenXPlane]

Thanks James, glad you liked it ;-) Thanks for watching!

[@p165711]

I've had mine several weeks now and am very impressed with this stick. I have Saitek throttles and for those who dislike the location of the throttle on the J/S that too can be reassigned to do something else. I use mine in FSX and prgram it using FSUIPC. Great purchase and a pleasure to use.

[@ThomasRasmussenXPlane]

I share your enthusiasm regarding this stick! As mentioned, I've been used to use the Saitek Pro Flight Yoke (incl TQ) but it's a pretty easy stick to get used to! Definitely a great product - which is also their T-rudder MK-IV rudder pedals btw :-) Thanks for tuning in! :-D

[@MauritsVeen]

I am a simple man. I see a new video of Thomas, I Click 💪🏻😊

[@ThomasRasmussenXPlane]

That's the way to go, I like it! :-D Thanks for the support and thanks for watching, Maurits! ;-)

[@MauritsVeen]

Thomas Rasmussen no problem! Your videos are the best! Keep it up 💪🏻

[@ThomasRasmussenXPlane]

Thanks again, Maurits ;-)

[@juang8549]

Sold! Great value for the price under $100. Can't wait to get my hands on one.

[@JimK0QJC]

Great review. I have had mine about a week. It is a big improvement over the previous Logitech Extreme. To help those of us who forget the function assigned the Gladiator has flaps, throttle and start labeled. Also labeled is an EJECT, but since I fly the Cessna 172, that is not needed. : )

[@ThomasRasmussenXPlane]

Thanks for watching, James! Yes, you're absolutely right and maybe I should have emphasized in the video that all buttons are labelled with flaps, eject etc.. LOL, no I guess you won't be using the eject button in the C172 lol! :-D

[@zrofuxgvn]

I have the first revision of this joy and absolutely love it. It's a big step forward from my good ol' Top Gun Fox 2 Pro.

[@ThomasRasmussenXPlane]

Thanks Buddah! Yeah, VKB makes some really great products ;-)

[@vampolascott36]

I have a MK.II coming in a few days. I'm looking forward to giving it a workout in the Overload space sim.

[@jojio460]

Nice Review Sir. I just purchased my own the other day. I can't wait for it to arrive. Thank you for the video 👍

[@ThomasRasmussenXPlane]

Thanks =) It's awesome, you're going to love it! ;)

[@cannibalholiday]

Even the box looks awesome :D

[@ThomasRasmussenXPlane]

Yeah, it does, right? :-D

[@Q8Pilot]

Looks like a really cool joystick. How heavy is it Thomas? Nice review buddy!

[@ThomasRasmussenXPlane]

Thanks a lot my friend! ;-) it weighs about a kilo, maybe a little more! Thanks for watching buddy ;-)

[@PatrizioLubrani]

I can make my hand on fire! I bought Gladiator MK II on october 2018! Belive me! It's woooo, Change your Fly Life! ;)

[@KimgPaulsen]

super video, kun vigtig viden og ikke alt muligt ligegyldig info

[@cannibalholiday]

Fingers crossed that XPlane is on sale during this steam sale. Life on a budget sucks :P

[@ThomasRasmussenXPlane]

I'm crossing my fingers for you too ;-) Thanks for watching :-)

[@cannibalholiday]

26% off on the sale :) Should help some folks. Still beyond my reach this month. Ah well :)

[@tommysallstedt4122]

Hello! I just set my hands on this Joystick and I blame you for this :). Thank you for a very good tutorial!

[@cleniolelys]

Great review, thanks Thomas. :-)

[@glibsonoran]

Looks like a really high quality stick, and great review. My only quibble would be the right hand only design. Most GA aircraft that have sticks are left hand for the left seat, GA aircraft with center sticks have the throttle/prop speed/mixture on the right so most people use the stick with the left hand. Not a huge deal but if you're using XP as a sim trainer for one of these GA planes you'll build your coordination much better with a left hand stick.

[@ThomasRasmussenXPlane]

You're right, but to my knowledge this is an issue with most of joysticks available! Thanks for watching =)

[@glibsonoran]

Thomas Rasmussen Probably true, however I think the Thrustmaster 16000 can be set up for either hand.

[@DownTheRabbit-Hole]

Thanks for video... be sure to add a little right rudder when takeoff. makes you look a pro... I think I would like to see twist rudder in action... perhaps a forward slip or crosswind crab angle as a test during review. Many people use joysticks for Airbus, but being right hand joystick, technically you are supposed to fly from FO right seat, not PIC. People should also learn to fly with left hand and twist/keyboard with right, and of course ideally fly with either hand. To me, this is a weakness, being only right hand, but I am sure they were thinking of DCS world combat aircraft stick etc. I need an ambidextrous joystick with rudder twist. Any recommendations?

[@jsreyem5403]

I got a defective one and VKB is not standing behind their product. They keep stalling and will likely tell me tough luck when the warrantee runs out. You should look at other, more reliable, options.

[@Serzari]

J&S Reyem Have you tried making a stink about it on social media? If a company is giving you the cold shoulder for whatever reason and you're in the right, documenting and spreading the issue on popular forums or the company social pages tends to get your situation expedited.

[@bullittfanatic]

I own 3 Thrutmaster T-Flite Hotas X (with realistic throttle handle) and have been 100% reliable on my FSX SE-FSW-Prepar3D-Aerofly FS1-2-X-Plane 11-and Strike Fighters (2 PC's on W-7).

[@ripper8771]

Thomas I am still using an old Saitek Aviator which has got to go. How precise is the rudder on the stick. Is it easy to maintain centerline with single engine planes? I know this video is one year old but maybe you remember

[@microRiZu]

Hey thomas i was curious about weather that integrated throttle wheel, can i use it to fly a airbus or a 747? will all the engine's throttle increase along synced together? or does the throttle just work with dual and single engined airplanes only?

[@pete9b]

Great informative video, thanks!!….

[@TairnKA]

I play "Star Citizen" (Alpha) with duel Thrustmaster T16000Ms (left and right handed) but due to Yaw (Z axis / twist) motion failures I'm looking for a new stick like the Gladiator Mk II but it's missing a left handed stick, is this correct? ;-)

[@andersonbelland1688]

That landing was hard but nice job

[@steveg1927]

Were you able to get the mode and shift to work with X-Plane? Saitek has this and the mode & switch doesn't work with their drivers in fact they told me not to use their drivers. Does the mode switch actually change what comes from the joystick?

[@wilhelmu8675]

This is a replica of the joystick in the bf 109. You should have played il 2 bos with this stick.

[@EnriqueSantana]

nooo... who bought the last open box item from the xplane store org? :) I was looking at it couple days ago and was about to buy and now its gone!!.. anymore open items on sale?

[@vimalgopal5873]

Hi Thomas. Thank you for this video. How would you compare this with the Thrustmaster T16000M?

[@JohannSwart_JWS]

Its kinda weird to see the mighty Thomas fly a little Cessna VFR :-)

[@BClaasen]

Hey! How do you get the view to pan left a bit when you bank left? Doesn't look like you are hitting any controls on the joystick?

[@ThomasRasmussenXPlane]

I'm using the free Head-Shake plugin which among other things banks the view when you press the rudder pedals - excellent plugin!

[@BClaasen]

Thanks!

[@d.cannavacciuolo]

Hi, work with X.Plane 10 !??

[@lucasclementsen9270]

Fed video :D Hvor land tid tog det fra at du betilte joysticket til du fik den hjem?? :D

[@ThomasRasmussenXPlane]

Tak tak =) Jamen, jeg mener der gik et sted mellem 7-14 dage. Iøvrigt et super fedt joystick! Jeg bruger stort set ikke mit gamle Saitek Pro Flight Yoke mere =)

[@BlackWarriorLures]

Will this joystick work in Linux for X-plane 10?

[@ThomasRasmussenXPlane]

You'll have to check their official product page for that - don't think there's a problem with XP 10 but don't know with Linux.

[@pats1569]

Can you buy this at a EU store or only from the US?

[@NemesisVS]

the ravcore javelin is similar, i actually ended up on this vid because i was looking for a review for it

[@Biskawow]

vkb is better than ravcore or airrow (speedlink) versions. Its currently available in EU store. Pro version is available as well. You can also check out VPC joysticks, they are the competition to VKB

[@VedMerchant17]

This one looks great even the price. I really hate the spring loaded ones. I have one and regret it

[@ThomasRasmussenXPlane]

Thanks Ved! Yeah, it's a very reasonable price tag for this great piece of hardware ;-)

[@jstrahan2]

What scenery are you using?

[@ThomasRasmussenXPlane]

It's a freeware photoscenery of Hawaii ("Hawaii Photoreal") find it in the list in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZ7LiKJ7aZeae8U

[@saqrblog]

I'm planning now to get Stick, I can't decide which stick I have to buy, 2 options: TM 16000 or Gladiator MK-|| .. any body can help me to decide!

[@wolfy4734]

gladiator mk 2 definitely...

[@oliverf944]

why review it without rudder??? 1/2 a review.

[@alexeydeyneko9693]

Hey man, this is wrong joystick for this plane... Look carefully it has yoke! LOL

[@DownTheRabbit-Hole]

Your split screen is out of sink.. Adding aileron and then watching cowling responsiveness and turn coordinator makes for a better review... Oh well maybe next time... no offense.

[@revengexmoon2087]

So the Gladiator Mk II has a 15 degree twisted handle and can only be used at the center position without a throttle. They put this fact way down in the description. Also, the center dead zone is pronounced and could not be fixed with the Wizo software they make you download. It's mushy and inaccurate. I cant recommend this joystick especially when you eat the shipping cost back and forth. I will keep looking for a decent joystick. Not this one

[@ThomasRasmussenXPlane]

Thanks for sharing your experiences with this joystick, although I have to say I can't recognize any of the issues you're having and totally disagree! I'm still using my MkII extensively : Yes, it's got a twist handle (though, I never use it, because I have the VKBSim rudder pedals as well) and the twist handle also works when the stick is NOT in the center position. I'm not sure, what you mean when you say "without a throttle", because the stick is equipped with a throttle natively!? Also, I have NO center dead zone at all!! I'm wondering if there's some kind of defect with your stick?

[@kerenton5897]

Thomas Rasmussen This guy went on every single VKB review and copy pasted the same comment.

[@ThomasRasmussenXPlane]

Ah, thanks for the heads-up, Kerenton! =)

[@chittychad18]

REE-VIEW not RAY-VIEW

[@FSCB2013]

Thanks for that. Let us know when you need any help with pronunciation in ANY LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH...

[@yeabutitisokay2357]

Du lyder så dansk