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Original Coupon Deal
Pretty decent price for a HOTAS stick, upgrading from a Thrustmaster T16000M.
Logitech G X56 HOTAS RGB Flight Stick $296.10 ($289.52 with eBay Plus) Delivered @ Computer Alliance eBay
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After a bit of research I've decided the standalone Gladiator NXT stick from aliexpress is a much better deal this HOTAS setup. Read akaakmdm's comment below.
On the back of your comment, I spent the last few days doing research on all the main hotas stuff out there and I've come to the conclusion you're 100% correct. I'm returning the x-56 and planning on getting the Gladiator NXT Premium. The only question i have now is whether I should just get dual to go HOSAS for space sims like elite
Nice deal. That being said, at this price point, I think the Gladiator NXT is far superior even without a standalone throttle.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001446388703.html?spm=a2…Interested to know is what way it is superior. I know little about either but has been looking at the t.16000.
Do a bit of research. You'll see that t16000 and even x56 will feel like toys after using the Gladiator or Warthog Hotas.
But!! T16000 and x56 are lighter and easier to pack away. I use the T16000 when not using my warthog hotas.
The gimbal on the Gladiator has a far better design - each axis has an independent centering spring that does not bleed centering forces into the other axis and has a smooth center detente, whereas the X56, T6000m and pretty much all the other cheaper sticks on the market use a single compression spring. This makes it harder to make small corrections near the middle when you are flying.
Build quality and reliability - even with the RGB update, the X56 is not known for its reliability (and on the side note, the T16000m rudder axis is notorious for wearing out quickly too). The Gladiator uses high quality switches, thick industrial plastic, the gimbal plastic is reinforced with glass fibres and the hall effect sensors are used for all 3 stick axis (vs potentiatiometer-based twist axis on most other joysticks).
Reading through https://www.reddit.com/r/hotas/ is a good place to get a feel for what's out there (though it can be a bit of a rabbit hole!).
“thick industrial plastic” 😂
Sorry, just sounds funny. Like missiles, space shuttles etc made from thick industrial plastic.
@Hobnail: Yes indeed. In fact I’ve been meaning to write a letter (or two) to the Corinthians to discuss their feelings on this.
no, dont read that on redit.
That is terrible advice.
Now we all own a full Virpil setup and are all $3000 poorer…thanks
I would second this, the feel of the Gladiator NXT is simply incredible compared to Logitech's (and Thrustmasters) offerings and is considered by many as the best entry level enthusiasts flight stick.
VKB also has been good with issues at least for me, I had an issue with a single button on mine and they express shipped replacements parts from China (6 days) so I could fix the stick myself as I have no issues with tinkering, this may be a minus for those who prefer taking a product back to a store and having them deal with warranty though.How much of an upgrade is getting 2 of the Gladiator NXT's. I'm not sure if it's worth paying for a 2nd one to get Dual stick setup (for elite mainly).
Can you make use of a stick setup for flight sims such as microsoft flight simulator without too much of a drawback when compared to a HOTAS.
Is it better to just start off with 1 NXT and see how it goes?
HOSAS (two sticks) for Elite works really well due to the more precise thrust input (especially with FA-off) but if you are looking at non-space sims as well a throttle would be a more natural choice for that.
A commonly recommend entry level setup for both space and flight sims is the VKB Gladiator NXT with a Thrustmaster TWCS Throttle, for Elite the throttle will give you enough inputs for the thrusters (although not all as analogue AXIS) and the NXT covers the Pitch/Roll/Yaw.
If you want to just start off with just the NXT it can easily handle MS Flight Sim by itself (throttle on it's base) but I would not try something military like DCS without a dedicated throttle (with lots of buttons), in Elite you can just setup the individual thrusters and main throttle to keyboard keys (HOKAS).@MoneyPincher: Ok yep, thanks a lot. I think i'll stick with the one NXT for now and then see which games i end up playing more to decide if i want to go HOSAS or HOTAS route.
You said MS flight sim is fine with a single NXT. From my understanding DCS is the gold standard in terms of simulation. Would it be THAT difficult doing HOKAS in DCS as a beginner?
@AldoRaine: One small recommendation, if your budget allows get the premium version of the NXT, the extra inputs are well worth it, if you end up going HOSAS with another NXT the STD as the throttle/thrust controller does the job.
Jet age military flight sims like DCS really do benefit from a lot of buttons/dials/axis/etc to the point of sim pilots adding button boxes alongside already button rich throttles.
Having said that you can certainly fly keyboard and stick but you will need to use the throttle on the stick for fine adjustments, things like air to air refueling is very hard on a keyboard so you will find yourself moving your throttle hand between the stick and keyboard a bit, definitely doable though.
A good thing about DCS is you can fly their very basic (by DCS standards) along with a few community made aircraft for free so you can try it out to see if it works for you.@MoneyPincher: Just a heads up, VKB just announced they are opening a local online shop this Friday.
https://www.reddit.com/r/hotas/comments/nwbp1h/vkb_down_unde…
This actualy quite a good deal. This 'rgb' one is their newer one which fixes most of the issues most people have experienced with the original 'blue' and 'rhino' ones from what I understand (USB disconnecting issues etc.)
Seems like a very good deal.