X-52 vs VKB Gladiator

[jollyFE]

Looking for a new stick and trying not to spend more than $200.  I like the X52 with the HOTAS setup, but the VKB seems more durable and less buttons(I know I can add a throttle later which would give more buttons).

Looking for suggestions

Thanks

[JimmyD3]

Just got a brand new X56 from Logitech off of Amazon, $270.00. I  have been using them for several years and like them very much, there is nothing wrong with my current one, but the price was to good to pass up.

[Simon]

X52 is pretty bad. X56 is a little better, but VKB Gladiator is head & shoulders above both.

[jollyFE]

Can I add other throttles to the VKB?

[Simon]

Yep. I use my old X52 throttle with it.

[Spikes]

I got an X52 Pro after my X52 hat switch was finally starting to toejam the bed after a long service life (6-7+ years). Love it, grabbed it off of /r/hardwareswap for like $100 bucks when everyone was selling their equipment from ED/Star Citizen.

[Eagler]

Used the X52 for years and the X45 and X36 before that..

Decent sticks back then

For the $$$ I think you can't beat a T1600 combo

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1288911-REG/thrustmaster_29607778_t_16000m_fcs_hotas_joystick.html

Bhphoto has some of the best prices these days

Eagler

[JimmyD3]

Used the X52 for years and the X45 and X36 before that..

Decent sticks back then

For the $$$ I think you can't beat a T1600 combo

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1288911-REG/thrustmaster_29607778_t_16000m_fcs_hotas_joystick.html

Bhphoto has some of the best prices these days

Eagler

Wow they have ah great price on the X56 as well, $233.00.

[OldNitro]

I have both..
VKB Gladiator, has separate elevator and aileron gates..
FAR superior feel, to the old pogo stick spring on the X52..
I paired the Gladiator with the X55 throttle.. Sweet!

[CAV]

I to am thinking of going VKB too. Not so much for AH, but for IL-2.
I like the looks of all the addons.

CAVALRY

[Wiley]

I went from an X52 to a Gladiator last year.  Night and day.  I loved the amount of buttons and the button layout on the X52.  The Gladiator has more than enough, the only downside is if you were doing stuff with the X52 profiler software you can't do shiftstates that involve both the throttle and the stick (I'm using my X52 throttle as well).

I used to think people talking about smoothness in their controls were in the same headspace as people who tweak their computer to get 3 more FPS when they're playing, but going from the X52 to the Gladiator made me a believer.  When my throttle and pedals go I will be getting better ones as well.

IMO it's worth every penny.

Wiley.

[jollyFE]

So I picked up a thrustmaster twcs and ordered the VKB.  Also, my kids got me to try elite dangerous.

[Wiley]

I'd be curious to hear what you find with the TWCS.  Without going to the top shelf throttle controls, it looked to me like a pretty good choice for the money.

Wiley.

[Eagler]

I use it with a warthog jstick and find it a great throttle

I picked it over others as it has the thumb wheel for manual trim which I can't do without

Eagler

[CptTrips]

I'd be curious to hear what you find with the TWCS.  Without going to the top shelf throttle controls, it looked to me like a pretty good choice for the money.

Just received my VKB t-Rudder pedals and NXT lefty Gladiator yesterday.  Seriously impressed with the quality of both.  Finest hardware I've own, but as a lefty I never owned the Warthog stuff so I can't compare to that. 

I've had the TWCS for a number of years and it's ok.  The problem I have is that it is a slider sitting on rails.  You don't get the same leverage as you would a lever arm of some type.  And you are usually resting the weight of you hand on the device which increases the stickion.  There is a small amount of sticky grabbiness you get from that.

I never noticed it much flying WWII warbirds as the throttle adjustments tended to be a little more coarse, but now that I am obsessive with helo's where you need really fine control of the collective, I'm finding that an annoyance.  I'm looking for a better alternative for the TWCS.  If I were a righty and had the room, I'd seriously consider a Virpil collective, but for now I'm looking for something tabletop. 

I'd love it if VKB had a true throttle.  I'm so impressed with their quality and service I'd buy one in a second.  The thing they have though is a weird space sim thing that has spring return to center which won't work for my needs.