Author Topic: flight control rig  (Read 1040 times)

Offline pops04

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flight control rig
« on: July 15, 2026, 07:16:13 AM »
Alright I am searching again for a new set of flight controls currently running a set of X56 Hotas by logitek the throttle handles are about ready to fall off so back in the market any input would be great..

Thanks
Pops
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Offline Animl-AW

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Re: flight control rig
« Reply #1 on: July 15, 2026, 07:27:44 AM »
VKB GLADIATOR
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Offline Eagler

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Re: flight control rig
« Reply #2 on: July 15, 2026, 07:47:20 AM »
Best bang for the buck imo..

This stick...

https://winctrl.com/view/goods-details.html?id=557&sku_id=81

..with this throttle...

https://a.co/d/0f1kCVQz

Eagler

Intel Core i7-13700KF | GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX | 64GB G.Skill DDR5 | 16GB GIGABYTE RTX 4070 Ti Super | 850 watt ps | Pimax Crystal Super | Warthog stick | TM1600 throttle | VKB Mk.V Rudder

Online The Fugitive

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Re: flight control rig
« Reply #3 on: July 15, 2026, 07:50:03 AM »
First, they aint cheap! Im using an old CHProducts throttle right now and it is acting up. I settled for a used X56 throttle.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=winwing&channelId=500&clpRedir=Y&plpRedirect=mhFallback This is a link to some of what Amazon has available.

VKB is most likely the best bang for the buck https://vkbsimcontrollers.com/ I use the NXT Gladiator. If you buy VKB be sure you select the one WITH the 8-way hat switch. Some have a 4-way instead of the 8-way (ask mw how I know  :rolleyes: ) The VKB rudder pedals are amazing.

WinWing has some nice stuff, but again, not cheap  https://winctrl.com/view/shopping.html

VKB and WinWing and some of the other new stick sets all have gimbles with steel parts and roller bearings. Much smoother feel and should last much longer.

The old stand bys are still available, X56, and the Warthog sets are $250-300 for the stick/pedal combo and the T16000M combo for $170. Each has their weaknesses. For the extra $50-100 bucks you can get one of the VKB sets and be much better off.

Offline Randy1

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Re: flight control rig
« Reply #4 on: July 15, 2026, 09:29:08 AM »
I replaced my thrustmaster 1600 and throttle with VKB stuff.  Very pleased with VKB.  A little pricy but the quality is there.

The thrustmaster 1600 use to be the best value joystick but they have a very limited life now.   The throttle is junk right out  of the box for the last two I bought.

Online The Fugitive

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Re: flight control rig
« Reply #5 on: July 15, 2026, 09:48:31 AM »
I replaced my thrustmaster 1600 and throttle with VKB stuff.  Very pleased with VKB.  A little pricy but the quality is there.

The thrustmaster 1600 use to be the best value joystick but they have a very limited life now.   The throttle is junk right out  of the box for the last two I bought.

My T16000 throttle lasted almost a year.... well with help. The throttle runs on shafts and they use rubber "o" rings on the ends as "stops" The issue I started having was the rubber would wear and the end spots would then change messing up the calibration. Sometimes it wouldnt go into WEP, other times it would drop out on its own. I replaced the o-rings a few times but mine werent as tough/solid as the originals and so didnt last long. Just got tired of tearing it down every few weeks.

Offline pops04

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Re: flight control rig
« Reply #6 on: July 15, 2026, 01:47:27 PM »
Alright Y'all I just got a sweet deal on a warthog rig brand new for $296.00 with shipping. Thanks for all the info. See ya in the sky's.
Pops
 :noid   :salute

Offline Mayhem

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Re: flight control rig
« Reply #7 on: July 15, 2026, 02:11:24 PM »
I use virpil with a dash of winwing ... I'm a snob!

But really if you want High End and want to stay as much as you can in the same ecosystem than Virpil is the way to go followed by WinCtrl and Thrustmaster. Unfortunately VKB isn't as rounded out in the high end like the others.

If you you don't mind stepping out on your preferred manufacturer than I would suggest a Mix match of Virpil Winctrl VKB and Thrustmaster.

On the low to mid end side I think the current best bang for your buck is VKB as Fugitive suggested.
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Offline Eagler

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Re: flight control rig
« Reply #8 on: July 15, 2026, 03:32:15 PM »
Alright Y'all I just got a sweet deal on a warthog rig brand new for $296.00 with shipping. Thanks for all the info. See ya in the sky's.
Pops
 :noid   :salute

If you got the throttle and joystick shipped for under $300 you got a great deal  :aok

I use the warthog stick ..

As long as the springs aren't too strong in the base - had one base that the springs were too strong for comfortable play - I find it a great stick with a great combination of hats and buttons..

Eagler
Intel Core i7-13700KF | GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX | 64GB G.Skill DDR5 | 16GB GIGABYTE RTX 4070 Ti Super | 850 watt ps | Pimax Crystal Super | Warthog stick | TM1600 throttle | VKB Mk.V Rudder

Offline AKIron

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Re: flight control rig
« Reply #9 on: July 15, 2026, 04:29:49 PM »
I put an extender on my Warthog stick and it made it much easier to use. The Warthog throttle had an eraser style mouse like the old Thinkpads which everyone hated. I did a Deltasim or something like that mod which changed it to an analog hat. Seems Thrustmaster finally got a clue replaced that with their own analog hat.

Maybe not. That video isn't old but I don't know if he bought it new.

https://youtu.be/e5g35viycts?t=63

If you have the old style don't buy the Chinese Deltasim knockoffs. I saved $15 and wasted $40.

https://www.deltasimelectronics.com/products/thumbstick-slew-sensor-adapter
« Last Edit: July 15, 2026, 04:39:01 PM by AKIron »
Here we put salt on Margaritas, not sidewalks.

Offline AKIron

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Re: flight control rig
« Reply #10 on: July 15, 2026, 04:40:51 PM »
An analog hat instead of that "thumbstick" is ideal for controlling the cursor in an MFD.

I use Virpil now and the analog hat I use for the same functions is on the side. Have to use my thumb instead of my index finger. My index finger provides finer control than my thumb.
« Last Edit: July 15, 2026, 04:42:31 PM by AKIron »
Here we put salt on Margaritas, not sidewalks.