Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: Max on June 06, 2026, 07:57:56 AM

Title: VKB 8 way hat...or lack thereof issue
Post by: Max on June 06, 2026, 07:57:56 AM
For the money it's hard to beat the VKB Gladiator NXT Evo stick. Mine has a RH Space grip. The only option for 8 way views is the mini stick located in the upper left hand corner. There's 3 other hat switches tho oddly enough, they're all 4 way. I have my views set to the A3 hat as it's the most comfortable location for thumb placement. My research comes up empty in terms of converting a 2nd 8 way option. Is there an option I'm not aware of for 8 views other than the mini stick? Sure seems odd that a build of this quality lacks such a basic necessity.
Title: Re: VKB 8 way hat...or lack thereof issue
Post by: Animl-AW on June 06, 2026, 08:14:01 AM
I have the WWII grip, it has an 8-way. But slim on other buttons.

I put my trigger on my throttle, use trigger on my stick to look up. Pressing both trigger/look up and 8-way hat at same time i have a very wide view
Title: Re: VKB 8 way hat...or lack thereof issue
Post by: Max on June 06, 2026, 08:43:19 AM
I use D1 pinky button for a LOOK UP modifier. Took a look at the WW2 grip and agree; very limited assignment options. Tnx tho.
Title: Re: VKB 8 way hat...or lack thereof issue
Post by: Animl-AW on June 06, 2026, 09:33:01 AM
I use D1 pinky button for a LOOK UP modifier. Took a look at the WW2 grip and agree; very limited assignment options. Tnx tho.

I don’t get it either. The cost difference can’t be that much to justify not putting an 8-way in. <shrug>

The very reason I got the WWII with limitations was for the 8-way. However, all my controls are on throttle anyways.
Title: Re: VKB 8 way hat...or lack thereof issue
Post by: Shane on June 06, 2026, 10:27:29 AM
For the money it's hard to beat the VKB Gladiator NXT Evo stick. Mine has a RH Space grip. The only option for 8 way views is the mini stick located in the upper left hand corner. There's 3 other hat switches tho oddly enough, they're all 4 way. I have my views set to the A3 hat as it's the most comfortable location for thumb placement. My research comes up empty in terms of converting a 2nd 8 way option. Is there an option I'm not aware of for 8 views other than the mini stick? Sure seems odd that a build of this quality lacks such a basic necessity.

Same positional issue and did some researching but nothing about converting one of those 3x 4-ways into an 8-way. 
Title: Re: VKB 8 way hat...or lack thereof issue
Post by: The Fugitive on June 06, 2026, 05:53:17 PM
What is wrong with using the 8 way as is for views? Are you looking to  add another 8 way or you don't like where the 8 way is positioned?

There is  no option  for another one,  but you might be  able to take it apart and move it.

Basically what are you trying to do?
Title: Re: VKB 8 way hat...or lack thereof issue
Post by: Spikes on June 06, 2026, 07:34:58 PM
For the money it's hard to beat the VKB Gladiator NXT Evo stick. Mine has a RH Space grip. The only option for 8 way views is the mini stick located in the upper left hand corner. There's 3 other hat switches tho oddly enough, they're all 4 way. I have my views set to the A3 hat as it's the most comfortable location for thumb placement. My research comes up empty in terms of converting a 2nd 8 way option. Is there an option I'm not aware of for 8 views other than the mini stick? Sure seems odd that a build of this quality lacks such a basic necessity.
I use the mini stick (A1) for my views. It is really unfortunate A3 is not an 8 way.
Title: Re: VKB 8 way hat...or lack thereof issue
Post by: Max on June 07, 2026, 07:14:11 AM
What is wrong with using the 8 way as is for views? Are you looking to  add another 8 way or you don't like where the 8 way is positioned?

There is  no option  for another one,  but you might be  able to take it apart and move it.

Basically what are you trying to do?

The only 8 way option on the Gladiator Space Grip is the mini stick. When resting the base of my hand on the handle bottom, my thumb rests naturally on the A3 4 way. As Spikes states, that's the logical place for an 8 way. The mini sits one inch up and left of A3...just enough to be mildly uncomfortable. Add in the swivel motion a mini stick requires (vs an 8 way hat I've used for 20 + years) and maintaining a sighline on an opponant becomes more difficult. I'm faced with overcoming an obsticle or reverting back top my CH Fighterstick...which is still in perfect working order after 2+ decades. Not the end of the world by any means.
Title: Re: VKB 8 way hat...or lack thereof issue
Post by: AKIron on June 07, 2026, 08:02:25 AM
Father's Day is coming up. Ask for a Track IR.
Title: Re: VKB 8 way hat...or lack thereof issue
Post by: The Fugitive on June 07, 2026, 11:02:44 AM
There is a riser to add the the rest to move your hand up higher on the grip. That might help.
Title: Re: VKB 8 way hat...or lack thereof issue
Post by: Max on June 07, 2026, 11:24:27 AM
Gemini AI says there's a thicker/higher hand rest option but I'm not seeing it on the VKB web site. I could probably make something with Velcro. Thanks for the tip.
Title: Re: VKB 8 way hat...or lack thereof issue
Post by: AKIron on June 07, 2026, 12:32:00 PM
If ya go with Track IR get the pro clip or make your own. Much better than using the IR reflector.
Title: Re: VKB 8 way hat...or lack thereof issue
Post by: Max on June 07, 2026, 02:11:18 PM
I tried TrackIR about 10 yrs ago...cervical spine stenosis put the kabosh on it,
Title: Re: VKB 8 way hat...or lack thereof issue
Post by: AKIron on June 07, 2026, 02:23:57 PM
I tried TrackIR about 10 yrs ago...cervical spine stenosis put the kabosh on it,

You try putting a curve on it so very little head movement equates to big screen movements? I turn my head about 45 degrees left or right and I'm looking straight back.
Title: Re: VKB 8 way hat...or lack thereof issue
Post by: Randy1 on June 08, 2026, 10:25:48 AM
Although a bit weird, an option might be to use your CH stick as a throttle.

I do agree with Iron, the Trackir curves can be made to do about anything with smaller head movements.  You might find you can us the Tracker in conjunction with the 4-way hat for minimum head movement.
Title: Re: VKB 8 way hat...or lack thereof issue
Post by: AKIron on June 08, 2026, 12:14:55 PM
More expensive but requires less head movement is the Tobii Eye Tracker. I bought one and it works well except with DCS. Specifically with DCS the eye tracking does not center the screen where you are looking which is what the HMD does. Consequently it is unusable with the DCS HMD, a no go for me. Back to Track IR and Tobii on a shelf waiting for an update to change this behavior.

The Tobii does head tracking, or eye tracking, or both. It does integrate them well.