I have two VKB Sticks. One EVO and the other is a EVO-upgraded NXT (Gimbal Upgrade Kit). Both are premium. Best Sticks for the buck. Just a quick tip for keybinding: Set axis and then add functions button for button you feel comfy with and makes sense for you. Only use buttons/functions on the sticks when you are in a fight. Nothing is more frustrating then release your grip to push a keyboard button in the middle of a fight. I recoomend for the first binding: Axis, fire weapons (group 1+2 on same button), afterburner, countermeassures, power triangle, ping, pin/unpin and lock/unlock highlighted target, decoupled and QT-drive. Nothing more in the beginning and slowly add bindings for other shipsystems one by one.

An SC dev once said to me that he believes the Kosmosima grip is by far the best grip for 6dof games due to the smaller throw of the stick (smaller movements are required to manoeuvre). The same could be applied to the T16000 but they lack the amount of controls the VKBs have. I had budgeted for the Virpil Alphas but bought the Gladiators based on that advice and I'm super pleased with my purchase.

Virpil: Gold Standard VKB: Silver standard Thrustmaster: Bronze standard I’ve had my T16000s for going on 4 years now and love them for what I do… There not the best but there allow you to get in and fly. If your looking to be Space Trucker, Shuttle Pilot, Hotdrop pilot or ex-fill pilot, refueler or anything non combat related the Thristmasters is all you need. If you want to do anything combat related upgraded to VKB or Virpil.

I have the premium, but I understand the appeal of the standard version. It was a huge dilemma to choose between them. The thing about the standard is that I remember it cost $120 back when the lackluster T.16000M cost $70. When you compare the amount of features the NXT standard has, its quality and longevity (Thrustmaster products just don't last), then you'll realize the value the NXT standard brings to the table. As for the "Premium" features, the two-stage trigger is great, I loved the one on the Saitek X52 and I love it here, the mini-joystick can be handy for looking around your cockpit when you don't have TrackIR, but not so much flying and the thumb HAT switch does not feel too great, and is replacing a fine button. When you're in the US, $30 is about right for these, but when you're in Europe, you get charged 40€ extra for these relatively small items, which is what a whole Logitech 3D Extreme Pro used to cost a long time ago, bringing the price to 213€. Btw. there used to be the Gladiator-K, built on the original Gladiator mkll base which had 13 buttons + a shift button whereas the NXT base only 3 buttons and 2 encoders, thus 7 buttons in total. As someone who doesn't like playing with HOTAS, nor do i have enough room on my desk for it, I really miss those buttons. I tried to purchase the Gladiator K or the conversion kit for a long time, but it was never available so I ended up with an NXT. I also regret being one of the early adopters. I didn't consider myself to be one back in the day because it had been on sale for at least a couple of months when I ordered mine. The NXT owes its smooth operation to the special grease they use called Nyogel 767a. The first batch produced didn't have it, but in November 2020, people on the forums were reporting their units had this nice dampened feel to them, so it was apparent VKB had started using it. I ordered mine late in November. It arrived in December with a "November" sticker on it, but no dampened feel for me. My unit has the standard junk grease they had been using prviously :( The award for the absolute worst value in the history of the entire Joystick industry since its conception has to go to the Gladiator NXT to EVO Upgrade Kit. $49 in the US is bad, but €69 in the Europe makes the T.16000M suddenly look like the bargain of the century. All this for a marginally better feel...smh. At that price, I'd expect them to send a technician to upgrade your joystick for you at your home.

I've got premium for left hand for DCS, I don't play SC, but I like the video, reasonably short and focused on controls... an I'm a control freak. Nice analysis.

I have the premium right stick and I just think it's great. It's perfect for the PU in Alpha. I don't want to buy my "forever" sticks until the game is launched. That seems so far off in the future that I'm sure stick tech will be way different then. These really are the best. Also, when you do the setup once, you're good forever even if you get a new rig. I just got a new rig and I didn't have to do the stick setup all over again and that was so great. Your videos are always awesome. Cheers, homie.

So I'm gonna say I'm a Hotas guy! Hosas feels like heavy equipment controls to me at some point might add a yoke and race petals for ground but about to upgrade from Logitech extreme 3d pro single stick to STECS throttle max and gladiator NXT premium so the best use of mini joystick on premium would thing is to look around ship so you can follow target with weapons on gimbals.

I use a Premium Left in my HOSAM setup. Swapped out the analog for a standard stick to lessen the chance of activating the wrong thing, having 4 directions on it instead of 8. But yeah, whether the Premium is worth it depends on the bindings you want on the sticks.

Great video, bro. I love the explanation of the two versions of the gladiator; that's exactly what I needed. The reason I'm looking at VKB is due to the fact that my Thrustmasters simply don't have enough buttons on the sticks themselves. They've got plenty if you're willing to reach down and fiddle around in the dark but I'm looking for readily available buttons, easily accessible during combat. To your point, in the video, if I wanted to fiddle around in the dark, I could just bind that thing to my RGB keyboard. I'm definitely considering the premium, after watching your video. Cheers.

This is the exact setup I have been looking at. So its great to see a practical review. Struggling to find purpose for all the buttons and hats is definitely true. Though personally I would switch out the premium stick hat for the crisp standard four button hat. Easier to not mess up control under stress. Though I use trackir and don't need a free look button.

I got the premium, both hands. NXT gives you the parts they removed for the upgrade, so you can change your mind later if you want. I really like the ability to program a "shift" button so I can double-up on a lot of the controls.

I have dual premiums, I probably should post my bindings in case some people like them, but mine are WAY different from his. I have it so that the right hand controls where the ship is looking and associated tasks, and the left hand controls where the ship is going and some associated. Main firing functions are on the right so that I can focus on that hand in combat and sync when I pull the trigger with when my ship is pointing in the correct direction. I can't wait for the new flight mechanics, I'm not a fan of jousting, but that seems to be how most combat encounters in SC go atm.

Loved my NXTs....and love my Gunfighter MK3s even more, and my fiancée now has the NXTs (She keeps eyeing my MK3s though.....damn you VKB!!! Lol)

I have a VKB standard, and love it. Note the Standard can be upgraded to the Premium, through a kit.

One of the basic tenets of cockpits: you can never have too many buttons. Anything else is sacrilegious! :D But on more serious note, thanks for the interesting video. I get questions about joysticks constantly but have not personal experience with VKB products.

Cool to hear. I have one left standard. Suppose when I get a right it will be Preem

Two standards is plenty I think to map all urgent bindings. Great vid

I have the Premium stick and Omnithrottle usinf BuzzKill/Subliminal bindings and they are great. I did change the Analog Ministicks to the 4 way hats on both. At least in the US they ship out of China, so delivery does take a week or two.

I've found that I did find bindings for the additional HAT. The additional trigger I found very useful. The analog mini-stick is a bit less useful, but that perhaps is because I've head tracking - I can see a case for it if you didn't. Overall, I'm glad I got premium though it isn't necessary - if you have easy access to a keyboard or use voice attack much of it might be a bit redundant. Ultimately more buttons is better, whenever you don't need to incorporate an Alt button it makes things a tiny bit easier. Either way is definitely totally viable and they are a great value proposition amongst all the different options.

I have the premium left / right of these and I adore them.

I got the premiums, but changed out the joystick hat for the regular ones on both sticks. The joystick seems useless for SC. The double trigger is OK. The thumb hat on the stick was, imo, the thing I was paying for. I'd go regulars unless you want to blow 30 bucks for one superior button.

Thank you for this video. i can't wait to get these sticks!

Elite V2 with keyboard accessorie is my favorite

Just got this one, the throttle one, and pedals. Can't wait!

I have 2 premium sticks for elite dangerous. They work great. Really pleased with VKB.

At the moment I am running the Trustmaster T16000m dual sticks as that is what the wife got me for a surprise birthday present which I was shocked that she had even thought about it ( I must have been talking about Star Citizen a lot ) so far I am happy with them but looking long term for something better now I have the PC up and running. I must say Ive been looking at Virpil and VKB . but just getting over the cost of the pc so not for some time LOL

your videos are so underrated, you make amazing content. just wanted to say that!

Thanks for doing this comparison.

standard is perfectly fine...however the price jump to premium...isnt great value unless you 100% need those extra features *from a premium owner

No matter, a mounted stick will perform better than non mounted regardless what you’re using. I just found a wooden board and screws from Home Depot and the experience on both thrustmasters and vkbs is twice as good a feeling. Mount!

I have a t16000m hosas that has orange color not green. I have no idea what is the difference xD. I had them for a few months. So I decided I love hosas. So I ordered 2x constelation alpha prime sticks with 1 twisted axis grip and the best mongus base I could find in the vipril website and adapters and desk mounts. Waiting for them to arrive at beginning of may. A few weeks after I arrive home after a 8 month contract as seaman. Can't wait! Yet I think it will take a lot of time to set it up as hardware and make all key bindings xd . So excited!!!!

HOTAS user here. TM TWCS and Premium right. I think I use every button, just not the paddles on the TWCS, but the analog joystick is perfect for thrusting u/d and l/r

Hey, if I am not mistaken, the premium one has some better sensors too except of the buttons.

I'm very happy with me Virpil Alpha Prime HOSAS

with the cost of shipping them, and the cost of the sticks, you're better off buying the premiums for both. You might not need the buttons, but at some point, you'll say, that would be a good thing to map to my joystick. You'll have the buttons to do it. Alsp. if you want to upgrade to premium, it's more expensive than buying it with the joystick.

I tell people if you want a dual stick system and absolutely need to save the $60 then get the standard sticks. They are still better than anything remotely close to them at this price point. BUT if you can afford the extra $60 go ahead and do it. The extra flexibility is worth it. I personally like a thumb stick and find that kind of input more comfortable than some of the other buttons. One video I would really like to see is a video on weather it would be worth upgrading my VKB base to the Gunfighter base. Reviewers like Noobifier are all hard core in there reviews but I would like to hear some like me who is mostly happy with the VKBs Gladiators opinion on how much improvement the nicer base is?

I was thinking Thrustmaster Airbus and someone told me that the twist is twitching so my bro told me that Thrustmaster and Logitech joysticks both sucks. Some told me virpil or vkb. Both are the best. My bro aldo told me that VKB is a better option that will last you a long time. So I agreed to make a decision to buy the Premium and the STECs mostly for MSFS2020, Fighter Anthology and possibly I.may get into DCS. My number thing I would love to do better than any games in the world? Is Blue Angels airshow.

I need you on the Virpils, and please, Hotas And hosas pls.

Love your work!! And yes you are savvy 😊 It's also my mentality when dealing with star citizen... go all in or go home... so premium it is!!

I had to make this very choice. Given that the premium sticks are now 40 euros more than the standards, when you're considering buying two this ups the price another good chunk. In the end I bought two standard sticks. Don't get me wrong, I'm very, very happy with them, but every so often I look at them sitting on my desk and think "Jesus Christ, 350 euros for two joysticks. I must be mad!" Over 400 would have been even crazier. At the end of the day they are worth it to have smooth, reliable axis control with accurate centering and no dead zones. Absolutely essential for precise, accurate and immersive flight, and the standard sticks are just as good as the premiums for that. In addition, I bought myself a copy of voice attack. All my most essential functions are mapped to my joystick buttons and hats, with many of them being duplicated as voice attack commands. The less essential stuff is taken care of with voice attack and the standard keyboard bindings. I've definitely never felt as if I needed the extra functions from the VKB premium sticks. Of course, if the money is not really an issue for you, then by all means get the premiums.

Good video man ! And nice to see the shout out for BuzZ, he’s a blessing for beginner, I’m always recommending him when People start using sticks.

Just ordered myself 2 premiums.tired of screwing around with different systems and ending up unsatisfied with them

I want these soooo bad.

Same setup here - left Standard, right Premium

great content dude

I use every part of my dual premiums. I don't use a keyboard at all once I am flying

This was very helpful. As a new star citizen player, I’m finding your channel very helpful. What would your thoughts be on going with the premium left hand to use as the angled Omni throttle configuration they have and a standard vkb right hand?

To address the "just use a keyboard" idea. If you're going to full immersion then you don't want to touch a keyboard once you sit in the pilot seat. I have two premium sticks and this damned game has so many functions (I use all my bindings)that I've STILL run out of buttons ! :D (Far more comprehensive than Buzzkills. If you want see the lay out DM me and I'll send it over for you to check out.

Got 1 premium pair with a TWCS

Also tenpoundfortytwo, with 3.18.1 fixes some of the bugs and 3.18.2 around the corner along with Invictus, I was wondering if you and your group would want to put something together to have a friendly Fleet vs. Fleet? We can do both air and ground if you wanted. If it’s something you’re interested in comment and will see if we can put something together. You can ask your subs if they want to fly with you as well. Just throwing an idea out there. Cheers! 🎊

P R E M I U M all the way.

I got one premium and one standard and I don't really play star citizen right now.

That's technically fine advice but no way, I wouldn't give up the analog thumbsticks just to have a mildly less expensive joystick. Sure, you could skip it on one side, but I don't really see the percentage in that.

I am wondering if anyone has tried the Gulikit King Kong 2 Pro Controller. The thumbsticks are hall effect so should last a long, long time and it also has a internal gyroscope control input. If I had one I would set the gyroscope for pitch up/down and roll right/left. The right thumbstick for forward/backward and yaw left/right. The left thumbstick for Strafe up/down/left/right.

How is the purchasing process for VKB in the UK? I've purchased from Virpil a few times (twin Alphas, bases, CM3) and tbh, there's a huge headache with UK customs slapping on 80 odd quid to every item. Made the entire setup very expensive in the end. This was the same pre and post brexit.

Hi there all. Great vid. Thnx. How does the weight of these compare to the X52 ? I don't need the base plate as it's on a stand... but I don't want one that's too heavy... as it may tip my lightweight stand. Thnx

Well... I am cheaper than you. I am using one $20 stick. It seems to work fine for me. I am sure I don't know what I am missing, but maybe I am better off not knowing.

cant you just rebind individual keys to match what his buttons are bound to instead of trying to download a scheme? does star citizen not allow you to remind any key to what you want?

Hey Ten, how about Hotas with pedals? I find it much more intuitive

Seems very clunky compared to the Virpils, but then it might be cheaper than Constellations.

To me it seems like you tried to convince yourself that your one Standard Stick is still enough but everyone who simply opened the advanced keybinds window knows that you want ALL BUTTONS you can get 😅 I would even spend another 7€ to buy the Omni Throttle version, which "saves" another ~40€ compared to buying the OTA separately later. But seriously, I currently use the Saitek X-55 HOTAS, predecessor of the Logitech X-56 and I like the throttle but it's just a pain to use in space combat, because I had to set 4 strafe axis to a small coolie hat. This also looks ok on paper, but it is not. Sure you can always use the keyboard and at some point you have to, but the point of 2 sticks is to only use it if absolutely necessary, right? So when I buy the VKBs it will be 1 Premium OTA (left) + 1 Premium (right), not making any more compromises. Saving 2*30€/$ sounds like it's worth thinking about, if you are really short on money, but I am afraid that you would regret it at some point, but maybe that's just me. I save up until I can pay the whole thing. For me the VKBs are already "cheap" High-End sticks, not worth saving even more since you already saved several hundred €/$ not buying the VKB Gunfighter 😉 Thx for making SC + hardware content!

I was taken a back by their shipping costs

I have never heard of buzzkiller, hope he has an x55 set up.

Does SC provide force feedback?

Premium.