I wound up replacing my TM Warthog stick (which broke) with this about 2 months ago. I like it way better than the Warthog. It is also cheaper.

This review is for the VKB Gladiator EVO stick, Premium model for $175. (The non premium models have only 1 trigger and one hat is removed and replaced with a pushbutton $135). Every review on Youtube recommends buying the Premium model. The premium module also comes with two modules in the package: "Includes an extra button module for the C1 position and an extra hat switch module for the A1 position, expanding input options for complex game setups." I have not used these modules and am not sure what they are for.

Although cheaper than the TM Warthog stick, the VKB is better in these ways.

1) It has 2 encoder wheels and one axis wheel near the bottom on the base.

2) It has 2 "triggers" instead of one. One is dual stage, the other is single stage. (The Warthog has one dual stage trigger).

3) All 4 of the hats have center pushbutton, so thats 4 more controller buttons. Exactly like the Warthog, one of these hats is a POV hat that can move in more directions than 4.

4) It has a twist axis.

5) It uses MaRS sensors on the X-Y (aileron, elevator) axis instead of Hall Effect sensors. This is a step up in quality over the Warthog.

6) The handrest can be set in 3 heights for small, medium, or large hands. Makes it easier to precisely reach the buttons with your fingers.

7) You can disable the twist motion by installing a screw which will hold the stick from ever twisting.

8 ) You have 3 spring weight forces. VKB calls them 10, 20, 30 springs. There is an extra 2 springs for 10, 20, 30 (six total springs extra plus the 20 that comes preinstalled  in the stick).

9) You can disable either the X or the Y movement on the stick. In other words stop the stick from being able to mode sidesways. Or stop it from moving forwards and backwards. You install blocks to do this.

10) By removing the 4 springs (two for X, two for Y) the stick will not auto move back to center. You install a thing that puts just enough force on the stick to keep it from wobbling. This is great for helicopters and for to use the stick as a throttle.

11) There are left and right hand models of this stick, your choice. If you want to fly HOSAS (instead of HOTAS) which is hands on stick and stick, then you need to buy both a left and a right hand stick.

12) For either right or left hand stick, a bent stick model is also for sale. Some people prefer the stick that will control the throttle to be bent downward sideways so that the hand on the throttle stick is lower than the other hand on the flight stick.

13) There are also 3 large buttons lined up in a row on the base. To assign 3 more functions.

The TM Warthog has none of the features above.

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Disadvantage: the gimbals are high grade plastic instead of metal, and so is the stick itself and the base. Except the flat bottom base plate in metal.

This disadvantage can be overcome by buying the VKB all steel model which is about $150 more. It also has 4 spring weights intead of 3: 10, 20, 30, 40.

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Assembly of the stick is easy. Would take 5 minutes if you were practiced at it. Takes longer when you have to "read and then do" each step.

Assembly of stick and the options:

 

Youtube review:

 

 

 

 

Edited September 18, 20241 yr by Fielder

This is the all metal version which in the Premium model is $380 instead of $175.

https://www.vkbcontrollers.com/products/gunfighter-mk-iv-space-combat-edition-tabletop-right-hand?variant=40102238814326

 

Very few people buy this, because the plastic gimbal version is so much cheaper and is really of high quality. The Russians really know how to make things right. (VKB products are designed and owned by a Russian company but made and shipped from China).

1 hour ago, Fielder said:

Disadvantage: the gimbals are high grade plastic instead of metal

"High grade" are the key words here; and BTW, Warthog gimbal is all-plastic of much worse quality which is prone to breaking with heavy use...

Thanks for the correction !

On 9/19/2024 at 5:08 AM, Fielder said:

This is the all metal version which in the Premium model is $380 instead of $175.

https://www.vkbcontrollers.com/products/gunfighter-mk-iv-space-combat-edition-tabletop-right-hand?variant=40102238814326

 

Very few people buy this, because the plastic gimbal version is so much cheaper and is really of high quality. The Russians really know how to make things right. (VKB products are designed and owned by a Russian company but made and shipped from China).

Don't suppose you've seen if they have a left handed version of this metal stick? 

I just last week receivted my first VKB stick after 8 years with the TM Warthog. I ordered a left handed Gunfighter Mk IV Base with the Premium SCG grip - My grip however was all plastic and I've never seen an option for a left handed metal one. 

Unfortunately the stick was faulty on arrival (Y axis dead) so I've had to send it back. If they had a metal version of this left handed stick I'd ask to swap it for that!

1 hour ago, KL Oo said:

Don't suppose you've seen if they have a left handed version of this metal stick? 

No they don't, and AFAIK they are not planning it. The metal grip (MCG Ultimate) is a 95-% replica of a real one which is used in SU-57 fighter; they didn't want to spoil the realism😀. Well, almost, as the real-life grip is plastic, not metal, but after the success of the plastic version (MCG/ MCG Pro) the demand for the metal one was high (inspired by the Thrustmaster cougar/ Warthog/ F-18). The SCG, on the contrary, was aimed at a much wider range of simulators, including the space ones- hence both the right-hand and the left-hand ones were available from the start of production.  

Thanks for explaining that to us Sergey. I have had zero trouble with my new VKB premium plastic. Love it. More axis, buttons, and encoders than my old warthog. Despite its ruggedness, my Warthog stick was totaled when it feel about 3 feet to the carpeted floor.

I bought a Gladiator recently and was so impressed I also bought the STECS and T-Rudder pedals. These replaced 20 year old CH kit.

Still no Chuck Yeager but my flying is a lot less embarrasing. Having no deadzones really improves precision.

 

The VKB T rudder pedals are the best helicopter pedals, and a huge bargain for planes if you don't need toe brakes. They are more precise than my TM Pendular pedals and cost less than half as much. And all steel and come standard with shocks.

I have the all metal gunfighter for 5 years and the only issue I had is one hat switch's plastic axis broken last year (I use for trim, you can guess how much press it experienced....). Even when it's already out of warranty, the customer service still sent me 3 more for free! (although I ended up fix it with a metal insert, I can't wait for few days and after the fix I feel it might be even stronger.)

And it's still smooth and strong! Recently I bough a right hand grip and regularly switch between them for airliner/GA and Fighter/Helo.

One tip for setup: Airbus's side stick actually came with quite different strength for pitch vs roll, and you can set VKB stick with different spring for different axis to mimic that, works great for me (I only went about 2:1 in pitch:roll, airbus is more like 3:1)