Reddit reviews Thrustmaster TWCS Throttle Controller for PC, Black

I think your only option is a T16000m FCS throttle.

None of those worth your money, they are outdated devices with old components and lots of issues (search on Reddit about it).

Best and cheapest combo on the market at this point:

1. VKB Gladiator MKII - $84 ( https://vkbcontrollers.com/?product=vkb-sim-gladiator );
   
2. TWCS throttle - $79 ( https://www.amazon.com/ThrustMaster-2960754-Thrustmaster-TWCS-Throttle/dp/B01L28LVUG/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=twcs&qid=1571860005&sr=8-1 )
   
   Total: $163.
   
   Additionally you could upgrade your setup by getting a Kosmosima grip and an adapter for $100 ( https://vkbcontrollers.com/?product=gladiator-upgrade-kit-lite-w-mcg-bundle-2 ) like here: https://youtu.be/x_LXh5LTJL4

I would go VKB Gladiator MKII because it use contactless sensor on all 3 stick axes. So.. More accurate and most importantly maybe more durable! And for the throttle I would take the Thrustmaster TWCS (You'll probably want to re-grease it frequently, it is easy to do on this throttle, but annoying..). Sadly there aren't other standalone throttle that could fit your budget and not feel like a downgrade compared to the X55, to my knowledge.

The 3D rudder might offer you some possibilities, some accessibility back :finger crossed:


4 axes, so the hope is that one (or at least one) might be ok for you?

https://www.amazon.com/ThrustMaster-2960754-Thrustmaster-TWCS-Throttle/dp/B01L28LVUG

The X-52 Pro was released in 2006. The X-56 in 2016. The Pro was good for it's time, but not these days imo. I got the X52 and I regret it, quality was utter garbage and wasn't even supported by logitech/saitek when I bought it in 2015.

You'd think Saitek/Logitech have learned a lot of lessons between that time? But that x56 has been panned quite heavily by customer reviews on every site I go.

Don't get any of them. Buying the VKB Gladiator and a thrustmaster TWCS Throttle is a far better setup. Though VKB are out of stock with Gladiators at the moment. Xplane.org are charging them slightly above the $99 retail for $106 USD. (Which might end up cheaper anyway depending on shipping costs)

And here's a link to the TWCS

[This?] (https://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-VG-TWCS-Throttle-Controller-2960754/dp/B01L28LVUG/ref=sr_1_16?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1473286526&sr=1-16&keywords=Thrustmaster)

DUDE

Good choice for a stick. its affordable and has great sensors. May i suggest you wait for the new Thrustmaster FCS throttle it was specifically designed for space flight sims.

And yes you can switch between the mouse and joystick/hotas seamlessly.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01L28LVUG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

or amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-TWCS-Throttle-Controller-2960754/dp/B01L28LVUG

Buy Nice or Buy Twice

BUT if your not sure this is a hobby you'll be into for the next ten years, IDK, I used a hotas x (40 dollars) for a long time with this and DCS and warthunder, I had to use joy2key though for IL2 to create modifier buttons, i did this so I could use my 1 hat for 4 different functions. DCS has this ability in game with their control setup.

Before you get any sticks or whatever, get TrackIR if you don't already have a head tracking setup, VR is also another option, but some people find it lacking currently with the lowered graphically fidelity or you may just get sick from it. Track IR is cheaper then VR by ALOT also.

You can get Natural Points TrackIR (get it with the LED Pro Clip, the hat clip is good but your hat brim will cut off your reflectors alot if you look around too far, with the LED you never loose tracking)

there's also cheaper tracking solutions that use ps3 eye cams and freeware software, checkout Delan Clip or Track Hat

If you know your going to be sticking around, go for the good stuff.

Get the Virpil VPC T-50cm grip and base with the desk mount. Not only will your shoulders thank you in the long run by being in a more natural position, you can use this as a center stick or side stick setup, they have a desktop version (Warbird BRD) coming out next month that is similiar to VKBs gunfighter which is a desktop or you have to mount it yourself

Video of Virpil MongoosT-50 Grip and Base/Gimbal with VKB Rudders and Warthog Throttle:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WG4ifXUSPFk
https://imgur.com/67Kcavt
https://imgur.com/S05zjtM
https://virpil.com/images/blog/announcements/mt50cm/VPCMT-50CM_01.jpg

For Pedals, VKB T-Flights are great and accurate but no toe brakes (a real pain in the ass for german ww2 planes, but in IL2 bos you can treat them like russian planes anyway with differential breaking for the most part, i use the brake lever for braking in Il-2)


also can recommend MFG Crosswinds(these are more like real rudder pedals and feature toe brakes)
http://mfg.simundza.com/products

for a throttle, well the only "nice" throttle is the warthogs but thats about 10 years old now, but still pretty good, i hear some of the wiring can got loose and break off though a couple of years after use

Wait for Virpils throttle (comes out next month) which also mount to the desk mounts (the warthog does aswell with a plate adaptor they sell)
https://virpil.com/images/2018/02/06/MT-50Final_01.jpg

or you could thrustmasters new cheaper throttle
https://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-TWCS-Throttle-Controller-2960754/dp/B01L28LVUG

Been waiting for this, thanks for posting. I also noticed that they'll be selling the throttle stick separately for $79.99
Here

If you already own a T.16000 . Also, if you don't mind the color difference you can buy them separately for $123.98 saving yourself $6...Not much, but worth noting.

That CH stick is good for helicopters in that it's very light to move and it has a very good amount of buttons. The problem is the low resolution of the sensors. The VKB Gladiator II also uses the same mechanism, it's light to the touch, and with a much higher sensor resolution, but with fewer buttons.

As for a collective, I don't think that quadrant is good for a helicopter, I've heard it has sensor noise issues, it's not very durable, and of course it has no buttons.

I'm using a Thrustmaster TWCS. There's also the CH Throttle, similar to the TWCS. The problem with both of them is that they're sliders, which means they have some problems rotating throttles don't have, but with a bit of modding I've made my TWCS very precise and light to move.

Your cheapest option would be the Thrustmaster T-Flight. In your price range the Thrustmaster T.16000M FCS would be a good option.

I myself use the throttle (TWCS) of the T-16000M FCS together with a Cobra M5 because I don't like that the T.16000 stick has a lot of buttons on its base, which is annoying to me/of no use in battle. But since you are in the USA (I guess, if your budget is in $) that is not really a option for you since the Cobra M5 is a europe/russian thing it costs much more in the states than here (I got mine for sub 50$, then it is worth it).

For a higher budget the x56 Rhino can be a good option, though the quality can be questionable.

If you are still unsure about your options visit /r/HOTAS, they know a lot and can help you narrow down your choices.

Throttle: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01L28LVUG/

Is there a listing for stick on its own, or are they holding that back until they run through the stock of the old version?

Oh hey, I own that joystick! It's old and has huge problems with y-axis, but it was a trusty joystick.

Anyway, depending on how well you can touch type, you could even use KB/M.

I run dual stick - the attack 3 in left hand for thrusters, and in my right a t16000m, works great. (though my t16000m is green/grey, older version, the new one looks like it would be easier to use in VR, and is ED colored). You could also try buying the throttle and using your old joystick

Thrustmaster TWCS Throttle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01L28LVUG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_g1mZDb272WG95


https://vkbcontrollers.com/?product=vkb-sim-gladiator

There are better sticks and throttle but this was what I saw being recommended for starting out. I also highly recommend trying VR for elite. I got to borrow an odyssey plus headset over the weekend and it was a whole new experience. I’ll probably be looking into a headset over Black Friday.

Thrustmaster T.16000M. Get the stick now, save up to add the HOTAS throttle later. Maybe add the pedals farther down the road.

Stick: https://www.amazon.co.uk/ThrustMaster-2960706-Thrustmaster-T-16000M-Joystick/dp/B001S0RTU0

Throttle: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thrustmaster-TWCS-Throttle-Controller-2960754/dp/B01L28LVUG

Pedals: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thrustmaster-Flight-Rudder-Playstation-2960764/dp/B015PII6YI

Sadly the cheapest i can think of is the Thrustmaster Throtle from the TWCS set, which u can buy seperatly i think (https://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-TWCS-Throttle-Controller-2960754/dp/B01L28LVUG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1499091989&sr=8-2&keywords=throttle) <--dont know maybe its cheaper in your country or there are cheaper stores. Thats basicly all i found an i hear a lot of good stuff abbout it for being a low budget Throttle (lots of buttons and good ergonomics)....i myself use the Thrustmastr T16000m and the Saitek X52 Throttle and got it with the stick for half the price (Stick is garbage). I used to run on a 3D pro too and used the Keyboard instead of this little thingy....worked way better. Otherwise you schould maybe keep your eyes open on Ebay or on flea markets, thats all i can think of sorry.

it kind of depends on a few factors.

• How much you want to spend.
  
  
• How much use you get out of it. This is tied to how much value you'll get out of your purchase.
  
  
• How high quality of a stick do you want.
  
  there's a number of different setups out there for different price ranges. the Thrustmaster setups seem to be of a higher quality than the Saitek/Logitech setups.
  
  personally i won't pay more than $100 for a stick that doesn't feature Force Feedback. this can be a little difficult when you want a new stick. i've been using a MS SideWinder Force Feedback 2 stick. it's old, but they're very good. they work well with pretty much everything, and in some games the Force Feedback is active.
  
  in games like Elite, it doesn't really use the FF feature, so it just puts a set amount of tension on the stick. i like this better than spring based sticks, and after nearly 20 years of use, my stick is still pinpoint precise, with no real deadzone. i actually have to set a small deadzone because the stick is a bit too sensitive.
  
  this doesn't solve the throttle problem, but i intend to fix that by adding a Thrustmaster Throttle.

Another alternative would be the T16000M stick, which rings in at $40, same as the Stick X. This is just the stick half of the HOTAS I use (all pieces of the set are available separately). It's a refreshed version of the classic T16000M that thrustmaster has been making for years. As far as I'm aware, the internals are the same, with various exterior changes (differently shaped trigger, different hat, notching on the head buttons, different throttle slider, tactile indicators on the base buttons, and it glows orange rather than green).

It's a significantly more precise unit than the X and has much smoother action, due to its use of contactless hall effect sensors rather than the pots used by the X. By itself, you get 16 buttons (trigger, 3 on the head, and 12 on the base), an 8-way hat, twist stick, and a throttle slider. This is a much better alternative to the Stick X, giving a just plain better stick with more buttons.

And when you have more money available, you can go grab the throttle to complete the pair if you like.

TWCS Throttle

https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B01L28LVUG/ref=dp_olp_0?ie=UTF8&condition=all&qid=1564155694&sr=8-1

and

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1331331-REG/thrustmaster_2960754_twcs_throttle.html?ap=y&smp=y&lsft=BI%3A514&gclid=Cj0KCQjwyerpBRD9ARIsAH-ITn9eqGFi5GpzIMO_P1oAZYXZL88mIqkISVS9c5_jZUyE97DBwrfdxGYaAtcTEALw_wcB

Looks to be going through a restock phase so you can either grab it from an alternate vendor on Amazon or wait for the restock

​

Stick

https://vkbcontrollers.com/?product=vkb-sim-gladiator

I have never used the Gladiator but have broken a t16k. Everything I have heard about the gladiator is it is infinitely better.

I am currently running a VKB Space Gladiator on a Gunfighter base. But that is a bit of change more. I am using the TWCS throttle and it suits my needs just fine for now.

That's odd, the standalone throttle is still scheduled to release on October 1st...

I had a question about that. It says 2 to 5 weeks, not preorder.. is it the same as a preorder? They have just the throttle on there currently but it says "preorder price guarantee" and lists a release date...

Why doesn't the combined unit say that as well?

Not sure to order it yet or wait till it's an official ship on _____ Amazon preorder.

Here's the throttle:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01L28LVUG/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_uAj0xbMEMXTSF

Late to the party I know, but I'm also waiting for the TWCS.

The amazon.com page has filled out a bit, looking like October for US, maybe a bit later for EU?

Cool xmas pressie?

https://vkbcontrollers.com/?product=vkb-sim-gladiator
Here’s another good option for a stick. Do you have a price range on mind? Also, you can buy the throttle separately. https://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-TWCS-Throttle-Controller-2960754/dp/B01L28LVUG

Also, try /r/hotas for help

Think I'm going to make the jump to a hotas, currently have a logitech 3d pro but it's awkward to use the tiny throttle flapper and bump the other buttons with my hand layed across the base.

I'm trying to decide what HOTAS to get, I'm not wanting spend more than I need to, but I don't want to get something so cheap I just end up buying another.

Kind of considering a Thrustmaster T.16000M but it looks a little lacking that there's no button for your right thumb looks to have quite a bit of options on the actual throttle though.

The Logitech G Saitek X52 looks neat but I'm not sure it's worth the extra 50 percent in price. Anybody have advice?

EDIT: I think I'm going to buy just a throttle and stick with my logitech 3d for the stick, I'll buy this

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01L28LVUG/ref=s9u_simh_gw_i1?ie=UTF8&fpl=fresh&pd_rd_i=B01L28LVUG&pd_rd_r=T9Y05PPPHE66RGDGTMS0&pd_rd_w=c20Ig&pd_rd_wg=NYgFt&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=&pf_rd_r=6GCN67AFXNXJJC1K8GA1&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=1cf9d009-399c-49e1-901a-7b8786e59436&pf_rd_i=desktop

The stick that is paired with if you buy them together does not have a comfortable looking button placement especially since there's nothing to use for secondary fire unless you hold your thumb up under the hat switch.

I'd suggest getting a VKB Gladiator joystick and a Thrustmaster TWCS Throttle.

This looks like a good option, but it's brand-new and won't have much in the way of reviews quite yet: https://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-TWCS-Throttle-Controller-2960754/dp/B01L28LVUG/ref=pd_lpo_147_lp_t_4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=M8AYQ0HXD24WZHDJ7SNV

There's also this: https://www.amazon.com/CH-Products-Pro-Throttle-USB/dp/B00006B84Z/ref=pd_sim_63_9?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00006B84Z&pd_rd_r=BBVE0NN44BMF96C4BHNN&pd_rd_w=2MRRO&pd_rd_wg=H0cUe&psc=1&refRID=BBVE0NN44BMF96C4BHNN

Finally, don't discount picking up a second joystick for that left hand instead of a throttle. Relatively cheap option, and dual sticks can be a lot of fun.

If you're not feeling the pedals, return them. How about a throttle that has an analog yaw control like the Thrustmaster FCS throttle ?

Could you use a flightsim throttle like this? All the buttons on the steering wheel are digital ON/OFF switches so that's not ideal when you want smooth throttle/braking input.



(or just a whole stick/throttle combo such as this if you've got the desk space to spare as it's much cheaper, somehow.)

Amazon has it if you're in the US.

Do yourself a favor and buy a cheap stick or low-end HOTAS setup.

I started with a Saitek Cyborg and KBD, worked well. It has a good helping of buttons, Z-Axis (twist the stick for YAW) and an integrated analog throttle which is a must have IMO.

Personally I moved up to a HOTAS Watrhog which is a $450 set. My buddy is running on This stick and This Throttle and has just about as much functionality as me. More if you take into account the Warthog doesn't have a Z axis on the stick!

Thrustmaster TWCS Throttle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01L28LVUG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_qqZoDb4SATCJ3

Gladiator mk2 can be trickier to get based on supply.

standalone throttle still listed for Oct 1 release

update: newegg updated their standalone TWCS date to Nov, so there's a chance that the Amazon listing is outdated.