Source
r/hotas•
simply_potato

VKB Gladiator Mkii - Centering issue and warranty question

I just bought this and it arrived today. Overall I really like it but when pulling down on the stick and letting it recenter, it ends up being off by up to 2000. If center is 32767, it sometimes doesn't settle right and will be reporting around 34500 or so. Is this normal, or should I return it?

Also... I bought my G mkii from Xplane.org's Amazon storefront. Does the 2 year warranty still apply/how would I go about getting warranty service?

https://i.imgur.com/mTlHEQg.png

Posted Jan 24, 2020, 7:13 PM UTC · edited

614
fallout9HOSAS•

Is it calibrated properly though? If not, do this:

- unplug it and plug it back; within 10 seconds press both Flaps and Eject buttons and hold them until the LED starts flashing.

- when the LED is flashing release the buttons and move the grip on x and y axes, twist it and move the throttle end-to-end. Make sure you cover all axes end to end.

- when done press trigger and the joystick will restart.

Try the tester again.

2
simply_potatoOP•

Yep, I did that. Also tried via the software and updated to the latest firmware on the VKB site

1
firmretention•

I remember reading a lot about this when I first got mine. It has a soft center. The disadvantage is the issue you're having, but the advantage is finer control around the center point. The fix is to apply a very small deadzone with the VKBDevCfg software. You really don't need much to have it center reliably.

2
simply_potatoOP•

Thanks for the help. I bumped my dead zone from 1 to 2 which should help a bit.

1
hon0HOTAS & HOSAS•

Yep the issue is probably caused by the combinaison of weak spring, dampening grease, and also that by design their is a little bit of play on the Y axis. To fix that problem, that I guess you feel only in Space Sim or FBW jet, I would add a bit or circular deadzone.

2
gmattheis•

wish i had known about x-plane.org store before i blew 45 fucking dollars on shipping.....

1
simply_potatoOP•

Well.. if it invalidates the warranty buying from them it might not be worth it.

1
Sirius_Testicles•

Mine does this. Playing Elite, it will lazily drift on me. But it's not a BFD, and considering the alternatives in my current budget, I'll take lazily drifting and excellent overall build quality over shite any day.

1
simply_potatoOP•

Theres a subtle drift for me too sometimes. Either left or pitch-up. A slight touch and it goes away. Playability wise it seems fine, just wanted to make sure it wasn't a defect I should return over. Seems its just how these are

1
PoverOn•

Gladiator weak springs and damper grease on gimbal grooves make difficult grip return to exactly center. So take this a feature and not defect.

Mine, if I move grip for a side and return to center and there release the grip, read:

X - 32.767 for both sides.

But if I move for a side, e.g. left and release there, return for 32.735

Y - Same, but return to 33.121 released back, ahead return to 32.767.

In IL-2 Sturmovik I don's observe issues due this.

​

BTW - I think the fact that buy in X-Plane.org store (or their page in Amazon.com) don't change warranty. Anyway ask in VKB forum - answers there is slow, but at least you register the your issue.

1
simply_potatoOP•

Thanks for the help. I bumped my dead zone from 1 to 2 which should help a bit. However you are saying your values are only off by about 500-600, whereas mine can be as far off as 2000-2100. I think its not bad though. I've been playing War Thunder and its so smooth, even with the dead zone issue I think I prefer it to my older sticks

1
PoverOn•

My Gladiator Mk.II was bought used ~ 1.5 years, maybe the use has lessened the "damper" effect of the grease.

1
da_wizard•

This happened to my CH Fighterstick after I greased it, and you can fix it if you open your stick up (it has basically the same gimbal).

Inside there should be 8 screws holding the stick pivots in place, and if you play around with their relative height you can adjust how the stick is centered. The CH works a little different because it just snaps together, but you could try using thin washers or something under the screw mounts until you get it perfect.

1
MrSheemy•

I just received mine today from the same retailler and got exactly the same issue as OP. I freaked out a little but after setting a small deadzone of 4% in IL-2 it became unnoticeable.

1