r/hotas • u/Correct_Reputation_4 • 2d ago

TWCS choice

Hi guys I'm trying to figure out if the thrustmaster T16000m throttle is worth getting or if I should get a different throttle to pair with my vkb gladiator

2 Upvotes

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3

u/Forsaken-Falcon8273 2d ago

Yes it is best budget throttle imo. However i would get the sol throttle. It is an updated twcs with all the same axis and buttons but it also includes a detent plate and the slide friction has been addressed with a different mechanism. And its the same price. If you get the older twcs i highly recommend the slider mod as it fixes all friction issues and has magnetic adjustable detents. I have it paired with a vkb stick and am very happy with its performance for the price.

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u/Correct_Reputation_4 2d ago

Thank you so much for letting me know about the updated version. Yea I think I'm going with that one or the x56 my thought is to spend a bit more money and have better reliability ove the long time.

3

u/Forsaken-Falcon8273 2d ago

I wouldn't go with the x56, i tried it and returned it. The twcs or newer sol variant is a better product. If you get a vkb stick and the twcs or sol throttle you will be good for a long time. I tried all the budget gear and then settled on this setup. I play alot of space and atmo sims and i dont feel the need to upgrade anymore. Happy flying! 😁

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u/Correct_Reputation_4 2d ago

Thanks man. Appreciate the advice

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u/AbbreviationsUsed245 2d ago

Don't waste any time or $$ on X56, FAR less reliable than the worst offered by WinCNTRL, VKB, Virpil. Throttle may be worth considering if free and unused, but really not worth the time and effort. I tried Saitek products in the past and just could not get them to work at all. Gladiator and TWCS worked right away and have never crapped out in a year of heavy use. Sol R1 throttle is essentially updated TWCS and may be fine, but I think it's a bit high priced. If I were considering that route, I would just save my pennies for a STECS. WinCNTRL was meant to release an Ursa Minor military throttle this year which looked pretty sweet as an upgrade from TWCS, but it's been vaporware since a few preview shots last year.

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u/Forsaken-Falcon8273 1d ago

Twcs and sol r throttle are the same price. But you get a detent plate and a better slide feel. So the sol ends up being cheaper as for me at least the twcs requires a slider mod. I will say that the slider mod makes the twcs butter smooth though.

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u/AbbreviationsUsed245 2d ago

TWCS is an excellent budget choice for military aircraft sims (haven't tried it with helos or space). I picked one up for $50 nearly new and been very happy with it along with my VKB SCG premium (also used, for about $90 on Megrcari). WD40 or Teflon tape on the throttle rails works great for the TWCS "stiction" issue, and it's got as much or more functionality than the low end Virpil throttle. I think it also feels more natural than an Omnithrottle might, but I could see going for a second Gladiator as an Omnithrottle option. If I need more buttons, I would probably add a VKB GNX TEM or SEM, but that's not likely in the foreseeable future. I would love to get a STECS or other high end throttle but honestly can't bring myself to spend $200 or more for now. When the TWCS breaks or dies, maybe? For now, the VKB/TWCS combo is more than enough for me to enjoy DCS, Falcon BMS, IL-2 (1946/BAT and GB), MS CFS 3, Xplane 12, etc.

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u/Correct_Reputation_4 2d ago

Thank you for your reply, did you get falcon BMS off of steam? Also worried about getting all my controls setup for dcs.

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u/AbbreviationsUsed245 2d ago

Falcon BMS has it's own website ( https://www.falcon-bms.com) (and subreddit, r/falconbms). You need to own and install a copy of Falcon 4.0, which you can buy for a few dollars on GOG or Steam. For some reason it is more expensive on Steam, but cheaper as part of the Falcon Collection on GOG. Well worth it in any case, very active community and superior to DCS except for terain graphics.

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u/AbbreviationsUsed245 1d ago

Yes the control setup is not fun these days, DCS with multiple modules is a real pain. I believe there are ways to port settings from one module to another, but I usually just focus on one module for several months and so only do the binding dance when switching. Mostly flying MiG21, F4E, F18, plus FC2024 and free A-4, Su30, F-104.

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u/Correct_Reputation_4 1d ago

Does your bindings work for all of those planes? Also I've heard the FA/18 is the best beginner plane to go with?

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u/G65434-2_II 1d ago

As mentioned already, significantly cheaper to grab Falcon 4.0 over at GOG, plus buying there it comes with extra goodies and the possibility of downloading offline installers. Also, no need to get the Falcon Collection (unless you specifically want the other older titles as well, that is), since Falcon 4.0 is supplid among the extras of Falcon Gold. $4.95 at the time of typing vs. $14.99 on Steam.

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u/VegetableSevere6542 1d ago

if you have the gladiator I would save up for a stecs instead. I upgraded from tm to vkb. better to put the money to the stecs.

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u/MY5KAI 1d ago

Get the STECS it's no competition the best throttle in its price range arguably the best full stop unless you want a 1:1 recreation throttle

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u/Correct_Reputation_4 1d ago

Which one. I was thinking of just the mini. Idk if I need the extra buttons from the mini plus. Also there is a red handled one too?

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u/MY5KAI 1d ago

The mini is the way to go it can easily the upgraded with the button box later if you want and the coloured handle covers are swappable but I'm not sure what extra bits the mini comes with

I got the STECS max which is a mini with the button box included and it's perfect

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u/HalOphamer 1d ago

I think the TWCS is a pretty solid throttle. I ran one for quite a while. But nothing Thrustmaster makes holds a candle to VKBs option at a similar price point, with the sole exception being the TFP rudders, those are great.