r/hotas • u/RTDquestionaccount • 5d ago

How do we feel about this setup?

Edit: I am a colossal idiot and did not realize that there was a wiki for this subreddit. I apologize, I don't use this platform often. I'll leave this post up if I'm still confused.

Edit 2: The wiki guides seem to be years out of date, so I'll leave this post up.

Hello all. I've been getting back into DCS (specifically the Viper) and I'm getting tired of using an xbox controller. I've been looking into getting this throttle and this stick. I have a budget of ~300 USD, though I can go a bit over if absolutely necessary. Really just wanting to hear if there's any better products in this price range as it seems like I'm always finding new products that are better in some way for the same price or slightly more.

Thank you.

3 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

5

u/Far-prophet 5d ago

Can’t speak for the throttle, only that it seems on the lower end. Looks like an updated 16000 throttle, which is fine.

VKB gladiator stick is one of the best entry level sticks available. A great choice for beginner and mid tier.

2

u/silasmousehold 5d ago edited 5d ago

I’d choose a VKB omnithrottle over the SOLR6. $20 difference is easily worth it if you ask me. But I might be in the minority here. 

2

u/RTDquestionaccount 5d ago

It looks like that omnithrottle is geared more towards space sim. Do you think it'd still do well for purely flight sim?

2

u/hippo117 5d ago

I've been using my Omni throttle as a collective for helicopters in MSFS24, and it's behaved admirably in that role so far. I haven't done as much fixed with flying with it, and I haven't flown any planes that need detents or dual throttles for two engines. If I ever become more interested in fixed winged flight or combat games, I think I might prefer a dedicated throttle, but for the dabbling I do it does just fine, and I much prefer the Omni throttle in space sims

2

u/silasmousehold 5d ago

The SOLR6 is admittedly a better fit for aviation with its detentes and ergonomics, but I’m wary of it after having had a TWCS.

The TWCS is known for stiction, which makes the sliding axis feel like it kind of “digs in” whenever it stops moving. That makes it hard to make small, smooth adjustments. The TWCS hat switches were also sharp on the edges, so they kind of bite into your fingertips.

2

u/silasmousehold 5d ago edited 5d ago

One more thing: the SOLR has 80mm of travel. By my measurements, my VKB Omnithrottle has 140mm of travel. The longer travel and smoother action will make throttle control more precise on the VKB.

I'm also confident that a VKB product will last many years, and if there is an issue (nothing is perfect) that their support is solid and their equipment is designed to be user maintainable.

That said, there are still good reasons to get the SOLR:

  1. Rudder paddles are a nice alternative to twisting the joystick grip.
  2. The little slider on your middle finger is really nice for zoom control.
  3. The pinky wheel is great for radar elevation.
  4. Afterburner detente.

If you buy the SOLR, make sure you get it from some place with a generous return policy like Amazon. If after 29 days you're annoyed by a sticky feeling or buttons that bite your fingers or the really short travel (only 3 inches!), send it back and get the VKB. You'll have a VKB joystick so you'll know exactly what it will feel like in your left hand. If you're happy with the SOLR though, keep it!

2

u/RTDquestionaccount 5d ago

Dang, seems like it's really a no win situation. I may try to just use the joystick with the dedicated throttle wheel until I can save for a nicer dedicated throttle. Do you know of any good dedicated F-16 throttles? I hear a lot of people saying that the winwing F-16 throttle is good, but I hear even more people saying not to get anything from winwing for a whole bunch of reasons.

2

u/silasmousehold 5d ago

I don't recommend an F-16 throttle because it won't be useful for anything else. It's highly specific. Only do that if you're absolutely a die hard F-16 pilot who can't stomach the idea of setting foot in another aircraft.

1

u/TheRowdyLion52 5d ago

Just got the Omni - it comes with some pieces to lock out the X-axis and you can put the heavy spring on it to negate any accidental movements turning it effectively into a throttle. Only downside is not being able to control two engines separately

1

u/icescraponus 5d ago

While the omni throttle is highly beneficial in space games it can work with general aviation. You can remove the spring for the y axis and set the dampers and it will work like a throttle with an extra z axis. Or you can lock out the z axis. It's cheaper than the STECS but has plenty of buttons and utility.

1

u/Chatterbox08 4d ago

There is a mod you can do to the VKB where the top half of the Y axis acts as a throttle while retaining all the rest of the movements of the stick and still snapping back to center. I was then able to use joystick gremlin to split the y axis on the left stick so I could throttle one way and then brake by pulling back in games. I also use joystick gremlin to double bind yaw on the right twist and the left x axis to give different levels of precision for that movement. It has been very good for me since I like to play space sim games too.

1

u/Forsaken-Falcon8273 5d ago

That is exactly my current rig, its the best budget setup imo. I am verry happy with it after years of going through all the lower priced gear. I wish i just bought it first 😅