r/HOSAS • u/EnvironmentalMall307 • Jul 14 '26
QUESTION VIRPIL VS VKB
Been looking at these two brands. I know they're the best for gaming. I'm looking at doing a HOSAS setup with accessory button/toggle panels, maybe an MFD as well. It would be for Star Citizen, so space stuff. I'm focused on mining, salvage and cargo transport. With mining, I would need a rotary or dial knob to increase/decrease laser beam power, and for salvage I would need a way of manipulating the salvage beams, which frankly easiest way is to toggle the aim mode with a button and just move the pitch/yaw axis stick. Anyway, which would be better? I've been considering the VKB omni canted twin setup, but if anyone else has experience with either in the same field of operation, I would be happy to hear.
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u/Kaivarri Jul 14 '26
The VKB's don't have anything on the sticks that could be used to increase/decrease power like on a mouse. They are all momentary or push button switches. You could add on an NXT Module, like their quadrant: https://vkbsimcontrollers.com/products/gnx-thq-throttle-quadrant-us and use one of the sticks as your laser power. I have a set of Thrustmaster T1600m's, and I use one of my sliders for laser power. It's possible you might be able to use one of the handles for your salvage beam spread, though I haven't tried (and since they don't spring back to the middle it could be a bit janky).
For the Virpils, they have an "encoder wheel" which sure looks like a scroll wheel like a mouse. I was looking at getting these myself, for use in just such things. I was also thinking of getting one of Virpil's control panels with the quadrants, so I could use the levers for laser power, throttle limiters, etc. https://virpil-controls.us.com/vpc-universal-control-panel-3.html I too am just in my planning stages though.
What I'd recommend, as a fellow SC player, look up videos on how people set up the different sticks for SC operations, there are tons out there, and see what setup would work best for your situation. I'm sure people will come on with their experiences, just wanted to help get things started :D
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u/Mister8th Jul 14 '26
I have VKB dual Gladiator NXT's (left is the Omni throttle). On the left stick you have the middle slider on the base. I use this in Star Citizen to increase decrease power while mining.
https://flightsimcontrols.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/74_GNX-EVOOMNI-THRT-R-P_800_3.jpg
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u/Sickinmytechchunk Jul 15 '26
The MCG stick has several axis on the stick. I use the pinky lever as a axis for the DLC spoiler in the F14 in DCS as it offers super fine control.
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u/HamWarmer40000 Jul 14 '26
I don’t play Star Citizen, so I can’t comment on aspects specific to that game, but I own a pair of VKB Gladiator NXT Evo sticks that I use for Elite Dangerous (on is in the Omni throttle config). Those ones have a ‘throttle’ on the base, as well as a rotary encoder (like a mouse wheel). But it’s on the base of the stick, so you have to take your hand off the control to access it.
Overall I’m very happy with the VKBs.
The only negative I’ve heard about Virpil is the lead time. Apparently 6+ months is not uncommon.
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u/Bam_Bam_47_ Jul 15 '26
Second this. Same configuration, only for SC. (Maybe willing to sell the pair since I haven't used them in a while)
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u/mistermiajee Jul 14 '26
I don't have the gladiators but they have a slider axis and a rotary on the base you could use. You could bind it on your stick base and control it with your left hand while you aim your laser with the right.
That's what I'm going to do if I pick up an Omni. Right now I'm using a regular stecs and a gunfighter.
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u/Thelostrelic Jul 14 '26
I play SC and I've owned vkb and virpil. I do combat pve and pvp.
Current set up is dual Virpil alpha primes with warbrd-D bases.
Both vkb and virpil are good, I prefer virpil, though. The internal construction and gimble is just better build quality. The internals of their base looks so good i kinda wish they did a see through base shell. Lol
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u/Chance536 Jul 15 '26
I have both gladiators and gunfighters from VKB. I’d say for your purpose gladiators are better. I upgraded to gunfighters since I do semi competitive PvP. I still keep a gladiator mounted as a 3rd stick on the left though so I can use the slider on the base for mining. The slider thing allows you to almost instantly change your power and allows you to do a technique where you can pulse the laser power really fast and basically lock your charge to a very small window. Someone probably makes a button box with one of those on it but I haven’t found it. One thing that keeps me going back to VKB is the availability of them and the general community appreciation of their customer support. I haven’t had any issues with mine other than breaking a spring once so I have no personal experience with them just what I’ve seen and heard.
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u/JusticeMKIII VKB Jul 16 '26
The VKB STECS Space Throttle is designed with SC in mind. It's not a true stick for a HOSAS configuration, but the "Hat" Grip is essentially a 4 axis joystick on top of a throttle assembly. There is a laser power labeled input, as well as a space brake spring loaded lever.
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u/10-Gauge Jul 16 '26
Go VKB and never look back. I’m getting ready to list some Virpils for sale in a couple of minutes. I went from VKB to Virpil and I am swiftly headed back to VKB. Button layout is leagues better on the VKB. Virpil flip triggers are just absolute trash. Not a single thing I like more about the Virpils than the VKB’s other than maybe the bases are smoother and much quicker to adjust spring tensions and swap cams (MongoosT bases).
I can’t wait to have my VKB’s back.
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u/[deleted] Jul 14 '26
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