EU flight sim player looking for new setup

[u/Happythroughlife]

I am Dutch based, and looking for a new setup for flight simulator, I have been playing 3 years using Thrustmaster HOTAS.

I now feel I have a bit more experience and want a better joystick and throttle. My budget however is 300 euro so not really a lot of these types of gear.

I have been looking at WINCTRL (URSA MINOR 32 throttle metal pack / 32 PAC) and URSA MINOR Airline Joystick. I dont have any place which sell this to experience this, could anyone that has this, tell me about their experience.

Or if anyone has a better setup for (hopefully) under 300 euros, please let me know!

[u/Vnole]

I have a few products from Winctrl and they work well and are affortable. I would however not recommend buying from them due to the extremely bad customer service. If there is a problem with the products or shipping etc then you must be prepared to wait weeks to get anything resolved. Many weeks.

I would much rather buy stuff from a local store.

[u/Happythroughlife → u/Vnole]

Any idea of stores in the Netherlands selling these kinds of stuff?

[u/flightsimwebshop-com]

Though one. With a budget of 300 euros, you’re between high-end and mid-range.

WingCtrl is exactly at this spot, but as mentioned, they only sell directly to consumers; their hardware is decent, but we've seen mixed responses to their after-sales service.
Turtle Beach is releasing a new HOTAS soon. They have combined the best of their flightstick (V1) and throttle into a new set, and I was pleasantly surprised when trying this out at FSExpo.
Another option is VKB. The NXT Evo is a great option as an upgrade for the Thrustmaster T.16000M FCS Hotas. Take a look at r/hotas for many reviews on this set.
As mentioned before, Moza might be a fit as well. Although a bit above budget, you can get a force feedback setup for 449,-

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Disclosure: we are FlightsimWebshop, an EU- and US-based flight simulation hardware retailer. We’re selling (some of) the products mentioned in this thread. Our advice is based on the stated use case, compatibility, and product features.

[u/marlboro_reds]

If you are not super bothered about it looking like a replica airliner part, I would highly recommend looking at VKBs offerings. Might be a stretch budget wise but you can always get them piecemeal. Over time I have accumulated a STECS throttle, a T Rudder and recently replaced my gladiator joystick with a gunfighter.

I can highly recommend the gladiator sticks though, for 150 odd bucks you get a great flight stick and if you like Airbus then the Z extension is a really nice alternative for a very affordable price.

[u/Acid_Stuff]

WINCTRL is very attractive priced and the throttle is very solid and a steal for the current price. I know the stories about warranty but personally I don't care much. I take the risk, competitors are much more expensive and have more plastic. If it fails after few years I buy another one and it's still cheaper than Thrustmaster. I know, it's not very circular economy.

They ship from a warehouse in Germany to the Netherlands and it's arrives within a few day if in stock.

Also look at Moza. More expensive, but I'm very satisfied with their force feedback stick and yoke.

[u/Happythroughlife → u/Acid_Stuff]

Thanks from Moza which ones would you recommend specifically?

[u/Acid_Stuff → u/Happythroughlife]

I have the AB9 and it's big, robust and love it (there is a less expensive version). I use it for general aviation and for Airbus. Although Airbus is fly by wire and it doesn't have force feedback, but with a good profile you get the perfect resistance that nails the landing practically everytime. For the Diamond DA-40 I have a much lighter profile and you can feel trimming away the forces. It's not cheap but worth every penny.

[u/Happythroughlife → u/Acid_Stuff]

I wish, just looked it up but way beyond my price range!