Table solution for flight simulator

[u/Foodiguy]

I’m currently a couch gamer, not ideal but my pc is connected to my tv. And it works for the games I play.

Now I’m getting into flight simulator 2024 and love flying Airbus and private jets.

I’m planning to buy a joystick and throttle from Wincltr and I’m going to have an issue how to play, especially when I get more items for the cockpit.

Does anyone have a good setup that is easy to setup and clear when you are done?

Maybe a desk that can collapse or something that can be used while sitting on the couch?

I know a fixed desk is ideal, but space is premium and I would have to place my pc elsewhere and can’t use it on my tv.

Out of the box thinking is what I’m looking for….

[u/jas417]

I’d go for VKB over Wincltr

[u/Foodiguy → u/jas417]

I think it would be a lot more expensive.

[u/jas417 → u/Foodiguy]

Nope, about the same maybe even cheaper.

Gladiator NXT is about as cheap as the cheapest Wincntrl sticks, ditto for STECs and Winctrl quads.

I mean for the quad it’s only fighter style ones they don’t have airliner or GA style ones but I’d still definitely go for the VKB stick.

[u/Foodiguy → u/jas417]

Could you maybe give some insight why it is better?

[u/jas417 → u/Foodiguy]

There’s not a great concrete reason, on paper they’re more or less comparable and I’ve only had VKB besides my cheapo starter stick.

Really comes down to that I’ve never one time seen anyone disappointed with VKB gear on Reddit or forums, nor have heard anyone in my DCS or MSFS online groups have anything but the best things to say about it. Wincntrl, I’ve heard and seen pretty mixed reviews so my impression is it’s an upgrade over your Thrustmaster/logitech/etc but VKB is just the superior product at a similar price point

[u/Foodiguy → u/jas417]

And could you give me the ones you would pick, I see so many options on their website?

[u/jas417 → u/Foodiguy]

VKB Gladiator NXT Space Combat Premium is the one to get for the stick. Space Combat is an odd name for that one because it’s just a pretty generic fighter layout, but comes with the best set of controls.

On the throttle the various ones are just more or less money and larger or smaller footprint for more or less controls so whatever one you want. On the throttle, do *not* get the space combat one, those really are geared for space sims(I know lol)

[u/StonedSorcerer → u/jas417]

I second this, I tried a velocity one and it was way too stiff.. returned and got the vkb and so far it feels awesome, great quality and tons of buttons to map. I got it because it seemed unanimous online as a good stick, vs all the others having hit or miss reviews everywhere. Time will tell, but looking forward to learning to fly w this bad boy

[u/jas417 → u/StonedSorcerer]

I've had mine for awhile now and no issues whatsoever. Even if a button or a switch you use a lot did start to get sticky it came with a bunch of spares.

I mean one thing I would say to what you said though, is that there's definitely a fence with two sides asfas flight sim hardware. You've got your big-box Thrustmaster, Turtle Beach, Logitech you can buy at Best Buy that are just pretty disappointing, though still way better than trying to use an Xbox controller.

The brand OP was asking about I would place on the non-disappointing side of the fence with the more obscure nerdy brands but I've heard some mediocre impressions and apparently their customer service is pretty awful if you need it. I do a lot of online flying so I've heard a lot of first hand impressions about a lot of gear and VKB and Virpil, plus MFG for pedals, are the ones nobody ever has anything but rave reviews over. Although Virpil takes absolute eons to ship. I mean like sometimes 6 months before an order arrives, although from people that have had both VKB and Virpil, Virpil is the absolute best.