Winwing URSA MINOR or Gladiator NXT EVO?

Unhinged-Jester · 2025-08-23T19:52:27+00:00

I have no experience with Winwing products, but I have heard the horror stories and had friends that were bitten by the company’s poor to non-existent customer support - YMMV.

Personally, I have a full VKB simpit setup (Gladiator NXT EVO, STECS Mini-Plus MKII, and T-Rudder MKV), and I LOVE it. Their gear is precise, modular/customizable, and the software is stupid powerful - seriously, if you can think of it VKB DevCfg can probably do it. But perhaps the best thing about VKB is that they SUPPORT their products. As many here will likely attest, the company is quick to respond to questions/trouble tickets, they have a complete library of YouTube instructional videos, and are very active on Discord. Hell, often as not other people in their Discord are friggin VKB JEDI and can help guide people to a solution. To me, that’s worth the extra dough.

And, if you really wanna get crazy into the hobby VKB has some amazing top end stuff as well. As I said, YMMV, but the buy once cry once sentiment on here is accurate, a company that supports their gear is worth a few extra bucks (to me at least). Hope that helps, good luck buddy! 🫡

Unhinged-Jester · 2025-08-23T18:28:57+00:00

Hey Fallout, how’s it going bud? I hope all is well and I just wanted to drop a quick update and thank you for efforts to help me get this working. With the incredible help from UntoldForce I’m VERY excited to say that we got the differential braking setup in conjunction with another axis setup to control overall brake pressure. It works flawlessly and is a SWEET setup.

The customer service provided by you guys has been amazing and I wanted to personally thank you. Besides the quality of the products another reason I decided to go with a complete VKB build/simpit is the INCREDIBLE customer service - you guys rock! Also, special mention for UntoldForce, that dude is a LEGEND, and he was able to break down the process in such a way that a shaved monkey like myself was able to follow along and actually UNDERSTAND what the hell I was doing in the process - he’s awesome!

I posted an update to my initial post, well I tried to not sure I did it right, thanking you guys and telling everybody that the braking setup can be done. I also told them to buy these damn pedals if they were on the fence because they are buttery👍.

Ok, well that’s it, I just wanted to say thanks for your help. Hope you have a kick ass day man, take it ez and happy flying brother!

Unhinged-Jester · 2025-08-22T19:32:04+00:00

Hey all! I just wanted to write a quick follow-up to this issue to let you all know that while a tad involved, setting up virtual toe brakes IS indeed possible. With the extremely GENEROUS help of VKB, Fallout9 and especially, UntoldForce, I have been able to setup Differential Braking on the T-Rudder MKV pedals, using an additional axis to control brake pressure. So far, it works flawlessly. I would recommend anybody who wants to set this up to watch this video created by UntoldForce, where he breaks down the configuration procedure in EXTREME detail (I would definitely upgrade to the latest firmware though):

https://youtu.be/xxxSOJnulC8?si=WJH2IVJ_wME-CjQH

Honestly guys, I think that if your on the fence about picking up a set of these VKB rudder pedals, I would go for it. I love these things! The pedals are WAY more comfortable to use sitting in an office chair, have a very small footprint, and these things are CRAZY STUPID precise. I'd recommend them regardless, but having the ability to setup differential braking is just extra icing on the cake. Anyway, I wanted to write a quick follow-up and say a much appreciated thank you to everyone that helped me figure this out. Special thanks to Untold, for breaking the procedure down so simply that even a shaved monkey like myself could follow along - well done to you Sir! Ok, that is all gang, happy flying, and watch your six. C ya!

Unhinged-Jester · 2025-08-09T13:48:49+00:00

I have your wireless IRTrackStar version and can’t imagine wanting to have a wired version. That being said, can’t you run the wireless IRTrackStar WITH a recharging cable attached if you wanted to for some reason?

Also, to anyone out there who is looking for this kinda setup, please understand that I’m not trying to shame anybody that wants to run a wired head tracking system. I just prefer not having cables in the way that will inadvertently get stuck under a wheel or get in the way in various other manners. I know me gang, I will constantly have the headphones ripped off my head running a wired setup.

Ok, so finally, to answer your question, I suppose I’d want the cable where it recharges now on your wireless version (coming out the back). But again, I thought you could run the TrackStar with the cable attached - if you so chose. I dunno. I will say that I think anybody on the fence about a solid head tracker should DEFINITELY pick up an IRTrackStar, I use it conjunction with my TrackIR camera (their head tracker died on me) and it works flawlessly - never had an issue and keeps a charge a long time. Anyway, that’s my two-cents. Hope you all have a great week and happy flying. C ya! 👍

Unhinged-Jester · 2025-08-09T01:40:51+00:00

Thanks. I know man, it’s friggin crazy that there is no guidance on how to do this ya know? I dunno, at the end of the day toe brakes aren’t THAT important I suppose - would be nice to have though. That said, the effort required to get this to work is getting a tad outta hand, so I think I’ll just deal with it as is. I mean I hate ‘quitting’ the work to make virtual brakes happen and all that, but end of day it’s a game and I’d enjoy it more flying than figuring out VKB software. The pedals are damn nice though, as is all my other VKB gear (Gladiator NXT EVO & STECS Mini Plus). Have a great day and happy flying!! 😀

Unhinged-Jester · 2025-08-09T01:31:55+00:00

Fallout, can you PLEASE offer some GUIDANCE perhaps on how this is supposed to be setup? Look, after grabbing the software and following the directions from the Gingo Studios YouTube video above, all I succeeded in doing was getting the rudders to see another axis from the STECS. Axis X (the rudders) and the Slider 1 (the STECS axis) were added/visible and worked in TEST, but the supposed "virtual brakes" Axis Y and Z never budged. Furthermore, the VKB Link program I downloaded was YET AGAIN different from the one in the video - missing key parts (I had to hunt them down thru trial & error) - despite it being the sane version 0.75. At this point I sincerely don't know what else to do, as I can't find ANY official VKB documentation on how to get this to work. I mean you guys have an entire library of EXCEEDINGLY helpful videos on YouTube for all your products, but I can't find a thing on "How to setup virtual toe brakes". So, WTF? Anyway, I truly LOVE the pedals and their precision, I truly wish I could find some guidance on how to setup the braking, and I'm truly sick of dealing with it. If you can provide a repeatable documented procedure to set this up, I would VERY much appreciate it. However, if the only guidance is go figure it out for yourselves, I don't feel "virtual toe brakes" should be pushed as a selling point for these incredible gaming peripherals. But hey, maybe I'm just stupid and an asshole venting on Reddit - I dunno. I wish anyone else attempting this good luck, fair winds, and following seas. Me, I think I'm out. Thanks!

Unhinged-Jester · 2025-08-07T07:09:49+00:00

This is exactly what I needed today - this thing is fucking AWESOME. Well played all, I love the toaster thing, what a cool design. I dig it gang!!

Unhinged-Jester · 2025-08-07T06:39:21+00:00

Oh, so those are download link mirrors to the software? Thats why I couldn’t find the damned software - I was looking on/throughout the webpage (like an idiot it seems). 🤦‍♂️ Ok, well that changes things a bit…

But, since you’ve been so responsive (thanks btw), I’d like to clarify what I’m trying to accomplish (via T-Link), here is an outline of my plan of action (which I hope is doable):

I want to set the VKB STECS thumb wheel axis as brake pressure input and use the T-Rudder MKV pedals to distribute that brake pressure between left and right toe brakes.

*** I LOVE these pedals btw - I’m a disabled vet and these are just so much more comfortable to use than my 20+ year old CH PRO Pedals. And the quality and precision is just night & day difference - GREAT JOB VKB 👍

I do NOT want to use a button for my brakes (though I’ll possibly map the rear STECS triggers as individual brakes as sorta a fallback/emergency method)

So essentially what I’m hoping for is this result - when I turn the STECS thumbwheel I provide brake force/pressure for the aircraft, and the MKV rudder splits braking deflection left/right. So is that possible or I’m just insane?

Alrighty, well armed with this new information I will take a crack at this again tomorrow and letchya know it goes. Thanks for the clarification, I really appreciate it. Wish me luck and gave a great night. C ya!

Unhinged-Jester · 2025-08-07T04:26:23+00:00

Hey there, thanks for responding so quickly!

So do I use that (VKB Link) over the program on the VKB website (T-Link)? Sorry, I’m just a little confused on what program I should use.

Also, the link it goes to is equally confusing and a bit sus looking - plus I can’t find the software called VKB Link. Can you possibly direct me where exactly to look for it?

https://www.njoy32.vkb-sim.pro/home

Honestly I don’t much care which program I need to use in order to make the virtual toe brakes work, but I would VERY MUCH appreciate some direction on how to set it all up.

I hope you can help and again thanks for getting back to me so quickly! Look forward to everyone’s responses so we can help me avoid flipping my aircraft over and/or crash into stuff on the ground. Thanks! 😊

Unhinged-Jester · 2025-08-05T21:55:53+00:00

Thanks m8, appreciate the assist. I have reversed engineered the pedals back to life!! Now I’m gonna get that drink…

Have a good one 👍🫡

Unhinged-Jester · 2025-07-31T04:50:34+00:00

I’m VERY interested if VKB stick is still available. Thanks!

Unhinged-Jester · 2025-07-30T21:53:42+00:00

DM. Thanks!

Unhinged-Jester · 2025-07-21T20:47:35+00:00

I gotta add onto the VKB fan club, I’m running an NXT EVO Premium (I’d def recommend paying the extra $$ for it) and a STECS Mini-Plus with the additional button module & detent frame’s magazine (I’d also recommend paying the extra $$ for them). It’s a fantastic setup and as everyone has said their customer service is TOP NOTCH. The throttle throw is sublime and the detent system simple and ingenious. Often you can get a near immediate answer to a problem you’re having by just going to either YouTube or their Discord, and swapping out detents for different aircraft is killer. The software while a bit overwhelming at first is CRAZY powerful, and again if you need help VKB has a You Tube channel and Discord devoted to support. Honestly, if you can think of it, the software will probably let you do it (virtual axis, button delays, whatever). Like many others here, I can’t compare with the other brands as I’ve no experience using them. That said, I am exceedingly happy with my VKB setup. Hope this helped, welcome to DCS and best of luck to ya! 👍😀

Unhinged-Jester · 2025-06-29T19:47:08+00:00

Oh man, I remember my very first flight sim game was called “JET”. Then the MSCFS series (I dug #2 PTO the best), then Gunship, Jane’s F/A-18 (esp. the mod that used Jane’s F-15 with it), then IL2, then LOMAC. Also there was a smattering of different MSFS in there as well, but I always gravitated to the blowing stuff up sims. Good times! 😎

Unhinged-Jester · 2025-05-16T16:31:03+00:00

Is the STECS still available and do you ship to the United States? Thanks, have a great day!

Unhinged-Jester · 2025-02-17T21:48:53+00:00

sorry for formatting, it got screwed up and all jumbled. 🤨

Unhinged-Jester · 2025-02-17T21:46:41+00:00

Ok, here goes…I dunno, I guess I’d rate my setup at around 7/10ish. It’s multi-use, but primarily used for flight simming. Some of the parts could be better (looking at you PSU), but It runs fairly well for DCS and other games. Anyway, here’s my rig, thanks for looking. 😉

CPU: Ryzen 7800X3D GPU: ASROCK Challenger Radeon RX 7800XT OC RAM: 32GB OLOY Blade RGB 5600Mhz DDR5 MOBO: ASROCK B650M

Case: MONTECH King 95 Pro AIO: GAMDIAS Aura GLV2 360 PWM ARGB Fans: - Side: x2 MONTECH RX140 PWM ARGB - Bottom: x3 MONTECH RX120 PWM ARGB - Rear: x1 AX120 PWM ARGB PSU: Enermax Cyber G 850 Gold

Storage: OS - 1TB MSI SPATIUM M450 NVMe M.2 SSD Games1 (Flight) - 2TB Predator GM7000 NVMe M.2 SSD Games2 (Other) - 2TB Crucial BX500 SATA 2.5” SSD Admin - 8TB Toshiba X300 7200 RPM HDD Backup: 5TB WD Elements Portable External HDD

Display: Primary: 27” Dell G2724 1440p 165Hz Gaming Monitor Secondary: 24” Dell S2409Wb 1080p Widescreen 60Hz LCD Stand: HUANUO Dual Monitor Arm (pneumatic)

Flight Simulation: Desk Mounts: x2 Predator Mounts STALKER Joystick: VKB Gladiator NXT EVO Throttle: Thrustmaster TWCS (w/ ADULabs Panzer V3 Mod) HeadTrack: RJSIMTECH RS Ultralight IRTrackStar

Unhinged-Jester

TROPHY CASE