Gladiator NXT EVO 'Space Combat Edition'

The default first buy for anyone building an affordable HOSAS rig who wants boutique sensor quality without boutique pricing.

~$119 approx 2026 street price (Standard right-hand US; Premium ~$139)

The canonical affordable on-ramp into a 'real' magnetic-sensor stick, and the single most-recommended HOSAS building block for Star Citizen and Elite Dangerous. It pairs an all-metal-internals gimbal with contactless sensors and VKB's self-centering twist mechanism at a price that lets you buy two for a full twin-stick rig. The Space Combat Edition adds a space-friendly button cluster and is fully buildable as a left- or right-hand stick. The trade-off versus the Gunfighter tier is a non-adjustable cam/spring feel and a smaller, lighter footprint.

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Specs

sensors	Contactless magnetic on X/Y axes (drift-resistant)
twist	Self-centering twist Z-axis (the 'sixth axis' for HOSAS)
controller	32-bit ARM
buttons	ALPS/OMRON switches, space-oriented button layout
handedness	Available as dedicated left or right hand
config	VKBDevCfg software (deep, steep learning curve)

Pros

Magnetic sensors at a budget price — no potentiometer drift
Twist axis covers all six axes when you run two as a HOSAS pair
Clear upgrade path into the VKB Gunfighter ecosystem

Cons

Cams/springs are not swappable like the Gunfighter base
VKBDevCfg software is intimidating for newcomers
Compact base benefits from a clamp mount under combat input

Common questions

Can I make a HOSAS pair from two of these?

Yes — buy one left-hand and one right-hand 'Space Combat Edition', and the twist axis on each gives you enough analog axes to cover all six degrees of freedom plus throttle.

Is it good enough or should I save for a Gunfighter Mk.IV?

For most pilots the Gladiator is genuinely good enough; it already uses magnetic sensors. The Gunfighter base is an upgrade for adjustable cam/spring feel and heavier combat grips, not a fix for a deficient stick.

Does it work on Xbox?

No. Like all VKB hardware it is PC-only. For Xbox space combat the Turtle Beach VelocityOne is the main licensed option.

Compare with

WinWing · 9/10