I’m pleased to provide a three part look at VKB-Sim’s newest piece of hardware: the STECS throttle system. This first part, the shortest of the bunch, will be looking at the unboxing and initial impressions of the hardware. I’ll expand on that in part two with some first impressions and then part three will be the full comprehensive review. I’d like to answer as many questions of yours along the way too so be sure to send them in!

Disclaimer

VKB-Sim sent me the VKB STECS for review in exchange for a detailed series of reviews of the hardware. As always, I disclose when something has been sent to me for review. VKB have no editorial control (nor expressed any interest) over this review so these words are entirely my own.

VKB sent me their STECS Throttle System – Standard edition package for review. Three other models exist in various configurations.

What’s in the box and unboxing

Something that’s really important with any hardware review is what you actually get in the box. In my case, they sent me the STECS Throttle System – Standard edition to review. I suspect this is going to be the high volume option coming with a good mix of features, a middle of the road price and well positioned for the combat flight simmer, space simmer, or potentially even some airliner folks too – I’ll talk more about all of that in subsequent articles.

What do you find in the box? Well here’s the list:

• STECS base
• Throttle grips (labeled MTG-L and MTG-R)
• Red rubber grip pads (pre-installed) and gray rubber pads included
• 5 Detent Frames with the following detent shapes:
  • 4 L-shape detent – regular
  • 4 L-shape detent – large
  • 5 V-shape detent – regular
  • 5 V-shape detent – large
  • 2 W-shape
• STEM module
• STECS Accessory Magazine
• Phillips head screwdriver
• Hex screwdriver
• USB cable (180 cm / 6′)

STECS came to me very well packaged which is always encouraging when you’re sending hardware across and between continents. The exterior cardboard box showed the usual signs of wear and tear from shipping but did its job protecting the product box on the inside which was nearly immaculate. Black Styrofoam on the inside kept the throttle and its accessories in place and well protected from any jostling.

VKB locked the throttle, using the tensioners, in a 50% position which I assume ensures that it doesn’t flop around and potentially get broken. Once the tensioners were let off a bit the throttle showed no signs of trouble during shipping.

First impressions

VKB has evolved as a brand over the last several years but I can happily report that even my first piece of VKB hardware, my old original VKB Gladiator (the Mark I) is still in operation and still works brilliantly. The STECS feels more robust and more refined than that first experience but some of the same core tenants seem to be in place.

VKB have chosen to go with a plastic exterior design that follows much of their hardware line. Though the STECS don’t have the metallic appeal of the old Thurstmaster Warthog, I think the overall material choice here doesn’t matter as much as the interior hardware which absolutely feels solid. I really appreciate the rubber grips too.

I’ll have much more to say about this unit in the follow-up reviews. First impressions are good ones!

Interested in purchasing VKB’s hardware? Check out their various international storefronts to learn more:

• VKB North America
• VKB FSC Europe
• VKB Australia/New Zealand
• VKB India
• VKB Asia/Pacific/Oceania

Send me your questions

Investing in hardware is a key and essential part of the flight simmer experience and so I aim to try and make that as easy as possible. Do you have questions? I’d love to be able to answer them either here in the comments directly or in my follow-up pieces. Let me know!