The short answer: Buy the VKB Gladiator NXT EVO F-14 Combat Edition if the DCS F-14 Tomcat is your main aircraft and matching its real stick layout matters more to you than having lots of controls. Buy the Space Combat Grip (SCG) if this will be your only joystick, you regularly change aircraft, fly modern jets such as the F-16 or A-10C, use VR, or play space sims.
This VKB Gladiator NXT EVO F-14 vs SCG comparison comes down almost entirely to the grip because both versions use the same excellent EVO base. The F-14 provides specialised Tomcat controls and greater replica immersion, while the SCG offers more hats and far greater flexibility.
I did not personally test these sticks. This comparison is based on VKB’s current specifications, hands-on reviews and recurring feedback from owners. That matters because some features are objective, such as the number of hats, while comfort and control feel remain personal.
The Decision in 30 Seconds
| If this sounds like you | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The F-14 is the aircraft you fly most | F-14 Combat Edition | The DLC wheel and weapon selector closely match the Tomcat’s stick |
| You fly several DCS aircraft | SCG Premium | More hats and a ministick make complex bindings easier |
| You want one joystick for DCS, MSFS, War Thunder and space sims | SCG Premium | It is the most versatile version |
| You mainly fly the Tomcat and already have a good throttle or button box | F-14 Combat Edition | Your other controls can cover many of the missing inputs |
| You mostly fly simpler WWII or general-aviation aircraft | Either | You may not need every control offered by the SCG |
| You use VR and want to avoid reaching for the keyboard | SCG Premium | More controls remain under your hand |
| You want the cheaper SCG and do not need an analog ministick | SCG Standard | It keeps the three main hats but drops some Premium controls |
The F-14 and SCG Use the Same EVO Base
You are not choosing between a good base and a bad one. Both complete joysticks use VKB’s Gladiator NXT EVO base, with contactless sensors on the X and Y axes, a ball-bearing gimbal, adjustable dry clutches, replaceable springs and a lockable twist axis in the grip.
Both versions are available for right-handed use, while the SCG is also offered in left-handed versions. The F-14 Combat Grip is the specialised right-hand option.
The base also provides a small throttle wheel, a rotary encoder, an auto-centering three-position switch and three programmable buttons. This makes either version usable as a compact, single-stick setup when you do not yet own a separate throttle or rudder pedals.
The steel baseplate and rubber feet are intended for desktop use. Hands-on reviewers have generally found the base stable during normal flying, although hard inputs and stronger spring settings can still move or tip a tabletop stick. A desk mount is useful for aggressive flying, but it is not an automatic requirement for every owner.
The Real Difference Is the Grip
The F-14 grip is a specialised replica. The SCG was designed as a general flight-and-space-sim grip. That difference affects almost every binding decision you will make.
| Grip controls | F-14 Combat Grip | SCG Standard | SCG Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main hats | 1 four-way hat with centre push | 3 four-way hats with centre push | Multiple hats, including a replaceable hat module |
| Analog ministick | No | No | Yes, with centre push |
| Main trigger | Dual-stage trigger | Dual-action trigger | Dual-action trigger |
| Additional trigger | Emergency autopilot-disconnect trigger | No rapid-fire trigger | Rapid-fire trigger |
| Special control | DLC wheel and four-stage ammo selector | General-purpose layout | General-purpose layout with additional inputs |
| Twist rudder | Yes, lockable | Yes, lockable | Yes, lockable |
| Best use | DCS F-14 and replica immersion | General flight sims on a tighter budget | Mixed aircraft, modern jets, VR and space sims |
VKB’s official specifications list one hat, a DLC axis, a dual-stage trigger, a four-stage ammo selector and four programmable buttons on the F-14 grip. The SCG Standard lists three hats and four programmable buttons. The SCG Premium adds an analog ministick, a rapid-fire trigger and extra interchangeable control modules.
Why the F-14 Grip Is So Good in the Tomcat
The F-14 edition exists for one convincing reason: it puts recognisable Tomcat controls in your hand. The four-stage selector corresponds naturally with the aircraft’s weapon-selection controls, while the spring-loaded DLC wheel gives you a dedicated control for Direct Lift Control during landing.
That physical match is especially appealing in DCS because you do not have to invent unrelated functions for those controls. It also makes the grip easier to operate by feel once you have learned the Tomcat’s layout.
Owners also frequently describe the grip as comfortable and enjoy the deliberate action of the weapon selector. PC Gamer’s hands-on reviewer praised the selector’s strong tactile feel and described the overall controls as smooth and accurate, although he found the dual-stage trigger slightly light.
The limitation is that authenticity does not create extra buttons. The real F-14 stick was designed as part of a complete cockpit, not as a universal controller for every simulator. If you have a capable throttle or button box, that matters less. If this joystick must provide nearly all your combat controls, it matters a great deal.
Why the SCG Is Better for Other Aircraft
Modern DCS modules often expect several hat switches for functions such as trim, sensor control, countermeasures, target management and weapon selection. The F-14 grip has only one main hat. The SCG gives you more places to put those functions without holding a modifier or reaching for the keyboard.
This is the practical reason to choose the SCG for aircraft such as the A-10C, F-16C or F/A-18C. It will not exactly reproduce every real grip, but it gives you enough controls to build a sensible layout across several modules.
The SCG Premium is the strongest all-round choice. Its analog ministick can handle view control, slew functions or space-sim thrusters, depending on the game. The additional trigger and configurable modules also reduce your dependence on keyboard commands.
The SCG Standard remains considerably more flexible than the F-14 grip because it still has three main hats. However, buyers who fly complex jets or space sims should compare the current Standard and Premium price before saving money. Adding an upgrade later can cost more once separate shipping and regional charges are included.
Can You Use the F-14 Grip With Other Games?
Yes. The F-14 grip is specialised, not locked to DCS or to one aircraft. Its axes and buttons can be assigned in other games, but its unusual controls do not always translate neatly.
| Game or aircraft type | How the F-14 grip fits | Better choice for most players |
|---|---|---|
| DCS F-14 | Excellent match for its intended aircraft | F-14 |
| Other complex DCS jets | Usable, but modifiers or supporting controls may be needed | SCG Premium |
| War Thunder | Basic flight controls work, but the selector may require custom mapping and has no obvious universal role | SCG |
| IL-2 and simpler WWII aircraft | Reasonable, especially with a separate throttle | Either |
| MSFS and general aviation | Usable, although its replica combat controls offer little advantage | Either, with SCG more flexible |
| Star Citizen and Elite Dangerous | Usable but short of general-purpose controls | SCG Premium |
| VR flight simulation | Good for the Tomcat; less convenient across mixed aircraft unless your throttle supplies the missing inputs | SCG Premium for mixed use |
The four selector positions do not have to be wasted outside the Tomcat. DCS allows buttons to be used as modifiers, so experienced users can create additional control layers. For example, a selector position could change what the main hat controls. This expands the grip’s usefulness, but it is less immediate than having several dedicated hats under your fingers.
Which Grip Is Better for VR?
The SCG Premium is normally the safer VR choice because it keeps more controls on the grip. That makes it easier to manage sensors, views and combat systems without trying to find a keyboard while wearing a headset.
However, the F-14 edition is not automatically bad for VR. It makes sense when you primarily fly the Tomcat and know its physical layout, or when a well-equipped throttle and button box provide the extra controls. Judge the complete setup, not the grip in isolation.
Setup, Calibration and Software
The complete joystick requires some assembly and should be calibrated after setup. VKB provides a quick-start guide and configuration tools, and the controller stores profiles in onboard memory.
Most buyers can begin with ordinary in-game assignments. VKB’s configuration software becomes useful when you want advanced curves, shift layers, virtual buttons or specialised selector behaviour. It is powerful, but new users should expect a learning curve rather than assuming every advanced function will configure itself.
Both grips include a lockable twist axis, so you can use twist for rudder control if you do not own pedals. The EVO base also includes different spring strengths and adjustable dry clutches. These adjustments allow you to change centering force and resistance, but they do not turn the Gladiator into VKB’s higher-end metal Gunfighter base.
Can You Change Grips Later?
Yes, but buy the correct version. For a Gladiator NXT or EVO base, you need a compatible GNX add-on grip. Do not accidentally order a grip made for VKB’s Gunfighter base.
Changing the grip is a supported upgrade, but it is not the same as plugging in a USB accessory. You must physically install the replacement and recalibrate the controller. Check VKB’s current instructions before ordering, and compare the complete cost of the add-on grip, shipping and any regional charges.
If you already own the F-14 version and need more controls, try sensible modifiers first—especially if you mainly use DCS. If the grip continues to make every aircraft except the Tomcat awkward, replacing it with a GNX SCG is more practical than forcing a complicated layout into every game.
Do You Need a Separate Throttle or Rudder Pedals?
No. The twist axis can control the rudder, and the EVO base has a throttle wheel. Either version can therefore operate as a self-contained starter joystick.
A separate throttle becomes more valuable with the F-14 grip because it can supply the hats, switches and axes missing from the specialised stick. Rudder pedals are mainly an immersion and control upgrade; they are not required simply to make the joystick function.
If you are deciding where a flight stick fits into your wider gaming setup, our guide to gaming peripherals that actually matter can help you prioritise useful equipment without spending money on upgrades that add little to the experience.
Price and Value
VKB pricing, shipping and availability vary by region, so compare the F-14, SCG Standard and SCG Premium in the store that actually serves your country. Do not compare only the advertised base price if one option will require a replacement grip, extra shipping or import charges later.
Before spending heavily on specialist controls, make sure your PC can run the simulators you intend to play at acceptable settings. Our complete gaming PC hardware guide explains which hardware upgrades matter and where spending more produces little practical benefit.
The F-14 edition is good value when its replica controls are the reason you want it. It is poor value when you buy it for the appearance and then spend more money converting the setup into the general-purpose joystick you needed from the beginning.
Final Verdict: F-14 or SCG?
Choose the VKB Gladiator NXT EVO F-14 Combat Edition if the Tomcat is your main DCS aircraft, replica immersion is a priority, and you either accept the lower control count or have a throttle and button box to support it.
Choose the SCG Standard if you need a more versatile grip at the lower price and are comfortable without an analog ministick or the Premium model’s extra controls.
Choose the SCG Premium if this will be your main joystick across different DCS aircraft, War Thunder, MSFS and space sims. It is also the safest choice for VR users who want to keep more commands under one hand.
The F-14 grip is not a bad SCG. It is a specialised grip built for a different buyer. If you cannot confidently say that the Tomcat will dominate your flying time, the SCG—preferably the Premium version—is the more sensible purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the VKB F-14 grip only compatible with DCS?
No. Its axes and buttons can work in other compatible PC games. The limitation is the specialised layout, not a DCS-only lock.
Is the SCG good for flying the DCS F-14?
Yes. It does not reproduce the Tomcat stick as closely, but it provides enough programmable controls and is easier to reuse with other aircraft.
Is the SCG Premium worth buying over the Standard?
It usually is for complex modern aircraft, VR and space sims because the ministick and additional controls reduce the need for modifiers. The Standard is sufficient when your aircraft are simpler or your throttle already supplies many inputs.
Does the Gladiator NXT EVO need to be mounted?
Not necessarily. It includes a steel baseplate and rubber feet for desktop use. A mount becomes useful if hard control inputs, stronger springs or your desk position cause movement.
Can the F-14 weapon selector work in other aircraft?
Yes, if the game recognises and allows you to assign its positions. In DCS, you can also use selector positions as modifiers for additional control layers. It remains less straightforward than having several general-purpose hats.
Sources and Research Notes
- VKB Gladiator NXT EVO F-14 Combat Edition specifications
- VKB Gladiator NXT EVO Space Combat Edition specifications
- PC Gamer hands-on review of the F-14 Combat Edition and STECS
- Stormbirds review and NXT-to-EVO comparison
- Recent owner discussion about the F-14 edition
- Owner discussion about remapping and changing grips
Product specifications, pricing and regional availability can change. Confirm the current grip version, compatibility, warranty and total delivered price with your regional VKB store before ordering.
