Gladiator mkII not recognized by VKB software

[ArtoriaPendragon]

I purchased a Gladiator mkII joystick from eBay a few months ago and I just purchased the Gladiator mkII Upgrade Kit Lite with the SCG Premium Left grip. I installed the grip with no issues, however, the joystick is not recognized by VKB software and the buttons on the SCG grip do not function. The SCG grip lights turn on briefly when the joystick is plugged in, white and red (image attached). The buttons on the base and the joystick & throttle axes are detected and functioning in the joystick & button testing software.

The joystick shows up as "FF Joystick (Ver: 18.1A)" in the HID device list, but does not appear in the VKB Device Config software or the Z-Bootloader. If I put the Gladiator into boot mode by holding down the Start and Eject buttons and then plugging in the joystick, the device is then recognized in VKB Config as "VKB Boot NJoy32 platform v00.56". When I try to flash the Gladiator while in boot mode, I get the error, "!!! Device signature not correct - flash fail !!! Please check version of firmware file for this device".

The Gladiator joystick was not detected in the VKB software before I upgraded the grip, so I do not believe the grip is the problem, but since it was working in Star Citizen I didn't bother trying to troubleshoot software/driver issues when I first purchased it. I just used it as-is because it worked, even though I couldn't customize it with VKB software.

Has anyone seen this before and know a fix? I couldn't find anything similar after searching the forums yesterday.

1 - Device model and version - Gladiator mkII: JS-3601V, serial number: JS3601V-00080-IKL-CIB
2 - Controller Firmware version: FF Joystick Ver: 18.1A
3 - Number andtype of springs used: stock springs 2x
4 - Type of cams used: stock plastic cams
5 - If VKB original software is used, please always mention its version: VKB Device Config v0.90.19
6 - Vkbjoytester screenshots: Attached
7 - Vkbdevcfg-c screenshots: Attached

[fallout9]

Are you sure it's a VKB Gladiator and not one of the Airow, Javelin etc clones? Does it have the VKB logo on body?

[ArtoriaPendragon]

I am not certain. I wasn't aware that there are clones. I do not see a VKB logo, so you may be right.

[fallout9]

Sorry for the bad news. Try to dispute the transaction if the E-bay seller has advertised the product as 'VKB'.

[ArtoriaPendragon]

Well, damn. I think it was an individual seller since it was sold as used. They may not have known it was a clone. Thanks for the heads up.

I guess it's time for a Gunfighter base upgrade. Now that I have a nice SCG premium grip, no sense buying a plastic Gladiator base again, unless I can find the pro version with metal cams.

Does VKB sell the Gunfighter base separately? I can only find it paired with a grip...

[fallout9]

They usually don't, but send an e-mail at sales@vkb-sim.pro explaining your situation and I'm sure they will understand. VKB is a very client oriented company.

[ArtoriaPendragon]

Awesome. Thanks for the help!