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Gladiator mkII not recognized by VKB software

Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2020 23:49
by 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

Re: Gladiator mkII not recognized by VKB software

Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2020 23:55
by 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?

Re: Gladiator mkII not recognized by VKB software

Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2020 0:12
by 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.

Re: Gladiator mkII not recognized by VKB software

Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2020 0:55
by fallout9
Sorry for the bad news. Try to dispute the transaction if the E-bay seller has advertised the product as 'VKB'.

Re: Gladiator mkII not recognized by VKB software

Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2020 1:22
by 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...

Re: Gladiator mkII not recognized by VKB software

Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2020 1:28
by 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.

Re: Gladiator mkII not recognized by VKB software

Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2020 3:34
by ArtoriaPendragon
Awesome. Thanks for the help!