MOZA MH16 Flight Stick with Z-Axis Module - Detailed Review

What is it?

The MOZA MH16 Flight stick is an aluminium alloy fighter jet inspired flight stick featuring plug and play compatibility, detachable expansion module, adjustable wrist comfort support and 30 inputs and when paired with the MOZA AB9 base makes a good entry into the combat flight simulation market.

Price:

MH16 Flight Stick
AU$299AUD  |  US$195
Z-Axis Module
AU$139  |  US$ 90

Key Features

• 30 Input signals
• Plug and play with other bases
• Detachable modular expansion adding an additional 7 inputs

Unboxing

The unboxing experience of the MOZA MH16 Flight stick is both premium and practical, aligning with MOZA’s previous high-quality product packaging. The outer box is well-designed, featuring a clean, professional design with branding and key product features highlighted on the outside of the box.

Upon opening, you’re greeted with a well-secured and neatly organised layout. The joystick grip itself is nestled within a dense, custom-cut foam insert, ensuring maximum protection during transit and the Flight stick is wrapped in protective plastic to prevent marks or scratches.

The Z-Axis module is a similar affair being well packaged in the same way and given the technical knowledge on its usage rather simple, the manual makes its way to the rear side of then product box on its installation and usage.

Box Contents:

Construction and Materials

MH16 Flight Stick

The shaft is made from aluminium alloy with the same material also used for the wrist/hand rest and pinky switch. The shaft is made of two halves that are joined together with a noticeable join seem running from the base of the switches on the head right down to the base of the flight stick’s shaft. The seem is high enough to grab your nail and stop your finger passing across the stick’s face.

Several buttons are also plastic along with the expansion module. The exception to the plastic buttons and switches are the Trim switch and the bottom 3-position switch located on the expansion module, these look to be made from metal. Every switch and button has some lateral movement but I wouldn’t call it sloppy.

The wrist/hand rest adjustment is a similar setup to other flight sticks in this range employing a combination of rotating steel thumb locking collars that when moved together allow for the rise and fall of the adjustment. Simple enough to use and once adjusted and locked down remained tight without moving during the product testing.

The expansion module comes preinstalled from factory and is part of the base product unlike some other manufacturers playing in this space. Removal is simple and done with the included tools to remove two hex bolts allowing for the module to fall away. Unlike the WINWING equivalent, there is no plug but rather pins that touch on connection points to send the inputs through making installation less fiddly.

The Expansion Module is secured with two hex bolts of different sizes—one of which is unfortunately quite small. In my case, it was tightened so securely that the included hex key stripped the bolt, leaving me only able to remove the larger one while the smaller one remained stuck. Looks like the Expansion Module and I are in a lifelong commitment—‘til death (or a better hex key) do us part!

MOZA Z-Axis Module

The choice of materials is similar with the Z-Axis module, aluminium shaft with metal locking ring brings a consistent look to the MH16 stick once mounted to your chosen base. It feels quite heavy given its size, testament to the build quality and strength it will need.

With both male and female connectors, the Z-Axis Module easily fits between compatible joysticks like the MOZA MH16 and MA3X. It includes a small hex bolt that, when inserted into the side of the module, locks the twist motion—allowing you to use it purely as an extension for added height. However, you can’t use this bolt to lock the stick at a specific angle. Instead, the module automatically snaps back to center with minimal force, ensuring the bolt can only be fully inserted (and lock the rotation) when the stick is perfectly back in the middle of the axis. To me this is a tremendous miss here, there is no reason that like other extension and Z-Axis modules addons in this market, you couldn’t use the bolt to set a specific angle to offset the flight stick for better support during centre mounted positions.

Manual

There is an included manual for the MH16 which is well presented and includes the basic information to get you up and running along with information on the hand rest adjustment and installation of the expansion module.

Setup and Configuration

The setup process for this stick, like others in this range, is simple and straightforward. Should it be joined to the AB9 Base from MOZA, start by turning off the base and removing the previous stick. Next, align the plug inside the new stick, insert it, and secure the stick to the base using the securing ring. Finally, use the included hex key to tighten the small lock nut inside, ensuring everything is firmly in place. Like other MOZA sticks, there is a set pattern on the underside of the connection where it mates with the base, this results in not being able to twist the stick to offset it slightly for center (between your legs) usage.

With the Z-Axis module installed, the additional Z-Axis in the MOZA software becomes available for configuration.

If you prefer having a control stick between your legs, MOZA also offers the Z-Axis Module separately. This add-on provides an extra axis for rudder or tiller control, allowing up to ±20 degrees of rotation and extending the stick by over 90mm (3.8 inches)—geeeez wouldn’t that be nice??

With the Z-Axis module installed, the additional Z-Axis in the MOZA software becomes available for configuration.

MOZA recommends performing the Cogging Torque Calibration whenever a new joystick is installed. This calibration is designed to optimize the joystick’s performance by identifying and correcting irregularities in movement and motor response. The goal is to provide smoother, more accurate feedback for an improved overall experience. The process is simple: select the MH16 stick under the “Grip Type” section in the MOZA software, then click “Start Calibration” to begin and watch the stick get a mind of its own and start moving.

Similar to the MA3X stick, this page also includes a configuration option for the HAT switch mode, which lets you customise how the HAT switch on the right side of the stick functions.

You have two choices:

1. Button Mode: This mode provides 5 inputs—left, right, up, down, and a push-in button.
2. D-Pad Mode: This mode enables an 8-directional input, similar to a compass, allowing for North, Northeast, East, Southeast, South, Southwest, West, and Northwest.

Besides the HAT switch mode, life on this page is relatively simple with a graphic overlay showing which buttons are active and the numbering of each of the inputs.

How does it feel?

Right away the stick feels right at home mounted to a base like the MOZA AB9. It feels like it just came off the jet and is up to the task of not only being thrown around by crap pilots like me but also taking the onslaught of the forces applied by MOZA’s force feedback base.

For this test, I chose the legendary AH-64 Apache—a helicopter that demands extensive button assignments and is a true test for any flight stick. Right away, I ran into an issue: there are very few buttons with a center push function. For example, the silver trimmer switch, along with the black DMS and TMS switches below it, are all simple 4-way switches limited to up, down, left, and right inputs even though you get a notable “click” when pushing down on the center similarly to any other position. Using this stick, I quickly realised how much I missed the center push button found on competitors’ sticks – especially in a complex, button-heavy aircraft like the Apache.

Secondly, while I’m a big fan of having bolt on expansion modules to up the inputs, MOZA’s execution on this could of be improved. Firstly, I’m not convinced that having a 3-position switch that sits quite far out and blocks access to the top HAT was a good idea. I would of much preferred simply a duplicate HAT or D-Pad sunken much deeper into the expansion module so it doesn’t block your thump from the top HAT.

Sticking with the theme of the Expansion Module, I have to say I was pretty disappointed to find that when the silver 3-position switch in its top position collides with the top black HAT switch when pushed down. Look, I’m all for a little closeness and physical contact—but not when it comes to things I bolt onto my joystick! At this price point, that kind of accidental fondling is just unacceptable. Here’s hoping we see a revised version in the future, because for this much money, I’d rather my buttons not be playing footsie.

Moving away from the expansion module and to the trigger, I found that the initial effort to pull the trigger is relatively light to reach the first-stage click. That is then followed by even more effort to reach a more distinct stop before even more effort is required to actually activate the second-stage click. In contrast, the WINWING equivalent features a low-resistance pull to the first-stage click, with resistance gradually increasing until a noticeable “pop” at the second-stage click activation.  Being completely honest, neither design feels particularly satisfying. Both fall short when compared to the premium, well-engineered trigger feel of something like the Thrustmaster AVA-FA18 Hornet stick.

The remaining buttons all operate as intended, there is a center push button for the thumb activated CMS buttons and the paddle switch all operate fine. Note that the paddle switch isn’t an axis but a simple on/off button.

Conclusion

A good entry into the market, but it falls short of greatness due to some easily overlooked design flaws—buttons that collide, a lack of push functions on multi-position switches, and a trigger that feels like biting into a chocolate chip cookie only to realize the “chip” was actually an olive—smooth at first, then an unexpected, jarring stop that hurts the whole experience. A good start but could a v2 be on the horizon?

Everything feels good without being great, 6.5/10