
MOZA MTQ Throttle Review
Steve | G-LOC MEDIA
Flight simulation enthusiast and YouTuber
The MOZA MTQ Throttle is a modular throttle system at $199 to $277 depending on configuration that works brilliantly for Airbus and combat flying but has a genuine flaw for Boeing simmers - the four fixed detents simply don't match the 737's seven flap settings, leaving you guessing between positions with no reference click. The throttle axis feel is smooth and accurate, the Airbus grip configuration is genuinely satisfying, and the layout is one of the best available for VR flying at this price. If you fly Airbus or military jets this is worth serious consideration, but Boeing simmers should look elsewhere.
Pros
- Competitive pricing at $199 for the base or $277 for all three grip configurations
- Smooth and accurate throttle axis with no jitter or dead zones throughout testing
- Airbus configuration works brilliantly with satisfying clicky detents
- One of the best control layouts for VR flying at this price point
- Boeing and Airbus grip finish quality is a step above the included fighter grip
- Software automatically recognises which grip is installed
- MOZA Cockpit software is clean and continues to improve with updates
- Tension adjustment allows a strong and satisfying feel across all four axes
- Mounting holes included for hard mounting to a cockpit
Cons
- Boeing flap setup is genuinely frustrating, four fixed detents do not match the 737s seven flap settings
- Nothing is pre-mapped, full manual button and axis assignment required from scratch
- Rubber feet do not grip well on smooth desk surfaces
- Base can tip forward when hitting end gates if not hard mounted
- Fighter jet grip feels noticeably hollow compared to the base quality
- Airbus detent rail may wear down over time from repeated ball bearing contact
- Rotary encoders are too close together, especially noticeable in VR
- Tension adjustment affects all four axes simultaneously, no individual control
MOZA MTQ Throttle Review - A Jack of All Trades or Master of None?
The MOZA MTQ Throttle is a modular throttle system that lets you swap between a fighter jet grip, an Airbus grip, and a Boeing grip. On paper that sounds like a compelling jack of all trades solution. In reality the experience varies significantly depending on which configuration you're running - and for one type of flight simmer in particular there's a problem I honestly don't know how MOZA are going to fix.MOZA sent the MTQ through for review a few weeks back. As always this is entirely my own take.
Price and What You Get
- MOZA MTQ base with fighter jet grip: $199 USD
- Airbus grip add-on: $39 USD
- Boeing grip add-on: $39 USD
- All three configurations: $277 USD total
For the money that's a competitive entry point for a modular throttle system.
Build Quality
The base is plastic construction but it's dense and has some genuine weight to it - it doesn't feel flimsy. For $199 the build quality is pretty good. The combat grip feels a touch hollow compared to higher-end products but at this price point that's acceptable and expected.One thing that genuinely stands out is the layout. This might be the best control layout I've used for finding things without looking - which makes it an excellent throttle for VR flying. Everything is easy to feel your way around. The toggle switches are distinct from the buttons, the rotary encoders are easy to locate by feel, and the gear lever position gives you a solid reference point for hand placement.
Base controls include:
- Six RGB backlit buttons preset for autopilot functions
- Four regular buttons on the left
- Three metal toggle switches including a return switch
- Two full rotary style knobs
- One rotary select switch
- Gear lever
The one layout gripe is that the two rotary encoders are a touch squashed together - only about a finger width of space between them. Another 5mm of spacing in that area would have made a meaningful difference, especially in VR.
Stability on a desk is a weak point. The rubber feet didn't grip well on my smooth desk surface and the unit was easy to shift during use. It can also tip forward when you hit the end gates if you're not careful. Hard mounting is strongly recommended - mounting holes are included on the bottom.
Throttle Axis Feel
The throttle axis is smooth with no jitter and no dead zones. Calibration has been rock solid throughout testing. MOZA have absolutely nailed the feel - the smoothness, the accuracy, the tension adjustment, and the clicky detents on the spoiler and flap levers are all very satisfying. The tension adjuster affects all four axes simultaneously which is worth knowing.The Three Grip Configurations - Where It Gets Interesting
Fighter Jet Grip
The included military style grip does what it says for combat flying. You get everything you need to fly anything from an F-18 to a warbird. The plastic split pin mechanism for splitting the throttles feels a touch cheap but the actual mechanism holding them together is solid enough. Lift gates for afterburner are included. For combat flying this works well with no real drawbacks.Boeing Grip
The Boeing levers look great - arguably a step above the fighter jet grip in terms of finish quality. The auto thrust disconnect and reverse levers feel well made. But here's the problem.The MTQ base has four non-adjustable detents. This works perfectly for the Airbus which has four flap settings. The 737 has seven flap settings. So for Boeing flying if you want flaps five you're holding the lever somewhere between the first and second detent with no click for reference - just guessing. The whole experience becomes frustrating and I genuinely don't see how MOZA can fix this without a completely different detent rail system. If you're primarily a Boeing simmer, this throttle simply isn't for you. That's a firm recommendation to look elsewhere.
Airbus Grip
This is where the MOZA MTQ Throttle really comes together. The Airbus grips use a spring loaded ball bearing that clicks into notches cut into the base housing. It feels genuinely satisfying — a proper solid click at each detent position. The reverse paddles have good spring tension and the auto thrust disconnect buttons work well. The finish on the Airbus grip is some of the best I've seen on add-on levers for flight sim bases.The only thing I'm keeping an eye on is whether the ball bearing clicking repeatedly into the plastic rail will wear grooves over time and degrade those detents. My gut says it might, but only time will tell. For now the Airbus configuration is solid and works really well.
Software
MOZA Cockpit software is clean and continues to improve with updates. You can calibrate axes, configure RGB lighting, and save presets. The software automatically recognises which grip you have installed which is a nice touch.The one downside is that nothing is pre-mapped - you're assigning every axis, every button, and every encoder from scratch. It's time consuming the first time but once it's done it's done, and the software is stable enough that you won't be revisiting it often.
Who Is the MOZA MTQ Throttle For?
Buy it if:
- You primarily fly Airbus aircraft in MSFS or X-Plane - the detent system works perfectly
- You fly a mix of Airbus and combat aircraft - this setup covers both well
- You fly in VR and want a throttle with an intuitive layout you can navigate without looking
- You want a modular system that covers multiple aircraft types without spending a fortune
- You fly DCS or War Thunder alongside civilian sims
Look elsewhere if:
- Boeing is your primary aircraft type - the seven flap setting problem makes this genuinely frustrating and I simply don't recommend it for Boeing simmers
- You want a pre-mapped plug and play experience without manual button assignment
- You need maximum desk stability without hard mounting
Final Verdict
The MOZA MTQ Throttle is a genuinely good option for Airbus simmers and combat flyers at a competitive price. The throttle axis feel is smooth and accurate, the Airbus configuration works really well, and the VR-friendly layout is one of the best I've used at this price point. At $277 for all three grip configurations there's solid value here.But the Boeing flap situation is a real problem and there's no obvious fix. If Boeing is your thing just give this one a miss - it will frustrate you. For everyone else flying Airbus or mixing it up across combat and civilian sims, the MOZA MTQ Throttle is worth serious consideration.
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