Slammin

How am I burned? I just decided I don't want to wait on BLT, regardless. My MFD's from BLT just arrived and now my Hog itch just got out of control! :-) I'm placing an order with SCS as we speak.

Update: I checked my order status with crispdeals and it says backordered! I gave them an earfull because my credit card shows a pending transaction! He assures me there will be no charge to my cc. Fricken jerks!

Well, I can reinstate my BLT order for 30 days. The person I spoke to at crispdeals said the item was in stock. The reason I called is because the web page says "Low stock alert - Please call". So, between credit card protections, my old order from BLT still being available, and the 'outside' chance this company is just another merchant trying to make a living (sarcasm), I think I'll have a Hog soon. I'm just trying to help. I'll let you know when I get my stick.

I just did. I placed my order over the phone. I also asked how many they had in stock but he said he didn't have that info but also said that the system would indicate if the item was not in stock. I will have my hog in 3 or 4 days.

From here: http://www.crispdeals.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=DBL-DE6442&click=3344%20&gdftrk=gdfV21146_a_7c364_a_7c1155_a_7cDBL_d_DE6442 I will cancel my BLT order now.

My Cougar MFD pack arrives tomorrow. BLT is giving my Hog a nice bubble bath and hair cut. Also getting her a couple of tatoos. Should arive somewhere around the 23'rd or so.

No movement on mine either, though I don't have one yet. Is this another wiggly-throttle' thread?

It sounds like you need to reflash your Cougar. To reflash, unplug the Cougar and while holding down the trigger, plug the Cougar back in. This will force a reflash. After that, Windows should recognize the unit and you should then calibrate it.

No offense intended and really, I thought the G940 was quality, but I returned mine before 30 days because the stick just didn't have enough buttons for one, but for two, I just couldn't see where the FFB was adding to anything above what I was already using. I mean, how much does/should, even, FFB add? Is FFB even a real-life experience with most of the aircraft simulated these days? Seriously, the things I have in my basement - buttkicker gamer, some 3D headphones with 'shake' (can't remember the brand), and other 'stuff'. The G940, IMHO misses the mark in several areas. Really, I am going to forego FFB from now one until I KNOW for sure that everything else is in place. That includes of course, my entertainment setup, the game (hopefully a MechWarrior game) and also my own environment. Not that I have given up on FFB, I just think a lot of 'other' factors come into play in order for it to really work for you. I will say that with buttkicker, 'shaking 3D headphones', great hotas or FFB steering wheel, not to mention other 'stuff' like touch screens/TouchBuddy etc., TrackIR, man, this stuff is getting good. Still, a FFB stick is not adding much right now. Until they make FFB sticks an advantage (right now the shaking is so inaccurate) that enhances my ability to get the job done, I am going to stick to these precision solutions we currently have (Cougar, Hog).

I got the same letter from BLT when I inquired about shipping order. It seems that depending on which warehouse your order initially went to, if that warehouse runs out, they will move your order to the next warehouse that does have inventory. With supply so low and demand so high, I guess moving an order is not going to happen anytime soon.

Everything I've seen indicated BLT is a good company and I think they are really showing themselves to be an excellent company. For any of us that are part of the first 85 that ordered that did not get a ship notice, my bet would be that it might depend on which warehouse they want to ship to you from, since they are footing the bill on the shipping. I don't think I was part of the first group and even though they have pushed the ETA again, I don't mind waiting. I like how they've handled things to date, and a $100.00 discount is pretty darned cool!

I just got a new email saying the updated ETA is Nov 23'rd. I placed my order Oct 25th and there were quite a few ahead of mine. I can wait :-)

Several folks saw a status change in their email link, from ETA=Past Due to ETA=In Stock. Mine still says ETA=Past Due when I click on the link in my email. I guess I ordered too late to get in the first batch.

Just as you've observed, as they saw a date slip, they posted an update. With the sparse availability, what would your best guess be as the the cause of the dates slipping? Do they owe you a detailed explaination in addition to the one they already provide? I suspect the price jump was planned. I think the introductory price was intentional. Your cab analogy is really reaching man :P

I'd rather think they posted an introduction discounted price to drum up business. This seems especially likely when you look at the number of units they have on order. As far as them answering each and every "Do you have them yet?". Are we there yet. Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Get the picture? The explaination on the web site is pretty clear: "This product is not in stock at this time, but is on order with the manufacturer. The ETA's are estimates of when we expect to receive shipments from the manufacturer. ETA's are not guaranteed arrival dates and are subject to change. The fastest way to obtain this item is to place an order online now to secure your position in line, and we won't charge you until your order ships!" I'm not sure what kind of answer to expect if I were to ask them if the units are there yet. I'm sure the answer would be something to the effect of, "No".

I'm keeping mine, even if I didn't have the RCS.

My Hog has been on order since the 23rd, so it would actually take a serious horror story to make me reconsider, but I must tip my hat to you guys for providing the detailed answers I've had in the back of my head. S!

I am so skeptical when I hear claims that the Hog stick feels 100% better than a U2-NXT Cougar. I think the reason is that even though the HOG sounds like it requires even pressure all-around, it still also sounds like it may require more force to move from center than it does to move in anyplace after center. This even pressure is in contrast with the U2-NXT in that the Cougar takes less pressure to move from center, but progressively more pressure the farther away from center you go. This was actually touted as a positive attribute, and I have to say, without feeling a Hog, I think the U2-NXT is the best thing since sliced bread. With an unmodded Cougar, it takes A LOT to move from center and the stick really wants to get back to center, and the 'bump' when it gets to center can be very distracting. Does the Hog have any kind of 'bump' as it gets back to center? Actually, I can tell from the video that it does, but is it distracting in any way?

Are you still telling everyone to cancel their BLT orders? I think that is definitely the wrong thing to do. How is it BLT's fault in any way? I don't blame anyone at this point because had I been on vacation like I had planned at the time, I would not have even known of impending availability, much less been able to take delivery even if it were available, lol! Really, you are blaming everybody and everything you can. Very unrational. For the amount of screaming you are doing, I cannot see how you would not have gotten a unit from SimW or anyplace else that has them in stock. Do yourself a favor and just order from SimW, or just wait patiently. You will get premature graying, ulcers, take on drinking and smoking pot, and kicking the dog for no reason if you live life trying to blame random targets for each little obstacle you run into. Really, the only real blame I think you can assign right now is Father Time. In time, the Hog will be more available. Not really no other way to look at it. Certainly, ranting here is not going to speed it up, as you've seen.

I need a cup of tea.

I don't blame them for raising the price. I mean, everywhere else the price is $500+. They'd be crazy not to. They'd also be crazy to not honor the price offered to us that ordered it before the price increase. I'll be contacting Film, or some other distributor if they do that, as was said, on priciple alone. Really, as bad as all this might seem to some, you should have been around when the Cougar launched. It was pretty much the same, only the ETA to USA distributors was kind of 'known', and it was much farther out than what you are seeing with the Hog. That is why I went with SimWare right from the start. I bought my second Cougar from SimWare only because I liked their service that much. So, BLT know's the business I'm sure. I don't anticipate getting screwed but if they go that route, they lose a customer - forever. At any rate, I in no way blame TM. I still praise them and always will for being brave enough to even take on something like the Cougar and even after the thrashing they got over that product, instead of running away, they learned from it and then brought us the Hog. Sounds to me like TM are in it for real.

If I didn't already have something nice, I would have ordered from Simware on day 1. I fired the House Budget Commitee a few years ago but I still have to watch how I spend :P

Well, I placed my order with BLT on the 25th and got email confirmation for 11-02 availability. They have not changed that date. I'm thinking that the availability date on the web page and the availability date on the confirmed orders are two different things. They even advise you not to cancel so that you keep your place in line.

Thanks, will do! BLT still shows 11-2-10 for my Hog. I can't wait to try it!

I do use the ANT rotary for cockpit zoom for most sims, so I may miss that a little. I really don't know if there is anything else about my U2-NXT modded Cougar I will miss, and I really love my Cougar.