LawnDart

That Viper was light!!! :helpsmilie: Still pilot error though... "Caution jet blast"... and, yeah... the camera man seems totally oblivious to the tipped over F-16! :lol:

Ain't that the truth! I still run it on my main rig during normal startup, but for video editing or serious gaming and anything else demanding a little more than normal housekeeping chores and surfing, Norton goes bye bye! :bye: It deprives the computer of waaay too many resources!

At least we're right on topic (as far as the thread's name)!!! :lol:

I don't work for Thrustmaster Viper! In fact they don't like me posting too much around here in regards to the Cougar (sponsor affiliate syndrome), so what you read is entirely my personal opinion. Also, notice how I'm not arguing anyone else's decision either, just providing info. Everyone's entitled to make their own choice, but if I was shopping, I'd want to be well informed of the options available. Simple as that!

I had a long detailed response written, but then the forums decided to dump my post... :cry: The real Viper stick is not made of metal or steel. It's a complex composite-material ("plastic" in layman's terms), designed to withstand extreme temperatures and moisture. If you ever have the chance to feel the real stick, you'd want one! Trust me, I know I do... :joystick: Cougar @ CompUSA $249.99 FSSB by Realsimulator R1: $430 (320 EUR), R2: $605 (450 EUR) IJ's switch casings + Cubby's screw kit ~ approx $30 Total R1: $709.99, R2: $884.99 +shipping If you chosse to use IJ's NXT gimbal mod instead of a Force Sensor mod such as the FSSB, the price with Hall Sensors (by Cubby) comes out to about the same as the R1. :smilewink:

Gosh... I don't remember exactly, it wasn't an in depth discussion - but basically, it felt under powered, a little slughish and we didn't even touch most of the other gripes of players (i.e. AIM-120's etc)... What I remember the most was his comment on the lack of acceleration or thrust!

The reason for me to mod is not due to any deficiencies out of the box, but simply because there are Sierra Hotel mods out there that will turn your little Pinto into a Ferrari! The aftermarket parts for the Cougar make it UNBEATABLE! :v: Although I do agree that the Cougar (modded or stock) needs the same care and attention as your '67 Chevy and as long as it receives it, won't let you down! :thumbup: (Grease 'er up, clean the pots, re-cal the FSSB if you own one, buy shop towels, use compressed air to clean, Q-tips etc etc). Order Cubby's screw kit mod (regardless if you plan on modding anything else), and order spare pots from TM support. The pots are the weakest link, but they can be cleaned quite easily too - although it doesn't hurt to have a a few spare ones. Keep the Allen screws tightened up and re-tighten nuts and bolts periodically. Any time you open the base up, clean and grease it up again. That about sums it up... May sound like a lot, but it's really simple! My personal choice (I love the FSSB R2): Force Sensor Stick Base = Pretty much as close as you can make it to the real Viper! Removes the gimbals, making the stick static or motionless. You fly simply by putting more pressure on the stick shaft, much like the stick in the real F-16 that doesn't move. (The realism was confirmed by a friend who used to be a Viper driver and tested out a setup identical to mine... He's now flying the Nighthawk again, but had a blast zipping around in the virtual skies... He had nothing bad to say about the Kitty or how realistic it felt, although his comments on the F-15 model in LOMAC weren't quite as kind... :music_whistling: :yes:). I'll talk to TM again and see if they are interested in running another promo with price giveaways sometime in the future? It's part of our ammended contract, just gotta come up with an event or venue for it... VFAT, Nellis '07 possibly...?

That's what I've always thought in in the back of my mind... Pay some people under the table to create new viruses, so they can create the antitode. I'm sure many of these viruses are simply non-existant too... Who knows? :music_whistling:

HOTAS COUGAR - Windows Vista 32 bits - Release Candidate 1 2007-05-24 System Requirements: • Windows Vista 32bits Installation Instructions: 1. Unplug your HOTAS Cougar joystick. 2. Run the "2007_HCO_VISTA_32_RC1.exe " setup to install the new version. 3. Follow the instructions on the screen and Reboot your computer (if asked to) . 4. If Windows ask you, follow the instructions to install the drivers. 5. You are then ready to use your Hotas Cougar. Download: Windows Vista (x86) 32bits 48 MB This is straight from Thrustmaster.com's support page for Cougar drivers & downloads. Not sure about any 64bit drivers yet... Also, read this related topic (Vista drivers) @ Frugalsworld: http://forums.frugalsworld.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=117757

Thrustmaster Cougar +FSSB mod (by Real Simulator: http://www.realsimulator.com/html/fssb.html) +Hall sensor Elite/RCS rudders (mod by Cubby: http://cubpilotshangar.net/) +Cubby's Cougar screw kit (stick handle) +Ian J's Metal switch casings for the Cougar Combine all the above with your own home pit and voila!!! Gunner's setup (still work in progress using Stangs ACES II kit).

Just two shots from the other nite. The second one almost looks real with only a glance... :)

It also earned two of the actors rides with the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds. Good movie! Not great, but worth checking out (even if it's a bit cheese at times)... ;)

Very impressive APA!!! :clap::drunk: ~S!

Saw this post a day or two ago, but didn't have time to reply. Very nice editing and some fine flying as well!!! S~! :thumbup:

http://forum.lockon.ru/showthread.php?t=23277 Camera flight path can be edited in the view.lua. You'll need a graph calculator and create a mathematical equation to plug in however...

Shift-ESC while in F2 or F4 combined with some math magic... :thumbup:

With some mathematical skills you can create virtually any type of camera you want by editing the view.lua file. I cannot go into details here, but if you're up to speed on your sin, cos, tan and graph curves it's entirely possible to create any type of angle, path and speed for the F2 or F4 views.

'07 will be the big mamma of VFATs! Blue and Gold as well as the Red, White and Blue in addition to all other great 6+ ship demo teams from the east! :D

The Virtual Thunderbrids would like to dedicate the following pass in memory of Kevin "Kojak" Davis, Blue Angel #6 & Glen "Gunner" Quam, father, fellow pilot and extended family member. Play video! (Right click to save...)

Not to add to speculation, but from the CNN video it appears problems began before any pine trees or powerlines were clipped... Likely any contact with a tree was at the tail end of the chain of events that lead to this tragic accident. Also, eye witnesses, when traumatized, often believe they saw more than what may have taken place (or in this case, presume it was the cause...).

Are you #$ kiddin' me?! Outta respect for his family and loved ones, I hope no cockpit footage or radio trans ever find their way online. I doubt there was anything said, in those few last seconds (and I have no wish to find out)... as he was attending the number one priority; flying the airplane, and/or minimizing damage and harm to people on the ground!

Let's stay away from speculating what happened. The news media is already horribly inept at giving the public any kind of factual knowledge about air shows or how the Blue's perform.... Makes me want to punch the anchors and reporters in the face! (Sorry...) CNN just confirmed; the one fatality reported was the pilot. R.I.P and my sincere condolences to his friends, family and entire Blue Angel family (team)... :(

Looks very promising Maximum Bob! One of our maneuvers that no one else has showed yet is the Delta Roll, one of the hardest maneuvers we fly. Hint hint... ;) Good luck with the project!

The Foxy profiles are far more programmable (powerful) than in-game assignments (directX buttons). I'd suggest you go to http://cougar.frugalsworld.com/files.php and find a Foxy profile that fits your needs and then learn to tweak/reprogram it using Foxy. With emulation turned on, your Cougar will then be able to do a lot more than each button simply being... a button. Many of these profiles have graphics layouts that show what each button does. If none fit your needs, take the one closest to what you want and reprogram it in Foxy!

Exactly. When originally designed until production many corners had to be cut to keep it affordable. Newer serials have some of the issues solved or improved, but rest assured (hint) there is more being worked on and resolved for future batches. :smilewink: I think the Cougar has received an unfair amount of bad rep for being a poor joystick (stock), just because the pricetag is higher compared to lesser expensive sticks and the frequency of breakdowns (or wear and tear). It is certainly not half as many of the other sticks on the market and thanks to a very skillful and crafty community, the aftermarket parts are of absolute world-class! Turns your "Ford" into a "Ferrari"... If you get a newer batch Cougar, order some spare pots, and you're off to a good start! Then whether you choose to mod the heck out of it, you'll already have one very necessary piece (the Cougar itself) and much of the cost of your "Ferrarri" covered OR if not, you'll have a stick that's not half as bad as most people here claim it to be with warranty and parts for 2 years. Only downside is the pricetag, but then again, you also get more potential and authenticity than anything else out there... :joystick: