Is a TM Warthog extension a good investment ?

I have the TM Warthog HOTAS controller and also a wheel stand pro. I'm thinking about getting an extension for the stick.

As I understand it would offer the following advantage.

More realistic feel of the stick since the TM warthog stick has too stiff springs which also means easier to control planes. I also think it feels to stiff and have read that it is unrealistic in this regard

I see one disadvantage with using an extension

The stick will be at an higher position which might be uncomfortable and make it more difficult to use the stick.

One question here is at what height should the stick at to be as realistic as possible ?

If I would buy an extension I have found Simpit Technologies as an interesting seller

http://www.simpit.co.nz/index.php/products/thrustmaster-warthog-extension

And then the question arise which length is the best choice ? I see option to choose between 7.5 10 12.5 and 15 cm.

Figure out a way to lower your stick and get at least 12.5cm.

I moved from 7.5cm, to 10, and currently I am using 12.5cm. I wouldn't use the Warthog without it.

using a 120mm one as well. As cichlidfan noted, I wouldn't fly without it now.

Absolutely. 750 mm is what I'm using centre mounted on Wheel Stand Pro small plate. Only had it a couple of months but it is the mutts nuts.:)

I'm using a 3" (about 7.5cm) extension, I originally made it 4" but I cut it down and re-threaded it at 3" and I think it's perfect. IMO when the extension gets to be too long you actually have more stick deflection than is realistic, even though the stick itself is shorter than a real life counterpart, because of the large range of motion the ball socket provides. But most will agree longer is better if you really like helos.

Figure out a way to lower your stick and get at least 12.5cm.

 

I moved from 7.5cm, to 10, and currently I am using 12.5cm. I wouldn't use the Warthog without it.

There is a limit on how low I can place the stick since the pole of the adapter will reach the bottom.

I'm using a 3" (about 7.5cm) extension, I originally made it 4" but I cut it down and re-threaded it at 3" and I think it's perfect. IMO when the extension gets to be too long you actually have more stick deflection than is realistic, even though the stick itself is shorter than a real life counterpart, because of the large range of motion the ball socket provides. But most will agree longer is better if you really like helos.

I suppose that apply to the A10C which I of course have. But I also want to use the TM with other DCS planes and helicopters. I have the Black Shark and the Huey. I also use it in FSX. Such an expensive controller setup must be useful in many cases.

Let me rephrase...

Get an extension. Lower the stick as much as is practical/possible and add as long an extension as you can. Even a short extension will make a significant difference.

It takes a bit to get used to, but most certainly a good investment.

10cm here and its awesome - provided you are able to mount the warthog between your legs. There is no point if you are using it on the side, or on top of a table, it will be too high.

The other option of course is to get really long curved one and floor mount the warthog.

I have an extension from http://warthog-extensions-by-sahaj.com/ and the reason I like it better than the simpit version is because it's simple - it's a metal tube and a cable. And you can set the offset angle to anything you want anytime. (there is nothing wrong with the simpit either though)

EDIT: the most realistic height will be what is comfortable for you. Not too high and not too low. You want your hand to be relaxed and comfortable when it's sitting on the stick. So extension length you buy will depend on how high or low your stick is mounted. Grab the warthog grip by itself and place your hand in your lap so that you are comfortable and measure downwards :)

Grab the warthog grip by itself and place your hand in your lap so that you are comfortable and measure downwards :)

This is how I am going to set up my TH Warthog when it arrives, and I will probably purchase the extension from this guy http://sites.google.com/site/warthogextension/ wasy100 from this forum.

This is a snippet from an email sent to me from Milan (MFG Crosswind Developer) when I asked him about joystick advice;

"My two cents...

- I have TM warthog and it's GRIP is of supreme quality. If you ask me grip alone is worth 350$...so go for it. Gymbal of warthog is not so great in my opinion, plastic, can be broken easily, too hard around center, has some stickction problems etc. However it can be improved if you purchase a good extension"

Hope this helps.

I'm using a 100mm extension and my only doubt is whether I should have got 120!

Total upgrade, and like the others, I couldn't imaging flying without it now.

If I get it, I am using a floormount with PVC plastic bent tubing. But I will mold a hard cube of concrete around the edges so that slamming it doesn't ruin the gimbals...

Sensible. You'll want to increase the spring tension if you're going to floor length. The stock spring will not be strong enough to return the stick to center at that length. The 100mm I have feels great because the required force is roughly halved. Needless to say, any less would be too loose.

Here's a great example.

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?p=1832350

Just take care to don't twist the base pole when attach the extension, as this rotation can broken the gimbal ball:

http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/4126577/My_Broken_TM_Warthog_Stick_Gim#Post4126577

75mm - 100mm - 120mm was my upgrade path.

75mm was the real "Wow what a difference" upgrade and there after each upgrade gave me more precision and control with choppers.

120mm extension for planes may be a bit too long.. but having said that I never had any problems with turning the SU 27 or BF-109 within and beyond their flight envelopes. I guess now I have to think about moving the stick into its extreme "throw" range.

Just take care to don't twist the base pole when attach the extension, as this rotation can broken the gimbal ball:

http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/4126577/My_Broken_TM_Warthog_Stick_Gim#Post4126577

That is not an issue with the extension from SimPit since they use the exact same mounting as the original stick.

Dam that is a good two inches longer than the A-10 stick what are you flying with that monster and what have you changed for the spring system? pm me if you want to

I use a full 19" extension, and could not fly without it now

10cm here and its awesome - provided you are able to mount the warthog between your legs. There is no point if you are using it on the side, or on top of a table, it will be too high.

 

The other option of course is to get really long curved one and floor mount the warthog.

 

I have an extension from http://warthog-extensions-by-sahaj.com/ and the reason I like it better than the simpit version is because it's simple - it's a metal tube and a cable. And you can set the offset angle to anything you want anytime. (there is nothing wrong with the simpit either though)

 

EDIT: the most realistic height will be what is comfortable for you. Not too high and not too low. You want your hand to be relaxed and comfortable when it's sitting on the stick. So extension length you buy will depend on how high or low your stick is mounted. Grab the warthog grip by itself and place your hand in your lap so that you are comfortable and measure downwards :)

I will definitely get an extension and now need to decide the size. Also see that I can buy one inside EU which would be a better option for me

I bought mine from this guy: http://forums.eagle.ru/member.php?u=87134

Solid and simple piece of work. You can adjust your stick in any direction without any fuzz.

The extension is a bit heavy though so if you get a long one the stick will not re-center on its own anymore.

I think mine is 10cm (the extension, that is).

Have a look here: http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=121242

The guy is from UK.

Forget everything you've read in this thread regarding TM Warthog extenders.

THIS is the one you want:

I bought mine from this guy: http://forums.eagle.ru/member.php?u=87134

 

The extension is a bit heavy though so if you get a long one the stick will not re-center on its own anymore.

I think mine is 10cm (the extension, that is).

 

Have a look here: http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=121242

 

The guy is from UK.

I see that I would have to wait until 6 July if I want to buy from him

In EU I know of another option

http://warthog-extensions-by-sahaj.com/

Does it matter from whom I buy ?

A long stick that nor recenter does that mean the one that are bigger than 10 cm ? If it does not recenter what does it do instead ? Fall out to the edges of control span ?

I see that I would have to wait until 6 July if I want to buy from him

In EU I know of another option

http://warthog-extensions-by-sahaj.com/

Does it matter from whom I buy ?

The extensions from your link looks good too (a bit of a tag though) and it doesn't matter who you buy from as long as you are happy with it.

A long stick that nor recenter does that mean the one that are bigger than 10 cm ? If it does not recenter what does it do instead ? Fall out to the edges of control span ?

Might just stay where you leave it, depends on length i guess, but there are ways around that like bignewy posted. Ask the guy what experience he has.