U2 Nxt mod for Cougar HOTAS

[Ssnake51]

FYI, there is a possibility that there will be another production run of this excellent mod for the Cougar. There is a thread over at the fruglasrefugees forums for those who would be interested in obtaining the mod. So far not quite enough interest to encourage Ian to actually start the production yet.

 

I'd suggest that anyone interested head over there:

 

http://www.frugalsrefugees.com/showthread.php?205-Nxt-mod-orders

 

 

I have the mod installed on one of my Cougars and am hoping to pick up a couple more. It dramatically improves the handling of the joystick.:)

[Feed]

Do you have a link handy for what the price might be? IIRC, these were not cheap.

[Ssnake51]

I don't know what they originally sold for, but I think it safe to assume it will be at least somewhere in the $400 to $500 range. One is basically getting a new Cougar stick with this mod and without the issues of the original Cougar or the Warthog for that matter.

 

You can get more info on the mod over at the Cougar World site:

http://cougar.flyfoxy.com/mods.php

 

and at the frugalsrefugees site I linked in the OP.

[Mewle]

I mailed Ian today and he is hoping to get a run started but just waiting on material prices and demand to balance out I think

[Ssnake51]

Yea, need to round up a few more people that are serious about getting this mod so that he can justify another production run.

[-Rudel-]

Awesome, I missed the first round, hopefully he makes a second

[Mewle]

Unfortunately I could only just justify buying a cougar, so i probably will miss the run :'(

Got my stick yesterday for £100. But whilst doing the initial install and setup, the x-axis gimbal part kinda exploded. I don't suppose anyone here has a stock gimbal (x-axis or complete set) they want rid of?

[Ssnake51]

Sorry to hear you had such rotten luck with that Cougar.

 

If there is another production run, I'll be able to send you the stock gimbals being replaced.

[Mewle]

Thanks Ssnake. Just got off the phone with TM and a complete brand new x+y gimbal and a speedbrake slider only come to 17euro Inc shipping. So I will head down this route and probably strengthen the stock parts and eliminate the center play issue similar to the original uber method.

 

I'm sure there'll be another taker for your stock parts soon enough. I couldn't believe how badly engineered they were and I'm surprised it wasn't a major recall issue.

[Ssnake51]

Didn't know TM was still selling the original gimbals. You're better off getting new ones than the ones on my Cougar. It is a used Cougar that I picked up on ebay awhile back. Just sitting in the closet waiting to be modded. It still feels firm, but I doubt the gimbals would last as long as a new set.

 

Hopefully you can share info regarding whatever mods you make to it. I'm only familiar with the NXT and Evenstrain mods being capable of eliminating the centering bump on the stick.

 

I saw this morning that there is an Evenstrain modded Cougar listed on ebay. Asking price is almost $1000.:shocking:

[Mewle]

Hehe yeah I saw that evenstrain one as well, and quickly moved along. Any mods I make will likely be fairly basic reinforcement and play elimination, most importantly I'm hoping I can get it in under £100 including the gimbal. Was pleasantly shocked when they said the full gimbal would cost 8 Euros plus shipping.

[ebenitez]

Hey Mewle, I also ordered a new set of x+y gimbals and a center post in order to change them, but I've found a problem when trying to change the y gimbal and center post because they are stick together with some kind of axis. How did you took both parts apart? I don't want to use hammers or similar untill being sure there's no other way.

Thanks

[PoleCat]

If I remember correctly there is a pin with a small clip on one end to hold it through the shaft. You carefully remove this clip using a flathead screwdriver (Careful as it could fly away. Hold it with finger while removing) and then you should be able to gently hammer out the pin using something small and thin enough (a small nail perhaps) and a hammer. I will try to find more info on this and post.

 

Out

Edited April 14, 2014 by PoleCat

[ebenitez]

Thank you very much PoleCat, I'll give it a try soon, I supposed i had to do something similar but i wanted to be sure ;)

[Mearcat]

The link in the OP is down "site under construction" apparently.

 

Any news on whether that run of NXTs are coming?

 

I've been waiting to get my hands on a set.

[TX-EcoDragon]

Add me to the list of people who'd like to get in on this. I'd probably be in for two or three.

[Ssnake51]

The link in the OP is down "site under construction" apparently.

 

Any news on whether that run of NXTs are coming?

 

I've been waiting to get my hands on a set.

 

Extremely unlikely that there will be another run as far as I know. There just wasn't a large enough response originally to make it economically viable.:(

[dalforce]

Hi! All,

 

I too have been waiting for a production re-run but sad to say, there wasn't enough demand for Ian to start producing.

 

This is what Ian replied when I emailed him:

 

 

Been out of production for many years now but I seriously considered doing another run depending on material prices but there hasn't been the demand to make it worthwhile.

 

Don't know of any flight sim communities still up and running but as said there needs to be the demand before I can go back into production and that means some user interaction to help organise a production run.

 

 

And the minimum number needed are:

 

20>25 units would do it but then we’d need to source the Hall sensors at a reasonable price, Cub Pilot used to supply them but I haven’t had contact with him in 5 years and my local buy price is double what he was getting.

 

Perhaps, we can all ask around and compile a list of people interested?

[Sokol1_br]

And this as alternative:

VKB CAM gimbal upgrate kit (~160$) - will need modifications in Cougar box to attach, if VWB sold for non Mamba users...

 

http://forum.il2sturmovik.ru/topic/3591-komplekty-modernizacii-mamba-mkimkii/

 

Since VKB MagRS sensor work in digital mode, thus don't compatible with Cougar board, use MagRez that work in analog mode (like pot'/HALL). Is ~10$ (GVL224-Ukraine, advertising in this forum)

 

http://avia-sim.ru/forum/files/magrez_308.jpg

 

Is the sensor used in MFG Crosswind before change for Melexis MX90333.

Edited November 11, 2015 by Sokol1_br

[Dudikoff]

Perhaps, we can all ask around and compile a list of people interested?

 

Perhaps it would be helpful to get a rough price estimate for the proposed 20-25 pieces run?

 

I mean, I have a never used Cougar that's waiting for exactly that kind of mod (already have an X65 so don't need another FS stick).

Edited November 11, 2015 by Dudikoff

[dburne]

Perhaps it would be helpful to get a rough price estimate for the proposed 20-25 pieces run?

 

I mean, I have a never used Cougar that's waiting for exactly that kind of mod (already have an X65 so don't need another FS stick).

 

The U2 NXT mod with hall sensors for the Cougar is an absolutely amazing piece of equipment. Back when I first got mine, I actually ordered another one just to have it, also had another new Cougar as well. I ended up selling the second NXT along with the second new Cougar, as I figured I would never need them...

 

I currently have a Warthog, but still have my modded Cougar in case I ever need it or desire to use it again. That thing is so smooth, if only the Cougar had originally been that way. IJ did a wonderful job with that mod, and back in the day he made several production runs.

 

Now it does have one weakness, and that is the springs. They tend to break after a period of time after use. IJ offered spare springs, and I had gotten several from him. I probably had to replace a spring at least once a year or so. And the gimball has to be removed from the Cougar base to do the spring replacement, so it is not a quick and easy job.

[dalforce]

Hi! Guys,

 

Ian has just replied that the pricing "should be close to the old pricing but depends on the current material prices"..

 

FYI, the old pricing are:

 

* “Nxt” is $395 AUD without Hall sensors

* Aluminium Throttle bushes are $87 AUD a pair

* Speedbrake/Dogfight housings are $49 AUD a pair

* Nxt/U2 Springs are $27 AUD a set

* All prices includes postage/shipping

 

Cheers!

[Dudikoff]

Now it does have one weakness, and that is the springs. They tend to break after a period of time after use. IJ offered spare springs, and I had gotten several from him. I probably had to replace a spring at least once a year or so. And the gimball has to be removed from the Cougar base to do the spring replacement, so it is not a quick and easy job.

 

I see, thanks for the info. I guess extra springs should be taken with the mod.

 

Ian has just replied that the pricing "should be close to the old pricing but depends on the current material prices"..

 

Cool, thanks.

[dburne]

I see, thanks for the info. I guess extra springs should be taken with the mod.

 

 

Yes, without question. If he does another run and any of you guys order, be sure and get a pack or two of extra springs, trust me you will need them.

 

Understand though, the mod is incredible and well worth it - if you like your Cougar and plan to keep it and have the funds, I highly recommend it. The spring issue is a minor annoyance, but well worth the effort to have the NXT... you just won't believe how smooth that thing is.

[Dudikoff]

Understand though, the mod is incredible and well worth it - if you like your Cougar and plan to keep it and have the funds, I highly recommend it. The spring issue is a minor annoyance, but well worth the effort to have the NXT... you just won't believe how smooth that thing is.

 

I don't ACTUALLY need it that much as I'm not a fan of the F-16 throttle. I bought it when it seemed that no more quality flight sticks are coming so I planned to mod it afterwards. But, then I got the Saitek X52 Pro, then a used X65 and a Logitech G940 on sale so I shelved those plans for later, but then the mods were no longer available.

 

I'd hate to sell it for scrap since it's never used, though, so I'd definitely consider getting this mod if it materializes, especially if it's that smooth. Shame about the springs dying off eventually. I don't remember that happening with the Evenstrain mod?

Edited November 12, 2015 by Dudikoff