New Thrustmaster Gear - Live Tweeting

[kazereal]

Things like rudder pedals and sticks have been out of stock or WAY overpriced. If a company is doing well, their best/most popular products are on the shelf or available directly for a fair market price.

 

There hasn't been much competition in that market for a long time.

 

Enthusiast-level devices like MFG Crosswind and Slaw device have higher price point and are not sold on every consumer store.

 

So Saitek and CH have been about the only options in the lower-cost market for a long time.

If there's no competition quality is poor and price as high as manufacturer will set it..

Edited May 6, 2016 by kazereal

[DracoLlasa]

there inst much competition in the high end market but in large part its because that market is so small that a large company doesn't stand to make that much.

If the spend a few hundred million dollars on R&D to develop a new $300-$500 HOTAS setup it important that the likely annual sales of those devices will only be in the thousands. from a product that may have a marginal profit margin it means it could take a company like Thrustmaster many years to earn back its investment.

A low to mid range device which can have a slightly higher margin will also have a larger (but relatively small) market.

 

We may all thing, but wait there are thousands of us, 10's of thousands of us.. how many of us are going to run out and spend 400+ on a new HOTAS right away.. it may take years for many of us to upgrade/replace if we already have a good unit.

If they cant sell millions of units its hard to justify the development costs.

 

That said, upgrade stick addons to the something like the warthog would be nice, replace the stick or something but that might create legal issues since they are licensing it as a air force A-10 replica (then again that might not matter at all.

 

I dont know, i was depressed to see nothing special out of it but after some thought i guess it was a bit of "what should we expect" look at Logitech a company that also does pretty much nothing but peripherals a lot of which are gaming and they dropped the HOTAS years ago. Saitek/Mad Catz is trying but we can see how successful that company has been recently.

 

I think a lot off this hit me after watching a video from a youtube channel "AdoredTV" who talks a lot about CPU and GPU markets and was talking about how amazingly small the highend GPU market is.. the cards like the 390X, FuryX, Titan, 980Ti all have annual sales are uprising small.. and if these cards sales are so small i have to imagine cards are sales are so small these even more niche items have to be even smaller..

 

Anyways, just 2 cents from a guy who doesn't know much :-)

Hopefully im wrong and hopefully they do eventually come out with some new modular based HOTAS system that would allow us to replace just the stick/throttle grips over time to match new control schemes for new aircraft models :-)

something like that could make the product lifetime longer and more profitable over time

[Sokol1_br]

The failure to make alternative grips for Warthogs/Cougars is a missed opportunity for Thrustmaster, but some other companies are exploiting that interface.

 

From Interprid event, posted on Reddit:

 

 

"[–]Todd_AlquistMartini1 day ago*

 

Spoke with one of the hotas developers who worked on the Cougar and Warthog. A bit of a language barrier, but this is what I gathered.

 

- addon grips to the Warthog base very likely. When it came out it was hard to get brick and mortar distributors to go along with the idea of selling stand alone grips, now with online sales/Amazon etc, more feasible".

[Eihort]

They certainly had no problem exploiting alternative interchangeable parts for their steering wheels.

 

Get it together Thrustmaster.

 

Starting to see why RSI took their business for Star Citizen to Saitek.

[Sierra99]

Thrustmaster's 3 Biggest failings are:

 

1.) Failing to aggressively provide drivers when operating systems change. Go to the TM website it will tell you a HOTAS cougar needs no further drivers to work with Windows 10...Now hook a Cougar up to windows 10 and let me know how that works out.

2.) Painfully convoluted repair parts process. I should be able to go to the TM website and search for a diagram of the Stick, throttle or any other peripheral...Find the part number I need and order a replacement part. Period. Having to describe the part via email so the TECH support people can "Look and see if that part is available" is horse hockey.

3.0 Failing to provide add on Stick and throttle combos as implied with the release of the COUGAR AND the WARTHOG. If people can rapid prototype these things in their garages, Thrustmaster should be able to do it a whole lot easier...if they care.

 

Sierra.

[Tailhook]

1.) Failing to aggressively provide drivers when operating systems change. Go to the TM website it will tell you a HOTAS cougar needs no further drivers to work with Windows 10...Now hook a Cougar up to windows 10 and let me know how that works out.

 

Mine works perfectly fine on 10. I use the base for my rudders.

 

To manually install the drivers, install the 2007_HCO_VISTA_64_RC1 package. Go to device manager, choose Cougar IN, update driver, navigate to the driver folder in the HOTAS folder in C: ProgramFilesx86, and it will detect and install. Repeat same for Cougar Out. Done.;)

Edited May 27, 2016 by Tailhook

[dotChuckles]

Just found this on FB

[lunaticfringe]

They certainly had no problem exploiting alternative interchangeable parts for their steering wheels.

 

Get it together Thrustmaster.

 

Starting to see why RSI took their business for Star Citizen to Saitek.

 

Saitek is currently on its last legs surrounding licensing, having terminated 40 percent of its workforce in February. This doesn't simply extend to Rock Band, but that silly simulator they fronted millions for in sponsorship a couple years back.

 

Not exactly the best track record in decision-making with respect to their marketing and cross-promotional dollars.

[Express0083]

89.99 US dollars is not to bad

[MiG21bisFishbedL]

That is an astute call Streakeagle ... I am a CH Products owner (FS/PT/PP/TQ/MFP) and I see the same scenario: the items are there, sometimes, sometimes not and in low quantities ... and the prices are definitely going up!!!

 

The configuration software that Bob Church wrote for the controllers is top notch, easy to use and very scalable in complexity and programming options. This is what keeps me with CH Products for the time being, that and their durability, but as time goes by I know I will be looking for new controllers some time in the future. The current situation does not inspire.:( The crosswind pedals are good news but what about sticks and throttles of the same quality/programmability?

 

At the very least, CH kit is one of the few things that will survive nuclear apocalypse.

[sleepycanuck]

At the very least, CH kit is one of the few things that will survive nuclear apocalypse.

Heh heh heh :D Yep CH Products gear is durable and dependable.

[Sierra99]

Mine works perfectly fine on 10. I use the base for my rudders.

 

To manually install the drivers, install the 2007_HCO_VISTA_64_RC1 package. Go to device manager, choose Cougar IN, update driver, navigate to the driver folder in the Thrustmaster folder in C: ProgramFilesx86, and it will detect and install. Repeat same for Cougar Out. Done.;)

 

But Tailhook that's the point... Why am I using a 2007 windows vista driver package with Windows 10?

The THRUSTMASTER website says:

 

"Windows 10/ 8/ 7 - No drivers are required for this device"

 

"This device is fully compliant with the "Human Interface Device" (HID) specifications. By simply connecting your device to the computer’s USB port, it will be installed automatically by Windows, ensuring you a perfect compatibility with any games and programs (such as T.A.R.G.E.T).

 

Please note that although you may still be able to install older drivers and applications on recent version of Windows, they are no longer supported."

 

So it says it will work...it doesn't...and I have to use Windows Vista drivers as a work around.

 

THIS is the problem. If the first part is true I don't need the vista drivers. If I need the vista drivers why haven't they provided actual Windows 10 drivers.

 

Siiiiiiiigh ok rant mode off.

 

Thanks for the info Tailhook. I will give that a try.

Sierra

[Tailhook]

They work even without manually installing the drivers. Device manager will just keep throwing a message saying a device isn't installed correctly. I think that's all it does, it's been a few years. Also to correct what I said, the directory of the drivers is HOTAS/drivers, not the Thrustmaster folder.

[hannibal]

whoaaaaa HIP HOP GAMER!!

i should have went to the interpid event!!!!

[Sokol1_br]

Actually, that new Throttle would make a great F/A-18C throttle for me.

 

A Slider to use as the Antenna Elevation. (Middle finger)

 

This don't look (slider) axis, see the TBTN 4, TBTN 5:

 

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ChpbnMLXAAEVWJr.jpg

 

This folder

 

http://forum.il2sturmovik.ru/uploads/monthly_05_2016/post-24832-0-11901100-1462522065.jpg

 

say:

 

4 axis = 1 throttle, (2) X/Y on mini-stick, (1) rudder pads?

20 buttons = 3 x 4 way HAT, 1 on mini-stick (called mouse click on folder), 3 press (1 on right side, 2 in front) > 12+1+3 =16

1 rotary = 2 buttons?

1 slider = 2 buttons?

Edited May 7, 2016 by Sokol1_br

[Sierra99]

They work even without manually installing the drivers. Device manager will just keep throwing a message saying a device isn't installed correctly. I think that's all it does, it's been a few years. Also to correct what I said, the directory of the drivers is HOTAS/drivers, not the Thrustmaster folder.

 

Like I said, I'll play with it today but the last time I tried, some things worked, switches buttons etc...sliders, antenna elevation range knob did not.

 

Sierra

[Sierra99]

If the spend a few hundred million dollars on R&D to develop a new $300-$500 HOTAS setup it important that the likely annual sales of those devices will only be in the thousands. from a product that may have a marginal profit margin it means it could take a company like Thrustmaster many years to earn back its investment.

 

10-15 years ago I'd have agreed with this. With the programs and equipment available today I think that number is inflated. Like I said people are building these things in their garages. That being said, They don't have to design an entire new Highend system every time.

 

They have a solid design with the Warthog gimbal. Depending on who you ask, it could be "tweaked" and better parts used in certain places...but the basic design is solid. I don't think it would take a few hundred million worth of tweaking each time they added a different stick. Same goes for the throttle.

 

One group I'm really suprised they haven't gone after is the pit builders. Look at the COUGAR MFDs Basically they're nothing but flat button boxes with a USB interface. What is an A-10 UFC? It's a rectangular box with buttons and rockers on the front. What is an A-10 CDU. A Flat panel with buttons, rocker switches and a couple of toggles. How many panels could be designed just like the COUGAR MFDs. Maybe not all of them but quite few. And just like the COUGAR MFDs while they are aircraft specific, that hasn't stopped people from buying them and using them for other applications. How many panel in different aircraft fit into this category?

 

10-15 years ago I agree, it took lots and lots of money to do some of these thing. I believe technology has advance to the point thats less of a factor today.

[mota67]

Hi all,

 

FYI the rudder pedals are now available for sale !

 

Edit : in Europe at least

Edited May 11, 2016 by mota67
Adding information

[VTJS17_Fire]

Not via Amazon. :(

[hotray]

Not via Amazon. :(

 

http://www.simw.com/product-containers/newproducts/t-flight-rudder-pedals.html?___store=sen&___from_store=sfr

[Ramstein]

I am one of those who are looking forward to buying al new flight gear as soon as I can. hopefully in a year or less. My old Saitek stuff is way past is falling apart date. I hope to invest in quality flight equipment, though very expensive, I am sick of cheap plastic.

[Sokol1_br]

T.1600M FCS HOTAS - 129,99$

 

 

http://www.thrustmaster.com/en_US/%D0%9F%D1%80%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%81%D0%B0/thrustmaster-teams-frontier-s-elite-dangerous-new-gameplay-experiences-announced-new-t16000m

 

The 16 bits resolution in throttle axis suggest use of HALL sensor there...

 

Looks OK and reasonably affordable for the public target, the "space pilots". :thumbup:

Edited June 25, 2016 by Sokol1_br

[Mr_Burns]

Agree, but would rather buy an X-52!

[joey45]

 

Looks OK and reasonably affordable for the public target, the "space pilots". :thumbup:

 

A stick for elite........ in competition with Saitek and CIG???

[ebabil]

if the throttle will be sold standalone, i may think of replacing my ch throttle with this.

but stick is not for me