Cougar users

[bramski]

I was wondering if there are many Cougar users here at the Lockon forums. I'm thinking of buying one and selling my Saitek X52 but Im not 100% sure it's a wise move as I've read about reliability issues with the stock cougar an'd I really can't see me shelling out 130 quid for the stick and another 200 to mod it.

 

 

Any opinions?

[VMFA-Blaze]

I was wondering if there are many Cougar users here at the Lockon forums. I'm thinking of buying one and selling my Saitek X52 but Im not 100% sure it's a wise move as I've read about reliability issues with the stock cougar an'd I really can't see me shelling out 130 quid for the stick and another 200 to mod it.

 

 

Any opinions?

 

I've been using my Cougar for 4 years and I just modded it last year..

There were some issues with the initial release, but most of these were addressed over the years...

 

IMO I really like the precision that I get with IJ's next mod.. As well as Cub Pilots Hall sensor kit that I installed in the throttle..

 

So yes there are a lot of Virtual Pilots here that use the Cougar and of course there are some that actually hate it...

 

But as you mentioned it is expensive...

 

~S~

 

Blaze

[bramski]

Man it's so tempting, I've got 1 click shopping enabled in amazon and my finger is twitching everytime the mouse hovers near the buy now button :D

[VMFA-Blaze]

Go ahead dude ... :megalol:

 

~S~

 

Blaze

[Kuky]

yeah... go ahead dude ... just click that button ... that's what its there for :D

 

I have one myself (got it the day it was prematurely released "DownUnder"). I moded it bit myself at first (with the tools I had) and it wasn't really that bad as it took the 1/2mm wobble in the centre... but as time went on and our dear IJ got his professional hands and created NXT masterpiece I replaced the gimbal completely.

 

Yes it is very expensive but well worth the money... IF you are a dedicated flight simmer ;) If you're just a casual don't bother with the Cougar :D

[159th_Viper]

IF you are a dedicated flight simmer ;) If you're just a casual don't bother with the Cougar :D

 

Exactly right - have a Stock Cougar with late serial # and no problems whatsoever. Regarding durability and prescision no contest between your Saitek X52 and the Cougar.

 

Hit the Button....:)

[Pilotasso]

What are the late serial ranges? I would like to see if I can find some within that interval. Ill never bother going for any of earlier builds.

[thesystem]

I also have one, but i have to mod some switches....they arent accurate at all...and 2 are just ****ed-up...:(

[159th_Viper]

What are the late serial ranges? I would like to see if I can find some within that interval. Ill never bother going for any of earlier builds.

 

Got mine off Amazon a little over a month ago with #27407 so I'm guessing latest would probably be in the vicinity of #28........

[bramski]

Ok the deed is done, I've spent more in the pub in one sitting so I don't even know why Im even giving it a second thought as the thing will never be outta my hands.

 

Kuky, how much will the NXT mod set me back?

[Shaman]

You'll love it. I've bought Cougar on december'06, and next weeks sold X52 because I looked at it with shame.

I still don't have rudder pedals though. It will be my next investment. Get USB rudder pedals, don't use the rudder pedals connection that is on your Cougar's throttle because you'll need to sacrifice two DirectX axis, which you should be using for analog control of ANT ELEV and RNG.

I don't have any MOD inside my Cougar (for now), it is really not that necessary. The stick is very accurate. You won't be able to draw a perfect circle with it because of "axis transition", but during the flight it is no longer bothering me.

Of course one day I'll mod the guts of it, but for now I better save money for something else since it is not that necessary.

 

Proud and happy owner of HOTAS Cougar SN#26500

 

PS. SN#26500 came already with latest drivers on a CD. The only thing I did is that I updated its flash memory using provided applet (remember to hard disconnect your throttle when you do this!)

[PoleCat]

Congratulations on your choice of the Cougar!

 

I love mine. Contact IJ through the cougarworld forums for pricing on the nxt. Ch makes some excellent stuff too but once I layed my hands on that cold metal there was simply no going back. I have modded my cougars one has the NXT, one has the FSSB R1 and one has Ian Johnstons original Uber2 mod. My friends are now using stock Cougars and have had no issues at all either.

 

The very first thing you should do upon recieving your cougar is open the Stick base and make sure you did not get one of the cougars that recently slipped by QC with no lubricant in the stick. Simple solution if you catch it right away no harm done you can just add the lubricant yourself. Download this guide and look at page 20 for info on checking for lubricant. Give the whole guide a read if you want to get your Cougar up and running with a minimum of hassles.

Check here for more info on this. Make sure to use only the recommended grease for lubricant I am sure you will find the proper stuff in that thread.

 

Make sure to bookmark/add to favorites this link for all the info and help you will ever need for your new favorite HOTAS.

 

"The HOTAS Cougar. Everything else is just a toy!"

 

Out

[Kuky]

Get USB rudder pedals, don't use the rudder pedals connection that is on your Cougar's throttle because you'll need to sacrifice two DirectX axis, which you should be using for analog control of ANT ELEV and RNG

 

err... what do you mean by this? ANTENA and RANGE axis on the throttle are separate axis to RUDDER axis. What's more is that you have separate Left/Right TOE BRAKES axis as well on this same rudder connector.

 

Cougar has 10 analog axis (and each can be programmed to be digital also via Foxy software)

 

On the Joystick you have:

1. PITCH

2. ROLL

 

On the Throttle you have:

3. THROTTLE

4. ANTENA

5. RANGE

6. Microstick X

7. Microstick Y

 

Then on separate Parallel port on Joystick Base

8. RUDDER

9. LEFT TOE BRAKE

10. RIGHT TOE BRAKE

[Pilotasso]

hmmm Ill consider it for a few months from now, but need to recover from the blow of my new PC comming up in the next few weeks.

 

But let me aska nother question:

 

how stiff is the stock thing?

I also fly space SIM's and I dont want to develop the crab arm syndrome. :D

[PoleCat]

You'll love it. I've bought Cougar on december'06, and next weeks sold X52 because I looked at it with shame.

I still don't have rudder pedals though. It will be my next investment. Get USB rudder pedals, don't use the rudder pedals connection that is on your Cougar's throttle because you'll need to sacrifice two DirectX axis, which you should be using for analog control of ANT ELEV and RNG.

I don't have any MOD inside my Cougar (for now), it is really not that necessary. The stick is very accurate. You won't be able to draw a perfect circle with it because of "axis transition", but during the flight it is no longer bothering me.

Of course one day I'll mod the guts of it, but for now I better save money for something else since it is not that necessary.

 

Proud and happy owner of HOTAS Cougar SN#26500

 

PS. SN#26500 came already with latest drivers on a CD. The only thing I did is that I updated its flash memory using provided applet (remember to hard disconnect your throttle when you do this!)

 

 

I am using simped vario pro w/F16-Toe brake addon. These are gameport rudders. My two other cougars are using TM Elite and TM RCS rudders also gameport. I can use my gameport rudders all day long and i do not sacrifice any DX axis. I use these rudders and in FC I am using analog rudders, rng, antenna, Throttle, and of course stick axis. Toe brake axis are not supported in this sim but in FSX for instance I can use all of these devices analog. Please elaborate on your comment. I was under the distinct impression that Gameport rudders were a much better choice then usb for the Cougar. Where did you get this info?

 

Out

[bramski]

Thanks for all the info guys, and especially for that guide Polecat, I'll soak that up while I'm waiting for Amazon to deliver the stick.

 

:)

[Shaman]

AFIK you cannot enable all 10 axis. 9th and 10th axis is there just because it's there but is not operational. It is clearly stated in Cougar manual that you can use up to 8 axis due to DX limitations. If you want to use rudder+left&right toebrake, it takes 3 axis alone. It leaves you with 5 axis.

You know it is up to you how you'll set these axis, but you can't have everything on. You have to make choices. I don't want to disable ministick axis or any of the rotators, so I thought about getting USB rudders, so they work as additional DX device - not on the same Cougar driver.

[Evader]

You made the right choice....the Cougar. Now I know it's big $$$ but check out RealSimulator @ http://realsimulator.com/html/fssb.html

 

I have this R2 mod and the Uber-2. Never use the U-2, the force sensor stick is so damn responsive and easy to fly. Conbine that with hall effect for the throttle and you're set.

[Kuky]

Bramski, when got my NXT and Hall Sensors, few years back, I remember paying about AUD$800. I don't know how much it costs now but I think its actually a bit cheaper now, maybe around AUD$600 now, but again don't take my word for it, best is you contact IJ for this (email: ubermod@optusnet.com.au)

[VMFA-Blaze]

Thanks for all the info guys, and especially for that guide Polecat, I'll soak that up while I'm waiting for Amazon to deliver the stick.

 

:)

 

So when do you expect delivery of your new kitty ????

 

I'm sure that you did the right thing.. If any problems appear there's allway's

someone here or at cougar world that can answer them or point you in the right direction..

 

~S~

 

 

Blaze

[bramski]

So when do you expect delivery of your new kitty ????

 

I'm sure that you did the right thing.. If any problems appear there's allway's

someone here or at cougar world that can answer them or point you in the right direction..

 

~S~

 

Blaze

 

 

Yea Blaze I'm confident that I'll be able to fix any problems that may arise without too much hassle, between this place and cougar world I'm in good hands.

 

 

Regarding delivery, hopefully I'll be very busy next weekend!!! :D

 

 

[VMFA-Blaze]

Regarding delivery, hopefully I'll be very busy next weekend!!! :D

 

 

 

Very Cool ....

 

 

~S~

 

 

Blaze

[Kuky]

AFIK you cannot enable all 10 axis. 9th and 10th axis is there just because it's there but is not operational. It is clearly stated in Cougar manual that you can use up to 8 axis due to DX limitations. If you want to use rudder+left&right toebrake, it takes 3 axis alone. It leaves you with 5 axis.

You know it is up to you how you'll set these axis, but you can't have everything on. You have to make choices. I don't want to disable ministick axis or any of the rotators, so I thought about getting USB rudders, so they work as additional DX device - not on the same Cougar driver.

 

Alright, I stand corrected then. I actually have Toe brakes axis disabled (I didn't mean to use them when I built my set of rudder peddals) so obviously I wasn't aware of this. Good on 'ya.

[bramski]

Well that was quick. Opened the door this morning to be greeted by a delivery guy holding a rather large box, signed for it, opened it, huge big chunk a metal inside. I'm reading the guide again and preparing to flash it and check the gimbals for grease, then it'll be a quick bit of programming for a 25T profile then I'll take her for a spin...

 

:pilotfly:

[Pilotasso]

tell us how it went, including the grease check. Cheers!