Warthog HOTAS Thumb switch failure 66euro

[nrosko]

The black 5 directional hat switch has failed, 2 switches are no longer working properly. I haven't used the thing that much but it's over the warranty period by 6 months.

 

Thrustmaster want to send a replacement but they will only send the complete panel that includes the 3 other switches & charge me 66 euro.

 

So i'm pretty pi**ed about this as they could easily send the switch & are clearly making a profit at 66 euro.

 

Anyone had a similar issue?

 

Also i'm done with TM are there any good alternatives for a throttle?

[Brun]

Yeah, the press function on mine has only worked intermittently for a couple of years. I got the same response when I inquired about a replacement and decided it wasn't worth it.

 

I searched for info on an alternative replacement part but couldn't find anything.

[ams999]

My throttle 5-way hat switch in the 'up' position and also the CMS on the stick in the 'right' position were intermittently faulty/jumpy.

 

In both cases it was shoddy soldering/defective wiring inside the switch housings and luckily I got those resoldered so that they work well now. The switches inside the housing were fine.

 

I'm only somewhat amateurish with a soldering iron and it took a bit of tinkering so YMMV should you want to go that route (and also, you mentioned the warranty is gone already)...

Edited March 16, 2019 by ams999

[nrosko]

I managed to fix it for now, i unscrewed the back of the switch this removed the IN switch wires as the switch is in 2 halves & it started working again. So i found if i screw it in but not all the way just leave a small gap it is working. Probably is the solder so i might just get myself a soldering iron for when it goes again.

[Grodin]

Get a virpil and don't look back. TM Warthogs are junk, never understood all the hype about them. Components and wire connections are so weak these things stop working if you even look at them. Even my old X52 outlasted the warthog by many years.

 

 

 

I remember my 5-way hat also breaking, among many other buttons soon after the warranty period. Managed to solder it back together so it worked.. before something else stopped working.

[tintifaxl]

Got mine since 2011 and not a single problem with it with avg. 5-10 hours use a week. And the Virpil HOTAS is double the price of the Warthog without long term experiences so far.

[norbot]

Get a virpil and don't look back. TM Warthogs are junk, never understood all the hype about them. Components and wire connections are so weak these things stop working if you even look at them. Even my old X52 outlasted the warthog by many years.

 

 

 

I remember my 5-way hat also breaking, among many other buttons soon after the warranty period. Managed to solder it back together so it worked.. before something else stopped working.

 

Before thinking about the Virpil you should have a look at this thread: https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=229144

 

Calling the TM Warthog "junk" is something I can't confirm. I bought mine in 2012 and never had a problem. I just replaced the slew-sensor with this: https://deltasimelectronics.com/

Edited March 17, 2019 by norbot

[Sokol1_br]

An HAT positions became fail (don't click) due wear in the plastic button of micro-switches (4 or 5) installed inside or in the HAT plastic pole that press then.

 

This picture is from a topic about failing (warthog) "CMS" - see the micro-switch inside:

 

<a href='https://postimg.cc/K1QHJLTr' target='_blank'><img src='https://i.postimg.cc/K1QHJLTr/HAT-CMS.jpg' border='0' alt='HAT-CMS'/></a>

 

Practical and cheap solution: replace the micro-switches (use OMRON B3F 6x6mm), they cost ~$1 - require make solders.

 

An possible workaround (that work for me in an 1990's CH HAT), a square of very thin plastic/Mylar under the micro-switch, this raise then a bit and he start "click" again. ;)

[Sarge55]

I have the same issue with my thumb switch and was equally surprised at the replacement cost. It seems to be a blatant rip-off by including parts that are not required.

 

I was able to fix mine by pulling out the switch and then opening it slightly and blowing it out with a shot of canned air. All the soldering seemed OK so didn't touch the wires.

 

Having said all that I have owned mine since 2010 and use it daily (retired a few years now) so it does get a lot of use. Certainly not junk, it's dead center still and with the occasional re-grease is quite good.