Warthog Extension....should have done this long ago!

[Mad Dog 7.62]

I have had the TM Warthog since it came out, and while there are some great things I love about the setup, I have always had a love/hate relationship with the stick. It is way to stiff and heavy, which makes it very difficult to do any precise flying. When I first got it, I would set it on the desk, which placed it too high and just made things worse. Then I made a mount to attach it to the front of my desk, which placed it in a more natural position but I was still fighting that godawful heavy spring. I messed with different spring setups, and finally even cut a coil or two off the big spring inside, which did help a little. But it still kinda sucked, and I was getting to the point that dropping $500 for a VKB base was starting to look like a good idea.

 

Then I decided to order a stick extension (E-Bay, from a seller in Poland nolimit.2007). Got that yesterday, installed it, and wow what a difference! I went with a 10 cm (about 4") and it made a huge difference. I need to work on the mount to get it positioned perfectly now, and I might even try a 15 cm one, but I should have done this years ago.

 

If you've got a Warthog, give an extension a try. It makes a huge difference.

 

MD

Edited November 25, 2019 by Mad Dog 7.62

[BuzzU]

I'm curious. Did you ever try the aftermarket lighter green spring?

[BlacleyCole]

I got two extensions from the seller in the for sale forum here and can set the base on the floor with the stock spring it flops around but he also sells a spring he recommends for use with the extensions

[Mad Dog 7.62]

I'm curious. Did you ever try the aftermarket lighter green spring?

 

No, I didn't try that. I did but a coil and a half off the stock spring and that helped, but the extension makes a big difference too. Its actually pretty good with the 4" extension and the spring cut down, it still centers well but its much smoother and way easier to make precise corrections.

[BuzzU]

I bet you would have liked the green spring but the extension is a good way to go.

[streakeagle]

The VKB is still better in many ways, but a Warthog with a decent extension works wonders. Especially if you don't have any "sticktion" problems.

[Mad Dog 7.62]

The VKB is still better in many ways, but a Warthog with a decent extension works wonders. Especially if you don't have any "sticktion" problems.

 

I may do the VKB someday, still.

[streakeagle]

I damaged a bearing on my VKB and had to switch back to the Warthog until I could resolve the problem. While they definitely feed different, the Warthog wasn't that much of a downgrade. The main thing I lost was the MCG Pro grip, which a use for several aircraft that have analog brake levers mounted on the stick. I also like to use it for aircraft that have flip down triggers. But the Warthog grip and Hornet grip cover a substantial number of aircraft very well, particularly US aircraft. So, I just stuck to flying those types until the VKB was available again.

 

The adaptability of the VKB for the spring resistance, dampers, etc. makes it really good for special functions like formation flying and helicopters cyclic sticks. Even with the heaviest permitted spring setup (2 x #40), The VKB feels smooth and precise over the entire range of motion, unlike the Warthog which feels like crap anywhere near the center and is really difficult to make small precise movements if "stiction" in a problem.

[BlacleyCole]

whagt does the hornet grip give you over t6he warthog and what does thew mcg pro grip give you over the hornet ive been

thinking of going the vkb route once the throttle and switch panel are out for a whjile

[tintifaxl]

...

thinking of going the vkb route once the throttle and switch panel are out for a whjile ...

 

 

It could be a very long time before the throttle appears and even longer for the switch panel. Better ask again then.

[Davee]

The VKB is still better in many ways, but a Warthog with a decent extension works wonders. Especially if you don't have any "sticktion" problems.

 

Agreed.

 

I have my TM F-18 stick mounted on my VKB Gunfighter base. Huge difference. Evaluating with an extension now to see how I like the difference.

[streakeagle]

Extensions are the way to go if you can get the length/shape that is right for you and have a good way to mount the base at the right horizontal distance from your seat and the right height. I need straight extensions for my setup and I am fabricating the lengths that I need: 125 mm, 150 mm, 175 mm, and 200 mm. I have VKB's 100 mm straight and 200 mm curved extensions. I have no interest in stacking two 100 mm to make 200 mm. I already have some aluminum tubing with the right inside diameter and a 1/8" wall thickness that will make very good extensions with very little work: cut accurately to length, drill correct holes, and transfer end caps/wiring from 200 mm extension to the length I need at the moment.

 

For the Warthog, I bought a 150 mm extension from Sahaj that works perfectly for both the Warthog and Hornet grips. But I have converted both to work with my VKB Gunfighter Mk.II base.