TM Cougar vs. Suncom SFS Throttle/Talon Stick

[Sportsfan]

What are the thoughts on purchasing & upgrading a TM Cougar versus purchasing & upgrading a Suncom SFS throttle/Talon stick? The Cougar is more modern, but is expensive to buy used & seems be be problematic. The SFS/Talon combo has initial lower cost but looks like it may require more extensive upgrades.

 

Essentially, I am trying to figure out if purchasing the more modern Cougar HOTAS is worth the $200 avg. price tag I’ve seen available.

 

Thanks for any insight!

[RustBelt]

The Suncom needs a LOT more work to get up to snuff. Check out debolestis' thread on it.

https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=138821

 

You have to gut and rebuild everything. You're basically just buying the HOUSINGS and changing everything else.

[Sokol1_br]

Suncom stick require a new gimbal (e.g. 3D printed with bearings), their original oscillatory "Saturn ring" gimbal is not suitable for place contactless sensor, and require a specific size of sliding potentiometer, apparently no more produced.

 

May can adapt this 3D printed CAM gimbal design for fit inside Suncon base case, that is very small.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2496028

 

Or more easy, make a new base case.

 

Another 3D printed CAM gimbal option, ED.420. If il2sturmovik.ru require login for see images, can register in il2sturmovik.com.

Files (Solidworks): https://cloud.mail.ru/public/4hMm/3gHVQ8ELT

 

Anyway for worth Cougar too require a new gimbal - the original, made in Zamac (pot metal) without bushing or bearings, is a nightmare, with heavy spring and lot of play, but replacement option is available:

 

https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=195464

 

Rel4y has upgrades for Cougar TQS throttle, see their topic there.

 

Suncom SFS throttle is very easy to convert for USB, basically add 3 wires and a ~$5 Arduino PRO Micro with MMjoy2 firmware. The sliding potentiometer used (2) still available and is easy replace with contacless sensor.

Edited December 23, 2019 by Sokol1_br