Calibrate Warthog HOTAS in TM TARGET or DCS?

[Bob1943]

Got a new Warthog HOTAS about a month ago.

 

Are these controllers supposed to be calibrated in the TM TARGET software, or, in the DCS Controls Menu with the Axis commands?

[Lucky]

Do a search for TM calibration tool. It’s the only program you should use to calibrate the stick and throttle.

[Ant0ine]

Got a new Warthog HOTAS about a month ago.

 

Are these controllers supposed to be calibrated in the TM TARGET software, or, in the DCS Controls Menu with the Axis commands?

 

Neither, here are the tool you need to calibratre your Warthog Hotas, remove/reset any calibration you've done in Windows before :

 

 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/7ogb522axno2akn/HW_Stick%20Calibration_V1.13.exe?dl=0

 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ca4sgzfrprayh42/Throttle%20Warthog%20Calibration%20%28V1.07%29.exe?dl=0

[lxsapper]

But if you need to set curves deadzones etc. Either will do the job. But Target, specialy target script, will give you more control.

[Bob1943]

I am not interested in writing scripts with the TARGET software. I am just looking for an easy way to calibrate the stick & throttle. BTW, do these controllers come already calibrated, right out of the box? How do you know if you even need to do a calibration?

 

How is a calibration done with the TARGET software any more accurate than what you would do in DCS?

[SGT Coyle]

How is a calibration done with the TARGET software any more accurate than what you would do in DCS?

 

But if you need to set curves deadzones etc. Either will do the job. But Target, specialy target script, will give you more control.

 

 

You don't calibrate with TARGET.

[Bob1943]

You don't calibrate with TARGET.

 

So, if any calibration is needed, you do it in DCS?

[SGT Coyle]

So, if any calibration is needed, you do it in DCS?

 

 

Adjustment, not calibration. You can set dead zones and curves.

 

 

 

 

 

There's a calibration program for a TM steering wheel I remember downloading last year, but it's on an old sys. I'll try to find it.

It worked for the WH

 

 

 

I've always stayed away from using windows controller to calibrate. It always cased more problems than it solved. Had something to do with registry.

[Bob1943]

I just sent a message to TM tech support to ask them if the Warthog HOTAS needs to be calibrated, and, if so, what software they recommend to do the job. I don’t understand why a calibration routine wouldn’t be included in the TARGET software.

[Ant0ine]

It's like my post is invisible. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

You can NOT calibrate in Target, nor in DCS. To calibrate the Warthog throttle and joystick you need tool provided by TM that I saved in my DropBox and shared in my previous post.

 

BTW, do these controllers come already calibrated, right out of the box? How do you know if you even need to do a calibration?

 

Yes they come calibrated. You shouldn't have to calibrate except maybe after you have disassembled and disconnected/reconnected some board in the throttle or joystick. I sure had to calibrate my joystick after I did

. And also after I changed a friction pad in my throttle and so had to disconnect the main board. I also have to calibrate my throttle depending if I want to use the vanilla detent piece that come with the throttle, or a no detent mod that I use when I fly machine that doesn't require any detent. This way I can profit of a larger throw and so more accuracy.

[lxsapper]

Just like Ant0ine said, usually you won't need to calibrate the WH stick or throttle. However when I bought my set second hand the Joystick drifted to the side on the X axis and that's how I knew it needed calibration. If you have any such issues if will fix it.

do not ever calibrate them using windows tools. The WH devices hold their calibration in hardware you don't want to add a layer of driver calibration to that.

You seem to be confusing adjusting your axis resposes with calibration, they are not the same.

TM calibration tools do allow you to do some "wrong" calibration that can be very useful for some uses, but I'd stay away from that for now. I do have my throttle calibrated to something a little different from the instructions for such a reason.

 

TARGET actually allows you to trim (or do all sorts of crazy stuff with them) your axis and even do it on the fly, for example for AC or simulators that don't have this feature. But refering to this as TRIM as opposed to CALIBRATE is more accurate.

[Bob1943]

TM calibration tools do allow you to do some "wrong" calibration that can be very useful for some uses, but I'd stay away from that for now.

 

Ok, so what TM calibration tools are you referring to, the ones that Ant0ine referred to?

 

I would like to use the AB stop that comes with the Warthog throttle. Will I have to re-calibrate the throttle if I use the AB stop? Or, do I just adjust/tune the throttle axis in DCS for the AB stop?

[lxsapper]

Yes the Tools that An Ant0ine linked. And no The Calibration tools will do absolutely nothing for the AB stop. But the Will allow your axis to start before Idle (Get full axis range basically), absolutely useless for DCS, but useful for other flight sims.

To set your AB region you can use the User Curve settings in DCS as you mentioned. You can also use Target Script Editor to set it precisely. But you have to go the TARGET programming route and not everyone wants to.

[SGT Coyle]

With some help on FB, I was reminded of where I got a calibration tool for the TMWH.

 

 

https://deltasimelectronics.com/

 

 

They have a forum post here.

[Bob1943]

Here is the reply to my question to Thrustmaster.

 

The units are pre-calibrated. Each time you turn them ON - you establish the USB connection with the computer - the firmware kicks in and the axes are calibrated once more.

 

To check their calibration, accurately, you can use the TARGET Script Editor / Device Analyzer tool.

 

Thank you to everyone for all the replies.

[lxsapper]

Well to be honest you received some experienced knowledge, and what you got from TM is the run of the mill answer and nothing new that hadn't been said to you before. But if it makes you happy...

[Bob1943]

What TM told me, that I don't specifically see in any of the replies, is that the controls are automatically re-calibrated by the firmware every time the controls are powered up. For me personally, that is an important fact to be aware of.

Edited March 10, 2020 by Bob1943

[lxsapper]

I think this means the same...

 

Yes they come calibrated. You shouldn't have to calibrate except...

 

and this...

 

Just like Ant0ine said, usually you won't need to calibrate the WH stick or throttle. However when I bought my set second hand the Joystick drifted to the side on the X axis and that's how I knew it needed calibration.

 

I believe, yes we told you that this devices normaly do not need calibration. But there is some circustances when you do. And frankly from my experience the affirmation that the controls calibrate itself when powered up is tottaly bogus. They do retain their calibration very well and basicaly will never drift.

Edited March 10, 2020 by lxsapper

[Bob1943]

For any "new users" (such as myself) of the Warthog HOTAS that may be reading this thread, I will add a final comment that you need to be sure to download the "Package drivers - Hotas Warthog - 2018_TMHW_1 + Firmware" that is available on the TM website.

 

The Hardware User Manual that came with my Warthog system states: "The HOTAS Warthog requires installation of the TARGET programming software." No mention was made of downloading a separate driver package.

 

I downloaded the TARGET software as instructed and "assumed" that included everything that I needed (including drivers) to get operational. Unknown to me at that time, the drivers are a separate download, as listed above. So, be sure to download the driver package and follow the driver install instructions to get your controllers running properly.

[jackd]

Now i gave up on target a long time ago, as without it for practical worked well. Wonder how many Warthogggers still use it ..