What HOTAS are you using?

[Steel Jaw]

My poor old Cougar is on the fritz and I have to start looking for a replacement HOTAS.  What are you guys using and do you have any leads on a good deal?  Cheers.

[Drac]

Are funds an issue?  There are some good ones out there, but are expensive (to me) at the moment.  I use a Warthog HOTAS myself, with a VPC MongoosT-50CM3 Throttle on pre-order.

[Steel Jaw]

Budget is definitely an issues, yes Im afraid, the TM Warthogs are hideously overpriced on the markets like eBay etc.  Plus 3d party retailers on places like Amazon are majorly price gouging.

Edited December 13, 2020 by Mower

[Lange_666]

TM Warthog (refurbished right from TM's webstore for 60% of the original price). The stick's base is replaced by a Virpil VPC WarBRD one. Why? Because the TM gimbals suck (compared to my old Uber modded Cougar)!

[Steel Jaw]

6 hours ago, Lange_666 said:

TM Warthog (refurbished right from TM's webstore for 60% of the original price).

 

I dont see that option on the TM website...got a link please or how did you find it?

[Lange_666]

I don't have a direct link anymore.

I came across a link on this forum which took me right to the Thrustmaster used parts shop.

The only post i can find with a link in it is this one: Thrustmaster refurbished (since the new forum, my own posts only go back to the birth of the new forum so i can't look there).

But that one is dead now.

But i'm pretty sure i didn't get it from that post since i only bought it end last year and this one is from early-mid 2018.

Payed 299,99€ for a (refurbished) full Warthog right from the Thrustmaster store

 

 

 

[Thinder]

Thrustmaster T.1600M FCS Hotas Joystick and Throttle.

 

I'm very please with the Throttle, a little less with the stick which I might replace in the future for someting like the F-18 Stick, I already checked with Thrusmaster support, they are fully compatible.

 

One little touch about the Throttle, on the Mirqage 2000, I use the button 1 for IFF/Wheel steering and the Rocker Switch for rudder/wheels, meaning I could disable the twist ruder function on the stick which I did find to cause too much imprecision, all the functions I need for combat/radar are on the throttle including target select except for the weapon selection which are on the stick. I still haven't binded the antenna axis.

 

I'm not about to let go of this throttle...

 

Edited December 18, 2020 by Thinder

[Kayos]

X-65F but they aren't for sale anymore

[Burt]

I have my eyes on this product. It’s pricey but it will be an investment not a buy.

https://realsimulator.com/shop/

And Thinder is right. I bought that setup because I was waiting for my Warthog to be delivered which took over 4 months. But that setup was surprisingly good enough and easy to get. It’s so hard to get anything these days.

Edited December 15, 2020 by Burt

[Dangerzone]

Currently have the Logitech X56. I found it the 'best bang for buck' when it came to all the functions I needed plus some extra buttons.

 

I'm seriously eyeing off the VKB Gunfighter though (as from what I can tell it has even more buttons than the X56 stick - plus better quality, etc). The only issue I have is not knowing what throttle to get with it, as VKB only make sticks and rudders.

 

EDIT 2 months later: I regret saying this now. The X56 was not best bang for the buck because of ongoing quality issues. Buy right, buy once.... was something I missed this time.

Edited February 8, 2021 by Dangerzone

[Ala12Rv-Tundra]

did you mod your Cougar? what´s the issue? I´m reviving a second hand Cougar throttle unit with about $50 of Hall sensors and USB standalone conversion, sold by a user from this very same forum.
Other than that, giving current Warthog price, I would consider some Virpil/VKB options. T16000 if you find a decent price too.

[VpR81]

Winwing F/A-18 throttle, Virpil T50CM2 with extension + Realsimulator F-18E grip for the Hornet and Virpil WarBRD + TM Warthog grip for the F-16. Still waiting for a decent F-16 throttle. If money isn't an issue and you want to go with a Realsimulator grip be aware that these can be used on each base with PS2 connector (Virpil, TM, Realsimulator), but only those with BT module (F-18E, F-16 collectors edition only) will have full functionality on Virpil and TM bases. The standard F-16 grips need a Realsimulator base for full functionality.

 

Cheers

Edited December 17, 2020 by VpR81

[Raptor05121]

This should be a poll

[BigHairyGobbler]

I use an old Saitek AB8R flight stick. It’s horrible but Warthogs cost a fortune so I’m looking for something. 
 

Im looking for a tabletop HOTAS and have a flexible budget. Looking at VKB and Virpil  but not sure what to buy that works well with the F-16. 

[VpR81]

Best setup for the F-16 would definately be the Realsimulator FSSB R3 base + Realsimulator F16 grip. The only issue is that this is, including VAT, a ~1000,- € stick with shipping on top and you'll still need to buy a separate throttle. But therefore you'll get a high-end force sensitive base working exactly like the real thing in the F-16, with the by far best F-16 grip non-commercial customers can buy for money. Other than that, i think the Virpil WarBRD base with heavy springs and TM Warthog grip works great for the F-16, while the VKB base with converted TM Warthog grip is also a great F-16 stick solution for sure. 

[BigHairyGobbler]

1 hour ago, VpR81 said:

Best setup for the F-16 would definately be the Realsimulator FSSB R3 base + Realsimulator F16 grip. The only issue is that this is, including VAT, a ~1000,- € stick with shipping on top and you'll still need to buy a separate throttle. But therefore you'll get a high-end force sensitive base working exactly like the real thing in the F-16, with the by far best F-16 grip non-commercial customers can buy for money. Other than that, i think the Virpil WarBRD base with heavy springs and TM Warthog grip works great for the F-16, while the VKB base with converted TM Warthog grip is also a great F-16 stick solution for sure. 

How about a good throttle?

[Dangerzone]

3 hours ago, BigHairyGobbler said:

I use an old Saitek AB8R flight stick. It’s horrible but Warthogs cost a fortune so I’m looking for something. 
 

Im looking for a tabletop HOTAS and have a flexible budget. Looking at VKB and Virpil  but not sure what to buy that works well with the F-16. 

 

Looks like VKB are about to release a new product: 

 

 

[VpR81]

11 hours ago, BigHairyGobbler said:

How about a good throttle?

 

Afaik there is no F-16 throttle right now, except for the TM Cougar TQS. Winwing is in the process of developing one and so is Realsimulator. The Winwing stuff is great, but if you're in europe be aware that the Winwing devices do not have any compliance markings (at least mine doesen't) making it illegal to import it to europe, even for individuals. If national customs checks the shipping, the new toy will be confiscated. Besides that, their products are excellent, it's just a legality issue in europe. Realsimulator is even more boutique/expensive than Winwing, so i guess their F-16 throttle will be easily at 1000+€. That's the price for beeing made in the EU instead of china. Also i have no idea how far developement is and when their throttle will come. 

 

Cheers

[JayRoc]

I modded my Thrustmaster Cougar to be standalone for 10$ and got myself a Thrustmaster Hotas Magnetic Base for 130€.

If the budget is bigger go for a Virpil WarBRD...

 

If the Gymbal is dying and you´re on a real budget, there are resonable ones that one can 3D Print if you have a printer (or a friend).

 

The Gymbal of the T16000 is really nice, but the stick doesnt have enough buttons.

The thrustlever is too light and needs either weight or have to be fixed somehow.

Used ones can be really cheap and they dont have a lot of wear...unlike the Warthog base.

Edited December 18, 2020 by JayRoc

[BigHairyGobbler]

So many options and each one has pros and cons.  Virpil has horrible post-sales support, VKB doesn't have a throttle (yet), WinWing doesn't have an F-16 HOTAS (yet) and the WartHog stick has a plastic gimbal (WTF).

 

Edit.  How hard is it so mix and match brands and do they need their software running for daily use in DCS, for example?

Edited December 23, 2020 by BigHairyGobbler

[Mars Exulte]

I use a VKB Gunfighter II w MCG Pro grip on a full length curved extension directly attached to my flight seat. Quality wise, that's the best stick on the market. Virpil is better for flexibility of grip selection as it's just plug and play, whereas VKB requires a firmware update anytime you change the grip.

 

For throttle I use the initial Virpil T-50 throttle. I consider it the best throttle on the market, though I dislike the layout of their follow on redesigns.

 

My rudder is Slaw's Viper RX, the absolute finest money can buy, hands down, as well as being a literal work of art and great engineering example.

[Jakey-Poo]

VKB SCG Stick

Logitech X56 (refurbished) throttle.

 

Stick is amazing.  The throttle had some ghosting issues until I plugged it directly into the motherboard port, and since then it's been working very well.

[Treker]

Logitech X52 throttle (ehm... 12years old i think, still going strong)

Thrustmaster Warthog base and stick

[DragonFlySlayer]

I've been using the Warthog for years. Added the FA18 TM stick. Very pleased. I would like a accurate Hornet throttle for HOTAS assignment,so I noticed the Win Wing Throttle.

But I have had a bit of fears of buttons breaking or something.   I've been searching for reviews and have found a few on U tube, but limited to after a year of use to how well they hold up.

My TM Warthog is a beast. Had it for a decade. No issues.

[aleader]

I can't believe nobody has mentioned the VKB Gladiator NXT yet.  I just received mine last week (finally retired my perfectly good 21 year old Saitek X45) paired with a TWCS throttle.  To Canada, the total cost with shipping/GST/duties was $276 CAD ($210 USD).  Really nice for those of us that refuse to spend $650 on a stick (GF3)...I need a new pontoon boat instead   Also, unlike the Warthog, they are in stock at their regular price.