Warthog F-16 Joystick/Base vs. CH Pro - anyone made the switch to TM from CH?

[GPatricks]

I have the Warthog Throttle and after fixing what I felt were it's deficiencies (AB detent mod, Deltasim Slew mod, printed cover plates) I really like it. I'm considering the Warthog stick base with the F-16 grip, any input on that upgrade(?). My current CH Fighterstick has 12bit contactless sensors and works well, just curious if its worth upgrading.. if indeed its an upgrade.

[speed-of-heat]

yes it is, there will be a number of people who will say go Vipril etc... and thats a cool choice too.

 

I like the Thrustmaster F-16 stick, it will be *MUCH* heavier to use, over your fighter stick, but yes its a big upgrade.

[GPatricks]

13 minutes ago, speed-of-heat said:

yes it is, there will be a number of people who will say go Vipril etc... and thats a cool choice too.

I like the Thrustmaster F-16 stick, it will be *MUCH* heavier to use, over your fighter stick, but yes its a big upgrade.

 

Thanks, I looked at Virpil and like the layout of the TM F-16 handle better, almost identical to the CH i've been using a loooong time. I know I can combine the TM Handle with Virpil base but will that really offer me much?

[speed-of-heat]

i have a friend who swear by that approach, the base is meant to be better that the TM, but i have never used one personally so i cant judge, where as i have the fighterstick and warthog.

 

the biggest "problem" is the plastic gimbal in the F-16 stick base, which to be fair i have broken one in 5 years when i was using a stick extension, the Virpil is all metal, and meant to be much more precise.  

[GPatricks]

23 minutes ago, speed-of-heat said:

i have a friend who swear by that approach, the base is meant to be better that the TM, but i have never used one personally so i cant judge, where as i have the fighterstick and warthog.

the biggest "problem" is the plastic gimbal in the F-16 stick base, which to be fair i have broken one in 5 years when i was using a stick extension, the Virpil is all metal, and meant to be much more precise.  

 

Just priced out the Virpil base, going to cost almost as much for that (once you include the €60 for VAT and Shipping) than it will for the whole TM stick/base combo! Have to think about that one..

 

Edit: I see you can buy the base separately and get the "F-16" handle but the F-16 handle lookes exactly like the "A-10" handle that comes with it when you buy a standard Warthog stick... what am I missing? 

Edited April 1, 2021 by GaryR

[speed-of-heat]

yep thats the offset ... cost. 

 

The F-16 and A-10 handles are functionally identical,, from memory they are cheaper to buy them together, but if you want the F-18 handle and not the 16 then the base plus the 18 is a better way to go if you dont have something now... essentially its a flexibility choice. 

Edited April 1, 2021 by speed-of-heat

[GPatricks]

17 minutes ago, speed-of-heat said:

yep thats the offset ... cost. 

 

The F-16 and A-10 handles are functionally identical,, from memory they are cheaper to buy them together, but if you want the F-18 handle and not the 16 then the base plus the 18 is a better way to go if you dont have something now... essentially its a flexibility choice. 

 

 

I want the F-16 handle, and it "looks" like that is what comes with it as the "A-10" handle, just didn't want any surprises when it arrives! I see 0 difference between them? Pic on top is F-16 Handle, pic on bottom is standard Warthog "A-10" Joystick/base.. Just an FYI, you can buy the Warthog F-18 handle base together on the TM site, but thats out of stock there..

 

Edited April 1, 2021 by GaryR

[speed-of-heat]

yep they are the same (for the purposes of this product) 

[MAXsenna]

yep they are the same (for the purposes of this product) 

Isn't there a 5 way hat on the Warthog which is a 4 way on the Viper? (At least for the original Cougar grip).
And the paddle switch is a little different, isn't it?
Cheers!

Sent from my MAR-LX1A using Tapatalk

[GPatricks]

12 minutes ago, MAXsenna said:

Isn't there a 5 way hat on the Warthog which is a 4 way on the Viper? (At least for the original Cougar grip).
And the paddle switch is a little different, isn't it?
Cheers!

Sent from my MAR-LX1A using Tapatalk
 

 

In the pictures they are identical, as I just ordered one I hope that's what arrives next week! 

[speed-of-heat]

27 minutes ago, MAXsenna said:

Isn't there a 5 way hat on the Warthog which is a 4 way on the Viper? (At least for the original Cougar grip).
And the paddle switch is a little different, isn't it?
Cheers!

Sent from my MAR-LX1A using Tapatalk
 

No not on the thrustmaster F-16/a-10 stick, CMS depress is present on both .

[MAXsenna]

No not on the thrustmaster F-16/a-10 stick, CMS depress is present on both .

Cool! Thanks!

Sent from my MAR-LX1A using Tapatalk

[Sokol1_br]

On 4/1/2021 at 9:53 AM, GaryR said:

but the F-16 handle lookes exactly like the "A-10" handle that comes with it when you buy a standard Warthog stick... what am I missing? 

 

The fact that Thrustmaster Warthog stick grip (released in ~2010), was never an A-10C stick replica, but an F-16 stick replica, so the "new" F-16 grip is the same old with new label.

 

Happens that for an desktop game controller the F-16 grip has more functionality with the "pinky" lever, so Thrustmaster opt for keep this, as people are used in the Cougar,  but unless by the lack o "pinky" lever in real A-10C grip - have a lever, but in the grip tube, both real grips are visually the same grip.

 

A-10C grip

 

 

Edited April 3, 2021 by Sokol1_br

[rob10]

4 hours ago, GaryR said:

 

Just priced out the Virpil base, going to cost almost as much for that (once you include the €60 for VAT and Shipping) than it will for the whole TM stick/base combo! Have to think about that one..

 

Edit: I see you can buy the base separately and get the "F-16" handle but the F-16 handle lookes exactly like the "A-10" handle that comes with it when you buy a standard Warthog stick... what am I missing? 

 

My recommendation would be to spend the extra and get the TM grip (skip the base) and the Virpil base.  I started with CH, went to TM with A-10 (then F18 when it arrived) grip and upgraded to Virpil WarBRD base.  I prefer the TM grip (haven't actually used a Virpil grip though), but the Virpil base is head and shoulders above the TM base IMHO.  Much more precise and smooth in usage.  With the TM base unless you're using an extension you'll likely want the Sahaj Green spring as the one that comes with it is really heavy and hard on the shoulder.  As much as the TM was an upgrade on the CH throttle, the Virpil base was that much of an improvement again.

I should add that I was starting from a stock CH stick.

Edited April 1, 2021 by rob10
Added info

[GPatricks]

2 minutes ago, rob10 said:

My recommendation would be to spend the extra and get the TM grip (skip the base) and the Virpil base.  I started with CH, went to TM with A-10 (then F18 when it arrived) grip and upgraded to Virpil WarBRD base.  I prefer the TM grip (haven't actually used a Virpil grip though), but the Virpil base is head and shoulders above the TM base IMHO.  Much more precise and smooth in usage.  With the TM base unless you're using an extension you'll likely want the Sahaj Green spring as the one that comes with it is really heavy and hard on the shoulder.  As much as the TM was an upgrade on the CH throttle, the Virpil base was that much of an improvement again.

 

Thanks, i'll see how it goes with the standard setup for now. I will get the Virpil base rather than spend €41 + Shipping on a spring... I mean really, €41 for a spring??

[GPatricks]

Doing my due diligence on the Warthog Stick I have been looking at "Stiction Fix" videos and (for me) the best was done here . Assuming the worst when it arrives i've ordered a new PTFE O-ring (to replace the rubber piece that deteriorates quickly and causes issues) and grease from here to have on hand. Don't mind doing a little work to make it smooth as silk in operation if indeed it's not when new. If the spring tension is still too much a €41 Green spring here will be in my future but the descriptions in the stiction fix videos say the stock spring is fine once the mods are done.. 

Edited April 2, 2021 by GaryR

[Lange_666]

5 hours ago, GaryR said:

Doing my due diligence on the Warthog Stick I have been looking at "Stiction Fix" videos and (for me) the best was done here .

 

I stumbled on the same video and did the whole shabang.

Was it better after that? Yes.

Was it good enough? No.

I then went for the green spring.

Was it better after installation of the green spring? Yes.

Was it good enough? No.

So i replaced it with a Virpil WarBRD base.

Was it better after that? Oh Yes !!

Is it good enough? Yes it is !!!

In the end: i sold the TH base.

[speed-of-heat]

If you get the Stockton issue... never had it

[GPatricks]

17 hours ago, Lange_666 said:

 

I stumbled on the same video and did the whole shabang.

Was it better after that? Yes.

Was it good enough? No.

I then went for the green spring.

Was it better after installation of the green spring? Yes.

Was it good enough? No.

So i replaced it with a Virpil WarBRD base.

Was it better after that? Oh Yes !!

Is it good enough? Yes it is !!!

In the end: i sold the TH base.

 

Not counting that option out and likely would have been smarter to buy the TM handle and Virpil base from the start, but as i've been using this "toyish" CH HOTAS for about 20 years I likely will be ok for a while as-is... certainly will go with Virpil at +€200 before I drop about €50 on a spring and sell the (upgraded) TM base as you did.

Edited April 3, 2021 by GaryR

[Lange_666]

I came from a Uber modded Cougar, so the stock Warthog just felt awful compared to that. The Virpil base puts it again on that level which is far beyond any plastic friction gimbal can be.

Those who never used one (Virpil, VKB or any Uber like stuff) don't know what frictionless is.

[GPatricks]

Stick arrived today, set it up identically to my good ol CH Fighterstick with the added exception of having the 1st detent (Lase) of the trigger press actually being a separate entity to the 2nd detent (Fire Guns) and the Paddle switch being set as the "Paddle Switch" (whatever that does i'll have to learn). Very happy to report that it has 0 "stiction" issues and is perfectly smooth. I don't find the spring tension to be too strong either, and that's coming from a 0 tension CH. Have yet to test in flight but do not forsee any issues, very pleased so far and my new Deltasims SLEW mod is supposedly coming this week also.. 

Edited April 5, 2021 by GaryR