Warthog user and FA 18 F16 stick or Purchase the F/A-18 Stick

[kmaultsby]

All, 
I now have time to train and get serious with DCS. I have the Thrustmeter Warthog, and I will be mainly flying the F/A 18. Should I purchase the F/A 18 stick of stay with the F16 joystick? I will also be jumping in the F16 and 14 some time, but mostly the F/A-18. Also, if I go F18 joystick, who or where can I find some good stick profiles?  

 

Thanks 

[Hulkbust44]

If you get the 18 stick it will be default 1:1.
I've been using the Wharthog stick and love it. Technically more buttons with more tactile feedback. Issue when using it with the Hornet is that the stick hats lack a depress as you would need for the SCS.

Mobius708

[Steel Jaw]

Depends...for desktop use I hear the Hornet stick is poor ergonomics due to the angle of the upper portion.  The F16 stick has no differences that justify its price.

[kmaultsby]

4 minutes ago, Hulkbust44 said:

If you get the 18 stick it will be default 1:1.
I've been using the Wharthog stick and love it. Technically more buttons with more tactile feedback. Issue when using it with the Hornet is that the stick hats lack a depress as you would need for the SCS.

Mobius708
 

When you say stick which one F16 or the F18?

Just now, Mower said:

Depends...for desktop use I hear the Hornet stick is poor ergonomics due to the angle of the upper portion.  The F16 stick has no differences that justify its price.

I agree I have the Megtech table mounts and this will not be an issue.  I can place the stick between my legs just like the F18, 15, 14, and A10.

Edited July 19, 2021 by kmaultsby

[Hulkbust44]

When you say stick which one F16 or the F18?

Do not buy the 16 stick. It's basically the same as what you already have. The Hornet stick has the Castle switch depress which will be very helpful.

Mobius708

[kmaultsby]

No

My question is should keep using the F16 stick or because I will flying a lot of F18 should I purchase the F18 stick?

[Hulkbust44]

No
My question is should keep using the F16 stick or because I will flying a lot of F18 should I purchase the F18 stick?

Yes stay with the A-10 stick you have, the F-16 stick is another product. You just need a button for SCS depress. There is not a sufficient enough difference in capability to warrent buying a new stick when you already have a good one.

Mobius708

[speed-of-heat]

The f-16 stick works well with the hornet, it requires some button layout adaption, but no worse than say flying a viper with the f-18 stick, etc… if you want it and have the money, go for it, do you need it… no.

[kmaultsby]

Just now, speed-of-heat said:

The f-16 stick works well with the hornet, it requires some button layout adaption, but no worse than say flying a viper with the f-18 stick, etc… if you want it and have the money, go for it, do you need it… no.

What are you using?

[kmaultsby]

OK looks like I am going to save money and use the the A10 stick.  Can anyone give me some suggestions on what should program the throttle switches for the F18 or direct me to some good throttle profiles?

[Hulkbust44]

OK looks like I am going to save money and use the the A10 stick.  Can anyone give me some suggestions on what should program the throttle switches for the F18 or direct me to some good throttle profiles?

Don't use profiles. Create your own based on what you need. The basics of comms, countermeasures, and master modes are a good place to start.

Mobius708

[kmaultsby]

Just now, Hulkbust44 said:

Don't use profiles. Create your own based on what you need. The basics of comms, countermeasures, and master modes are a good place to start.

Mobius708
 

Thank you for the tips and suggestions.  Any suggestions on training?  Are you flying in any squads?

[speed-of-heat]

38 minutes ago, kmaultsby said:

What are you using?

until recently i was using the f-16 stick and warthog, i have just moved to Virpil, (is it better yes, is it more expensive also yes)

[Hulkbust44]

Thank you for the tips and suggestions.  Any suggestions on training?  Are you flying in any squads?

Redkite and Wags on YouTube.

Chuck's guides

Tactical DCS discord:https://discord.gg/C4thKVS5AE

Actually yes, I'm in two milsim squadrons. (One combat, one aerobatics.)

Mobius708

[gonvise]

Hello... some of you say the SCS depress is important in F18... why? it is for IFF identificaction (If I'm not wrong), but in some of the last updates it is done automatically like IRL. It is not like this?

[speed-of-heat]

it is important, but i just mapped  it to the CMS button (which has a depress) and weapons to either TMS or DMS with depress being being a left (?) press (as it is unused in the 18).

[Foka]

I started in DCS with A-10C and TM Warthog, now I play mainly Hornet and still use Warthog stick. It's mostly cosmetic difference, and the A-10/F-16 stick gives you more buttons, so you can bind some actions from throttle or front panel.

[rob10]

WH F-18 stick is nice, I like it better than the A-10/F-16 stick (overall and for the F-18), but not a massive upgrade.  I have no regrets having purchased it and I'd do it again.  But I would put the money you were going to spend on it into a Virpil base.  That's a much bigger upgrade than the F-18 stick (get it later after you save up some more ) and makes AAR much easier IMHO.

[gonvise]

On 7/19/2021 at 11:08 AM, speed-of-heat said:

it is important, but i just mapped  it to the CMS button (which has a depress) and weapons to either TMS or DMS with depress being being a left (?) press (as it is unused in the 18).

Why?? The IFF interrogation is done automatically since one of the last updates.

Edited July 20, 2021 by gonvise

[speed-of-heat]

apologies was, thats how it was set up because ... thats the way it was required when i configured my joystick 

[Hulkbust44]

Hello... some of you say the SCS depress is important in F18... why? it is for IFF identificaction (If I'm not wrong), but in some of the last updates it is done automatically like IRL. It is not like this?

It was that SCS depress initiated a CIT interrogation, but this was wrong from the start. SCS depress in now correct, just not finished. SCS depress is a modifier function for the SCS and is used to command a CIT with depress and SCS right. Not implimented yet but there are other fuctions such as depress and SCS aft to cue the TGT data format.

Mobius708

[Ala12Rv-Tundra]

On 7/19/2021 at 8:43 AM, kmaultsby said:

OK looks like I am going to save money and use the the A10 stick.  Can anyone give me some suggestions on what should program the throttle switches for the F18 or direct me to some good throttle profiles?

I own both. Bear in mind the hornet stick is also replica for Harrier, f15 and future f15e. 

Also very convenient for tomcat with the thumb axis for DLC. 

Both sticks feel different, the hornet needs your wrist to be placed closer to the upper part, making the pinky switch more difficult to operate.