Problems with the TM MFD Cougers

[sobe]

I have had my MFDs for several years, however in the last few weeks, several of the buttons no longer work.  They seem to work in the Controls screen in the game, but in the actual game, the press does nothing.  If I switch the command to another MFD it works in the game.  So the issue seems to be with the MFDs and not DCS.  I have switched USB  ports ( all MFDs are plugged into a powered Hub), but this did not solve the problem.  Has anyone run into this problem? 

I am thinking of just replacing them, but Amazon is out of stock and I am not sure about some of the other retailers. 

[Ala12Rv-Tundra]

22 minutes ago, sobe said:

I have had my MFDs for several years, however in the last few weeks, several of the buttons no longer work.  They seem to work in the Controls screen in the game, but in the actual game, the press does nothing.  If I switch the command to another MFD it works in the game.  So the issue seems to be with the MFDs and not DCS.  I have switched USB  ports ( all MFDs are plugged into a powered Hub), but this did not solve the problem.  Has anyone run into this problem? 

I am thinking of just replacing them, but Amazon is out of stock and I am not sure about some of the other retailers. 

Some times DCS has a hard time understanding which MFD is which. Or maybe you change the ID via TARGET, and the default MFD 1 and MFD 2 assignments got updated and overrode your settings.

[sobe]

I do not use Target.  I will double check the assignments but the last time I looked, the MFDs and DCS were on the same page. 

Just checked and all MFDs in the joystick setting numbers and in DCS are the same.  I still think it has something to do with the electronics in the MFDs and not being happy with my USB ports. 

Edited January 9, 2022 by sobe

[Headwarp]

5 hours ago, sobe said:

I do not use Target.  I will double check the assignments but the last time I looked, the MFDs and DCS were on the same page. 

Just checked and all MFDs in the joystick setting numbers and in DCS are the same.  I still think it has something to do with the electronics in the MFDs and not being happy with my USB ports. 

 

You have to install the drivers for the cougar MFD's and make sure the left is "1" and the right is "2".     https://ts.thrustmaster.com/download/accessories/pc/unified_drivers/2018_FFD_2.exe

When the drivers are installed, and you open the mfd's in USB game controller settings in windows it should look like this.  I've highlighted the area where to set them.  This doesn't require target.  Just the drivers from thrustmaster.    To get there type "USB Game Controllers" without quotes in Cortana, it should bring up the appropriate app and your devices should be listed there.    When set correctly it should list them as two separate devices "F16 MFD 1" and "F16 MFD 2"   Make sure they aren't both set to the same thing.  

 

If you've done this, then be worried, if you haven't, then this is likely your issue.  

 

You say you've had them several years.  So maybe a button's wearing out.   I hope not.   Spray some compressed air in there maybe.  

Edited January 10, 2022 by Headwarp

[SnapRoll]

On 1/9/2022 at 7:35 PM, sobe said:

They seem to work in the Controls screen in the game, but in the actual game, the press does nothing.

 

I’ve seen this strange behavior and it had to do with how long the “press” was happening.

Back then I was using Target, the default pulse of a button press was too short to register some actions in the F/A-18 as example. It would register in the setup menu but not while flying. I had to specifically extend the time of the pulse or change it to a “press”.

In your case it might be that your buttons have deteriorated to a point where there is no constant contact while you press your button. If it just gives a short pulse or flickers, it might well be that you see this register in the setup menu, but in game it would not do anything.

Check with a joystick tester if your button presses are constant or if it is just a pulse or flickers.

[sobe]

Snaproll

I have 2 sets of MFDs for a total of 4.  One set is old and one set is reasonably new, but I cannot tell which is which.  Two mfds work fine and two mfds are giving me trouble.  However, all 4 register very nicely in the windows/tm gaming controller app.   So you may be on to something.  I was thinking of getting another pair as I use them like a button box many times.  However, the price has gone up and the supply is very scarce.  Without the use of target or something similar, I do not think there is any way I can lengthen the key press time.  For the time being, I am using Voice Attack a lot to initiate commands to just avoid this issue.