about to retire the Warthog stick and throttle

[dmatsch]

She's served me well for the past 10 years, and now I'm looking for something a bit more modern and functional and higher quality.  The Warthog stick and throttle set the bar that long ago, so who's the leader nowadays?  Looking to start a discussion on what's the best choice for 2022 and beyond.  Winwing, Virpil, VKB etc.  What's the opinions?

I fly mainly F-16, P-51, etc, however I own quite a few modules and like to play with them from time to time.  It seems like flying helos without pedals is close to impossible, doubly-so for the Apache.  So, that questions raises two more:  1)  does a decent twist-stick exist? 2) can you fly a helo with it?

I want something that'll last another 10 years, so quality is important.  So is compatibility.  I don't want to be doing a rain dance at midnight during a full moon while shaking chicken bones trying to configure software.

I'd love to find a flight stick that mimics the real F-16 pressure-sensitive stick.  Anyone have or know about the various ones I'm finding?

So, please and thank you to feel free to offer suggestions.

[Ala12Rv-Tundra]

9 hours ago, dmatsch said:

She's served me well for the past 10 years, and now I'm looking for something a bit more modern and functional and higher quality.  The Warthog stick and throttle set the bar that long ago, so who's the leader nowadays?  Looking to start a discussion on what's the best choice for 2022 and beyond.  Winwing, Virpil, VKB etc.  What's the opinions?

I fly mainly F-16, P-51, etc, however I own quite a few modules and like to play with them from time to time.  It seems like flying helos without pedals is close to impossible, doubly-so for the Apache.  So, that questions raises two more:  1)  does a decent twist-stick exist? 2) can you fly a helo with it?

I want something that'll last another 10 years, so quality is important.  So is compatibility.  I don't want to be doing a rain dance at midnight during a full moon while shaking chicken bones trying to configure software.

I'd love to find a flight stick that mimics the real F-16 pressure-sensitive stick.  Anyone have or know about the various ones I'm finding?

So, please and thank you to feel free to offer suggestions.

real F-16 is Realsimulator FSSB, which has been around for quite time.
But it´s so specific I´m afraid flying others like warbirds or helos, is going to feel awkward
the twist stick is doable for helos, but I don´t recommend it for others. I would stick to pedals. It´s not coincidence most top tier sticks don´t have twist.

[dmatsch]

I'm going to bump this because I'm rather surprised that there weren't more replies and/or opinions -- especially on a topic such as this.  So, please - my apologies for doing this:

I'm really interested in what's a viable upgrade option to my venerable warthog stick/throttle.  More capabilities, finer sensitivity, better quality (?).

I've heard many anecdotal stories on warthog quality/performance/etc issues, but my 10 pound 'hog has served me well for 10 years, replacing a Microsoft sidewinder pro.  Are these stories true? 

Would one have any real-world examples of migrating from a 'hog to something better?  Would one care to share?  What differences did you find?  What did you have to get used to?  If you could change one thing about your upgraded stick/throttle combo, what would it be?

Would anyone possibly have one of those pressure-sensitive sticks that model the one that's in the real F-16?  I'm really kind of interested in how those fair in a general flight sim environment.

Please and thank you - if you're reading this and don't have any input, just respond with your current controller(s) setup and/or what you would upgrade to if you had the $$.  (Real aircraft not included in unlimited $$)

[HILOK]

maybe just stick to what you have? it's a very versatile combo. instead you could invest your money in rudder pedals, which would give you a greater added value than switching throttle & stick. also, have you considered upgrading the warthog throttle? -there are nice upgrades available, such as delta sim's TDC mod, or replacements for the detent piece; sim addons had also nice stuff, but the site is currently down.

hope that helps

[dburne]

Two really good options to replace the Warthog combo with, but they are not necessarily the type of stick you are looking for.

Virpil CM3 stick and Virpil CM3 Throttle or VKB Gunfigther Stick but also with the Virpil CM3 Throttle. The sticks I believe you can get with or without the twist option. I myself much prefer rudder pedals, I use the MFG Crosswinds which are great peddles without breaking the bank.

Oh and for helicopter flying I recently added a Virpil Rotor Collective.

In any event the above hardware is very good quality and will last a long time.

 

Edited November 23, 2022 by dburne

[rob10]

I like my hybrid setup of Virpil WarBRD base (much finer control, overall use than WH) with Warthog F-18 grip (which is good). WinWing throttle (the original version, not version 2.  I liked the buttons/switches on it versus other options -- they were ones I actually use more than once per flight or were positioned/useful to be assigned to something else that was useful).  The throttle is also a little more precise than WH and the original has nice push through detents for afterburner and idle.  MFG Crosswind pedals that were a really nice upgrade from my 20 yr old CH Pro pedals.  Also Axair MAIP button box for a bunch more buttons and rotaries.

[Lange_666]

Still have my Warthog but the sticks base has been replaced with a Virpil WarBRD.
Compared to this the Warthog stick base is just not on the same level as the Virpil.
Used to have a TM Cougar before with an Uber modded stick gimbal and when changing to the Warthog, the default gimbal just didn't cut it, it's almost trash compared to a decent "smooth" gimbal, either modded, VKB or Virpil.

So i confirm what rob10 says here above, same goes for his comment on the rudder pedals, went down the same road: CH Pro pedals to MFG Crosswind (although i don't use the original footrests anymore).

[Ala12Rv-Tundra]

On 11/23/2022 at 6:04 PM, dmatsch said:

I'm going to bump this because I'm rather surprised that there weren't more replies and/or opinions -- especially on a topic such as this.  So, please - my apologies for doing this:

I'm really interested in what's a viable upgrade option to my venerable warthog stick/throttle.  More capabilities, finer sensitivity, better quality (?).

I've heard many anecdotal stories on warthog quality/performance/etc issues, but my 10 pound 'hog has served me well for 10 years, replacing a Microsoft sidewinder pro.  Are these stories true? 

Would one have any real-world examples of migrating from a 'hog to something better?  Would one care to share?  What differences did you find?  What did you have to get used to?  If you could change one thing about your upgraded stick/throttle combo, what would it be?

Would anyone possibly have one of those pressure-sensitive sticks that model the one that's in the real F-16?  I'm really kind of interested in how those fair in a general flight sim environment.

Please and thank you - if you're reading this and don't have any input, just respond with your current controller(s) setup and/or what you would upgrade to if you had the $$.  (Real aircraft not included in unlimited $$)

The weakest link of your current Warthog combo, is the stick base. You could buy one of the several compatible bases around, like virpil, and keep the warthog stick and throttle.
much easier on your wallet.