TM F18 Add on Grip for the TM Warthog Hotas - Worth it?

[Ranger1882]

Hi All

I have been thinking about getting the TM add on grip for my TM Warthog Hotas, but a lot of reviews on amazon have poor feedback about certain switches not working and general low quality of the product and so have held off so far.

Am just wondering if this is a big issue or whether lots of people on here have taken the plunge and been fine?

[Flipper]

I use the TM Hornet-grip since 2 years: it works very well and its definitively good quality (metal grip, plastic (good quality) buttons)!

Edited November 6, 2022 by Flipper

[Spirale]

 

[Top Jockey]

4 hours ago, Ranger1882 said:

Hi All

I have been thinking about getting the TM add on grip for my TM Warthog Hotas, but a lot of reviews on amazon have poor feedback about certain switches not working and general low quality of the product and so have held off so far.

Am just wondering if this is a big issue or whether lots of people on here have taken the plunge and been fine?

 

Hello,

I've bought my TM F18 grip 2 years ago, with the TM HOTAS magnetic base (10th anniversary edition).

 

The grip itself is working fine in all buttons, switches, etc, with somewhat 'regular' use along these 2 years.

I've chosen that grip over the F-16's because I find the F18's grip much more interesting to my likes.

 

What didn't cause the best impression, was the HOTAS magnetic base, with only 'regular' (not very frequent use) nearing 2 years it started to get wobbly because of a dented internal rubber o-ring... thanks to poor factory grease.

Although this isn't Virpil price range, TM stuff isn't exactly cheap either in my country.

 

Concluding, I'm satisfied with the F18 grip (so far), providing it has better quality than the HOTAS base.

https://forum.dcs.world/topic/310375-tm-hotas-magnetic-base-dented-o-ring/

 

[rob10]

I got the TM F-18 grip when it first came out (issues seem to be more recent quality control issues).  If you're flying a lot of F-18 well worth it IMHO.  Layout of the buttons make sense and it's well built.  I use it on a Virpil WarBRD base (much better than the original TM base).  Only issue I've had is recently the 2nd detent on the trigger seems to be acting up.  Since you don't need it for the F18 I haven't bothered trying to do much to diagnose it yet.  I'd highly recommend it.

[Phantom711]

I bought mine about 6 month ago and I definitely have one of the typical problems with it in the form of a Weapon Select Switch that remains stuck at the forward position. I have to actively pull it back from there.

The switches simply feel cheaper than on the Viper stick.

It could probably be fixed but I didn‘t bother so far. 
If I had to decide now, I would go for the winwing F/A-18 stick, but then you would also need to upgrade to the ww base.

Edited November 6, 2022 by Phantom711

[jonfog]

A little bit off topic but shouldn't you consider a new base instead? As a previous TM owner I can say that the plastic interior will wear out and your center point will get sloppier and sloppier until you can't make fine adjustments anymore. An all metal base, Virpil or wingwin is the way to go.

A virpil base will accept your TM stick handle, not sure about the Winwing (or is it Wingwin?)

[Razor18]

22 hours ago, Top Jockey said:

 

What didn't cause the best impression, was the HOTAS magnetic base, with only 'regular' (not very frequent use) nearing 2 years it started to get wobbly because of a dented internal rubber o-ring... thanks to poor factory grease.https://forum.dcs.world/topic/310375-tm-hotas-magnetic-base-dented-o-ring/

Just FYI, I just bought the plastic sphere in the middle (to eliminate a little centre wobble), a stock spring (my WH was second hand with spring cut down) and the rubber ring with the big  plastic ring around it for about 40-50 EUR incl. postage directly from Guillemot/Thrustmaster) at least within Europe (probably Portugal too). Just write them a mail. Reply will be sometimes days later, but they are very helpful, and keep what they promise.

Edited November 7, 2022 by Razor18

[Top Jockey]

2 hours ago, jonfog said:

A little bit off topic but shouldn't you consider a new base instead? As a previous TM owner I can say that the plastic interior will wear out and your center point will get sloppier and sloppier until you can't make fine adjustments anymore. An all metal base, Virpil or wingwin is the way to go.

A virpil base will accept your TM stick handle, not sure about the Winwing (or is it Wingwin?)

 

That's what I'm thinking about.

And by the looks of the dented rubber o-ring on mine, and several more reports like yours, I've come to terms that it can eventually happen to mine also.

Like I've read at the web once:

"It seems like TM understood that, a big part of their customers are much more delighted by looks and eye candy, than by quality and durability itself."

 

34 minutes ago, Razor18 said:

Just FYI, I just bought the plastic sphere in the middle (to eliminate a little centre wobble), a stock spring (my WH was second hand with spring cut down) and the rubber ring with the big  plastic ring around it for about 40-50 EUR incl. postage directly from Guillemot/Thrustmaster) at least within Europe (probably Portugal too). Just write them a mail. Reply will be sometimes days later, but they are very helpful, and keep what they promise.

 

 

Thank you.

I did and they've sent me a new rubber o-ring with the plastic disc / plate also, but I'm now using a PTFE ring from user Hempstead.

 

I understand you, but it will always be the same 'limited' durability mechanism, that will eventually end up wearing in the same way.

Having that said, if / when it happens to mine, I don't know if I will repair it again.

Edited November 7, 2022 by Top Jockey

[Burt]

The Hornet Add-on is a super great stick. I would recommend buying from Thrustmaster shop. it look me 3 times to get a good one the first 2 was from an Amazon dealor and the 3rd from TM but dont let that scare you. The third one also had a sticking sensor control left position but it finally worked its way loose and the stick is functioning just perfect ... all switches. you might get lucky and get a good one the first go around Its kinda like the silicone lottery thing but its a great stick and I have mine paired with the Virpil CM2 base and it on another level for sure. 

Edited November 15, 2022 by Burt