TM Cougar upgrade - Orion2 & F16 throttle worth it?

[CybrSlydr]

I think it's time I finally upgraded my TM Cougar.  It's still functional, but the stick has a consistent pull to the right when centered.  

I'm leaning towards the WW setup for the extra hats (useful for the AH-64 I think) and the extra functionality on the throttle base.  

Are you folks happy with your purchase?  Any buyers remorse for a different brand? 

I already have Monstertech mounts, so I'll probably be getting the base plates too so I could use them.

I guess I'm just looking for you folks to confirm that it's a good setup and worth your money so I won't feel like an idiot for buying it.  lol

I do wish they'd get the Z-axis in stock as I like twist rudder since I don't have pedals.  Thank you!

[MustangSally]

A 1000 ppl will tell how good the kit is....I'm one of them. But then you'll get 2 or three that'll have issues. It's up to you. I had all sorts of problems with TM and Virpil but have zero issues with WW.

[Phantom711]

I can only echo what MustangSally said.

Over the last few month I`ve bought the Orion2 throttle (F-18), the Take-off panel, another Orion2 throttle (F-16), and last week the F/A-18 MIP arrived.

I can not say anything about long term durability and they are probably not "perfect", but I think the products offer good value for the money. Remember though, that you might have to add customs/taxes. These are not charged by winwing, but might come as a surprise if you are not aware. Aslo ww only offers express shipping by FedEx which costs around 50$ usally.

Oh....and I was a previous Cougar user as well.

[CybrSlydr]

Well, I took the plunge.  Ordered the Orion2 and F16EX throttle, and got the Monstertech plates so I can mount them.

We'll see how long it takes to get here - a long time coming, me finally ordering these.  I just hope they're as good as I want.  

[CybrSlydr]

Orion2 and F16 throttle arrived today!  Got here before the Monstertech mounts I ordered the same day (and Monstertechs came from Florida) - FedEx says the Monstertech mounts should be here by the end of the day.  We'll see.

I'm extremely impressed with the packaging.  Custom cut inserts inside the boxes for the parts, exterior boxes all taped up nicely, etc.  Far exceeded my expectations.

The grips are also quite nice.  I do prefer the button action of my Cougar.  I'm used to the much shorter travel of the buttons on the Cougar stick and having that hard click rather than the springy click of the Orion2.  The multitude of different axis are very welcome though, especially for the AH64.  I also prefer the metal buttons on the throttle and stick of the Cougar to the plastic ones with the Orion2/Throttle, but it's not a deal breaker and they seem just as functional.  Just a preference at this point.

I'm pretty stoked for how many buttons the throttle base has - and how many of them I actually use!  Like the autopilot, etc.  

I will say that the scaffold system they have for the F16 throttle board is one of the most infuriating things to put together I've ever done.  The absolute worst part are the ends of the rails that attach to the throttle base.  The stinking nuts are obscured by this... plastic billboard on both ends of the throttle.  There's not enough room to get your fingers in, so I had to lay the throttle on the table, put the nut on the washer, then slide the washer over to the hole with the included screwdriver, and then insert the screw through the bottom and pray the nut didn't fall off.  

Then there's trying to adjust it so the roller bearing will ride properly - there are like 12 screws you have to futz with to try and get the thing properly aligned, and every time you move one, the others move.  You can't screw them down because they need to move so it can be adjusted.  I just can't fathom how this was the best way they could come up with to make it work.

I've also read that the rails obscure the Monstertech mounting holes too, so this should be fun when the arrive.  Nothing can ever be simple.  lol

Otherwise, I really like how the stick doesn't have the 2, 4, 8, and 10 o'clock notchiness the Cougar does.  Nice and smooth all around.  Throttle, when adjusted, feels great.  The pinky to pick up the throttle like in the real bird is flippin awesome.  

With the infuriating assembly process, I'd give the stick/throttle combo a solid 8/10.  If it was easier to assemble and didn't constantly obscure everything you need to do things, this is a solid 9/10.  

Lets see how I feel about it after I've actually flown with it.

[markturner1960]

Yeah, I was very unimpressed with the frame and its assembly. I mounted it on a vertical timber panel to remove any slack, although if you are using the monstertech mounts this may be trickier. My throttle sits in a box to the side of my chair so it was easy to fabricate something.

However, everything else is very good, very pleased with mine....

Edited December 11, 2022 by markturner1960

[Magoo5150]

I would love to see what the vertical timber panel looks like. I'm about to mount mine to a J-PIEN and it seems velcro is the consensus on doing this sadly.