Which HOTAS and rudder combo?

[leafer]

Ok, I'm trying to get a feel of what everyone is using as I will be getting a set asap. Please give me your impression of them and how long have you been using your setup trouble free until. I don't play other flight sim but lomac-nothing!

 

Please don't rave about how the Cougar is this and that cuz I used to have it and it SUCKS out of the box. The only reason I'm considering getting the Cougar again is cuz I have a friend that owns a machine shop here in Bangkok.

 

I used to own a CH set and it lasted for 6 years! Trouble free! Considering getting the new USB version, so how is it?

[schimmel]

I use the Saitek X45 in combination with Logitech Wingman pedals. Yeah, I know it's a cheap solution, but can't spend more on a hotas. Btw, there's no option for me in the poll or did I miss something?

 

I only have a little problem with the calibration of the Saitek X45. One Axis has a smaller deadzone in one direction. And since the deadzones are symmetric in Lock On, this sucks a little (any help appreciated :D).

[Guest ruggbutt]

The CH gear kicks serious hinie. I have the Fighterstick, Pro Throttle, Pro Pedals and the Throttle Quadrant. Fairly easy to program, and if you have any problems just hop over to the CH Hangar. The help is fantastic there and it's as quick as I've seen. Also, CH has fantastic support, much better than Saitek or TM. I've owned 'em all but the CH gear is the best bang for the buck. And you don't have to put another couple of hundred into them to make them work right.

[Revvin]

I've used a Saitek X36 and owned a number of Cougars ( 4 in total due to them failing, and failing in area's that could not be cured by any of the mods available) and ended up returning to CH Products USB sticks as I'd had a good experience with their gameport sticks. I now run a community site for CH users which Rugbutt linked to above, there are a number of Lock On players there who have been very helpful by sharing their Lock On profiles and their knowledge of CH gear with new users.

[169th_Cobra]

i love my CH gear.

 

never had a problem with them and programming profiles is so simple yet extremly powerful at the same time.

 

you get what you pay for.

 

:mrgreen:

[4c Hajduk Veljko]

Well, I am using X45 and modified TM Rudder Pedals.

[leafer]

Hmm...thought I put Saitek in there!? I must have made a mistake.

 

And how do I edit the poll?

 

edit:

 

How programmable is the CH hotas compared to TM Cougar? Stick movement still feels light?

 

Another reason why the Cougar is still a choice is because I prefer its throttle over CH.

[Revvin]

It's every bit as programmable as the Cougar, the CH gear has it's own logical programming language (CMS Scripting) which allows for very complex commands to be produced although the GUI will cover just about everything you need without going into CMS scripting. Bob Church continues to work on improvements for the software and utilities so it's just going to get better for CH users 8)

 

The spring tension is a lot lighter but I found that made my flying a lot smoother than the Cougar's I owned, it also seemed to aid my gunnery too as I was only fighting the virtual aircraft around me not the spring tension :)

[Guest ruggbutt]

Revvin is spot on. Now when I fly the A/C "feels" like it's in my hands. I don't mind the light springs as I'm more precise than I've ever been in my movement. Formation flying is much easier.

 

You can also pose any question you want on Revvin's site and get an answer w/in 24 hours. I've asked for help close to a dozen times and the responses were timely. I've never not had a question answered to my satisfaction there. And talk about the talented scripters there.............I have a script that closes my airbrake automatically when I go full throttle. No more flying around wondering why I can't do more than 400kia in afterburner. :shock:

 

Seriously, CH has fantastic gear and great prices. The customer service is second to none and w/the advent of the CH Hangar you don't have to sit alone hoping you can figure out how to program your HOTAS. I have over $500 invested in my HOTAS, pedals and Throttle Quadrant and it was money well spent.

[leafer]

hmm...the both of you convinced me to take a hard look at CH. I still dont like there throttle, though. But I think u're right about not having to fight the spring tension. And i didnt realize that their programming stuff has come this far! Used to be quite simple.

 

I owned both CH and TM Cougar while I lived in u.s. but sold it for money. Regret it everyday, now. heh Anyway, CH is quite sturdy! Loved it.

 

thanks guys

[leafer]

hmm...twice as many people are using Cougar,

[Guest Cali]

The CH gear kicks serious hinie. I have the Fighterstick, Pro Throttle, Pro Pedals and the Throttle Quadrant. Fairly easy to program, and if you have any problems just hop over to the CH Hangar. The help is fantastic there and it's as quick as I've seen. Also, CH has fantastic support, much better than Saitek or TM. I've owned 'em all but the CH gear is the best bang for the buck. And you don't have to put another couple of hundred into them to make them work right.

 

What RuGG said! CH ROCKS!!!

[Guest ruggbutt]

hmm...twice as many people are using Cougar,

 

And with regular use you can guarantee a flat spot on the Cougar gimbal w/in a year. Not to mention broken switches and worn out pots. Sorry, I've been down that road.

[Zuki]

My 10 cents ... being one who has owned probably every conceivable hotas comination known to mankind, I must say that CH is King.

 

This is where all Cougars should reside. :wink:

[jj_pt]

I like the CH stick but can't say the same regarding the pro throttle.

Does it feel "real"? That's one of Cougar's advantages.

[Guest ruggbutt]

I didn't like it initially, I thought it was gonna feel funny. You get used to it and now I don't miss the throttle on an axis. I like that you can use the minijoystick by pressing in to change modes. I change modes on the Fighterstick, and by pressing in on the minijoystick I eject. Works great.

[Zuki]

I like the CH stick but can't say the same regarding the pro throttle.

Does it feel "real"? That's one of Cougar's advantages.

I couldn't agree with you more, when CH was goin from gameport to usb there was a poll going around as to what "we" as consumers would like to see new.

That was the only gripe I had, I told them that the slider should be replaced with an arc type.

But ... we can't have everything now can we. I'll take extreme dependability and Excellent programability of CH products over slop and the unreliability of the Cougar any day. :wink: I must add this major detail that I forgot to mention, if it wasn't for My C.O and good personal friend 169th_Ice slapping some sense into me and surprising me with a CH hotas setup, I would still be wallowing around in the mud with my Cougar. He Truly is a great guy....altho I did have to re emburse him for it... dum de dum

[Andrew_McP]

The Cougar is undoubtedly the best looking and feeling piece of hardware available to the sim pilot. But it made me fly almost as elegantly as a blind tank driver on acid. With a CH stick I can put the aircraft exactly where I want it, when I want it.

 

Sadly neither setup allows me to fly like Tigrou :-)

 

In a perfect world I'd upgrade my Cougar with the very best pots and user-made gimbals to replace the awful (IMO) default design. But buying a whole new CH setup is much cheaper, and leaves me with a spare TM setup which makes an interesting* ornament.

 

Andrew McP

 

*ok, interesting if you're a bit of a flight sim geek ;-)

[Ice]

I like the CH stick but can't say the same regarding the pro throttle.

Does it feel "real"? That's one of Cougar's advantages.

I couldn't agree with you more, when CH was goin from gameport to usb there was a poll going around as to what "we" as consumers would like to see new.

That was the only gripe I had, I told them that the slider should be replaced with an arc type.

But ... we can't have everything now can we. I'll take extreme dependability and Excellent programability of CH products over slop and the unreliability of the Cougar any day. :wink: I must add this major detail that I forgot to mention, if it wasn't for My C.O and good personal friend 169th_Ice slapping some sense into me and surprising me with a CH hotas setup, I would still be wallowing around in the mud with my Cougar. He Truly is a great guy....altho I did have to re emburse him for it... dum de dum

 

Thankyou Dave for the mention. Another thing I'd like to add. When Zuki came to visit me in Oz we played some IL2 onlinetogether and he was still a Cougar freak. Averaging hmm.. 6to8% in guns which is quite acceptable for any mortal but I knew Dave better than that. Well after half an hour flying the LA5 with the spare CH combo his gun % hits went ..wait for it.. 18% It didnt take much convincing after that now did it ol Buddy hehehe.

[Zuki]

Bingo! :D

[leafer]

I like the CH stick but can't say the same regarding the pro throttle.

Does it feel "real"? That's one of Cougar's advantages.

 

That is the reason why I am still thinking about getting the cougar. I still have Cub Pilot's throttle hall fx kit somewhere.

 

BUT, I'll probably get the CH stuff then if I have money and TM still around, I'll get the Cougar just to own it.

[Wags]

If you are going to fly with the Cougar HOATS, you should seriously consider the Evenstrain rebuild; I would not use a Cougar without it. Although a bit costly, it provides the best stick I have EVER flown with bar none. It is very precise, has the great Foxy programming, and has a great solid feel with the right amount of resistance. This stick just feels right. It'll also last a lifetime given the materials and the hall sensors (I put hall sensors in the throttle too).

 

Bests,

Matt

[BBushe]

I had my original cougar for quite a while, then added the uberNXT mod and cub pilots hall sensors. very smooth, very precise.

 

flaw in the poll though, I have the cougar, and the CH Propedals, and can't vote for both.

 

I have to say I never had any trouble with the original bits of the cougar, I just like to have the best...

[leafer]

Is the slide action on the new CH Throttle smoother than thier older model?

 

I'll add this.

 

The first day I got the Cougar, I had to open the throttle up to fix the speedbrake switch with an xacto knife! Then couple of weeks later, I had to clean the pots. Then after a while, I decided to buy Uber 2 mod and it definitely didn't live up to all the hype and if I remember correctly that thing cost me around $380 or $400. The spring tension felt really mushy and weird. Like there was almost no tension. And it squeaked but I fixed the squeak. I bet my friend can machine something for me for wayyyy less and with better feel to it.

 

Anyway...

[VMFA-Blaze]

My 10 cents ... being one who has owned probably every conceivable hotas comination known to mankind, I must say that CH is King.

.

 

Thats fine If you like plastic........

 

 

Personally I like the feel of cold steel in my hands, by the way why dont you sell the Cougar rather then leaving it to collect dust on the shelf?????

 

The resale value is is very high and you'll probably get your money back and maybe then some, as Cougars are really in high demand and hard to come by at this time......

 

Blaze