Thrustmaster Cougar on A10 and flaming cliffs

[cjstanhope]

All,

 

Not sure if this is the best place to post but looking for some advice.

 

I bought a cougar on ebay a few weeks ago and comparing to my old force feedback sidewinder joystick it feels really hit\miss.

 

I know that to get the best otut of the stick you need to upgrade the pots and sensors but I can't believe that it feels that bad.

 

Can someone please let me know if its all down to calibration or profile setup and if anyone can point me to a decent beginner profile I would be grateful.

 

With regard to upgrades to people recommend the UTx or FSSB approach?

 

By the way i thnk the A10 beta is one of the best combat flight sims I have played and can't wait for the finished release.

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Chris

[Conuk]

Hi there.

 

Well I thought my cougar was ok when I got it (went from CH fighter stick which didnt seem to fit my hand...)

 

I thought the cougar was better but .... erm had I spent a bit on a stick that was not `that much better'....

 

after reading and reading I went for Cubbies Hall sensor mods and the U2NXT replacement gimbles.... WOW.... that was the price ;)

 

seriously this changes the stick and throttle to something else. Very smooth - accurate and precise.

 

For me well worth the money - but then again you do see people doing amazing flying / acrobats with Black Shark / Flaming with other sticks as well... X52 etc.

 

I think the problem with the other stuff is sometimes the sticks are hit and miss too... where as a modded cougar fixes everything.

 

As for setting up = not needed anymore after the hall sensors are fitted.

 

Other option is to save up for the Warthog?

 

FSSB is probably best for modern aircraft not old stuff and choppers I would have thought - I nearly went this route... but wouldnt have enjoyed trying to tame the shark with FSSB mod.

 

Hope this helps.

[cjstanhope]

Thank you very much for your reply.

 

Its a decision between an upgrade and the new warthog as they are both the same price.

 

Which profile do you use?

 

THanks,

 

CHris

[Conuk]

profile for A10 in the making..... :(

[Conuk]

hmmmm probably would sell the Cougar and get the Warthog.... new stuff.. lessons learnt and new support maybe the way forward.

[Deadman]

I would sell the cougar and get the warthog for the same price or a little more than the upgrades. You get a very accurate grip and the split throttle with good reviews on the feel of the unit from the VTB.:thumbup:

[PhoenixBvo]

I agree 100% with Conuk's post on his Cougar. I have the same stick and am convinced it's the best thing out there. FSSB is cool for Falcon, but not quite as well suited for BS, WWII planes etc. So that's also what decided between the two options for me. The A-10 has a moveable stick as well, although the handle is almost identical to that of the F-16.

 

I expect the TM Warthog to beat the modded Cougar when it comes to realism in DCS:WH because it fits the airplane perfectly, but as far as precision goes, I doubt it will do better. The U2NXT gimbals and Hall sensors are just so well built. They'll last for ever and give me super precise control. I couldn't believe the difference in formation flying in IL-2: Previously I always had to fight with the center detents of the stock gimbals, and now it was just as easy as pie.

 

So yes, the mods are well worth their money. Your other option is to wait for the first independent expert reviews of the TM Warthog. I wonder how long I'll be able to hold out on buying one when it comes out...

[sofie_59]

All,

 

 

Can someone please let me know if its all down to calibration or profile setup and if anyone can point me to a decent beginner profile I would be grateful.

 

With regard to upgrades to people recommend the UTx or FSSB approach?

 

 

Chris

 

First reflash the cougar then a calibration and look for a profile for A10C(there is a few in the open beta forum.

And then if i whas you i keep the cougar and mod it whit the FSSB

 

http://www.realsimulator.com/html/fssb.html

 

And have it for Falcon etc

[cjstanhope]

I am surprised they are not releasing any pedals at the same time.

 

Chris

[PhoenixBvo]

Oh I forgot, one downside to the TM Warthog: they don't let you plug in your rudder pedals into the stick base anymore. This is a big plus of the Cougar as it let's you program the rudder behaviour using the cougar which is very versatile. With the new stick they have a software integration to create a virtual device to integrate HOTAS and rudder, but I doubt it will offer the same possibilities. Hardware-based seems faster and more reliable to me. Also, it only supports TM rudder pedals with a workaround to plug other pedals into the old stick base and use that as a proxy. But this requires you to a) have an old cougar base and b) creates a more messy setup with the extra box laying around...

[sofie_59]

Oh I forgot, one downside to the TM Warthog: they don't let you plug in your rudder pedals into the stick base anymore. This is a big plus of the Cougar as it let's you program the rudder behaviour using the cougar which is very versatile. With the new stick they have a software integration to create a virtual device to integrate HOTAS and rudder, but I doubt it will offer the same possibilities. Hardware-based seems faster and more reliable to me. Also, it only supports TM rudder pedals with a workaround to plug other pedals into the old stick base and use that as a proxy. But this requires you to a) have an old cougar base and b) creates a more messy setup with the extra box laying around...

 

Otherwise, you may use one of this, i dont know if they are any good

 

http://www.conrad.se/swe/tp.php?recordID=981285

[JG27_Arklight]

I agree 100% with Conuk's post on his Cougar. I have the same stick and am convinced it's the best thing out there. FSSB is cool for Falcon, but not quite as well suited for BS, WWII planes etc. So that's also what decided between the two options for me. The A-10 has a moveable stick as well, although the handle is almost identical to that of the F-16.

 

I expect the TM Warthog to beat the modded Cougar when it comes to realism in DCS:WH because it fits the airplane perfectly, but as far as precision goes, I doubt it will do better. The U2NXT gimbals and Hall sensors are just so well built. They'll last for ever and give me super precise control. I couldn't believe the difference in formation flying in IL-2: Previously I always had to fight with the center detents of the stock gimbals, and now it was just as easy as pie.

 

So yes, the mods are well worth their money. Your other option is to wait for the first independent expert reviews of the TM Warthog. I wonder how long I'll be able to hold out on buying one when it comes out...

 

According to the TM Warthog marketing sheet, it uses Hall magnetic sensors and doesn't have gimbals.

[cjstanhope]

Slight update.

 

Borrowed my neighbours CH products pedals (gameport ones) and I can't believe the difference when using pedals for rudder control). They have improved things 100%

 

Sorry but I have another question.

 

My Ant and the other dial are not centering during the auto calibration. Is that common or am I doing something wrong? Not sure if it is because I did not take it to the full axis when I flashed the firmware and if I can do anything about it?

 

Thanks again guys,

 

Chris