Cougar Owner asks: Do I REALLY need Warthog?

[MTFDarkEagle]

imho the flat spot is hardy noticable when flying..

[Teej]

Makes you wonder what else people will discovered over time

Thanks for the info guys .....you just saved me around $600 Australian

 

Suit yourself. But the real A-10 & F-15 have plastic throttle handles.

 

As to the "flat spot / divot", let me put it like this.

 

Take a small flashlight ('torch' to you I guess) of standard design (a couple of cells inline to power it...the 'maglite' brand we have over here is an example of what I mean) Stand it up with the bulb pointing down.

 

Grab the flashlight like a joystick and tip it around. You'll notice that there's a small bump when you go through the pure vertical position where it would stand on its own.

 

That's _exactly_ how the Warthog feels, minus the spring tension. For good reason...that's essentially how the mechanism hits center.

[MTFDarkEagle]

+1 Teej!! That exactly sums it up!

[leafer]

Suit yourself. But the real A-10 & F-15 have plastic throttle handles.

 

Oh, the irony... I bet team CH are laughing their collective butt off at this.

 

Seriously, I bet TM manufactured to mil spec too, right?

[LawnDart]

Original Q... One word: YES!

 

I've had an NXT Cougar, two FSSBs and several stock Kitties... and they are all either sold or collecting dust nowadays. The Warthog is just an awesome HOTAS!

 

I loved the NXT, but it was too loose IMHO. I still love my FSSB R2, but it doesn't match having your hands on the HW. Especially when you mount the HW as a center stick (properly angled) and use your thigh as forearm support. I do agree with the comments about the NXT and can appreciate the argument, but I beg to differ on the HW not being as precise near the "notch".

 

In said mounting position the HW is incredibly precise and perfect for the steady type of formation flying we practice.

 

The most important thing for precise flying is seating position and ergonomics. The biggest mistake anyone can make is putting your joystick and throttle on your desk and in front of you (especially above your elbow) - regardless what you fly with.

 

Precision isn't inherent in which joystick you use per se, but its placement and your seating position can't be stressed enough. If that's good, then the joystick will improve your flying and the HW has awesome precision to boost your flying even further.

 

 

P.S. People whom are inconsistent or bad landers IRL often don't pay attention to their seat position in relation to the controls as much between different planes. It's A & O to me, and if the seating position ain't spot on I wouldn't be as precise in my AC control.

Edited November 22, 2010 by LawnDart

[Cali]

 

The most important thing for precise flying is seating position and ergonomics. The biggest mistake anyone can make is putting your joystick and throttle on your desk and in front of you (especially above your elbow) - regardless what you fly with.

 

I agree with you here, that's how I fly right now. It's not to bad cause I have CH. I will be moving them lower and more natural shortly.

[WishMaster]

Especially when you mount the HW as a center stick (properly angled) and use your thigh as forearm support.

 

 

I am looking at center mounting my stick when my Obutto pit arrives, could you explain how I would get the proper angle?

[Teej]

It's A & O to me,

 

For those who read that and think "What's he saying? It's all Greek to me!" Well, you're right. ;)

 

He's saying it's the Alpha and Omega...the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. The beginning and the end. ;)

[MTFDarkEagle]

You been watching too much of the movie bruce almighty? :P

[LawnDart]

I am looking at center mounting my stick when my Obutto pit arrives, could you explain how I would get the proper angle?

 

I don't have the actual specs, but I'm sure I know someone that can find them if needed. I'm simply pointing the handle just far enough left to where it aligns with my forearm while it's resting on my thigh. It's about comfort and ergonomics to me...

 

Let us know how the Obutto does with the HOTAS Warthog! I'm eyeing one myself - but I'm curious/concerned about the mounting brackets. Are they steady enough? (...and I mean they need to be ROCK SOLID, like you could smash your toes into one getting out of the pit and your toe would break before the stick base moves)? Also, how customizable is the center mount position (lateral, up/down, fore/aft etc. - I want my stick comfortable between my legs with thigh support, not more than 6-7 inches in front of my Randy Johnson, which means the mount needs to be able to be positioned very close to the front of the seat and lowered).

 

Looking forward to some info when you get your Obutto, and if you want the true A-10C angle I'll try to find out for you...

[Slammin]

LD, for the first few days after getting my WH, I was going back and forth between my Cougar Nxt (stick) and WH. Though the cougar is still on my desk (almost out of reach), I have not gone back to it for two days now. I am exclusively using the WH now.

 

I think that in having the Cougar with both Nxt and throttle mods, I am coming from the best. I always knew it would take something really substantial to pry my Cougar out of my hands, but it seems the WH is substantial enough. There are several factors that led up to this, A-10 beta being one, and my interest in all the capabilites around exporting screens (MFD's) and man, this stuff is just getting to be plain COOL!

 

If you are coming from a Cougar with Nxt mod, I am sure you will struggle with the difference in feel from the WH, at least for awhile, and I still stand by my own observation that the Nxt allows you to be more precise when precision really matters, but I am very used to the Nxt. Over the past couple of days, I have gotten used to the WH. I be happy :P

 

To anyone on the fence, or anyone in general that wants a good HOTAS, and this coming from an older dude that has seen'em all, I can say hands-down, you will not regret it.

 

Case in point, I sent my G940 back to Amazon before the 30 days were up. I never had an urge to try the Saitek X-65, and want to, but I am not willing to buy one for the experience.

 

Anywho, just posting this since I see a long time flying person (yourself) on the fence, maybe wondering :-)

 

I do not regret my purchase.

 

Peace,

Slam

Edited November 24, 2010 by Slammin

[LawnDart]

Anywho, just posting this since I see a long time flying person (yourself) on the fence, maybe wondering :-)

 

Was that in general or for me? FWIW, I've had access to the HW for a while now... (prior to its launch - betas). My previous post was wondering about how the Obutto [cockpit] would work with the HW...

 

Maybe I'm just confused here. :huh: I agree with your comments that the HW is just too cool and even if I still love my modded Cougar(s)... yet somehow that's not enough anymore. :megalol:

[Teej]

You been watching too much of the movie bruce almighty? :P

 

Actually, no. I can't stand more than about 30 seconds of that guy.

[leafer]

Actually, no. I can't stand more than about 30 seconds of that guy.

 

I didn't really care for him until I saw Eternal Sunshine. He's quite a versatile actor. Fun with Dick and jane, I Love You Phillip Morris and 23 were pretty good movies.

[Fish]

Stock Cougar -> Warthog = Good upgrade

Moded Cougar -> Warthog = not worth it at all and in fact Moded Cougar is THE BEST and I should know as I've the Cougar ever since it first came out and I have the IJ's gimbal mod and hall sensors, plus I've made DIY hall sensor on the throttle also.

 

THE one thing i really like about the Cougar is IT IS modable for the gimbals... the Foxy software is very good and the feel of it is great when flying with it.... but unmoded Cougar is not worth in my opinion.

 

+1

[WynnTTr]

have you got a WH to compare?

 

I'm with Slammin. The modded cougar was/is nice, but the WH is nice too. It's a slightly different flavour.

 

I agree 100% with Slammin's last post.

It took me a few days as well but I've gotten used to the WH now and my cougar is now safely bubble wrapped away as a backup. But given the quality of this stick...

 

To answer the thread - IMO, yes, the WH is worth it over the upgrade.

If you can afford it you won't regret it.

If you're tight for cash just hold onto the modded cougar - it's not that far behind at all.

 

LD, for the first few days after getting my WH, I was going back and forth between my Cougar Nxt (stick) and WH. Though the cougar is still on my desk (almost out of reach), I have not gone back to it for two days now. I am exclusively using the WH now.

 

I think that in having the Cougar with both Nxt and throttle mods, I am coming from the best. I always knew it would take something really substantial to pry my Cougar out of my hands, but it seems the WH is substantial enough. There are several factors that led up to this, A-10 beta being one, and my interest in all the capabilites around exporting screens (MFD's) and man, this stuff is just getting to be plain COOL!

 

If you are coming from a Cougar with Nxt mod, I am sure you will struggle with the difference in feel from the WH, at least for awhile, and I still stand by my own observation that the Nxt allows you to be more precise when precision really matters, but I am very used to the Nxt. Over the past couple of days, I have gotten used to the WH. I be happy :P

 

To anyone on the fence, or anyone in general that wants a good HOTAS, and this coming from an older dude that has seen'em all, I can say hands-down, you will not regret it.

 

Case in point, I sent my G940 back to Amazon before the 30 days were up. I never had an urge to try the Saitek X-65, and want to, but I am not willing to buy one for the experience.

 

Anywho, just posting this since I see a long time flying person (yourself) on the fence, maybe wondering :-)

 

I do not regret my purchase.

 

Peace,

Slam