Verdict on the TM Warthog?

[JIMJAM]

Ok I bought DCS A10 first day and after a month I pulled a Houdini,disappeared and now I am back. I NEVER buy new hardware until its been out a little while but its been a few months so thought I would check.

I did a quick web search and have read everything from its the greatest thing ever to its a overpriced hat rack. What bothered me most is some have had 3 and 4 throttles stop working,hat switches lock and break.

So from owners and those who have been watching the TM Hog since its release is it worth buying or should I stick to my thrusty X52 I cannot seem to break after years of abuse?

Thanks for any info and replies.:)

[slimakwielki]

I had Saitek X52 (not Pro) and using it with Black Shark and A10 since public beta were avaiable. X52 can cover all Hotas actions with a little bit effort. However I could not resist having developed product in conjunction with DCS so I grabbed it. TM WH is far more precise, require a bit of practice after first not that well ergonomic value (comparing to X52, but this replica, not a gamer hotas). However TM WH is not so reliable...

I would say that if You're technical/manual person and dissambling stick/throttle is not something that You could be aware of to correct/fix/improve some shaft plays after a while (or other minor faults) - go for it. If however messing with grease and all that stuff is not something that you would like to do, be aware of incoming dissapoitment (quality).

[Speed]

I have every HOTAS button and function that is on the real A-10C HOTAS (plus some more) on my X52 except split throttles, AND I don't even have to switch the modes- everything is within, at most, a pinky shift. If you're happy with your X52, as I am, then why should you spend $500 on a risky HOTAS that you don't need?

[Steel Jaw]

Great, so then it has design/manufacturing defects like the damned Cougar.

[Pilotasso]

Yes, its good but its not the end of them all HOTAS.

 

Its price tag is linked to the sheer number of switches and engineering behind it. Theres plenty of switches but quality of build still has much space left for improvement.

[GGTharos]

No, actually, it doesn't. There's nothing you need to fix 'after a while'.

[Pilotasso]

Not in the Same way of the cougar no, but I would change quite a few things and gladly pay for the premium.

[JIMJAM]

One reason I ask is I was one of those first in line when TM first came out with their very expensive hotas setups with Falcon 3.0. Money was tight back then but I fell for the whole metal and aiircraft grade pots ect. Bottom line the stuff was crap. I resisted the knee jerk impulse to buy the Warthog for that reason. Seems like my gut feeling was right. Thanks guys.:thumbup:

[Steel Jaw]

Now I just saw a pic of a CH Hawg HOTAS but cannot find any info on that...I'd go for that over fecking TM with their p*ss poor manufacturing record.

[GGTharos]

No, it wasn't.

 

I resisted the knee jerk impulse to buy the Warthog for that reason. Seems like my gut feeling was right.

[sobek]

Apart from some units corrupting their firmware (not happened to me *fingerscrossed*), there is very little wrong with that HOTAS. Some things could be improved, but they are nowhere nere showstoppers.

[MTFDarkEagle]

the above 2 both +1!

[Revvin]

Mower> Its not a retail unit it was a throttle and stick that CH Products OEM division created for use by the military for training, they also made a Reaper drone console too. Because of the high tolerances and materials used I would hazzard a guess its cost far outstrips that of TM's Warthog. The only comment made by CH so far has been that an A-10C HOTAS is on their roadmap for a consumer release but there is no date set as yet.

[celticcoho]

ottom line the stuff was crap. I resisted the knee jerk impulse to buy the Warthog for that reason. Seems like my gut feeling was right. Thanks guys.:thumbup:

I had the x52, and the x65, I now have the Warthog, no problems...If you want a x65, I have one I will sell? The Warthog is the best I have used, Yes no cougar or $$$$mods for it, but that is IMOI. Try it before you close your mind to it. Yes, some problems for some..That should be expected for a new product..Sorry to those who have have troubles, but it is the best currently offered STOCK. Can't imagine the price of a Modded one, which will come...Cheers, Jim:joystick:

[Ragtag]

Using mine for DCS A-10 (obviously), Black Shark and IL2.

I had the X52 Pro before the warthog and the WT is definatly the tightest and best HOTAS i ever had. Got no problems with it so far and i flashed it to prevent the corrupted flashmem bug some experienced.

Works like a dream with Jets, Helis and WWII planes. Can't ask for more ;)

Only thing i can complain about is the steap price. It's good but 330£ good... well, time will tell :)

I sold the X52 Pro and never looked back!

[mikey13ca]

I have owned many different pieces of gaming hardware over the last 20 years and the warthog replaced my TM cougar. I liked the cougar for its hotas functions but the joystick became sloppy over time due to the weakening springs problem. This resulted in sloppy inputs which made flying - particularly the black shark - more difficult.

 

The TM warthog so far has been the best stick i've ever owned. The digital precision is perfect especially for black shark, I have gotten far better control than I have ever had before.

 

If you need a really good precise stick then this is a great solution, pricey yes but it is definitely worth it. I know TM has a bad rep due to some poorly done products in the past but this is definitely a quality product and I am impressed.

[Steel Jaw]

Try it before you close your mind to it.

 

The issue is not closing my mind but having to open my wallet (big time) to "try it".

[S77th-konkussion]

Wal Mart sells it online. Seems that they would have a relatively easy return policy- meaning return it to a store down the street. Better read policy to be sure though. Also- they would likely have a warranty like Best buy where they relax the return restrictions, etc.

 

This policy saved me from 2 frickin gimpy Saitek X45's

Edited January 27, 2011 by S77th-konkussion

[WarriorX]

To add to the other points made, the inclusion of an all axis hall sensor design in the W.H. is a big plus for me. I needed to replace the gimbals on my Cougar with the NXT mod, so I am glad to see the end of the potentiometer.

 

I agree with the previous poster that this stick is the most accurate joystick I have ever used. It makes GAU8 kills on tanks a manageable affair with very little ammo expended per pass.

 

The other great thing is how much the W.H. and DCS A-10C work together seamlessly. My hat is off to whomever was responsible for this aspect of DCS A-10C. Having the W.H. plug and play literally with this Sim is a real treat.

 

I am not so impressed with the "work in progress" Thrustmaster TARGET software though. It seems it was not ready for prime time upon W.H. shipment and they will be polishing and maturing the software as the next 6 months go by.

 

My biggest gripe is that TARGET only allows the combination of a few select Thrustmaster peripherals(Throttle, Joystick, MFD's, Simped Rudder Pedals via the Cougar game port) to create ONE virtual controller for windows to "see".

 

The problem with that is the DirectX 8 axis limit. You see, the above peripherals combined have 10 axis. So, if you create a profile in TARGET with all those devices, you cant use all the axis available, you must pick 2 of them not to use....that stinks. I hope they transition to giving TARGET the ability to create more than 1 virtual controller, or independant virtual controllers to solve this problem.

 

There are some good advances in TARGET from the FOXY software it replaced, and it's GUI interface will make it's use far more accessible than the FOXY script language.

 

Even with the TARGET shortcomings, I would buy the W.H. again in a second, I am that happy with it.

[S77th-konkussion]

OK here's what I found. I DO NOT know if this applies outside of the US. I didn't submit my ZIP code or anything else, so theoretically the site doesn't have me singled out as US, Canada, etc..

 

product: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Guillemot-Thrustmaster-Hotas-Warthog-Flight-Stick/15268503

 

return: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/catalog.gsp?cat=538459

Edited January 27, 2011 by S77th-konkussion

[Snoopy]

Even with the TARGET shortcomings, I would buy the W.H. again in a second, I am that happy with it.

 

Couldn't have said it better myself. I even had my throttle brick on me and since it's been back haven't had any problems. Love it and wouldn't trade it...now if my Combat pro pedals would get here already:D

[JIMJAM]

Ok maybe??????? Hopefully I have not jinxed myself with the TM.

I just spent a hour downloading A10 latest and the installer says something is corrupted so I am going to do it all over again........

Once I get the sim reinstalled and shake the rust off some brain cells and can remember how to get this gun back in the air I have a feeling that a impulse buy may be in sort order.

[Cali]

Mower> Its not a retail unit it was a throttle and stick that CH Products OEM division created for use by the military for training, they also made a Reaper drone console too. Because of the high tolerances and materials used I would hazzard a guess its cost far outstrips that of TM's Warthog. The only comment made by CH so far has been that an A-10C HOTAS is on their roadmap for a consumer release but there is no date set as yet.

 

Just make an F-16 throttle and I'd be happy :) oh pretty please!!!!

[WynnTTr]

Best stick on the market stock. Button/switch/build quality second to none. When you first open this thing there's definitely a wow factor. All other sticks will seem like toys. This does not feel like a mere HOTAS toy. This feels like it was ripped from the A-10 itself and stuck on your desk.

 

Problems with WH as agreed by users on here -

A central 'sticktion' around the centre. Not that noticeable unless you require extreme precision. OR you've used a NXT mod for your Cougar. The modded Cougar is still smoother but that's modded. Stock the WH is ultra smooth and precise. Much, much, much moreso than the x52 pro or any other stick. Also acknowleded that this wouldn't be much of a problem for 99% of users.

If you're used to a x52 or any other stick other than a modded Cougar than the WH is definitely a huge upgrade in precision.

 

Bricked throttles - for some the throttle has gone completely dead. This is a minor issue though and not the full blown pandemic that some users would make it out to be. I'd say that it's happened to 1-2% of users who bought the WH. If it happens to you just rma it to where you got it from. Ofc the last resort would be contacting TM themselves. It might take a while but I haven't heard of anyone who's contacted them to be refused a replacement.

 

The price - it is pricey but I'd buy it again in a hearbeat. Definitely worth it and it's in a league of its own. If CH build something of this calibre I'd buy that too.

[Steel Jaw]

OK here's what I found. I DO NOT know if this applies outside of the US. I didn't submit my ZIP code or anything else, so theoretically the site doesn't have me singled out as US, Canada, etc..

 

product: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Guillemot-Thrustmaster-Hotas-Warthog-Flight-Stick/15268503

 

return: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/catalog.gsp?cat=538459

 

There are things I utterly hate about Canada, one of the biggest is you cannot buy anything here...walmart.com will redirect to walmart.ca and that estore has fecking JACK. Just like amazon.ca, fecking JACK.

 

Gawd I HATE canada:mad: