About to get a new HOTAS... should I look for a TM Cougar?

[brainwashed]

I am looking for a new HOTAS for DCS: Black Shark and A-10C. I don't currently have one that works with Windows 7 and now that I'm getting back into flight sims a bite, it's driving me nuts to try to use my little twisty stick that I use with Battlefield. I used to run a CH Flightstick/Throttle and Pedal Pro setup way back with Warbirds and IL2 way back in the day and still have this setup but it won't work with Windows 7 and it's a crime. I'm tempted to just get the CH Pro USB stuff since I know it's solid, but I've always been tempted by the Thrustmaster Cougar and of course now it's not available.

 

As a plus my good as new 11 year old CH Pro Pedals will plug into the Cougar iirc.

 

I'm mainly enamored with the Thrustmaster's rotary dials on the throttle This just seems like a great option for radar and/or trim control. Are the rotary dials as good as they seem? This had me looking at the Logitech new FFB HOTAS but that looks like it has terminal issues with hardware and software with no community support like the TM stuff has.

 

As a side note, I'm not considering the Thrustmaster HOTAS A-10 stick for purchase even though I wish I was. I can't justify spending the money in one lump like that, but I'm sure I would be very happy with it if I did.

 

Anyway, my question is: Do I go and look for a used Cougar setup? Are the pot issues really that with this stick? It would fun to try something new. That said the CH stuff is dead solid it's just not as sexy and I wonder if my lust for the new A-10 HOTAS has me itching for the metal stick and the Cougar is what I can afford.

 

What do you guys think that have actually used a Cougar and a CH Pro setup? Will a CH guy be happy with a Cougar and is it worth my time to try to find one?

 

Thanks for any insight. :thumbup:

Edited March 16, 2011 by brainwashed

[brainwashed]

Never mind... I just finished reading the Amazon reviews for the Cougar and decided to stick with the trusty CH stuff and just placed my order. I won't have the time to mess with working on the Cougar with two new babies in the house. I'll barely have time to fly as it is. :)

 

Sorry for the white noise.

Edited March 16, 2011 by brainwashed

[*Rage*]

Never mind... I just finished reading the Amazon reviews for the Cougar and decided to stick with the trusty CH stuff and just placed my order. I won't have the time to mess with working on the Cougar with two new babies on the way. I'll barely have time to fly as it is. :)

 

Sorry for the white noise.

 

Have you placed your order already?

 

I have a discounted brand new CH fighterstick and slightly used pro throttle for sale!

[ARM505]

I've used both - I used to use a CH stick, throttle and pedals (still connected to my Cougar now), and a family member now has one of the newer CH sticks. I can just give my personal experiences, perceived problems, and how I got around them:

 

Cougar bad points:

- The stock Cougar will feel VERY heavy (strong spring strength, try saying that fast while drunk :) ) compared to a CH setup, which is particularly soft IMHO. This will be especially apparent on the 'diagonals' when fighting against both X and Y springs. IMHO, it's actually too heavy to control precisely.

- The Cougar has a particularly noticeable feel when crossing the centre point (nul position) which many do not really like, myself included. If you google some images of how it is constructed you will see why. The CH products are also like that to a much smaller degree, but the lighter spring strength means it's far less of an issue.

- The stock Cougars pots WILL begin to spike at some point with enough use. This applies to all pots - X and Y axes, throttle, rotaries, and mini stick. CH pots seemed to last much longer, although my CH pedals' pot has eventually (after 10+ years of use) become too erratic to use properly.

 

Strengths:

- The programming software is excellent, far more flexible than anything else.

- The shape and feel of the stick is better (more ergonomic) and more realistic than the CH stick.

- The Cougar simply has more features and options, given the available devices it has, eg two stage trigger, multi position boat switches, rotaries etc. It's just a more capable input device, assuming everything works of course.

 

I've cured the problems I experienced by fitting Hall effect sensors to the X and Y axes (throttle sensors now on order, since that is now spiking as well). I extended the stick by about 30 cm with a little home tubing and garden hose fitting setup. This means the stock springs are perfect, and that also gets rid of the noticeable 'dead' sort of zone in the middle. I don't use the rotaries, and I also need to unplug or disconnect the mini stick somehow, since it is unuseable now and makes calibration very difficult.

 

In conclusion: If you want something cheaper, perfecly functional, and lower maintenance, get the CH stuff. Having said that, to me the extra feel of my setup means I would buy it all over again. Ideally, you'll find an already modded Cougar, preferably with one of the gimbal (sp?) mods + HE sensors already done, for the right price. Thats what I would go for. Perhaps saving up for the A10 HOTAS would be worth it, although I can't comment on what I haven't used.

 

Edit to add: Ah, babies. Forget the Cougar. I did all that modding without my children around, nowdays that would be a giant PITA. Get CH, or anything thats low maintenance. :) When the kiddies are a little older, maybe then. But then you DEFINITELY won't have any money :)

Edited March 16, 2011 by ARM505

[brainwashed]

Rage, I sent you a PM but it looks like your in the UK and I'm in the USA. It might not be worth the shipping prices for me.

 

Thanks for the nice reply ARM505. The Cougar is definitely higher on the cool meter, but really I just want something that will survive the trashing it will get and not complain.

 

The 18 month old love to pull my current light Logitech twisty stick off of the desk... directly onto his face, then toes. I shudder to think of the damage a stick with any weight to it would do to him. :o

 

Another thing I just thought of is that my a stiffer stick on the desktop where I sim at would be a hassleburger. If the stick was too much stiffer in throw than a CH it would be a bit of a wrestling match for my pencil-like arms. The CH is nice and floppy for desktop use and I still have my old neoprene "hand shim" from my last CH stick to lift my hand up to the top of the stick where I can reach the buttons. That said though, a modded Cougar would be flat awesome in a cockpit built up around it. Someday... :)

[*Rage*]

PM replied