TM Warthog Hotas owners opinions. Best Price

[JIMJAM]

Ok I am in the process of reinstalling A10 after watching it mature to this point. I currently use X52/pedals with FSX and really considering the Tm stick.

First off, whats the overall opinion of the hardware? Ive read some really good reviews and also some horror stories.Yes Ive read previous post but I want to see how this thing is holding up.

And second who has the best price and also has a good rep?

I am still 50/50 on dropping the $$$ on a TM product after my Cougar gave me so much trouble. But thats been a LONG time ago but it still stings. Thanks for any replies.

Edited May 27, 2011 by JIMJAM

[chokko]

for DCSA10 its brilliant piece of kit.

 

One of my warthogs had a problem after a few months.

Think it was just a wire that came loose (they're packed in so tight in the throttle its not funny), causing intermittent button presses in game.

 

The retailer (SCsimulations) didnt want to know about it. They wouldn't even help liase with TM during the subsequent 9 [yes NINE] weeks of interrogation i got from TM. Finally TM did send out a new throttle, without asking for the old one back - but the whole experience has left a bad taste in my mouth.

 

So my advice is, buy from a decent retailer who will swap the item for you if problems occur, or at least goes into bat for you.

[Audi]

Hi, sorry to hear you have had problems chokko, mine has worked flawlessly since I unpacked it, just love it. Have a friend of mine which had some button problems, one mail to TM and send the top of the stick to TM and he got it fixed, no questions asked.

 

Mine is a very early production, number 80 I think, and do not know if that has any difference i quality, but I have to say that this stick is the best that has ever hit the market.

It's worth the money even if you don't use it for A10. The sensitivity of the stick and good build quality is just outstanding.

 

Just my little opinion, by the way, what is the horror stories about the TM WH? I haven't seen anyone, and are a little curious about this :)

[Kaiza]

This will ruffle some feathers but hey its what I think. I have a TM Warthog and bought it to replace an X52 pro.

 

While the warthog is a great piece of kit, in my opinion is isn't worth 500 bucks, especially considering the amount of problems the unit has. My first unit stick was a dud also. The joystick looks and feels great, but the throttle still feels like a plastic toy to me, something I really didn't expect after reading what people wrote and paying what TM was asking. While I have never handled a real warthog HOTAS I have enough experience to feel pretty confident that this throttle, while similar, would not feel like the real thing. Luckily I paid for my TM with winnings from my poker account which makes it feel a little less disappointing, however in my opinion the warthog needs to be $150 cheaper. The value you get from an X52 is far better IMO. I would reccomend waiting until you have seen one in the flesh or waiting 'till it reaches a more reasonable price and enjoying your X52 in the meantime.

 

Now I'll hide while I get slammed by the other TM owners.

Edited May 27, 2011 by Kaiza

[Loz]

Even with the problems stated above, this HOTAS is made to go with A-10C and with that in mind it is priceless, and adds imensely to the immersion in this sim. I would recommend it to anyone who believes they will be in this sim "for the long haul"

I had a problem with the Stick that I caused due to a firmware installation going wrong, and TM (France) were very quick to replace it.

[imac12]

I've had zero problems with mine. Couldn't imagine flying without it now. It just makes the game that much better. I went from a crappy TM HOTAS-X to the Warthog and havent looked back.

 

It's so much more natural and intuitive to use the buttons/hats/switches on the WH then to try and remember what keys you mapped it to on the keyboard or other HOTAS setup.

 

I would recommend it to anybody looking to actually get into the game on a level more than just flying around and smoking the occasional tank.

[Outlaw24]

I've had no problem with mine, great investment if you plan of flying the A-10 for a while, it also works great with the KA-50 after setting up a profile. I switched over for using Saitek products, X-45, X-52 and X-52Pro great line of products but they are not in the same league with the TM Warthog HOTAS.

[JIMJAM]

"Now I'll hide while I get slammed by the other TM owners. "

No, being honest is the way to go. Be it good or bad, sugar coating everything to try and no offend someone first off is impossible and shows maturity.

I have given TM enough money over the years that Ive paid my way into what was a exclusive club. I forget the name but their first hotas for the F-16. I was going through pots,stick was drifting,buttons were sticking but it looked cool and it was HEAVY. I even bought their sim,what was it Back to Bagdad which was $75 back then which was like $150 in todays money.

I ran across a youtube video last night of a guys harsh but fair imo rant on the Warthog that seems to fit my feeling. Its price should be imo a $300 setup but because of the specific sim/aircraft and limited numbers they will sell, TM needs to bump up the price. I can understand that. But as he says, I also have been throught the whole cycle of sending in broken sticks and throttles, waiting for parts and using the "cheap" common Joe's store bought stuff while waiting. I still have a box full of old Tm rebuild kits and broken msc pieces. I understand the pots are now digital which does give me some confidence.

Ok, must be the coffee. A simple Thanks for the replies would have done it but I get wordy. I do not mind dropping some money for a good quality unit and also support the maker but like I said I am not going and did not impulse buy just because it looks cool and heavy.

If I find the best price and have a moment of weakness I may give in. Otherwise I will continue to yank and bank my X52 which I have heavyhanded for 3 years and cannot kill it which was going to be my justification to buy the Warthog.

[Cibit]

I cannot tell you how much my flying improved with the warthog over the x52. No comparison:) Hope you change your mind. Its an awesome piece of kit:thumbup:

[JIMJAM]

I am still 50/50. I am a impulse buyer, you outta see my guitar collection, but like I said I have owned most of their big black heavy stuff with radio shack quality guts so I decided to wait and let others be testers.

As we speak I am trying to get my Saitek pedals to be regonized as brakes left and right and find the speed brake in the pit.

From what I can see the Warthog takes care of the engine starts and alot of the targeting. A big help. A few more hours of programming my stuff only to watch it be gone next time I load the sim might push me over the edge.

[Cibit]

Try to reverse the axis on your brakes to get them to work properly. I use mine as a "handbrake"

Also the speed brakes on a x52 can be assigned the slider on the throttle. Assign one end B and the other end of the slider N this gives you nice setup:)

[twig05]

I have been lucky enough to have zero problems from the day I got my TMHW (first batch shipped to US). I have been incredibly impressed with the build quality, although I made the jump from a 6-yr old Saitek Cyborg, so anything metal would have been a huge leap forward. Flying DCS A10C with the warthog is intuitive, and although I haven't tried it on any other sim yet, I am sure it would bring some advantage over other HOTAS systems with the plethora of switches and buttons it offers. I believe I got mine for around $400 as a pre-order, and while that was significantly more than I had ever spent on a single piece of computer equipment, I am completely satisfied with the purchase. I would definately spend the going rate again if I had to.

[JIMJAM]

Ok I am close to deciding. I am getting ok performance flying from the editor with no ai activity.Odd that it seems that the higher the settinga the less stutters??? Although I know when I throw in some enemies its a whole different animal. If I can get the sim to run smooth with ai running and not be a stutterfest or slide show I may get the Warthog.

BTW- I have been away since patch 2. I give up where is Nevada?

Thanks for the brake tip. I gave up on the toe brakes and simply use a button or W. I am not going to stress any more over something used very little in the sim.

[Panzertard]

Nevada secrets;

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=71156&page=2

[JIMJAM]

That would explain why I could not find it.:music_whistling: Just plz tell me I do not have to redownload 4 gigs again........

Ok lets all say it together. RTFM :lol:

 

Its a major storm outside and my power backup has kicked in twice. Dogs are hiding under the bed,alarm clock is flashing 12 and I am ignoring it all consumed with tweaking my settings. Nah I aint a sim junkie!

I am starting to feel $400 may be soon missing from my account on account of my sickness.

[some1]

Is it perfect? NOPE

Is it twice as good as 200$ hotas? NOPE

Is there any bettter joystick for up to 400$ (or 400 Euro)? NOPE :)

[BigBANGtheory]

The TM Hotas Warthog is the best off the shelf input system you can currently buy, it isn't cheap or even good value its simply the best it has raised the bar and it will likely stay there until there is competition.

 

Like any mass produced product its not without its reported problems and examples of weak customer service, but there are also examples of very happy owners.

 

As a consumer make sure you buy one from a retailer with a good track record of customer service and one recognisible by the TM warranty and you should be fine long term.

[JIMJAM]

"retailer with a good track record of customer service and one recognisible by the TM warranty "

 

Any suggestions?