Satisfied TM warthog pilots?

[Elnocho3]

Hi there,

 

I'm thinking of buying a TM warthog, but I have to say I feel my heart is ruling my head. All these bricked throttle issues for a stick that costs a LOT of money, just makes even considering the stick seem mental!

 

I'm a cougar pilot so I'm used to reflashing etc. so that wouldnt bother me, but these issues seem to go deeper than a simple re-flash.

 

And yet, I'm still drawn to it!!

 

Can anyone offer me some success stories (e.g. Never had a problem). Or if you feel I should stay clear, just say so!

 

 

Thanks in advance!

[DarkMellie]

I read those threads after I'd ordered it and felt a bit sick at the thought of having bought a dud product.

 

Very pleased to say I was wrong to worry!

 

It's been plug and play since day one and continues to perform well. It deals with being connected and disconnected from the USB frequently and it's the greatest stick I've ever used.

 

Recently, my trim toggle has stopped working, but I think that's down to my in-game settings (just mentioning it in-case it sparks anything with anyone else).

 

Just make sure you update the firmware and software for it straight away!

[agrasyuk]

success story here, never had a problem. but then again i own it for only 2 month. flashed to latest firmware immediately and had it on powered hub. transition from MSFFB2 was not easy, but once i extended the stick it became great piece of hardware. functionality wise best controller i had so far.

 

it is expensive, for what it is IMHO to expensive actually, but still it is easy to recommend - get it. reason, its not like there is any alternative for it available

[PoleCat]

Get it and make sure you flash to the latest firmware right away and then you should be all set. Also never had a problem.

 

Take the plunge you will love it!

 

Out

Edited November 11, 2011 by PoleCat

[Sarge55]

I know the feeling, I was an early adopter during the initial growing pains but based on the number of bricks compared to ones that were trouble free it was fairly small. Although, I agree for the price it should have been a smaller percentage if any.

 

Anyway, I love mine and it has worked flawlessly. Like the others have said update the firmware right out of the box and you shouldn't have any problems.

 

I also use mine for BS2 and FC2, it's great, I just program in game. Only downside of the TMWH that I have found is no rotories. My old X-52 was good for that.

[airdog]

Mine has been perect...no .problems at all.

[jazjar]

Ach... I got it, and it served me well for a year, and one day, the throttle's lights stopped lighting up. Make sure you get the latest firmware, man! I didn't, and now I have to send the throttle back to france or wherever to get replaced! Everything else is pretty great by the way, it is definitely worth the 600$.

[hassata]

I also went from a Cougar to a WH and have had a very positive experience.

[TAIPAN_]

I've had logitech sticks, MS FFB2, CH Products with Franken Throttle, and then I bought the Warthog and it is truly awesome. It feels so nice I can't play non-joystick games anymore without desiring to open a flightsim again very soon ;)

 

It's very accurate and I don't need more than one rotary, the 2/3way switches are fine for adjusting mixture and prop pitch in CloD and ROF. Zoom I use the mic switch up and down and it's good.

 

Only thing you might find is the scripting is fullon programming, which isn't too hard but you need to read the manual.

 

Although you can use the GUI to program it if you like, I prefer script it's more powerful.

 

The other thing it beats all other sticks is in the base of the stick you can remove then it's very small for nice center mounting.

Also - you can extend the stick very easy and cheaply. I did both:

 

[Fuzzysham]

Any negative stuff I say below doesn't change the fact that I whole wholeheartedly recommend this stick.

 

Probably one of the most used impulse purchases I have ever made. To me the throttle is the most rock solid part of the setup. Absolutely perfect for me. I did update the firmware as soon as I got it so I am not sure if that played a part in preventing bricking.

 

The actual stick on the other hand is awesome and bothersome at the same time. The feel of the stick is second to none. It just screams high quality. It's heavy and accurate, mostly. As you may or may not have heard, some people have issues with the stick being jerky when making fine movements. Also, some people have an issue with the stick having a sort of center play (looseness). I have both issues and lately it has been irritating the crap out of me. I have read some potential solutions such as greasing up the insides with better grease. I am actually going to attempt this within the next hour. Wish me luck! As far as the center play/looseness goes, I have no clue what to do about that. I contacted TM and they said it was normal as all their units exhibit the same characteristic. I am hesitant to call it a problem. I just set a small dead zone on the stick. Still for the price I expect a perfectly stiff stick with no issues.

 

It's not as bad as it sounds, I am just very exacting with things. You may not even notice it. The game is perfectly playable and you will have a blast. Personally, I tried this game and had a cyborg evo and quickly realized this is one serious sim. The next day I went out and purchased the Warthog, TM Cougar MFD's and a track IR. Zero to nothing in less than a week. That is what the Warthog will do. It will suck you into the game like nothing else.

 

Hope that wasn't tl;dr for you :)

[dooom]

i love mine.

 

believe it or not it made me shelve my CH Fighterstick USB.

[TAIPAN_]

Yes the grease.. you should consider you have to re grease if you want to keep it like new. My aim in prop sims dropped after 3 months due to sticktion

 

But if opening it be careful when you put the ball back take off the base first and hold the wire down so they are not loose. If loose wires the ball can clamp them and cut the wire! There is a post about this I think started by Frazer.

 

After greasing it's been good for a long time.

 

The center play don't worry about it, with no Deadzone it's still fine. I even use the slight centre play to make slight adjustments to trim while tapping button for trim script.

[Fuzzysham]

Yes the grease.. you should consider you have to re grease if you want to keep it like new. My aim in prop sims dropped after 3 months due to sticktion

 

But if opening it be careful when you put the ball back take off the base first and hold the wire down so they are not loose. If loose wires the ball can clamp them and cut the wire! There is a post about this I think started by Frazer.

 

After greasing it's been good for a long time.

 

The center play don't worry about it, with no Deadzone it's still fine. I even use the slight centre play to make slight adjustments to trim while tapping button for trim script.

 

Good idea. I never thought of using it to my advantage in that way.

[vtsgoose1606687932]

I have mine for about 2 months and it's great. I only patched the firmware in the beginning and it works like a charm. The grease problem for me only attends when you are a formation leader. I have no problem in flying formation with this stick. I use it with all the sims i have.

 

Hope this changes your mind!,

 

Greetz

[Elnocho3]

Well thanks very much for the positive responses!!

 

.......I'm still not convinced, but may have to risk it ..... as the performance when it works looks awesome.

 

What's the best procedure for putting it into storage when not using it?

 

Also, is it worth buying a powered USB hub for it?

[EtherealN]

I'm very happy with mine, it's been the biggest event in my simming setup since when I got myself a TRackIR.

 

Only problem I've had is that one of the LEDs on the throttle died, but that's it.

[PoleCat]

What's the best procedure for putting it into storage when not using it?

 

I store mine in the fridge when not in use. :P C'mon really?

 

No seriously I would say the box is the best place to store it when not in use for a long period of time. I bought the awesome WH Covers to keep the piggy warm between flights.

 

 

Also, is it worth buying a powered USB hub for it?

Yes I think so. I recommend the Cables Unlimited model USB1870 if you can find it across the pond.

Edited November 12, 2011 by PoleCat

[hassata]

I'd definitely recommend the covers, as the throttle has open 'grooves?' where dust can get into the innards. I had issues flashing when plugged into a hub, so I connected both directly to the motherboard and used the hub for other peripherals.

[Elnocho3]

I store mine in the fridge when not in use. :P C'mon really?

 

 

I'll order a mini-beer fridge for it then! :P

 

I actually meant is it best to hot unplug/throttle first/stick first etc. But your reply made me chuckle at least,

 

Seems like the response is way more positive than I first thought.........waiting for pay day!

[galagamo]

I here about center play, my TMWH has absolutely no center play, so WTF? Not complaining as I have a good stick apperently just informing

[Joyride]

Over 300+ hours on my Warthog since March with zero issues. Worth every penny (lots of pennies).

[MackTheKnight]

I bought mine when they first came out and quickly shelved my old CH throttle & stick. I've had 0 issues with it and have enjoyed every minute with it. I've no centre play or "sticktion" issues with it at all and I've logged many hours with it.

 

I couldnt recommend it more.

 

-Mack

[celticcoho]

Well thanks very much for the positive responses!!

 

.......I'm still not convinced, but may have to risk it ..... as the performance when it works looks awesome.

 

What's the best procedure for putting it into storage when not using it?

 

Also, is it worth buying a powered USB hub for it?

 

I have mine plugged in Direct, Hub for others, STORAGE??? Once You Have it, You won't Store it!!!:thumbup:

[LawnDart]

I've had the Warthog for a year and a half now and had my first issue last night. The "O-ring" inside the housing came loose and I had to take it apart and re-glue it. http://www.warthogworld.com had some threads with pictures of the problem that helped, too. That's the first thing I've had a problem with over hundreds and hundreds of hours, but luckily it was an easy fix.

 

I've not had any issue with stickiness. If I do I'll probably add some Tamiya Molybdenum hobby grease. Just be very careful when you open up and remove the "ball joint", those wires are VERY easily and accidentally cut. The outer housing and springs are easy to access though after removing a dozen screws.

 

I used a FSSB modded Cougar prior to the HW and I would choose the HW today if I had to pick one over the other. The quality is superb!

[-Ice]

I've had my WH since Christmas 2010 and my stick base gave out a few months ago. After a few emails to TM, I got a new one sent over. Aside from that, no issues whatsoever.

 

I also mount my WH on center, with a stick extender from metalnwood. My favorite part of playing DCS A10 is going in for guns runs on tanks --- it's got to the point now that I consider it a waste of ordnance to drop bombs/LGBs on tanks, so my ammo drum often winds up empty before I even spend all my ordnance. Just shows you how accurate the gear is.

 

My gear consists of TM Warthog, TM Cougar MFDs, Saitek rudders, and TIR5. All of these plug into a powered USB hub --- simply for convenience. I don't like the idea of all the gear being powered when not used, so a simple flick of the switch and power goes out, then just pull the hub's connector from the main PC and all the gear is now disabled.

 

Very satisfied TM WH user here, and if you're looking to play DCS A10, this is the best investment you could ever give yourself.