Upgrading some gear, could use your opinion

[neroroxxx]

Hi Guys, I got the bug to invest right now, the most i would spend would be $500 at this point, I want a new HOTAS, i have the X52 Pro right now and i'm thinking about getting the CH fighter stick and throttle and rudder pedals (since the stick doesn't have a rudder) i also want the TrackIR 5, so for those 4 things, stick, throttle, rudder, trackIr i'm looking at $450, so THEN i was looking into it and for about the same price as all those i can get the TM Warthog which seems to be the best HOTAS in the market so i'm really confused on what to get.. any ideas??

[Cali]

What games do you play? I know which option I would take if I were you. CH is better then X52 and some people love the warthog over CH. I tell this to everyone, do some research before you just go out and buy something.

[Wolfie]

My problem with the CH is that I've never liked they're loose base. Other than that, I guess they're ok.

[Gadroc]

I love my HOTAS Warthog, hard to recommend anything else if you fly a lot of the hog (excluding budget issues). The only problem with your budget is fitting in a set of rudder pedals as well. You undoubtedly get a lot with the current prices on CH gear versus the Warthog. The only thing about the CH gear is I hate their throttle (personal preference).

[Cali]

My problem with the CH is that I've never liked they're loose base. Other than that, I guess they're ok.

 

What is this loose base you speak of?

 

I love my HOTAS Warthog, hard to recommend anything else if you fly a lot of the hog (excluding budget issues). The only problem with your budget is fitting in a set of rudder pedals as well. You undoubtedly get a lot with the current prices on CH gear versus the Warthog. The only thing about the CH gear is I hate their throttle (personal preference).

 

I hate the throttle also, been complaing to them for years for them to make an F-16 style one. Doesn't look like anything is going to change for a while (hope I'm wrong). I think how hard would it be for them to make a new throttle? Just make a new style and transfer everything over to it, cause CH stuff works and works very well!

[cichlidfan]

Given the budget and the fact the you also have TIR on your shopping list, I see it this way.

 

You have an acceptable stick. Yes the Warthog is awesome but it also eats your entire budget, and you will require pedals if you get it since it has no twist for rudder. Warthog is out unless your budget goes up to include pedals.

 

You don't have TIR at all right now so that would be a very high priority. If you plan to fly the P-51 then rudder pedals are going to be a must (the twist on the X-52 is just not going to cut it). So that also has a high priority.

 

Get a good set of pedals and TIR5 and hold the rest until you can add enough to get the Warthog. You will be so jazzed by the TIR that before you know it you will have the money for the Warthog.

 

Thats what I would do if I were you. Now me, I would end up getting the Warthog, Pedals and TIR then figure out how to pay the other bills!!!:D

[Nereid]

Just my two cents: I own the CH HOTAS for several years now and I have seen a Warthog HOTAS in a store. First the Warthog is impressive and two axes for the throttle are nice (that the only thing I'm really missing at the CH Throttle). But: The Warthog is a little limited in use in my oppinion. Also some users reported its well build outside but the inner mechanic is plastic and dont last that long (but I do not have experience myself, so dont take this to serious).

 

The CH HOTAS is - well plastic all over but none of my sticks broke so far or developed some kind of misfunction over years. A friend of mine had a CH Fighterstick and spring broke someday. He has written a letter to CH and they send him 5 (!) new springs (to germany!!) so he could repair his stick. Conclusion: sturdy and good support if needed.

 

Also keep in mind the flexibility of the key assignment software. I don't know the if TH has a scripting language for his HOTAS but CH has. Take my other post (http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=87629) as an example.

 

But to honest: For the A10 I'm also thinking about the Warthog HOTAS. But some user reviews and the price are still keeping me away so far. And I still like my CH HOTAS, even it looks not as cool as the Warthog.

 

André

Edited May 2, 2012 by Nereid

[cichlidfan]

 

Also keep in mind the flexibility of the key assignment software. I don't know the if TH has a scripting language for his HOTAS but CH has. André

 

Just so you know, TM has Target for scripting and although the documentation is less than ideal it is quite flexible.

[Nereid]

Just so you know, TM has Target for scripting and although the documentation is less than ideal it is quite flexible.

 

Well, nice to hear. I had owned the first throttle from TM [incorrectly was TH before edit] about 15 years ago and at those days the options were quite limited.

 

And the documentation from CH is also far away from ideal.

 

At the moment its hard to decide between CH and TH I think. Two throttle axes are nice at the warthog but I would miss the mini-stick of the CH Throttle, because I still dont use Track-IR for viewing.

 

André

Edited May 2, 2012 by Nereid

[Cali]

Nereid, TrackIR would change your gaming exprience for sure.

[Nereid]

Nereid, TrackIR would change your gaming exprience for sure.

 

I know, but its a matter of priorities. At the moment I can live with some coolie hats and mini-sticks for viewing. ;)

 

But Track-IR is on my wish list for the future. :)

 

And because the original poster wants to buy Track-IR he probatly dont miss the mini-stick of the Pro Throttle to much.

Edited May 2, 2012 by Nereid

[Rhinox]

At the moment its hard to decide between CH and TH I think. Two throttle axes are nice at the warthog but I would miss the mini-stick of the CH Throttle, because I still dont use Track-IR for viewing

Honestly, I think there is nothing hard to decide here. TH is way better than CH (had both of them). And concerning ministick, THW has two additional mouse-axis on the back side of the right throttle (the same as mini-stick on x52 throttle). You can use it for looking around till you buy TIR...

[Nereid]

Honestly, I think there is nothing hard to decide here. TH is way better than CH (had both of them). And concerning ministick, THW has two additional mouse-axis on the back side of the right throttle (the same as mini-stick on x52 throttle). You can use it for looking around till you buy TIR...

 

Well, I have never owned the TM Warthog. Just got my hands on for a short time in store. Its a matter of taste I think. But if I had no HOTAS at the moment, the TM (TH was a typo) HOTAS would be my choice too. Regardless some users that have reported it gets a lose center after a few months of use and something like that.

 

Price is nearly the same. On quality is a CH a bit on the plus side in my opinion, but it lacks the nice metal feeling and the second axis of the throttle. So... still hard to decide... for that price a HOTAS must last long. CH does, TM... well, a few strange reports are out there. For a first HOTAS I would take the risk. For an upgrade it has to be a better investment without such a risk.

 

TrackIR is on my wish list way before the Warthog. And just before TrackIR my own selfmade panel with integrated MFCDs... so the Warthog has to wait. ;)

 

In my oppinion the original poster should decide if he trusts in the long term quality of the Warthog. If he does, he should consider it over the CH HOTAS. If not, well, the CH is not a bad choice.

 

BTW: In germany the 500$ are not enough. The Warthog alone costs over 300 Euro, plus TrackIR, plus pedals it goes over 700$ easy.

Edited May 2, 2012 by Nereid