Buying new HOTAS, need some advice

[neroroxxx]

Hi Guys, i'm now in the market for a new stick, after all my research i've learned that the warthog is see (and i don't doubt it) as the rolls royce of flight sim sticks, i don't know if i want to spend that much on a stick though, as a musician i'm used to shelling out thousands of dollars for equipment to always get the best but in this case i don't know if it's that worth it to spend the money, so i figured i'd ask for some advice so i know what's my best way to go to.

 

Currently i'm looking at 3 set ups,

 

CH Fighterstick and Pro Throttle

TM Cougar (easy to find on ebay for about $200)

Saitek X65F

TM Warthog

 

the CH has a great reputation,

Pros: i've read about it

the stick has all the buttons i'd need for the warthog and sounds like it'll last.

Cons:

No Rudder, feel isn't the same as something like the X52 Pro (which i own now), light weight plastic, the throttle doesn't have the right feel, looks like it was made for colecovision

 

TM Cougar

Pros:

meant for the f-16, has more controls than my X52 Pro anyways, looks like it's as well built as the warthog,

cons:

old model, no dual throttle, not sure if it's a USB unit by default, sounds like a lot of people modify it, do i have to as well??

 

Saitek X65F

Pros:

Has all the buttons i'll ever need and then some, seems to be well built, it looks like the F-22 stick and throttle

Cons:

force sensing sounds like something i'd have to get used to it, i have a horrible taste of saitek, their software freaks out on my often on the x52, i have to unplug it and plug it back in often, it's happened during flight too.

 

TM Warthog

Pros:

metal construction, buttons require the right pressure, it's meant for the A-10C and it seems like you could even fly and f-18 or f-16 with it easily (for when DCS releases them :P)

Cons:

It's the most expensive one and requires rudder pedals.

 

anyways, any advice would be appreciated it, my limit would be $500 for this, i'd rather not spend more than $300 for each purchase (i will eventually get rudder pedals and i really need to get TrackIr)

[Rockeyes]

Buy the TM Warthog, you won't look back and build a set of rudder pedals as they are nothing special or fleebay a set. You could also map a key from the joystick to use as pedals etc until then ;)

[RogueRunner]

I have both the warthog and X65F. You'll get used to it within the day, took me just about an hour if I remember correctly. Now using the warthog since I did for the A10, and no use switching to the saitek right now.

[PoleCat]

WH gets my vote hands down.

 

Out

[MTFDarkEagle]

WH gets my vote hands down.

 

Out

^this ;)

[cichlidfan]

If you are willing to spend the money, since that was the only con you listed (pedals are something you will want anyway), get the Warthog.

 

You will not regret it one single bit.

[Hamblue]

As noted earlier The Warthog is king and well worth the bucks. (Music can wait just a little longer right?)

Next thing on the list would be the trackir. Definitely a must have if you plan to stick around for the long run.

[hassata]

If you are willing to spend the money, since that was the only con you listed (pedals are something you will want anyway), get the Warthog.

 

You will not regret it one single bit.

 

Exactly.

[Buckram]

I love my Warthog. I had some doubts about the price of it, but it sincerly is the best thing out on the market at the moment.

[blackbelter]

What's wrong with the X52 Pro that you own now?

[cichlidfan]

I just noticed you did not have TIR.

 

Still, get the Warthog, along with several cases of Ramen noodles. The Ramen is so you can order the TIR instead of buying food.:P

[neroroxxx]

Thank you guys,

 

My x52pro sucks, it freaks out in me often (the mfd doesn't show correctly and it freezes on me mid game often also it's way too loose, maybe I got a bad one or maybe it's because Im Oma Mac running bootcamp, I want a better hotas, the only reason the x-65f looked cool was because the f-22 and f-16 have the force sensing but I have been dreaming about the WH and I also don't have tracker or rudder pedals so I really need those, I ordered trackir on amazon and i

4 days later since it hadn't shipped yet I just cancelled the order so now I saw eBay has them a bit cheaper so it's a new reason to get it, maybe I can get it for fathers day, I guess I got a few weeks to get my girlfriend pregnant....

[Cali]

Good luck to which ever you pick, search around and see what other people say about each one. Also, there are tons of threads in here that dicuss all the HOTAS you are looking into buying.

[Tailhook]

HOTAS Warthog.;)

[Double_D]

Thank you guys,

 

My x52pro sucks, it freaks out in me often (the mfd doesn't show correctly and it freezes on me mid game often also it's way too loose, maybe I got a bad one

:doh:

 

No, your right as I see it I had a x52 and found it very flimsy...so hard to hold a straight line...I'd go with the TM Warthog..that is what I am about to buy ...:music_whistling:

[Humvee28]

I´ve got an X52 Pro too. One thing that really annoys me is the missing Resistance while moving the Stick around. Even my cheap Thrustmaster Flightstick X was better at this Point.

[Elnocho3]

Debated what to get after my Cougar, went for a Warthog - haven't regretted the decision one bit!!

[dburne]

Debated what to get after my Cougar, went for a Warthog - haven't regretted the decision one bit!!

 

Same here, and I came from a NXT gimball modded Cougar. Still fairly new to the Warthog, but so far I really like it a lot.

[Paganus]

If the investment isn't an issue consider the Warthog. Several guys I fly with have them and speak well about them.

 

but...

 

For about $300 you could get the CH stick, throttle and a set of pro pedals. CH gear is good solid stuff.

[elchacal]

TMWH it's a very good choice.. I have it from about two years ago and just can I say that is extremely precisely and works very well with the warthog!

[Strut]

Warthog HOTAS, SAITEK Combat Pedals/Rudder and TIR, its worth every penny, in my opinion lol.......

[cichlidfan]

Warthog HOTAS, SAITEK Combat Pedals/Rudder and TIR, its worth every penny, in my opinion lol.......

 

I know there are plenty here with that setup, myself included (plus a Saitek trim wheel for the Mustang)!:D

[Spy Guy]

+1 for the TM Warthog.

 

It is amazing.

[MTFDarkEagle]

Warthog HOTAS, SAITEK Combat Pedals/Rudder and TIR, its worth every penny, in my opinion lol.......

Same setup, excellent combination!!

[dburne]

Warthog HOTAS, SAITEK Combat Pedals/Rudder and TIR, its worth every penny, in my opinion lol.......

 

Exact same setup here as well, great combination!