HOTAS question.

[Spudman]

So after quite a bit of research and much deliberation I decided to make my controller setup CH Products across the board. It's a done deal now so I can't cry about it, but still want to know what other sim. pilots opinions are on the three main controller setups out there; Saitek, TM Warthog and CH. I read a lot of reviews on all three of these and despite CH's setup being less esthetically appealing than the other two, it seems to be better overall than the others in terms of quality and ease of use and its made in America. I've been using the CH Combat Stick for many years and its always served me well. So lets have it gentlemen, bias aside what are your technical opinions?

[Cali]

Good choice, you already know the service and quality of CH then.

[aap_flanker]

I have the same doubt about hotas! what controller would be the best choice????

 

Ps: Spudman sorry about use your own thread for me :)

[Eihort]

I've had three pots in CH products die on me over the years or go out of whack. One of them is a complete bitch to change. I'm not impressed with -any- of their stuff.

[Cali]

I've had three pots in CH products die on me over the years or go out of whack. One of them is a complete bitch to change. I'm not impressed with -any- of their stuff.

 

Well that sucks, I've had my 1st CH for over 7 years with no problems. I just bought my 2nd set after I sold my 1st for a cougar. Not sure how old they are, but no problems so far, had them 7-8 months, bought it used.

[PoleCat]

I've had three pots in CH products die on me over the years or go out of whack. One of them is a complete bitch to change. I'm not impressed with -any- of their stuff.

 

A friend of mine has had similar issues with his CH Stick potentiometers. In all fairness it is quite old though. He has replaced them twice so far. Just like any other HOTAS CH are not bulletproof but still a decent quality older HOTAS. :joystick:

 

Out

[Succellus]

its a bit sad they lest the sim market. all their products are old goats, still running but lacking features and glamour.

And no, no brand it out of problem, i too had to chance pots twice, before i finally gave up on CH and went TM.

Had my load of prob with TM with the cougar, bet even then i was more than happy with them.

[Feed]

Any manufacturer is going to have quality control issues, and those are the people you'll hear from most. CH has an absolutely UNTOUCHED reputation for a quality product, and they easily top the list for control integration. That said, I do wish they'd up the ante and reclaim the throne from Guillemot as THE folks to beat, because I think they could easily do it.

[Vekkinho]

Believe me, Saitek is a good bang for buck...

 

I own TM Cougar and Hog for use with fighter jet sims but I also have Saitek AV8R-01 that I bought out of fun and used with Il-2 and FS for props. However, out of curiosity I tried flying Su-27 and MiG-29 with it and without too much calibrating curves and deadzones and programming switches I can say it's pretty good for LOFC birds...I've spent days and days tweaking Cougar to a satisfactory performance in close formation MP flights. With AV8R-01 all it took was plugging it...

 

My unmodded Cougar is from 2006 - no hardware / software problems so far although the centreplay probably did increase in between with use over time. It's hard to say as I use it almost every day so wear an tear is impossible to note. Can be compared to struts of a car. You can't say they got bad until you replace 'em with new ones. ;)

 

AV8R-01 is 2008 - no SW/HW problems, no structural failure.

TM hog - 2010, still too new for any SW/HW opinions.

Edited June 11, 2012 by Vekkinho

[PoleCat]

Any manufacturer is going to have quality control issues, and those are the people you'll hear from most. CH has an absolutely UNTOUCHED reputation for a quality product, and they easily top the list for control integration. That said, I do wish they'd up the ante and reclaim the throne from Guillemot as THE folks to beat, because I think they could easily do it.

 

AFAIK at last check the CH hangar has as many user posted technical support issues in their forums as any other HOTAS manufacturer. UNTOUCHED? Yes if you ignore every and any problem any CH user has ever had........ :D:D:D

 

Out

Edited June 11, 2012 by PoleCat

[metalnwood]

The old shopper who asks if what they bought was the right choice :) Been there myself lol.

 

I have had CH gear for a long time, the throttle and the fighterstick (I think that was the name, the top model anyway).

 

I also have the pedals. One brake pot went on the pedals but no issues on any of the other gear, oh, except the mini stick on the throttle was missing it's hat which could make it painful moving it around, like a little needle pointing out.

 

I also bought the 940 just to try FFB trim with BS. I didnt like that overall and I have not had a saitek since the x45.

 

I now have the TM warthog. Who yet can tell how long the majority of them will survive but I can say that the feel of it and the buttons is enough to never want to go back. The WH throttle is excellent, I never really liked the CH throttle but it was reliable enough.

 

My opinion now is that the only thing the CH has going for it is it's reputation for living a long life, which it does. The feel and mounting options of the WH stick put the TM right ahead in my mind at this stage. Of course in a couple years they could all start dying, who knows.

[Feed]

I'd still make the argument that the ratio of problems to satisfied users (over an extended period of time) would be far superior to any other manufacturer. "Untouched" doesn't mean "flawless". ;)

[Cali]

I'd still make the argument that the ratio of problems to satisfied users (over an extended period of time) would be far superior to any other manufacturer. "Untouched" doesn't mean "flawless". ;)

 

I agree, you do tend to hear less negative things about CH. But it doesn't matter cause things aren't prefect and each item is made differently and can break at any time. Just hope your one of the lucky ones that gets a product that doesn't give you any problems. I have been lucky so far with both my CH products.