Upgrade X52Pro to Thustmaster HOTAS

[Nybble]

Hi all,

 

My GF recently got into DCS:World, and has quickly learned the SU-25t, and is considering purchasing A10c / BS etc. Currently she is using an old Logitech Extreme 3D pro, but she is interested in upgrading to an X52Pro, as she's used mine and likes it quite a bit. However I was thinking maybe she could have my X52, and instead I'll upgrade to the Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog.

 

Basically I've come here to get a few opinions from owners on their thoughts on the stick, and how it compares to the x52. Also I saw a thread about the HOTAS getting 'bricked', and got a bit worried, so whats up with that?

 

Eagerly awaiting some feedback before I rush out and waste $400.

 

Cheers,

 

Nybble

[cichlidfan]

You can not compare the two. The Warthog is just so much better. I own both by the way.

 

The 'bricked' throttle issue is old news at this point, IMHO, as long as your firmware is up to date.

 

The only problem you (or your GF) are going to have is that she is going to want a Warthog too! ;)

[docfu]

I had the X-52 and I upgraded to the Warthog and gave my x-52 to a friend. Don't regret a second of it. Was worth every penny...

[icemaker]

My GF recently got into DCS:World, and has quickly learned the SU-25t, and is considering purchasing A10c / BS etc...

First Marry her... :smilewink:

 

Second, the warthog is the best HOTAS ever! for years i have always bought TM Hotas (i still have my cougar, my son uses it) and never had any regret!

[Nybble]

well im pretty set on getting the hotas. just a couple more questions,

 

do I need to purchase peddles, or can I twist the stick?

 

and how is the software, as the software for my older ones is terrible.

 

sorry for the formatting, on my mobile and it's gone spastic.

 

thanks again

[Humvee28]

The Warthog has no twist Axis, and for DCS A10-C you don´t need the Software. After installing the Warthog and starting DCS, everything is configured properly by the Sim itself.

[Nybble]

The Warthog has no twist Axis, and for DCS A10-C you don´t need the Software. After installing the Warthog and starting DCS, everything is configured properly by the Sim itself.

 

So basically if I want the HOTAS I need to get a set of peddles too?

[joey45]

Yes.

 

The only thing is the TRIM hat is defaulted to View. So if you have any head tracking stuff then you'll need to change it.

[Nybble]

Ok. I was looking at getting the following pedals;

 

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=16915

 

The store I'm purchasing sells both these and the HOTAS, are the pedals any good or is there a better brand to go with?

[MTFDarkEagle]

Yep good pedals, I use the same. Would recommend it to anyone :)

[Dusan56]

TM Warthog is certainly the best what you can have, but if you are little money wise,I'd recommend to look for G940. Had X52 and Saitek pedals, but switch to G940 was just huge improvement. For apox $350 you can have decent stick and pedals. And as special bonus, guess what? It's FORCE FEEDBACK!!!!

There is not too many guys using G940, but those who managed to went though setting up process, love the system. I have to add that I never played with Warthog, so I can't compare Warthog with G940.

[cichlidfan]

The Warthog has no twist Axis, and for DCS A10-C you don´t need the Software. After installing the Warthog and starting DCS, everything is configured properly by the Sim itself.

 

However, if you wish to fly anything else then the software will be quite handy. To answer the other part of your question, the Target software from Thrustmaster is excellent. It has both a GUI interface as well as a raw scripting environment. I have almost every sim, including A-10, set up with a Target profile.

 

And yes, MTFDarkEagle is correct, those are outstanding pedals.

[cichlidfan]

TM Warthog is certainly the best what you can have, but if you are little money wise,I'd recommend to look for G940. Had X52 and Saitek pedals, but switch to G940 was just huge improvement. For apox $350 you can have decent stick and pedals. And as special bonus, guess what? It's FORCE FEEDBACK!!!!

There is not too many guys using G940, but those who managed to went though setting up process, love the system. I have to add that I never played with Warthog, so I can't compare Warthog with G940.

 

Please mention the significant software issues with the G940 pedals and throttle anytime you discuss it.

 

Here is a run down of what is wrong with the G940, and how to fix it (btw, I have one of these as well).

 

http://www.lca.ympsa.com/g940mod.html

Edited August 26, 2012 by cichlidfan

[Dusan56]

Thank you very much for your post. With all due respect, let me add, I haven't mentioned so call Reversal bug, because I don't think there is any. Some players indicated that they had noticed some kind of a weirdness with throttle and pedals behavior, but also there are some who had indicated the exact opposite. I (knock, knock, knock) belong to group of players who are using G940 (for 7 mths now) without any significant problem. I still believe that G940 is huge improvement compared to Saitek X52 for a reasonable price. My biggest challenge with G940 was to discover dead man sensor. After I blinded it, G940 works very well. At the same time need to add that I have zero experience with real planes.

[Layzie]

My 2¢

 

The HOTAS Warthog is definately the way to go when it comes to modern setups. Its solidly build, sturdy, and will handle yyyeeeaaarrrsss of use as did the HOTAS Cougar (even with its obsolete gimbal). No joystick available as of yet can match its percision in movements nor the flexibility an versatility in its programming software. The majority of the pilots, if not all whom are a part some of the well known virtual demo squadrons (like the Thunderbirds) use this HOTAS. This stick can even be fitted onto an extension and be rotated a -15° (like in the actual A-10c) for those who want to build sim pits with an ergonomic stick.

 

As for the Saitek Combat Pedals, there really isnt much difference between those and the original pedals except for the look but you will definantely need some form of pedals. I have both along with the MFDs and can vouch for them all. Rumor has it that in the future Thrusmaster will create other interchangable grips that will fit the Warthog base.

 

I would also like to add that I have a friend who has the G940 and he says that after several hours of use the stick gets hot, then it loses its FFB capabilities and then it goes completly limp if you continue to use it (I assume its a saftey feature to prevent damage from over heating)

[Bodo]

How much for the girlfriend?

[Nybble]

How much for the girlfriend?

 

Not for sale :smilewink:

 

Well I went ahead and bought the HOTAS, as well as the Saitek Pedals.

 

Thanks for all the help thus far, I'll put some pictures up of my final setup when it arrives.

 

Just one more question, I read that the throttle has an idle-cuttoff feature, where you have to pull the throttle up to move it from off to idle. Can this be used to start the engines or do you still need a separate keybind?

[cichlidfan]

 

Just one more question, I read that the throttle has an idle-cuttoff feature, where you have to pull the throttle up to move it from off to idle. Can this be used to start the engines or do you still need a separate keybind?

 

Yes. Congrats, btw. Enjoy! :thumbup:

[Purg]

I originally had a Cougar and I ended up snapping the stick. I replaced it with an X52 around the same time A10-C came out. I just couldn't wrap my head around DMS, TMS, China Hat, Coolie Hat on a stick that didn't have them. I abandoned A-10C

 

When CA was announced, I knew that I was going to want to get back into it because the idea of commanding and/or sitting in vehicles was a great appeal. I went out and bought a Warthog. Plug and play, just worked in the sim (apart from having to modify the trim hat to actually trim instead of pan view) and provided the references I needed in order to know what someone was talking about when they said China Hat Forward Long.

 

Great stick, highly recommended.

 

Doh - Oh, you bought it. Good luck with it. :D

[Nybble]

Well it finally arrived!

 

Amazingly impressed with the build quality so far. I'm just about to load up DCS and give it a fly.

 

I'll probably be back with some questions, but I allready have one;

 

My firmware for the stick is FW: 11, and the throttle is FW: 19 - Are these the most up to date?

 

I'll post back soon with how my flight goes!

[cichlidfan]

Well it finally arrived!

 

Amazingly impressed with the build quality so far. I'm just about to load up DCS and give it a fly.

 

I'll probably be back with some questions, but I allready have one;

 

My firmware for the stick is FW: 11, and the throttle is FW: 19 - Are these the most up to date?

 

I'll post back soon with how my flight goes!

 

11 and 20 are the most up to date as far as I know. Update your firmware IMMEDIATELY.

[Nybble]

Ok, thanks for that, i'll get straight to updating them.

 

I did take it for a quick flight before work, and I must say it was amazing. I really can't get over the level of quality of this thing.

 

One more question, I wanted to set the leaver button at the base of the stick to be my Teamspeak3 bind, however the bind only takes effect while I am 'running the script' so to speak. Is there a way to get it to default to my script or something like that?

[cichlidfan]

One more question, I wanted to set the leaver button at the base of the stick to be my Teamspeak3 bind, however the bind only takes effect while I am 'running the script' so to speak. Is there a way to get it to default to my script or something like that?

 

I am not sure I understand the question, though I suspect the overall answer is yes.

 

What script are you running? There are several ways to add a PTT TS button.

[Nybble]

Attached is a screenshot of how I made the bind. For it to take effect I have to press 'run configuration' which reinitialize the joystick and throttle, and opens a 'script running' window.

 

Is this the wrong way?

 

http://i.imgur.com/4Dll2.jpg

Edited August 30, 2012 by Nybble
forgot link

[cichlidfan]

Attached is a screenshot of how I made the bind. For it to take effect I have to press 'run configuration' which reinitialize the joystick and throttle, and opens a 'script running' window.

 

Is this the wrong way?

 

http://i.imgur.com/4Dll2.jpg

 

It is normal. Target stays running in the background while you fly. If everything seems to be working then it sounds like you are good to go and have fun.