TM Warthog Mods

[Wizzard]

Has anyone modded their Warthog yet? I was thinking the first thing I would change is the microstick. give it stronger springs and put a convex disk on top of it to give a more tactile feel.

 

Any thoughts on this?

[SmokeyTheLung]

I love the idea, it's the first thing I would do as well. Keep us posted if you attempt it

[EAKMotorsports]

sounds great idea.

[shagrat]

Idea is good, only there is no spring! Only a black-box-like assembly that intgrates the stick/button that is wired to the control board...

EDIT: Seems only chance to "mod" here is to replace the complete "ministick" including its HALL-sensor! *Sniff* In fact a downgrade, from my side. I'll do a little research on HALL enabled sticks...

Edited March 31, 2013 by shagrat

[Rockeyes]

That’s a great idea especially as mine seems to have become unserviceable. It was far to fiddly to use when it did work.

[shagrat]

Ok, so after a little web search it seems there are no pre manufactured ministicks with HALL sensors on the market that fit for the Warthog.

 

Only thing I found is the usual ministiack replacement for the XBOX / PS2 Stick Controllers. No joy with HALL-Sensors it is analog potentiometers AFAIK.

 

http://produkt.conrad.de/45973183/3d-joystick-f-potentiometer-m-schalter.htm

 

or the quality Version from ALPS:

 

http://www.conrad.de/ce/de/product/700620/ALPS-Stick-Controller-mit-Schalter-RKJXP-1224002-Joystick-Potentiometer-Joystick-10-k50-VAC5-VDC-Schalter-50-mA12

 

If you want to try and let me know if it works :D:music_whistling:

[Rockeyes]

http://www.conrad-uk.com/ce/en/product/700620/ALPS-Stick-controller-with-switch-RKJXP-1224002-Joystick-potentiometer-Joystick-10-k50-VAC5-VDC-Switch-50-mA12-Vd

 

Order placed :music_whistling:

 

Have you got the part number or spec of the original Thrustmaster unit?

[Sierra99]

Has anyone modded their Warthog yet? I was thinking the first thing I would change is the microstick. give it stronger springs and put a convex disk on top of it to give a more tactile feel.

 

Any thoughts on this?

 

Are we talking about the Slew Control on the right throttle? I thought that was a mini mouse like on a keyboard...

 

Sierra

[Rockeyes]

Yes thats the one.

[Sierra99]

Yes thats the one.

 

Well ya learn something new everyday...I had no idea it was a hall sensor. However, I will say I was expecting something a little stouter...something like the micro stick on the cougar...

 

Let me know how it works out.

[shagrat]

http://www.conrad-uk.com/ce/en/product/700620/ALPS-Stick-controller-with-switch-RKJXP-1224002-Joystick-potentiometer-Joystick-10-k50-VAC5-VDC-Switch-50-mA12-Vd

 

Order placed :music_whistling:

 

Have you got the part number or spec of the original Thrustmaster unit?

No, it looks to me like Thrustmaster is building their own stuff here. As I said: HALL Sensor based ministicks are not available rather than for industrial purposes, and usually too big (3cm across) and very expensive 100 EUR plus.

 

The ALPS is the high quality alternative to the standard potentiometer 3D-ministicks used in XBOx or Playstation controllers.

The good thing about these is: they have a nice axis movement 20-25° and with the longer axis it will give you a good sensitivity, I guess.

 

On the downside, you need to figure out how the cables are linked to the axis' and the button... try and error soldering isn't fun, so maybe you can work it out from the connection to Thrustmasters little Black Box :D

 

I'm tempted to try the replacement, just for the greater sensitivity. I tried a Saitek X-65F in a shop once and it has the "mouse" / slew-stick like this and behold, what a nice look and feel.

I never understood, why Thrustmaster saved a few cent with the slew stick.

Saitek put even aluminium drilled hats on their X-65F.

If Thrustmaster had spent that extra cash and made the Warthog HOTAS 10% more expensive, well, it was never cheap, so why not!?

 

I would gladly have paid 20-30 EUR more with everything perfect! :doh:

[recoilfx]

Thrustmaster is not buliding their own hall sensor here...

 

the sensor for the slew control is a model of EasyPoint module from Austria Micro Systems. The module uses i2c protocol, so you can't just hook up a standard joystick pot and expect things to work.

 

You can find documentation from sparkfun https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10835 for a similar model . Not sure if the documentation would work with model used on the TM throttle though, you'd also need to figure out the pin out...

[shagrat]

Thrustmaster is not buliding their own hall sensor here...

 

the sensor for the slew control is a model of EasyPoint module from Austria Micro Systems. The module uses i2c protocol, so you can't just hook up a standard joystick pot and expect things to work.

 

You can find documentation from sparkfun https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10835 for a similar model . Not sure if the documentation would work with model used on the TM throttle though, you'd also need to figure out the pin out...

Well, that's a bummer! That means I need to figure a way to connect that analog-stick to an external USB card. Ok I have two Arcaze modules running and do not use any of the analogue inputs yet, but it means extensive cabling inside the Warthog HOTAS Throttle...

feasable, but a lot more work than I thought of, initially.:cry:

[CyBerkut]

Hmmm... "I2C" you say?

 

http://www.pjrc.com/teensy/

[recoilfx]

Using teensy as a go between? man, that's more complicated than necessary.... :)

 

At that point, it'd be simpler to design a longer throw knob for the sensor and get it 3d printed :)

[NhiTrac]

Well ya learn something new everyday...I had no idea it was a hall sensor. However, I will say I was expecting something a little stouter...something like the micro stick on the cougar...

 

Let me know how it works out.

 

Totally agree and was a little disappointed to be honest. Have had

my TMWH for about a week and I find slowing is difficult when you have a tiny 'nipple' to play with. Often you need to lift up your finger and push it again. Would've preferred if they made it exactly the same as the real one...

[tietze]

Great thread - has anyone taken it apart yet and investigated the ministick?

[recoilfx]

I have, what do you need to know aside from what I posted above?

[tietze]

I really like hardware so I was just looking for some non-blurred (high-res) photos of the hogs internals, private parts, chips and so on. I guess I'm looking for hardware pr0n ;-)

[CyBerkut]

I really like hardware so I was just looking for some non-blurred (high-res) photos of the hogs internals, private parts, chips and so on. I guess I'm looking for hardware pr0n ;-)

 

I have a suspicion that if you try googling for 'hog's private parts' that you are not going to get what you seem to be looking for... :music_whistling:

[Rockeyes]

I have a suspicion that if you try googling for 'hog's private parts' that you are not going to get what you seem to be looking for... :music_whistling:

 

:megalol: Now that's funny.

 

Anyway has anyone got a close up picture of the genuine throttle micro stick they could share?

[Rockeyes]

Just been sent this by a mate. So the HOTAS slew on the genuine article is not a micro lever but a button. Shouldn't be too difficult to mod the thrustmaster after all.

 

[tietze]

I have a suspicion that if you try googling for 'hog's private parts' that you are not going to get what you seem to be looking for... :music_whistling:

 

No joking, google safe search: off ;)

[Picksplitter]

mine works great as a trackir centering button... otherwise it's useless! :cry: (note... I lub my TM warthog...)

 

moved the slew to another hat switch and haven't thought 'bout it since!

 

p.s. Captain Pecan... good luck with that... you might want to crazy glu a tooth pick to it first (before drilling) to see if it works.... (humor)

Edited November 21, 2013 by Picksplitter

[cichlidfan]

Super-glue the top (approximately) 1/3 of a golf tee to it.