F-18 grip, WARTHOG compatible

[gonk]

Any thought of releasing a modded right throttle for the warthog with that slew control stick? So sick of the half a**ed little nub...

 

 

I have been waiting for this ever since the release... what were they thinking. After all the effort to make the rest of the controls they go CHEAP on the slew control. If there is a mod to fix to this on the net that someone has found.... send it my way.

 

The F18 controls look fantastic.. I hope you do release it... :).

[hegykc]

Awesome man. Mypost got lost, but you answered my question. All I need to know now is how much and when ;)

 

As for you question you had on here earlier, not sure if you saw it but I would recommend heading over to the Seven-G forums and registering. They have a ask a CF-18 pilot section on there who may be able to answer.

 

 

Edit:

 

I forgot about one of my questions. Would it be possible to make it so the throttles move over the afterburner detent instead of having to lift or slam? Just like a small bump to know you are there or something.

 

Thanks, I'll definitely post there. And yes, warthog has a removable insert for the afterburner detent, so I could easily make a custom one with a bump instead.

 

Any thought of releasing a modded right throttle for the warthog with that slew control stick? So sick of the half a**ed little nub...

 

I don't fly the A-10 so never realized it was a problem. I just checked, and that would be an easy mod, I'll include it into my project.

[MBot]

That throttle looks great. Together with a better afterburner detent, I am very interested in it.

[Scoggs]

Thanks, I'll definitely post there. And yes, warthog has a removable insert for the afterburner detent, so I could easily make a custom one with a bump instead.

 

Awesome, I'll definitely pick up the detent from you if make one.

[geneb]

The choice they made on the Slew control wasn't really a bad one. A real slew control is NOT a cheap thing. I've not torn down the grip on my Warthog, but there may not be enough room inside the grip to do a good simulation of the slew control (the button mounted atop a stick post instead of the stick post protruding through the button).

 

Doesn't the F/A-18 throttle quadrant have finger lifts under the handles like the F-15 does?

 

Excellent job on the design though!

 

g.

[[DBS]TH0R]

Any thought of releasing a modded right throttle for the warthog with that slew control stick? So sick of the half a**ed little nub...

 

 

I don't fly the A-10 so never realized it was a problem. I just checked, and that would be an easy mod, I'll include it into my project.

 

Release day purchase for me if you do this. :thumbup:

 

I am sure many others feel the same since this micro stick is the biggest let down of the whole HOTAS.

[hegykc]

Doesn't the F/A-18 throttle quadrant have finger lifts under the handles like the F-15 does?

 

Yes and they're coming. Had to include all the buttons and switches first so I can see how much space is left inside and decide on the design.

[geneb]

Ahh, excellent news hegykc! The Hornet fans will be happy. :)

 

g.

Edited October 13, 2014 by geneb
knews? seriously?

[MBot]

Does the F/A-18 throttle contain any rotaries for radar elevation control?

[Buckeye]

Does the F/A-18 throttle contain any rotaries for radar elevation control?

 

Not that I am aware of.

[Bushmanni]

http://www.aerotronicsllc.com/f18throttle.htm

[raus]

Actually I'm not sure if it is a rotary control like the Cougar throttle one, or a momentary up/down like in Suncom throttle. I thin it is the latter

[DeltaFox]

Hi Hegykc, any updates?

[GodsPrototype]

Hi Hegykc, any updates?

 

I wouldn't expect an update after he just gave an update 2 weeks ago. Usually, it takes a while before significant progress is made. I would give it at least wait a month before asking for an update

[7rooper]

Hi, Hegykc. Will you make these grips for the X-55 Rhino too?

[GodsPrototype]

Hi, Hegykc. Will you make these grips for the X-55 Rhino too?

 

I don't know if the X-55 has a detachable stick or not. If not, highly unlikely that these will work with the X-55, as there is not simple way to connect the stick to the base.

[geneb]

The grip on the X-55 does come off. It uses 5(6?) "pogo" pins to make the connection to the base.

 

g.

[GodsPrototype]

The grip on the X-55 does come off. It uses 5(6?) "pogo" pins to make the connection to the base.

 

g.

 

Not the same connector as the HOTAS Warthog unfortunately. Perhaps hegykc will be able to charge extra for such a connector, but we'll have to see. Would be pretty cool if that would be possible to expand it for the X-55 as well.

[Extranajero]

 

I'm using similar ones from digikey. They're 150 gram force, like these, but now I found 500 gram force ones on element14 so thanks!!

 

Anyway always looking for quality switches and buttons that are not 'mil spec 50$ a piece'...

 

 

I can't access that link, the site doesn't seem to work for me, but are those switches 8 way ?

 

I am messing around with hat switches right now for a one off HOTAS project and have hit on a problem.

 

Most of the good quality affordable switches ( I am using an ALPS automotive type after trying several others ) seem to be 8 way, but they operate with only five contacts - A, B, C, D and common

The diagonal positions are A + B + common, rather than having an E, F, G, H ( I hope that makes sense :smilewink: )

 

This means that they aren't suitable for stuff like DMS, TMS, CMS functions because it is too easy to command a selection you didn't want by accidentally selecting a diagonal position. For a slew control they are great however.

 

I have found it is possible to machine a 'gate' which constrains the switch to only 4 way operation but it is quite a lot of work to do this. It isn't too much of a problem for my one off build, but would be a production level nightmare.

 

Good luck with your project ! :thumbup:

[hegykc]

Is this what you're looking for:

 

http://www.alps.com/prod/info/E/HTML/MultiControl/Switch/RKJXL/RKJXL100401V.html

 

It has 8 pinouts, A-H

 

Regarding my project, the quieter I am, the more work is being done behind the scenes. Your patience will be greatly rewarded, the wait will be SO worth it in the end.

Edited December 13, 2014 by hegykc

[rajdary]

Nice :thumbup:

[Chief1942]

.."the quieter I am, the more work is being done behind the scenes. Your patience will be greatly rewarded, the wait will be SO worth it in the end."

 

I really am starting to appreciate "quiet".;)

[Extranajero]

Is this what you're looking for:

 

http://www.alps.com/prod/info/E/HTML/MultiControl/Switch/RKJXL/RKJXL100401V.html

 

It has 8 pinouts, A-H

 

Regarding my project, the quieter I am, the more work is being done behind the scenes. Your patience will be greatly rewarded, the wait will be SO worth it in the end.

 

Based on the action of the 8 position, 4 pinout switches I think they would still need constraining to 4 position to get a reliable selection " in the heat of battle " ;)

I have a source for ALPS switches at good prices and in small quantities, but that model isn't available from them anyway.

 

Apologies if I have moved this thread a little off topic, obviously it is about your amazing grip designs rather than my opinion of hat switches ;) :thumbup:

[geneb]

You could easily make a plus-shaped gate that the switch shaft passed through. This would mechanically constrain it along two axes.

 

Alps makes a four way version of that switch that has a rotary encoder built into it - you get a four way "stick", a rotary and a push button in one device. I found it once and I haven't been able to find it again. :) (It's the perfect choice for the cursor controller in the Garmin G1000.)

 

g.

[hegykc]

HELP

 

Hi guys. I've been busy re-working the grip model from scratch. After closer examination some parts didn't match the real thing, so I completely re-did the entire model and the button and hat housings.

 

Also the electronics are near finished. I had to learn pcb design so that took some time, there are several pcb's inside the grip, the main one plus one for each of the HAT's.

 

Now, to my problem:

 

I found my buttons and HAT's on Digikey and Mouser websites. The problem is, for my country they have a flat shipping rate, and it's 120.00$ which is insane, as I only need like 10 push buttons and 10 four way and five way switches for the HAT's to have a few prototypes made. After that I'll need a similar small order for the throttles.

 

If there's anyone from EU that can receive shipments from Digikey and Mouser with a reasonable shipping rates, and then send the buttons in an envelope, back to me, here in Croatia, I would really appreciate the help. So someone from EU preferably, or US, it would still be cheaper than the 120$ option I have right now.

 

 

This was something that went from being an off the shelf pushbutton, to an assembly with a custom pcb, housing and connector for a "no-solder" solution and a custom spring inside so I can decide on the actuation force myself. It delayed the project for a few more months, but now I have a professional and customizable solution, which I can also offer to other pitbuilders. These HATs often run about a 100$ a piece. I believe I can make these a sub 10$ part.

 

So, anyone willing to help with the small order? I'd really appreciate it.