Should I get a Warthog? Questions, questions, questions...

[Boris]

I'm a little torn on whether or not I should buy a Warthog or not.

 

It is quite expensive, plus I am currently very happy with my X52 Pro. However, it does look damn cool, and seeing as I want to move on to learning the A-10 pretty soon, I love the idea of having a stick modeled after the real thing.

 

How does it compare to the X52 Pro? Obviously the Warthog is of much better quality, but how does it compare in terms of functionality?

I'm sure the I'll do just fine with the X52 Pro for flying the A-10. Would it really be worth getting the Warthog?

 

And if I do decide to buy a Warthog, should I keep my X52 Pro or sell it? I feel that the X52 throttle is a lot more collective-like than the throttle of the Warthog, and therefore better suited for flying helicopters. Am I right or wrong?

 

At the same time I find the idea of owning two sticks kind of decadent, and worry that my girlfriend might think I've finally gone insane and break up with me :lol:

 

Discuss...

[Rahband]

Just go without food for 3 weeks and buy the wh.

 

Seriously It's well worth it. If you decide to build a pit later then.....

One thing to consider is there is no rudder so you need pedals.

Also flying a huey with the wh one throttle lever for the collective and one for the throttle easy.

[dotChuckles]

I upgraded from the x52-Pro to the WH

 

I never looked back, precision, build quality, control, all entirely superior. So much more precise. The only thing I miss are the axis dials that the x52 had on the throttle. But being able to control left and right engines separately is much handier. With all the hat switches, toggles and selectors on it I have never struggled to find a home for anything I want custom mapped. Also the big paddle on the front makes for a very good shift switch if you want to add even more functions.

 

It's not ideally suited to the Huey though as the stick is quite heavy with a reasonably stiff spring in it and it can get a bit tiring with the constant corrections required to keep the Huey flying. You can lock the throttles together and it makes a very effective collective control. However, if you are wanting to spend most of your time in the A-10, It's then only choice in my opinion.

 

I kept my x52 pro thinking I'd use it for other things, but to be honest since I got the WH at launch... the x52 hasn't even come out the box.

 

You're mileage may vary though. If you can afford it, buy it. If you can't, save your pennies and be very nice to your girlfriend.

[WannaBeGnome]

I have a simillar question. I am thinking of buying warthog. But isn´t it waste of money to give 300€ for a stick when you can have a cheaper one?

[dotChuckles]

You can spend £80,000 on a 911 or buy a Toyota...

 

You can pay the money and get a sports car... or you can not, and get a normal run of the mill so-so family car. Depends what you want out of life and if you can afford it.

 

It's not a waste of money. Just a different priority.

[Cookie]

Come on, you know full well already just how much you want it. You´ve just opened this thread to hear us back you up. So here you go: Buy it! ;)

 

The TM WH is hands down the best piece of hardware I have ever laid my hands on (excuse the pun). Just unpacking that baby made me giggle like a little girl. When you see the packaging you will understand.

And yeah, it may be expensive, but the price-performance ratio is out of this world. Nothing, and I mean nothing beats the feeling of placing your hands on the cold, solid steel, with all buttons just naturally falling into place right where they should be, while you rain unparalleled, ultraprecise death and destruction from above onto the enemy.

 

That thing is a beautiful piece of art, and I can´t help touching it all the time even when all I´m flying at that moment is a spreadsheet in Excel.

 

Oh, and girlfriends are vastly overrated anyway... once you are the proud owner of a TM WH you won´t even notice she´s around... :D

Edited June 3, 2013 by Cookie

[cichlidfan]

I only have one thing to say, since there are already many, many threads on this same subject.

 

If my Warthog died tomorrow I would order another within minutes even if I had to pay the full retail, which is considerably more than I originally paid. The price difference would not matter.

[Ali Fish]

its like the concept of a mobile phone. Once you have one.... its simply hard to live without.

Edited June 3, 2013 by Ali Fish

[npole]

Same here, I can't imagine to fly in DCS without a WH. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone because its price must be justified by the usage (I've seen many ppl trying a flight sim for a short while to abandon it), but if you fly already everyday (or almost) then it's a no-brainer purchase.

 

Consideration: the fact that you asked this question means that you have already decided really, you're only trying to find an "excuse" to justify those money coming out from your wallet, you will buy it no matter what, so instead of thinking too much, buy it and enjoy.

[agrasyuk]

OP, nothing wrong having multiple sticks, spare one can live in a box.

It is only natural to fly sim of a warthog with a replica controls. If it is within your budget then go for it.

[Boris]

Ok, ok... you guys have twisted my arm. I've gone ahead and ordered a Warthog.

 

With all the praise lavished upon it, how can I not. ;)

 

Now I just have to wait...

[dotChuckles]

Good for you!

 

Honestly you are going to be a very happy chappie when it arrives and you feel the quality. Also... flipping the APU switch for the first time is quite satisfying.

 

Also if it doesn't work out, you can always put it on ebay. But I seriously doubt it won't work out. :-) Enjoy.

[Wrecking Crew]

Dump the GF. You won't have time for her, anywhoo.

 

WC

[Witchking]

The warthog is freaking amazing. Love it. Also, thrustmaster is a great company and very good with warranty repairs if anything goes wrong. The bad thing is that it is not at all an ideal stick for the choppers. As someone else mentioned here, its too heavy and resistive for a chopper. I got a X52 pro as a spare and that one is so much smoother and easier to use than a warthog for flying a chopper. But the warthog's precision is unmatched...its still my main stick for any of the FC jets or DCS A-10 (naturally).

[Boris]

Dump the GF. You won't have time for her, anywhoo.

 

WC

 

The Warthog sure is sexy, but I still prefer women, thanks ;)

 

Anyway, I have my Warthog now and what can I say... It's well... There's no comparison really. The X52 "Pro" really is a toy compared to it. Not that it wasn't a really nice toy, but still a toy.

 

The Warthog feels like it's been ripped straight out of a real aircraft... well I guess it kinda has been.

I will need some time to get a feeling for it though. The pressure needed to move the stick and push the buttons is a fair bit higher than what I'm used to.

Seeing as it just didn't feel right having it sitting on my desk at chest height I've gone ahead and mounted it to my chair. I made a fairly simple base out of wood, drilled some holes and bolted it on. Worked a treat. (See the pictures).

 

I know it's the way most combat aircraft including the A-10 have their stick mounted, but flying an aircraft like this oddly reminds me of another popular male dominated pastime. :megalol:

 

In any case I'm well impressed and very happy with the Warthog so far. Thanks everyone for making me get it :thumbup:

[cichlidfan]

Nice chair mod. I am still fiddling with getting mine in the center.

 

You might find that a bit more comfortable if you rotate the stick counter-clockwise about 15 degrees.