Thrustmaster HOTAS F-18

[lasvideo]

With all the problems folks have had with the TM Warthog (sticktion / defective buttons) I dont know why any intelligent person would even consider buying their crap. No need to get defensive about this, just Google it and you will see thousands of folks complaining about and trying to fix the terrible design of this joystick. You have to be nuts to support a company that charged so much for such a badly manufactured and designed item.

[asla36]

I was going to E3 to see the new joystick. Now I seriously think I'll just skip it and go into work.

 

What a huge disappointment that pos is.

Well, if you don't want to fly the F/A-18C in DCS, you can not go there... ED are letting people play it at the TM booth.

[hansangb]

With all the problems folks have had with the TM Warthog (sticktion / defective buttons) I dont know why any intelligent person would even consider buying their crap. No need to get defensive about this, just Google it and you will see thousands of folks complaining about and trying to fix the terrible design of this joystick. You have to be nuts to support a company that charged so much for such a badly manufactured and designed item.

 

 

Well, I consider myself somewhat intelligent and I weighed the facts and got a TMWH years ago. Sure the innards could be better. Wiring is pretty cheaply made/connected. It is not w/o faults. But there are probably 10, 20, 30X more people who didn't have problems (myself included). It's not that bad of a joystick. The postings here would have you believe it's garbage (like your post) but that's a bit of a hyperbole. Only people with problems tend to post so if you go by online posting, you get a very skewed view.

 

Could it be better? Of course. Was it the first joystick that worked out of the box for DCS? Absolutely. I like the feel of it, throttle is fine. Was it worth the cost? For me, it was.

 

But most importantly, competitors like Virpil, VKB sprung up to give TM competition. Say what you will, but without TM, I'd still be playing DCS with toy-like joysticks.

[Revvin]

Well, I consider myself somewhat intelligent and I weighed the facts and got a TMWH years ago. Sure the innards could be better. Wiring is pretty cheaply made/connected. It is not w/o faults. But there are probably 10, 20, 30X more people who didn't have problems (myself included). It's not that bad of a joystick. The postings here would have you believe it's garbage (like your post) but that's a bit of a hyperbole. Only people with problems tend to post so if you go by online posting, you get a very skewed view.

 

Could it be better? Of course. Was it the first joystick that worked out of the box for DCS? Absolutely. I like the feel of it, throttle is fine. Was it worth the cost? For me, it was.

 

But most importantly, competitors like Virpil, VKB sprung up to give TM competition. Say what you will, but without TM, I'd still be playing DCS with toy-like joysticks.

 

The HOTAS Warthog I have hasn't had any issues. People want a metal stick and gimbal but most wouldn't pay the premium to have such a precision engineered gimbal that would avoid the issues that were had with the HOTAS Cougar gimbals. Personally I don't see the big deal of having a metal bodied stick when you can have an extremely durable glass filled nylon body like you find on CH Products hardware including their industrial products which take a battering.

 

It should be remembered that those who have problems are most likely to talk about it and spread news of their dissatisfaction over those who have bought a HOTAS Warthog and never experienced problems. FWIW I think its a good stick and throttle, it has its flaws but its still a good choice and its good that a company that also makes mass market devices still has an interest in providing a flagship controller to a very niche market.

[cichlidfan]

... just Google it and you will see thousands of folks complaining about and trying to fix the terrible design of this joystick. ...

 

Yes, and those thousands of complaints would imply tens of thousand of people who are not complaining.

 

As others have said, it isn't perfect but it is pretty damn good and, unlike the VKB and VPC alternatives, readily available for purchase on a continuous basis.

[dburne]

I have had my Warthog since shortly after it's release and absolutely love it, especially with my extension. I guess I got lucky as my gimbal has always been very smooth.

 

I also have a new in box Gunfighter now, waiting on the new MCG grip to become available. Have the new Virpil offering on order as well which apparently is under some delay.

It will be interesting to see if one of those end up in my retiring my tried and true Warthog.

[Weasel]

Cool down guys :smilewink: Yes I know TM said there won't be any new hotas system before 2020 but many things and facts may have changed since then. It's very easy to see that the hornet will set a new milestone in the flight sim genre. I really can't imagine that TM won't be a part of this success. So therefore I am sure we will see a new flight stick or hotas (what I really hope).

 

Even TM won't release any new stick or hotas so there may be many others which will do. I know the Hotas Warthog looks very cheap for some users and many had problems with it. In all the years I never had just one problem and for me the Hotas Warthog is the money worth. In a few days the E3 starts and we will know more about the hornet and if there will be a new stick or hotas. Let's hope the best :thumbup:

[Headwarp]

People want a metal stick and gimbal but most wouldn't pay the premium to have such a precision engineered gimbal that would avoid the issues that were had with the HOTAS Cougar gimbals.

 

The HOTAS warthog retails for $400-$500. What premium didn't we pay for? At that price there shouldn't be issues for people. Congrats to you for not having any issues with your TM Warthog, but who are you to bash people for pointing out the weakest part of the design which did show itself to those who have a complaint?

 

I paid the price for premium quality. I got a stick that I have to take apart and correct the flaws of the manufacturing process.. you and NO ONE will convince me I'm happy about spending the amount of money I did for this result.

 

In response to other posts, "For every thousands of complaints there are 10s of thousands of no complaints."

 

That doesn't mean those of us who have had issues and are expected to correct them ourselves don't have merit for complaint or hope for a better design in the future.

 

For every 10 thousand non complaints how many of those people even know what signs to look for?

 

I'm sorry dude but lol @ not willing to pay the premium.. I'm pretty sure that's what I did when I ordered the stick in the first place.

 

I personally don't think it's asking too much that if Thrustmaster should release another high priced PC peripheral, that they come up with a design less prone to the issues that people with complaints have complained about.

 

I hope you NEVER get a lemon stick in your life.. good luck to you on that. Personally, there's only one product TM could sell me after this experience... and they haven't designed it yet.

 

*Edit* I take that back.. I'm up in the air on who I'd like to buy a steering wheel from in the future. TM is still a contender there.

Edited June 12, 2017 by Headwarp

[Revvin]

I'm not bashing anyone, simply providing my own experience and opinion which is just as valid as yours. My comment regarding precision engineered gimbals if you read it again was referring to the HOTAS Cougar and I was referring to third party gimbals such as the U2 gimbals. For the price I think the HOTAS Warthog is a lot of controller for the money and perhaps the best compromise to keep the overall cost down was to go with the gimbal material they chose over something like a U2 which would have likely made the cost much higher.

[pr1malr8ge]

Well, Haven't seen a better pics yet but here ya go

 

Edited June 13, 2017 by pr1malr8ge

[SkateZilla]

https://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=3166934&postcount=70

 

https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?p=3167102#post3167102

[cichlidfan]

I guess it will be a while if they couldn't even show a working prototype.

[SkateZilla]

they have a bit of time before F/A-18C is out of Early Access.

[some1]

Not very interested in F-18 grip, functionally it's step back from A-10 stick (one less hat, less buttons). I wish they did a proper Hornet or F-15 throttle though, with antenna elevation scroll on the grip and a better slew control.

[ebabil]

Not very interested in F-18 grip, functionally it's step back from A-10 stick (one less hat, less buttons). I wish they did a proper Hornet or F-15 throttle though, with antenna elevation scroll on the grip and a better slew control.

 

+1

[Harle]

What's the point of buying this stick if it has fewer buttons and hats than its predecessor?

[rogonaut]

its an f18 grip.

[Harle]

its an f18 grip.

 

Does it mean that WH grip cannot be used for f18 sim?

[rogonaut]

u can use whatever grip u want:) its just for immersion and function to have the real deal right?

[VirusAM]

What's the point of buying this stick if it has fewer buttons and hats than its predecessor?

 

 

 

If you care only about f18 the point is that it is its replica...if you care about other complex jets you should keep the a10/f16 one or have both...

For me it depends from the cost, if the grip only is not expensive i will take it and keep both and depending on the plane i will fly i'll use one or another...but if it is more then 100 euros i will leave it on the shelf...

[TomCatMucDe]

as it looks like, the A10/F16 grip is a superset of the F18 grip. I dont see any good reason to buy one. The throttle however is interesting and is pretty different. IMHO it was more important to get the throttle than the grip, but I guess for marketing reasons, the grip is more of an eye catcher. It is harder to market a throttle alone.

[Revelation]

Does it mean that WH grip cannot be used for f18 sim?

 

No. This is going to be another option, especially for those that like plug and play. I imagine that ED and Thrustmaster will work together to ensure that each button / hat is recognized and "triggers" the appropriate in-game functionality.

[cichlidfan]

No. This is going to be another option, especially for those that like plug and play. I imagine that ED and Thrustmaster will work together to ensure that each button / hat is recognized and "triggers" the appropriate in-game functionality.

 

Of course it will be Plug&Play, that will take all of about 15 minutes to code (TM has nothing to do with it). The problem is that it is probably going to retail for about $150, at least, which will make it a tough sell for many.

[Sierra99]

Of course it will be Plug&Play, that will take all of about 15 minutes to code (TM has nothing to do with it). The problem is that it is probably going to retail for about $150, at least, which will make it a tough sell for many.

 

If I can get just the > Grip < for $150.00 I will be ecstatic. That was the idea of how this supposed to work going back to the Cougar...

 

That being said, since the F-18C and AV-8B use essentially the same Grip (The Hat and Castle switches are reversed) I wish Thrustmaster would produce the specific throttles for both aircraft. Especially since the AV-8B has VERY specific Nozzle Controls that are critical to STOL flight.

 

 

Sierra

[ward8124]

I wish Thrustmaster would produce the specific throttles for both aircraft. Especially since the AV-8B has VERY specific Nozzle Controls that are critical to STOL flight.

 

 

Sierra

 

Totally agree with this as I'm looking at trying to come up with a solution to the Harrier Nozzle angles now ready for when it comes out. i'm just happy to get the control stick for the FA18 for the moment as it's a start!