Author Topic: Cougar VS CH Combatstick + Throttle (Read 1675 times)

Wilbus · « **on:** June 10, 2005, 04:07:51 AM »

Need advice and compariosons? What do you guys prefer? Anyone who's used both of them?

How much resistance is there in the cougar? I've heard it was alot, too much? Difficult to make small adjustments? How much work needs to be done on the "out of the box" cougar? Replacing pots etc right away? Modifing speed brake?

What would the Pro's of a CH be except it's pretty much gurantied longlivity?

Any and all comments greatly appriciated, try though, as far as possible, to be objective

FOGOLD · « **Reply #1 on:** June 10, 2005, 06:50:46 AM »

I have had both. I sold the Cougar and now have a CH Hotas system. Seriously, the CH kit is FAR superior. Works out of the box, software is excellent , reliable.

ALSO if you have smaller hands you can map the hat on the throttle for views to save stretching for the joystick hat. You soon get used to it. The Cougar is big, not that well made (especially the guts of it).

If I was being impolite I would say it is an overblown POS which arrived with great fanfare and was a great dissapointment.

CH all the way as far as I'm concerned. I only wish I hadn't spent the money on the Cougar, although I did sell it and the person seems happy with it.

The Cougar has much heavier springs if that's your bag.

CH stuff is seen as one controller so can be used in older sims easily. Cougar with USB rudders can't.

Both sticks are too big Imo, but as long as you can do the above with HAT switches its not a problem.

Wilbus · « **Reply #2 on:** June 10, 2005, 08:28:52 AM »

OK thanks for the reply

It's always interesting to ask different people. I've had some replies to a similair thread over at Cougar World aswell. They say both CH and Cougar are exelent but of course they go with cougar.

I've tried the CH combat stick once before and didn't quite like the feel of it, not enough tension IMO and I coulnd't reach the hat at all.

Will keep thinking about it for a while though...

Reschke · « **Reply #3 on:** June 10, 2005, 09:07:48 AM »

Personally I think you are one half of the way there. If you haven't tried a Cougar you need to get your hands on one. I have had just about every HOTAS combo ever made and personally I still like my Cougar above all else. I have had some issues with it but apparently mine slipped through CCQC (Crappy Cougar Quality Control) at the assembly plant.

The only thing I have had wrong with mine was a joystick pot that failed (just like many others did) and the center play that everyone was griping about is just now after who knows how much usage is a little over 2mm from center. It doesn't effect flight in any game when I let go of the stick. Also I am going to be changing the "gimbals" over to one of the mods that is available but only because I want to eliminate the "flat" transition spots at the 12,3,6 & 9 positions.

I haven't tried the newest CH software but previous versions had nothing on Foxy. Simply put if you get a chance try one that hasn't been modified and try one that has if possible.

JimBear · « **Reply #4 on:** June 10, 2005, 09:43:40 AM »

I have a Cougar that I used exclusivly for about 2 years, installed cub pilots Hall effect Sensor (which are great) and have put it in the closet with the rest of my joystick museum. This was done simply out of frustration with of little issues of mine. And have since been using an old X45. But... I keep looking at the CH stuff at Frys (fighterstick and throttle) The one thing that strikes me as "different" about the CH stick is the + point where its neutral. How does that feel when flying/fighting? with most other stick you have dont have a physical hardware meeting point at the axis like that. How does the fine control of lining up a shot, or landing feel as opposed to a standard open spring center?

btw, if anyone wants a deal on a cougar....

JB73 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 10, 2005, 09:51:58 AM »

i have smaller hands and have a CH fighterstick

it is a major strain to reach the hat with your thumb, and it is a funky shaped button. i looked for a mod to make it a softer or more flat button, but no go.

i also can't reach the "fire" button on the top well (the red one)

it has 3 hats on the top of the stick, 2 4-way and 1 8-way. what i did was map my secondary fire to DOWN on one of the hats.

i never used a cougar, i came from an x45 (i still use the x45 throttle in game for the rotary trim, and stuff)

the CH stick was a huge difference in resistence. my x45 got "sticky" but the spring was still ALOT tighter than the CH. the CH felt like there was nothing resisting my pushing the stick full deflection. something odd to get used to myself. it felt like one of those microsoft sticks at first (i always HATED that loose feeling)

Wilbus · « **Reply #6 on:** June 10, 2005, 10:27:29 AM »

Ok thanks all, lots to think about and consider

Never did like the loose feeling of the CH either, had the chance to try a combat stick a year or two back and couldn't reach the secondary fire button very well either and definatly didn't like the pointy hat. Only felt on the cougar for a brief moment, not enough to give me a good idea of it.

Reschke · « **Reply #7 on:** June 10, 2005, 10:31:31 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by JimBear
btw, if anyone wants a deal on a cougar....

JimBear let me know what your deal is for the Cougar. email.....reschke@gmail.com

FOGOLD · « **Reply #8 on:** June 10, 2005, 11:50:28 AM »

I had the same problem with the hat and second fire button. It's easy to remap to another button.

I wish though someone would make a stick that was ergonomic. This "F 16 replica" is kids stuff.

The most ergonomic stick is the Thrustmaster Afterburner. Beautifully shaped and buttons that just fall to finget and thumb.

Trouble is it's a budget stick and doesn't last.

By the way Wilbus, you realise you've opened a whole can of worms here

JB73 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 10, 2005, 02:42:58 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by JimBear
The one thing that strikes me as "different" about the CH stick is the + point where its neutral. How does that feel when flying/fighting?

suprisingly i like it. you really can "feel" what you are doing, and it helps in learning control of the plane i think.

it does take a bit to get used to, but in the long run i think it has helped make me a better pilot.

Wilbus, it is not as loose as the MS, but it is loose. i have gotten used to it now, and with the large base of the grip it is actually rather comfortable to fly with (except for the button thing)

Wilbus · « **Reply #10 on:** June 10, 2005, 02:54:23 PM »

LOL Fogold, yes I'm beginning to realise that now

I'm starting to fall for the Cougar, like I said, the combatstick doens't fit my hand AT ALL and it's got mostly 4-way POV hats, something I am not too fond of.

CH has a longlivety no other company can compete with, which is the major reason to chose CH gear IMO.

Cougar has alot more customization capabilities, more 8-way hats, possible new sticks in the future etc but I'm pretty damn sure it will never last as long as a CH product. Of course, one can order new pots and mod it for quite some time and thus keeping it alive.

I've asked around on Cougar world aswell, specially about the small hand issue aswell as the "bugs" with the stick (pot problems and speed brake). The pot problem has been fixed since serial number 11,500 I found out, new good pots which last longer have replaced the old ones. The small hand issue was not a real isse, you're expected to move the hand up and down, as in a real F16 obviously... will take time to get used to but so will a HOTAS.

More comments, reviews etc welcome, can of worms you say? I haven't gotten started yet

straffo · « **Reply #11 on:** June 10, 2005, 03:56:30 PM »

Got at 1st a sidewinder (RIP) next a X36 (RIP)
Then I had one of the 1st cougar it was crappy I had all the troubles possible (dieing pots ,center play broke brake buton...) and feeling was well ... pathetic ?
All in 3 weeks of AH.

I found a guy idiot enought to buy mine and put 400€ more on mods and now he is happy (and poor

) Falcon player.

Next I got a X45 (RIP)

A bit pissed by my joystick experiences I got a complete CH setup : this is THE tool !
Feeling is great ,it beat foxy for programmation and easy of programmation Bob Church is very responsive

I've big hand so I'v no trouble reaching all hat and buton but for my daughter (5 years old) I made a "prothesis" I can duct tape on the stick so she can reach the hat.

I'll post a pict if I can find a digital camera.

Seriously I won't consider a Cougar it's to pricey.

Wilbus · « **Reply #12 on:** June 10, 2005, 04:00:31 PM »

Got a X? X45?

Anybody know anything about the X52?

Wilbus · « **Reply #13 on:** June 10, 2005, 04:02:14 PM »

ARGH! So freaking hard to know which one will be best for me. Very many people with the Cougar are happy, and there are also those who are unhappy with it.

Never heard anyone who's unhappy with the CH stuff. Still, I couldn't reach the Hat as I wanted to...

ARGH.

straffo · « **Reply #14 on:** June 10, 2005, 04:02:23 PM »

posted too soon Wil

Sorry