Author Topic: Thrust Master Cougar Flight Control (Read 527 times)

Strip · « **on:** February 20, 2008, 03:28:37 PM »

Any one have any experience with this HOTAS setup? Looks extremly well made with a mostly metal construction...19lbs of it no less. Its a little modern looking for this game but it has a lot of features I want and looks good. I just sent the Saitek X52 I bought back. X axis has a dead spot. Worked good for a few days and now it banks you hard left once a minute. I had a X45 before that and the throttle has a dead spot in it tho after a year of hard flying.

Does AH2 support this stick and all of it functions?

Any problems?

Will the rudder pedals and toe brakes work in AH2?

Any comparison to above items?

I can get it for 190 bucks with free shipping.......X52 sets me back 100 so the price difference isnt that great.

Thanks for the input.

Strip(er)

BaDkaRmA158Th · « **Reply #1 on:** February 20, 2008, 03:35:41 PM »

You may have to celibrate each button/slider/toggle to do a function in aces high.

but yes, it should all work, weather its plug & play, doubt it.
The more buttons your joystick has, the more likely you are going to have to rebind a function to each one.

Not all good, not all bad.
it should all work corectly tho.

Strip · « **Reply #2 on:** February 20, 2008, 03:48:31 PM »

Yeah I figured that......I spent 2-3 hours configuring the X-52 so thats not to worry.

Anyone own one?

Strip(er)

The Fugitive · « **Reply #3 on:** February 20, 2008, 03:51:20 PM »

do a search on these boards...one guy posted all about his. A number of people have it and swear by it.

Shuffler · « **Reply #4 on:** February 20, 2008, 04:09:44 PM »

I have CH Fighter Stick, CH Pro Throttle and Ch Pro Pedals... they work great in AH.

llama · « **Reply #5 on:** February 20, 2008, 05:16:53 PM »

There are those who believe that the gimbals and pots in these things are weak, to the point that there are businesses that make replacements that are hundreds of dollars each.

Others think they are just fine as they are.

I myself find the springs way too strong on them but I like the form factor, so I keep sticking with 13 year old Thrustmaster equipment that still uses the gameport.

No dead spots for me either, even after a decade plus of use.

-Llama

TequilaChaser · « **Reply #6 on:** February 20, 2008, 07:09:44 PM »

The CompUSA Retail Stores are closing out/going out of business. if it is not too late, go check them out. last week I saw a Thrustmaster Cougar Hotas ( well Stick & Throttle ----no pedals ) for just $90.00.......

dang $450 Garmin GPS selling for $165.00........

everything is going quick & cheap.......

Good Luck in hunting for a steal.. and yes Sateik X52 Pros etc..selling DIRT CHEAP as well

wabbit · « **Reply #7 on:** February 21, 2008, 01:22:29 AM »

I have used Thrustmaster for 10 years or more, and I've been flying with the newest, the Cougar for over year now. I love it! It's rock solid. I use it with a CH PRO USB Rudder system, and I'm currently trying to replace the pots in the CH PRO USB Rudcers with Hall effect sensors.

I've already ordered the Hall Effect sensors for the Stick and Throttle. They're a bit expensive, but it will remove all spiking from the pots.

It usually takes a week or so to get used to the stronger springs, but they're set to match up with the pull of a real F16 joystick. Once you get used to it, I think you'll like it.

The Stick & throttle are fully programable through Foxy, the programing util that comes with the Cougar, and you can program buttons from within Aces if you don't want to mess with Foxy. I use foxy myself, and it's got built-in tutorials that are pretty good. My squadie programs his inside Aces and seems to have no complaints.

The original gimbals work fine, although some people have noticed some center-play. I have, and ordered the U2Nxt gimbal replacement. It ain't cheap. The U2Nxt costs are $400.00. The hall effect sensors are another $170.00 for the throttle and Stick. In the end I'll have a setup that should last a very long time, and have no spiking or center play.

What the hell, I free, (single), and I can't take it with me, so I"m gonna enjoy it!

Bottom line: You're gonna love the Cougar!

Wabbit

smash · « **Reply #8 on:** February 22, 2008, 09:26:27 AM »

I have the setup. It broke within 2 weeks of purchase.

I went with Ian's upgrade and Hall sensors. Ended up with over $600 in the stick/throttle. Its a nice setup, but I'm not sure I would do it again. And it requires periodic maintenance just like everything else.