Stick Advice

[Hannibal]

I have just returned to AH after a long break and am in the market for a new stick. I've gone through two x52''s so far. The first one wore out, the second one I just broke trying to mod the shift switch. I really like the x52 throttle and really my only issues with the sticks are the lightness of them and the giant hand rest/guard. Right before I broke my last one, I tried shimming the spring, and even shimmed to the max it still wasn't even close to tension I was looking for. I was going to order a CH untill I realized they don't seem to be much heavier than the saitek (not sure, would appreciate input on this). From what I can tell, Thrustmaster seems to be more what I am looking for. The warthog is just gorgeous and I want it but I can't really afford it, and I am not sure what the tension of the stick is like. I read somewhere that the Cougar had like 15 lbs of resitance compared to the x52's 2lbs , and I started to get wood, until I realized the cougar doesn't seem to be in production anymore (not sure about this either). I'm also wondering if it's possible to just buy the warthog or cougar(if they still make em) stick and use them with my saitek throttle. If they can be used together but the sticks aren't sold seperately then maybe there is someone out there that wants the throttle and not the stick and we can make a deal. Otherwise I am guessing my options are to forget about a heavy stick and jump on the CH bandwagon, or get another Saitek, maybe the pro this time and put a heavier spring on it. Unless someone has a Cougar set up they are looking to get rid of....

Any  help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[ebfd11]

If you are willing to spend the money there are a few out there

Logitech g940
http://reviews.logitech.com/7061/5855/logitech-flight-system-g940-reviews/reviews.htm

Thrustmaster Cougar
http://www.thrustmaster.com/product.aspx?ProductID=221&PlatformID=5

Saitek x65
http://www.flightsim.com/main/review/x65f.htm

or you can look at all the reviews
http://www.simhq.com/_technology2/technology_094a.html
and compare them all.

I personally have the Logitech g940 and I have had a blast with it. It has allot of programmable buttons on it, programmable force feedback and in my opinion sturdy contruction. But like video cards and operating systems people will say one is better than the other. The main question you want to ask yourself is, "whats right for me?". It took me a good 3 months to decide what I wanted and I can say for my choice I made the right one.

One thing that impressed me about the g940 is the power outlet for the stick and the throttle and the pedals are connected the the stick with gameport connections so it is all one piece. With the CH all items are separately connected to the computer via USB ports so you might have to purchase a separate powered USB hub. The thrustmaster warthog I dont know how that is connected so i cant give any output on that one.

Remember to take and look and review for yourself and I am sure you will make the decision that is right for you.

LawnDart 

[TequilaChaser]

LawnDart,
you posted the link to the Thrustmaster Warthog HOTAS


here is the Thrustmaster CougarHOTAS:

http://www.thrustmaster.com/product.aspx?ProductID=11&PlatformID=5

( and about the only place one would prob be able to find a Cougar hotas would be ebay or online auction website )

hope this helps

TC

[ebfd11]

oops thanks for the catch TC   

[Flench]

My X52 just went out so I think I'm going CH all the way . Got the CH pedals a few week's ago . So I will have the X52 throttle with the CH pedals and CH joystick . Not sure about getting head tracking yet ...

[guncrasher]

I've had my chfiterstick for almost a year now.  seriously, not as great as "they" say it is.  i think my x52 was better and was more confortable to use.  mine i had for a couple of years and finally gave it way to get the awesome chfiterstick since it woudnt break down.  oh well, that's life.

semp

[caldera]

I've had my chfiterstick for almost a year now.  seriously, not as great as "they" say it is.  i think my x52 was better and was more confortable to use.  mine i had for a couple of years and finally gave it way to get the awesome chfiterstick since it woudnt break down.  oh well, that's life.

semp

I agree with you there, semp.  Tried both X-52 and CH and have to say X-52's ergonomics are way better.  Put it up for sale in the AH classified section if you don't like it. 

[vafiii]

I like the original Saitek Aviator. Had mine for 2 years with no problems. It's a simple design which looks much more like a WWII stick than a modern jet fighter.

[Hannibal]

     Thanks for all the help everyone. So it seems my options for a "heavy" stick are either force feedback with the logitech, zero movement with the x65, or buying a used Cougar. I was considering the logitech at one time, but I never really liked the look of it and wasn't sure about forrce feedback, but have since just read to many bad reviews.
     I ruled out the X65 for lack of movement but now I wonder if that might turn out to be what I am looking for. I wonder if building something with the resistance I am looking for and mounting the X65 to that would work. What drives me nuts is all this shopping is by mail. It would be nice if stores carried these things so you could have some idea of what you are getting into. I was going to just bite the bullet and grab another x52 today just to get back in the air, but I can't find any stores that stock them anymore. The aviator was the third stick I had. It was a decent stick and I would be using it as a stand in if I still had it. I looked to buy another one of those also and couldn't find any in stores.
     I'm not thrilled about the idea of buying a used stick, though I am not opposed to it either if i makes sense. Not sure if buying a used Cougar would make sense. Aside from quality and age question, I am not sure if I could use the Cougar with my saitek throttle or windows 7.

Can someone tell me how the tension of CH sticks compares to the X52? Am I right in my understanding that CH sticks are about the same or slightly heavier? Thanks again for the replies, they have been a big help.

[morfiend]

 Why not just go for a warthog instead of a used cougar,unless the cost is an issue. If your looking for a heavy spring tension then I think you'll like the warthog.I know a player that has both a fully modded cougar and a warthog and he said the warthog was better in all respects.

 I cant speak about the cougar myself but I own a warthog and then more I use it the more I like it,it returns to center so smoothly it feels like power steering...



   

[Hannibal]

The cost is the only issue I have with Warthog. That's the one I want, and now I want it even more after that description, but it's just too much money. I still have my x52 throttle and I like using it. If I needed a throttle also, I would be more inclined to buy the warthog. If I could just buy the Warthog stick sans throttle, for say half the price or something, I would be all over it. I don't know if it's even possible to use the Warthog stick with a different throttle though from the pics I've seen they each appear to have their own USBs. If it is possible and there is someone out there that is  happy with the stick they have but want the warthog throttle then we should talk. Otherwise I guess I will wind up settling for a CH just because it's a good stick I can buy without having to pay for a throttle too.

[Flench]

Otherwise I guess I will wind up settling for a CH just because it's a good stick I can buy without having to pay for a throttle too.

Yeah , That's what I ended up doing .

[Urchin]

Ch sticks are not high tension but they are very precise.

[morfiend]

Hannibal,


 The warthog stick and throttle are sepperate for each other,both have their own usb plug and I see no reason why you couldn't use "just" the stick with some other throttle.


  Unfortunately I don't think you can purchase the stick without the throttle,atleast not as of yet.


   
 

[Hannibal]

Ch sticks are not high tension but they are very precise.

Yeah, that's what I figured and what I meant by settling for a CH. Thanks for the info.