CH Hat Switch

[zack1234]

This helps me reach the Hat Switch.
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/820/img0401mq.jpg/

[Blagard]

I have tried similar ideas but then you don't get access to the pinky.

There is no doubt in my mind that if CH swopped the castle 4 way position with the 8 way above it, the result would be much more user freindly. Alas that would be a change and I don't see it happening because that is one thing against CH, a reluctance to change!

I use the Prothrottle  8 way for views and the castle on the stick for the up / down view element. My eightway on the stick has just four keys set to it so I don't use the diagonals at all.

EDIT: Your post did prompt me to make the comment about swapping the castle and the eightway positions with CH Products. The more that do may get them to change sometime in the future.

[zack1234]

if you click on next two images it shows pinky switch is not obscured

[Blagard]

if you click on next two images it shows pinky switch is not obscured

My own attempt was very much similar and whilst I agree the pinky switch is not obscured, it was definately uncomfortable to use. In fact the other two hats on the top of the stick also become uncomfortable to use. - Probably just the way my hand fits the stick but in the end I just accepted the top 8 way was better suited to occasional 4 way use. (I have my trims assigned to it).

As long as what you do feels OK to you, then that is fine. I did notice that such mods seem to be more comfortable if the stick base can be resited lower down. Mine is on the desk top. People who fit mounting plates (lower) on the arms of their chairs for Throttle and Stick will probably be OK with the raised support on the grip.

[guncrasher]

that sucks that you have to modify something to make it more usable.  me i didnt change anything and I can reach all the buttons, sometimes I'll lose control because I only use 2 fingers to hold it while turn fighting and at the same time use the other buttons.  not a big fan of ch sticks because 2 of them were crap, but that's how life is.

semp

[Blagard]

that sucks that you have to modify something to make it more usable. 

Yeah, I gotta laugh at that. The top 8 way on the CH stick is at the tip of my thumb. To use it with the the ball of my thumb you either have to lower the stick or pack up the hand rest.

I know the stick is based upon the real thing so perhaps the real thing is lower down than desk jockies  !

[nrshida]

The real thing is meant to have two hand positions depending on what you are doing, upper and lower. I heard a rumour that real pilots actually turn their heads to look around, but I don't believe it 

Why CH chose the uppermost hat for the views I do not know.

[Blagard]

I heard a rumour that real pilots actually turn their heads to look around, but I don't believe it 

Not a rumour, they struggle to get to the POV hat and find it easier to look. 

[SilverZ06]

I just got this stick yesterday and I hate it. Mainly just because of the hat switch location. I may just mod it and hope it gets better.

[Blagard]

I just got this stick yesterday and I hate it. Mainly just because of the hat switch location. I may just mod it and hope it gets better.

I know a lot of people like to use a POV on the stick. The CH Throttle has a POV in the perfect position, so fortunately I don't need the POV on the stick. - It is the only real downside of CH so far as I am concerned. Why not let CH know as I have done. The more feedback they get the better the chance of a change in the future.

[DREDIOCK]

I use a product found in craft shops called "Sculpy" Basically its a clay that you can get in different colors and is readily available in just about any craft shop like "Micheals". I mold it to the hand rest and shape it so that it slopes down toward the pinky button. that way not only can I reach both the pinky and hat at the same time. But it feels natural to may hand because I use my own hand to shape the slope. Once I do that then I very carefully peel it off so as to maintain its shape. Then lightly place it back on the stick to make sure I havent bent it too much and make any final adjustments without pressing it against the rest too hard so that its easy to remove.
Then I follow the instructions on how long to bake it. Once its baked and cooled. I double check the fit and either glue it in place or wrap it up in black electrical tape being careful not to wrap the tape over the pinky switch. I like the tape because it gives it an almost padded feel to it and I can take it off  or adjust it whenever I like. the sculpy is super cheap. Like $2 a block and I could probably make 3 or 4 rests out of a single block. And the beauty of it is when your setting it up. you can set it up to Your own hand contours . works really well.

[guncrasher]

I know a lot of people like to use a POV on the stick. The CH Throttle has a POV in the perfect position, so fortunately I don't need the POV on the stick. - It is the only real downside of CH so far as I am concerned. Why not let CH know as I have done. The more feedback they get the better the chance of a change in the future.

that's another 100 bucks to use the pov.

semp

[nrshida]

I use my own throttle which doesn't have a hat switch on it. I hang my index finger off the top of the Fighterstick to use the 8-way hat for views, and have to pull the trigger with my middle finger. After a few hours my hand aches.

I think CH Products are an ergonomically challenged company. Their pedals are also too close together and squeeze your nuts.

I believe they don't want change anything because it cost too much money and the market is too small to justify it. They could easily rearrange the circuit to make the lowest switch the 8-way.

[zack1234]

That clay stuff looks interesting
Like has been stated would be easier to have a hatswitch lower down.

Would cutting off top layer of hat switch and glueing a larger size plastic disc or washer do the job, there is not that much movement to obscure anything

To be honest its a problem but doing mods to things can be fun

[The Fugitive]

I use this....





of course now I can't find any gloves that fit!