Author Topic: Throttle quadrant  (Read 496 times)

Offline DeadStik

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Throttle quadrant
« on: August 01, 2011, 11:35:47 AM »
Hi folks,

I'm looking into purchasing a dual throttle/prop/mixture quadrant for use in the game. I'd like some opinions and thoughts. I'm looking into something simple along the lines of this:

http://www.mypilotstore.com/MyPilotStore/sep/4946

If there is anybody who has positive or negative feedback about their experience using throttle quadrants, I'd appreciate it very much. If anybody has specific feedback for this model, that would be valued even more! Thanks!
Dedstick

Offline Krusty

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Re: Throttle quadrant
« Reply #1 on: August 01, 2011, 11:46:29 AM »
If you can find a nice place to mount it, it's a nice unit. I have some things I'd like to have changed in the design, but it is what it is.

It's nice for the throttle levers. Some of them are a little looser than others, but their position still reads as accurate. They simply have less fricton on them.

There's no center mark so it is hard to return them all to center when calibrating in-game.

They also have a virtual button (2 of them actually) at the lowest detent. There is also this physical detent that isn't very crisp. I hate it. I wish it wasn't there. The good news is that you rarely need accuracy in this area (whatever you are using it for, that's usually the minimum/off position).

I wouldn't go back to a single throttle after using this. It's too useful! You may not be able to use those buttons like you want, but if you can tilt it away from you slightly (depending on where you mount it) it's easier to rest your knuckles over the levers and drop your thumb down to the buttons. I get HOTAS out of it that way.

It's also tall. The base stands above whatever you decide to mount it on. On my chair arm it's not too bad. Up on my desk it is too high and uncomforatble. If you can live with the positioning, it's a very nice piece of equipment.


From left to right I have mapped: Aileron trim, Elev trim, zoom FOV, RPM1, Throt1, Throt2

I never want for much! Although I probably wouldn't mind another 6 levers too :)

Offline DeadStik

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Re: Throttle quadrant
« Reply #2 on: August 01, 2011, 12:33:22 PM »
Thanks Krusty!

So you use a single throttle, prop, mixture quadrant? I'm looking into a dual one like the link provided.
Dedstick

Offline Krusty

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Re: Throttle quadrant
« Reply #3 on: August 01, 2011, 12:39:13 PM »
I use the 6-lever quadrant in the link. At different times I have mapped them different ways.

When heavy bombing I used to make 4 throttles, 1 RPM (to rule them all) and elevator trim.

I used to have aileron trim, elev trim, then RPM 1 and RPM 2 (I split them up) but after I realized how powerful a tool "Zoom FOV" was I sacrified one of my RPMs for it. Have a "toggle zoom" button mapped to your stick and the FOV axis is very useful.

Aileron and elevator trim are quite useful. Rudder trim would be as well. I have that on the throttle on my USB joystick. I use it less. I almost wish I could have a separate USB controller just for trim (3 dials mounted intuitively), but until then I use the throttle quadrant.

Offline james

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Re: Throttle quadrant
« Reply #4 on: August 01, 2011, 12:52:20 PM »
Krusty- http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,317560.0.html <--- try what I made here. You wont use the throttle quadrant for trim afterwards.
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Offline Krusty

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Re: Throttle quadrant
« Reply #5 on: August 01, 2011, 02:08:27 PM »
James,



That's pretty nice. I was thinking of something a bit more intuitive with regards to which way you twice the dial. Like a box and a dial on top to twist left/right for rudder trim, a up/down lever or recessed lever for elevators, and another but going left/right for aileron.

More like this:



But not...

If you see what I mean.

Offline Krusty

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Re: Throttle quadrant
« Reply #6 on: August 01, 2011, 02:11:06 PM »
Sort of like this:



Have one of those up/down for elev, one mounted 90-degrees left/right to that for aileron, and then sitting on top a twist-knob for rudder. That would give each trim its own axis and I wouldn't have to sit and think "Wait, do I pull or push to trim my rudder left?" (same for aileron)

Offline Tigger29

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Re: Throttle quadrant
« Reply #7 on: August 01, 2011, 02:19:25 PM »
Hi folks,

I'm looking into purchasing a dual throttle/prop/mixture quadrant for use in the game. I'd like some opinions and thoughts. I'm looking into something simple along the lines of this:

http://www.mypilotstore.com/MyPilotStore/sep/4946

If there is anybody who has positive or negative feedback about their experience using throttle quadrants, I'd appreciate it very much. If anybody has specific feedback for this model, that would be valued even more! Thanks!

Here's that same exact thing for $90 with free shipping:  CLICK HERE

It's pretty much your only option unless you want to build something yourself or spend an arm and a leg...

Offline james

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Re: Throttle quadrant
« Reply #8 on: August 01, 2011, 05:33:47 PM »
I would love to do wheels like you mentioned. Saitek makes a cessna trim now whick looks the part. It would be about 300 to get all of them going though. I was thinking of using a wheel for my elevator but still looking into how i'd mount it. I like the box you made it's very clean looking.
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Offline Krusty

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Re: Throttle quadrant
« Reply #9 on: August 01, 2011, 09:24:20 PM »
I cannot take credit, I googled it.