Author Topic: Cougar HOTAS (Read 451 times)

Modas · « **on:** June 05, 2002, 07:11:03 AM »

Well, I finally received my Cougar yesterday and my first impression of it is I am not impressed. It feels great, but the fit/function of it sucks. The dogfite switch on the throttle (I believe, the one below the 3 position switch) is busted and the antena knob has no center detent, the adjustable friction feature on the throttle doens't work, and the throttle makes and enormous racket when moved (min throttle to max). However, this may be the detents but I'm not sure. All this right out of the box before I even installed it. $250 dollar stick and TM is sending it out with broken switches

Couple of questions...

Before I send this thing back, did anyone else see these problems?

Can I plug my TQS throttle into this thing and have it work?

Can someone explain the DX button thing and the advantage of using it AND how to use it?

Thanks

Wanker · « **Reply #1 on:** June 05, 2002, 08:11:21 AM »

Sorry to hear that, Modas. I got mine yesterday as well, and it nothing is broken on it. Maybe it got broken during shipping?

My throttle makes that clicking noise like yours, but I think those are the detents. They should be adjustable with that little dial that's on the base facing you.

I've spent the last night reading the manual and the programming sounds very easy to me, similar to programming my X45 using the Hazardscript.

Revvin · « **Reply #2 on:** June 05, 2002, 08:43:56 AM »

The throttle clicks are almost certainly the detents. You can move them so that they do not appear in the normal operation of the throttle, its OK the Cougar detents were designed to be adjustable so you won't invalidate your warranty.

As for the other switch I believe you are referring to the speed brake two position button under the three position dogfight switch. Please do try and install the Cougar and test the stick in FOXY's DX8 diagnostic. The buttons have been very stiff out of the box, mine were a little stiff but after a little use its now bedded in just fine. OTOH there were a few reports of broken speed brake switches, sometimes the switch underneath the button is not seated properly before they apply the heat glue.

My antenna has a detent, its not quite as pronounced as the range button but definately there and you can feel it as you rotate the switch.

Hope you can get yours sorted out, my first Cougar arrived with a fault possibly caused during shipping so I understand your frustration.

214thCavalier · « **Reply #3 on:** June 05, 2002, 01:59:48 PM »

Noisy throttle detents easily cured, take base off throttle on base is the friction plate for the detents held on by 2 screws, undo screws remove plate and safely store, problem solved.

Modas · « **Reply #4 on:** June 05, 2002, 02:35:27 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Revvin

As for the other switch I believe you are referring to the speed brake two position button under the three position dogfight switch. Please do try and install the Cougar and test the stick in FOXY's DX8 diagnostic. The buttons have been very stiff out of the box, mine were a little stiff but after a little use its now bedded in just fine. OTOH there were a few reports of broken speed brake switches, sometimes the switch underneath the button is not seated properly before they apply the heat glue.

Yes, I am refering to the dogfite switch, my bad. I have absolutely no click or anthing with this switch. It slides slightly in the speedbrake direction (about .030 or .040") but doesn't click or return when released. I've seen other posts about it being really stiff, and then breaking in, but I hate to force it and really mess it up. I'll have to take another look at it tonight.

qts · « **Reply #5 on:** June 05, 2002, 03:15:42 PM »

Firstly, the clicks as you move the throttle are indeed the detents.

Secondly, I'm not sure which button you think is broken. The Dogfight button has three distinct positions; the Spd Brk switch is more complex.

The Spd Brk switch has a centre position, a sprung position if you pull the switch towards you (you will feel a click but it will not stay in that position) and a fixed far position. Some people have reported initial difficulty in getting the Spd Brk switch to hit that position, but it comes after a short while.

Does this help?

Doberman · « **Reply #6 on:** June 05, 2002, 06:45:43 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by qts
Firstly, the clicks as you move the throttle are indeed the detents.

Secondly, I'm not sure which button you think is broken. The Dogfight button has three distinct positions; the Spd Brk switch is more complex.

The Spd Brk switch has a centre position, a sprung position if you pull the switch towards you (you will feel a click but it will not stay in that position) and a fixed far position. Some people have reported initial difficulty in getting the Spd Brk switch to hit that position, but it comes after a short while.

Does this help?

Actually some on Cougar World have reported misalignment of the switch which results in breakage. I'd be a little leery of really forcing it.

Mine was a little tight, but has broken in nicely. It took slightly more force than the other switches to move when new (it feels like it's just slightly misaligned) but now is fine.

Anyone with no fear of opening up their new gear can easily check the alignment and move things around a little bit by opening the throttle handle up.

D