Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: Pollock on May 10, 2007, 08:09:12 PM

Title: TM cougar HOTAS owners
Post by: Pollock on May 10, 2007, 08:09:12 PM

I just snagged one from comp usa for 100 dollars.

Curious as to who uses one here and how much they like it.  I have been an saitek user since 99 so this is a big change for me.  If the cougar works out I will be selling my X52

Title: TM cougar HOTAS owners
Post by: band on May 11, 2007, 12:51:58 PM

I've been using one for the last 2 years. They are stiff as manufactured and benefit greatly from aftermarket modifications. I have virtually everything mapped to the stick and rarely need to touch the keyboard when flying. There is a bunch of information on them at  Cougar World. (http://cougar.frugalsworld.com/)

Title: TM cougar HOTAS owners
Post by: llama on May 11, 2007, 03:20:29 PM

Wow!

Amazing price. Good find.

-Llama

Title: TM cougar HOTAS owners
Post by: Xjazz on May 11, 2007, 03:33:11 PM

Quote

Originally posted by band
I've been using one for the last 2 years. They are stiff as manufactured and benefit greatly from aftermarket modifications. I have virtually everything mapped to the stick and rarely need to touch the keyboard when flying. There is a bunch of information on them at  Cougar World. (http://cougar.frugalsworld.com/)

Any idea how much these after market modifications costs?

Title: TM cougar HOTAS owners
Post by: Dux on May 11, 2007, 03:45:15 PM

It was the spring stiffness that caused me to eventually stop using mine... having the stick KA-CHUNK through the center point during maneuvering was causing me to get into spins and stalls. I have a very light touch, so it's definitely not the right stick for me, even with the after-market "lighter" springs.

I hope to see if I can modify it someday, though, because the setup does have the best features I've ever used.

Title: TM cougar HOTAS owners
Post by: wabbit on May 11, 2007, 08:21:55 PM

I've been using thrustmaster equipment since they first appeared. Recently rejoined Aces High and bought a cougar. (I'd sure like to know how you got one for $100.00, I ended up paying $200.00).

I love my cougar. It does take a little getting used to. The pull is rather intense, but once you get used to it, it's great. Except for a few keys I rarely use, I've got everything mapped to my Stick and Throttle. The only knob I haven't found a use for is the Ant Elev knob on the throttle.

I agree that the after-market upgrades can help, but I'm too poor to cough up the cost at present, and so far, my standard cougar is performing just fine for me.

Visit Cougar world and download the installation instructions they have there. It will help you avoid and install/setup problems. Make sure you don't use the drivers on the cougar cd, but download the latest ones from thrustmaster.

Enjoy,
Wabbit

Title: TM cougar HOTAS owners
Post by: Pollock on May 11, 2007, 08:55:12 PM

Thanks for the replies guys :)

Wabbit Comp USA closed its stores in Atlanta.
I got it at like 70 percent off could not pass that up.

Spare time is something I dont have right now so it will take a while for me to set it up.  If I dont like it there is alqways ebay.

Title: TM cougar HOTAS owners
Post by: Reschke on May 12, 2007, 06:52:38 AM

Quote

Originally posted by Pollock
Thanks for the replies guys :)

Wabbit Comp USA closed its stores in Atlanta.
I got it at like 70 percent off could not pass that up.

Spare time is something I dont have right now so it will take a while for me to set it up.  If I dont like it there is alqways ebay.

If you end up not liking it you can sell it to me for $100 and I will drive over and get it from you. I am beginning to pull in spares for the future just in case. BTW I live outside of Birmingham and I am in ATL frequently.