Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: PFactorDave on February 02, 2012, 12:23:43 PM

Title: Tell me about your Thrustmaster Warthog
Post by: PFactorDave on February 02, 2012, 12:23:43 PM
Thinking of buying one.

If you have one, what do you like and dislike about it?
Title: Re: Tell me about your Thrustmaster Warthog
Post by: FLS on February 02, 2012, 12:41:29 PM
If you add a little extension to the stick it's perfect.
Title: Re: Tell me about your Thrustmaster Warthog
Post by: PFactorDave on February 02, 2012, 12:49:26 PM
If you add a little extension to the stick it's perfect.

Was it easy to setup for AH?  Did you have to use their software, or could you do everything you wanted in the in game set up?
Title: Re: Tell me about your Thrustmaster Warthog
Post by: james on February 02, 2012, 12:54:18 PM
All I did was get the update to the drivers. I bought the 4" extension before the warthog.
It was as easy to set up in ah as an x52 or other stick.
After using a cougar I couldn't go beck to a plastic stick. It simply is the vest stick over ever had.
Title: Re: Tell me about your Thrustmaster Warthog
Post by: Delirium on February 02, 2012, 12:57:10 PM
I just went to a Warthog from a CH stick so my views are little lopsided. Heck, I haven't even had a chance to fly in the MA with it yet.

1. CH programming is so far ahead of the Thrustmaster programming for ease of use, it is comical.

2. If you're heavy handed on the stick, the resistance the Warthog offers is much more comfortable. If you're accustomed to a light stick, the resistance will definitely work against you in the short term.

3. The Warthog doesn't have a physical X and Y axis like the CH does. With the CH stuff, you know exactly if you are rolling or pitching the aircraft and with the Warthog it is seamless. This is both a perk and boon, depending on your opinion.
----

My personal take is CH is far better for the programming of the stick itself, the Warthog is far ahead of CH in the terms of quality and beauty.
Title: Re: Tell me about your Thrustmaster Warthog
Post by: PFactorDave on February 02, 2012, 01:01:33 PM
I just went to a Warthog from a CH stick so my views are little lopsided. Heck, I haven't even had a chance to fly in the MA with it yet.

1. CH programming is so far ahead of the Thrustmaster programming for ease of use, it is comical.

2. If you're heavy handed on the stick, the resistance the Warthog offers is much more comfortable. If you're accustomed to a light stick, the resistance will definitely work against you in the short term.

3. The Warthog doesn't have a physical X and Y axis like the CH does. With the CH stuff, you know exactly if you are rolling or pitching the aircraft and with the Warthog it is seamless. This is both a perk and boon, depending on your opinion.
----

My personal take is CH is far better for the programming of the stick itself, the Warthog is far ahead of CH in the terms of quality and beauty.

Well, I'm currently using an X52.  When I first got it (replacing my beloved MS Sidewinder), the X52 was waaay to light for me.  I ended up doing a minor mod to the stick to stiffen it up.  I've heard this about their software before, which concerns me somewhat.  I don't like the Saitek software either, but I am able to set my X52 up how I like it within the AH system.
Title: Re: Tell me about your Thrustmaster Warthog
Post by: morfiend on February 02, 2012, 02:32:12 PM
Dave,


  Had mine for over a year now,you dont need to use the software as it's easy enough to just use the AH system to setup the warthog. the toggle switches are single action so that will take abit to get used to but other than that I highly recomend it.

  single action means that it doesnt return to center and you must do that manually,at first this sort of messed me up but I soon got used to it and now it doesnt affect me at all.



    The spring tension is high,quite stiff,but once you get used to it I think you'll really enjoy flying with it.



    :salute
Title: Re: Tell me about your Thrustmaster Warthog
Post by: Reschke on February 02, 2012, 02:37:02 PM
Pretty simple for me. I like....no I love the fact that I got mine for free; the plus side is that I love the feel of the stick and I haven't wanted/needed to modify it in any way to make it better like I had to do with my old Cougar. The feeling of the stick and the action is nearly seamless in the transitions from X:Y axis' and those that complain about it...well what can I say other than they are flight sim players and we can never be fully satisfied with what we have. My abysmal gunnery is actually a little better than abysmal now due to not having to feel like I am fighting with every part of the stick just to point my nose at something to shoot.

The don't like side for me is the software. I do not have to use it for either DCS: A-10C or AH to play either game. In A-10C it is recognized immediately and the buttons and switches perform EXACTLY as they do in the game. In AH I am able to program everything that I need to into the stick for true hands off the keyboard flight. HOWEVER in my saying that I don't like the software that isn't exactly true. I have had my Warthog for just over a year now and in the beginning I truly hated TARGET; BUT now I am learning the scripting side of the program instead of fudging around with the GUI side and I am liking it a little better. I still do not want to use TARGET for AH but I will end up using it for other games that aren't as easy to work with as AH is for programming your flight gear.

Hardware rating = 10/10 (would go higher if there was a higher scale for me)
Software rating = 5+/10 (that is only because I have just scratched the scripting surface and may change that rating at a later time.)
Title: Re: Tell me about your Thrustmaster Warthog
Post by: PFactorDave on February 02, 2012, 10:20:45 PM
I appreciate everyone's input.

I went ahead and ordered one.  Actually I was amused to find the best price (at a company I trusted) from B&H Photo, a company that I have done business with for years.  I've spent tens of thousands of dollars on photographic equipment from B&H Photo.  I didn't even know B&H sold that kind of stuff, but I guess I'm not really that surprised, their inventory of camera equipment is amazing.
Title: Re: Tell me about your Thrustmaster Warthog
Post by: Butcher on February 03, 2012, 09:24:02 AM
I appreciate everyone's input.

I went ahead and ordered one.  Actually I was amused to find the best price (at a company I trusted) from B&H Photo, a company that I have done business with for years.  I've spent tens of thousands of dollars on photographic equipment from B&H Photo.  I didn't even know B&H sold that kind of stuff, but I guess I'm not really that surprised, their inventory of camera equipment is amazing.

I ordered it off B&H and got it in 2 days, PF I highly recommend the thrustmaster - my good friend DH367th just ordered one and I helped him set it up last night, its quite simple - unplug all your joysticks and uninstall their drivers.

Plug in the Thrustmaster FCS and WCS and reboot your PC - thats ALL you need to do, don't even bother with the TARGET software.

Go in aces high and set it up, DO NOT ALT TAB when you so, you will lose all your settings.

when you are done, exit the game and log back in to make sure everythings good.


HOWEVER I highly recommend you have a set of pedals with the Thrustmaster, the secondary throttle does not work as rudder pedals (its not a twisty stick).

Cons: in a few days I haven't found any yet. Don't think I will :)
Title: Re: Tell me about your Thrustmaster Warthog
Post by: Delirium on February 03, 2012, 09:28:28 AM
Having read a lot of the reviews, make sure you update the firmware on the Warthog system before you start using it. Some of the older models have been bricked after a few hours of use without the update.
Title: Re: Tell me about your Thrustmaster Warthog
Post by: PFactorDave on February 03, 2012, 10:00:04 AM
I ordered it off B&H and got it in 2 days, PF I highly recommend the thrustmaster - my good friend DH367th just ordered one and I helped him set it up last night, its quite simple - unplug all your joysticks and uninstall their drivers.

Plug in the Thrustmaster FCS and WCS and reboot your PC - thats ALL you need to do, don't even bother with the TARGET software.

Go in aces high and set it up, DO NOT ALT TAB when you so, you will lose all your settings.

when you are done, exit the game and log back in to make sure everythings good.


HOWEVER I highly recommend you have a set of pedals with the Thrustmaster, the secondary throttle does not work as rudder pedals (its not a twisty stick).

Cons: in a few days I haven't found any yet. Don't think I will :)

Cool, thanks.  No problem with rudder, already have pedals.  I'm looking forward to it!
Title: Re: Tell me about your Thrustmaster Warthog
Post by: PFactorDave on February 03, 2012, 10:00:53 AM
Having read a lot of the reviews, make sure you update the firmware on the Warthog system before you start using it. Some of the older models have been bricked after a few hours of use without the update.

Thanks for the heads up, I'll be certain to do that.
Title: Re: Tell me about your Thrustmaster Warthog
Post by: wabbit on February 03, 2012, 10:03:18 AM
I love my warthog!

It's so much tighter then my old Cougar, and the wobble I was forced to get used to with my cougar is pretty much gone with the Warthog.

I programed it using the 'Target' software that came with it. I've been told that it's easy to program using Aces if you want, (came from an X-squadmate that has one). The target software was actually easy to learn, as it's similar to my old cougar software- Foxy.

The dang thing has more switches, buttons, and hats, then I could find uses for. The biggest problem I've had with it is remembering which switch, button or hat does what. I set as many as I could the same way my cougar was set, and those aren't a problem. The new setups are what I just have to get used to. That just takes time.

I got mine from Amazon with free shipping for $399.00. It shipped promptly and I had it five days later.

Installed and worked perfectly with Win 7 Premium.

MOST IMPORTANT:  There was a reputed problem with the firmware on some Warthogs, that could, (after repeated usage), cause the throttle to stop working and require that it be sent back to Thrustmaster for repair. I was warned of this, and was told to update the firmware FIRST before doing anything else, (once the Warthog drivers were installed). Did that and haven't had any problems, in the Month or so I've been flying with it.

I use the Warthog along with the Simped USB Rudders. They make a great combination, but the cost of both are high. In my opinion, the cost is well worth it.

You won't regret buying the Warthog - not one bit!



Wabb
Title: Re: Tell me about your Thrustmaster Warthog
Post by: Butcher on February 03, 2012, 10:06:22 AM
Having read a lot of the reviews, make sure you update the firmware on the Warthog system before you start using it. Some of the older models have been bricked after a few hours of use without the update.

My new warthog came with the latest firmware drivers, I have serial 07001 if that makes any sense to how newer mine is.
Title: Re: Tell me about your Thrustmaster Warthog
Post by: steely07 on February 03, 2012, 05:29:10 PM
My new warthog came with the latest firmware drivers, I have serial 07001 if that makes any sense to how newer mine is.

I also fly the Warthog with simped pedals, I think it's the best control combo that you can get commercially at the moment.

Serial number 414 here, and i did have to update formware before using.

Salute

Steely
Title: Re: Tell me about your Thrustmaster Warthog
Post by: morfiend on February 03, 2012, 06:55:59 PM
 Warthog world has a great forum to answer many question,also mods and software help.


  It seem that there was/is a problem with the warthog,either the throttle gives up or the JS gives up. In my case it was the JS,sent it in for warranty and it was returned within 2 weeks. The repair depot for North America is in Canada,Quebec actually,so returns to the States may take longer.





   :salute
Title: Re: Tell me about your Thrustmaster Warthog
Post by: Delirium on February 03, 2012, 07:14:32 PM
My new warthog came with the latest firmware drivers, I have serial 07001 if that makes any sense to how newer mine is.

I have 10,533 and mine didn't have the latest firmware on it.
Title: Re: Tell me about your Thrustmaster Warthog
Post by: SIK1 on February 04, 2012, 10:40:13 AM
My new warthog came with the latest firmware drivers, I have serial 07001 if that makes any sense to how newer mine is.

Seeing as mine is 00071 looks like yours is a bit newer.  :cheers:
Title: Re: Tell me about your Thrustmaster Warthog
Post by: Butcher on February 04, 2012, 11:21:26 AM
I have 10,533 and mine didn't have the latest firmware on it.

Cool I found the firmware update for it, was looking on their website it was apart of the TARGET Program
Title: Re: Tell me about your Thrustmaster Warthog
Post by: ebfd11 on February 05, 2012, 11:18:30 AM
As much as I hate to ask.. do you need a set of rudder pedals with this or is there a twisty effect like the X65?

LawnDart
Title: Re: Tell me about your Thrustmaster Warthog
Post by: PFactorDave on February 05, 2012, 11:21:37 AM
no twist, will need pedals
Title: Re: Tell me about your Thrustmaster Warthog
Post by: ebfd11 on February 05, 2012, 11:24:03 AM
Ok thanks for the headsup. I will be using my Logitech pedals from my g940 when I can buy this setup. I hope to do it within a couple of weeks. I just purchased a new vid card and I cant wait to see it in my rig. LOL

LawnDart
Title: Re: Tell me about your Thrustmaster Warthog
Post by: Butcher on February 05, 2012, 01:32:41 PM
no twist, will need pedals

Me and a few others used the secondary throttle as rudder for temp use, this isn't advised... I suggest if you are going for a Warthog get rudder pedals around the same time.

Problem is there is no centering on the second throttle, so basically you can never "balance" the rudder, which kicks off your auto pilot and also drains your E when you are in a fight.

I went with CH Combat Pedals and paid $90 for them, after a week I am so glad I made the choice they are awesome. My current setup is a CH Warthog, CH Pedals, Track IR 5 - all three work quite well together, no issues what so ever.


Title: Re: Tell me about your Thrustmaster Warthog
Post by: PFactorDave on February 05, 2012, 02:58:07 PM
The new Saitek pedals are pretty sexy.

http://www.saitek.com/uk/prod/compedals.html
Title: Re: Tell me about your Thrustmaster Warthog
Post by: FLS on February 05, 2012, 05:12:54 PM
Me and a few others used the secondary throttle as rudder for temp use, this isn't advised...


Why aren't you using the incr/decr wheel for rudder? It was a center detente.
Title: Re: Tell me about your Thrustmaster Warthog
Post by: Butcher on February 05, 2012, 05:22:37 PM
Why aren't you using the incr/decr wheel for rudder? It was a center detente.

I tried, I suppose that could work assuming you work out a dead band since it will jump rather then glide easily like rudder pedals.

I didn't spend a week tinkering with it, as my pedals came in. I suppose if you are strapped for cash it could work over time.

It's far better then using the secondary throttle, also don't bother using the "Flaps" - the first three toggles on your throttle handle work quite well for me.


Title: Re: Tell me about your Thrustmaster Warthog
Post by: PFactorDave on February 06, 2012, 11:41:34 AM
Just waiting for the big brown truck to arrive at my door now...   :x
Title: Re: Tell me about your Thrustmaster Warthog
Post by: Peyton on February 06, 2012, 04:03:03 PM
I'll sell you my Saitek Pro Flight pedals and CH joystick.  I bought both of them early last year and probably used them about 20 hours of real flying.  After that they sat in my closet for 6-8 months and never used them again. I went back to a Thrustmaster twisty and use CH Throttle. I threw away the boxes but both are clean as new.
Title: Re: Tell me about your Thrustmaster Warthog
Post by: FLOTSOM on February 06, 2012, 04:08:46 PM
I'll sell you my Saitek Pro Flight pedals and CH joystick.  I bought both of them early last year and probably used them about 20 hours of real flying.  After that they sat in my closet for 6-8 months and never used them again. I went back to a Thrustmaster twisty and use CH Throttle. I threw away the boxes but both are clean as new.

what type/model of Saitek Pro Flight pedals and CH stick? what are you looking for for the set?
Title: Re: Tell me about your Thrustmaster Warthog
Post by: oboe on February 07, 2012, 03:58:31 PM
Also have the Warthog, and it is the best stick/throttle combo I've ever owned (I had a Cougar too, that I'd still like to get new gimbals and Hall Effect sensors for).

Precision and stability are excellent, just a little light on the spring action compared to the Cougar.   Love the twin throttles.   Have never messed with programming - it's easy to setup in AH.