Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: Pongo on June 06, 2003, 10:34:09 AM

Title: Cougar roars
Post by: Pongo on June 06, 2003, 10:34:09 AM
Production Uber II

(http://members.optushome.com.au/uber-2/Production006.JPG)

(http://members.optushome.com.au/uber-2/Production009.JPG)

(http://members.optushome.com.au/uber-2/Production001.JPG)

Way to go IJ!
Title: Cougar roars
Post by: Mini D on June 06, 2003, 10:47:59 AM


Is there an estimated cost for this upgrade?  A link would be nice too.  That way... I don't have to open that stupid bellybutton "100%" thread again.
 
MiniD
Title: Cougar roars
Post by: Pongo on June 06, 2003, 11:18:28 AM
mods and tweeks go to the end. its along thread (http://forums.frugalsworld.com/vbb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22044&perpage=40&pagenumber=1)

330 US plus 100 US for the hall sensors is what I paid I think
Title: Cougar roars
Post by: SOB on June 06, 2003, 11:56:21 AM
Keep us updated on how it works.  Damn, that looks nice.  :)
Title: Cougar roars
Post by: mars01 on June 07, 2003, 12:39:11 PM
IJ is a master!!!!

I have an U-1 and love it.

U-2 looks sweet.


So how does it feel - what is the most noticeable in game benefit?

I'll be watching for your score to go lower and kills higher lol.

It's too bad TM was so short sided when they built the originals.


Title: Cougar roars
Post by: Pongo on June 07, 2003, 02:32:40 PM
Dont have it yet. Im getting the 16th one from the first batch. That batch is finished production and in assembly now. Soon hopefully.
Title: Cougar roars
Post by: Reschke on June 08, 2003, 01:12:38 PM
This page has almost all the mods along with the contact information to the people who developed the mods.

Cougar Mod's Page Link (http://cougar.frugalsworld.com/mods.php)
Title: Cougar roars
Post by: funkedup on June 08, 2003, 11:03:18 PM
ALL HAIL THE MIGHTY METAL PHALLUS!
Title: Cougar roars
Post by: SOB on June 08, 2003, 11:05:43 PM
Shyaddup, or I'll beat you to death with my Cougar.  :p


SOB
Title: Cougar roars
Post by: EvenStrain on June 09, 2003, 12:24:01 AM
Hey Reschke... have you done anything to your stock gimbals yet?

funkedup... my phallus is bigger than your phallus. :D  :D

Greg
Title: Cougar roars
Post by: SunKing on June 09, 2003, 01:50:10 AM
Quote
Originally posted by funkedup
ALL HAIL THE MIGHTY METAL PHALLUS!


Exactly. For the CH crowd.. what is this upgrade?
Title: Cougar roars
Post by: mars01 on June 09, 2003, 10:39:45 AM
For all you CH guys,


The Cougar's internal workings (The Gimbals) were at best, par.  

There is slop in the middle due to imprecise manufacturing and cost cutting and an all around poor design.  That said it is still the best stick out there - I replaced my CH Throttle and Stick with the Cougar and will never go back, unless im forced to lol.

In Australia there is a master machinist and designer, Ian, who has created two modifications to the gimbals.  A version 1 and 2 so to speak.  His first version added brass sleeves and bearings to remove center play and smooth out the overall movement.  An excellent mod that I have had done.  Version 2 (see above pic), is a complete redesign of the gimbals by IJ.  Said to give an even smoother feel and better performance.  I can't wait to hear the verdict  They look great, and knowing Ian’s work are probably awesome.

I have been flying sims since the first Microsoft Flight sim, Aces of the Pacific and I just found my copy of Jet the first Jet fighter sim. All 1980s circa.   I have had many stick set ups.  When I bought the CH stick and throttle it was great but something was missing.  The first time I flew the Cougar I was sold for life.  The programability is unsurpassed - The hats are excellent and many - and after IJs mod the performance is great!!  all in all if you have the dough go for the Cougar and the mods.  It will be the last stick you'll buy.  I expect it to get at least 10 years plus with it.
I love my metal phallus.  Gimme steel over platic anyday.

Good Luck

all.
Title: Cougar roars
Post by: Reschke on June 09, 2003, 10:44:29 AM
Quote
Originally posted by EvenStrain
Hey Reschke... have you done anything to your stock gimbals yet?

Greg


Nope Greg not yet. Shortly after I bought all the stuff to get it done I lost the potentiometer in the throttle and had to wait on a replacement from TM. Then while waiting on that replacement piece I had lightning run in and basically give my system the old DOA look. Then my wife had our 2nd little boy so I haven't looked at the computer in a while. I hope I will have everything sorted out sometime next fall (2004). :D Maybe then I will be able to get it all done. And with the way things are looking for my free time I might just buy either your mod or IJ's depending on when the bonus money appears that should have been here in January from last years sales...I hate working for German's.
Title: Cougar roars
Post by: Mini D on June 09, 2003, 11:04:24 AM
Quote
Originally posted by funkedup
ALL HAIL THE MIGHTY METAL PHALLUS!
There's that one track mind again.

MiniD
Title: Cougar roars
Post by: Pongo on June 10, 2003, 10:54:52 AM
(http://members.optushome.com.au/uber-2/Install%20Manual37.JPG)

The thing with this mod called the Uber II. Is that you dont have to send your joystick away to get it done. As you can see it is a total replacement for the mechanical internals of the joystick. All other mods relly on the customer sending his joystick or parts of it to the moder.  For some of us that would just break our minds. So Ians new mod is not only world class in perfomance and appearance. It only has you losing usage of your stick for the hour it takes to install the mod.

Seems like he is getting really close to shipping. Maybe 2 weeks!
Title: Cougar roars
Post by: Pongo on July 01, 2003, 12:16:37 PM
installed and In Awe.
the little beauty is a lot smaller then it looks. Its whole length is barely longer then my index finger.  I got her all installed and soderd up.
AH playes very very precisly. The springs are still firm and very controlable. It came with some softer springs as well but I am leaving the medium ones. IJ will send it with extra firm springs as the second set if the purchaser likes.
It took me about 2 hours to install it. After flying in AH for a bit and getting creamed by Arlo I realized the thing was getting looser. So I opened it up and found one of the hex nuts was loose. tighted that up and boom.
I dont know how long my cougar will last. but it doenst seem likely that it will be the Uber components that will fail and they are the whole gimbal set of the thing.
1000 canadian dollars later I have the joystick that Thrustmaster promised.
Title: Cougar roars
Post by: Reschke on July 02, 2003, 12:42:52 AM
Nice to hear Pongo. Say did you see the thread where Evenstrain is going to do a drop in mod also that will work with either HS or regular pots? Sounds like it will be similar to what IJ did and will be out of aluminum instead of stainless.
Title: Cougar roars
Post by: Vermillion on July 02, 2003, 07:54:22 AM
Damn Pongo, you must have close to $1,000 in that thing by now. :p
Title: Cougar roars
Post by: Pongo on July 02, 2003, 11:48:05 AM
Ya its 1000 canadian or so. 400 canadian for the Cougar 100 for the Hall sensors and 428 for the Uber II mod. KA CHING
About the same as an 8 weight fly rod and reel I am looking at.
Honestly. I hope I get 2-3 years out if it without a peep or I will be a little disapointed. But like I said. IJs parts are increadable. If something goes in the joystick it will be the buttons or hats.

I saw that  Reschke, I honestly never understood the need for exotic metals in a cougar upgrade, so I think thats a great option. Would be about 100 less then an Uber II.
Title: Cougar roars
Post by: EvenStrain on July 04, 2003, 01:18:05 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Pongo
I saw that  Reschke, I honestly never understood the need for exotic metals in a cougar upgrade, so I think thats a great option. Would be about 100 less then an Uber II.


It's not about the exotic materials, Pongo.  Machining 304 SS is a breeze for us.  It comes down to tolerances and manufacturing processes.

The EvenStrain Gimbals are machined to a tolerance of +-.0002"... that's 1/20th the thickness of a piece of paper!!  The manufacturing processes include Wire and Sinker EDM, as well as CNC Machining and Turning Centers.  Much of the inspection work is done on a Coordinate Measuring Machine.

This is all Aerospace quality stuff... and the finished EvenStrains reflect that.  They will sim many hundreds of hours with minimal maintenance because of the manufacturing tolerances and consistency of parts lot manufacturing.

Enjoy your Uber II... they look outstanding!

Greg
Title: Cougar roars
Post by: Karnak on July 04, 2003, 01:42:27 PM
Pongo,

Does Uber II work with HSs?
Title: Cougar roars
Post by: GunnerCAF on July 04, 2003, 03:51:50 PM
Yes, the sensors in the picture are Hall Sensors.  CubPilot sells HS kits for both stock gimbals and U2's.

Gunner
Title: Cougar roars
Post by: Pongo on July 04, 2003, 04:12:28 PM
Yes Karnak
I didnt have them yet so purchased them as part of this. It will only work with hall sensors.
And the hall sensors are a thing of buety.
Im at nearly 15% accuracy with this thing after 3 days flying
Title: Cougar roars
Post by: Karnak on July 05, 2003, 03:09:23 AM
I really, really want this, but my effing throttle is dying on me.  It is really weird the behavior it is exhibiting and I'm not sure what to do about it.

I am also hard pressed financially right now.

:(