Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: Sabre on July 01, 2003, 02:58:49 PM
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got one of the new ones? As many of you know, there was a major problem with the last software release that killed the throttle potentiometers that originally shipped with the HOTAS. I only just found out that the only reliable fix is a new pot from TM-Guillemont AND THE CON IS ONLY TWO WEEKS AWAY!!!!:eek:
I'm afraid the new pot won't arrive in time. Does anyone have a spare new pot for the throttle axis? Not one of the original pots, but the new ones TM has been shipping to people with the slow/no throttle problem? I'll pay for shipping, and will ship you back the new one I get from TM on my dime as well. Please? I can't do the con without my Cougar!:eek: :eek: :eek:
Sabre
(Desperate and getting desperater)
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Just tore my two pots out of my cougar joystick and replaced them with hall sensors..but those wont help apperently.
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The old one's work fine if you have already upgraded the firmware. I know because I have one each. The old one (courtesy of my squaddie JconradH) I put in works great and my Dad got the other and is giving me the new one he just ordered since his throttle just gave up the ghost as well. Although I just ordered new pots for my stick as well and got those in record time from TM. I ordered them on a Monday and 8 business days later they were in my hands...got them yesterday.
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Originally posted by Reschke
The old one's work fine if you have already upgraded the firmware. I know because I have one each. The old one (courtesy of my squaddie JconradH) I put in works great and my Dad got the other and is giving me the new one he just ordered since his throttle just gave up the ghost as well. Although I just ordered new pots for my stick as well and got those in record time from TM. I ordered them on a Monday and 8 business days later they were in my hands...got them yesterday.
Okay, I'm not sure I follow you here, Reschke. Are you saying that one of the joystick potentiometers, when installed in the throttle, will restore the throttle axis to full function? I thought they were different part numbers (the joystick X/Y pots and the throttle axis pots). I do have the new firmware installed, btw (downloaded 2.04 software and flashed the stick...that's what killed it in the first place). I haven't read anywhere on Cougar World of people fixing the throttle problem by using a pot from the joystick.
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No not that pot. I do not know which 'pot' they used in the stick but I assume it is similar to the current one they are sending out for throttles now. I got an old throttle pot from my squaddie and that is what I have running the software now after flashing to 2.04 and there is nothing happening. Now I did do what one guy suggested on Cougar World and unplug my throttle in the update and since the night I put in the throttle pot nothing has gone wrong. I gave my Dad the one that TM sent to me and he is up and running and yes it was the newer part number. So he is giving me his when it comes in soon.
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Sabre,
I have some pots for the X and Y axis sitting around, IIRC.
My throttle's pot also seems to be on its way out. In addition my throttle starts sending out random button presses after I've used it for awhile. Its always a great thing to be in a dogfight and have your gear or flpas deploy randomly, or have the gear retract when you're landing. My damage readout also pops up.
I think I'm going to have to send it back. This'll be the second time I've had to do this.
If you want my pots (TM sent them to me when I was having some issues with my X and Y axis, but I sorted them out before the pots got here) I'll send them to you. Don't know if they'll work for the Z axis though as the baggy they came in is labled X and Y axis pots.
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FYI... the throttle pot is not the same as the joystick pots. The X and Y axis pots can't be used in the throttle.
Hope this helps,
Greg
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Heh...sounds like you Cougar guys spent your money wisely. Kinda glad I didnt drop the cash for it now.
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Yeah, it doesn't even come close to the generic joysticks available. But, hey, I didn't have anything better to do with my money, so I let TM steal it from me.
Sheesh.
Greg
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Originally posted by EvenStrain
Yeah, it doesn't even come close to the generic joysticks available. But, hey, I didn't have anything better to do with my money, so I let TM steal it from me.
Sheesh.
Greg
I know exactly what you mean, I fell for the hype too. Definate case of "emporer's new clothes syndrome".
I should have stuck with Sidewinders; but who'd have thought MS sticks would be better than a "real" stick :(
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Actually, Seeker, I was being sarcastic. I guess that didn't come through in my writing.
I love my Cougar. Nothing else I've ever purchased flight sim related has brought more enjoyment to my simming experience than the Cougar.
The Cougar is just like any other product in the world. Some love it, some don't. Some think it's brilliant, some wish they hadn't bought it. There are almost 15,000 Cougars out there now, and naturally some folks will have have problems getting it to work the way they want. Many, many more are quite happy with their purchase.
Sorry to see you're not happy with your Cougar. The good news is that you can sell it (quickly), and at a price at or near what you paid for it new. The demand for the Cougar is still very high, and I think will be for many years to come. We're not likely to see another flight controller like the Cougar for quite a while.
Good luck,
Greg
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Unfortunatly the cougar was hyped as the ultimate. The ultimate in control and precision and qualitly. It is none of those things. It is cool, With the right mods it is excellent, But the thing is way to frustrating to have been released as a comercial product. All the mods including yours Greg are just telling evidence of that.
As a "thing" the cougar is very cool. As a joystick it has some incredible features..but very poor fundimentals. A Joystick is for controling planes in flight sims. And the cougar is poor at that. Especially for the money.
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Hi Pongo,
I guess my first question would be, "What is your preferred sim"?
The Cougar was built for jet sims, yet there are many of us who prefer the props. Sadly, no one has yet built the perfect stick for all sims, so we have to mod what is available to suit our needs. Fortunately the Cougar lends itself well to modding.
I read some of your posts here and at CW concerning the UberII... seems it's working well for you. Ian has worked very hard to give the community a great product. Certainly offers a very different (and much more refined) flight experience.
Folks like you and I have put alot of money into our Cougars... many think we're crazy. The upside is that our Cougars, with the mods, will hold their resale value extremely well. I plan on owning mine for at least 10 years (can't foresee anything better than what I have now sitting on my desk coming along in that time), and then if I do sell it I'll still be able to get top $ for it.
So it may be tough putting the money into a Cougar now, but in the long run it will pay off in a greatly enhanced simming experience and top resale value.
Cheers,
Greg
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Originally posted by Reschke
No not that pot. I do not know which 'pot' they used in the stick but I assume it is similar to the current one they are sending out for throttles now. I got an old throttle pot from my squaddie and that is what I have running the software now after flashing to 2.04 and there is nothing happening. Now I did do what one guy suggested on Cougar World and unplug my throttle in the update and since the night I put in the throttle pot nothing has gone wrong. I gave my Dad the one that TM sent to me and he is up and running and yes it was the newer part number. So he is giving me his when it comes in soon.
Hi, Reschke. Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner, but the weekend was very busy. It sounds to me that what you're saying is that the old partnumbered pot works, as long as it was not installed when the stick was flashed. Is that correct? That seems to fit with one theory I heard, that flashing the stick with the old pot installed physically damaged the stick. If that is the case, than I'd be happy to accept either the old or new pot, if anyone has an un-flashed/undamaged one. The likelihood seems remote, however; the only reason most people have an old pot is because it went bad and they replaced it.
Karnak: Thanks for the offer, buddy. While it appears I can't use them in the throttle, I'd very much like to get your X/Y stick pots. Mine are holding their own, but are starting to show some signs of wear. E-mail me at rkjern@adelphia.net, and we'll work out the details of how to ship them.
As far as the throttle issue goes, if anyone has a good throttle pot, old or new partnumber, please let me know. I'm getting a little desparate here:( .
As for the Cougar in general, I'm not sorry I bought it. It has a feel to it that is indescribable. I only wish TM had put decent pots in it (the "high quality" ones they promised). An anology would be the Mercedes company putting a Yugo engine inside a Mercedes luxuray sedan. It's a joy to sit in, and looks fantastic sitting in the driveway...just don't expect to pass a semi on a hill. I also wish they'd acknowledge this throttle problem. They haven't said diddly about it, yet if affects virtually the entire Cougar population.
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what was the cougar ? $300?
take my saitek X45 - $70 plus the $10 12 month in store replacement policy = $80 for the original one
about 10 months later and another $10 for another 12month replacement policy and I have a brand new combo.....now up to $90
about 10 months later and another $10 for another 12month replacement policy and I have a brand new combo.....now up to $100 - 3 sticks later...
rinse / repeat for another $200 bucks and that places me somewhere around the year 2019 with a brand new combo every 10 months. :)
seriously though, gl on locating your pot in time for the con
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Good to hear you've got something that works for you and is cheap to boot. Personally, I can't stand the Saitek stuff. I feel my Cougar was well worth the price I paid, even after purchasing Ian's first mod. Still using the stock pots, no problems on that end.
SOB
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Originally posted by SOB
Good to hear you've got something that works for you and is cheap to boot. Personally, I can't stand the Saitek stuff. I feel my Cougar was well worth the price I paid, even after purchasing Ian's first mod. Still using the stock pots, no problems on that end.
SOB
Roger that!!
Greg
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Eagler, I had gone through 2 Saiteks and a Logitech Wimgman Interceptor in 3 years. So the original Cougar was cost effective if it lasts 3 years.
And the X36 wasnt as nice to fly as my Uber Cougar. Not even close. Ill have to get 4 more years out of it to keep up with my Saitec expenditures so lets see how it goes.
CH stuff must last pretty well though. My pro pedals are still going fine 3.5 years later.
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Sabre,
Check your email.
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Roger that, Karnak. Meant to check it last night before bed, but I made the mistake of picking up new Harry Potter novel. I'll check it when I get home this afternoon.
Sabre
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Pot came in the mail yesterday from TM. Installed it last night and now the throttle's working good as new. AH convention, here I come!
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Well my Cougar's throttle pot just gave up the ghost as well.
Have requested a replacement via Guillemot's site, I hope I have as quick a response as you did Sabre. As insurance I also ordered some spares from Red Dog at Frugal's World.
I was just getting ready to start playing around with programming to; seems like I read somewhere that those rotary axes on the throttle can be programmed as elevator /aileron trim inputs....
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Yes they can oboe. I am using Revvins last AH profile and it puts the WEP in the last 10% of the throttle movement as well. I have played around with modifying his profile to fit what I want but nothing I change fits now that I am used to using his profile.
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None of you guys ever considered CH gear?
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Originally posted by Connection
None of you guys ever considered CH gear?
Never since I owned my first TM F16/TQS. My old stick, must be about 8 years old by now, sits next to me and is connected to my kids PC. It still works as good as it ever did.
I think the Cougar is the ultimate. It does everyting I want it to. I can program it to do just about anything I can dream up. But it isn't for everyone. CH makes a great stick. You can't go wrong with a CH.
Gunner
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Originally posted by Connection
None of you guys ever considered CH gear?
I came to the Cougar via CH gear. My USB CH stuff is great. It's no Cougar though. :)
Knock on wood, but I've had no problems whatsoever with my Cougar as of yet. That's a long time of usage, as I've had mine since just weeks after they were released.
The CH stuff is now attached to my secondary gaming system and mostly gets use puttering civilian aircraft around in FS 2004. :)
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So it may be tough putting the money into a Cougar now, but in the long run it will pay off in a greatly enhanced simming experience and top resale value.
Well, I have one for sale UK only. Sensible offers? I have tried before but no takers. Even sent it to a squadmate to try. He sent it back!:rolleyes:
Its's 1 and a half years old, working fine with a new throttle pot and new Spd Brake (Break) guide. Spares are readily available from
rcsimulations.com (http://rcsimulations.com)
There's nothing wrong with it, I just don't like it. It's a personal thing.
I will post it for free. I dont HAVE to sell it, so sensible offers.
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People are really beating my door down here:rolleyes:
I think a squadmate might be interested.
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Good sticks, i have one.
Just don't need another :)
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What are all the mods you guys are talking about? Mine is from right when they released it and gotten Little use lol. I dont bother programing it, just you the direct x features.
I have not done any firmware updates, sounds like I should avoid them?
I have always liked TM stuff, mostly for the firm springs, CH is good as well, but I ever controll really badly with them.
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Updating the firmware is no problem (apparently as long as you unplug the throttle from the stick while doing it).
Mods i have fitted are the Hall sensor replacements for the stick and throttle pots.
These eliminate all spiking so response is smooth and predictable at all times.
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214th
Does someone make a kit to do that or did you do it on your own?
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I had the CH serial port HOTAS is a great stick lasted over three years before the pots needed to be cleaned. The pots are big nasty real pots not he plastic POS in the Cougar.
Unfortunatly the programming for the Serial Port stick is nonexistant, so I went with the Cougar and got Ians UberI mod with hall sensors in the stick. I have to say it is amazing.
While I was getting all the mods done I had to go back to my CH HOTAS and deaded it. The light stick feeling, the plastic etc just wasn't doing it after the Cougar.
It takes some patience to get used to programming etc but is well worth it. Occasionaly the stick buttons and hats go but that is a fact of life. TM has been decent when new parts are needed thank god.
Overall I don't plan on going back to CH gear.
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Where do I find info on this Ians UberI ?
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Useful links
http://forums.frugalsworld.com/vbb/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=49
http://forums.frugalsworld.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=35029
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Unfortunatly Ian is not making the UberI any more.
Which is a bummer because the UberII tho awsome is just out of the price range of most.
The UberI came in around 300 bucks I think, which was awsome. His UberII is upwards of 500 Bucks and thats before the hall sensors. From what I hear it is worth it tho.
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Holly wow Batman!
Hmmm well mine is working good right now, ill start putting money aside for when the pots go south
Some of the home done mods are interesting.
Reminds me of working on a hotrod.
Is TM still selling the cougar?
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Yep they are still selling the Cougar and its coming out in limited production runs from what I can tell. I have been saving up the funds for two things. IJ's uber mod and another Cougar so I can do one of the home mods on it and see what the difference is.
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LOL now that is dedication!
I Am happy with mine as is lol. Does this thing fit anyones hand 100%? I have a hard time reaching the view hat when my hand is on the rest.
Still I have been a TM guy since my F16flcs, lol, using the same rudder pedals from back then as well. Got an F22pro, after that the Cougar, the f22, still worked perfect, I never had pot problems that WD40 didnt fix.
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My hand fits it nicely. I don't have a hard time reaching the hat and switches all over the stick or throttle. I think the first TM gear I had was the original TM FCS and WCS Mark 1. That was way back in the old days for flight sims.
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Wow, the WCS Mark I with the 9 little dipswitches? THAT is old! :)
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I love my Cougar (#1335). I too have a U2 and while I had some problems with it initially, now it's just perfect.
Yes, it's cost me a lot, but I get a great deal of pleasure from it. I've used many sticks in my time, most recently Suncom and Saitek, and the Cougar is the best. I use my Saitek Cyborg 3D for FPS games. The Saitek X36 is still my backup but next to the Cougar it's just wimpy and unergonomic.
Pity my flying's still cr*p. :D