I've owned and operated thrustmaster products since day one. I've also played with many of the CH products.
I ran the WCS I & II, with the F22 Pro, (actually owned three of them, one purchased, two inherited).
I always thought the biggest fault with the F22 Pro was it's limited usage of metal parts. Plastic just doesn't hold up under the pressures of combat. Despite this, it wasn't that hard for me to repair my stick/throttle using parts scavenged from junk F22's and WCS's, or acquired from Thrustmaster themselves.
The only thing I didn't like about thrustmaster was their rudder pedals. I didn't like the feel or the complexity of construction. I went with the CH Rudders and they've lasted. I got ten years out of my first CH Pro Rudder, and only switched to the USB because after ten years, the pots were finally showing their wear with a spiking.
After a three year absence from Aces, I finally decided to get back in and there was NO DOUBT as to which Joystick I would get, NONE! Being a cheap bastard, I waited and watched for almost a year before I was finally able to get a sale, and pick up my Cougar for $175.00. My squaddie bought his only a few days before and kept hounding me to get mine.
With one exception, I haven't regretted it. The Cougar is as solid as a rock. Because it has a realistic pull, it took a couple of weeks to get used to that, but once that was done, it is a joy to fly with. A big improvement over my old F22 Pro. The buttons are strong and abuse resistant, the 4/8-way hat switches work just fine and after flying for over a year now, still work without any problems.
With my F22 Pro, I was making minor repairs to buttons and switches by the end of the first year for wear problems. Not with the Cougar.
Programing the Cougar can be a bit complex at first, but no more then any other stick programing, and Foxy, has an excellent built-in tutorial that allows to go step-by-step through the process as you learn. In under an hour, you'll be programing with ease.
My only complaint, and my biggest, is the center play of the stick itself. That play, (and not all users experience this), is the biggest flaw in the Cougar. It isn't a reason not to buy the cougar, though as one can get used to it, and it mainly affects head-on attacks more then anything else.
I've looked into the Uber II Nxt upgrade which will turn a standard Cougar into an Uber Cougar that doesn't have any center play, or any play at all, and the hall sensors which will eliminate spiking completely.
Personally, I believe thrustmaster has dropped the ball by not incorporating these mods into the Cougar. Although I'm happy with my Cougar, I intend to get both the Uber II Nxt and Hall sensor mods as soon as possible. ( I just need someone to drive me to the bank and wait outside...)
The problem is the cost. The Uber II Nxt costs approximately $425.00 US, and the Hall sensor kit costs approximately $100.00 US. For someone on a limited budget, this is a MAJOR deal, but for someone with the extra cash, (or single & Free ...
), it will be the best money you've ever spent on a toy... (short of the geisha, back in '72 - but I digress...)
The bottom line, is this; If you love online flying, then the CH Products Stick, Throttle and Rudders will do you just fine... (Just remember, the CH stick/throttle just isn't as robust as the cougar, or realistic feeling, IMHO).
Where possible I've checked out some of the other brands, but when handling them in the store, they just don't feel right or sturdy enough for my taste.
However... If you're a balls-to-the-walls, hardcore addict, (like me), who hardly plays any other games, flight sim or otherwise, then the Cougar is the setup you want. It doesn't matter if you never get above 'newb' level or not, (hell look at me...). The basic Cougar, (coupled with the CH PRO USB Rudders for me...), will make flying an absolute joy, second only to drinking beer and sex, (unless you're lucky enough to be dating a mute-18-year-old Nympho - then the sex comes before the beer...)
If you do decide to get a cougar, go explore Cougarworld extensively as there is a ton of info there that can help. There is a 'Cougar Installation & Setup' guide that is a must for any first-time cougar owner.
http://cougar.frugalsworld.com/faqinstall.phpIf you want to check out the Uber II Nxt, then go here:
http://cougar.frugalsworld.com/mods.php#nxtAnd for the Hall sensors go here:
http://cougar.frugalsworld.com/mods.php#hallHope this helps,
Wabbit
P.S.
For all you non-cougar owners...
Let the Flaming begin...
