Ever lose a big post and curse like hell ???
I did.
So the shorter version.
Cougar springs to stiff for accurate and precise control near centres or crossing from 1 to 2 springs in tension ie diagonals.
Motorcycle mechanic i push , lift etc 400 + lb motorcycles all day everyday I am neither weak nor small at 240lbs.
Flossy comment its ok and not too stiff as she can use it, i will ignore as Flossy does not fly fighters and therefore will not be hanging on that stick tension for hours fighting and trying to line up shots.
Oh and Flossy I still admire and respect you for all you do in AH especially as your a Brit too
Btw suck it up Argies
Doberman was vocal saying complaint of strong springs are in fact a weak user, BULLCRAP its a complaint of lack of accurate and precise control as posted above.
Now I believe your average Hit rate is about 3.5% thats THREE POINT FIVE PERCENT are you happy with that ???
Before i got the cougar my hit rate was 16%, the month i purchased it in the last week my hit rate was so bad the monthly total dropped to less than 10% I am not happy with that.
Start of this month it was around the 2% mark after some alterations to my $380 Cougar, yup had to alter it my Cougar now feels much better and hit rate 8% and still going up i hope.
Now you could use the "Foxy's Windows Joystick Analyser" set it to accurate and with one hand on your cougar draw the best circle you can using half the screen width it is not likely to be pretty, but it should show where the control accuracy problems are, or of course play the ostrich and pretend they dont exist and be happy with a 3.5% hit rate.
Having gone through a Hate my Cougar stage, I will say this its extremely well made and the best stick i have ever owned and the only problem i had was with the excessive and un-needed in my opinion spring tension.
So if your thinking of purchasing one just be aware you may or may not like them springs, personal preference i guess.
In case anybody is interested cure for mine was take throttle base off, grab each end of springs in pliers at same time, grip like hell and push down hard thereby weakening the tension. Now when i hold stick so handle is horizontal it will go full deflection under the weight of the handle alone and that handle is surprisingly heavy if you remove it.
And it still positively returns to an exact centre when upright but is far more precise and accurate anywhere near centres and in diagonals.
As always the above is MY opinion and obviously others differ, but even if like me and others you dont like the spring tension its not a big problem at all 20 mins max to cure and you have one helluva Hotas either way.