I'm looking to make full use of my Cougar, but I don't have time to earn the Cougar degree that is apparently needed. Can anyone point me to anywhere for help?

I think I have the thing installed correctly, because it works in the game, but I am confused about how to program it. Do I do it via Foxy? Again I don't have the time to learn programming... do I do it via whatever sim I'm playing then?

I also remember other joysticks have a sort of 'mode' button which you hold/press so that the buttons on the stick now actually perform a different function... does the Cougar have this? Where/which is it?

I think Foxy provides the interface to program the files. If you don't want to spend too much time learning to program, just start out from the profiles that come with the Foxy installation.

As for the mode button. It's the dogfight switch, labeled as such on the throttle.

Damn, I really need someone to talk me through this. Any other Cougar owners there? I've never really programmed my older joysticks aside from what I could do in-game (all the different modes tend to confuse me) but to do that to the Cougar seems like an injustice.

http://www.cougar.flyfoxy.com/

That is THE Cougar site!

This thread is not what I thought it'd be.

If you want to use the sim to assign your Cougars buttons to functions, open Foxy and load:

TM Default for games.tmj

This assigns the Cougars buttons to Direct X key presses. This will work for most simple assignments. If that wont get it done, programming is pretty easy.



You don't really program the cougar as much as you write a script.

Your Cougar "program" is made up from a macro and a joystick file. The macro file is where you define your key presses The joystick file is where you assign those key presses to specific buttons.

Your macro file consists of statements like this:

WheelBrakes = b
LandingGear = g

Your Joystick file consists of statements like this:

BTN T2 WheelBrakes
BTN H4D LandingGear

Foxy has an application called Composer that makes writing the joystick file really easy. With Composer, its mostly point and click.

I'll be glad to try and answer any questions that you have.

The "DOG FIGHT" switch on the throttle is used to change modes. It has three settings, back, center and forward.

I use the back or rear position for ground/runway and normal flight. The center position is used for dogfight/attack which changes the functions of the buttons on the throttle/joystick for weapons, radar, chaff etc. When heading home, I switch back to rear setting.

This will have to be programed unless you find a profile that has this already setup. You can then modify the profile to meet your specific needs. One "easy" way is to printout and compare different profiles to see how various functions were programed.

You really need to do some reading on the Cougar to to be able to use it's full potential. When Frugal's went down, we lost the one, major site for Cougar programming assistance....SIGH!!!!!

plug_nickel (Al)

Thanks for the help guys. I've been to the flyfoxy site but the info seems outdated. Is it?

Now my question for you Cougar uses: would you recommend I learn this FOXY thing and do my button assignments there, or is it easier for me to just program the stick via the in-game assignment section?

I'm looking to use the Cougar for A-10 flying in Flaming Cliffs 2. I would happily use it on Falcon 4 AF but I don't have enough time to re-study and re-learn F4AF (and re-print the tutorial section of the manual!) and I'd rather get to flying ASAP which the 'simpler' FC2 setting seems to be able to deliver. What this all means is that I'll be mostly moving mud so I don't have a whole lot of 'buttons' to map.

Thanks!

Go to the Cougar.FlyFoxy site and download the LOMAC A-10 Realistic profile. It'll be a good base profile to modify for FC2.

plug_nickel (Al)

Hi there Ice, I think the button you're referring to is the S3 button, the pinky button on the joystick. It is used to change the mode of every switch and button on both the throttle and stick, thereby doubling the input commands available. Eg, the paddle in front of it could be programmed to advance the next steerpoint OR with the S3 button held, the paddle could be programmed to eject.