SimHQ Technology Editor Joe Keefe follows-up his E3 Report on the HOTAS Warthog with some additional details.

http://www.simhq.com/_technology3/technology_175a.html

Great follow-up.

About the rudders or lack of them..CH Products make some nice USB pedals with toe brakes.Wouldn't they work with the new stick and throttles?

I am going to have to sell my Cougars to get the Warthog..So therre goes mt RCS..

Nice follow-up.Answered a few questions for me.

SimHQ the way to go if ya wanna be in the know.

As you've read, they don't work with "T.A.R.G.E.T.", since that only applies to TM gear. If the sim supports multiple controllers, any USB rudder pedal will 'work'.

Good article Joe, thanks.

Quick question, If I keep my Cougar to act as a project box for my game port Simpeds I have:

2 WH joystick axes

3 WH throttle axes

3 Simped axes

... and 2 Cougar stick axes?

So that's 10 axes, which is over the DirectX limit. So I can't use DX programming with TARGET?

I'm assuming however, that TARGET won't have a problem with 10 axes for non-DX programming?

Can you change the return to center tension? What kind of gimbal setup does the Warhog have?

Jocko, as I understood the article, the stick handle on the "project box" would be removed and therefore not "seen" by TARGET Software, thus no going over the DX limit of 10.

If TARGET doesn't see the stick axes then this is not an issue, but as it stands right now, the Cougar Control Panel software does see the stick axes, even with the handle removed.

First off, I haven't ever used T.A.R.G.E.T myself, nor do I believe the software was even running on any of the machines at Thrustmaster's event. So, that's my disclaimer - this information is based on my understanding, not my experience.

If T.A.R.G.E.T. operates like CH's Control Panel software, and conceptually that was the concept that was presented, then there should be no problem taking 10 electrical/physical axes and assigning 8 of them to a virtual controller. Yes, the Cougar's 2 stick axes will be seen by T.A.R.G.E.T., but that doesn't mean one has to use them in the virtual controller.

Sure they would. As the article says, "For any titles that support multiple controllers, using the HOTAS Warthog with USB rudder pedals from Saitek, CH Products, or even the Logitech G940 would not be a problem."

Just a quick correction to avoid any confusion as this discussion moves forward; the DirectX axis limit is 8, not 10.

Not to my knowledge.

The gimbal is a helical spring on a ball joint.

The "Saitek Variant"?

I honestly dont care wether its 2000 or 2010. The gameport-solution works great and there isnt a better solution out there. Who cares how old a particular connector is if it does it's intended job just great?
The SATA connector wasnt invented because the IDE connector was 20 years old.
I feel TM got lazy or are indifferent to the issue of connecting a pair of rudders. Had they manufactured a new set of pedals to go with the Warthog you can bet they would have made a interface to better integrate them with the HOTAS.
Unfortunately we can now forget about using the Warthog with older sims (and some newer games)
Maybe they will make a USB- or gameport-hub to better integrate rudder in the future if we scream loud enough. One can only hope.

So, after being w/o a system to utilize my gameport only TM setup of F-16 FLS, F-16 TQS, and RDS because of using a laptop for the last 6 year w/o a game port, I want to get back to flying. I've been reading and keeping up with the new HW info in the last year or so and so very much want the Thrustmaster Warthog, but I need a new rudder, so I will get one.

However, what I have not seen but hope that one of you can point me to, is a list somewhere that states which games can, can with caveats, or can't work with multiple controllers such as a TM Warthog set and someone's rudder pedals. Of course I could do the research of every game I was interested in but if someone's already published a list, there's a good chance some or all of my "interested" list items could be among them.

Great to have more info, but many months ago TM's bannner stated Spring 2010. Maybe that was just the announcement date but it sure was a teaser cause it appeared to be the date of release and they are still just teasing. So we are about mid summer, does anyone know aprox date of release?

September 2010.

Does anyone know when they plan to release the Warthog control system?

I missed the boat when it came to the Cougar (Im currently waiting on a part from thrustmaster to fix my brother-in-laws one so I can use it)

Also......... I know its going to cost alot for the new Warthog,so the cheaper option at the time would be to try and track down a Cougar....(yeah right!!)

Does anyone know of somewhere within Australia that I can still purchase one???
I have tried distributors and the like (here in Sydney),to no avail. Maybe there is one sitting in a back storeroom at a local computer store near you?
can someone please send me some ammo!!!!

Bearz

Do you have to screw it on the table or is it heavy enough not to move it self

September 2010


You maybe waiting a while, the Cougar is no longer in production and that probably means no spares.


It's heavy enough to stay stationary. Unlike other HOTAS' out on the shelves right now.

Shadow,
I understand this point of view, and to a certain extent it makes sense, especially the part about indifference. However, no one makes gameport rudders right now (with the exception of specialty Simped pedals made for use with the Cougar) nor have they for years. Thrustmaster wants to make high-quality rudder pedals, but they aren't sure the market is there.

I use both the TM RCS and Elite pedals connected to my force controlled TM Cougars.
So the WartHog not being able to use them directly is a concern.

However, I believe we might be able to use adaptors to keep them viable as long as TARGET
can resolve them via the USB ports.

There are some gameport to USB adaptors for under $20.
- Manhattan Usb Game Port Adapter
- MayFlash USB game port Adapter

Can be found easliy by Googling for "gameport to usb adapter"
or heres a couple of direct links:
Sewelldirect.com
Amazon.com

Ive also used CH Pro Pedals USB in the past along with my Cougar HOTAS and that worked too.
It sounds like this workaround the RCS via the existing USB pedals has already been verified.

Speaking of TARGET, Im more concerned with how it will compare with the calibration and
profile editing power we have in FOXY today.

Also, will the WARTHOG have:
a. ability to have a Force Controlled unit installed into it?
b. will there be other sticks for other aircraft like the Cougar was supposed to have?
Such as: SU27/MiG29, EF2000, or even a WW2 german KG-13?

I bought a TM Couger sight unseen after getting very into sims over the last year. I have a Saitek X52, and an inexpensive Thrustmaster for PS3 & PC. There are no stores close by to try out these sticks. The couger is great, but way too stiff. I feel like its a struggle to use it for any real lentgh of time and that Carpal tunnel will soon follow. My question is: will the warthog be easier to use as far as its action? Force needed to move the stick? I will probably not have the opportunity to try one out before I buy, so I want to know as much as possible beforehand. Thanx.

I seriously doubt it, unless TM makes an exception for one none-TM 3-axis unit to be added to their mix. TARGET looks like it will only work with TM gear.

As a separate device in games that accept more than one controller?

I wonder if Nutty is an integral part of the TARGET design team, but by his vocal defence of the Warthog, I guess he was/is.

I doubt they would make a KG13 grip, as it has such a limited number of buttons. OTOH they don't need to pay copyright/IP/licensing fees.

Since the preview comments said that the Warthog is on par with Ian Johnston Ü2-NXT gimbals or better, you can safely assume it is far easier. I've once likened the action of the Ü2 (pre-NXT) to 'torturing' a young sapling, where the original Cougar gimbals feel like changing gears in a stick-shift.