I received my Warthog stick back yesterday. Will test it tonight - hope all is well. The summary is - 35 days to ship it out (via overnight) have them look at it, request additional part (shipped again overnight), and another couple weeks to fix it (hopefully). Sum total - about 35 days. Which isn't too bad when you consider it did go internationally (although only US to Canada)..

Like getting a pet back from the vets lol

I had problems with the USB controllers not being recognized which just happened a week ago with a reinstall. I was able to get it recognized by unplugging the controller, shutting off the PC, plugging in the controller with PC off and then starting the PC. This sequence worked for the stick and throttle. Btw, I had installed the Drivers and Target first. I had tried a bunch of other things prior to this and nothing worked.
Good luck!

Just an update. I've had my stick back for 10 days, and I unboxed it, but I haven't plugged it in yet. I'm in the middle of flying a lot of Black Shark 2 and have learned my profile for the X52..and just haven't had the time to plug in and test the Warthog. Will be doing that soon though..

Just didn't want anyone to think I wasn't going to report back..

Tsk tsk...

I should probably plug it in and just relearn the Black Shark with the Warthog. Maybe I'll do that tonight..

Or start learning the Warthog with the Warthog so we can see your A10 AARs!

Well, I received a brand new Warthog base directly from France. They sent it via UPS like 3 day delivery, really fast. However, they did not include the screws to attach it to the base plate. I just can't win. I've been without my own Warthog stick since December 1st.

Anyone know if there are hardware stores out there that can make custom screws? I can take a screw from my friends and have them copy it if stores out there can do that. Are the base plate screws a standard size that I can find somewhere?

What happened to the screws you had for your first Warthog?

I sent them back attached to the base. I considered that part of it. Looking back though, it was a dumb move because obviously they have their own screws and wouldn't need mine and if they did replace it they were probably not going to remember to give me new ones. I reminded them in an email and they said they would return the screws with it. However, I assume that the guys who inspected it in Canada did not inform the guys in France about it. They probably told the guys in France just to send me a new one and forgot about the screws. Understandable I guess.

While I know I had the screw thread count (or whatever the term is) somewhere, I doubt you can get screws that are exactly like them. Best bet and to prevent further frustration, better continue emailing TM about this. Better to buy the right ones from them if need be than to fiddle around with other screws and potentially damaging the inner threads of the stick base.

Yep, you're right. I'm not taking anymore chances with this new one. I doubt I'll get a 2nd or 3rd day delivery from Canada or France just for some screws. So I guess I'm still grounded until they respond to the email I sent them today and send me new ones.

They're perfectly ordinary M4x8 flat head machine screws...

Hit your local hardware store or I can send you a link if you wanna order a bunch online.

Dears,

I also met same problem, my stick was broken, and didn't see any action when it's connected into computer.
I live in Taiwan, if return goods to USA for repair, it will cause around US$100, so, can I repair it by myself?
I don't know whether TM company announced the key point of damage? or still return to TM company for repair?
Another question, if TM company repair the good then return to buyer, will they pay freight? or need buyer to pay it?

Welcome to the forums rongbin!

Unfortunately, TM did not say what was wrong with the stick so you'll have to return the stick to them. You will have to pay for the shipping cost, but TM will also pay for the cost to send the repaired unit back to you. I'd choose the slowest "with signature" or "with tracking" option for lower cost. Also make sure you report the problem to TM first, don't just send your parts to them straight away.

Well, after sitting in its package for the past two weeks I went ahead and opened my RMA'd HOTAS Warthog stick and plugged it in tonight. I did a clean install of the drivers and plugged in the stick and it detected it fine and everything looked fine in the Devices and Printers tab. Fired up DCS A-10C - no stick input. Exited the program and looked under Devices and Printers it had disappeared. Uninstalled drivers, reinstalled drivers, no help. Did the load with Bootloader method and it shows the firmware already up to date. Rebooted and the stick shows up in Devices and Printers, but has no functionality.

Just to make sure, I did a complete install on a second computer - same thing. Stick doesn't work. After hours of messing with it for hours I've gotten it to the point where I can plug the stick in and it is recognized. It shows up in Devices and Printers (sometimes) and when I test it it works for several seconds, then goes dead. I think something is wrong somewhere in the stick. Apparently TM is plugging it in and testing it and seeing it work, but aren't doing any extended testing. I just plugged it it now and it took 60 seconds before it showed in the Devices and Printers tab. Then it quits working if I move it around. Unplug it, plug it back in - doesn't show up in Devices and Printers. I'm convinced something is very wrong within this stick and TM is simply not testing it enough before sending it back.

The throttle works fine and always has.

At this point - I've invested the initial purchase price of the stick $372.00 + $25 to send the bottom part of the stick + $25 to send the top part of the stick = $422 for a HOTAS that hasn't worked since November 2012 (and only worked for 30 days after purchasing). I'll have to spend another $25 to send it back to them which will now bring the total up to $447. I will tell them they can either refund me all of my money, or send a completely new stick. I don't have the time or energy for this run-around, run-around. I can't express how disappointed I am (though I certainly will continue to try) that my first high dollar HOTAS purchase has been such a flop.

Back to the trusty X-52 Pro for another RMA period.



BeachAV8R

Sorry to hear that, Beach, but I feel your pain. If you were closer I'd take a look. :\

Happens with every manufacturer, though. I bought a Logitech Clearchat Wireless headset in late Feb '10.

Within a month it started...shutting itself off and not turning back on for another half hour. Happened at random intervals that I am 100% sure weren't related to charge. (ie I'd charge it overnight...use it for 10-20 minutes and it would cut out. Wait a half hour, turn it back on and use it for an hour no problem...use it an hour the next day...then recharge)

I first contacted Logi in early April '10...in short I ended up returning 4-5 defective units (including the original) before they finally sent me one that worked for more than 5 minutes. I _think_ it was September (although it might have been August, but I know it wasn't before August) before I got the one I'm still using today. Not sure what I'll do now if it fails again. :\

My biggest complaint isn't with the hardware - things fail, I get that. But they had it long enough to test it properly. Obviously they plugged it in..it passed diagnostics..but if they studied it for any amount of time over a minute they would see it stops working (I've replicated the behavior on two computers now).

For the amount of money this controller is I don't think it's unreasonable to expect quality and good customer service. It isn't flattering to read a product that is a 1/5th the price (Saitek X52) has proved more durable than a luxury product.

That said - they responded back to my initial e-mail this morning within an hour with a note they will be in contact shortly. At this point I'd think they would think it is reasonable to send me a new stick right away with the understanding I can package mine up today and they can pass each other in the mail.

The throttle sure is nice though..

Beach -
Tell them that you are not going to spend any more money on this, and that they should send you a replacement and have you cut the cable off of the defective unit and trash it.

I'd also imply that they are losing future customers as this has become a big deal on SimHQ.com.



Teej & Fuzzysham,
The bolts are metric - M4-.7m, I used 25mm length Pan Head stainless from Home Depot to mount to 3/4" wood.


Wrecking Crew

Beach, I would suggest that you point them to this forum and tell them all the bad publicity they are getting...... unless they do something right by you. One option may be for you to send them a pic of the stick with a cut-up cable, then they send you a whole new stick-and-base. Or arrange for courier for your current stick-and-base setup. It is unfair of them to expect the customer to keep returning a product that is defective. Once, yes, but twice? Too much for a stick of this cost.