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#3892334 - 01/09/14 08:49 AM Best presently available mods for a Cougar HOTAS?  
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DKM Offline
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I've come into a bit of spare money and am thinking about modding my Cougar, but it's been long enough since the Warthog came out that I'm no longer sure which mods are still available for the Cougar, and which are best. I popped over to Cougar World and looked at the list of mods there, but many of them seem to be no longer available, in part because it's evidently hard to get Hall sensors (the Uber II NTX sounds great, for instance, but I can't seem to figure out how to order it). Any recommendations you could give in terms of mods that I can still buy, and how I could go about contacting the relevant sellers, would be appreciated.

DKM


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#3892340 - 01/09/14 09:27 AM Re: Best presently available mods for a Cougar HOTAS? [Re: DKM]  
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FSSB or FCC mod for the stick. Not many mods for the throttle, though you will want a HALL sensor for the throttle pot itself. For more "in cockpit" mods, I'd suggest heading over to the ViperPits forum and start ogling at what others have created.

http://www.realsimulator.com/html/fssb.html
http://www.vipercore.nl/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=75&Itemid=473

Hope that helps!


- Ice
#3892487 - 01/09/14 04:40 PM Re: Best presently available mods for a Cougar HOTAS? [Re: DKM]  
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In fact IJ (Ian) is going to start ramping up production again he thinks on the Uber II Nxt mod. Check here:

http://www.frugalsrefugees.com/showthread.php?54-Nxt-Mod

I have the Uber II Nxt and throttle bushings he did, it's a nice piece of kit!


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HOTAS Cougar #4069 w/Uber II Nxt mod #284 & UTM bushings
#3892547 - 01/09/14 05:58 PM Re: Best presently available mods for a Cougar HOTAS? [Re: DKM]  
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Thanks for the links. I'm checking out the options now.

#3892597 - 01/09/14 06:57 PM Re: Best presently available mods for a Cougar HOTAS? [Re: ArgonV]  
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Originally Posted By: ArgonV
In fact IJ (Ian) is going to start ramping up production again he thinks on the Uber II Nxt mod. Check here:

http://www.frugalsrefugees.com/showthread.php?54-Nxt-Mod

I have the Uber II Nxt and throttle bushings he did, it's a nice piece of kit!


Thanks for that info.

Am trying to register over there so that I can let Ian know that I would be very interested in this. Been waiting for the emailed link so I can finish registering and let him know.

Does he post over here also or can you pass on to him that there is interest at this end?


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#3892623 - 01/09/14 07:28 PM Re: Best presently available mods for a Cougar HOTAS? [Re: DKM]  
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recoilfx Offline
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That'd be crazy awesome if there will be another run!

#3892745 - 01/09/14 10:22 PM Re: Best presently available mods for a Cougar HOTAS? [Re: recoilfx]  
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Originally Posted By: recoilfx
That'd be crazy awesome if there will be another run!


Sure would be. And I would think with all the unmodded Cougars still being used in BMS and DCS sims that there would be enough interest to economically justify another run.


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#3893179 - 01/10/14 04:49 PM Re: Best presently available mods for a Cougar HOTAS? [Re: DKM]  
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If he's willing to make another set, then that's a huge relief, because I still want to try the U2-NXT gimbal out at some point!

In particular, I want to pit it against VKB's Black Mamba gimbal, itself a very strong contender with amazing smoothness. It actually gives me an idea of why people love the U2-NXT so much, especially for WWI/WWII sims.

However, the U2-NXT also looks like it would have a smoother transition through axis centers, mostly because of the spring configuration. VKB uses a single spring per axis and separates the sprung parts with a rigid bit in the middle; IJ uses two, both equally pulling the stick to its center position, almost as if it was an Evenstrain with a radically different physical arrangement.

Given the demand for Black Mamba sticks, perhaps IJ should consider also entering the premium machined metal stick base business, especially seeing as the HOTAS Cougar's been out of production for a while and HOTAS Warthog users might want an upgrade option like the FSSB R3 that lets them re-use their existing stick handles. (In fact, this is part of the reason I bought the Fat Black Mamba in the first place, though VKB designed it to require an optional adapter in order to physically mount TM Cougar/Warthog grips.)

#3893377 - 01/11/14 01:36 AM Re: Best presently available mods for a Cougar HOTAS? [Re: NamelessPFG]  
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Originally Posted By: NamelessPFG
However, the U2-NXT also looks like it would have a smoother transition through axis centers, mostly because of the spring configuration. VKB uses a single spring per axis and separates the sprung parts with a rigid bit in the middle; IJ uses two, both equally pulling the stick to its center position, almost as if it was an Evenstrain with a radically different physical arrangement.


Just to clarify: There are four springs total in the Uber II Nxt mod. And two bearings, one for each axis. There is NO axis transition. It's smooth as smooth is. And it's a thing of beauty! biggrin Because of no axis transition though, there's no stiff center, which means that the stick will wobble if you're not gripping it if you knock it or something the stick is sitting on. It takes a tad bit to get used to flying with at first, as over the years of sim flying with crummy joysticks we've gotten to expect some axis transition resistance...


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HOTAS Cougar #4069 w/Uber II Nxt mod #284 & UTM bushings
#3893385 - 01/11/14 01:53 AM Re: Best presently available mods for a Cougar HOTAS? [Re: ArgonV]  
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Originally Posted By: ArgonV
Originally Posted By: NamelessPFG
However, the U2-NXT also looks like it would have a smoother transition through axis centers, mostly because of the spring configuration. VKB uses a single spring per axis and separates the sprung parts with a rigid bit in the middle; IJ uses two, both equally pulling the stick to its center position, almost as if it was an Evenstrain with a radically different physical arrangement.


Just to clarify: There are four springs total in the Uber II Nxt mod. And two bearings, one for each axis. There is NO axis transition. It's smooth as smooth is. And it's a thing of beauty! biggrin Because of no axis transition though, there's no stiff center, which means that the stick will wobble if you're not gripping it if you knock it or something the stick is sitting on. It takes a tad bit to get used to flying with at first, as over the years of sim flying with crummy joysticks we've gotten to expect some axis transition resistance...


I had the chance around a year ago to try out a friend's Nxt mod and I agree completely with what you have said. It was one of the smoothest feeling sticks I have ever used. As much as I like the Warthog, the Nxt mod is much superior. None of that hard transition feeling you get when moving the Warthog over the center.

If Ian does go ahead with another production run I'll get two of them to ensure I'll have one for the rest of my sim flying. yep


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#3893422 - 01/11/14 03:55 AM Re: Best presently available mods for a Cougar HOTAS? [Re: ArgonV]  
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Originally Posted By: ArgonV
Originally Posted By: NamelessPFG
However, the U2-NXT also looks like it would have a smoother transition through axis centers, mostly because of the spring configuration. VKB uses a single spring per axis and separates the sprung parts with a rigid bit in the middle; IJ uses two, both equally pulling the stick to its center position, almost as if it was an Evenstrain with a radically different physical arrangement.


Just to clarify: There are four springs total in the Uber II Nxt mod. And two bearings, one for each axis. There is NO axis transition. It's smooth as smooth is. And it's a thing of beauty! biggrin Because of no axis transition though, there's no stiff center, which means that the stick will wobble if you're not gripping it if you knock it or something the stick is sitting on. It takes a tad bit to get used to flying with at first, as over the years of sim flying with crummy joysticks we've gotten to expect some axis transition resistance...

I meant to say "two per axis" for the U2-NXT, thus four total, particularly since I pointed out that VKB went with one spring per axis.

No stiff center was an expected consequence of the U2-NXT's design, though. With the CH sticks and the VKB Black Mamba, you can easily remain strictly along one axis or in the center because of that slightly notched physical feeling, but you'll feel and hear when you've crossed them, which may or may not be irritating. It really depends on what you play and what you fly more than anything, especially how they behave to stick inputs.

The Black Mamba gimbal is mind-blowingly smooth within each quadrant, though. It's like a hot surgeon's scalpel through butter; it really feels like a quality precision instrument that lets you put your guns right on target and line yourself up for formation flying and aerial refueling. The only time it ever deviates from that perfect smoothness is the axis transitions, and it doesn't feel like too much of a hard detent like it tends to with stock TM gimbal mechanisms, more like a fine notch. Finer than CH, even.

That's why I'm even more excited about the U2-NXT than before; even though I'm talking about a different gimbal there, I expect similar levels of no-compromise quality that no mass-production flight stick gimbal can match.

#3903596 - 01/29/14 12:55 AM Re: Best presently available mods for a Cougar HOTAS? [Re: DKM]  
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IJ has confirmed over at frugalsrefugees that he is going to go ahead with another batch of the U2-NXT's. smile2


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#3903796 - 01/29/14 02:53 PM Re: Best presently available mods for a Cougar HOTAS? [Re: DKM]  
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I tried to register at frugalsrefugees.com, but I'm having trouble with the random question.... :-\

#3903815 - 01/29/14 03:24 PM Re: Best presently available mods for a Cougar HOTAS? [Re: recoilfx]  
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Originally Posted By: recoilfx
I tried to register at frugalsrefugees.com, but I'm having trouble with the random question.... :-\


If you PM Grumble or JohnnnyChemo here, I think they can help you with the registration.

They were very helpful in dealing with problems I had registering over there.


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#3928679 - 03/23/14 12:56 AM Re: Best presently available mods for a Cougar HOTAS? [Re: Ssnake51]  
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My Cougar stick really went bad,, worn to crap, could hardly refuel the A-10. Been trying to get it rebuilt, doesn't look like IJ is going to ramp up production, hes a bit reserved :

http://www.frugalsrefugees.com/showthread.php?54-Nxt-Mod&p=1419#post1419

To get me through, I purchased a used one on ebay that had the Uber 2 gimbals already modded in. I just got it today,, not what I expected, actually thought the springs were weak and / or stretched, but after reading this post, maybe thats the normal feel? this stick really wobbles with a light touch,, but man is it accurate,, not what I am used too, so is that wobble typical? I mean, I think if I blow on it hard enough it will move the stick. Feedback please, thanks


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#3928839 - 03/23/14 03:29 PM Re: Best presently available mods for a Cougar HOTAS? [Re: DKM]  
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What you describe sounds accurate. The stick will freely wobble if you move what it's rested on. It may seem light to you now, since you're so used to the stock gimbals of the Cougar. It took me a couple of weeks, but I would never go back now. I recently got the Uber 2 Nxt mods for mine, and was shocked at first how little tension there is at center.


"Go Fly A Kite!"
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HOTAS Cougar #4069 w/Uber II Nxt mod #284 & UTM bushings
#3928847 - 03/23/14 03:46 PM Re: Best presently available mods for a Cougar HOTAS? [Re: ArgonV]  
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Thanks for the feedback,, makes me feel better! How did you get the Uber 2 NXT mods? I have been trying to get parts for a couple of months,,it was my understanding they are not available unless IJ ramps up production again?


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#3928857 - 03/23/14 04:25 PM Re: Best presently available mods for a Cougar HOTAS? [Re: DKM]  
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A gent at the BMS forums was selling the gimbals, used. One of the pots had the wires ripped off, but the connects were already spliced. I bought it from him, resoldered the wires to the pot, got hold of the instructions for installing it online. IJ did have an extra set of springs and 2 sets of the throttle bushings left from a previous run so I also bought 1 set of bushings and a set of springs from him. I also found out what screws are used for the screw handle mod, bought those and shored up my stick's handle. Just 2 weeks ago a gent here was selling the Thrustmaster RCS pedals with the Hall sensor mod, so I bought those as well. Now all I need are the aluminum housings for the switches on the throttle from IJ as well as the Hall sensor mod for the throttle and I'm set!


"Go Fly A Kite!"
-Jason R.
FS-WWI Project Leader
FS-WWI Plane Pack Site

Intel i9 10900k
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2TB EVO 980 Pro M.2 PCIe x4 SSD
Two 2TB EVO 860 SSDs
Sound Blaster ZxR
Win 10 x64 Pro
HOTAS Cougar #4069 w/Uber II Nxt mod #284 & UTM bushings
#3928885 - 03/23/14 05:48 PM Re: Best presently available mods for a Cougar HOTAS? [Re: ArgonV]  
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Ahhh,, good for you,,, tough finding parts these days,,,


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#3929058 - 03/24/14 02:43 AM Re: Best presently available mods for a Cougar HOTAS? [Re: DKM]  
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I agree, I had actually been looking for a year and 1/2 before I got my hands on this stuff!


"Go Fly A Kite!"
-Jason R.
FS-WWI Project Leader
FS-WWI Plane Pack Site

Intel i9 10900k
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2TB EVO 980 Pro M.2 PCIe x4 SSD
Two 2TB EVO 860 SSDs
Sound Blaster ZxR
Win 10 x64 Pro
HOTAS Cougar #4069 w/Uber II Nxt mod #284 & UTM bushings

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