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The definitive Cougar site?

Posted By: - Ice

The definitive Cougar site? - 04/11/10 12:53 AM

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?
Posted By: WalterNowi

Re: The definitive Cougar site? - 04/11/10 07:20 AM

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.
Posted By: - Ice

Re: The definitive Cougar site? - 04/11/10 09:17 AM

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.
Posted By: VF-2 John Banks

Re: The definitive Cougar site? - 04/11/10 01:43 PM

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

That is THE Cougar site! smile
Posted By: Billzilla

Re: The definitive Cougar site? - 04/11/10 02:14 PM

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





smile
Posted By: geo111

Re: The definitive Cougar site? - 04/11/10 02:29 PM

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.
Posted By: almccoyjr

Re: The definitive Cougar site? - 04/11/10 03:07 PM

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)
Posted By: - Ice

Re: The definitive Cougar site? - 04/11/10 09:57 PM

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!
Posted By: almccoyjr

Re: The definitive Cougar site? - 04/11/10 10:41 PM

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)
Posted By: bofman

Re: The definitive Cougar site? - 04/11/10 11:41 PM

Originally Posted By: - Ice


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?


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.
Posted By: - Ice

Re: The definitive Cougar site? - 04/12/10 05:59 AM

So I have both the pinky switch and the dogfight switch to change modes? I'm afraid to ask, but how many 'buttons' can the Cougar have in all (including all modes)?
Posted By: jeroen

Re: The definitive Cougar site? - 04/12/10 09:35 AM

Stick:
16 four four-way hats on the stick
2 triggerstages
3 switches (excluding the pinky switch)
__+
21

Throttle:
4 four-way radio switch
2 airbrake switch
1 switch on rangeknob
1 switch on cursorstick
4 if you program the cursorstick as a hat
__+
12 (excluding the mode swicth)

Total:
21
12
__+
33

With two shiftstates and 3 modes that makes 2 * 3 * 33 = 198 'buttons'

And if you get into programming using logical variables you could increase that a bit more.
Posted By: - Ice

Re: The definitive Cougar site? - 04/12/10 03:52 PM

Owie! How do you remember what all those button does though? Is there some nice graphic that I can print out and write on to help me remember?
Posted By: - Ice

Re: The definitive Cougar site? - 04/12/10 07:00 PM

Originally Posted By: almccoyjr
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.
I can't download it, the link is broken. Can anyone upload it for me? Or even an image of the button maps... thanks!
Posted By: jeroen

Re: The definitive Cougar site? - 04/12/10 07:05 PM

Foxy has a button for a graphical layout.

What also helps is make "themed" modes.
For example: Air to air, nav and air to ground.
Posted By: almccoyjr

Re: The definitive Cougar site? - 04/12/10 07:28 PM

Originally Posted By: - Ice
Originally Posted By: almccoyjr
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.
I can't download it, the link is broken. Can anyone upload it for me? Or even an image of the button maps... thanks!

Apologies. I didn't know the link was broken. PM your email and I'll forward the profile.

plug_nickel (Al)
Posted By: 335th_GRSwaty

Re: The definitive Cougar site? - 04/12/10 07:33 PM

Originally Posted By: - Ice
I can't download it, the link is broken. Can anyone upload it for me? Or even an image of the button maps... thanks!


Ice you can check other files.

You can download "Lomac Flaming Cliffs 1.12" from Thomas AV8R Spann.
It's a full package.
Just extract files to

Program Files\Foxy\Files folder and start Foxy.Then you will have access to graphical layout.
Posted By: 335th_GRSwaty

Re: The definitive Cougar site? - 04/12/10 07:39 PM

Useful guides to start, can be found here:

http://www.falcon40.co.uk/setup_guides.php
Posted By: - Ice

Re: The definitive Cougar site? - 04/12/10 07:46 PM

Thanks guys! I think I have enough info now... next thing to do is to have a few A-10 test flights to see what buttons need to be mapped and where. I'd like to have 'themes' to the buttons themselves as well... like this button being the fire button, this button being the cycle weapons button, etc.
Posted By: - Ice

Re: The definitive Cougar site? - 04/14/10 10:58 PM

Starting to do my own programming now, coz I figure a profile I create will 'make more sense' than having to 'learn' someone else's profile.

One question - is it possible to map the mouse (and mouse view) to the T1 stick on the throttle? How?

Is there a programming guru here willing to give me a crash course and a few examples?

Thanks!
Posted By: - Ice

Re: The definitive Cougar site? - 04/15/10 12:24 AM

Okay, I got the 'microstick' situation sorted now, but I can't seem to map the trims (RCtrl + ;.,/) mapped to the H1. Any help?

Also, I'd like to program it to go to A-G Mode (7) when the Dogfight switch is down (T8), A-A Mode (6) when the Dogfight switch is up (T7), and normal Nav Mode (1) when the switch is in the middle position. I'm not exactly clear how to do this though.

Thanks!
Posted By: Reschke

Re: The definitive Cougar site? - 04/15/10 12:44 PM

Its been a while since I did this but IIRC you use the dogfight switch as a modifier to the button presses that you want to emulate. Meaning that in order to program the different modes as you describe above you have to tell the software that the dogfight switch will be in those positions while you are in that mode. I will have to open up a few profiles and see what I can remember. I learned enough to setup a few profiles and once I did that I just focused on remembering the profiles and forgot a bunch about how to build them.

Nutty87th can really help you if you want. Take a look in the Pit Builders section and drop him a PM in the TM Warthog HOTAS thread there.
Posted By: - Ice

Re: The definitive Cougar site? - 04/15/10 04:48 PM

Yeah, I know the switch can affect OTHER switches, I just want to 'enter' different modes depending on what position it is in. Driving the Hog, I only have limited things to do and they're mostly A-G, but I want to be able to 'enter' Dogfight and Nav modes through that switch as well.... which would be the most realistic way IMHO.

Thanks for the heads up on Nutty87th, will PM him now.
Posted By: Paradaz

Re: The definitive Cougar site? - 04/16/10 01:22 AM

I think the easiest way to look at the programming is to upload a profile to the cougar, and then check out what the buttons are actually doing from the graphical view or control list.

You will be able to see how the commands are configured and what the switch commands are doing, from there you can copy paste the elements you need from various profiles if need be.
Posted By: - Ice

Re: The definitive Cougar site? - 04/16/10 05:22 PM

There aren't much profiles for the A-10 though... still, some research to be had I think...
Posted By: Darren

Re: The definitive Cougar site? - 12/27/10 01:13 AM

I still don't know how to program this thing.

So daunting.

How do I get a default macro file?
Posted By: Darren

Re: The definitive Cougar site? - 12/27/10 01:19 AM

Actually I spend more time trying to work out which profiles work than flying.

Only 2 that are good and they are still a headache to use.

Jagstangs F4 profiles and Viper-ala13's Rise Of Flight profile.

The rest are hit and miss and for me to fix them is another matter because it is so complicated.

My old Saitek x-45 blew the Cougar outta the water.

So easy and INTUITIVE.

Well the profiles worked outta the box.

Foxy has variables within variables so you think "if I adjust this button ,what button is it actually in the game and are they direct x buttons or normal.

Mate ,You need a box of headache tablets or be drunk to be calm enough to make a profile for it.
Posted By: Darren

Re: The definitive Cougar site? - 12/27/10 01:23 AM

It's designed for a certain class of people.

THe rest of us can get stuffed.
Posted By: JAMF

Re: The definitive Cougar site? - 12/27/10 05:57 PM

The help function in foxy is full of good info.

As always, there is the collection of cougar profiles:
http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3024084/TM_Cougar_profiles.html#Post3024084
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