Thinking of buying a warthog

Hi I'm a Ch user and I've had my gear since 2001, yes it's been great and we've had some fun times together but it's 2015 and I think I'm ready for a change. I'm thinking of getting a warthog, I've been put off in the past because of money and previous experience of the cougar that I had which was a bag of crap with build quality. I'll probably keep my ch stuff as a back up but I really do fancy ago on the hog. I've noticed since flying falcon again that the ch fighter stick seems to have quiet a huge dead zone around its center which makes me over correct all the time, I've tried messing with the control panel and in game settings but haven't managed to get any better results, does the warthog have the same issues? Is the build quality better than the cougar was? And are they prone to breaking much? I've seen a fair few warthog problems on the message boards

I have had mine for well over 2 years now, and not having any real issues.
My stick has developed a little bit of slop around center, namely in the Y axis. I account for it though by using a TARGET script, in which I put a little deadzone in to accommodate for it. I could also do that from my flight sim controller menus, but I like using TARGET scripting for my flight sims. ( with exception of DCS-A10C of course, which the Warthog matches up nicely with).

The throttle is very nice, but has a lot of two-way and three-way switches, that could be problematic trying to utilize through a game's controller menu. Again, I use TARGET scripting so I can better utilize those buttons. The throttle is a little lacking in number of axis, it has of course the two throttle axis, and a slider axis. That is all. To help make up for that , I did add a CH Quadrant to my setup to give me a few more axis levers to utilize.

The stick springs are a little stout, not as bad as the previous Cougar stock stick, but stouter than probably most. The internal hardware seems to be a step up from what was used in the Cougar, as that was the Cougar's nemesis.

The TARGET software is indeed very powerful for programming, but not very intuitive. I took the time to learn some of the basic script editor functions to allow me to know enough just to be dangerous, but find it a great tool for programming for my flight sims. The software also has a much easier to use GUI editor, that still can be pretty powerful as well. Or as previously mentioned, just program directly in game is ok also, though you lose some of the powerful functionality.

So far I have not regretted my purchase and very much enjoy flying with the Warthog. And the feeling of that cold metal on the stick in my hand, is hard to beat.

I have had a Warthog over a year. (since Christmas sale 2013). I have had none of the breakdown issues I had seen mentioned. I had to program a small dead zone just to keep muscle twitches as such from interfering with my control. It did not come with any dead zone of out the box. It does have a tighter center transition flat than I would have liked, but I considered that very minor in comparison to the system's plusses. The build quality is better than the Cougar's. I have that too, and had it modded almost right out of the box, as to avoid the known issues with it.
I think the big difference can be told in that on the Cougar, we knew that all Cougars had issues that would cause the same failures sooner or later. The Warthog has had a few complaints from some people apparently unfortunately having bought one that had issues, but not an issue that affects every one of them.

I'm using mine for about 3 years now. Mine had really a lot of sticktion,when I opened it up there was almost no grease in,and that little bit that was there was almost dried up.I should have better sent it back,but me beeing me I rather disassembled the whole thing and put new grease in.

A word of caution,if anyone is planning to do this: I pinched some wires by accident when re-assembling. It was a real pain to fix that mess up. Was my own fault of course,but with propper grease in there I wouldn't had needed to open it up at all.

Next issue showed up after maybe 1 year where some rubber ring peeled off. Thats a common problem and can be fixed by getting a replacement from Thustmaster,which most likely will come off later again. The next possibility is to either make your own Ring out of PTFE or similar material,thats what I did,or buy such a ring from a member over at the ED forums.Some have left this ring out alltogether and most likely it will not cause any trouble. However,since the new ring is in I haven't had any issues since 2+ years. All buttons working,I'm using it with a Extension since day 1 and my stick has a little play around the center,but as far as I can tell thats since day 1 aswell and it didnt get worse,so no need to worry. If you can,I highly recommend an Extension as it eases out the bump in the center and gives more accurate controls in general.

I overall like the Stick and the Throttle,but with all the trouble I had with it at the beginning I'm not sure I would buy another one. Most likely I only had really bad luck with mine and I heard the newer Sticks are using a different grease since a while.

Thank for the input guys I appreciate it, I think I'm going to save for a couple of months and then maybe take the plunge.

I'm probably one of the most vocal WH owners here on the forums. That's because I love it.

The other WH users are too busy enjoying their HOTAS to even see this thread.

I went from CH to a warthog and love it. one of my test beds to see how good a stick is...is to air to air refuel in BMS. The warthog took 1/2 the time to get connected then I could do with my CH.....my warthog is that smooth. I can't even think of going back to something else.

Unfortunately I'm going to have to put the warthog on indefinite hold for the foreseeable future as we've just found out my wife is pregnant. I'm overjoyed and terrified all at the same time lol.

Congratulations Donk!

Thanks Chucky beers on me!

Well that escalated quickly!

Defiantly a Ron Burgundy moment when I found out lol, the best is we have just been accepted for IVF as we've been trying for years. We haven't even been to the clinic yet.

Hey! Happiness!

I've got two myself (kids, not Warthogs) and it's a blast.
Sometimes you will want to sell them, but it's ok. They are a life changing experience, but the best ever.

Donk,
Congratulations!

Congrats and I have 4 kids myself.

Thanks guys!

Yes indeed, big congrats - can't think of a better reason to have to put the purchase on hold!

Sigh, I have two daughters and a step daughter, and 9 grandchildren... think I am feeling my age.

Apparently you weren't the only one in the house hold...

PMSL!!!!