New HOTAS for the Jedi!

Jedi Master · Post by **Jedi Master** » 18 Nov 2005, 05:50

After struggling with my old SWF22 set the past month or so (horrible spiking in all axes on the gameport), I decided to get a new HOTAS.
I thought about it and figured my best bet was a Cougar! Easily translated profiles from my SWF22, could use my RCS with it, button layout identical to my SWF22 (other sets are differently configured)...
So I got it yesterday, and DAMN it is heavy. :shock:
Looks I have the (unfortunately common) late-model Cougar ANT knob problem. If I pull it out the center detent is there, but by default it gets pulled into the housing and disappears. I'm going to go to Home Depot this weekend and try and find a small metal C-clip I can put on the shaft to hold the knob up.
Other than that, I only had enough time to install the software and test the axes.

One problem though is the RCS connector on the stick--it's very shallow and the cable for my RCS won't stay on. There are 2 little screw holes to screw your connector on (like a monitor or printer cable), but I've got an older RCS with a simple push-on connector that requires a deeper port. So, I've got to work out some kind of mechanism to hold it on. My gameport extension cable doesn't have a screw connector either, just push-on, so that doesn't help. If I could find one that DID then I'd be set. Alternatively, I may try and set up some kind of harness like a glorified rubber band to hold the connector and base together.
Sigh.

Hammer · Post by **Hammer** » 18 Nov 2005, 08:25

you might try fasioning a bracket to go around the gameport connector that you can then screw to the base...

i will see if i can find anything laying around that i can send you to hack up.

RevRaz · Post by **RevRaz** » 18 Nov 2005, 11:36

I bought a TM Afterburner setup, then realized it just doesn't do what I want.

So now I am waiting for my Saitek X45 to arrive.

Jedi Master · Post by **Jedi Master** » 18 Nov 2005, 14:26

Steel wrote:you might try fasioning a bracket to go around the gameport connector that you can then screw to the base...

i will see if i can find anything laying around that i can send you to hack up.

Yeah, I was thinking of something along those lines. I'm gonna try and rubber band it tonight. ;)
That bushing or C-clip whatever for the ANT knob is another priority.

Hammer · Post by **Hammer** » 18 Nov 2005, 20:18

i just can't believe you spend that much money on something and it is a POS. i would go CH, even though they are 'only' plastic. but i do like the saitek stuff too...and have an x45.

Jedi Master · Post by **Jedi Master** » 19 Nov 2005, 19:32

The ANT knob is apparently a packaging problem. There's a piece of styro to hold the throttle in place but it puts pressure on the knob. This translates directly to the pot, which is what deforms.

I didn't go CH because as I said it would cost me $120 more (since I would need a set of pedals too) plus none of my stick files would convert PLUS the CH throttle is not like the TM one at all. I don't know what plane it's supposed to represent, but it doesn't seem like one I've ever seen on a real plane. The TM one is of course an F-16 replica.

Hammer · Post by **Hammer** » 19 Nov 2005, 20:39

i know - but for something over $150 you would think it could be made right. and they have had the problems since the get go - you would think they would fix them... but no... were these new or used?

KODIAK · Post by **KODIAK** » 20 Nov 2005, 04:34

Steels right Jedi! If mine had come along in that state, I r4eally don't care how long I waited for it (about 8 months!), it would have gone back in the box and been sent right back. Having said that, here is a website which should help you with some of the things you are experiencing problems with:

http://cougar.frugalsworld.com/

James Hallows is very good with most things 'Cougar', seeing as he had some serious involvement with the project anyway. So give hima call/e-mail if you feel the need, he'll be only too happy to help, I'm sure.

Jedi Master · Post by **Jedi Master** » 21 Nov 2005, 06:09

There's a few threads over there already dealing with this issue. I found a couple nylon washers over the weekend which have closed the gap, but I need more to actually pull the knob up.

My main irritant at this point is actually the detents. The detent on the throttle itself is too far back for AB, I can't feel the one on the ANT knob unless I pull it up, and both the RNG and ANT knobs don't have centered detents.
I know it's fairly easy to alter the detents on the throttle (just open the bottom and move the metal rings), but the knob detents are built in. On the knobs, instead of the detent being at zero (with limits being say -10 to +10), it's at like -3. This is a resistance issue.
If I auto-calibrate, the center will always be at the center of the knob's range, not the detent. I don't know if manual calibration will fix that or not.

Keep in mind there's nothing visually wrong with it. It looks the same as my old TQS. The pot problem consists of a few mm of travel on the pot shaft. I could just get a new pot from TM and replace it, but I don't really feel like trying to get that pot out of the handle right now. I opened the handle and it's a tight fit in there with the speedbrake switch so close.

KODIAK · Post by **KODIAK** » 21 Nov 2005, 11:36

You should begin making some noise - this sounds like a very badly put together HOTAS mate ( a Friday job?!! :shock: ). I do know that TM tend to be very indifferent towards Cougar customers that have problems. But IMHO, this is more than just one bad problem - this is bad assembly with bad parts (not too surprising considering the location of manufacture really!) Speak with James H, see what he would suggest as a course of action. He may be able to help you out somewhat too.
By the way you describe that problem, manual cal won't help you either.

Jedi Master · Post by **Jedi Master** » 21 Nov 2005, 16:38

I dunno, he posted himself in that thread where the guy who started it (the guy that puts in the Hall sensors, Cub Pilot I think?) totally disassembled an ANT pot to investigate and came up with the solution of using a vice to alter the shape of the pot can! :shock: He totally illustrated it with pics, too.
Here:
http://cougar.frugalsworld.com/mods.php#antpot

Hey, I found yours, Kodiak! http://cougar.frugalsworld.com/cougarowners.php
I see you have # 4463.
For comparison, I have #18031!

Crap, Skater at SimHQ has 5 of them!! :shock:

Gator · Post by **Gator** » 21 Nov 2005, 18:10

mine is 04598 ... very close to Kodiak's.

KODIAK · Post by **KODIAK** » 22 Nov 2005, 10:55

Yep! Me and Bri ordered ours at around the same time as you can see.

Jedi Master · Post by **Jedi Master** » 22 Nov 2005, 12:45

Yes...at least, I expect that is what you WANT me to think...

PanzerMeyer · Post by **PanzerMeyer** » 22 Nov 2005, 12:48

It's nice to see that us Lefties like me dont have to worry about HOTAS issues. LOL

Jedi Master · Post by **Jedi Master** » 22 Nov 2005, 12:49

No, many lefties have these problems as well. Those that have learned to fly with their right hand and use throttle with the left, that is.

PanzerMeyer · Post by **PanzerMeyer** » 22 Nov 2005, 12:52

Oh yeah? Well, I just refuse to conform to this right-handed dominated world so there!

KODIAK · Post by **KODIAK** » 22 Nov 2005, 14:10

Well, given the ergonomics of the throttle, as I look at it - I reckon you could get away with swapping slots with the stick, turn the throttle round and reverse the throttle control using the software. You could still get a reasonable postion for your fingers as regards controlling the throttle auxilliary switches, after a while it would be second nature anyway IMHO.

Hammer · Post by **Hammer** » 22 Nov 2005, 18:27

i guess, but they do not swap the stuff in the real jets...

KODIAK · Post by **KODIAK** » 23 Nov 2005, 08:25

guess, but they do not swap the stuff in the real jets...

I know what you're saying there, and understand that purist view. I am of the same nature myself. However, I was suggesting it as an alternative for those lefties who refuse to purchase the HOTAS on those grounds, or because they simply can't cope with the physical dexterity of a dominant right hand. Especially when you consider that sticks such as the X-45, 52 are relatively cheap and to enjoy the advantages you get from them if you are into the flight simming side of things as much as we are.

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New HOTAS for the Jedi!

New HOTAS for the Jedi!