Thrustmaster HOTAS Cougar or Saitek X52?

[DokoMaster]

So my buddy is selling both of these very cheaply, I have never held or owned HOTAS/Joystick combination.
Cougar is old, but realistic. Harder to get work now days because of the driver support? Saitek X52 is more of the "latest" HOTAS so I was leaning to it, but I do not know which one would last more and also feel more right in VR. As I got my vive a week ago, I want to start playing ED more seriously. I need HOTAS for that, but do not know which one of these I should chose. Cougar costs more but not that much. If it's better as in durability and "feeling" than Saitek X52 then I should get it.

 

[Khaldur]

Cannot do a comparison because I don't have a Cougar, but I am very happy with my X52 pro. Nice touch and design, good quality, lots of buttons, not too expensive. My only (minor) complaints are the driver software (advice: always use the same USB port for the X52 to avoid issues) and the position of the detents on the throttle (would have preferred one in the middle instead of the 2 it has).

 

[dutchy2000]

I owned a cougar, the thing is nice, but the pots (unless your friend modified it) tend to break easily, and the spring on it is brutal, your arm muscle will grow exponentially using it. After 30 minutes fly my arm would ache. Drivers are also a problem.

 

[DokoMaster]

Cougar does deem more like a collectors piece, and I would like to spend hours and hours straight on ED vr with HOTAS, my muscles are tired enough from all other VR games. But sadly the X52 is not pro version. Still it would cost me less than a new T-Flight X.

 

[dutchy2000]

I got myself a warthog, I love the hal sensors instead of the pots, smooth as silk movement and my arm doesn't hurt after hours of play. Its a little pricey though, and I think they are coming out with a new stick soon.

 

[dree]

As Khaldur I own a X52 pro, one more suggestion, do not put it in a USB 3 port, all strange things happened when I did..
I use only the drivers windows installs, works great for me. I got used to the detents at 25% and 75%

Groet Dree

 

[dogbite]

Cannot do a comparison because I don't have a Cougar, but I am very happy with my X52 pro. Nice touch and design, good quality, lots of buttons, not too expensive. My only (minor) complaints are the driver software (advice: always use the same USB port for the X52 to avoid issues) and the position of the detents on the throttle (would have preferred one in the middle instead of the 2 it has).

I have the x52 with "spring tension mod" and "magnet mod". They're easy to do and it makes a difference. Had it for years without issue. I did bang it against a table once and all the x y axis went crazy. Thought I broke it but when I looked inside I realized I had knocked one of the magnets off. Search Saitek x52 mods Utube

 

[DokoMaster]

I have the x52 with "spring tension mod" and "magnet mod". They're easy to do and it makes a difference. Had it for years without issue. I did bang it against a table once and all the x y axis went crazy. Thought I broke it but when I looked inside I realized I had knocked one of the magnets off. Search Saitek x52 mods Utube

Bought the x52 for 21€. I did check out the mods. I try to play without them first.