Hardware & Technical Thrustmaster Warthog Good Choice?

[Lee Shand]

Hi everyone, my first post here. I spent a portion of the past few days researching what HOTAS setup to get. I did not really have a budget so that left everything open. The final 3 were an X-52 Pro an X-55 or a Warthog. Now firstly I have not come hear to bash any of these systems as I have ever used any of them, I have only formed my opinion from watching reviews and reading forums.

So in essence this is what I have learned.

X-52 pro - Most peoples favorite, good price, looks good, has a twisty rudder/yaw feature, not as sturdy as the Warthog
X-55 - People are 50/50 , some reported issues with it both in use and some reported it feels cheap for the extra money. Some people completely happy with it but maybe not as many as the X-52 pro
Warthog - seems to be the choice for those who can (and I don't mean that to sound Elitist, pardon the pun), sturdy enough to break your ankle if it dropped on your foot, has a quality feel and works will with ED, does not have twisty rudder/yaw feature though although this feature can be programmed to one of the POV buttons. this seems to be an issue for some.

So I ordered the Warthog, it arrives tomorrow, I got a good deal from B&H Cameras. My question is, did I do the right thing? Or did I see a Shiny? Should I send it back and get an X-52 Pro for the twisty rudder/yaw or will I be OK with the programmable POV ability. At time of purchase, after watching a number of videos the build quality and sturdiness out weighed the lack of Yaw function. I don't want to get pedals either.

Any feedback from those that have one would be great.

I actually think I will be OK. What I have now is either Mouse and Keyboard or Game Pad. Its certainly a step above those.

 

[Nerull]

I've owned a TM HOTAS system for over 10 years now (started with the Cougar, changed to WartHog after a mechanical part broke in my Cougar, giving me the excuse to go to a WartHog 'cause I didn't feel like replacing the part ) and I'd never be able to go back! The steel throttle and stick, the stury yet responsive buttons give an absolutely awesome feel. It's heavy, so it doesn't budge when you perform some harsh manoeuvres, giving extra precision and enjoyment.

Only one downside to the WartHog: once you've tries one of those things you can never go back to plastick joysticks.

 

[Surfinjo]

Looks like a nice piece of serious kit for serious users.

Kinda pricey though.

If I could and wouldn't get the crap beaten out of me, by my wife for doing so, I'd buy one myself.

 

[Lee Shand]

I've owned a TM HOTAS system for over 10 years now (started with the Cougar, changed to WartHog after a mechanical part broke in my Cougar, giving me the excuse to go to a WartHog 'cause I didn't feel like replacing the part ) and I'd never be able to go I back! The steel throttle and stick, the stury yet responsive buttons give an absolutely awesome feel. It's heavy, so it doesn't budge when you perform some harsh manoeuvres, giving extra precision and enjoyment.

Only one downside to the WartHog: once you've tries one of those things you can never go back to plastick joysticks.

Makes me feel a little easier Thanks!

 

[Memnoch]

Looks like a nice piece of serious kit for serious users.

Kinda pricey though.

If I could and wouldn't get the crap beaten out of me, by my wife for doing so, I'd buy one myself.

Believe me when I tell you it is worth every penny. Both the throttle and the stick offer the best build quality you could hope for. The throttle especially looks like it could have been lifted straight from the aircraft. My only complaint I would have is the quality of the little grey cap on the flaps switch on the throttle. Compared to the other things this feels a little cheap and nasty and twiddles about on the stick it sits on. Other than that I couldn't recommend it highly enough.

 

[Thorvald]

Love my Warthog too, amazing for DCS A-10 and other games. The hall-effect is amazing, no more dirty pots that wear out.

One word of advice though, the gimbal inside is PLASTIC. The rest is solid metal. DO NOT DROP this stick! It will break the plastic gimbal inside. I'm hoping one day someone with a CNC machine will make a metal gimbal for inside.

 

[Luceferous]

I'd advise not to go for the Warthog. The stick is plagued by 'stiction', you'll need to spend even more money on pedals and the throttle, while visually impressive, is flimsier than you'd think, and much less useful than it looks. My Warthog HOTAS had stiction out-of-the-box and the throttle fell to bits...within the first 8 hours of use! There are entire forums out there dedicated to correcting the design of this massively expensive peripheral. You'll think 'It'll be fine. It's just the usual forum moaners with buyer's remorse trying to put everyone off'...and that's how I thought too, and surprise! They were right. Do you really want to make a hobby out of getting your HOTAS to function correctly? Because there's a good chance you'll end up in that position. And good luck selling a Warthog with stiction problems on eBay for decent money...

A much better solution is the much underrated (and mad) x65f, (if you can find one), or a Sidewinder Force feedback (amazing gimbal), with a CH Pro Throttle. The rest out there are either very low-end or spring based. Not ideal.

Beware the Warthog though...you have been warned!

 

[Lee Shand]

Well I got the Warthog and its excellent. Could I ask any of the guys that have one what profile you are using? I downloaded the one from the Thrustmaster site and run the target program and followed the instructions. is that the thing to do? What I cant find is the left and right thrusters you would use when docking. Up and down I can find. Any help or guidance would be appreciated.

 

[tihee]

I've owned a TM HOTAS system for over 10 years now (started with the Cougar, changed to WartHog after a mechanical part broke in my Cougar, giving me the excuse to go to a WartHog...

Only one downside to the WartHog: once you've tries one of those things you can never go back to plastick joysticks.

So true!
Still have my Cougar, nothing broke, just wanted an upgrade from the traditional pots to the hall effect sensors.

 

[NEUTRAL]

I read somewhere that the Thrustmaster Cougar has many player-made hardware modification upgrades to it.

I wonder if there will be any hardware mods to the Warthog; I'm very interested to see if there will be any metal replacement to the Warthog's plastic gimbals.

Plastic gimbals don't last long.

 

[MartinW]

Love my Warthog too, amazing for DCS A-10 and other games. The hall-effect is amazing, no more dirty pots that wear out.

One word of advice though, the gimbal inside is PLASTIC. The rest is solid metal. DO NOT DROP this stick! It will break the plastic gimbal inside. I'm hoping one day someone with a CNC machine will make a metal gimbal for inside.

There are companies like this one, they fabricate then part for you...

http://www.protolabs.co.uk/firstcut

Reasonable pricing.

 

[xetura]

I love my Warthog. It is absolutely worth every penny. Nothing I've ever owned even compares to it. It's pretty sweet that it can be mounted as well. I'd say do eet.