Hardware & Technical Thrustmaster Warthog HOTAS...realties...

[dtt255]

I currently have a Thrustmaster Warthog HOTAS and I have to be honest...I am very underwhelmed with it. It just seems....too stiff and overkill. I LOVE the feel of it, but for actual game play, I cannot do smooth, small movements at all. Everything is 'jerky' or overkill.

When I first started playing I purchase a $40 logitech joystick and I flew better with that. Smoother.

Now in full disclosure I have not used the Target software yet to try and setup and use a profile created there. I was just using the built in E : D bindings and control.

Has anyone else had this issue or these thoughts? Could I have a setting wrong in the game?

 

[blacky75]

if you want it less stiff, you should remove the central spring, I did that, excellent now, and VERY precise!

Instruction per VIDEO (only thing NOT necessary to follow: how to remove the large base plate... it can remain there)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBMBR8M0z2E

Edit: that was for the stick... but I guess you know how to unstiffen the thrusters?!

 

[dtt255]

if you want it less stiff, you should remove the central spring, I did that, excellent now, and VERY precise!

Instruction per VIDEO (only thing NOT necessary to follow: how to remove the large base plate... it can remain there)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBMBR8M0z2E

Edit: that was for the stick... but I guess you know how to unstiffen the thrusters?!

Just seems like alot of deadspace and takes alot to move the joystick back and forth to create movement.

So removing that fixed your same issue?

 

[blacky75]

Just seems like alot of deadspace and takes alot to move the joystick back and forth to create movement.

So removing that fixed your same issue?

there must be something wrong... did you changed any settings under Elite? When I first installed elite, i just configured the axis right... deadzones all to 0....... When I just touch the stick, it already translates movements, so no deadzone at all here.

 

[dtt255]

there must be something wrong... did you changed any settings under Elite? When I first installed elite, i just configured the axis right... deadzones all to 0....... When I just touch the stick, it already translates movements, so no deadzone at all here.

I will try the removal of the spring and the resetting of the dead zones to 0 and see what happens.

Just to confirm...the 0 in the dead zone settings is all the way to the left side of the slider, correct?

 

[blacky75]

I will try the removal of the spring and the resetting of the dead zones to 0 and see what happens.

Just to confirm...the 0 in the dead zone settings is all the way to the left side of the slider, correct?

Yes, left = 0 deadzone

EDIT: also, I do not have running TARGET. And last tip: use VOICEATTACK.COM ;-)

 

[dtt255]

Yes, left = 0 deadzone

EDIT: also, I do not have running TARGET. And last tip: use VOICEATTACK.COM ;-)

Awesome!

Will remove the large spring and try resetting deadzones. I will report back and let you know how it went.

Voice attack is already downloaded....just hard because the kids are screaming commands also just to mess with me! lol My youngest screamed "landing gear up!" when I was trying to dock and almost killed me!

 

[Zenicetus]

The height of the handle might be part of the problem. With my previous joystick (CH Fighterstick) I could rest my forearm on the desk top while piloting, so it was mainly my wrist moving the stick. On a standard height computer or home office desk, the Warthog sticks up pretty far, so your arm may be more unsupported when flying. That can make maneuvers feel a bit more jerky until you get used to it.

I have a half- solution where I rest my right elbow on the arm support of my chair when flying. That brings my forearm more horizontal to the Warthog stick and feels a little more stable. One of these days I'll build a chair with a sidestick or center stick support. I have a feeling this stick's ideal position is quite a bit lower than I'm using it now.

It might also be the spring stiffness, but I'd suggest spending a little time getting used to the feel, before trying something that drastic.

 

[tetra]

I presume you fly other sims with it? Or did you just purchase it for ED? The reason for it being so "stiff" including all the switches/buttons is, as you probably know, to replicate 1 to 1 the same amount of force required to utilize them in the actual A-10, which is why it is the "go-to" hotas for DCS A-10C etc, although it works perfectly for pretty much everything else too.

For me personally it's one of the features I love the most about it, aside from the precision of the actual output. That being said if its a new HOTAS for you I would suggest you spend a couple of weeks acclimatizing to it, coming from pretty much any other joystick or hotas combo is going to take a bit of getting used to but the results are worth it if you stick with it. The fact that it does require additional input from you usually leads to even more accuracy as you are never adding accidental input and your hands, once used to it, will soon find the exact amount of force you need to input to get the same exact result again and again, as opposed to most cheaper sticks where you may not get the same output even if your hand is in the exact same position etc.

You could remove the spring as blacky75 suggested, but again, in my personal opinion that should be a last resort if you can't get used to it. The Wathog is a beautiful hotas, it's only major flaw being the stupid mouse nub they decided to go with instead of the proper hat on the throttle quadrant.

Give yourself a couple of week, it will soon become second nature and you won't ever want to use another hotas or stick ever again lol.

 

[blacky75]

Awesome!

Will remove the large spring and try resetting deadzones. I will report back and let you know how it went.

Voice attack is already downloaded....just hard because the kids are screaming commands also just to mess with me! lol My youngest screamed "landing gear up!" when I was trying to dock and almost killed me!

Here I HIGHLY recommend you to map a joystick button to a key, and activate VoiceAttack only on KEY-PRESSED. Now, google around, there are a few (FREE) Joy2Key programms, to map any joy-button to a key (as VoiceAttack ONLY accepts key inputs yet)... this will prevent your kiddies to BOOST your ship through the dockingstation

EDIT: I second also the 2 above comments.... you might first get used to the Warthog! But, personnaly, removing the centering spring (whilst NOT in an A-10 simulator) is worth the move. Also, you're not gonna break anything, it's easy replaceable again, did that too for test purposes.

 

[Yaffle]

I sit with the baseplate between my thighs, so the stick is on the edge of the chair seat in front of me.

It's not as uncomfortable as it sounds, and my arm is in a more comfortable position than having to use books to support it at desk height.

I tried one of Mrs Yaffle's yoga blocks for a desk-elbow support for a bit, which was okay, but my shoulder is at a weird angle.

 

[dtt255]

The height of the handle might be part of the problem. With my previous joystick (CH Fighterstick) I could rest my forearm on the desk top while piloting, so it was mainly my wrist moving the stick. On a standard height computer or home office desk, the Warthog sticks up pretty far, so your arm may be more unsupported when flying. That can make maneuvers feel a bit more jerky until you get used to it.

I have a half- solution where I rest my right elbow on the arm support of my chair when flying. That brings my forearm more horizontal to the Warthog stick and feels a little more stable. One of these days I'll build a chair with a sidestick or center stick support. I have a feeling this stick's ideal position is quite a bit lower than I'm using it now.

It might also be the spring stiffness, but I'd suggest spending a little time getting used to the feel, before trying something that drastic.

Have the perfect seating and arm height situation already. So I don't think it is that. But thanks for the advice.

I presume you fly other sims with it? Or did you just purchase it for ED? The reason for it being so "stiff" including all the switches/buttons is, as you probably know, to replicate 1 to 1 the same amount of force required to utilize them in the actual A-10, which is why it is the "go-to" hotas for DCS A-10C etc, although it works perfectly for pretty much everything else too.

For me personally it's one of the features I love the most about it, aside from the precision of the actual output. That being said if its a new HOTAS for you I would suggest you spend a couple of weeks acclimatizing to it, coming from pretty much any other joystick or hotas combo is going to take a bit of getting used to but the results are worth it if you stick with it. The fact that it does require additional input from you usually leads to even more accuracy as you are never adding accidental input and your hands, once used to it, will soon find the exact amount of force you need to input to get the same exact result again and again, as opposed to most cheaper sticks where you may not get the same output even if your hand is in the exact same position etc.

You could remove the spring as blacky75 suggested, but again, in my personal opinion that should be a last resort if you can't get used to it. The Wathog is a beautiful hotas, it's only major flaw being the stupid mouse nub they decided to go with instead of the proper hat on the throttle quadrant.

Give yourself a couple of week, it will soon become second nature and you won't ever want to use another hotas or stick ever again lol.

Nope don't play other sims with it at all. I plan on it in the future though. So I did purchase this at first for E : D. I got to the store and felt both the Saitek and the Warthog and once my hand wrapped around that metal joystick....it was all over. Just like holding a new gun for the first time. You know at first touch if it is something you are going to like or love.....if that makes sense

Here I HIGHLY recommend you to map a joystick button to a key, and activate VoiceAttack only on KEY-PRESSED. Now, google around, there are a few Joy2Key programms, to map any joy-button to a key (as VoiceAttack ONLY accepts key inputs yet)... this will prevent your kiddies to BOOST your ship through the dockingstation

Great idea

 

[Zenicetus]

I got to the store and felt both the Saitek and the Warthog and once my hand wrapped around that metal joystick....it was all over. Just like holding a new gun for the first time. You know at first touch if it is something you are going to like or love.....if that makes sense

Oh yes... the way this thing feels in the hand is a big part of the immersion factor for me. I'm just driving pixels around on a computer screen, but it makes it easier to imagine that I'm piloting something bigger than my desk when I'm flying.

 

[dtt255]

Ok well first thing I did when I got home was trying to remove that large spring inside. It was very easy. figured it was a 5 min thing and worth a try.

I haven't played yet but that thing is almost TOO easily movable now. It also doesn't center at all on it's own. I am just never satisfied I guess
The video linked in this thread talks about putting washers under the smaller springs to increase the tension. Has anyone done that ?

 

[blacky75]

Ok well first thing I did when I got home was trying to remove that large spring inside. It was very easy. figured it was a 5 min thing and worth a try.

I haven't played yet but that thing is almost TOO easily movable now. It also doesn't center at all on it's own. I am just never satisfied I guess
The video linked in this thread talks about putting washers under the smaller springs to increase the tension. Has anyone done that ?

Did you moved the little springs underneath? No I didn't, but could in fact increase a bit the stiffness... Also, you could take off all the greace (not sure bout that english word), and reapply greace... it's somewhat 'sticky' at original state. Loose is good, mine recenters very slightly in fact, but I like it now

Play a couple of hours with the spring then, or without... you'll figure out later on what's best for you.

 

[DD_Crash]

the stupid mouse nub they decided to go with instead of the proper hat on the throttle quadrant. [/B]

This helps a lot. Just use a dab of superglue and some fine wet and dry / emery paper.http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3770263/Warthog_Cursor_Mod#Post3770263

 

[dtt255]

Did you moved the little springs underneath? No I didn't, but could in fact increase a bit the stiffness... Also, you could take off all the greace (not sure bout that english word), and reapply greace... it's somewhat 'sticky' at original state. Loose is good, mine recenters very slightly in fact, but I like it now

Play a couple of hours with the spring then, or without... you'll figure out later on what's best for you.

I moved the 4 smaller springs from under the main housing to on top of the main housing. just like the video. The joystick, after put back together, would 'flop' to one side of another. There was no zero'ing or returning to center at all.

I didn't even play with it like that, just not possible.
So I decided to put everything back together the way it was originally to try and pin point the issue.

It is simply this...I can move in another of the main 4 directions...the ship doesn't move at ALL until I am halfway between center position and the end of the travel in that direction. So basically HALF of my movement is deadspace.

I checked the settings in the game and the deadspace slider is all the way to the left (0) deadspace. I downloaded the THRUST software but as of this moment am completely lost as to how to use it.

 

[Flossy]

It is simply this...I can move in another of the main 4 directions...the ship doesn't move at ALL until I am halfway between center position and the end of the travel in that direction. So basically HALF of my movement is deadspace.

I don't know if I'm reading this wrong or misunderstanding you - but are you giving it any throttle at the same time? Just sounds like you are trying to move using the joystick only? Moving the joystick should only affect your pitch and roll - or do you mean the roll or pitch movement is not happening until over halfway? :S Also, have you tried checking the joystick movement in your Windows Control Panel?

 

[dtt255]

I don't think I am explaining it correctly.

When I physically move the stick....to the left , for example, the physical joystick can move halfway to the left before the 'in game' ship starts to roll at all.

Same thing for pitch. It seems that half of the movement of the joystick doesn't register with the game before it start moving the ship.

Hope that clears things up.

If I need to, I will post a video.

 

[Fes]

When I physically move the stick....to the left , for example, the physical joystick can move halfway to the left before the 'in game' ship starts to roll at all.

Same thing for pitch. It seems that half of the movement of the joystick doesn't register with the game before it start moving the ship.

Sound like something is very very wrong. My warthog is extremely precise, with 0 deadzone. The first hint of movement on the stick (a few mm of physical deflection) will register movement. Perhaps try checking your joystick settings / calibration in windows control panel?