Thrustmaster Announces Warthog Magnetic Base and F-16C Handgrip

This really pushes any improvement of the less than optimal "HOTAS Magnetic Base" (£119.99; €129.99; $159.99) far into the future...

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the A-10C Warthog grip the same one as used in the F-16C? Am I missing something here?

I think I'd be more excited about an F-16 throttle, personally.

I believe this is marketing for user availability.

ie: if you want to only use the Hornet Grip, you can (when released), get the base and hornet grip. and not have to purchase the entire Warthog HOTAS and Hornet Grip.

Same for the Viper Grip.

As far as I can tell from Press release shots, the only difference between Warthog and Viper Grip is the Stencil Decals around the buttons.

There maybe some difference in which 4 way and 8 way switches are setup etc.

But the stick will also have a unique hardware id allowing it to automap DCS:F-16C Buttons.

So:

HANDGRIP WARTHOG (Comes with the WARTHOG HOTAS ONLY)

HANDGRIP HORNET (Sold Separately)

HANDGRIP VIPER (Sold Separately)

However now, if A User wants a Base + Hornet Grip, they got it, and if they decide they want the F-16C/A-10C Grip, they dont have to purchase a whole unit, they can get that handgrip.

Etc Etc Etc.

Compatible w/ All 3 Bases (Cougar, Warthog, Magnetic Base)

*Button 19 Not Compatible w/ Cougar Base).

As far as I understand, F-16C Viper™ HOTAS Add-On Grip is completely the same as Warthog grip - but the official announcement of course fails to mention that. Do they really hope people will rebuy new F-16 grip to play DCS: F-16 Viper with appropriate, non A-10C grip? Or do they hope people will spend €129.99 for base and €179.99 for F-6 girp, together €309.98 in mid January 2020, when they can buy completely the same set right now for as low as €254?

What now is really missing from TM is a revamping of the Cougar throttle...:music_whistling:

Wow, talk about taking advantage of people!

Warthog stick and base on Amazon.com right now: $248

Separate base and F-16 stick: $390

They want people to pay $142 more for the same exact product?!?! That is disturbing...

But the stick will also have a unique hardware id allowing it to automap DCS:F-16C Buttons.

The Warthog stick already automaps the DCS: F-16 buttons...

The A-10C WH grip has a push function on the CMS button. The original Cougar (F-16 style) is only a 4-way hat.

Since they say it is 19 buttons, it must be the A-10C version of the grip.

I don't mean to be dramatic but this is a bit insulting...It the same products, now with just the option (finally) to be bought separately. Is there something I am missing here or do I have that right?

What a company.... And without shame. Its the Warthog stick without base renamed F16 stick. And instead of actually making the most useless pathetic part (the plastic garbage gimbal) into a quality product they try to trick people to buying this.

NOPE not gonna happen!!!!!

Actually, the hidden news in here is that DCS/ED-F16 has so much potential that Thrustmaster issues a "ahem" new device for it. Quite astonishing. The F18 grip as well. It cant be such a niche product anymore I guess, with products and announcements like this.

Maybe that is the only positive thing I can filter out of this.

I don't mean to be dramatic but this is a bit insulting...It the same products, now with just the option (finally) to be bought separately.

What do you mean? They've been selling the warthog stick and throttle separately for years. At least in the US. I bought just the stick a year ago.

What do you mean? They've been selling the warthog stick and throttle separately for years. At least in the US. I bought just the stick a year ago.

I mean the grip and base, not just the throttle and stick separately.

He probably means that now you can finally buy Thrustmaster Warthog stick base and stick grip separately - something you could only do until now through Thrustmaster Service.

MSRP is only a suggestion. For USD

The MSRP for the Warthog is like 299.99 and the Throttle MSRP is 299.99 as well

You can get both on new egg for ~20% off and Amazon has them under MSRP as well.

I have rarely seen them at MSRP, and only above them once, when there was a run on them and everyone was sold out or backordered.

Hornet Grip MSRP is 279.99, I see it as low as 219 to 249 all the time on NewEgg and Amazon.

base will prolly be 149-179, Viper Grip about 249 as well.

I mean the grip and base, not just the throttle and stick separately.

Ahhh... got it.:thumbup:

This is just good news, as the alternative choices that VKB and Virpil are offering has shown to people that there are better means to buy HOTAS, and now Thrustmaster notices that people really like that you can get both separately.

Now the question is, is that new "magnetic base" a new one, like no more the problems with the ball base, or is it just rebranded old base?

Now, there's a cheaper option to use the TM F-16/A-10C grip with the Virpil base if you need both.

Now, there's a cheaper option to use the TM F-16/A-10C grip with the Virpil base if you need both.

Including the F-18 add on with the VKB base.

Now the question is, is that new "magnetic base" a new one, like no more the problems with the ball base, or is it just rebranded old base?

It's the old one they just gave it a new name and some stupid print. Pathetic really....

This is just good news, as the alternative choices that VKB and Virpil are offering has shown to people that there are better means to buy HOTAS, and now Thrustmaster notices that people really like that you can get both separately.

 

Now the question is, is that new "magnetic base" a new one, like no more the problems with the ball base, or is it just rebranded old base?

It´s the old base, but they updated the name so it runs with the current time and one of the hottest software available (DCS Viper), the very same strategy they used when released the Cougar in those Falcon4 times, and Warthog with DCS A-10 module.

Is that base with movable or force sensing?