TM Cougar Idle-Cutoff Function

Hi everyone,

this guide focusses on the TM Cougar TQS and the DCS VIPER, but should also be applicable to any other thrust levers not featuring an idle/cutoff button bound to their axis, and any other DCS module. (I am using the RealSimulator TUSBA v1 attached to the TQS, but it should work without it)

It works like this: during engine start, you press & hold a joystick button on your throttle while moving the throttle from fully aft to your idle detent. This activates a virtual button that you can map to the idle/cutoff command in the game control settings. After releasing the button, the (ingame) throttle won't go to cutoff, even if you inadvertently pull your throttle fully aft. Only if you once again press & hold the assigned button while moving your throttle to the full aft position, it will go cutoff ingame.

The button/switch you choose to assign remains available for any mapping ingame.

I used the Cougar radar cursor button, but of course the choice is totally up to you, also whether or not you want to use an extra button (see Note at 9. for more details to this)...

For this to work you will need a little app called vJoy (pls google), and another one called Joystick Gremlin, both free!

Here's a concise step by step guide:

1.) Install vJoy (Installer may freeze at the end, disregard)

2.) Restart PC

3.) Config vJoy (see pic, notice number of buttons: 1)

4.) Restart PC

5.) Install Joystick Gremlin

6.) Config Joystick Gremlin (PLEASE CAREFULLY STUDY THE PICS BELOW in order for everything to work out right, you might have to tweak the axis range to suit your setup)

7.) Activate Joystick Gremlin (joypad icon = green) and test in windows' USB Game Controllers (red button icon should light up & shut off, when doing the manoeuvre; see pic)

8.) Config DCS: add vJoy button (see pic)

9.) Adjust axis saturation (optional)

Tick the slider checkbox. Move your throttle to your idle detent. The upper red dot on the graph indicates the position of your thrust lever. Now adjust saturation such that the red dot overlays the edge of the curve as shown in the pic below.

Note: if you want your throttle to replicate the F16 design (aft lever range for switching between cutoff-idle-cutoff exclusively), then you also need to adjust the saturation in order to make use of the full idle-AB range ingame; your throttle will need some kind of idle detent (i.e. you can feel where idle on the throttle is), for this to make sense.

That being said, if there is no detent on your throttle, or just because you wish so, you can omit this step. In this case, you have to implement a digital switch as condition, in order to prevent inadvertently going into cutoff. This way, after you activate ingame idle (by holding the assigned switch while moving the throttle out of its full aft position), you are able to use your throttle's full range as usual for the idle-AB range ingame.

That's it !

Enjoy, cheers

HiLok

Good idea, but why is it also important to adjust the saturation of your throttle in DCS?

Good idea, but why is it also important to adjust the saturation of your throttle in DCS?

good question, i'm gonna integrate my answer into the guide.

you are right - it depends: if you want your throttle to replicate the f16 design (aft lever range for switching between cutoff-idle-cutoff exclusively), then you also need to adjust the saturation in order to make use of the full idle-AB range ingame; your throttle will need some kind of idle detent (i.e. you can feel where idle on the throttle is), for this to make sense.

or, in other words: the above guide will transform the aft lever range of your throttle into a digital switch. hence the analog axis "starts" at the idle detent.

that being said, if there is no detent on your throttle, or just because you wish so, you could omit the adjustment of the saturation.

in this case, you have to implement a digital switch as condition, in order to prevent inadvertently going into cutoff. this way, after you activate ingame idle by holding the assigned switch while moving the throttle out of its full aft position, you are able to use your throttle's full range as usual for the idle-AB range ingame.

hope that makes sense

cheers

hilok

Ok thanks, that's what I expected ;) but it indeed needed a clarification.

If I may, here is a little guide for those who would like to match their physical detente with virtual detente properly using Joystick Gremlin.

hey, thanks for adding the link!

cheers

hilok