No ideal replacement (Hotas blues)

I was thinking of getting the TM warthog given its esteemed reputation, (currently using X55) but considering i fly the Hornet much more now than i do the hog, my gripe is that the Throttle doesn't have a Radar elevation control.

I also considered then just getting the HOG stick then, especially considering itl come in handy for Viper release, but i read complaints crappy TDC controller needing custom replacements out of the box about the complaints about gimbal with people suggesting that they use stick with a different base. Sounds like a hassle to deal with straigt out of the box, and a problems that should have been addressed for something produced nearly 10 years with an updated one.

I hear lots of good things about VKB and Virpil, but i dont like the Russian style sticks. Prefer western design. That and with the latter international shipping costs will murder you.

I found it was is especially dumb that TM only released the F18 as an addon grip and dont appear to have any plans for F18C Throttle. Its shame the F18 Grip isnt offered as a standalone stick as for new buyers who arent into the hog. It can literally apply to 3 different aircraft : Hornet, Harrier , and future strike Eagle.

X55 worked great for me so far, (though the stick has become a litte loose causing airplane to always slightly tilt left) but i always disliked that there there is no TDC slew controls in the front of the throttle.

Really there seems to be no ideal HOTAS replacement for me.

...warthog... but considering i fly the Hornet much more now than i do the hog, my gripe is that the Throttle doesn't have a Radar elevation control.

How about a "mod" to Warthog throttle for this?

Buy one of this knobs (based on F-15/F-16 throttle radar elevation control).

Relocate the potentiometer of axis "friction" using this this "antenna" knob for he left side of left throttle grip, similar to how is in F-22 Raptor Throttle:

https://www.essexindustries.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/f22-Raptor-Throttle-Grip_2.png

I love my warthog, and I have had no issues with it.

You will not regret it, it’s a huge step up from x55. I used to have one of those too.

Edit

Actually I lied, I have a x56 not 55. Still sitting u dear my desk collecting dust.

Solution: Thrustmaster f18 grip with virpil base and throttle

Coolie Hat on the front of the WH Throttle works just fine for Radar Elevation / TGP Zoom.

At least there are different choices out there to choose from based on your personal preference. I also prefer Western style grips to the Russian ones, and one of my current fav is the F/A-18 grip which is really awesome.

IMO, the two TM grips are a bit too heavy for the Virpil WarBRD base, the combo feels kinda springy and it feels like I’m just yanking the springs around (might exaggerate a bit here but you get the idea). I’d actually be upset if the real flightstick feels and behaves this way. The perfect grips for Virpil or VKB bases would be their own respective grips, which are much lighter and designed specifically for the purpose.

Coolie Hat on the front of the WH Throttle works just fine for Radar Elevation / TGP Zoom.

+1

F-18 Hornet.pdf

New player on the market:

https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=241976

At least there are different choices out there to choose from based on your personal preference. I also prefer Western style grips to the Russian ones, and one of my current fav is the F/A-18 grip which is really awesome.

 

IMO, the two TM grips are a bit too heavy for the Virpil WarBRD base, the combo feels kinda springy and it feels like I’m just yanking the springs around (might exaggerate a bit here but you get the idea). I’d actually be upset if the real flightstick feels and behaves this way. The perfect grips for Virpil or VKB bases would be their own respective grips, which are much lighter and designed specifically for the purpose.

https://virpil-controls.eu/vpc-mongoost-50cm-base.html

No ideal replacement (Hotas blues)

That is the base that I don’t have since they encourage using extension with it—which I don’t. But I think my next purchase will be something else, perhaps a FFB. My TMWH base works perfectly fine with the new F/A-18 grip, I actually prefer it to my Virpil WarBRD for this grip.

I'll just mention for the record that the T16K throttle has the radar elevation control you're looking for and a functional TDC stick. I mean, if you have to fly around on something that's not exactly what you're looking for, there's an argument for not spending any money on it right

On my way back from work i stopped in Canada computers, ALthough the TM Hotas was sold out now, they still do have one on display. IT felt really really nice, like woah . Makes X55 seem like a toy in comparison, which in all honesty in turn back when i bought that seemed like a big upgrade over the simple Logitech 3d Pro.

Another thing i am considering is that is financially more practical to get the TM HOTAS from AMazon.ca ( best price here in Canada i could find) , because with the Virpil base + Hornet grip, it comes out to being nearly as expensive as the TM Hotas due to International shipping costs to NA.

Ultimately Id rather get a full hotas setup for a comparable price than just Stick + base.

SO im going TM Warthog, as it still within an tolerable price for the quality.

New player on the market:

 

https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=241976

Looks nice, but thats too expensive TBH ( $800 flat) , with Shipping fees as well as Taxes addone , thatl be reach 4 figures , especially when converted from USD to CAD. Thats too much.

Given its a proven product ( produced what 10 years?) and lower cost, im ultimately deciding on the TM warthog.

No ideal replacement (Hotas blues)

I don’t know how it is in Canada, but you can occasionally get a brand new TMWH HOTAS set for $300 here in the US.

First thing to do if you’re getting a Warthog is stick a DeltaSim TDC upgrade in it. It’ll save a lot of frustration with the stock “nipple” which is next to useless.

https://deltasimelectronics.com/products/thumbstick-slew-sensor-adapter

Thanks for the advice guys! It arrived yesterday. Gonna take some time to relearn with a new hotas. Besides being fully mapped out for the A10 module ( for obvious reasons) i was however somewhat surprised to see that its fully pre mapped out for other modules. Very convenient.

First thing to do if you’re getting a Warthog is stick a DeltaSim TDC upgrade in it. It’ll save a lot of frustration with the stock “nipple” which is next to useless.

 

https://deltasimelectronics.com/products/thumbstick-slew-sensor-adapter

yeah looks like something i should get, although wouldn't that void any warranty when i still have a new product?

Also that sounds like quite a wait if the backlog for pre orders is so long that It wont be until October that more are ready for production.