Stuff thats wrong with my Cougar

My poor old Cougar isn't very well these days. This is what is wrong with it:

The pitch axis on the stick is getting very hard to calibrate and jumps around quite a bit. Probably needs a new POT. The roll axis is just starting to get a little glitchy too.

The microstick on the throttle is terribly hard to calibrate and is almost un-useable. Probably needs new POTS/replacing and they are very out of stock.

The friction wheel on the throttle hardly works now.

The play on the stick is considerable.

I have read about the 3D printed gimbal mod and the mag sensors thing...That is quite tempting to try. However I really don't want to mess up my Cougar and get backed into a corner with a dead HOTAS. It does look quite tricky to do this mod.

Any solution for the microstick issue?

Any other suggestions as to what I should do?

VKB and VirPil are different companies aren't they?

I like the look of their gear, perhaps I could drop some cash on their equipment, no idea what to get or how much it would cost me....no prices on VirPil gear on their web site that I can see and the VKB site isn't so great either....

I am reluctant to buy a Warthog as I have read about them having issues too and the price......wooo.

I wonder if Thrustmaster have a new thing coming out soon to replace the warthog as their highend offering?.....:joystick:

Their cheaper sticks look very plasticky and I think I might be disappointed after the flexibility of the Cougar.....

I dunno....:unsure:

Axis jumping = worn out potentiometer's

- Easy solution, replace then by same model, issue: this model (CTS) was discontinued, and since they are 'joystick pot" (limited electrical travel angle) can't be replaced be common (270º) pot of stores (Digikey, Mouser).

- Better solution - use DIY contacless HALL assembly, relatively easy to do (require solder) but magnet centralization is a bit trick.

- Or use GVL224 "MagREZ" contacless sensor (PnP in Cougar board), easy to center magnet, but assembly PCB in gimbal require some DIY work.

Micro stick

- Worn out potentiometer's - solution: replace the mini-stick, issue: (CTS) model discontinued, can use a similar, but this may require DIY physical adaptations in their support.

Play on stick

- Worn out gimbal (made in cheap metal), refurbish this part require machine tools, difficult to do DIY and achieve good results and probable the cost result high if order parts in specialized shops, what at the best will be a "trial and error" attempt to fix.

- Easy solution - replace with 3D printed gimbal with bearings, not too expensive but require assembly and so some DIY skill as well use contact less sensors in PCB.

Friction on throttle

Disassembly and inspect, probable can fix this easily, but will require some DIY and creativity.

- VirPil(VPC) and VKB are both Russian company, but no relation in between, one is based on Belarus, other in China.

So, If you don't have DIY skill, "retire" this Cougar (can sell in eBay for parts) and the easy solution is:

Buy a Warthog, has their own issues but overall work OK.

Or enter in VKB or VPC "queue". :)

Or maybe BRD (other Russian manufacturer) have an base (rady to delivery) Raven (chair or desk mount required) or Stork (floor mount) for use your Cougar grip, contact NT_Baur by PM in this forum.

Notice that none of this bases is for desktop use.

This bases can use "PnP" grips of Cougar, Warthog, VirPil(VPC) T50, VirPil(VPC) Delta, BRD KG-13B grip or Cheeb2006 KG-13B grip or IL-2 "spade" (models under order).

Raven: http://avia-sim.ru/forum/download/file.php?id=9421

Stork: http://avia-sim.ru/forum/download/file.php?id=8548

I wonder if Thrustmaster have a new thing coming out soon to replace the warthog as their highend offering?.

Thrustmaster 'teaser' in 2016 an F-18 grip for Warthog base- what make this grip compatible with VirPil(VPC) and BRD bases, with VKB base with adapter, but no ETA is know.

In HOTAS they may have something new in 2020/2021: http://s32.postimg.org/5x66a25np/Clipboard02.jpg

here are the Pots :

https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/CTS-Electronic-Components/251B12T104A2NB/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMukHu%252bjC5l7YWR%2f3klhjPoW76ABz2V%2fM2Q=

here are range and ant elev:

https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/?qs=Ivs1Be2ZGq6BrJBXLYE2Gg==

I have seen other uses post similar micro sticks I think you should check the BMS forums..

Another cool modd if you want to forgo the pots:

https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=195464

here are the Pots :

 

https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/CTS-Electronic-Components/251B12T104A2NB/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMukHu%252bjC5l7YWR%2f3klhjPoW76ABz2V%2fM2Q=

 

 

here are range and ant elev:

 

https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/?qs=Ivs1Be2ZGq6BrJBXLYE2Gg==

 

It seems that those parts are not the same as those used by the Cougar:

http://cougar.flyfoxy.com/warranty_parts.php

well I got them from some guy from Viperpits not sure what is different about the x,y pots??

The shaft length and "electric" angle is different - both smaller.