Thrustmaster Cougar HOTAS

[mathurpc]

I would like to get some feedback about this joystick. I know it costs a lot of money, but I am looking for a TECHNICAL evaluation. Does it work with FS9?

All other joysticks available in the market have all plastic parts and these get worn out quickly. I am especially unhappy about the gimbal assembly because it results in a large 'play' in the movement of the stick, which I don't like. Does Cougar has a metal gimbal assembly?

I am seriously thinking about replacing my Saitek Cyborg 3D-Gold stick.

Pramod

[Doon1]

I've had my Plastic thrustmaster afterburner for 4 years now and it's still going strong. From what I understand if you buy the Cougar then make sure you have an extra hundred bucks 'cause the first thing you need to do is have the pots replaced. Don't even bother unboxing it just send it off. Not to Thrustmaster of course because they don't warranty the parts that break. Basically "You buy it, you own it". Your best bet is to check the LOMAC, Falcon 4.0, Flanker, and IL2 official website forums. A 2 year search with Cougar as the keyword will supply you with all the info you need.
John

[grover]

I have a Cougar, and while I love it, I have spent an insane amount of money getting it to the level it should have been. Next time it breaks it will be a door stop. The Saitek X-45/52 would be the best value for money Hotas around and I would consider the CH stuff before a cougar nowdays.


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[Ktulu]

I have the Cougar and never had any problems with it. I actually was going to go back and forth with my CH yoke and found I missed the precise control I would get with the Cougar. I am not sure what problems others have had. I guess I was lucky.

Andrew

[pkimberling]

I've had my Cougar for over two years. Had to replace it once at the beginning. Took a while, but they finally came across.

Have used Thrustmaster joysticks, throttles and rudder pedals for many years. It's the best in my opinion.

Paul

[Mike_NYC]

Go to Cougars World, they have a forums there and update drivers:

http://cougar.frugalsworld.com/

I own one, it is fine for FS9 for me, with my TM Yoke and rudder pedals.

However for sims like IL and Combat FS, I find it a bit cumbersome. As you will read at Cougars World, there are $$$ mods $$$ that make the Cougar more user friendly.

In short you dont get what you pay for IMHO.

[Kerosene31]

I don't have the Cougar, but I purchased one of their old f-16 sticks back in the day (don't remember the exact name, but one that was supposed to be high quality). I know it cost over $200. I ended up returning 3 of them and giving up.

I got really bad spiking problems in any game I played. I called their tech support, and the person informed me that I need to replace the pots. I didn't have the tools or the know-how to do it myself (not to mention that for the money it should have been correct in the first place) so I shipped it back to them. It came back but still had the exact same problem. I returned it yet again, and once more it came back with the same problem. Eventually I just gave up, and now it collects dust.

I would hope that these problems would be fixed in this new stick, but if you search around you will here people echoing the same problems.

I ended up going with the Saitek x45 and have not looked back since. While I wish it had a more solid construction, it does have a metal spring which offers good resistance and feel. They work exactly as advertised and don't cost nearly as much.

Plus, the x45 set costs a lot less than the Cougar, so even if I need to replace them more often, it is still more cost effective. Also, the x45 is available in many retailer stores in person, which is a nice convenience.

I'm not normally the kind of person who rants about vendors and their products. I am usually very understanding and patient. However, the whole experience left me with a very bad impression of the company.

[Bill_Browning]

This is an interesting question. I fly with a Cougar every day. I like it because I "grew up" with Thrustmaster. I knew Buzz when TM was just an upstart specialty company. TM began and ended with making controllers for combat flight simulation. They were pioneers and a lot of the best ideas we see in controllers today began at Thrustmaster. Unfortunately, their success ultimately resulted in their demise. Guillemot (sp?) has brought some of the old TM philosophy back.

Anyway, I digress. My answer: If you are a tinker and a programmer get the Cougar. This controller has nearly unlimited programming potential, axes adjustments, etc. However, you WILL have to take it apart sometime (or have someone else do it for you). The potentiometers will be a problem unless you mod the stick. I have spares on hand. Some of the switches may need some tlc.

If you are a "flyer" and do not want to mess with the stick - get a different controller.

Oh, by the by, I have a second controller as a spare to use when I'm working on the Coug. It's a Saitek X45. ;)

Best Regards,
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