Warthog stick, how does it feel?

[Panzerlang]

I've been cogitating over one of these but the various videos I've seen make it appear to be somewhat 'sloppy' (too easy to move). Is there a way to adjust spring-tension in it? How is the spring tension? Will it feel crap coming from an FFB stick?

 

Answers on a postcard. No, answers here please, the xmas post-rush is a biyatch.

[dburne]

I've been cogitating over one of these but the various videos I've seen make it appear to be somewhat 'sloppy' (too easy to move). Is there a way to adjust spring-tension in it? How is the spring tension? Will it feel crap coming from an FFB stick?

 

Answers on a postcard. No, answers here please, the xmas post-rush is a biyatch.

 

Well, the impression you have gotten from videos is wrong, the Warthog stick is certainly not know as being too " easy to move", or "sloppy".

 

You may have seen a video on a mod where someone took the large spring out, because he wanted his much easier to move...

 

As far as spring tension, no you cannot adjust it other than doing a mod like mentioned above. Others have reported greasing theirs up that made them smoother as well. Trust me, you will not want it stronger.

 

Mine as it came stock , seems about perfect for me. I am used to stiffer springs as TM has always seemed to use stiffer ones.

 

Now if being able to change spring tension would mean a lot to you, might have a look at the new upcoming Saitek X-55.

http://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/3135-x55-page-info/

 

Looks like it will come with different springs one can change out.

But as far as the Warthog - in my case - I absolutely love mine and would not change it out for anything.

I have never had a FFB stick, so can not comment on what would be like coming from one of those to the Warthog.

Edited December 19, 2013 by dburnette

[Georgio]

As mentioned unless you remove the tension spring altogether the force needed to move the stick around is certainly not 'sloppy'. Personally it feels about right, but then I've had my stick since it was released so I'm used to it.

If you want a very sturdy, precise joystick/throttle that is very configurable then the Warthog should be on your short-list.

[Panzerlang]

Thanks guys, sounds like a goer.

[Matt]

For me, the normal Warthog spring tension is too strong when used without a stick extension. With stick extension (which i would recommend), it's perfect though.

 

It's been some time since i used my FFB2, but i think even with highest FFB setting, the Warthogs spring will feel stronger.

[III/JG11_Tiger]

I love the feel of the Warthog the only issue I had to address was changing the red grease they use with some m-kotesynthetic grease after this it was nice and smooth, I have since added a 10cm extension and for accuracy this stick is very good stock but great with an extension.

 

Then of course there is the nice cool feel of solid metal which I never get tired of

[dburne]

I love the feel of the Warthog the only issue I had to address was changing the red grease they use with some m-kotesynthetic grease after this it was nice and smooth, I have since added a 10cm extension and for accuracy this stick is very good stock but great with an extension.

 

Then of course there is the nice cool feel of solid metal which I never get tired of

 

How much of a pain was changing that grease out?

I have thought about giving it a try , saw where some had some issue with pinching wires and having to re-solder. Not sure I want to go there.

And really, don't know that mine needs the grease replacement.

[Matt]

I tried two times to take that ball gimbal apart to be able to replace the grease and failed both time, because the force necessary to do that seemed to be too excessive and i didn't want to risk damaging the wires, because my soldering skills are seriously underdeveloped.

 

So i would consider it very tricky, but thankfully, with the extension, i don't think it's necessary, though it would still improve things even further for sure.

[dburne]

I tried two times to take that ball gimbal apart to be able to replace the grease and failed both time, because the force necessary to do that seemed to be too excessive and i didn't want to risk damaging the wires, because my soldering skills are seriously underdeveloped.

 

So i would consider it very tricky, but thankfully, with the extension, i don't think it's necessary, though it would still improve things even further for sure.

 

Thanks for  the heads up Matt, I am the same way and would be very concerned about that.

I am not unfamiliar with tinkering with them, I modded a Cougar with the NXT gimbal mod and hall sensors a few years back. However I am getting older and feeling it more now, and I really would not want to mess up my Warthog.

I have had it for well over a year now and am quite used to it, so not that big a deal. If it was more simple I might consider.

 

Thanks,

[LLv34_Flanker]

S!

 

 If you do not want to risk breaking the gimbal you can use for example ContactCleaner spray to "flush" the grease out and then blow it dry with air. After that apply the appropriate grease to the gimbal. ContactCleaner is not damaging the plastic used in Warthog.

[BigC208]

How does the Warthog feel? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jfoxsfhi-kk

[-MG-Cacti4-6]

I've been cogitating over one of these but the various videos I've seen make it appear to be somewhat 'sloppy' (too easy to move). Is there a way to adjust spring-tension in it? How is the spring tension? Will it feel crap coming from an FFB stick?

 

Answers on a postcard. No, answers here please, the xmas post-rush is a biyatch.

the stick is easily one of the best sticks i have ever or will ever own. its not sloppy, it is smooth. when it returns to the center position under its own power, there is almost no wobble. the only downside is on the throttle side. if you want the feel of the afterburner detent, you really need to screw the throttle quad down, you have to lift up on the throttle handles to get it over the detent. I spent 8 years working on a/c before my ptsd issues have essentially prevented me from really working extreme high stress jobs and i can say for a fact that the switches on the quad are as good as many of the switches in many of the cockpits i worked in (my main focus was avionics , FTP's, engine runs, and taxi checks). if you have 400 to drop and still want to get rudder pedals, i dont think there is a better stick on the market out there. never mind that with the community here (and in many other places) there will be ready made intuitive config files you can download so you dont have to worry about programming them.

 

which brings me to the next thing. the software is spectacular. The ability to adjust curves, assign multiple key strokes to the same button in certain orders, among other things, make this really a great package. Nevermind its stability. I had serious stability issues with the saitek software, this stuff hasnt crashed on me yet. 

 

(OT here, but that profile pic is me getting ready to burn one on in the run-up area...this the no smoking sign. hehe)

Edited December 23, 2013 by -MG-Cacti4-6

[Panzerlang]

I've already ordered the 10cm extension and will be ordering the stick & throttle in january. My mini-pit will be done by then too hopefully.