Hi Everyone,
I just thought I’d see what the community thinks. I’m torn between two HOTAS options for MSFS 2020. I’ve been looking at the Thrustmaster Warthog A10 and the Winwing Orion. Has anyone used either of them and what would you recommend? Personally, I’m leaning more towards the Winwing due to it having more buttons to map. Would love Virpil but I can’t stretch to that, sadly 
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I have the Thrustmaster and it is GREAT. I also looked at this https://virpil-controls.eu/ which also seems great. All good options.
I just received the Winwing Orion as a replacement for my ageing Saitek X-55. Was actually looking around this forum for tips to get a good FS2020 setup going. 
Coming from the X-55 it’s an outstanding step up in build quality and Winwing cleverly made sure the Orion fits the mounting profiles for a Thrustmaster Warthog on my MonsterTech stand.
I can’t give you comparisons between the Warthog and the Orion as I have no personal experience with the former. My reasons for going with the Orion was the “new and shiny” aspect. I haven’t had the chance to take it for a serious spin yet, but having installed the driver software and tested/calibrated the stick I’m already liking the feel a lot.
Just a quick follow up after a 25 minute test flight:
The Orion controls incredibly smoothly around the center compared to my old X-55, which would “clunk” into center position due to the way the stick is designed. I didn’t bother configuring trim, and due to flying in windy conditions I did have to work to keep the Cessna steady. It was no problem, however, and making tiny adjustments feels incredibly natural with the way the resistance builds smoothly from the center position.
The throttle and stick is straightforward to set up in FS2020. I couldn’t figure out how to make the throttle axis register but it turned out I had to push it all the way into the afterburner detent for the game to “see” it.
So far the Orion feels worth the investment. Only small issue I have is that the pin which will join the two throttle levers doesn’t seem to lock fully into position. I’m going to have a look at that and maybe fire off an email to the support team. It’s not really much of an issue since the tiny handle is perfectly out of the way when operating the throttle.
Anyway, that is my quick initial take coming from a scubby X-55 owner upgrading to what is definitely better gear.
Nice good to know. Out of curiousity did you managed to get the heading rotary knob mapped to heading in game?
I didn’t have any problems mapping the heading rotary knob. Each incremental step registers as a button press so it fits with the required mapping in the game.
MIght be too late to respond but I also found the same on the little handle on the pin between the two throttles. I tore done the handles again and very gently tapped (using a hammer and screwdriver) the magnet in the left hand throttle out a little, giving the pin space to sit in the space provided. Works a treat now.. Im just about to go through the keybindings now on my Orion - confused on where to start (and would love any keybinding shares (if possible). The Orion hotas is a serious step up in quality and feel over anything Logitech/Saitek or even the TM Warthog
Same here. Didn’t even need tools, I just removed the pin from the housing and gently but firmly pressed it into the receiver. Heard a tiny click and now it works perfectly. I guess they just haven’t pushed the magnetic plate all the way into the receiver during assembly.
As for mappings I have decided to map the fundamentals for now and add things as needed. I have a much easier time remembering where they are as a result. I was never good at using trim with my old X-55 but on the Orion I have mapped the elevator trim axis to the A3 slider on the throttle and that has worked really well for me.
Good tip on the A3 slider - will try something similar. I’m going through all the keybinds at the moment. Frustrating at times, but enjoyable nonetheless
I got myself Virpil throttle and stick and never looked back.
Hands down the best controllers I ever owned! Very high build quality, precise, sturdy - they look and feel like they were meant for use in a real jet…
Just received my winwing orion and the same I come from x55 controllers. Can you please let me know how you it setup?! It lools like the MFS does not recognize the key bindings from .. Orion! Cheers!
Yeah you have to spend some time configuring it all by hand.
I can’t help you with settings as I have since moved on to a Honeycomb Alpha+Bravo setup (I really like flying the C152 and C172 so I wanted a yoke). My Winwing Orion is gathering dust until the DCS Apache AH-64D module is released. I don’t really use it for MSFS any longer. I do consider the Orion to be a great product but as a control surface it didn’t meet my particular preference for this game.
Thank you for the response.. my cousin actually recommended as well the Honeycomb Alpha+Bravo. DCS AH-64D it will be a killer for sure I am excited too… meanwhile I don’t want to spent so much money on controllers, try my best setting up the Orion on MFS.. fly safe!
Do you guys find the toggle switches on the Orion not
as useful in MSFS? Seems like most of the functions (most games in fact) are expecting momentary button presses, but toggle switches remain in the on or off state till they are changed which makes them not very usable.
Was thinking about the Orion, but the toggle switches and exposed cables are giving me some pause.