Hi guys
See some pictures of guys taking the basic Thurstmaster Warthog stick and modifying it to Heli usage.
Read one guys used/extended the tube between the joystick and base, is this a thrustmaster option or not, thinking about the joystick plugging into a plug in the base …
G
Just google TM Warthog extension tube. There are lots of sizes and shapes available.
thanks, finding now… was originally thinking this might be a option from TM.
got some ideas from this…
OT… but whats peoples general feeling about the platform as control fr heli’s… guessing it must be amazing.
G
I removed the centering spring years ago and it was much softer and still usable for helicopters somehow, but you still need to keep the other spring to prevent the stick falling dead to the sides. In my opinion TM concept is obsolete now. Gimbal, being the core of the system, is held on a cheap piece of plastic and it´s a pain for maintenance.
I heard TM was working on a new product focused on helicopters but there´s no info about it yet. They better wake up and improve their quality. I got tired of the design flaws on their F-18 grip thumb button (I had to return sticks 3 times as button was stuck after few days of use). Many users had the same issue with that button or the hats. TM qualitry is not the same it used to be years ago and F-18 grip was the final demonstration about that.
You may consider moving to any of the new designs which allow dampers or dry clutch (Winwing, VKB or Virpil) as they hold stick in place and support extensions too. I have both Winwing and VKB and I´m very happy with them. In addition Winwing and VKB (Ultimate model) are made of aluminium so they are much lighter than the TM rock, while they still produce the same metal construction feeling which I prefer instead of the plastic constructions. Virpil is made of ABS plastic if I´m not wrong but I don´t own it so I can´t give any feedback. It´s seems to be also a good quality product according to reviews.
Cheers
TM Warthog is expensive…
other vendors is even a lot allot more… restrictive/impossible more.
G
Yes I know. But you don´t buy such HW every year. I used my Warthog for more than 10 years after having moved from a Cougar, which I used for almost the same amount of time, so I have been a big fan of their products. Warthog was therefore resulting in less than 50€ cost per year. With some maintenance it can last much more provided that you don´t have electrical or mechanical failures as I had with the F-18 grip.
Cheers
I’ve been using modded Warthog for over 10 years in DCS, War Thunder, IL2 and MSFS. I replaced stock “slew” switch on the throttle, added 12cm extension to the joystick and replaced stock base with VPC WarBRD-D Base. It works great for flying helicopters but I fly rotors in DCS only. MSFS is not a great platform for helicopters. Too many scenery bugs that are more visible when flying low. It’s better to stay above 2,000ft.
thanks both.
I’m more interested in GA rotor, not much interest in combat …
10yrs on a setup for me would also be a great return, and the fact that it lasted that long for you speaks books about the quality/value…
I’m very interested in whats been said, in that TM is working on a rotor specific setup,
I was asking myself why the h3ll do they not have one… if it was not for that then I’d probably cough cough and buy a joystick/mod it and use, but with the knowledge that they busy… might buy something like the Logitech X52, which is allot cheaper to walk away from once TM brings out they rotor controls.
The other rotor specific options, even with it being great value, is just to far out of my budget, ■■■■ the warthog is at the end, make that over the stretched etch as it is…
G
it’s a juggle… might buy the TM combo that includes their throttle… allowing me to fly planes also… but this will be for very short time.
Busy build a pedal setup and collective (3D printing, Hall sensors etc).
49" Ultra Wide G9 OLED.
N.I.C.E…
Very
G
The answer is simple: they can´t produce a helicopter oriented stick (if that turns to be the new product at the end) with the current gimbal solution they have in their bases. They need to use a system similar to the one used for their Pendular pedals, that is what the other existing vendors indeed used as basis for their implemented solutions. That approach allows to control friction on each axis separatelly, being able to reproduce a stick with no spring return to center or with no linear smoothness. So at least a new base would be needed.
But even their pendular pedals still have a spring return which is not the optimal for choppers. However you can reduce the tension with springs configuration leaving a softer return. Again the other verdors already won the race here. Winwing for instance is releasing next month a set of pedals that can be configured for both spring return or no return, allowing you to use them on choppers. I think Virpil also has a damper kit at least, so their pedals can be upgraded. I don´t know if any of their pedals come with this implemented as I don´t own anything from them.
Cheers
There is also a damper kit available for the Thrustmaster TPR Pedals. I have it installed on my TPRs works great.
In all honesty although a Warthog stick with an extension and a weaker spring would be “better” than the standard Warthog stick, I still would not recommend it for helicopters personally.
Ideally for flying helicopters a stick with no spring with a clutch/friction system to hold the stick in place is the best option. Unfortunately, though flight sim controls specifically for flying helicopters typically come at a premium cost. Helicopters are somewhat of a niche sector of flight simming compared with tubliners, or GA aircraft.
Personally I went the Virpil route in stages, first the collective and later I got the CM3 base, extension and Constellation Alpha, grip. These are all about 90-95% construction so I expect them to last many years so I see the initial outlay as an investment in a hobby I enjoy.
That said I totally understand that level of expense is not necessarily in reach or justifiable for everyone. I have never tried one but I believe the VKB Gladiator is available with a clutch/friction system - I would be inclined to check that out as a better option than the Warthog.
Just to throw a another spanner slightly into the works I would also be inclined to invest wisely in some decent rudder pedals, these IMO are of significant importance when flying helos.
VKB’s Gladiator has adjustable dry clutches, so you can remove the springs entirely and use the dampers to obtain the friction and movement you want. However, the NXT Evo gimbal is of plastic construction (albeit much higher quality then other makers) and so VKB do not recommend using extensions with it.
Their Gunfighter base and gimbal is all-metal, and can be used with 100mm or 200mm extensions. They also offer a Thrustmaster grip adapter, so your existing Warthog grip could be added to a Gunfighter base with an extension of your choice. I use the 200mm for rotorcraft and the 100mm for everything else, which gives a really nice feel and range of movement.
But take into account this is only compatible with older Gunfighter bases (Gunfighter Mk.II/Gunfighter Mk.III), so the ones with grip connector Rev.B. Currently only the newest Gunfighter Mk.IV is sold and such adapter is therefore not compatible with it as newest base uses grip connector Rev.C.
Other vendors also have or had in the past these types of adaptors. In my opinion they were a nice marketing idea to allow a smooth transition from ex-Thrustmaster users to their products. Nowadays they may not be so relevant or really needed unless you still keep a TM grip in perfect conditions, as it really makes no sense to buy a new TM grip I would say.
For instance, Winwing HOTAS combo or joystick combos have basically the same price of TM Warthog combos buy they come with a ton of additional buttons (all hats have push) and configuration options (digital and analog axis can be set). The throttle base is crazy in terms of buttons. These designs are newer, lighter and also metal construction. However joystick base allows different springs/cams or dampers for the axis. It´s hard to compare both products as the differences are huge. TM team still lives in the 2000s and they have not adapted to the existing simulation needs as fast as others did.
Cheers
I agree with you entirely, and I am no fan of Thrustmaster products, quite the opposite in fact!
But the OP asked how to better use an existing Warthog stick for helicopter control, so I was looking to offer suggestions on how to achieve that. You are correct that the TM adapter listed in the VKB EU store is for older GF II / III bases, but the VKB Australia and NA stores list Warthog adapters for both Rev B and Rev C GF bases, so they will hopefully be available to Europeans soon.
Good as it is, the Gladiator isn’t recommended for use with extensions. Obviously dropping the Warthog entirely and splashing out on a GF IV / MCG / 200mm extension combo will make the better controller, but the adapter makes the transition slightly more budget friendly.
Magic…
can’t remember I said existing Warthog… I was in final centimetres on deciding to get the warthog and doing the mods to improve it for rotor. At this stage I’m putting this level of collective/throttle and joystick/cyclic on hold, going to get the Logitech X-52… and then save to buy the big boy unit… atm… I’m having my arm seriously twisted in the direction of Virpil.
G
If you haven’t bought a TM yet, then I would look elsewhere for rotary, I have had the warthog since 2010/11 one of the first, busted one stick doing maintenance. I also have an extension but there is a bit of resistance around the neutral zone which doesn’t make for fine control in the hover/taxi.
Starting fresh I would be looking at the new offerings, I have a VKB GF Mk3 and its better than the warthog stick, although the grip is very tough plastic instead of metal. Virpil Collective gets a big thumbs up from a friend. Also the VKB T rudder pedals are pretty much made for rotary.
