I have just ordered a Thrustmaster Warthog HOTAS system to use with FSX, I am currently using a Thrustmaster Cougar Hotas system.Is anyone else using or contemplating the Warthog? I would be grateful for any tips and techniques or site references. Thanks.

Hi Yellowjack. I've had a warthog for a couple of months and it's a fantastic stick. I'm very happy with the purchase. If you fly fighters or helos a lot it's perfect, though you have to get a bit creative about assignments for mixture or prop pitch if you fly piston aircraft as well, or better yet get a separate controller for those etc. Coming from a Saitek X52 it's a lovely change. I used Thrustmaster sticks in the past (F16 FLCS and TQS) but gave up on them for a few years due to a noticeable drop in the quality of their controllers and potentiometers, but it seems they're really back on their game with this one.One word of warning about it. My first stick died 13 days after purchase after a static discharge from my hand (after walking across some carpet). There's a metal ring around the base of the stick, and it accepts an electrical discharge very readily. Having used plastic sticks for so long I didn't think anything of it until the stick wouldn't post at all. Plugging it into two other computers with no recognition confirmed it was dead. The shop I bought it from replaced it and the new one has been fine for several weeks now, though I'm very conscious to ground myself on my metal table frame before using it hehe.One other note, it's a heavy setup, all metal, so make sure you have the stick and throttle on a sturdy surface. It's a substantial bit of kit, with very rugged components. Aside from the static issue it looks and feels virtually indestructible. It's also VERY precise in use. The hall sensors it uses are miles ahead of the best old style pots. I've never used a stick with zero jitter or play in it before, which is a treat. The only thing I would hope they do differently in the future is back off the tension a bit right around center. I like a stick with a lot of resistance, and once you overcome the centering spring it's easy to hold any particular tension in any direction, but that first 1 mm of travel is a bit too tight in my opinion. You get used to it though.I don't have much to say on the throttle really other than that I like it a lot. The tension adjustment is good, the switches are easy to use, and easy to find by touch once you're accustomed to the setup. The placement of the flaps switch makes it a bit difficult to use if the throttle is at idle, since it completely blocks it, but there's no law that says one must use that particular switch for the function.The supplied Target software for calibration and assignment is also good, but you're likely using a version of that already on your setup. It was new to me, but it seems to work very well.All in all, it's a good buy, though expensive!-Mike

Hi Yellowjack. I've had a warthog for a couple of months and it's a fantastic stick. I'm very happy with the purchase. If you fly fighters or helos a lot it's perfect, though you have to get a bit creative about assignments for mixture or prop pitch if you fly piston aircraft as well, or better yet get a separate controller for those etc. Coming from a Saitek X52 it's a lovely change. I used Thrustmaster sticks in the past (F16 FLCS and TQS) but gave up on them for a few years due to a noticeable drop in the quality of their controllers and potentiometers, but it seems they're really back on their game with this one.One word of warning about it. My first stick died 13 days after purchase after a static discharge from my hand (after walking across some carpet). There's a metal ring around the base of the stick, and it accepts an electrical discharge very readily. Having used plastic sticks for so long I didn't think anything of it until the stick wouldn't post at all. Plugging it into two other computers with no recognition confirmed it was dead. The shop I bought it from replaced it and the new one has been fine for several weeks now, though I'm very conscious to ground myself on my metal table frame before using it hehe.One other note, it's a heavy setup, all metal, so make sure you have the stick and throttle on a sturdy surface. It's a substantial bit of kit, with very rugged components. Aside from the static issue it looks and feels virtually indestructible. It's also VERY precise in use. The hall sensors it uses are miles ahead of the best old style pots. I've never used a stick with zero jitter or play in it before, which is a treat. The only thing I would hope they do differently in the future is back off the tension a bit right around center. I like a stick with a lot of resistance, and once you overcome the centering spring it's easy to hold any particular tension in any direction, but that first 1 mm of travel is a bit too tight in my opinion. You get used to it though.I don't have much to say on the throttle really other than that I like it a lot. The tension adjustment is good, the switches are easy to use, and easy to find by touch once you're accustomed to the setup. The placement of the flaps switch makes it a bit difficult to use if the throttle is at idle, since it completely blocks it, but there's no law that says one must use that particular switch for the function.The supplied Target software for calibration and assignment is also good, but you're likely using a version of that already on your setup. It was new to me, but it seems to work very well.All in all, it's a good buy, though expensive!-Mike

Thank you Mike for your lucid response. I am very grateful for your timely advice on the static discharge issue with the Warthog forewarned is forearmed.I have Hall effect sensors on my Cougar stick so they are not new to me but much valued. I haven't taken delivery of my new stick yet but have all the manuals etc. I am aquiring the new stick mainly for the twin Throttles and may well continue to use my Cougar stick which according to others can be mapped in with the new throttle. Mike, do you have rudder pedals and brakes? I have some CH pedals converted from USB to my Cougar stick and was hoping to keep these alive with the new setup. Have you written a FSX macro file for the Warthog, or do you know of any such files around that I could grab and modify for myself? Thanks.

Hi John. I haven't used the target software for much yet, most of my assignments are done through FSUIPC (since I like different settings for different aircraft). I do have usb CH pro pedals, and they work fine with the setup, no issues. Pedals are essential of course with the Warthog has it has no rudder twist functon (of which I am very glad actually!). I don't like the flimsy feeling of twist sticks.Cheers, and I hope you like it. I think you will. Do watch out for that shiny metal ring just below the stick itself, it's a lightning rod haha. :)-Mike

Hi John. I haven't used the target software for much yet, most of my assignments are done through FSUIPC (since I like different settings for different aircraft). I do have usb CH pro pedals, and they work fine with the setup, no issues. Pedals are essential of course with the Warthog has it has no rudder twist functon (of which I am very glad actually!). I don't like the flimsy feeling of twist sticks.Cheers, and I hope you like it. I think you will. Do watch out for that shiny metal ring just below the stick itself, it's a lightning rod haha. :)-Mike

I now have my new toy delivered and have noted the ring (now called "Precious"" you pointed out. I will try and think of a way to earth it. Thanks

Best buy of the year for me!Bjorn

Dont exclude the saitek X65! Awesome stick and more buttons to program than your memory will ever remember.