Breeding Warthogs with Cougars - Prototype Phase 1

[TX-Gunslinger]

In getting my setup ready for the greatest propeller simulation ever (CoD if ya don't know) - I've developed a project to mate my Warthog and Cougar devices operating under TARGET.  As most are aware - T.A.R.G.E.T software, which functions with many Thrustmaster products - integrates Cougar and Warthog.  

Problem is - you now have two throttles - one split (Warthog) and one single - with all the ergonometric challenges.

The twin warthog throttle has one glaring deficiency - only 1 slider.  The Cougar has two sliders - but only one throttle.  What to do?

Here are some early pics of my hardware mod to address these issues.  The upside is that I gain three sliders for my split Warthog throttle, by transferring and modifying the electronics in my Cougar throttle to a project box.  The project box is functional now - just tested it.  What remains is:

- Fly with it long enough to test the actual positions of the pots and switches.

- Finalize - reconfigure and paint the box.







More later

S!

Gunny

[TX-Gunslinger]

BTW - the project box top is not attached to the base because I have not cut the slot for the DB15 cable (which connects directly to the Cougar) - in the back. 

The point is that it's setting up quite a bit higher than the Warthog - so is more in the way of the Warthog 'lever' slider than it will be in practice.  I also plan to push it back a bit.  The idea was to have the rotaries near the Warthog slider for use as gross trim functions.

This is what I'll have to test hard.  The going in idea is that the Warthog slide will function as elevator trim - the closest rotary will be the rudder axis, while the lower left rotary will be aileron axis.  The momentary toggle on the bottom would be set to clear rudder trim (up) - or clear aileron trim (down).  The upper right rotary with it's integrated push button would function as propeller pitch - with the push down function acting as Auto/manual switch.

If that all doesn't work - then the rotaries can be used to control - pitch/mix/impeller speed/etc....

S!

Gunny

[TX-Chukar]

That’s pretty nice there Gunny.  You know at first I didn’t think I would even use the slider on the throttle but now I find myself using it all the time.   Even when engaged it’s not a big deal to slide your hand off the throttle to the slider for a second.   So a couple more knobs there is very cool and still more accessible than most might think.   I like that you kept the comm switch too, that is the best 4 way switch ever mounted in any game controller, ever!  

[TX-Gunslinger]

Totally agree about the Warthog throttle slider. 

It is very usuable even though it's further away.  For ROF I use it as Mixture - For Il2/CoD my initial thought is to use it for elevator trim - since it's aligned in an up/down direction.

I have the Hat1 (Largest Hat on Cougar/Warthog Joysticks) set up for trim also.  Up and Down are Elevator and Left and Right are rudder - Aileron is Shift + Left/Right.   That kind of trim has always be a little unnatural feeling to me.  I find the Target software is much faster at delivering keypresses from the H1 button than the Foxy scripts were.  Don't know why but they are.

Anyway, I'm at Stennis Space Center until Thursday on business.  I can't wait to get back and test this over the weekend.  I'll probably rearrange both the controls in the "box" and the assignments until I can get it "just right".

Box took more work than I thought - but it's not something you couldn't do if you wanted.  Let me know Chukar if you start on this and I'll give you a few tips - some soldering and replacement of pots/switches required.  There are a few wires that need to be rerun ...

Glad you like it !

S!

Gunny

[TX-Gunslinger]

Update 3/9/11

Box is working out fine.  I've got it screwed together and have tested thoroughly in Il2 4.10-1, which is the best test your going to get for SOW.

Learned a few things along the way:

1.  You can only have 8 Direct X sliders active. 

2. So, I end up with 1 non-usable rotary, unless I figure out a digital axis application for it.  Think I'll wait till after CoD arrives to address it.  DCS Black Shark taught me not to "overmap" controllers.  I mapped every function I could to my sticks/throttle/controllers, only to find that I loved the cockpit interface so much (clickables with mouse) that I had no need for all the mapping.  Best to see what CoD actually brings to the table in this regard.

3. T.A.R.G.E.T script is somewhat more difficult than Foxy, but more efficient.  I can generate streams of macros out of the combined Cougar/Warthog at rates never possible before in Foxy.

So I'm going to spend the next week finalizing my TTM (macro file for Il2) and TMC (stick program and links to macro's) files.
I'm well on my way.

S!

Gunny