Calling all Cougars

[TX-Deck]

Gentlemen,

After some careful research, and some speculation, and a boat load of uncertainty.. Zen and I have embarked upon a task.

Most cougar users embrace a harsh reality.   The design and software that is part of the Thrustmaster HOTAS Cougar is sound, and effective.  However, due to today's global markets and extensive outsourcing, parts of its construction simply suck.

We have decided to take up the task of finding a cheap and suitable repair solution to get our cats back in action.   First, all pots will be replaced with Hall Effect Sensors.  Second, we are going to come up with a modification similar to the Evenstrain mod everyone raves about, but no-one can afford.

What I need from TX is a list of people who own the Cougar, and who are also interested in the repairs/mods/upgrades.   I have a good idea who owns one, but I want to post to make sure.

Please refrain from any non-essential posts in this thread.   I'm viewing this as a serious issue and really don't want to see any hardware bashing going on here.   I will remove any post not topic related.

Thank you!

TX-Deck out.

[TX-Zen]

As stated, I'm game for this. I find that my Cougar is limping along with bad pots and I've finally decided that the spring tension is too high for accurate gunnery. I hope to get a stick with light but controllable tension out of this project and with the hall sensors, spiking pots will be a thing of the past. I'm trying to find more details on the hall sensors so that we can get them cheaper than Cub Pilot does them for which is about 60 dollars per sensor. Cougar owners, please post your thoughts on this. We plan on picking up the parts for all us in one fell swoop, I'd like to confirm interest before we commit. TX-ZenBlack 6TX Squadron CO

[TX-Cage]

Sounds like a most wonderful idea.However, I am afraid that in my current state, I can't commit to anything.:(I'm working really hard to get caught back up, and put my head back above the water.TX-CageBlack 5... end ...

[TX-Deck]

Have no fear Cage, we'll make this happen.I want to get a list of names, and I'm pretty sure there are only 4 of us who own them, and then go from there.   If this can't be done for less than $75 then I'm out as well.I'm estimating approx. $10 for parts each, then the cost of the hall sensors.  At this time the best estimate we have on those is around $60 each, but I personally don't believe it and am going to try and locate a much better deal.  Buying in bulk will help out too, I figure if there are 4 of us, then that is a total of 12 sensors and we might get a price break.Don't worry about commiting funds at this point, Zen or I'll cover the parts on the first one as a guinea pig and then we can go from there.TX-Deck out.

[TX-Rahman]

Manford,                A pot costs $60?  What are the specs on it?B~TX-Rahman"BLUE 2"

[TX-Zen]

Cage,Don't worry about the cost, I'll cover you and we can settle up later. Its wingman concept.TX-ZenBlack 6TX Squadron CO

[LW_Tornado]

I was going to say that I myself am willing to contibute to the ascenscion of ALL TX members , i.e. meaning we should start some form of a pay-pal for the squad to use in just such a case. I know you dont and arent asking for hand outs any of you (prideful myself) but I'm more than sure and confident that several pilots in the squad would be more than willing to donate a few bucks, 5 here 10 there . And if thats still a touchy subject we could donate anonymously if it made anyone feel better or what not. anyways, I'm just offering my help and suggesting another option. Thanks for not removing this one post, :)S~Tornado

[TX-Chukar]

I started to look into getting my own Hall Sensors but quickly became confused with the deferent types and specifications. If you guys can pull this off that would be great, nothing more frustrating than not being able to fly because you have a sick kitty.TX-ChukarBlue 1

[TX-Cage]

You guys are too much.I will do my best to contribute what is needed and what I can.  Thanks alot guys.TX-CageBlack 5... end ...

[GR142_Sammie]

Not sure if this will be helpful, but Thrustmaster sent me replacement pots and I have my defective pot collecting dust. I can take it to an electronics store and have them check the pinouts. I think this is a great idea, and the hard part imo is finding the right pot pinouts, and then the right shape etc. I found a site that has more pots than I would ever want to see, and I think it's the same place Cub order his pots.Regarding the tension, I like the high spring action. However, I am sure there is wear and tear involved, as there is with the x-y axis system (forgot the 'name' they use to refer to it). Might be a good idea to look into a way to protect the areas of that which rub and cause degredation.Anyway, I am interested in helping if you accept non-tx'ers into the effort :)Cheers,GR142-Sammie

[TX-Deck]

Sammie,I'm amazed Thrustmaster sent you anything.  That is remarkable.  Everytime I talked with them they asked for me to ship the unit back for replacement.  Maybe enough time has passed that I should try again.The pots on my joystick are in good shape, but I am having issues with the throttle.   I figured if I am going to replace one, I might as well replace all 3 while I'm at it.  I know a couple other Cougar owners in the squad are having issues with the joystick pots.It appears the Hall Sensors are very pricey for what they actually are, but when you figure in the MTBF for those units, 10,000,000 cycles looks pretty attractive.   The best I have found in a standard pot is half that, at 5,000,000 cycles.   Regardless of the increased hardware reliability, right now I am leaning towards some less expensive high quality standard replacement pots.Oh, from what I can tell, the pot in the throttle seems to be a standard 100k pot, but somewhat special in the sense that the housing is square and fits directly into the die cast mount molded into the base of the throttle.  Switching to a circular housing on the pot would mean mods to the base, do-able but definitely a hassle.  I haven't checked the rating on the stick pots, time to get out the multimeter and check them out.I'm casually exploring all options, and I'll keep y'all updated as news comes along.  If anyone has any ideas, please let me know.TX-Deck out.

[TX-Deck]

Here's a link to the Hall Sensors that I have found so far....https://www.electronic-parts.com/store/finditem.cfm?itemid=693982&orderid=ID9431436196836799And here's a link to the pots I think might work as a less expensive option....http://www.potentiometer.com/578.pdfThose run $8.50 each for a quantity of 12-24.TX-Deck out.

[TX-Zen]

Just FYI, the mod that Manford is considering making looks approximately like this:As you can see, it replaces the stock 2 pair cougar springs with 4 springs at the corners. According to what I have read about this type of mod it eliminates center play and reduces the stick load by 1/3 to 1/2 depending on what kind of springs you use. Perhaps once complete, hopefully all of our right arms will decrease in size back to regular proportions. For those of you with boths arms abnormally large, hopefully you will be able to drop your other habit. No pun intended. TX-ZenBlack 6TX Squadron CO

[LW_Tornado]

Did the pay pal suggestionget overlooked ? Just curious as to where to send my said funds.TX-Tornado

[TX-Deck]

This is extremely prelim Tornado.  Thanks for the offer but just hold tight for now!S~TX-Deck out.