Show your setup

Airshow fan · Post by **Airshow fan** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 4:03 pm

I'll ask the same.

scooter · Post by **scooter** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 4:25 pm

Welp, here is mine:

Like Thumper I'll be ditching my secondary CRT and buying a new LCD soon. The two LCD's will then go side by side.

I'm looking into getting a Cougar.

Any suggestions or comments are more than welcome as always.

Scooter

lqcorsa · Post by **lqcorsa** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 4:25 pm

I envy your working X-52. Mines been broken since November.

Shabo · Post by **Shabo** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 5:06 pm

I think that means it time to get your cougar, if u dont already have one

-Shabo

lqcorsa · Post by **lqcorsa** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 9:20 pm

NO WAY!!! Tell me, does the joystick (named after a cat not to mention), have this:

The most fully integrated PC Flight Control System
Precision engineering, ergonomic design and a detailed fusion of features deliver maximum aeronautical authenticity
Advanced programming provided by Saitek Smart Technology (SST) software
Enhanced gameplay through intuitive Multi-Function display (MFD)
lluminated buttons and MFD - ideal for low light environments
Rubber grips and ergonomic design for increased comfort and fatigue-free gaming
Part metal construction for increased durability and authenticity
Includes Roger Wilco Chat software - the ideal accompaniment for on-line multiplayer gaming
Precision centering mechanism, non-contact technology on X and Y axes and constant spring force reduce free play, improve control and increase durability
2-stage metal trigger; 2 primary buttons in 1 convenient position
4 fire buttons including missile launcher with spring-loaded safety cover for instant access
Conveniently positioned metal pinkie switch provides shift functionality to double up on programmable commands
2 X 8-way Hat Switches
3D rudder twist
3-position rotary mode selector switch with LED indicators
3 spring-loaded, base-mounted toggle switches for up to 6 programmable flight commands
5-position handle adjustment system to suit all hand sizes
Progressive throttle with tension adjustment, detents for afterburner and idle
2 fire buttons
Scroll wheel with built-in button
Mouse controller / hat switch with left mouse button
8-way hat switch
2 x rotary controls
Smooth-action slider control
Clutch button initiates ‘safe mode’ to allow on-the-fly profile selection, or to display button functionality without activating

I read in the cougar reviews that the throttle support is made out of plasic, so it makes the throttle easy to break. Here are some customer reviews of the cougar:

68 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

All show, no go, December 14, 2003
Reviewer: Ninoslav Tomlinovic "hristo32" (Koprivnica, N/A Croatia)
1. Poor gimbal construction. The stick will inevitably develop center play which, in combination with stiff springs, makes the center position feel like a detent - this effectively denies any precision control near the center. A fix for this is available as a 3rd party product, but is costly - almost twice as the Cougar itself.

2. Poor quality potentiometers. With joystick this expensive, HAL (contactless magnetic potentiometers) are the way to go, or at least high quality potentiometers found in competition products. HAL potentimeters for Cougar are also available as a 3rd party product, but are costly (a kit of three is slightly less than 200$).

3. Sticky feel with throttle. The material has quite a difference in friction, which means it is hard to move the throttle, but once you do move it, it is hard to stop it in desired position. No precision here. If the resistance is lowered, the throttle lever falls forward/backward due to its own weight !

Verdict: A wannabe quality product which simply falls short in crucial areas. Requires significant additional costs to make it work as advertised. Definitely not recommended, as there are much better options out there.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

worse customer service on earth, April 9, 2006
Reviewer: G. Callow (yuba city) - See all my reviews

after a series of problems with the potentiometers i finally was able to actually talk to a live person in tech support.
i was told parts will be shipped under warranty to me.
after 4 months of waiting and calling i finally talked to a live person again and was told im sorry sir but your hotas system is now out of warranty.
they did this very same thing to a friend of mine.
i sent them the money for parts and still havent received anything.
its a great system when it works but it wears out too fast and its not worth the money or agrivation involved.
out of 15 friends who have this system12 are broken.
we are now cannablizing each others systems for parts.

I'll just wait for mine to be fixed! Thanks for the tip though

. Plus I don't like tight springs, and I heard the stick doesn't rotate for a rudder. Yes the X-52 does rotate for a rudder, and for those that complain they don't like that because of accidental twisting, it has a locking system on it.

Post by **Gunner** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 10:25 pm

Don't want to start a catfight (pun intented)

, but that is strong criticism coming from a guy whose control of choice has been broke for seven months

I bought an X-52 right when they came out, and it's a fine stick & TQS, but they would have to pry my kitty out of my cold, dead hands before I'd go back to it.

Shabo · Post by **Shabo** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 11:01 pm

well i do have my box back up and running and now that ive had the cougar for some time now and have flown with it on all my sims, and being a x-52 owner myself. I can gather my own opinion that the kitty is a far superior stick that the x52. Dont get me wrong I still ike my 52 but it is a far cry from the feel of the kitty. Those that have both or have had both can agree. My father once told me that opinions are like a$$h0le$, everyone has one.
Heres my $0.02. If you can afford a kitty you better get yourself one.

-Shabo

Post by **Lawndart** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 11:45 pm

Shabo wrote:My father once told me that opinions are like a$$h0le$, everyone has one.

Old saying from where I grew up too!

Although, we said: "Opinions are like @$$h0le$... divided!"

LD

scooter · Post by **scooter** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 12:05 am

This is going to sound worse than it really is but...

Do you find it easier to fly with the Cougar than the X52?

Shabo · Post by **Shabo** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 12:24 am

The transition to the cougar was tricky at first, those springs take getting used to. But now, like Gunner, my x-52 is a pretty, futuristic looking, $100 paperweight. Once you get used to it, which I still am, its a great stick. Granted there where more key combos on the x52 which i liked for games like Falcon4 were you are better off never touching the joystick, but if your good with Foxy you can get most of the ones you need at your fingertips fast on your kitty. In a nutshell, at first i got a little fatigued on the cougar, but like anything else, with practice you get used to it.

-Shabo

lqcorsa · Post by **lqcorsa** » Sun Jul 16, 2006 5:14 am

I must admit, the loose X-52 does take getting used to, but I like the loose easy feel to it. I also really like the rubber padding for hours of flying though! It seems to me the coug's stiff springs make the center posistion feel like a detent, making combat hard. And I have no ruder pedals!!! I find myself over correcting with stiff springs, and it seems hard to make small, slight movements. In combat I prefer lots of programing and lots of buttons and modes! I'm sure were all people with opinions here, and taking my opinion, I just like the 52 better than the coug! Hey I'm not trying to hi-jack any threads here. Good desktops guys!

Post by **Gunner** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 11:45 pm

I hate to be one to resurrect an old thread, but I had to share another bit of artwork from my buddy that likes to give me a little sh*t about my obsession.

Since Lawndart started this thread, I have modified an office chair and mounted my HOTAS right to the chair - rather than include a photo, I'll just give you his impression of my current setup...

BonJobie · Post by **BonJobie** » Sat Aug 26, 2006 2:15 am

Priceless, Gunner. Thanks for sharing.

Bon

Post by **Lawndart** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 5:24 am

scooter wrote:It seems like that the wall paper on the desktop is pretty common between you vTB's...

...is it just a VTB thing or is it avail somewhere for download? just curious

Not avail for d/l. It's since been made into our sigs (as you can tell) minus two formations to the right in the picture. They consist of the pilot photo (by U.S. Air Force) and Cinch's photography from air shows earlier this year. Basically, everything is made "in house" by the VTB incl. the photos, photoshopping and putting it all together aside from the pilot on the left, which came from a free download via the U.S. Air Force's site, although the visor reflection was added.

Gunner, awesome drawing... I'd like to see a real picture of you with that "hat" on!!! LOL!

Andrew125 · Post by **Andrew125** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 2:17 pm

nice setups guys much better then mine :O