homepage Forums Technology Flight Sim Controllers Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog Discussion Thread

Just got my Warthog, installed drivers, updated firmware, and started DCS: A-10.

1st impressions: whoah! Totally loving it. Just did a quick mission and boy is it fun flying with that stick. Looks like I've finally found a worthy replacement for my MSFF2.

After ~15 days experience with the Whog, I'd say it's about equal (minus the center 'bumb') to a Cougar stuffed with 800 euros worth of mods.

You could take the above as a suggestion

I still can't believe I own the best joystick/hotas in the world. The Warthog is amazing so far and I still don't know how to take full advantage of everything it offers yet. 100% satisfied!

My throttle is dead again ... and this time, it's more than a firmware glitch. No message on connect, boot mode or otherwise. Thrustmaster contacted ... yay.

thrusmaster have released a new firmware for the warthog to address firmware corruption:

Changes :

Includes Firmware versions 10 (Joystick) & 18 (Throttle)
Protection of the flash write through HID to avoid potential flash corruption

from their site

old news buddy! very old news

Does the Warthog have a way to reset/empty the flash? Like the Cougar had the "hold trigger while plugging it into USB"?

Not the same as the Warthog only has firmware, no loading for scripts etcetera like Cougar.
What does reset the Warthog is: unplug, push both buttons (AUTOPILOT & SILENCE) whilst plugging back in. Release buttons after some (5?) seconds.

I have to use that in case the TARGET GUI hangs on getting firmware information, happens sometimes with mine. Only throttle, on the joystick it works every time without a problem.

Hmmm. What firrmware # is it reporting? Having it hang sounds an awful lot like "firmware corruption" to me that was supposed to be fixed with the firmware update.

Had mine for 3 weeks, and the throttle has died on me. No lights, no signs of being detected by Windows (doesn't appear on Device Manager)... I'm in Argentina, so sending it for replacement would be a more than troublesome option, since shipment back and forth would cost around $100, and then I'd have to pay Customs charges... again!

Could I try resetting the throttle or that would render it totally dead?

That sucks, they should pay for all of that not you.

Just received the Warthog today. #1988

First impressions flying IL-2.

The joystick is very very smooth. UNTIL you travel thru center. There is such a change in movement pressure that snap shots may be very difficult. Otherwise the Warthog is a joy to fly with.

Ground pounding is very good, Boom and Zoom very good, Turn and Burn good, except for the abrupt pressure changes thru center. The MSFF2 is better, and now with the new G940 firmware its better, for turn and burn combat.

The throttle is great with one major flaw for my flying is there is no rotary on the Throttle handle.

The programming software is very easy to use, and intuitive. With this software and all the buttons, switches, etc you have the options you'll ever need.

I find the spring tension fine for flying, but a little to firm around the center. This cause an abrupt pressure change as the spring is released and compressed thru center. I wonder if a spring that was weaker in initial compression would smooth out the movement of the stick thru the center.

I don't want a floppy stick, I mean who would. But it may be a cheap mod if a spring could be found with the necessary initial compression strength to smooth out center control.

You could remove the huge spring and then move the 4 small dampening springs that are below the pressure plate, to on top of the pressure plate. This will make the stick almost floppy (in my case, the stick would not stand up straight) since those 4 post springs are fairly weak, but you might like the feel. It completely eliminates the center bump and the Hog is definitely in turn-n-burn mode when configured this way.

If I had the nerve, I would cut the huge spring, maybe removing one or two coils from it, but I don't have the nerve to do that - yet :-)

Interesting. Could you fine tune your mod by putting a spacer under or over the spring to make the spring a little stiffer to stop the floppy feel without eliminating the center bump.

Yes, spacers, or even 4 new stronger smaller springs to tune it to your liking. As weak as they are, and though they won't bring the stick back to center, they are strong enough to hold the stick at center if you put the stick there and let it go. The best part about this mod is it is free, quick and easy to do, and makes you not give a second thought about control as you do a snap turn while trying to get a bead on the target in IL-2. With the big spring in there, in the heat of battle, the center bumps are just too much of a distraction to me.

Right now my Hog stick is on the shelf as a backup to my U2-Nxt. I am using the Hog throttle though - it is simply a masterpiece all-around.

Same boat as you Slammin - GREAT IDEAS there - I'll have to try them when I get a chance. Like you, love the throttle - have shelved the stick for my trusty U2Nxt.

You have made my day and given me some new ideas,

Thanks so much

S!
Gunny

Because i have too much time on my hands, i tried that myself. The stick is very "sloppy" after that.

I guess a weaker huge spring would probably be best. But i'm OK with the normal stiffness of the Warthog.

Hi guys! My Cougar was kind enough to come up to me, look me in the eye, and said "You need that Warthog, man, seriously."

So, I guess Santa's gonna be extra kind to me this year. Any tips or things to watch out for when getting/setting up a Warthog? Or is it plug-and-play-right-out-of-the-box?

Does anyone know at what angle the real A-10C's stick is offset to the left? I am center mounting the TM WH and would like to put it at the same angle as R/L. Cant find any reference to it.

Thanks