homepage Forums Technology Flight Sim Controllers Warthog Cursor Mod

Well, it just barley qualifies as a mod, but I thought I'd go ahead and post it anyway.

I never have liked the micro-stick on the warthog throttle. My finger would often slip on the surface resulting in poor control.
So, about two years ago, I picked up some plumbers sand paper and some lock-tight and applied a non-skid surface to the cursor.

I wasn't sure if it would hold up, but after two years, it shows no sign of failing and I find that I have more precise control of the cursor. Not nearly as good as the Cougar, but much better than stock. I've been looking into replacing the stock cursor with a CH micro joystick, but just have not found the time to get to it.

Anyway, here's a pic of the mod:


If you do this, be sure to clean the head of the microstick first.
Simply cut out a small piece of the plumbing sand paper (any sand paper with a good fabric backing will work -- just make sure it's not too thick). Apply a tiny dab of lock-tight to the microstick and apply sand paper.

Great idea thanks for posting!

Wait a minute...the Warthog microstick isn't that big round cap, but that little protrusion in the middle? No wonder it gets so many complaints about its size!

How much travel does that thing have? Is it like a typical analog mini-stick on a gamepad, the Cougar, or the CH Pro Throttle in terms of acting on displacement, or more like a TrackPoint (the "eraser mouse" generally found on ThinkPads and other business-class laptops) and thus more of a little force-sensing stick?

Yep, it's that little round ministick-like device. Very minimal travel, like the old red buttons on ThinkPads (IBM laptops). I'd suspect it'd be a pain if you want to use it as an 8-way stick, but it's alright for 4-way cursor control. Never had any difficulty with using it, but I do get annoyed if there is some thing mapped on the "press" command as sometimes I end up pressing the cursor when trying to move it. Could do with a little more resistance there, IMHO.

See, that's just it. Without the added friction of the sandpaper, you have to press in a little harder to prevent your finger from slipping -- that's when you get the inadvertent "press" commands.

Great Idea!

I have just done that same as the OP only I used an office hole punch and a double sided sticky pad.

I just ran across this. Great Idea. I have just bought a new slew control as mine was dead. While I have not installed it, I have been thinking about how to modify it because of this problem. I think you just solved it.

Great post!

You've attached a hole-punch to your Warthog? You're mental!

Ah, you're Welsh!

*you're

I just live there

I added the cover from a classic Bic Pen. Patience and Model Glue. It works.

[img:center]http://Slew Mod by Mark, on Flickr[/img]

That looks good, Maico!

I had put some Sugru on mine, but it eventually came back off. If I had roughed up the surface first, it might have stayed on. That Bic pen tip looks like a much better idea!

Thanks Cy. You are spot on. I used a cardboard nail file. I roughed up the edges of the button only just enough and also the bottom of the pen cap. I then put glue on both and let them sit about 30 seconds. The bond seems to be strong.

Not meaning to necro this thread, but this is a brilliant idea. (the Bic Pen solution) What manner of model glue did you use? I'm thinking CA might not work, but epoxy might if I can manage not to get it everywhere...