Reviews by our members

• 4

  24 out of 25 members found this review helpful

  Alepap

  2021-08-27

  Verified purchase

  Purchased from a Greek store for €408.
  I have had it for about a month now, for use in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and DCS World (maybe also for KSP 2 when it comes out).

  First of all, it is a brick, weighing around 9kg in total, so keep that in mind if you need it delivered to your home, even if you are relatively close.

  The build quality gives a very good first impression and feels solid in the hand. It is mainly made of metal, giving a sense of sturdiness and durability. However, as we go further inside, the construction becomes more and more plastic. The main parts of the base and throttle are plastic, even the silver piece that connects the stick to the base. There have been cases where the stick can break in that area, which is why aftermarket accessories are available online.

  Stick:

  The stick has most of the buttons you need for a fighter aircraft, which is the most demanding in terms of keybinds, as it is a faithful replica of the A-10 Warthog Stick and Throttle, and the F-16 Stick. In general, I have no complaints about the buttons. They are quite firm compared to buttons on other HOTAS or any other controller, but they are designed that way and they do their job. Some switches, like the left 5-way switch, require some getting used to in order to avoid pressing a different direction than intended. There are reviews that say the trigger is too hard or that you can't tell when it will "click". Personally, I think the trigger is very good. It is a 2-stage trigger. A light click at the beginning, and when you reach the end, you feel a "wall" that you can press further and feel the second stage being activated. It is designed to stabilize the A-10 on target with the first click and fire the weapon with the second, and it works perfectly. My only criticism is that you don't "feel" the first stage trigger as much as you hear it. If you have headphones, you will get used to it more as muscle memory, but it's not a big issue since it is almost activated at the beginning of the trigger. The stick is also compatible with Virpil and VKB bases.

  Stick Base:

  We have a sturdy base with a metal exterior, 4 holes on the plate for mounting, but also another 4 on the base itself, and it is compatible with any mount that supports TM Warthog joystick or has an adapter. It doesn't move on the desk, except for some violent shaking when the gimbal hits the "stop". Make sure you have a relatively sturdy desk, and if you have a desk mount for a monitor, it can play a significant role in wobble. I have the throttle on its box, standing upright, and the stick on the desk or between my legs, resting on the metal plate of the base (which makes it much more controllable and comfortable). What can I do? Spending almost the same amount for a desk/chair mount is crazy. You may also need a USB extension/hub because its cable is not one of the longest. Especially with the throttle on the left side and the PC on the bottom right.

  This is where the problems start a bit.

  The base out of the box has a very stiff spring, and more importantly, the recentering is very noticeable. It's like having a circular detent in the center that you feel every time you make a movement that passes over it. It destroys the precision you need to do things like landing and targeting. Forget about air-to-air refueling.
  I opened the base and removed the main spring, and then I put the 4 small springs on top, as shown in this guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBMBR8M0z2E and it's 10 times better. Not perfect by any means, but I can't imagine anyone using the default spring without an extension.

  Throttle:

  I believe the throttle is one of the best on the market.
  It has 2 throttles for aircraft with 2 engines, and it can be mapped to something else for aircraft with one engine, like the nozzle lever of the Harrier.
  Split with a magnetic switch that works perfectly. I haven't noticed any balance issues between the two throttles.
  There is liftoff idle and off detent for each throttle and it is bindable in-game as 2 toggle keys for each throttle, and it's the most immersive thing to use in DCS.
  Also, if you remove the protective cover between the throttles with the allen key included in the package, you can activate the afterburner detent by removing it and putting it back in reverse. Personally, I don't use it. I would prefer it to be pushthrough instead of liftoff, but there are ways, with 3D printing or even filing, if you don't mind destroying it.

  It has friction control, but even at its loosest, it is a bit stiff for precise micro-movements. Mainly, I believe it's because the left throttle is slightly harder than the right one, at least in my unit. Only the right one is fine, you can make quick adjustments forward and backward without it "sticking." But both together are not ideal.

  In terms of buttons, it provides most of them, although I would like some extra features, like a wheel near the thumb. I know, it's a simulation and all, but you buy it to play games and the realism is not there.

  The switches on the base are physical switches, 2 and 3 positions, but the truth is that there is no 3-position switch on this HOTAS. It's either one position or two positions. Not even the flaps, Thrustmaster?! It doesn't have an on-off as 2 separate keys, the "off position" is not a button that can be mapped in the game unless it has a script like in DCS, or if you play with Thrustmaster T.A.R.G.E.T software. Which is TERRIBLE.

  Thrustmaster T.A.R.G.E.T.:

  I haven't seen worse software for a premium product. You have to go to the Thrustmaster website, and after searching through all the tabs, you will find the link to download the software: https://support.thrustmaster.com/en/product/hotaswarthogflightstick-en/
  You also have to download the driver if you want any meaningful functionality after downloading it, without getting errors in the profiles.
  You create a profile, then you have to click "Run" and wait 10-30 seconds for it to execute, as if we were in 2000 and didn't have things like Razer Synapse, which I have to defend because of this nonsense.
  And then it can mess up your whole computer because you have bound keyboard buttons to the HOTAS, and it won't even respond to alt+ctrl+delete.
  I don't think I'll ever deal with this software again.

  In the end, it's a very good system, but it has some significant flaws that can be fixed either with a little DIY or with extra money.
  The closest in competition is the WinWing Orion, which is better in every aspect (from what I can judge, without having it) if you find it on sale and in stock. After that, it goes to Virpil and the wallet can't handle it.

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• 4

  3 out of 4 members found this review helpful

  Αναστασιος Ρ.

  2020-08-22

  I have tried it for a short period of time. Very good controller, particularly high-quality and even more so the Control panel with metallic switches and an amazing feel. I wouldn't say it's perfect because there are better ones, of course, that we don't see in Greece and it's hard to find them... impeccable external quality, especially externally, but it doesn't justify a price of over 500 euros, unless you are a enthusiast and have the money, but with such a price, it's logical to have a couple of stars less

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• 5

  5 out of 6 members found this review helpful

  Andreas_Trigonis

  2019-12-10

  Wonderful feeling and great precision of movements.
  I use it to fly in DCS World now for 9 months.

  Internally it may be plastic, but you don't buy it to dance on it.
  The LEDs and buttons are fully programmable, and you can load different custom profiles into its software, depending on the Sim you want to run.

  Some buttons are quite hard, like the "Left Throttle Button" (15) - I suppose for realism reasons - and for this reason, proper hand placement is required to be able to use it comfortably. It's something that you get used to over time.

  Personally, I would like more "3-position" metal switches instead of the known "2-position" (on-off), as the latter do nothing in the off position.

  So far, I haven't encountered any serious issues that would require me to open it up and lubricate it, as I read on the forums. A small exception is the trigger, which sticks a bit at the beginning when I haven't used it for a while. After the first "pull," it's fine.

  A similar VIRPIL Set costs around 650 - 750 EUR (when in stock).

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• 1

  25 out of 40 members found this review helpful

  Chris_Fokjohn

  2018-06-20

  Terrible. Wonderful metal handle and throttle but ALL of its internals are ENTIRELY plastic. Essentially, you're getting a TM16000 with a nice casing, there are people in forums who have taken them apart and looked inside, polished them... It will disappoint you. I ordered mine last year and the stick needed lubrication because it would stick where I left it. Ridiculous for the money they ask. If you want to get a good HOTAS, check out VIRPIL's European site for the stick, as there is currently no expensive throttle available although the latest ones say it's coming soon. The top in the field is VKB but you will never find them in stock (I'm still looking, they will have them in 3 months!). So, don't make the mistake and get it and look at Virpil.

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• 5

  26 out of 31 members found this review helpful

  stkarametos

  2016-12-22

  The set is amazing! First of all, it is an exact replica of the controls of the A-10 aircraft, which offers an incredible simulation with the realistic environment of the cockpit of this specific aircraft, as the goal is for the pilot to perform all the functions of the plane (or at least the absolutely necessary ones) without taking his hands off the controls.

  Set
  1. There are significant mapping capabilities with the large number of switches and buttons it offers, making it unique. For this purpose, there is accompanying software that you can download from the manufacturer's website. (POSITIVE)
  2. Each piece of the set is quite heavy. (NEGATIVE)
  3. It can be integrated into any ready-made cockpit with the corresponding "work" from the buyer, however. (POSITIVE)

  Throttle
  1. The switches on the control panel of the throttle are of the "On-Off" type (meaning they stay in the position you place them and do not return). (POSITIVE)
  2. There is the possibility of separating it into two separate parts, where each one performs different functions, e.g. flaps & power. (POSITIVE)
  3. Fantastic green lighting that brings memories of TOP-GUN to life... (POSITIVE)

  Stick
  1. Its size is very large. (NEGATIVE)
  2. It has many buttons on it. (POSITIVE)

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• 5

  tourvalis

  2024-08-26

  Verified purchase